cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3525: Achieving reproducibility and accuracy in cancer mutation detection with whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing

Clinical applications of precision oncology require accurate tests that can distinguish tumor-specific mutations from errors introduced at each step of next generation sequencing (NGS). For NGS to successfully improve patient lives, discriminating between true mutations and artifacts is crucial. We systematically interrogated somatic mutations in paired tumor normal cell lines to identify factors affecting detection reproducibility and accuracy. Different types of samples with varying input amount and tumor purity were processed using multiple library construction protocols. Whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing were carried out at six sequencing centers followed by processing with nine bioinformatics pipelines to evaluate their reproducibility. We identified artifacts due to sample and library processing and evaluated the capabilities and limitations of bioinformatics tools for artifact detection and removal. By examining the interaction and effect of various wet lab and computational parameters concomitantly, here we recommend actionable best practices for mutation detection in clinical applications using NGS technologies. Citation Format: Wenming Xiao, The Somatic Mutation Working Group of the SEQC-IIConsortium. Achieving reproducibility and accuracy in cancer mutation detection with whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3525.
Patient Preferences and Surrogate Decision Making in Neuroscience Intensive Care Units

In the neuroscience intensive care unit (NICU), most patients lack the capacity to make their own preferences known. This fact leads to situations where surrogate decision makers must fill the role of the patient in terms of making preference-based treatment decisions, oftentimes in challenging situations where prognosis is uncertain. The neurointensivist has a large responsibility and role to play in this shared decision-making process. This review covers how NICU patient preferences are determined through existing advance care documentation or surrogate decision makers and how the optimum roles of the physician and surrogate decision maker are addressed. We outline the process of reaching a shared decision between family and care team and describe a practice for conducting optimum family meetings based on studies of ICU families in crisis. We review challenges in the decision-making process between surrogate decision makers and medical teams in neurocritical care settings, as well as methods to ameliorate conflicts. Ultimately, the goal of shared decision making is to increase knowledge amongst surrogates and care providers, decrease decisional conflict, promote realistic expectations and preference-centered treatment strategies, and lift the emotional burden on families of neurocritical care patients.
Convergence behavior of second-order transport equations in near-void problems

Abstract In this paper, a newly developed second-order least-squares form of the S N equations is tested in 3-D with both thin-slab problems and the PECOS vehicle re-entry problem. Its performance in voids and near-voids is then compared to that of the SP N , even-parity S N , and self-adjoint angular flux (SAAF) methods through convergence tests in these two problems. A rebalance scheme is also proposed for the least-squares S N to regain particle balance for this generally non-conservative form. Our results indicate that the least-squares S N method is capable of producing accurate results in these kinds of problems where the SP N , even-parity S N fail to produce trustworthy results. While SAAF can produce results comparable with least-squares S N , it can be ill-posed in some extreme cases.
Donor-Derived Disease Transmission in Lung Transplantation

Understanding the risk of donor-derived infection, particularly in the lung transplant population, should reduce discarding organs without risk. Ongoing regulatory efforts and improved clinician awareness can help improve organ supply and post-transplantation outcomes. Infections can be divided into expected and unexpected. Syndromes that manifest in the early-post-transplant period should raise concern of a donor-derived transmission. Emerging data suggests that donors with certain bacterial infections can be safely used while donors with HCV infection can be a useful source of previously discarded organs. Donor-derived disease transmission events are rare. Thoughtful donor and recipient screening can mitigate the risk of disease transmission through organ transplantation and may identify donor organs that can be safely used.
1H MRS Measurement of Cortical GABA and Glutamate in Primary Insomnia and Major Depressive Disorder: Relationship to Sleep Quality and Depression Severity.

Abstract Background Both Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Primary Insomnia (PI) have been linked to deficiencies in cortical γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) thus suggesting a shared neurobiological link between these two conditions. The extent to which comorbid insomnia contributes to GABAergic or glutamatergic deficiencies in MDD remains unclear. Methods We used single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) at 4 Tesla to examine GABA+ and Glu relative to creatine (Cr) in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and in the parieto-occipital cortex (POC) of 51 non-medicated adults with MDD, 24 adults with Primary Insomnia (PI), and 25 age- and sex-matched good sleeper controls (HC). Measures of depression severity and subjective and objective sleep quality were compared with 1H MRS metabolite measures. Results MDD subjects exhibited a 15% decrease in Glu/Cr in the dACC compared to HC. Within the MDD group, there was a trend inverse correlation between dACC Glu/Cr and anhedonia ratings. We observed no significant association between measures of sleep quality with dACC Glu/Cr in those with MDD. Limitations The protocol and data interpretation would have been enhanced by the recruitment of MDD subjects with a broader range of affect severity and a more comprehensive assessment of clinical features. Conclusions These findings support the role of cortical glutamatergic mechanisms in the pathophysiology of MDD. Insomnia severity did not further contribute to the relative deficiency of glutamatergic measures in MDD.
Outcomes of MitraClip Placement in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.

Abstract Introduction Liver cirrhosis is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Many preoperative risk assessment tools do not take into account the presence or degree of liver cirrhosis prior to surgery. Over recent years, percutaneous mitral valve repair using MitraClip has emerged as an option for patients at high risk of surgical intervention. However, the safety, efficacy and outcomes of this procedure in patients with liver cirrhosis have not yet been evaluated. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study using the 2013–2017 National Inpatient Sample database of adults who were hospitalized for MitraClip repair of mitral valve. All patients were divided into patients with cirrhosis and those without cirrhosis. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality in patient with cirrhosis who underwent MitraClip. The secondary outcomes were to assess length of stay (LOS) and total hospital cost per year in cirrhotic patients compared to non-cirrhotic patients. Results In-hospital mortality was higher in cirrhosis group compared to non-cirrhosis however not statistically significant (8.1% vs 3.2%, OR: 2.59 [95% CI: 0.47–14.28, p-value 0.27). Additionally, neither of the secondary outcomes, LOS and total cost, were found to be statistically significant. However, the incidence of cardiogenic shock was significantly higher in the cirrhosis group 13.3% versus 3.9% (p-value 0.032). Conclusion Patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent MitraClip repair of MV were at higher risk of developing cardiogenic shock, without any significant increase in in-hospital mortality, LOS or total cost. However, this study showed a trend toward higher rates of mortality, requirement of blood transfusion, mechanical ventilation, length of stay, and cost of care in cirrhosis patients.
Study of Reactor-Irradiated α - Al 2 O 3

Studies are presented here on reactor-irradiated alpha aluminum-oxide single crystals. These are a continuation of the use of long-wavelength neutron transmission for determining the concentration and types of defects produced in solids by high-energy particle irradiation. The material exhibited crystallographic stability to fast-neutron irradiation at temperatures 40\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, and the results indicate a total number of defects approximately 40 times less than that predicted by current theories. Correlation with macroscopic density changes is good. Examination of the wavelength dependence of the neutron scattering indicated that the damage may be partly Al-O vacancy pairs at room temperature. Annealing of the material produced no decrease in the concentration of defects from room temperature to 400\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, a steady decrease from 400\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C to 1250\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, and nonuniform changes in neutron scattering and visually observable optical coloring beyond 1250\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. Annealing at a temperature of 1800\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C did not remove the coloring, although the density returned to its pre-irradiation value.
Incident frailty and cognitive impairment by heart failure status in older patients with atrial fibrillation: the SAGE-AF study.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) frequently co-occur in older individuals. Among patients with AF, HF increases risks for stroke and death, but the associations between HF and incident cognition and physical impairment remain unknown. We aimed to examine the cross-sectional and prospective associations between HF, cognition, and frailty among older patients with AF. Methods The SAGE-AF (Systematic Assessment of Geriatric Elements in AF) study enrolled 1244 patients with AF (mean age 76 years, 48% women) from five practices in Massachusetts and Georgia. HF at baseline was identified from electronic health records using ICD-9/10 codes. At baseline and 1-year, frailty was assessed by Cardiovascular Health Survey score and cognition was assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Results Patients with prevalent HF (n = 463, 37.2%) were older, less likely to be non-Hispanic white, had less education, and had greater cardiovascular comorbidity burden and higher CHA2DS2VASC and HAS-BLED scores than patients without HF (all P's < 0.01). In multivariable adjusted regression models, HF (present vs. absent) was associated with both prevalent frailty (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.64-3.46) and incident frailty at 1 year (aOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.37-4.51). HF was also independently associated with baseline cognitive impairment (aOR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.22-2.11), but not with developing cognitive impairment at 1 year (aOR 1.04, 95%CI: 0.64-1.70). Conclusions Among ambulatory older patients with AF, the co-existence of HF identifies individuals with physical and cognitive impairments who are at higher short-term risk for becoming frail. Preventive strategies to this vulnerable subgroup merit consideration.
Pesticide Use in Tomato Production: Consumer Concerns and Willingness-to-Pay

Consumer attitudes toward pesticide use and residues in fresh produce and tomatoes were assessed using personal interviews of shoppers in produce sections of retail grocery stores. The results indicated a lower frequency of concern for pesticide use than earlier studies and a belief in both personal and external effects of pesticide use indicating altruism may affect consumer purchases. Almost half of the respondents indicated a willingness-to-accept cosmetic defects in chemical pesticide residue-free (CPRF) tomatoes. The majority of respondents indicated willingness-to-pay up to 10% more for CPRF tomatoes.
Pulse dose steroid experience among hospitalized patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a single-center feasibility study

Introduction/objectives: Pulse intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone (MEP) is often used for severe SLE manifestations requiring hospitalization. However, the accuracy of pulse dose documentation extracted from the electronic health record (EHR) is unknown. We assessed the feasibility to study pulse steroid dosing among hospitalized patients with SLE at our institution. Method: Using the Stanford Medicine Research Data Repository (STARR) extracted from the EHR, we identified patients with ≥ 1 SLE ICD code before/during hospitalization receiving steroids (1/2008-12/2017). SLE diagnosis required rheumatologist confirmation. For our feasibility study, we randomly sampled 40/747 patients meeting search criteria. Pulse IV MEP was defined as ≥ 200 mg. Pharmacy dispensation data required EHR confirmation. Results: Forty adult and pediatric subjects were identified, passing initial criteria screen; 6 pediatric patients were excluded as EHR pharmacy confirmation was unavailable. Of the 34 adults, 14 had SLE confirmed. Among 5 adult SLE patients with pulse documentation, 3 occurred while hospitalized, for the following indications: acute renal transplant rejection (2 patients, 2 hospitalizations) and lupus flare (1 patient, 2 hospitalizations). No discrepancies were observed in pharmacy dispensation documentation of pulse dosing between EHR and STARR for all 4 hospitalizations. Conclusions: Assessment of pulse steroid dose dispensation among hospitalized patients with SLE can be reliably ascertained from the extracted portion of the EHR designed for research. Reliance on a single ICD code for SLE in the EHR may lead to high rate of false-positive diagnoses of SLE among hospitalized patients. We document the importance of supplementing one ICD code with additional clinical information when confirming SLE diagnosis.
Computational Assessment of Novel Predicted Compounds in Ni-Re Alloy System

Ab initio high-throughput efforts are continuously identifying new intermetallic compounds in a wide range of alloy systems that were previously thought to be well-characterized. While such predictions are likely valid near absolute zero, they carry the risk that such phases become unstable at the higher temperature relevant to typical synthesis conditions. We illustrate how this possibility can be rapidly tested by integrating Calphad modeling into the high-throughput loop. As an example, we investigate the Ni-Re system, in which D019 and D1a phases were predicted as possible intermetallic compounds. We confirm that these phases are indeed stable at practical synthesis temperatures and explain how they could have been overlooked in prior assessments.
Nephronectin-Integrin α8 signaling is required for proper migration of periocular neural crest cells during chick corneal development

During development, cells aggregate at tissue boundaries to form normal tissue architecture of organs. However, how cells are segregated into tissue precursors remains largely unknown. Cornea development is a perfect example of this process whereby neural crest cells aggregate in the periocular region prior to their migration and differentiation into corneal cells. Our recent RNA-Seq analysis identified upregulation of Nephronectin (Npnt) transcripts during early stages of corneal development where its function has not been investigated. We found that Npnt mRNA and protein are expressed by various ocular tissues including the migratory periocular neural crest (pNC), which also express the integrin alpha 8 (Itgα8) receptor. Knockdown of either Npnt or Itgα8 attenuated cornea development, whereas overexpression of Npnt resulted in cornea thickening. Moreover, overexpression of Npnt variants lacking RGD binding sites did not affect corneal thickness. Neither the knockdown or augmentation of Npnt caused significant changes in cell proliferation, suggesting that Npnt directs pNC migration into the cornea. In vitro analyses showed that Npnt promotes pNC migration from explanted periocular mesenchyme, which requires Itgα8. Combined, these findings show that Npnt specifies and tunes cell migration into the presumptive cornea ECM by providing a substrate for Itgα8-positive pNC cells.
Von der Gewißheit zur Fehlbarkeit

Wenn man sich jeden Tag mit Mathematik befast, so scheint das die naturlichste Sache der Welt. Halt man aber einmal inne und uberlegt, was man da tut und was es bedeutet, erscheint es plotzlich hochst mysterios. Wie konnen wir von Dingen berichten, die niemand je gesehen hat, und sie angeblich besser verstehen als die soliden Gegenstande des taglichen Lebens? Wieso ist die euklidische Geometrie auch heute noch richtig, wahrend die Physik des Aristoteles schon lange tot ist? Was wissen wir in der Mathematik, und wie wissen wir es?
Residual Phase Cepstrum Coefficients with Application to Cross-lingual Speaker Verification

Speaker identification and verification has received a great deal of attention from the speech community, and significant gains in robustness and accuracy have been obtained over the past decade [1], [2]. However, the features used for identification are still primarily representations of overall spectral characteristics, and thus the models are primarily phonetic in nature, differentiating speakers based on overall pronunciation patterns. This creates difficulties in terms of the amount of enrollment data and complexity of the models required to cover the phonetic space, especially in tasks such as cross-lingual verification where enrollment and testing data may not have similar phonetic coverage. This paper introduces the use of a new feature for speaker verification, residual phase cepstral coefficients (RPCC), to capture speaker characteristics from their vocal excitation patterns. Results on a cross-lingual speaker verification task taken from the NIST 2004 SRE demonstrate that these RPCC features are significantly more accurate than traditional melfrequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) when the amount of enrollment data available for training is limited. Additionally, because of the significant differences in the nature of the features, combining MFCC and RPCC features shows an improvement in verification results over MFCCs alone.
The Technique and Significance of Hydroxyproline Measurement in Man

Publisher Summary This chapter outlines the methods available for hydroxyproline assay and summarizes the information obtained by hydroxyproline determinations in urine, plasma, and the tissues with emphasis on understanding the physiological and pathological setting in which these measurements are made. Collagen is the only mammalian protein that contains appreciable amounts of hydroxyproline. Thus, determination of this amino acid can be used to estimate collagen. The chapter describes several analytical methods—namely, colorimetric procedures, chromatographic procedures, isotope dilution procedures, and radioactive procedures that are used for hydroxyproline assay. A new approach to hydroxyproline assay is recently introduced that include enzymatic procedure based on the ability of a multiple-enzyme system in adapted Pseudomonas strains of bacteria to degrade hydroxyproline. Westall first visualized the presence of hydroxyproline in normal urine. It was in peptide form and associated with proline. This bound hydroxyproline was regarded a degradation product of collagen.
Behavioral Effects of Using Proxy Traders

The advances in communication technology have allowed us to create fully automated markets that can function twenty-four hours a day using software agents as proxies to decrease transaction costs and increase efficiency. In this paper I examine the short-term and long-term behavioral effects of these agents on human market participants using experiments with economically-motivated human subjects. Findings indicate that humans try to outsmart the less flexible agents, which leads to lower efficiency levels initially. This behavior disappears towards the end of the experiment, and superior efficiency levels are reached.
Definition of Mental Disorder

The concept of mental disorder cannot be easily defined. Historically there has been much debate surrounding the concept, but those historical disagreements have shaped how the concept is defined today. Most modern definitions are pluralistic, including multiple components like harm and dysfunction, impairment, statistical deviation, social values, and treatability. Not every piece is necessary for every disorder. For example, one disorder may only contain some components of the broad definition while another disorder may contain different components. The role of subjective values in the definition of mental disorder necessitates that it will always be flexible and transient, changing with society as it develops. Keywords: mental disorder; abnormal; psychiatry; mental health
The Politics of Superintendent Evaluation

The evaluation of the superintendent by the school board can be a process characterized by mutual respect or, conversely, it can be an intensely stressful, highly political process. This article gives an overview of the superintendent evaluation process, explores the politics that surround it, and provides strategies/processes for improvement.
Heterogeneous reactions : VIII. The heterogeneous gas/solid reaction of 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane with lithium, sodium and potassium methoxides

Abstract The heterogeneous gas/solid reaction of 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane with the solid alkoxide bases lithium, sodium and potassium methoxide has been studied at 150 and 190°C. The lithium compound yields solely 3-methoxypropyltrimethoxysilane in a convenient, high yield reaction. Reaction with sodium methoxide gave products resulting from substitution at silicon and carbon as well as elimination products. Potassium methoxide is the least reactive of the three bases studied and gave products similar to those of the sodium methoxide system. Under the conditions of heterogeneous reaction, some cleavage of the chloropropyl groups is observed. It is suggested that this cleavage follows base-induced elimination to give allyltrimethoxysilane.
Tumors and Tumorous Conditions of Bone

Clinically, tumors and tumorous conditions of bone are among the most frequently studied and diagnostically challenging diseases, the primary means of whose diagnosis is radiography. The absolute neccessity of radiography is well established so that any single diagnostic scheme that does not incorporate it is deemed inappropriate. The incomparable values of X-ray angiography, CT, and MRI must also be emphasized. Nevertheless, in a number of bone tumors and related clinical situations bone scintigraphy has been proven to be invaluable, often playing a decisive diagnostic role. This is true in bone metastases because of its exquisite sensitivity, with which the lesions can be detected weeks ahead of the radiographic manifestation.
Late effects in survivors of central nervous system tumors: reports by patients and proxies.

With the 5-year survival of patients with brain tumors increasing as treatment modalities are optimized, there are a large number of brain cancer survivors who experience long-term sequelae of their treatment. Patient-reported outcomes represent an important and often unrecorded aspect of survivorship. An Internet-based survivorship care plan tool which allowed patients or their proxies to answer a series of questions about the patient’s illness course was used to collect patient-reported toxicity data for 254 individuals who had undergone treatment for brain cancer. Demographic, treatment, and side effect profiles data were reviewed. Median age of diagnosis was 42 years, and 88 % (n = 223) of the patients were Caucasian. Only 11.1 % (n = 29) had previously been offered a survivorship care plan. Of the total group of brain tumor survivors, 25.4 % of responders described themselves as living with metastatic disease, while 14.5 % of responders were experiencing recurrence status post treatment. Late effects most commonly reported for all brain malignancy survivors using this tool were cognitive changes, fatigue, skin changes, hearing loss, weakness, and numbness. The incidence of late effects varied with age at time of treatment and length of time since treatment. Individuals undergoing treatment for brain cancers experience a diverse array of long-term sequelae, and the majority of these patients do not have access to or familiarity with a survivorship care plan. Patient-focused tools to evaluate these side effects and access to survivorship plans are important for comprehensive reporting of late effects as well as implementation of survivorship care plans for long-term management of these effects. Understanding the late effects that patients experience will help providers council patients regarding expectations prior to treatment, as well as management of symptoms in the survivorship phase of care.
Suppression of Heavy Ion gamma gamma Production of the Higgs by Coulomb Dissociation

The predicted two-photon Higgs production with heavy ions at the CERN LHC is shown to be reduced due to the large Coulomb dissociation cross section. Incorporating the effect of dissociation reduces the production of a 100 GeV Higgs boson by about a factor of three compared to rates in the literature calculated without this effect. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Brownian dynamics simulation of two‐dimensional nanosheets under biaxial extensional flow

The morphology dynamics of two-dimensional nanosheets under extensional flow are investigated using a coarse-grained model. Nanosheets (graphene, BNNS, MX2) are promising materials for a variety of materials and electronics applications. Extensional flow fields are often present during dispersion processing, such as spin coating. Both nanosheet properties (e.g., moduli, size) and processing parameters (e.g., extension rate) can have a significant impact on the nanosheet morphology and thus, the structure and properties of the bulk material. Our previously developed dimensionless Brownian dynamics methodology is used to explore biaxial extensional flow. Nanosheets exhibit a flat conformation under extensional flow for high bending moduli and an extended “washrag” conformation for low bending moduli. Intrinsic extensional viscosity increases with strain before reaching a plateau. The intrinsic viscosity exhibits a weak power law with nanosheet molecular weight. These simulation results allow for experimental control over morphology as a function of nanosheet properties and flow type and strength. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1247–1253
Nrf2 regulates PU.1 expression and activity in the alveolar macrophage

Alveolar macrophage (AM) immune function depends on the activation of the transcription factor PU.1 by granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor. We have determined that chronic alcohol ingestion dampens PU.1 signaling via an unknown zinc-dependent mechanism; specifically, although PU.1 is not known to be a zinc-dependent transcription factor, zinc treatment reversed alcohol-mediated dampening of PU.1 signaling. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), a zinc-dependent basic leucine zipper protein essential for antioxidant defenses, is also impaired by chronic alcohol ingestion and enhanced by zinc treatment. We hypothesized that the response of PU.1 to zinc treatment may result from the action of Nrf2 on PU.1. We first performed Nrf2/PU.1 protein coimmunoprecipitation on a rat AM cell line (NR8383) and found no evidence of protein-protein interactions. We then found evidence of increased Nrf2 binding to the PU.1 promoter region by chromatin immunoprecipitation. We next activated Nrf2 using either sulforaphane or an overexpression vector and inhibited Nrf2 with silencing RNA to determine whether Nrf2 could actively regulate PU.1. Nrf2 activation increased protein expression of both factors as well as gene expression of their respective downstream effectors, NAD(P)H dehydrogenase[quinone] 1 (NQO1) and cluster of differentiation antigen-14 (CD14). In contrast, Nrf2 silencing decreased the expression of both proteins, as well as gene expression of their effectors. Activating and inhibiting Nrf2 in primary rat AMs resulted in similar effects. Taken together, these findings suggest that Nrf2 regulates the expression and activity of PU.1 and that antioxidant response and immune activation are coordinately regulated within the AM.
Leukocyte-platelet aggregate adhesion and vascular permeability in intact microvessels: role of activated endothelial cells.

Leukocyte-platelet aggregation and aggregate adhesion have been indicated as biomarkers of the severity of tissue injury during inflammation or ischemic reperfusion. The objective of this study is ...
Demonstration of a functional receptor for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on Molt 4b T lymphoblasts.

Abstract Viable human T lymphoblasts derived from the “Molt 4b” cell line have been shown to possess functional plasma membrane receptors for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Specific binding of 125I-VIP to these lymphoblasts is rapid, reversible and linearly dependent on the number of cells present. Analysis of binding at 17°C reveals a single class of high affinity binding sites over the concentration range of 10−7 to 10−11 M VIP ( K D =7.3±1.3 nM ). The B max of 0.24±0.07 nM extrapolates to 15000±4000 sites/cell . The binding of 125I-VIP to T lymphoblasts is highly specific; secretin and glucagon, peptides of similar molecular weight which show sequence homology with VIP, are unable to competitively inhibit binding of 125I-VIP to Molt 4b lymphoblasts. VIP activates adenylate cyclase in membrane preparations from Molt 4b lymphoblasts and increases cAMP in intact cells. Half maximal activation in both membrane preparations and intact cells occurs at 5 nM VIP. This demonstration of a functional receptor for VIP suggests that the Molt 4b lymphoblastic cell line may be a useful model system in which to study neuropeptide modulation of T lymphocyte function.
Live Transport of Striped Bass and Rainbow Trout Using a Hidrostal Pump

Immediate and delayed (96 h) mortality, descaling, and injury rates of striped bass Morone sax-atilis and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss that were inserted into the entrance (suction side) of a Hidrostal pump were compared to those of control fish that were inserted at the exit (pressure side). Comparisons were made in 158-paired trials of striped bass and 86 trials with rainbow trout. The Hidrostal pump had no significant effect on immediate or delayed (96 h) mortality. Immediate mortality for striped bass and rainbow trout averaged 0.1 and 0%, respectively, and delayed mortality averaged 2.9 and 0.1%, respectively. Mean scale loss after passage for striped bass and rainbow trout was low (0.2 and 1.0%, respectively). Frequency of injury to the head, eyes, skin, and tins of pumped striped bass averaged 1.9, 2.8, 1.9, and 18.7%, respectively, and those of rainbow trout averaged 2.3, 0, 2.4, and 3.1%. No significant relationships were detected between fish mortality and pump speed, injected fish density, and debris load. Results suggest that large Hidrostal pumps have the capacity to transport live striped bass and rainbow trout at high density (1-6 fish/L) with little mortality and body injury.
A Comparison of the 10.7-cm Radio Flux Values and the International Sunspot Numbers for Solar Activity Cycles 19, 20, and 21

A nonlinear analysis of the daily 10.7-cm radio flux values for each of Solar Cycles 19, 20, and 21 is used to determine if the results match those of the International Sunspot Numbers for each of these cycles. Fractals and chaos are described and a brief review of utilizing fractals and chaos is given. The origin of the 10.7-cm radio flux is discussed and a short review of recent work discussing its measurement and its relation to the international sunspot number and other proxies for solar activity cycles given. The parameters used to describe chaos for the 10.7-cm radio flux are discussed. The length of the data sets for either statistical analysis or nonlinear analysis of the 10.7-cm radio flux values is considered. These results indicate that the 10.7-cm radio flux values appear to be stochastic for Cycle 19 and chaotic for Cycles 20 and 21. The International Sunspot Numbers show similar behavior for these three cycles. A day-by-day comparison of the dimensionless 10.7-cm radio flux values and the dimensionless International Sunspot Numbers differences shows a linear trend. The results remain consistent in that the 10.7-cm radio flux values indicate, as did the International Sunspot Numbers, that there is a transition from stochastic behavior for Cycle 19 to chaotic behavior in Cycles 20 and 21. The day-by-day comparison of the 10.7-cm radio flux values and the International Sunspot Numbers emphasizes that the 10.7 cm radio flux values are responding to the magnetic field associated with the sunspots.
The restructuring of the Indian automobile industry: Indian state and Japanese capital

Abstract This paper analyzes the changing institutional context in which the restructuring of the Indian automobile industry is taking place. It explains the internationalization of the industry under the aegis of deregulation of a heavily statist economy. Economic liberalization, however, has not resulted in withdrawal of the state from the industry. Transnational corporations have not necessarily weakened domestic capital. Instead Japanese capital and technology have transformed the industry with mixed outcomes, creating both benefits of and constraints to restructuring. The reorganization of the Indian automobile industry reflects not only global forces but rather the interplay of changing institutional factors in influencing industrial restructuring in a developing economy.
David G. Mandelbaum (1911–1987)

David G. Mandelbaum, the first American anthropologist to do academic fieldwork in India, died of cancer in Berkeley on April 19, 1987, at the age of 75. Born in Chicago in 1911, he was educated at Northwestern (B.A. 1932) and Yale (Ph.D. 1936). His first faculty position, at the University of Minnesota (1938-46), was interrupted during World War II for about three years of leave for military (Office of Strategic Services) and governmental (Department of State, Office of Research and Intelligence) service, including two years in India and Burma. In 1946 he was appointed to the faculty of the Department of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley, where he pursued a distinguished career in teaching, research, and administra-
Intimate partner violence and emergency department screening: computerized screening versus usual care.

Study objective To compare a computer-based method of screening for intimate partner violence (intimate partner violence) with usual care in an emergency department (ED) setting. Methods During 3 distinct but consecutive 2-week periods, women who presented to the ED were asked to complete a computer-based health survey with or without intimate partner violence screening questions in addition to receiving usual intimate partner violence care (ie, screened voluntarily by ED providers and documented in medical record). The screening, detection, referral and service rates were compared between women who completed the computer-based health survey with the intimate partner violence screening questions to usual care. Results Of the 411 women who completed the computer-based health survey with the intimate partner violence questions, 99.8% were screened for intimate partner violence compared to 33% of the 594 women who received usual care (67.1% difference; 95% CI 63.3%, 70.9%). The computer-based health survey detected 19% intimate partner violence positive whereas usual care detected 1% (17.8% difference; 95% CI 13.9%, 21.7%). Referral to social work was higher among those screened by the computer-based health survey (10%) versus usual care ( Conclusion We found that a computer-based approach led to significantly higher intimate partner violence screening and detection rates compared to usual care. Receipt of intimate partner violence services was also higher than usual care but was not optimal. Computer technology makes routine screening easier and allows us to redirect our energies to addressing patients' intimate partner violence problems.
Effects of injury discharge on the persistent expression of spinal cord fos-like immunoreactivity produced by sciatic nerve transection in the rat

Abstract We recently reported that peripheral nerve injury produced by sciatic nerve transection induces a persistent increase in the expression of the immunoreactive Fos protein product of the c-fos proto-oncogene, an indicator of neuronal activity, in the lumbar spinal cord of the rat and that local anesthetic blockade of the peripheral neuroma attenuates this long-term expression of Fos6,7. In addition to the sustained activity of the injured afferents, the nerve transection itself results, acutely, in a massive injury-induced neural discharge. In this study we evaluated the effect of blocking this massive injury discharge on the persistence of Fos expression. Just prior to nerve transection we applied the short-acting local anesthetic, lidocaine, to the sciatic nerve. Control injections were made subcutaneously on the dorsum of the neck. We report that injection of the local anesthetic, by either route, significantly reduced the number of fos-like immunoreactive neurons at 2 days after nerve transection. The effect was only observed on neurons in the superficial dorsal horn. These results indicate that along with sustained activity of injured afferents and of reorganization of central circuits after injury, the initial brief discharge at the time of nerve injury contributes to a prolonged increase in the activity of spinal cord neurons.
Molecular Shapes, Orientation, and Packing of Polyoxometalate Arrays Imaged by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy.

Reported here are both STM images and spatially resolved tunneling spectra of four different polyoxometalate (POM) structural class members: Keggin structure, H3[PW12O40] (spherical); Finke−Droege (FD) structure, Na16[Cu4(H2O)2(P2W15O56)2] (prolate spheroidal); Wells−Dawson (WD) structure, H7[P2Mo17VO62] (prolate spheroidal); and Pope−Jeannin−Preyssler (PJP) structure, K12.5Na1.5[NaP5W30O110] and (NH4)14 [NaP5W30O110] (oblate spheroidal). In all four cases, the results demonstrate the formation of well-ordered 2-D inorganic POM anion arrays (composed of catalytically active molecular constituents) on graphite. Importantly, the image shapes and lattice spacings accurately reflect the POM anisotropies, permitting the determination of anion orientation with respect to the surface plane.
Tissue engineered stents created from chondrocytes.

Purpose: Trauma, operations or instrumentation of the urethra or ureter may lead to stricture disease. The use of a natural urethral stent made of autologous tissue would be advantageous due to its biocompatibility. In this study we investigated the feasibility of engineering cartilage stents in vitro and in vivo.Materials and Methods: We fabricated 40 cylinders 10 mm. long with an inner and outer diameter of 5 and 9 mm., respectively, from polyglycolic acid mesh coated with 50:50 polylactic-co-glycolic acid. Chondrocytes isolated from bovine shoulders were seeded onto the tubular polymer scaffolds at a seeding density of 60 × 106 cells per ml. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to determine the even distribution of chondrocytes throughout the polymer scaffolds. We implanted 20 cylinders under the skin of nude mice and 20 were cultured in stirred bio-reactors. Cytological characteristics, collagen content and mechanical durability were evaluated 4 and 10 weeks after cell seeding.Results: Gross exa...
Characteristics of pure silica core single-mode fiber

Abstract Single-mode fibers with low attenuation and sufficient reliability are especially important for long-span optical transmission systems. Conventionally, GeO2 has been added to the fiber core region in order to make a refractive index difference between the core and cladding. However, the addition of GeO2 increases Rayleigh scattering loss [1], and deteriorates the chemical stability against hydrogen atmosphere and γ-ray irradiation to bring about an increase in attenuation. [2][3] Therefore, pure silica core single-mode fiber was considered to be an ideal type of fiber, and it was succeeded in being fabricated by utilizing fluorine containing SiO2 cladding.
Focused Optimization for Online Detection of Anomalous Regions

This paper presents an online algorithm for early detection of anomalies in robot execution, where the anomalies occur in a particular region of the robot’s state space. Assuming that a model of normal execution is given, the algorithm detects regions of space where data significantly deviate from normal. It achieves this by focusing optimization over a fixed-parameter family of shapes to find the one among them that is most likely anomalous, and then using this region to decide whether execution is anomalous. Experiments using synthetic and real robot data support the effectiveness of the approach.
The rheology of suspensions of charged rigid spheres

The rheology of particulate dispersions which are strongly influenced by particular types of non-hydrodynamic forces is analysed within the framework of suspension mechanics. Interactions between particles in a homogeneous shear flow without inertia are governed by viscous, electrostatic, London-van der Waals and Brownian forces. The balance among these provides the fluid with a microstructure described quantitatively at dilute concentrations by a pair distribution function and qualitatively by a characteristic interaction length. The bulk rheology follows from the microstructural variables through suitable averaging.In dilute electrostatically stabilized suspensions of small rigid spheres for which London-van der Waals attractions and hydrodynamic interactions can be ignored, the theory predicts a Newtonian low-shear limit. The analytic expression for the viscosity contains a ϕ2-coefficient which can be quite large and agrees well with experimental data. At higher flow strengths a scale analysis of the pair conservation equation indicates a shear-and strain-thinning rheology, representing a breakdown of the fluid microstructure. Without flow the interaction length attains a maximum determined by the balance between Brownian motion and electrostatic repulsion. A weak shear merely perturbs this balance but generates stresses proportional to the fifth power of the length. With increasing shear rate this length and consequently the shear viscosity are reduced until viscous interactions completely dominate. Asymptotic solutions for an intermediate regime in which Brownian motion and hydrodynamic interactions are both negligible reveal power-law extensional and shear viscosities with non-zero normal stresses.
Thermal relaxation in antiferromagnetically coupled granular magnetic media

Using a conventional recording system we have characterized the thermally activated transition formation process in the lower layer of antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic recording media. We find that this thermal relaxation time depends strongly on the transition density, lower layer alloy composition, and layer thickness. A one-dimensional analytic model of coupled granular media that includes interlayer exchange, intergranular exchange, and magnetostatic energies is able to reproduce the observed results.
Longitudinal study of cognition in Niemann-Pick disease type C

Marc C. Patterson, Eugen Mengel, Frits A. Wijburg, Marie T. Vanier, Barbara Schwierin, Audrey Muller, Harir Drevon, Merce Pineda, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA, Villa Metabolica, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands, INSERM Unit 820, Lyon, France, Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Allschwil, Switzerland, Numerus Ltd, Sandhurst, UK, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
Onset of obesity in carboxypeptidase E-deficient mice and effect on airway responsiveness and pulmonary responses to ozone

When compared with lean, wild-type mice, obese Cpefat mice, 14 wk of age and older, manifest innate airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to intravenous methacholine and enhanced pulmonary inflammation ...
Sinton Bands: Evidence for Deuterated Water on Mars.

The infrared absorption bands observed by Sinton at 2710, 2793, and 2898 cm-1, in the spectrum of Mars, may be due to gaseous D2O and HDO in the Martian atmosphere. The implication would be that the deuterium: hydrogen ratio exceeds that on Earth, presumably because of escape of the lighter gases from Mars, with accompanying gravitational fractionation of the hydrogen isotopes.
Toll-Like Receptor-4 Deficiency Enhances Repair of UVR-Induced Cutaneous DNA Damage by Nucleotide Excision Repair Mechanism

UVB-induced DNA damage has a critical role in the development of photoimmunosuppression. The purpose of this study was to determine whether repair of UVB-induced DNA damage is regulated by Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4). When TLR4 gene knockout (TLR4 −/− ) and TLR4-competent (TLR4 +/+ ) mice were subjected to 90mJcm −2 UVB radiation locally, DNA damage in the form of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) was repaired more efficiently in the skin and bone marrow–derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) of TLR4 −/− mice in comparison to TLR4 +/+ mice. Expression of DNA repair gene XPA (xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A) was significantly lower in skin and BMDCs of TLR4 +/+ mice than TLR4 −/− mice after UVB exposure. When cytokine levels were compared in these strains after UVB exposure, BMDCs from UV-irradiated TLR4 −/− mice produced significantly more interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 cytokines ( P +/+ mice. Addition of anti-IL-12 and anti-IL-23 antibodies to BMDCs of TLR4 −/− mice (before UVB exposure) inhibited repair of CPDs, with a concomitant decrease in XPA expression. Addition of TLR4 agonist to TLR4 +/+ BMDC cultures decreased XPA expression and inhibited CPD repair. Thus, strategies to inhibit TLR4 may allow for immunopreventive and immunotherapeutic approaches for managing UVB-induced cutaneous DNA damage and skin cancer.
Polyol and water accumulation in muscle of galactose-fed rats

Abstract Skeletal muscle contains high levels of aldose reductase that catalyzes the reduction of galactose to the polyol galactitol. Galactitol and water were measured in muscle of rats fed a high galactose diet with or without addition of the aldose reductase inhibitor sorbinil. Galactitol, measured in isolated samples of muscle by HPLC, reached steady-state levels (5.9 ± 1.0 mg/g tissue) within 3 days. Muscle water, determine in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging, increased (51 ± 5%, P
Ephemeral, rudimentary glomerular structures in the mesonephros of the mouse.

The fine morphology of glomeruli present in the mesonephroi of mouse embryos from days 12 to 14 of gestational age is described. The glomeruli are rudimentary, ephemeral structures which probably result from temporary juxtaposition of a blood capillary to the ventral extremity of a mesonephric tubule. Yet, they might possess a certain degree of functionality.