cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of joint statistical dual-energy CT reconstruction of proton stopping power images: Comparison to image- and sinogram-domain material decomposition approaches.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of a novel dual-energy CT (DECT) approach for proton stopping power ratio (SPR) mapping that integrates image reconstruction and material characterization using a joint statistical image reconstruction (JSIR) method based on a linear basis vector model (BVM). A systematic comparison between the JSIR-BVM method and previously described DECT image- and sinogram-domain decomposition approaches is also carried out on synthetic data. Methods The JSIR-BVM method was implemented to estimate the electron densities and mean excitation energies (I-values) required by the Bethe equation for SPR mapping. In addition, image- and sinogram-domain DECT methods based on three available SPR models including BVM were implemented for comparison. The intrinsic SPR modeling accuracy of the three models was first validated. Synthetic DECT transmission sinograms of two 330 mm diameter phantoms each containing 17 soft and bony tissues (for a total of 34) of known composition were then generated with spectra of 90 and 140 kVp. The estimation accuracy of the reconstructed SPR images were evaluated for the seven investigated methods. The impact of phantom size and insert location on SPR estimation accuracy was also investigated. Results All three selected DECT-SPR models predict the SPR of all tissue types with less than 0.2% RMS errors under idealized conditions with no reconstruction uncertainties. When applied to synthetic sinograms, the JSIR-BVM method achieves the best performance with mean and RMS-average errors of less than 0.05% and 0.3%, respectively, for all noise levels, while the image- and sinogram-domain decomposition methods show increasing mean and RMS-average errors with increasing noise level. The JSIR-BVM method also reduces statistical SPR variation by sixfold compared to other methods. A 25% phantom diameter change causes up to 4% SPR differences for the image-domain decomposition approach, while the JSIR-BVM method and sinogram-domain decomposition methods are insensitive to size change. Conclusion Among all the investigated methods, the JSIR-BVM method achieves the best performance for SPR estimation in our simulation phantom study. This novel method is robust with respect to sinogram noise and residual beam-hardening effects, yielding SPR estimation errors comparable to intrinsic BVM modeling error. In contrast, the achievable SPR estimation accuracy of the image- and sinogram-domain decomposition methods is dominated by the CT image intensity uncertainties introduced by the reconstruction and decomposition processes.
Classical biological control in an ephemeral crop habitat with Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus

Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus(AgNPV) was released as a single spray in soybean at two sites in Louisiana, near Crowley and Baton Rouge, after which viral prevalence and population density were monitored for 3--4 years. Each site had a plot with no treatment (control) and two virus-treated plots, one planted with soybean yearly for 3-4 years, and the other planted with soybean for 3-4 years except for rotation to a different crop in year 2. In year 1, the single spray ofAgNPV resulted in viral prevalence rates ranging from 25--100% A. gemmatalis mortality over the entire growing season. By the end of this season, viral accumulation in soil averaged 4.1 ×104 occlusion bodies (OB)/g at Crowley and 7.4× 103 OB/g at Baton Rouge, which had a sandier soil than Crowley. At Crowley, prevalence of AgNPVreached 49% insect mortality in the unrotated plot in year 2, and 31% in the rotated plot and 38% in the unrotated plot in year 3, in spite of moderate to low population densities of A. gemmatalis. At Baton Rouge, AgNPV prevalence decreased to peak prevalence rates of 25% insect mortality in year 2,4% in year 3, and 11% in year 4, even though A. gemmatalis population densities were moderate in years 2 and 3. Viral concentration in soil decreased to 2.7 × 102 OB/g (rotated plot) and1.4 × 104 OB/g (unrotated plot) by the end of year 3 at Crowley and to 10 OB/g (rotated plot) and31 OB/g (unrotated plot) by the end of year 4 at Baton Rouge. In forward stepwise multiple regressions, the concentration of OB in soil was significantly (p = 0.0001) and positively correlated with AgNPV prevalence, but correlations of the latter parameter with host population density and rainfall were not significant (p > 0.05). Prevalence rates of the fungal entomopathogen Nomuraea rileyi were significantly (p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with AgNPV prevalence at Crowley but not in the combined data set. Prevalence of N. rileyi was negatively correlated (p = 0.0001) with precipitation and positively correlated (p = 0.0001) with A.gemmatalis population density. The research demonstrated that AgNPV can be introduced and established for long-term suppression of A.gemmatalis in an ephemeral crop habitat, but certain site-related conditions, perhaps relating to soil, are necessary for its continued success.
Body Movement, Ideation, and Verbalization During Psychoanalysis

I will focus on one role of actions in the process of verbalization in psychoanalysis. The kind of actions I will discuss is familiar to every analyst, who usually regards them as expressions of the repressed. In his case reports, and technique papers, Freud cited such actions and saw them in that light. (Freud, 1893–95, 1905, 1909a, 1909b, 1913, 1914, 1918). To mention but one example, he noticed that Dora repeatedly opened her handbag and put her finger in it during one of her analytic hours. Only a few days earlier, she had claimed she had no memories of masturbating in childhood. Freud concluded that Dora betrayed her secret in these actions (Freud, 1905).
The nephrotic syndrome

Abstract The nephrotic syndrome is characterized by intermittent edema associated with considerable proteinuria, with low concentrations of certain plasma proteins, especially albumin and gamma globulin, and with hyperlipemia. The nephrotic syndrome may occur as a phase of classical glomerulonephritis or as part of certain systemic diseases not primary in the kidney. However, there is compelling evidence to support the belief that in children the nephrotic syndrome may, and almost always does, occur as a disease of unknown etiology but distinct from the glomerulonephritis associated with infection by the hemolytic streptococcus. The fact that the mortality rate does not change abruptly from childhood to adulthood suggests that apart from those few cases occurring as a stage of glomerulonephritis or as a part of certain systemic diseases, the nephrotic syndrome represents the same disease in adults as in children. Proteinuria in patients with the nephrotic syndrome is attributed to an alteration in the glomerular membrane which permits large amounts of protein to pass into the glomerular fluid, and the primary cause of hypoproteinemia is ascribed to urinary excretion of protein. In patients with the nephrotic syndrome, the concentration in serum of the low density beta lipoproteins rich in triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids is usually increased. The cause of these alterations is not known, but recent evidence suggests that they may be related to the urinary loss of plasma albumin. Edema in patients with the nephrotic syndrome is due to renal tubular reabsorption of filtered sodium chloride and water in excess of that required to maintain a normal volume of extracellular fluid. The question of whether the primary alteration is a reduction in glomerular filtration rate or an increase in tubular reabsorption has not been resolved. A review of the course of patients with the nephrotic syndrome emphasizes the chronic nature of the disease. The median time from onset to recovery varied from 22 to 57 months in different age groups, with great variability within groups. In the group of patients who died, the median time from onset to death ranged from 29 to 82 months. The corrected mortality was slightly over 40 per cent in the group of patients under 10 years of age and increased with age to 86 per cent in patients over 30 years of age. Although general measures in treatment are of great practical importance, of greater significance at the present time are the problems concerning the use of corticotropin or adrenocortical steroids. Present evidence suggests that these agents should be used to induce diuresis and that they should be given for a prolonged period thereafter.
Comprehensive analysis of demographics and survival of pediatric medulloblastoma.

2100 Background: We evaluated the American College of Surgeon’s National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) to describe current hospital-based epidemiologic frequency and survival patterns of pediatric medull...
Masculine love and sensuous reason: the affective and spatial politics of Egyptian Ultras football fans

This article uses a feminist spatial approach attentive to masculine affect and difference to analyze the language, cultural production, and practices of the two largest Ultras football fan groups ...
Said the glucose sensor to the insulin pump: can glycemic control be improved in hospitalized ESRD patients with diabetes mellitus?

Although control of chronic glycemia in the population with diabetes and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has been extensively studied in recent years, the unique problems of short-term glycemic management in acutely ill patients undergoing dialysis have received little attention. Bally et al. evaluated the role of a "closed-loop" (glucose sensor/algorithm tablet device/insulin pump) system in a cohort of hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes receiving hemodialysis. Compared with usual care, the intervention group had superior glycemic control without increased hypoglycemic events. Additional studies are warranted.
Accruals and Noa Anomalies: Risk or Mispricing?*

We document return comovement based upon accruals and NOA after controlling for other common return factors. The NOA factor has a Sharpe ratio over three times as large as the market factor, and over twice as large as the HML factor of Fama and French (1993). In time series tests, a model that includes the Fama-French factors, an accruals factor, and an NOA factor largely captures the accruals and NOA anomalies. However, further tests indicate that it is the NOA and accruals characteristics rather than factor loadings that predict returns. These findings favor a behavioral explanation for the accruals and NOA anomalies.
Characterizing the Effect of Pass/Fail U.S. Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 Scoring in Neurosurgery: Program Directors' Perspectives.

Background The neurosurgery match is among the most competitive across all specialties. As a result, numerical Step U.S. Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 scores have historically played a major role in selecting applicants for interviews. With the anticipated change in Step 1 scoring to pass/fail will come significant ramifications for how program directors (PDs) screen and select applicants. The present study characterized the responses of PDs to the change in U.S. Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 scoring and its consequences on medical students applying to neurosurgery. Methods After receipt of an institutional review board exemption, a validated 19-item survey was electronically distributed to 99 PDs of neurosurgery training programs as a part of a national study across 30 residency specialties. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed, and statistical significance was determined by nonoverlapping 95% confidence intervals. Results A total of 48 responses were obtained (48.5%). Most PDs were men, with a mean age of 52 years, and, on average, had served 7.4 years as a PD. Most PDs (79%) disagreed with binary Step 1 scoring. Most (85%) believed the change will make objective comparison of applicants more difficult, and 83% reported they will begin to require Step 2 clinical knowledge scores with application submission. More than one half (71%) believed medical school reputation will become more important in resident selection. Only 15% believed that pass/fail Step 1 scoring will improve medical student well-being. Conclusion Binary Step 1 scoring represents a significant change in medical student evaluations, with consequences for the neurosurgery residency application process. The results from the present study might help guide PD practices and prepare medical students for the anticipated changes to the application process.
The Multiplex Networks of Strategic Alliances and Follower– Followee Relations Among U.S. Technology Companies

Guided by the ecology theory, this study seeks to understand the interdependency between instrumental and identity resource domains that drives the formation of interorganizational networks. Corresponding to the conceptual distinction of instrumental and identity relations, this study examines the multiplex networks of strategic alliances and follower–followee relations. Eighteen years of alliances data of 150 U.S. technology companies were retrieved from the SDC Platinum database and matched with their current Twitter accounts to obtain the follower–followee network, and the two networks were evaluated with a multivariate exponential random graph model using XPNet. The results confirmed cross-network mechanisms at dyadic and triadic levels and showed that the liability of newness and niche similarity affected the formation of multiplex networks. Theoretical and practical implications of cross-domain multiplexity are discussed.
Drinking Water in the United States: Implications of Water Safety, Access, and Consumption

Recent water quality crises in the United States, and recognition of the health importance of drinking water in lieu of sugar-sweetened beverages, have raised interest in water safety, access, and consumption. This review uses a socioecological lens to examine these topics across the life course. We review water intakes in the United States relative to requirements, including variation by age and race/ethnicity. We describe US regulations that seek to ensure that drinking water is safe to consume for most Americans and discuss strategies to reduce drinking water exposure to lead, a high-profile regulated drinking water contaminant. We discuss programs, policies, and environmental interventions that foster effective drinking water access, a concept that encompasses key elements needed to improve water intake. We conclude with recommendations for research, policies, regulations, and practices needed to ensure optimal water intake by all in the United States and elsewhere.
Small is Beautiful: Distributed Orchestration of Spatial Deep Learning Workloads

Several domains such as agriculture, urban sustainability, and meteorology entail processing satellite imagery for modeling and decision-making. In this study, we describe our novel methodology to train deep learning models over collections of satellite imagery. Deep learning models are computationally and resource expensive. As dataset sizes increase, there is a corresponding increase in the CPU, GPU, disk, and network I/O requirements to train models. Our methodology exploits spatial characteristics inherent in satellite data to partition, disperse, and orchestrate model training workloads. Rather than train a single, all-encompassing model we facilitate producing an ensemble of models - each tuned to a particular spatial extent. We support query-based retrieval of targeted portions of satellite imagery including those that satisfy properties relating to cloud occlusion, We validate the suitability of our methodology by supporting deep learning models for multiple spatial analyses. Our approach is agnostic of the underlying deep learning library. Our extensive empirical benchmark demonstrates the suitability of our methodology to not just preserve accuracy, but reduce completion times by 13.9× while reducing data movement costs by 4 orders of magnitude and ensuring frugal resource utilization.
Association between active transport habits and physical activity levels in a diverse sample of college students in the United States

A lack of physical activity (PA) contributes to poor health. Active travel (AT) can help to achieve recommended levels of PA, though participation varies across racial/ethnic groups. This study examined differences in AT trips by race/ethnicity and the relationship between meeting PA recommendations with AT among college students. College students at a large northeastern university. This cross-sectional study (2014–2018) used an online survey where participants (n = 4859) reported demographics, PA and AT participation. Analyses of variance (AVONAs) examined differences in AT trips by race/ethnicity and t-tests examined AT trips by activity level. Significant differences were noted according to race/ethnicity for number of walking trips/week but not for bike trips. For non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, other ethnic groups and multiracial groups, there were significantly higher walking trips for those meeting PA recommendations. The variation by race/ethnicity in AT participation and the relationship between AT and PA has implications for long-term health outcomes and health disparities.
Compact Computing Platform for Future General Aviation in the COAST Project

The CS-23 category in the General Aviation domain requires affordable, greener technologies and support single-pilot operation. The CS2 COAST project addresses these needs by proposing i) a leap-change in computation performance, ii) reduction of development and operational costs, and iii) reduction of Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaPC). In the COAST project, the findings in these technological areas are packaged in a common platform referred as a Compact Computing Platform (CCP). The CCP effort is split in two areas of development-Platform Engineering and Innovative Elements. The first area covers the development of the necessary Hardware (HW) and Software (SW) building blocks. The second area corresponds to the advanced features that provide product differentiation and competitive advantage on the market. In this paper, we briefly describe the most significant SW and HW components from both technological areas and their potential integration in a demonstrator.
Hot carrier Degradation in Classical and Emerging Logic and Power Electronic Devices: Rethinking Reliability for Next-Generation Electronics

In this paper, we focus on the implications of self-heating effect (SHE) on hot carrier degradation of CMOS and more-than-Moore devices. We explain how hot carrier degradation, while having the same basic underlying physics, affects an LDMOS or an NCFET in very different ways compared to a planar or a FinFET transistor, suggesting a need and opportunity for developing a theory of hot carrier degradation for the next-generation electronics. We also discuss various material-device-system design strategies to reduce hot carrier degradation and suggesting open problems for further research. Most of the discussion in this paper parallels that of ref [1] and could be read as a companion article.
The Other Muslim Bans: State Legislation Against

This Article addresses and critiques the case for state-level legislative bans on courts citing "Islamic law" or the law of Muslim-majority countries. In particular, the Article reviews the most substantive evidence adduced by the bans’ supporters, in the form of a set of state court cases published by the Center for Security Policy (CSP). Very few of these cases, in fact, show courts actually applying Islamic or foreign law, and in none of these cases would the various forms of proposed legislation have been likely to alter the result. Thus even this report does not suggest a need for the state laws purporting to ban sharīʿa. The Article thus argues that even if these bans are not unconstitutionally discriminatory in their effect, they are ineffective at achieving their claimed purpose.
The Distributional Implications of Fiscal Devaluations

This paper explores the distributional implications of a fiscal devaluation acquired through a shift from labor to consumption taxes in an open-economy Heterogeneous Agents New Keynesian model with incomplete markets and uninsurable income risk. A permanent fiscal devaluation perfectly mimicking a nominal devaluation in aggregate implies an increase in transfers balanced by lower profits. This leaves the representative agent unaffected. However, as the higher transfers affect all agents symmetrically, while decreased profits impact agents according to their wealth, distributional effects arise. The implicit insurance provided by higher transfers benefits wealth-poor agents and mitigates the equity concerns associated with fiscal devaluations.
Unifying Conflicting Models of Trust and Distrust for Enhanced Understanding and Predictive Power in Organizational Relationships: Proposing the Unified Trust-Distrust Model

This paper proposes the Unified Trust-Distrust Model (UTDM) to reconcile the differences in the literature on the complex relationship between trust and distrust. Extant research on trust and distrust follows two main approaches that are built on contradictory assumptions: trust has been conceptualized as a different construct than distrust by some researchers, while others consider trust and distrust to represent opposite ends of a single continuum. UTDM expands upon both of these approaches while resolving their contradictions; thus, UTDM provides a novel view of the trust-distrust relationship that has the potential for more explanatory power than previous models. Further, UTDM introduces ambivalence to the trust-distrust literature as a possible consequence of contradictory trust and distrust attitudes, and as an antecedent of trusting intentions. Ambivalence was shown in previous research to attenuate the relationship between trusting beliefs and trusting intentions. UTDM further expands the trust-distrust literature by expanding the nomological network of distrust by proposing two new antecedents of distrust: suspicion and situational abnormality. The measurement of this model is then discussed along with future research possibilities that naturally result from this model.
A Fresh Look at Darwin

The Reluctant Mr. Darwin . An Intimate Portrait of Charles Darwin and the Making of His Theory of Evolution. By David Quammen . Norton, New York, 2006. 304 pp. $22.95, C$30. ISBN 0-393-05981-2. The author9s concise account of Darwin9s life and discoveries is both fresh and insightful.
Health information resources: tradition and innovation in a medical school curriculum.

ABSTRACT Changes in LCME accreditation for medical colleges fostered the development of Health Information Resources, a required, for-credit course created by the Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center Library Reference Department for the first-year medical school curriculum. Six content areas were developed for inclusion in the syllabus: “Electronic Resources Survival Kit”; “Introduction to Problem Based Resources”; “Introduction to Literature Searching”; “MEDLINE Searching Hands-On/Publishing Pearls & Pitfalls”; “The World Wide Web and Patient Information”; and “Introduction to Electronic Mail.” A combination of lectures, hands-on instruction, and active learning techniques were employed in the teaching of this class. Submission of a Health Information Resource Guide and a two-part final exam were required.
Successful DNA immunization against measles: Neutralizing antibody against either the hemagglutinin or fusion glycoprotein protects rhesus macaques without evidence of atypical measles

Measles remains a principal cause of worldwide mortality, in part because young infants cannot be immunized effectively. Development of new vaccines has been hindered by previous experience with a formalin-inactivated vaccine that predisposed to a severe form of disease (atypical measles). Here we have developed and tested potential DNA vaccines for immunogenicity, efficacy and safety in a rhesus macaque model of measles. DNA protected from challenge with wild-type measles virus. Protection correlated with levels of neutralizing antibody and not with cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. There was no evidence in any group, including those receiving hemagglutinin-encoding DNA alone, of 'priming' for atypical measles.
Computational Proteomics of Biomolecular Interactions in Sequence and Structure Space of the Tyrosine Kinome: Evolutionary Constraints and Protein Conformational Selection Determine Binding Signatures of Cancer Drugs

The emerging insights into kinase function and evolution combined with a rapidly growing number of crystal structures of protein kinases complexes have facilitated a comprehensive structural bioinformatics analysis of sequence---structure relationships in determining the binding function of protein tyrosine kinases. We have found that evolutionary signal derived solely from the tyrosine kinase sequence conservation can not be readily translated into the ligand binding phenotype. However, fingerprinting ligand---protein interactions using in silico profiling of inhibitor binding against protein tyrosine kinases crystal structures can detect a functionally relevant kinase binding signal and reconcile the existing experimental data. In silico proteomics analysis unravels mechanisms by which structural plasticity of the tyrosine kinases is linked with the conformational preferences of cancer drugs Imatinib and Dasatinib in achieving effective drug binding with a distinct spectrum of the tyrosine kinome. While Imatinib binding is highly sensitive to the activation state of the enzyme, the computed binding profile of Dasatinib is remarkably tolerant to the conformational state of ABL. A comprehensive study of evolutionary, structural, dynamic and energetic aspects of tyrosine kinases binding with clinically important class of inhibitors provides important insights into mechanisms of sequence---structure relationships in the kinome space and molecular basis of functional adaptability towards specific binding.
Remaking Medieval Heroism: Nationalism and Sexuality in Braveheart

M e l Gibson's movie Braveheart cells the story of the life of William Wallace, one of Scotland's great national heroes. Originally released in the late spring of1995, the film received predominandy glowing reviews, and later in the year enjoyed a second run in theatres as Paramount Studios began marketing the film for consideration in the many end-of-the-year awards shows. Early in 1996 Mel Gibson was honoured at the Golden Globe Awards as the year's Best Director, and in March of the same year, Braveheart won five Academy Awards, including another Best Director award for Gibson as well as the award for Best Motion Picture of the Year.
Strain release in metastable CdSe/CdS quantum dots

Abstract It has recently been shown (J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2015, 6, 1559) that high quantum yields (QYs) in zincblende CdSe/CdS quantum dots can be achieved when the lattice strain energy density is in the stable (0–0.59 eV/nm 2 ) or metastable (0.59–0.85 eV/nm 2 ) regime. Annealing of metastable particles causes a dramatic reduction in the observed QY and a red shift of the absorbance and photoluminescence. In this work we demonstrate that the decline in QY upon annealing is due to the formation of hole traps. These traps, while dramatically affecting the observed QY, produce no significant changes in either morphology or crystallinity as determined by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).
Electronic fetal monitoring patterns associated with respiratory morbidity in term neonates.

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify electronic fetal monitoring patterns that are associated with neonatal respiratory morbidity. Study Design In an on-going prospective cohort study of >8000 consecutive term, vertex, nonanomalous singleton pregnancies during labor, we performed this analysis within the first 5000 women as a representative sample. Electronic fetal monitoring patterns in the 30 minutes preceding delivery were extracted by trained obstetrics research nurses, who were blinded to clinical data, using the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development system; the data were compared between those with respiratory morbidity and healthy infants (no morbidities). The primary outcome was neonatal respiratory morbidity, which was defined as either oxygen requirement at ≥6 hours of life or any mechanical ventilation in the first 24 hours. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. Results Of 4736 neonates, 175 (3.4%) experienced respiratory morbidity. Most electronic fetal monitoring patterns were category II (96.6%; n = 4575). Baseline tachycardia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9–4.4), marked variability (aOR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.5–5.0), and prolonged decelerations (aOR,2.7; 95% CI, 1.5–5.0) were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of term neonatal respiratory morbidity. Accelerations and persistent moderate variability were both significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of respiratory morbidity. Conclusion Specific features of category II electronic fetal monitoring patterns make respiratory morbidity more likely in nonanomalous term infants. Tachycardia, marked variability, or prolonged decelerations before delivery can assist providers in anticipating the potential need for neonatal respiratory support.
New insight into JFK lunar goal

In a well-known message to Congress in May 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy stated his goal of reaching the Moon, and beating the Soviet Union in the space race: “First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.”
Stability of a nonequilibrium steady-state interface.

We study the interfacial modes of a driven diffusive model under suitable nonequilibrium conditions leading to possible instability. The external field parallel to the interface, which sets up a steady-state parallel flux, enhances the growth or decay rates of the interfacial modes. More dramatically, asymmetry in the model can introduce an oscillatory component into the interfacial dispersion relation. In certain circumstances, the applied field behaves as a singular perturbation.
Oxidative metabolism of glutamate by testicular, epididymal, and ejaculated bovine spermatozoa in the presence of rete testis fluid and seminal plasma.

Abstract Spermatozoa were collected by cannulae from the rete testis and cauda epididymis of conscious dairy bulls and ejaculated spermatozoa were collected by artificial vagina. Spermatozoa were washed free of fluid and incubated with glutamate-U- 14 C at 37C for 60 minutes. Although glutamate probably is not a major source of energy, metabolic responses of the three cell types were distinctly different. Oxygen uptake by both testicular and ejaculated spermatozoa suspended in rete tests fluid (pH 7.2) was greater (P 14 C to 14 CO 2 by all three cell types was depressed (P 14 C0 2 formation was reduced (P l4 C by testicular or ejaculated spermatozoa.
Serine palmitoyltransferase inhibition reverses anti-proliferative effects of ceramide synthase inhibition in cultured renal cells and suppresses free sphingoid base accumulation in kidney of BALBc mice

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of the fungal serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) inhibitor, myriocin, to prevent the anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects of fumonisin B 1 in cultured pig kidney epithelial cells, LLC-PK 1 . In an earlier study with LLC-PK 1 cells, β-chloroalanine (a nonspecific SPT inhibitor) was found to inhibit the fumonisin-induced accumulation of free sphinganine by >90% but only partially reversed (50–60%) fumonisin’s antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects. β-Chloroalanine is not the ideal SPT inhibitor for this type of study because it also inhibits other pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent enzymes. A potent and selective fungal SPT inhibitor (myriocin) was partially purified from liquid cultures of Isaria (= Cordyceps ) sinclairii by a combination of organic extraction and column chromatography. The various fractions were bioassayed for their ability to inhibit fumonisin-induced sphinganine accumulation in LLC-PK 1 cells. The activity in partially purified material was compared to the activity of highly purified myriocin and the results expressed as myriocin equivalents. The estimated IC 50 and IC 95 for inhibition of fumonisin-induced sphinganine accumulation were approximately 1.8 and 22 nM, respectively. The IC 95 concentration of the fungal SPT inhibitor reversed the antiproliferative effects and prevented fumonisin-induced apoptosis after 48 h exposure to 50 μM fumonisin B 1 . The SPT inhibitor was also effective at reducing free sphinganine in vivo. Free sphinganine concentration was reduced 60% in kidney of mice injected i.p. with SPT inhibitor plus fumonisin B 1 when compared to fumonisin B 1 alone. The ability of SPT inhibition to reduce fumonisin B 1 -induced sphinganine accumulation in vivo may be useful in the development of therapeutic agents for treatment of animals suspected to have been exposed to toxic levels of fumonisin in feeds.
The effects of fractionated hyperthermia on normal canine muscle blood flow.

This study investigates the changes in normal canine muscle blood flow occurring during three fractions of 43 °C (60 min) hyperthermia. Blood flow was measured during heating at 1-, 3-, and 5-day intervals with a laser Doppler flowmeter. For 1-day intervals, blood flow oscillated during the first treatment reaching peak values of approximately 39 ml/min per 100 g of tissue after 8 min and 47 ml/min per 100 g of tissue after 40 min. Heatings at 1-day intervals showed both peaks in perfusion to persist during subsequent treatments with higher blood flows during later heatings. Results of the 3-day fractionated heating demonstrated lower blood flows during the second and third heatings than those at 1-day intervals. The third treatment of the 3-day fractionations showed a disappearance of the first peak and only a small increase in perfusion at the second peak (50 ml/min per 100 g of tissue). Perfusion studies at 5-day intervals demonstrated two peaks at approximately 15 and 40 min. Compared with the first t...
Inhibition of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity appears to be the key biochemical lesion in the acute toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in rats

Abstract 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exerts its acute toxicity by inducing a gradually increasing voluntary feed refusal. However, this seems not to be caused by a direct effect on the central nervous system, as far higher concentrations of TCDD were found in the brain after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) than after lethal intravenous (i.v.) injections, but were not accompanied by a wasting syndrome. TCDD causes inhibition of several key enzymes of gluconeogenesis, with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) responding earliest and strongest to the insult. Responses of pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) are less pronounced and begin at later time points. Blood and brain levels of tryptophan increase following TCDD treatment with a lag period of about three days, shortly after the decrease of PEPCK activity becomes apparent. Since thi samino acid is the precursor of the appetite suppressant neurotransmitter serotonin, and since it is normally degraded via gluconeogenesis, a series of events can be suggested to explain the TCDD-induced wasting syndrome. By an as yet unrevealed mechanism TCDD decreases the activity of PEPCK to about 40 percent of normal, leading to a back-up of gluconeogenic substrates, among them tryptophan, which in turn can further inhibit PEPCK activity in vivo. This causes an increase in serotonin turnover in brain and possibly in other tissues. Increased serotonergic activity in turn is likely to play an important role in the increasing feed refusal of TCDD-treated rats which eventually leads to death.
Major-element chemistry and micromorphology of Mn-oxide coatings on stream alluvium

Abstract The Mn-oxide coatings on alluvium of six small streams in the eastern U.S.A. have been studied using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer. Low magnification surface analyses show that Mn is generally the most abundant followed by either Fe or Si. Several percent each of Ca and Al also occur. The Mn/Fe ratios range from 0.29 to 7.69 but average 2.37. Point analyses of coating cross sections show considerable variation in Mn/Fe ratios but no evidence of regular layering or microchemical laminations such as occurs in rock varnish. Two micromorphologies predominate: roughly circular structures which have a cellular appearance and spherical structures. The cellular structures are remarkably similar to porous Mn-oxide precipitated by bacteria in cultures prepared by Mustoe, suggesting that Mn-oxidizing bacteria are important in forming stream Mn-oxide precipitates.
A nexus analytic approach

While a great deal of the literature has been dedicated to statistical modeling to use illustrate conceptual models, one simple but important area, not adequately covered, is the exploration of the “causal nexus”. This is that usually unexplored area between a predictor variable and the criterion variable which may beg the question, “Why?”. That is, why is that indicator or predictor variable related to the criterion? Or, just how are they related? To explore the nexus a series of progressively more accurate hypotheses should be tested. This process is termed a “nexus analytic approach”. In this research note the process, the logic, and a form for its presentation is presented.
MAG induces regulated intramembrane proteolysis of the p75 neurotrophin receptor to inhibit neurite outgrowth.

Summary The three known inhibitors of axonal regeneration present in myelin—MAG, Nogo, and OMgp—all interact with the same receptor complex to effect inhibition via protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent activation of the small GTPase Rho. The transducing component of this receptor complex is the p75 neurotrophin receptor. Here we show that MAG binding to cerebellar neurons induces α- and then γ-secretase proteolytic cleavage of p75, in a protein kinase C-dependent manner, and that this cleavage is necessary for both activation of Rho and inhibition of neurite outgrowth.
Injuries among Hispanic Gardeners: A Research Note:

The type of medical services sought and the frequency with which they are sought are affected by cultural, educational, occupational, and socioeconomic factors. The workrelated injuries of Hispanic gardeners and the medical care sought for them in a metropolitan city in California were examined. These gardeners are usually disadvantaged, hard to reach, not fluent in English, and poorly educated. Data concerning work-related injuries requiring medical treatment were obtained by tracking and interviewing 25 Spanish-speaking gardeners. Of the 9 gardeners (36%) injured in the preceding year, 5 (56%) incurred serious cuts and the other 4 (44%) suffered from inhaling chemicals, a skin burn, a sprained ankle, or a broken wrist. Although these workers had a higher-than-normal incidence of work-related injuries, those surveyed did not have medical insurance and did not use workers'compensation orpubliclyfunded medical services to treat the injuries. Language: en
Detection of Double Resonance by Frequency Change: Application to Hg 201

A new type of double-resonance experiment that depends on wavelength effects rather than on polarization effects is discussed. Incident polarized light is replaced by incident light of wavelength coincident with just one component of the structure to be measured. The analyzer is replaced by a cell of gas that absorbs just that same component and lets the others pass. Magnetic resonance from the excited component to one of the others is monitored by increases in the light transmitted through the absorbing gas. This experiment requires that the Doppler width be smaller than the structure. This method was first applied to measure the hyperfine structure of the $^{3}P_{1}$ state of ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{201}$. The incident light and absorbing gas were both supplied by separated ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{198}$, whose resonance line coincides naturally with one component of the ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{201}$ hyperfine structure. Measurement of ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{201}$ is discussed in detail. The following hfs intervals were found: $f(\frac{1}{2}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}\frac{3}{2})=7551.613\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.013$ Mc/sec and $f(\frac{3}{2}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}\frac{5}{2})=13986.557\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.008$ Mc/sec. The magnetic dipole and electric dipole interaction constants, calculated without quadratic hfs corrections, are $a=\ensuremath{-}5454.569\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003$ Mc/sec, $b=\ensuremath{-}280.107\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.005$ Mc/sec.Means for applying the method when there is no isotope coincidence are given. This new method is compared with the polarization technique and is found to give signal-to-noise ratios that are orders of magnitude higher.
Using endpoints to judge alterations in self-produced trajectories in an immersive virtual environment

McManus et al. [2011] studied a user's ability to judge errors in self-produced motion; more specifically, throwing. We now take the first step towards discriminating what cues subjects are using in order to make their judgments. The endpoint of the ball is one such cue; the restricted field of view (FOV) of the head mounted display (HMD) makes it difficult for users to view the complete trajectory of the ball, making the endpoint one of the more consistent cues available during the experiment. For the current study, we hid the trajectory of the ball and showed only the landing point of the ball.
Low temperature superconducting electronic and computer circuits

Abstract Applications of superconductivity in electronics are mainly based on the Josephson effect. After an introduction to the Josephson effect, its applications in computer circuits and in magnetometers will primarily be described. Computer circuits with Josephson junctions are of interest because they promise to have lower power consumption and shorter switching times than today's semiconductor circuits. A realized memory cell is briefly discussed. Magnetometers are based on superconducting rings incorporating one or two Josephson junctions. They allow extremely sensitive and precise measurements of magnetic fields and have been applied, for instance, in biology and geology. Other applications of the Josephson effect such as in voltage standards and for submillimeter microwave devices are also mentioned. Most of these applications use liquid helium cooling. The heat dissipation is in the range from mW to W so that requirements for refrigerating systems are modest.
The emergence of managed care in Europe. Some thoughts on the politics of healthcare reform.

It is the purpose of this paper to demonstrate that healthcare reform in Europe can be successful only if it leads to more efficient resource use while maintaining a large degree of equity in the system.
Modeling the population level effects of an HIV-1 vaccine in an era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

First generation HIV vaccines may have limited ability to prevent infection. Instead, they may delay the onset of AIDS or reduce the infectiousness of vaccinated individuals who become infected. To assess the population level effects of such a vaccine, we formulate a deterministic model for the spread of HIV in a homosexual population in which the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to treat HIV infection is incorporated. The basic reproduction number R 0 is obtained under this model. We then expand the model to include the potential effects of a prophylactic HIV vaccine. The reproduction number R f is derived for a population in which a fraction f of susceptible individuals is vaccinated and continues to benefit from vaccination. We define f * as the minimum vaccination fraction for which R f ≤ 1 and describe situations in which it equals the critical vaccination fraction necessary to eliminate disease. When R 0 is large or an HIV vaccine is only partially effective, the critical vaccination fraction may exceed one. HIV vaccination, however, may still reduce the prevalence of disease if the reduction in infectiousness is at least as great as the reduction in the rate of disease progression. In particular, a vaccine that reduces infectiousness during acute infection may have an important public health impact especially if coupled with counseling to reduce risky behavior.
CHEMO-IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES ON CONJUGATED CARBOHYDRATE-PROTEINS III. ACTIVE AND PASSIVE ANAPHYLAXIS WITH SYNTHETIC SUGAR-PROTEINS

1. Guinea pigs passively sensitized with the serum of rabbits immunized with an artificially prepared sugar-protein (gluco-globulin) exhibit typical anaphylactic shock when subsequently inoculated with gluco-albumin; the serum of rabbits immunized with a second synthetic sugar-protein (galacto-globulin) similarly sensitizes guinea pigs to galacto-albumin. The reactions, in each instance, are specific and depend for their specificity on the carbohydrate component, and not on the protein fraction of the synthesized sugar-protein. 2. Guinea pigs actively sensitized with gluco-globulin or galacto-globulin are similarly subject to anaphylactic shock, when injected, after 21 days, with sugar-proteins containing carbohydrate identical with that present in the sensitizing antigen, regardless of the kind of protein with which it is combined. 3. The unconjugated glucosides, although themselves not capable of inducing shock, inhibit the anaphylactic reaction when injected immediately prior to the introduction of the toxigenic sugar-protein. The protective action of the glucosides disappears within two hours after injection. In order to elicit the phenomenon, the carbohydrate must be the same as that combined in the sugar-protein complex. 4. Anaphylactic shock may be induced by uncombined globulin in guinea pigs passively sensitized with either antigluco-globulin serum or antigalacto-globulin serum; globulin is similarly effective in animals actively sensitized with gluco-globulin or galacto-globulin. The reactions elicited by globulin alone are dependent upon the common protein present in the antigens, and exhibit only species specificity.
Development and application of a statistically based feature extraction algorithm for monitoring tool wear in Circuit Board Assembly

Vibroacoustic signals of rotating machinery are composed of sums of modulated periodicities, broadband random components, and occasionally a set of transient responses. These signals are not ergodic as the modulated periodicities are partially coherent. Progressive wear of the rotating machine causes the nonlinear structure of the received signal to intensify, and nonlinearity results in transfer of energy between harmonics of the signal's periodic components. Statistics developed from bispectrum and second-order cumulant spectrum estimates of the measured signal are combined with power spectrum amplitudes as feature inputs for standard multivariate classifiers. The higher-order statistics measure, respectively, the extent of nonlinearity and intermodulation of the received signal. Classification results of simulated and actual incipient wear data collected from a controlled experiment drilling circuit boards illustrate the potential of this novel statistical signal processing approach.