cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on the Synthesis of Alpha-Amylase and Free Amino Acids by Mutants of Aspergillus Oryzae

Increased production of certain organic acids, enzymes, and antibiotics by fungi which can synthesize these substances has been accomplished in many instances by inducing mutations in the parent strains. A family of selected strains of Penicillium chrysogenuin has been produced by Backus and Stauffer (3) who used ultra-violet radiation, X-rays, nitrogen mustard, and other chemicals to produce mutants which can synthesize greater amounts of penicillin than the original strains. Diller et al. (6) produced a mutant of Aspergillus niger, using X-rays, which fermented glucose to citric acid more efficiently than the parent. Raper et al. (10) found that the production of itaconic acid by a mutant of Aspergillus terreus, induced with ultra-violet radiation, was greater than that produced by the parent. In other studies, Nobuyoshi (8) isolated 2 mutants of Aspergillus oryzae, induced with ultraviolet radiation, which surpassed the original strain in amylase activity by 100%, and in protease activity by 50%. Maxwell (7), using ultraviolet radiation, also induced a mutant in A. oryzae which produced more protease than the parent strain. Supersonic sound waves were used by Oda et al. (9) to produce variants in A. oryzae which had greater amylase and protease activity than the parent strains. In this investigation, the amylase-producing potentials of industrially important strains of Aspergillus spp. were studied. Additional studies were made on the amino-acid metabolism of mutants of A. oryzae.
Evaluation of Uncertainty in Determination of Mercury in Rice by Cold Atomic Absorption Spectrometer

The evaluation of uncertainty of determination of mercury in rice by cold atomic absorption spectrometer was studied based on a mathematical model and analysis of all factors effected in the measurement uncertainty.The expanded uncertainty was 0.009mg/kg.The result of a measurement was 0.039±0.009mg/kg(k=2).The major effective factors of uncertainty of mercury measurement are come from repeatability and recovery rate of measurement.
Design of μC/OS-II-based Safety Monitoring Unit

With the development of automation management,many engineering projects,especially large hydropower projects or long distance water supply projects,require more advanced automation safety monitoring system.This paper introduces a design method based on the mechanism of μC/OS-Ⅱ,by which different functions of the monitoring device can be designed into the different tasks which can run in parallel.The framework of the product based on μC/OS-Ⅱ is compact,and different tasks can run in paralle.The user's program can be updated easily;the system operation is more efficient and reliable.The monitoring unit based on μC/OS-Ⅱ can meet the requirements of large and complex engineering projects.
Heat Capacity of Cr Br 3 from 14 to 360°K

The heat capacity of Cr${\mathrm{Br}}_{3}$ shows a lambda anomaly peaked at 32.55\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, a temperature somewhat lower than the reported Curie temperature of 37\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Assuming the validity of the spin-wave dispersion relation of Davis and Narath, the entire magnetic heat capacity was derived. As is typical of a predominantly two-dimensional structure, this curve yields a large amount of entropy and energy order $\frac{({S}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}\ensuremath{-}{S}_{c})}{R}=0.62$ and $\frac{({E}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}\ensuremath{-}{E}_{c})}{({E}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}\ensuremath{-}{E}_{0})}=0.72$.
Development and Implementation of an Advising Program's Meet-and-Greet Session.

Objective. To describe the implementation and perceptions of an advising program’s meet-and-greet session on student/faculty interactions. Design. Student advisees and faculty advisors attended a meet-and-greet program designed to facilitate introductions. Two online surveys evaluating program perceptions were electronically distributed to participants. Assessment. Twenty-eight advisors and 226 students attended; 17 faculty members and 42% (n=95) of students completed the survey. Advisors and advisees found the program valuable (100%, 85%) and recommended holding it again (100%, 93%), respectively. Most advisors agreed that the event improved success in meeting advisees while reducing time needed to schedule and meet with advisees. Students felt more comfortable contacting advisors after participating, with 83% agreeing it was more convenient than scheduling separate meeting times. Conclusion. An advising meet-and-greet program facilitated initial advisee/advisor meetings while reducing self-reported faculty time/resources. This activity could be implemented by other institutions seeking to promote student advising relationships.
Development of an in vivo perfusion system for bovine fetal small intestine.

Previous work at this institution has focused on the role of oxygen availability on the development of bovine small intestine during the perinatal period. In particular, the change in arterial oxygen tension associated with the conversion from placental to pulmonary respiration at birth was hypothesized to initiate an alteration in intestinal macromolecular permeability during the first 24 hours of life that is characteristic of the bovine neonate. The first model used to test this hypothesis was the hypoxic postnatal calf (Tyler and Ramsey, 1989). By providing the newborn calf with a 90:10 mixture of N2:O2, arterial PO2 was maintained at a level similar to that of the fetal calf. The results of this study were inconclusive, however, which may have been due to other changes occurring at birth that influence intestinal development.
From Lenin to Wałęsa: Communists, Anti-communists and the Common Call for Human Dignity

In this article, I argue that the ideological revolutions of the twentieth century were fundamentally about human rights, and human dignity in particular. By human dignity, I refer to an amalgam of primarily economic but also social and political rights. Throughout the century, revolutionaries capitalized on conditions of human rights deprivations under the ruling regime and mobilized supporters based on promises of rectification. Regime changes were far less about ideology (e.g., communism, democracy) than they were about ensuring human dignity. In most cases, the new ideologies and elites driving change brought new sets of human dignity shortcomings with them. I explore this argument with an in-depth analysis of regime change in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century and Poland at the end. In each case, I find that promises of human dignity, starting with ensuring the preservation of life and basic economic conditions for survival, were the rallying point for change.
Temporal trends in perioperative morbidity for radical cystectomy using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database

Abstract Introduction Radical cystectomy (RC) is the standard of care for invasive nonmetastatic bladder cancer. Unfortunately, it is a complex procedure and more than half of patients experience a complication. A number of efforts to reduce perioperative morbidity have been made, including alterations in pain management, antibiotics, diet advancement, and anticoagulation. Many of these changes in management have been studied with favorable results; however, it is not clear whether complication rates following RC have improved in recent years. With this in mind we sought to evaluate current temporal trends in postoperative complication rates following RC using a large national dataset. Materials and methods Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program participant use files from 2010 to 2015, we identified patients undergoing RC using current procedural terminology codes. Demographic information as well as 30-day complications, length of stay (LOS), readmission and death were compared according to year of operation using univariable and multivariable analysis. Results Over the 6 year period analyzed, 6,510 patients were identified for analysis. Age and comorbidity were similar across the study period. A robotic approach was used in 5.8% of the entire cohort which did not differ among years. A total of 15.9% of patients underwent a continent urinary diversion, with a trend toward decreased use in recent years, 31.5% of patients experienced a complication and this did not differ significantly among years, and 40.7% of patients required a blood transfusion overall with a trend toward decreased use. LOS decreased over time from 10.6 days in 2010 to 9.2 days in 2015 (P Conclusions RC remains a procedure associated with high morbidity. In the recent era of enhanced recovery protocols, complication rates have not changed significantly, however, there has been a consistent decline in LOS and use of blood transfusion.
Quantum Theory of the Angular Momentum

This chapter is devoted to the important quantum-mechanical observable angular momentum. We already know this quantity from Classical Mechanics, and we will therefore introduce the corresponding quantum-mechanical operator, at first (Sect. 5.1), by the use of the principle of correspondence. It will turn out, though, to be necessary to refer to the so defined observable in a somewhat more special manner as orbital angular momentum, since we will get to know other realizations of the angular momentum.
A computationally efficient compact model for leakage in cross-point array

Cross-point architecture, while being appealing in consideration of high integration density, suffers from leakage through sneak paths across the array. The leakage current flowing through half-accessed and in some cases, unaccessed cells (and the corresponding leakage power) are important determinants of array performance. Proper estimation of these components is computationally challenging and often demands rigorous simulation efforts. This paper presents a computationally efficient compact model to assess the leakage in cross-point array employing threshold switch selectors. We provide closed form mathematical expressions that govern our model and explain the derivation methodologies. We analyze and verify the validity of the model by cross-checking with results from conventional rigorous array simulations. The model shows excellent matching (∼99% accuracy) with rigorous simulations for different array sizes (16×16 through 256×256). The model has been tested with various ranges of selector OFF resistance (0.1 ΜΩ to 1 ΟΩ), interconnect resistance (1 mΩ/□ to 10 Ω/□) and access voltage (0.2V to 1V). The test results from the model show accurate response in comparison with those obtained from intensive array simulations.
Nicotine-induced activation of caudate and anterior cingulate cortex in response to errors in schizophrenia

Nicotine improves attention and processing speed in individuals with schizophrenia. Few studies have investigated the effects of nicotine on cognitive control. Prior functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research demonstrates blunted activation of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) in response to error and decreased post-error slowing in schizophrenia. Participants with schizophrenia (n = 13) and healthy controls (n = 12) participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study of the effects of transdermal nicotine on cognitive control. For each drug condition, participants underwent fMRI while performing the stop signal task where participants attempt to inhibit prepotent responses to “go (motor activation)” signals when an occasional “stop (motor inhibition)” signal appears. Error processing was evaluated by comparing “stop error” trials (failed response inhibition) to “go” trials. Resting-state fMRI data were collected prior to the task. Participants with schizophrenia had increased nicotine-induced activation of right caudate in response to errors compared to controls (DRUG × GROUP effect: p corrected < 0.05). Both groups had significant nicotine-induced activation of dACC and rACC in response to errors. Using right caudate activation to errors as a seed for resting-state functional connectivity analysis, relative to controls, participants with schizophrenia had significantly decreased connectivity between the right caudate and dACC/bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortices. In sum, we replicated prior findings of decreased post-error slowing in schizophrenia and found that nicotine was associated with more adaptive (i.e., increased) post-error reaction time (RT). This proof-of-concept pilot study suggests a role for nicotinic agents in targeting cognitive control deficits in schizophrenia.
MACTIVE-SMOKE: USING MOBILE HEALTH TOOLS TO ASSESS THE ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH SMOKING URGES

Evidence that physical activity can curb smoking urges is limited in scope to acute effects and reliant on retrospective self-reported measures. To explore this in a real-world longitudinal setting, we leveraged mobile health tools to assess the real-time association between objectively measured
Two-year progression analysis of RPE65 autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

Background: The RPE65 gene was recently described to cause autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP), presenting with a phenotype resembling choroideremia. This study presents the 2-year progr...
Pappenheimer Bodies:An Additional Cause for a Spurious Platelet Count

A 67-year-old woman who had sideroblastic anemia had a spuriously elevated platelet count due primarily to Pappenheimer bodies. The platelet count on an electrooptical instrument was falsely elevated. The true platelet count was determined by phase microscopy using lysed whole blood and by the peripheral blood smear. There appear to have been no previous reports of falsely elevated platelet counts due to Pappenheimer bodies. Other causes of spuriously elevated platelet counts are reviewed. The reasons for the spurious counts are discussed.
NEUROTROPHIC FACTORS | The Influence of Neurotrophins on Excitability in Hippocampus and its Potential Relevance to Epilepsy

Neurotrophins and their receptors are highly expressed in hippocampus of several mammalian species, from rodents to primates. They are known to play an important role in development, and also to contribute to synaptic plasticity in the adult. In the adult hippocampus, synaptic plasticity appears to serve an important purpose – to support normal learning and memory. However, some types of hippocampal plasticity, such as long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory transmission, may increase the risk of seizures. Support for this hypothesis is derived mainly from studies of one of the neurotrophins: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF has been shown to play an important role in potentiation of excitatory inputs to hippocampal principal cells. BDNF also increases glutamate release in hippocampus, and fosters spine and axon outgrowth, as well as neurogenesis. These effects may promote learning, but it has also been demonstrated that BDNF is a proconvulsant. BDNF may specifically be relevant to temporal lobe epilepsy, because hippocampal BDNF levels increase after limbic seizures, and are elevated in animal models of temporal lobe epilepsy and specimens from patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy. Because BDNF is induced by estrogen, the role of BDNF in seizure susceptibility may be especially important to those women who have seizures that increase when estrogen rises.
Software Modeling to Predict Paravalvular Leak Following Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement

An 83-year-old woman with New York Heart Association stage III heart failure, severe mitral stenosis, and severe mitral annular calcification was referred for transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). Pre-procedural computed tomography angiography (CTA) analyzed using TMVR planning software (
Islands/Seom: the creating of extended existence through AR and world simulation

Islands/Seom is an interactive AR archive about creating the extended existence of the people that we admire and care for. The audience enters a room of floating cube sculptures called Islands. Each cube encapsulates the perspective, voice, and beliefs of one of the artists. Together, we preserve their ghost and transform it into a landscape. View the sculptures through our custom-made mobile app. The avatar of the artist will reanimate on top. Listen to their manifesto. Send them to a virtual world called Lacus, where they grow organically into unique ecosystems. Through a game of world-simulation, we catalyze collaboration with their persona, against the odds of distance, personalities, and culture.
Fast galvanic lithium corrosion involving a Kirkendall-type mechanism

Developing a viable metallic lithium anode is a prerequisite for next-generation batteries. However, the low redox potential of lithium metal renders it prone to corrosion, which must be thoroughly understood for it to be used in practical energy-storage devices. Here we report a previously overlooked mechanism by which lithium deposits can corrode on a copper surface. Voids are observed in the corroded deposits and a Kirkendall-type mechanism is validated through electrochemical analysis. Although it is a long-held view that lithium corrosion in electrolytes involves direct charge-transfer through the lithium-electrolyte interphase, the corrosion observed here is found to be governed by a galvanic process between lithium and the copper substrate-a pathway largely neglected by previous battery corrosion studies. The observations are further rationalized by detailed analyses of the solid-electrolyte interphase formed on copper and lithium, where the disparities in electrolyte reduction kinetics on the two surfaces can account for the fast galvanic process.
Cell death: a review of the major forms of apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy

Cell death was once believed to be the result of one of two distinct processes, apoptosis (also known as programmed cell death) or necrosis (uncontrolled cell death); in recent years, however, several other forms of cell death have been discovered highlighting that a cell can die via a number of differing pathways. Apoptosis is characterised by a number of characteristic morphological changes in the structure of the cell, together with a number of enzyme-dependent biochemical processes. The result being the clearance of cells from the body, with minimal damage to surrounding tissues. Necrosis, however, is generally characterised to be the uncontrolled death of the cell, usually following a severe insult, resulting in spillage of the contents of the cell into surrounding tissues and subsequent damage thereof. Failure of apoptosis and the resultant accumulation of damaged cells in the body can result in various forms of cancer. An understanding of the pathways is therefore important in developing efficient chemotherapeutics. It has recently become clear that there exists a number of subtypes of apoptosis and that there is an overlap between apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. The goal of this review is to provide a general overview of the current knowledge relating to the various forms of cell death, including apoptosis, necrosis, oncosis, pyroptosis and autophagy. This will provide researchers with a summary of the major forms of cell death and allow them to compare and contrast between them.
Ultra-High Speed Switched Reluctance Motor-Generator for Turbocharger Applications

Abstract This paper proposes technical guidelines, modelling, and control of an ultra-high-speed-switched reluctance motor- generator for automotive turbo-charged assistance and energy recovery. Creation of an ideal model using electromagnetic finite element analysis and conducting a low cost/ low scale experiment is proposed. The first objective focuses on the transient simulation process. The second objective focuses on an investigation of the proposed control criteria. The modelling and analysis of a “Switched Reluctance Motor” (SRM) is an initial task for the selection of the coupled mover. Two controllers are selected for the experiment which consists of a generally low-cost solution and an optimized development board for prototyping optimization. The low-cost control solution is implemented with an Arduino Uno and an assortment of relays configured into an asymmetrical half bridge. The second controller is the “Digilent Zed Board Zynq-7000 ARM/FPGA SoC Development Board” (Zed board). ANSYS 2D, 3D modelling, data simulation for the stator and rotor are implemented. Current, voltage, and flux for all phases waveforms are included. Rotor dynamic simulation, machine transient simulations, and some other characteristics are depicted through 3D figures.
Aromatase deficiency: a rare cause of maternal virilisation and ambiguous genitalia in neonates.

We describe a full term infant born to a 28-year-old mother. Pregnancy was uncomplicated except for maternal signs of virilisation: hoarseness of voice, excess facial hair and a significant nasal enlargement. Perinatal vitamins were the only medication taken by the mother during pregnancy. Family
Towards Area-Efficient Optical Neural Networks: An FFT-based Architecture

As a promising neuromorphic framework, the optical neural network (ONN) demonstrates ultra-high inference speed with low energy consumption. However, the previous ONN architectures have high area overhead which limits their practicality. In this paper, we propose an area-efficient ONN architecture based on structured neural networks, leveraging optical fast Fourier transform for efficient computation. A two-phase software training flow with structured pruning is proposed to further reduce the optical component utilization. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed architecture can achieve 2.2∼3.7× area cost improvement compared with the previous singular value decomposition-based architecture with comparable inference accuracy.
Virtual Prototyping of MV & HV Modular Multilevel Power Converter using evolutionary Optimization based on ρ & η

The design of power electronics suitable for medium voltage (MV) and high voltage (HV) applications, such as the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC), requires multi-disciplinary optimization of a very complex system consisting of many power electronic sub-modules, arm inductors and supporting structures, such as spacing for dielectric stand-off, mechanical frame and thermal management. A Virtual Prototyping Process (VPP) for systems made up of building blocks is proposed that executes an optimization routine capable of exploring a range of varying design space inputs while optimizing against competing objectives, such as power density (ρ) and efficiency(η). There has been high interest in developing ac-dc converters for MVdc and HVdc systems, FB-MMC (MMC with full bridge sub-modules) provide the compelling advantage of Power Electronic Converter based high speed dc fault protection, which is predominantly an important aspect in MVdc/HVdc transmission and distribution. Considering the importance of the topology and its growing popularity, this paper demonstrates how a design space that includes sub-module power electronic building blocks (PEBBs) with different voltage ratings, a range of power semiconductor devices, and varying MVdc bus voltage levels that can be optimally designed. The unique VPP takes into account practical system-building aspects such as dielectric voltage standoffs, creepage/clearance, accessible structures, modularized arrangement of building blocks, and electrical interconnects, all impacting the final design size and losses. The approach centers around ρ-η multi-objective optimization of the arm inductor, based on loss, mass and volume.
249 Minimally invasive surgery improves overall survival for endometrial cancer

Objective To analyze the impact of surgical approach in survival of patients with endometrial cancer. Methods Using the National Cancer Data Base, patients who underwent hysterectomy upon diagnosed of endometrial cancer from 2010 to 2015 were identified. Data collected were demographic, tumor characteristics, perioperative outcomes, adjuvant treatment, and survival. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify factors associate with survival. Survival (OS) was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier curve and compared by the log-rank test. Results 109,143 patients met inclusion criteria. Open surgery was performed in 30853 (28.3%), laparoscopy in 20344 (18.6%), and robotic in 57946 (53.1%). Laparoscopy improved survival 10% (HR=0.9; 95%CI 0.8–1.0; p=0.0009), and robotic improved survival 20% (HR 0.8; 95%CI 0.8–0.9; p≤0.0001) in hazard of death compared with open for the entire cohort. The 30-day and 90-day mortality rate favored laparoscopy and robotic approach. For patients younger than 65 years old, the 5-year survival was 86.9% (95%CI 0.863–0.875), 92.3% (95%CI 0.916–0.929), and 93.3% (95%CI 0.929–0.936) for open, laparoscopy and robotic approach, respectively (p Conclusion Minimally invasive surgery improved survival in patients with endometrial cancer.
Coupled Population Balance and Species Balance Models of Crystallization: Analytic Solutions and Data Fits

Obtaining kinetic constants in rate laws for nucleation and growth is challenging and essential to the design of the crystallization processes. Starting from the coupled species and population bala...
Sensory cilia act as a specialized venue for regulated EV biogenesis and signaling

Abstract Extracellular vesicles play major roles in intercellular signaling, yet fundamental aspects of their biology remain poorly understood. Ciliary EV shedding is evolutionary conserved. Here we use super resolution, real time imaging of fluorescent-protein tagged EV cargo combined with in vivo bioassays to study signaling EVs in C. elegans. We find that neuronal sensory cilia shed the TRP polycystin-2 channel PKD-2::GFP-carrying EVs from two distinct sites - the ciliary tip and the ciliary base. Ciliary tip shedding requires distal ciliary enrichment of PKD-2 by the myristoylated coiled-coil protein CIL-7. Kinesin-3 KLP-6 and intraflagellar transport (IFT) kinesin-2 motors are also required for ciliary tip EV shedding. Blocking ciliary tip shedding results in excessive EV shedding from the base. Finally, we demonstrate that C. elegans male ciliated neurons modulate EV cargo composition in response to sensory stimulation by hermaphrodite mating partners. Overall, our study indicates that the cilium and its trafficking machinery act as a specialized venue for regulated EV biogenesis and signaling.
Clinical performance of a commercially available thymidine kinase 1 assay for diagnosis of lymphoma in 42 hospitalized horses (2017-2020).

BACKGROUND Antemortem definitive diagnosis of lymphoma in horses is often difficult. Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) assay is a potentially useful biomarker for lymphoma in horses. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To report the clinical performance of a commercially available TK1 assay for diagnosis of lymphoma in horses. We hypothesized that there would be no association between serum TK1 activity and a diagnosis of lymphoma in horses. ANIMALS Forty-two hospitalized horses, 14 with a definitive diagnosis of lymphoma, 4 with other neoplasia, and 24 with inflammatory disease. METHODS Retrospective medical record review, groups were compared via Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests, and logistic regression was performed. RESULTS Median (range) TK1 was 3 U/L (0.4-17.7 U/L) in horses with lymphoma and 3.9 U/L (0.8-94 U/L) in horses without lymphoma (P = .59). There was no significant difference in total protein between horses with and without lymphoma (6.6 g/dL [5.5-8.3 g/dL] vs 6.6 g/dL [4.7-10.4 g/dL]; P = .83). There was no significant difference in fibrinogen between horses with and without lymphoma (447 [100-1364] mg/dL vs 433 [291-2004] mg/dL; P = .47). On logistic regression, serum TK1 activity was not associated with a diagnosis of lymphoma (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.9-1.05, P = .48). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Serum TK1 values were not predictive of lymphoma diagnosis in this cohort of horses.
Fli1 Promotes Vascular Morphogenesis by Regulating Endothelial Potential of Multipotent Myogenic Progenitors.

Rationale: Fetal growth and survival depend critically on proper development and integrity of the vascular system. Fli1 (Friend leukemia integration 1), a member of the Ets family of transcription ...
Joint Feature Extraction from Functional Connectivity Graphs with Multi-task Feature Learning

Using sparse regularization in classifier learning is an appealing strategy to locate relevant brain regions and connections between regions within high-dimensional brain imaging data. A major drawback of sparse classifier learning is the lack of stability to data perturbations, which leads to different sets of features being selected. Here, we propose to use multi-task feature learning (MFL) to generate sparse and stable classifiers. In classification experiments on functional connectivity estimated from resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we show that MFL more consistently selects the same connections across bootstrap samples and provides more interpretable models in multiclass settings than standard sparse classifiers, while achieving similar classification performance.
Chemokine Receptor CXCR3: An Unexpected Enigma

CXCR3, the receptor for CXCL9/MIG, CXCL10/IP-10, and CXCL11/I-TAC, is preferentially expressed on activated Th1 T cells and has been predicted to play an important role in their trafficking. However, this simplistic view of the function of CXCR3 and its ligands has not been borne out by studies of disease models, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), using varied methods of receptor blockade, as well as knockout or transgenic mice. This review focuses on the current understanding of the enigmatic role of CXCR3 and its ligands in CNS inflammatory/autoimmune disorders. The conflicting results among varied models of CNS inflammation suggest complex and multiple roles for CXCR3 and its ligands in the pathogenesis of CNS inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. Thus, further study is needed to determine how CXCL10 neutralizing agents or CXCR3 receptor antagonists might be applied to treating human disease.
Genlog II: A General Log-Linear Model Program for the Personal Computer

This paper describes an interactive microcomputer program that performs general tests of hypotheses in the log-linear model. The program was designed for both teaching and research purposes. This paper details program capabilities, inputloutput procedures, restrictions, availability as well as the theoretical basis of the approach. Program Capabilities FRohi the user's specification of the number of factors and the number of levels of each factor, GENLOG I1 defines a complete factorial design and requests that the required cell frequencies be entered from the terminal or from a previously created data file. Data entered from the terminal can be edited and stored for future use. Hypothesis testing in these designs includes tests of the usual interaction effects and main effects in addition to planned comparisons such as simple interaction effects, interaction contrasts, trend analysis, or other comparisons of the user's choice. In square twodimensional tables, tests of marginal homogeneity and symmetry can be automatically generated upon request. The user also can specify multiple effects to be evaluated simultaneously. After an hypothesis has been tested (which may contain one or more effects or contrasts), the user has the option of requesting the
Defective Adhesion in Tumor Infiltrating CD8+ T Cells

CD8 + tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are defective in cytolysis due to tumor-induced inhibition of proximal TCR-mediated signaling, a defect that is relieved upon purification and brief culture. We show in this study that frequency of conjugation in vitro of nonlytic TIL with tumor cells is low in comparison with their lytic counterparts, and the strength of interaction and duration of conjugation are also reduced. Previous reports show that p56 lck activation is required for TCR-initiated LFA-1 avidity up-regulation, raising the question: is low LFA-1 avidity the basis of reduced TIL conjugation frequency? When stimulated with phorbol ester, nonlytic TIL bind purified ICAM-1 equivalently as lytic TIL, suggesting that LFA-1 can be activated if proximal TCR signaling is bypassed. However, when treated with phorbol ester, the conjugation frequency of nonlytic TIL does not increase. CD2 and CD8 also mediate T cell adhesion to cognate target cells and are both expressed at lower levels in nonlytic TIL in addition to being excluded from the immune synapse formed upon conjugation. Collectively, these results imply that adhesion defects in nonlytic TIL result from a combination of decreased cell surface levels of adhesion molecules, deficient LFA-1 activation, and the failure to recruit essential adhesion receptors to the membrane contact site formed with cognate target cells.
A revision of the quality of life-breast cancer survivors (QOL-BCS) instrument

The importance of quality of life (QOL) measurement among breast cancer survivors (BCS) is well-recognized by researchers and clinicians. With data from 427 rural BCS, the authors used a combination of clinical expertise and statistical analysis to revise a 48-item measure of QOL specific to BCS. The revised 15-item measure showed adequate psychometric properties and provides the basis for a brief yet comprehensive multidimensional measure of QOL applicable to most BCS. Future work includes fine-tuning the measurement model and examining its generalizability among non-rural BCS.
In vivo MRI characteristics of lipoma arborescens utilizing fat suppression and contrast administration

Lipoma arborescens or villous lipomatous proliferation of the synovium is a rare lesion. We describe the in vivo imaging characteristics of lipoma arborescens of the knee utilizing fat suppression techniques and contrast medium administration. As expected, the lesion demonstrated signal loss when utilizing fat suppression. In addition, no contrast enhancement was noted. When a synovial process demonstrates isointensity with subcutaneous fat on all pulse sequences and no contrast enhancement, lipoma arborescens should be the primary diagnosis consideration.
Nutrient sources and transport in the Missouri River Basin, with emphasis on the effects of irrigation and reservoirs

SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) models were used to relate instream nutrient loads to sources and factors influencing the transport of nutrients in the Missouri River Basin. Agricultural inputs from fertilizer and manure were the largest nutrient sources throughout a large part of the basin, although atmospheric and urban inputs were important sources in some areas. Sediment mobilized from stream channels was a source of phosphorus in medium and larger streams. Irrigation on agricultural land was estimated to decrease the nitrogen load reaching the Mississippi River by as much as 17%, likely as a result of increased anoxia and denitrification in the soil zone. Approximately 16% of the nitrogen load and 33% of the phosphorus load that would have otherwise reached the Mississippi River was retained in reservoirs and lakes throughout the basin. Nearly half of the total attenuation occurred in the eight largest water bodies. Unlike the other major tributary basins, nearly the entire instream nutrient load leaving the outlet of the Platte and Kansas River subbasins reached the Mississippi River. Most of the larger reservoirs and lakes in the Platte River subbasin are upstream of the major sources, whereas in the Kansas River subbasin, most of the source inputs are in the southeast part of the subbasin where characteristics of the area and proximity to the Missouri River facilitate delivery of nutrients to the Mississippi River.
Antifreeze Glycoprotein from an Antarctic Fish EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL MODIFICATIONS OF CARBOHYDRATE RESIDUES ON ANTIFREEZE AND ANTILECTIN ACTIVITIES

Abstract Structural requirements for antifreeze and antilectin activities of the antifreeze glycoproteins from the Antarctic fish Trematomus borchgrevinki have been compared. Graded removal of different amounts of the disaccharide side chain by β elimination caused similar reductions in the capacities for depressing the freezing temperature of water (antifreeze activity) and for inhibiting hemagglutination by Osageorange lectin (antilectin activity). Both activities were also reduced to nearly similar extents by acetylation of hydroxyls of carbohydrate residues, positioning a negative charge on the C-6 carbons of the carbohydrate, or by formation of borate complexes. But oxidations of the C-6 hydroxyls of the carbohydrate to aldehyde groups caused no reductions of either activity. Structural similarities required for both activities therefore exist.
Frequency and Q tuning techniques for continuous-time bandpass sigma-delta modulator

For continuous-time (CT) sigma-delta modulator, degradations in SNR can be caused by the non-idealities and variations of circuit components such as integrators, resistors and capacitors since the center frequency and/or the Q-factor of the CT filter in the modulator can vary significantly due to temperature and process variations. Thus tuning is necessary especially for high order modulator. In this paper, a direct background digital frequency technique and a direct background digital Q-factor tuning technique are proposed. Both techniques measure the noise spectral densities of the modulator output digitally during normal operation and adjust the tuning codes according to the measured spectral densities. No extra ADC or DAC are required.
Synchronous Water-Clear Cell Double Parathyroid Adenomas

Abstract Water-clear cell hyperplasia is a rare but well-documented cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid adenomas of the water-clear cell type are exceptionally rare, and only 2 cases have been reported. We describe a patient with synchronous water-clear cell double parathyroid adenomas, an entity that has not previously been reported. In our case, the enlarged superior parathyroid glands were completely replaced by water-clear cells, with only a minute rim of extracapsular, histologically unremarkable parathyroid tissue. The inferior parathyroid glands were grossly unremarkable, and incisional biopsy specimens were histologically normal (no foci of water-clear cells were identified). The findings in this case are most consistent with the diagnosis of double adenomas of the water-clear cell type. We acknowledge that despite molecular proof of monoclonality of the 2 lesions, it is not possible to entirely exclude the possibility that this unusual case could be due to asymmetric hyperplasia.
Carrier-mediated electrogenic transport of estradiol-17 beta-glucuronide in rat liver BMV

Estradiol-17 beta-glucuronide (E(2)17G) is one of a series of naturally occurring glucuronide conjugates of the steroid D-ring that induce cholestasis in the rat and nonhuman primate. The present studies characterized the transport of [3H]E(2)17G in basolateral membrane vesicles (BMVs) from male rat liver. The uptake of E(2)17G was temperature dependent, occurred into an osmotically sensitive space, and was saturable, with an apparent Michaelis constant and maximal velocity of 13 microM and 29 pmol.mg protein-1.5 s-1, respectively. Uptake was not coupled to the uptake of Na+ nor to Cl-or OH- exchange but was markedly stimulated by an inside-positive membrane potential. Bromosulfophthalein inhibited the uptake of E217G noncompetitively; estriol-16 alpha-glucuronide, but not estradiol-3-glucuronide or estradiol-3-SO4-17 beta-glucuronide, inhibited the uptake of E(2)17G. Thus E(2)17G is transported as an anion by facilitated diffusion by a system that differs from the multispecific Na(+)-taurocholate cotransport system and the bromosulfophthalein transport system.
Block-Surface Staining for Differentiation of Starch and Cell Walls in Wheat Endosperm

A staining technique for differentiating starch granules and cell walls was developed for computer-assisted studies of starch granule distribution in cells of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) caryopses. Blocks of embedded caryopses were sectioned, exposing the endosperm tissue, and stained with iodine potassium iodide (IKI) and Calcofluor White. Excessive tissue hydration during staining was avoided by using stains prepared in 80% ethanol and using short staining times. The IKI quenched background fluorescence which facilitated the use of higher concentrations of Calcofluor White. Cell wall definition was improved with the IKI-Calcofluor staining combination compared to Calcofluor alone. The high contrast between darkly stained starch granules and fluorescent cell walls permitted computer assisted analysis of data from selected hard and soft wheat varieties. The ratio of starch granule area to cell area was similar for both wheat classes. The starch granule sizes ranged from 2.1 microns 3 to 22,000 microns 3 with approximately 90% of the granules measuring less than 752 microns 3 (ca. 11 microns in diameter). Hard wheat samples had a greater number of small starch granules and a lower mean starch granule area compared to the soft wheat varieties tested. The starch size distribution curve was bimodal for both the hard and soft wheat varieties. Three-dimensional starch size distribution was measured for four cells near the central cheek region of a single caryopsis. The percentage of small granules was higher at the ends than at the mid-section of the cells.
Evaluation of a Cardiovascular Disease Nutrition Education Program Using The Theory of Reasoned Action

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a two-year education program on changing knowledge, attitudes (AT), subjective norms (SN), and intention (I) to consume a low-fat diet. Pre-menopausal women (n=278) were recruited through Cooperative Extension Service (CES) at seven Illinois sites. Approximately half served as controls receiving no education. The intervention consisted of six monthly education sessions, six months of fact sheet mailings, and four educational follow-up sessions. Knowledge, AT, SN, and I were measured at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months. Knowledge was measured using the CES Impact Indicators instrument; AT, SN, and I instruments were developed using the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). T-tests were used to measure differences between treatments (T) and controls (C) and analysis of variance for differences among the time points. At baseline, there was no difference between T and C for knowledge, AT, SN, or I to consume a low-fat diet. There was no significant difference between T and C at later time periods for AT scores because scores were positive and remained so. For I, there was a significant difference between groups at six months (p=0.05) and 24 months (p=0.048), but I was strong at each time period for both T and C. For SN, there were no significant differences between T and C for any time period. Within the T group, education resulted in no significant difference at any time period for any variable except knowledge (p=0.000). None of the TRA or knowledge variables were correlated with body weight, fat, or waist:hip ratios, indicating that those more at CVD risk did not know more or have a different attitude or intention about their diet than those at lower risk. Regression analysis of TRA variables resulted in significant equations (p≤0.012) predicting intention to consume a low-fat diet for both T and C at each time period.
Expression of protein kinase C-beta promotes the stimulatory effect of phorbol ester on phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis.

Stimulation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) synthesis by the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) has reportedly been found only in hepatocytes expressing the alpha-, betaII-, epsilon-, and zeta-PKC isozymes. In contrast, stimulation of phosphatidylcholine synthesis by PKC activators, known to be mediated by PKC-alpha, is widespread in mammalian cells. In this work, various cell lines exhibiting characteristic differences in their PKC systems were used to determine the role of specific PKC isozymes in the mediation of PMA effect on PtdEtn synthesis. In NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, which express high levels of PKC-alpha but none of the beta (betaI or betaII) isoforms, PMA did not stimulate PtEtn synthesis. In contrast, in Rat-6 fibroblasts overexpressing PKC-betaI, 10-100 nM PMA considerably (1.7- to 2.6-fold) enhanced PtdEtn synthesis. In wild-type or multidrug resistant MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells, which express PKC-alpha and PKC-betaII (to varying extents) but not PKC-betaI, PMA had only small or no effects on PtdEtn synthesis. In contrast, in MCF-7 cells overexpressing PKC-alpha, and as a consequence also expressing the betaI- and betaII-PKC isoforms, PMA effectively stimulated the synthesis of PtdEtn. Finally, in HL60 human leukemia cells, which contains PKC-betaII as the major PKC isoform, PMA again stimulated PtdEtn synthesis. The results establish that while stimulation of PtdEtn synthesis by PMA occurs only in selected cell lines, this phenomenon is not restricted to hepatocytes. Furthermore, the data indicate that expression of either PKC-betaI or PKC-betaII, but not PKC-alpha, correlates with the effect of PMA on PtdEtn synthesis. Overall, these observations strongly suggest that regulation of PtdEtn and PtdCho synthesis by PMA involves separate PKC isozymes, i.e., PKC-beta and PKC-alpha, respectively.
Disposition and metabolism of [14C]chlorpyrifos in the black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri Forel

Abstract The short-term disposition and metabolism of topically administered [ 14 C]chlorpyrifos was assessed in the black imported fire ant ( Solenopsis richteri Forel) in the presence and absence of the mixed-function oxidase inhibitor piperonyl butoxide. Chlorpyrifos is readily absorbed into an internal organosoluble fraction which was quickly converted into a water-soluble fraction. The radioactivity was slowly excreted over a 24-hr period. Piperonyl butoxide slowed the conversion of the internal organosoluble radioactivity to the water-soluble fraction. Thin-layer chromatography indicated that piperonyl butoxide slowed the conversion of chlorpyrifos to material remaining at the origin, presumably water-soluble metabolites. The results of acid hydrolysis studies indicated that the water-soluble radioactivity was comprised mainly of conjugates. Although very little chlorpyrifos oxon was recovered in the metabolism experiments, in vitro studies on fire and head homogenates showed the compound to be an extremely potent anticholinesterase, with an I 50 of 4.6 × 10 −10 M , while a major metabolite, 3,5,6-trichloropyridinol, was an ineffective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
A Proposal for State, Income-Targeted, Preschool Vouchers.

This article proposes that states create low-income targeted voucher programs for 3- and/or 4-year-olds. The basis for this proposal is considerable research demonstrating long-term effects for a number of random assignment and quasi-experimental preschool programs. Benefit–costs rates of return for these programs are between $2 and $16 for every dollar invested. These results are also consistent with developmental and neuro-biological studies supporting early childhood interventions. Other research shows that low-income students are less likely to be in preschool, and if they are, they are more likely to receive low-quality services. Taken together, and to control costs, I propose an income-targeted program. I argue for vouchers based on improved equal opportunity and higher efficiency in the delivery of preschool services. Design details are generally to be the province of state decision makers. My one caveat is that it seems to make sense to require programs, at least for 4-year-olds, to be center based.
Normal dolichol concentration in urine sediments from four patients with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Batten's disease)

The dolichol contents of urine sediments from a patient with infantile (Santavuori), a patient with late infantile (Jansky-Bielschowsky) and two patients with juvenile (Spielmeyer-Vogt) neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Batten's disease) were not elevated when compared to those from healthy controls.