cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polygenic Risk Score for Gastric Cancer

Abstract Background Gastric Cancer is one of the most predominant types of cancer in the world, and its genomic links are currently being studied at great depth. In this paper, we work towards using Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) data for identifying the Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) which have the strongest correlation with the occurrence of gastric cancer through statistical tests and to leverage them to build a predictive model using machine learning algorithms. Polygenic risk scoring (PRS) is a straightforward predictive model for assigning genetic risk to individual outcomes (cancer or healthy). Method Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) data for Gastric Cancer was subjected to different statistical tests. Chi-square was used for feature selection by determining the degree of association between each probe (SNP) and the target (cancer or control). These results were used to eliminate many probes and proceed with only those that are statistically significant. Naive Bayes Classifier and Catboost machine learning algorithms were used to build classification models to predict (score) gastric cancer. Results Naive Bayes classifier and Catboost classification algorithms were used for modeling. The features were selected by performing Chi-square test on each of the 319283 SNPs in the data. These values were then ordered according to the negative log of the p-value and the top 5, 100 and 1000 features were used as inputs in the classification models. The Naive Bayes classifier gave an accuracy in the range of 0.60 to 0.76 for different sets of features. The Catboost algorithm proved to be more suited for this application as it gave an accuracy above 0.90 for all subsets of features. Conclusions This paper aims at creating a highly accurate classification model to predict the occurrence of gastric cancer from GWAS genome data. The Catboost model with an input space of 100 SNPs yielded the best results with an accuracy of 0.93 and can be considered as a polygenic risk scoring model to score new patients for gastric cancer.
Dead cells release a 'necrosignal' that activates antibiotic survival pathways in bacterial swarms.

Swarming is a form of collective bacterial motion enabled by flagella on the surface of semi-solid media. Swarming populations exhibit non-genetic or adaptive resistance to antibiotics, despite sustaining considerable cell death. Here, we show that antibiotic-induced death of a sub-population benefits the swarm by enhancing adaptive resistance in the surviving cells. Killed cells release a resistance-enhancing factor that we identify as AcrA, a periplasmic component of RND efflux pumps. The released AcrA interacts on the surface of live cells with an outer membrane component of the efflux pump, TolC, stimulating drug efflux and inducing expression of other efflux pumps. This phenomenon, which we call ‘necrosignaling’, exists in other Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and displays species-specificity. Given that adaptive resistance is a known incubator for evolving genetic resistance, our findings might be clinically relevant to the rise of multidrug resistance. Swarming bacterial populations can exhibit antibiotic resistance, despite sustaining considerable cell death. Here, Bhattacharyya et al. show that killed cells release periplasmic protein AcrA, which activates efflux pumps on the surface of live cells, thus enhancing antibiotic resistance in the surviving cells.
PPE decontamination to overcome PPE shortage in rural area during pandemic

Despite remarkable developments in healthcare, the world was not ready to stop the spread of the novel COVID-19 pandemic almost a century after the great influenza pandemic. The explosive increase in the number of patients stalled the healthcare system, and the first and apparent issue was the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Our group established a system using a hydrogen peroxide vaporization method to decontaminate and reuse N95 respirators for healthcare workers. The system decontaminated over 12,000 units of PPE to cover institutions in West Texas. This service provided support at the most needed time during the pandemic.
Effect of extraction condition on protein recovery and phenolic interference in Pacific dulse (Devaleraea mollis)

Pacific dulse (Devaleraea mollis), a type of red macroalgae, is of particular interest in the context of plant-based protein given its high protein content. One challenge in utilizing seaweed-derived protein is the poor protein recovery/yield and high cost that limits wider adaptation. In this study we aimed to evaluate methods for protein extraction from Pacific dulse to achieve a higher protein recovery rate. We evaluated the effect of cellulase treatment, under two extraction approaches, on the protein recovery and phenolic interference in Pacific dulse extracts. Commercial cellulases Viscozyme and Celluclast (2%, v/v) improved crude protein recoveries in both aqueous-alkaline and sequential protein fractionation approaches. The use of Osborne method to sequentially recover water-, saline-, alkaline-, and ethanol-soluble protein fractions resulted in more than a threefold increase in yield even at low-temperature conditions, mainly with the recovery of more protein in both albumin and globulin fractions. Without cellulase treatment, extending extraction time provides no improvement in protein yield but rather favors an increase in phenolic interference. Collectively, these results show that cellulase-aided sequential protein extraction can be used for improved protein recovery from Pacific dulse.
Contextualization of Numbers in Earnings Conference Calls

Prior research generally finds that using numbers in financial disclosure is beneficial. However, numbers can also be strategically proffered due to their perceived precision and informativeness. We hypothesize that firms use undercontextualized numbers to create a false impression of certainty and transparency. We find that the use of undercontextualized numbers in earnings conference calls is associated with short-term benefits but negative longer-term consequences. Specifically, undercontextualization is associated with a short-term positive market return, positive analysts’ forecast revisions, and more positive analysts’ tone on the call. Furthermore, undercontextualization is associated with a longer-term negative market return, a decrease in year-over-year earnings, and a higher incidence of restatements. In additional analyses, we find that undercontextualization appears to be intentional as it is associated with conference call casting and insider trading. Given the uniqueness of our undercontextualization measure, we also document its association with analyst scrutiny and other proxies for strategic call behavior.
Bilinear flocks

A flock in PG(3, q) is a set of q planes which do not contain the vertex of a cone and have the property that the intersections of the planes of the flock with the cone partition the points of the cone except for the vertex. In this paper, we examine flocks, called bilinear flocks, where the planes of the flock pass through at least one of two distinct lines, called supporting lines in PG(3, q). We classify and provide examples of cones that admit bilinear flocks whose supporting lines intersect in PG(3, q). We also examine bilinear flocks whose supporting lines are skew, providing an example and also showing that this situation can not occur under certain conditions.
Score-based Generative Neural Networks for Large-Scale Optimal Transport

We consider the fundamental problem of sampling the optimal transport coupling between given source and target distributions. In certain cases, the optimal transport plan takes the form of a one-to-one mapping from the source support to the target support, but learning or even approximating such a map is computationally challenging for large and high-dimensional datasets due to the high cost of linear programming routines and an intrinsic curse of dimensionality. We study instead the Sinkhorn problem, a regularized form of optimal transport whose solutions are couplings between the source and the target distribution. We introduce a novel framework for learning the Sinkhorn coupling between two distributions in the form of a score-based generative model. Conditioned on source data, our procedure iterates Langevin Dynamics to sample target data according to the regularized optimal coupling. Key to this approach is a neural network parametrization of the Sinkhorn problem, and we prove convergence of gradient descent with respect to network parameters in this formulation. We demonstrate its empirical success on a variety of large scale optimal transport tasks.
Ambulatory cell phone injuries in the United States: An emerging national concern

BACKGROUND: Over the past 15years, the use of cell phones has increased 8-fold in the United States. Cell phone use has been shown to increase crash risks for drivers, but no systematic analyses have described injuries related to ambulatory cell phone use. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe and quantitate injuries and deaths among persons using cell phones while walking. METHODS: We searched the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for emergency department (ED) reports of injuries related to phone use. The cases that returned were screened initially using words that would eliminate cases unlikely to be related to cell phone use and walking, possibly linked to distraction. The resulting cases were randomized and evaluated for consistency with predetermined case definitions by two authors blinded to the dates of the incidents. Cases that were disagreed upon were evaluated in a second screening by both authors for final case determination. National ED visit rates were estimated based on NEISS sampling methods. Annual variations were analyzed using linear regression with a restricted maximum likelihood approach. RESULTS: Our screening process identified 5,754 possible cases that occurred between 2000 and 2011, and 310 were agreed on as cases of cell-phone-induced distraction. The majority of the patients were female (68%) and 40years of age or younger (54%). The primary mechanism of injury was a fall (72%), and most patients were treated and released from the ED (85%). No patients died from their injuries while they were in the ED. Linear modeling by year revealed a statistically significant increase in distraction injury rates over the years of study (p Keywords: Driver distraction; Pedestrian distraction Language: en
The Social World of Phyllis Shand Allfrey's the Orchid House

(1983). The Social World of Phyllis Shand Allfrey's the Orchid House. Caribbean Quarterly: Vol. 29, Neglected Writers, pp. 11-21.
Platonic Cosmology: A Terrestrial Pedagogy

William L. Craig defines cosmology as “a posterior argument for a cause or reason for the cosmos.” As a posterior argument, cosmology first assures the existence of the cosmos and then articulates the reason for the co-existence of the cosmos with human beings. In other words, a posterior cosmological argument offers both descriptive and prescriptive account of the relationship between human beings and the cosmos. To a large extent, such cosmological arguments shape and reflect our attitudes and actions toward the cosmos — the world we inhabit. Within such a posterior framework, Platonic cosmology attempts to provide a reasonable account of the origin and purpose of the cosmos as related to human existence. Plato states: “now every thing that becomes or is created must of necessity be created by some cause, for without a cause nothing can be created.” On the one hand, Platonic cosmology embraces an organic worldview. In his own words, the whole cosmos is “a living creature containing within itself all living creatures, mortal and immoral” (Timaeus 69c). The well-ordered and harmonious cosmos described by Plato can be compared to a balanced ecosystem widely endorsed by contemporary environmental ethicists. On the other hand, since the doctrine of Forms is the cornerstone of Platonism, it is common to overlook such ecologically congenial aspect of Platonic cosmology. After all, this living world is merely an image of the world of Forms. Thus, contemporary environmental ethicists such as J. Baird Callicott regard Platonic dualism (the transcendent world vs. physical world) as one of the conceptual roots of environmental problems. More specifically, the doctrine of Platonic Forms appears to suggest that rational human beings are the agents that superimpose a rational order upon the passive and chaotic natural world. It is not surprising that Al Gore claims that “the Platonic assumption” is that human beings as “disembodied spiritual intellects hovering above the material world” need not care about the world of nature.
In-vitro Transcriptional Circuits

The structural similarity of neural networks and genetic regulatory networks to digital circuits, and hence to each other, was noted from the very beginning of their study [7,5]. Generic properties of both types of network have been analyzed using the same class of abstract models [3]. The same rate equations proposed for recurrent neural networks [4] have been used, with a few embellishments, to model genetic regulatory circuits controlling development of Drosophila embryos [6]. However, whereas research in neural networks has a long history of both analytic approaches, aimed at understanding the brain, and synthetic approaches, aimed at creating intelligent machines, research in genetic regulatory networks has been entirely analytic prior to very recent work implementing small synthetic genetic regulatory networks in E. Coli [8, 1, 2]. Although genetic regulatory systems are not fast, they are small; E. coli is one cubic micron yet it contains thousands of regulated genes.
Early language milestone scale and language screening.

Walker et al made a contribution by calling attention to the importance of validation of screening tests in their article. However, the paper had three major shortcomings. First, the authors inappropriately cite a limitation of the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) based on a report by Borowitz and Glascoe. The Borowitz-Glascoe study has three major methodologic biases that invalidate its conclusions: One is failure to interpret the DDST in the prescribed manner—the authors wrongly compared their criterion tests with only one sector of the DDST.
Physical and Chemical Studies on Ceruloplasmin VIII. PREPARATION OF N-ACETYLNEURAMINIC ACID-1-14C-LABELED CERULOPLASMIN

Abstract The preparation of a particulate sialyl transferase from rat liver and its properties are described. The enzyme was used, in the presence of cytidine monophosphate-N-acetylneuraminic acid-1-14C and asialoceruloplasmin, to prepare substantive quantities of radioactive ceruloplasmin. With a completely desialylated preparation of the protein as acceptor, approximately 70% of the normal complement of N-acetylneuraminic acid was restored, and the reconstituted product was isolated and purified. Upon intravenous injection of this material into a rabbit, essentially all of the radioactivity disappeared from the circulation and was recoverable from the liver. With partially desialylated ceruloplasmin as acceptor, a radioactive preparation was obtained wherein the N-acetylneuraminic acid content approximated 85% that of the native protein. Upon injection of this material, 50% of the labeled ceruloplasmin survived in the serum with a normal half-life of 54 hours. These results are interpreted as indicating that exposure of only a small number of the total galactosyl residues of ceruloplasmin is sufficient to mark the molecule for removal from the circulation by the liver.
Growing Up African American in Catholic Schools.

Growing Up African American in Catholic Schools. Jacqueline Jordan Irvine and Michele Foster, eds. New York: Teachers College Press, 1996.
La traducción inglesa del Diccionario de Alcedo y su vocabulario de americanismos

Que el Diccioriario geografico Izistorico dc las Indias Occidentales o America (Madrid, 1786- 1789) de Antonio de Alcedo tuvo una traduccion inglesa (Londres. 18 12- 18 15) no es una noticia que haya permanecido ignorada de los estudiosos, pero lo cierto es que no se suele ir mas alla de mencionar el hecho. Diego Barros Arana. el primero en ocuparse de la obra de Alcedo, es todavia hoy quien con mayor extension trato la cuestion en poco mas de una pagina que le dedico'. Probablemente la dificultad de consultar esta edicion haya sido la razon de que tan poco se haya hablado de ella; la filologia hispanoamericana, sin embargo, debe tomar posicion ante ella. Coino ya senalo Barros Arana, es mas que una version inglesa del texto de Alcedo; tiene numerosas y amplias adiciones, y es obvio que se ha querido modificar el caracter de la obra, proveyendola de los datos que interesaria conocer a un politico o comerciante ingles de la epoca. Yo no hare un examen critico de la totalidad de estas adiciones, sino me limitare a lo que podriamos llamar la parte filologica. Sabido es que al final del Diccionario Alcedo publico un "Vocabulario de las voces provinciales de America", que es tenido por el primer diccionario de americanismos; corresponde considerar en que medida, y coii~ol,a traduccion inglesa ha aumentado esta obra de tanta significacion historica. Antes de hacerlo, digamos unas palabras sobre el origen de la traduccion y su autor.
Fluid flow in packed beds

Abstract Velocity profiles and turbulence parameters were measured with a hot-wire anemometer in the voids of a packing of rhombohedrally arranged spheres. Data were taken at Reynolds numbers of 4780 and 7010, based on particle diameter and superficial velocity. Turbulence energy spectra showed that eddy shedding did not occur inside the packing voids. Eddy diffusivities in the voids were much smaller than either the radial or axial dispersion coefficients. Therefore the dispersion coefficients are not directly, related to the eddy diffusivity in the flow region. The mean voidage over the whole cross-sectional area of the packing was kept constant. Under these conditions, the mean velocity still showed a maximum value within 1·5 particle diameters from the wall. Comparison of the mean velocity profiles and spectra inside the voids with similar data determined downstream from the packing indicated that there is no simple correlation between them.
Hyaluronan Promotes CD44v3-Vav2 Interaction with Grb2-p185HER2 and Induces Rac1 and Ras Signaling during Ovarian Tumor Cell Migration and Growth

In this study we initially examined the interaction between CD44v3 (a hyaluronan (HA) receptor) and Vav2 (a guanine nucleotide exchange factor) in human ovarian tumor cells (SK-OV-3.ipl cell line). Immunological data indicate that both CD44v3 and Vav2 are expressed in SK-OV-3.ipl cells and that these two proteins are physically linked as a complex in vivo. By using recombinant fragments of Vav2 and in vitro binding assays, we have detected a specific binding interaction between the SH3-SH2-SH3 domain of Vav2 and the cytoplasmic domain of CD44. In addition, we have observed that the binding of HA to CD44v3 activates Vav2-mediated Rac1 signaling leading to ovarian tumor cell migration. Further analyses indicate that the adaptor molecule, growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) that is bound to p185HER2 (an oncogene product), is also associated with the CD44v3-Vav2 complex. HA binding to SK-OV-3.ipl cells promotes recruitment of both Grb2 and p185HER2 to the CD44v3-Vav2 complex leading to Ras activation and ovarian tumor cell growth. In order to determine the role of Grb2 in CD44v3 signaling, we have transfected SK-OV-3.ipl cells with Grb2 mutant cDNAs (e.g. ΔN-Grb2 that has a deletion in the amino-terminal SH3 domain or ΔC-Grb2 that has a deletion in the carboxyl-terminal SH3 domain). Our results clearly indicate that the SH3 domain deletion mutants of Grb2 (i.e. the ΔN-Grb2 (and to a lesser extent the ΔC-Grb2) mutant) not only block their association with p185HER2 but also significantly impair their binding to the CD44v3-Vav2 complex and inhibit HA/CD44v3-induced ovarian tumor cell behaviors. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that the interaction of CD44v3-Vav2 with Grb2-p185HER2 plays an important role in the co-activation of both Rac1 and Ras signaling that is required for HA-mediated human ovarian tumor progression.
The effects of acetyl-L-carnitine and sorbinil on peripheral nerve structure, chemistry, and function in experimental diabetes.

Abstract Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) increased with age in nondiabetic male Wistar rats for the first 26 weeks of life. The NCV of animals made hyperglycemic at age 6 weeks by administration of streptozotocin (STZ) also increases, but at a slower rate. Animals with 4 weeks of hyperglycemia and reduced NCV treated with an aldose reductase inhibitor (sorbinil) or a short-chain acyl-carnitine (acetyl- l -carnitine [ALC]) daily for 16 weeks showed an improvement in NCV. Morphometric studies of tibial nerves collected from animals after 20 weeks of hyperglycemia (age 26 weeks) showed a consistent reduction in the width of the myelin sheath and little change in axon area. The number of large myelinated fibers (>6.5 μm) found in nerves collected from hyperglycemic animals was less than the number found in nondiabetic animals. Treatment of hyperglycemic rats with either sorbinil or ALC was associated with increased NCV, myelin width, and large myelinated fibers. The apparent metabolic effect of these agents was similar for fatty acid metabolism, but different for polyol pathway activity. We conclude that in animals hyperglycemic long enough to slow NCV, sorbinil and/or ALC treatment reduces the functional, structural, and biochemical changes associated with hyperglycemia that occur in the myelin sheath.
Strontium-90 in Hair

The hair of rats injected with strontium-90 retains a significant amount of the radionuclide. Although the strontium-90 content of hair is variable in these rats and appears to be subject to a variety of influences, determination of the radionuclide content of hair may offer a nondestructive method of estimating strontium-90 in bone.
A dynamic distributed approach to representing proper interval graphs

First studied by Brodal and Fagerberg [G.S. Brodal, R. Fagerberg, Dynamic representation of sparse graphs, in: Algorithms and Data Structures, Proceedings of the 6th International Workshop, Vancouver, Canada, in: Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 1663, Springer-Verlag, 1999], a dynamic adjacency labelling scheme labels the vertices of a graph so that the adjacency of two vertices can be deduced from their labels. The scheme is dynamic in the sense that only a small adjustment must be made to the vertex labels when a small change is made to the graph. Using a centralized dynamic representation of Hell, Shamir and Sharan [P. Hell, R. Shamir, R. Sharan, A fully dynamic algorithm for recognizing and representing proper interval graphs, SIAM Journal on Computing 31 (1) (2001) 289-305], we develop a O(logn) bit/label dynamic adjacency labelling scheme for proper interval graphs. Our fully dynamic scheme handles vertex deletion/addition and edge deletion/addition in O(n) time. Furthermore, our dynamic scheme is error-detecting, as it recognizes when the new graph is not a proper interval graph.
Role of Nuclear Factor κB in Ovarian Hormone-Mediated Stress Hypersensitivity in Female Mice

Background The molecular mechanisms of stress-induced depressive behaviors have been characterized extensively in male rodents; however, much less is known about female subjects, despite the fact that human depression is far more prevalent in women. Methods To gain insight into these mechanisms, we performed microarray analysis in nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain reward region implicated in depression, in ovariectomized (OVX) and gonadally intact female mice after chronic unpredictable stress and measured stress-induced depression-like behavior in the forced swim test (FST). Male mice were studied in the FST for comparison. Results We find that stress regulation of genes in NAc of gonadally intact female mice is blunted in OVX mice. This pattern of gene regulation is consistent with behavioral findings on the FST: the pro-depression-like effect of stress in intact female mice is absent in OVX female and gonadally intact male mice. We identified, among many genes regulated by stress, several nuclear factor κB (NFκB) subunits—a pro-survival transcription factor involved in cellular responses to stress—as being highly upregulated in NAc of OVX mice. Given the role of NFκB during stress, we hypothesized that upregulation of NFκB by OVX decreases susceptibility to stress. Indeed, we show that inhibition of NFκB in NAc of OVX animals increases susceptibility to stress-induced depressive behaviors, whereas activation of NFκB in NAc of intact female subjects blocks susceptibility. Conclusions These results suggest a hormonal mechanism of NFκB regulation that contributes to stress-induced depressive behaviors in female subjects and might represent a mechanism for gender differences in prevalence rates of these disorders in humans.
Optimal scheduling for enhanced coal bed methane production through CO2 injection

Enhanced coal bed methane production with CO2 injection (CO2-ECBM) is an effective technology for accessing the natural gas embedded in the traditionally unmineable coal seams. The revenue via this production process is generated not only by the sales of coal bed methane, but also by trading CO2 credits in the carbon market. As the technology of CO2-ECBM becomes mature, its commercialization opportunities are also springing up. This paper proposes applicable mathematical models for CO2-ECBM production and compares the impacts of their production schedules on the total profit. A novel basic deterministic model for CO2-ECBM production including the technical and chemical details is proposed and then a multistage stochastic programming model is formulated in order to address uncertainties of natural gas price and CO2 credit. Both models are nonlinear programming problems, which are solved by commercial nonlinear programming software BARON via GAMS. Numerical experiments show the benefits (e.g., expected profit gain) of using stochastic models versus deterministic models.
Foraging Potential of Larval Alosines in the Lower Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound, North Carolina

Abstract Zooplankton composition and abundances were quantified in the lower Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound, North Carolina. The spatial and temporal overlap between larval alosines, including American shad Alosa sapidissima, river herring (alewife A. pseudoharengus and blueback herring A. aestivalis), hickory shad A. mediocris, and zooplankton were examined to determine whether larval alosines in this system are food limited. Samples were collected weekly at 19 stations from March through June 2008–2009 in three habitats: River, Delta, and Sound. Spatial differences in zooplankton were observed, with the abundance in the Sound (16,546 ± 14,678 [number/m3 ± SD]) being significantly higher than those in the River (4,934 ± 3,806) and Delta areas (4,647 ± 2,846). Zooplankton composition was dominated by Daphniidae, Bosminidae, calanoid and cyclopoid copepods, copepod nauplii, and rotifers. The spatial patterns in alosine abundance were the opposite of those for zooplankton, being highest in the River (21....
Spontaneous Kidney Tumors in the Frog: Rate of Occurrence in Isolated Adults

Kidney tumors in the frog are thought to be virus-caused and naturally transmitted. The present report indicates that natural transmission between mature adults is not a factor in spontaneous tumor development and implies primary infection at earlier stages if a virus is indeed involved. Parasitism and nutritional state appear to be of little significance.
Women's weekly relationship functioning and depressive symptoms.

In an exploration of the links between relationship quality and depression, the extent to which women’s weekly reports of depressive symptoms vary as a function of same-week relationship functioning was tested. A sample of 161 married or cohabiting U.S. women completed measures of relationship functioning, mood, and depressive symptoms weekly for 12 weeks. In a series of hierarchical linear models, results of within-subject analyses indicated that depressive symptoms were negatively associated with same-week relationship functioning. Weekly fluctuations in mood did not account for these associations. Results of between-subjects analyses suggested that women low in stereotypical masculinity and in relationships of shorter duration are particularly likely to show increased depressive symptoms during weeks when they experience poorer relationship functioning than usual.
Single-Molecule Spectroscopy of Intramolecular Electron Transfer in Donor-Bridge-Acceptor Systems

It is widely appreciated that single-molecule spectroscopy (SMS) can be used to measure properties of individual molecules which would normally be obscured in an ensemble-averaged measurement. In this article, we show how SMS can be used to investigate intramolecular electron transfer (IET) processes in model dimer systems composed of two perylene chromophores connected via an adjustable bridge. The fluorescence behaviors of a large number of molecules are cataloged and the results statistically analyzed to gauge information about the range of behaviors of the ensemble. Single-molecule fluorescence time trajectories reveal “blinks”, momentary losses in fluorescence (>20 ms to seconds in duration), which are attributed to discrete IET excursions to the charge-separated (CS) state. We find that fluorescence blinking behavior is dependent on bridge length and chromophore geometry, which affect the electronic coupling and therefore the IET. The statistical trends observed in this analysis are used to corrobor...
Micromechanics model for three-dimensional open-cell foams using a tetrakaidecahedral unit cell and Castigliano's second theorem

A micromechanics model for three-dimensional open-cell foams is developed using an energy method based on Castigliano's second theorem. The analysis is performed on a tetrakaidecahedral unit cell, which is centered at one lattice point of a body-centered cubic lattice and is subjected to compression on its two opposite square faces. The 36 struts of the unit cell are treated as uniform slender beams undergoing linearly elastic deformations, and the 24 vertices as rigid joints. All three deformation mechanisms of the cell struts (i.e., stretching, shearing and bending) possible under the specified loading are incorporated, and four different strut cross section shapes (i.e., circle, square, equilateral triangle and Plateau border) are treated in a unified manner in the present model, unlike in earlier models. Two closed-form formulas for determining the effective Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of open-cell foams are provided. These two formulas are derived by using the composite homogenization theory and contain more parameters than those included in existing models. The new formulas explicitly show that the foam elastic properties depend on the relative foam density, the shape and size of the strut cross section, and the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the strut material. By applying the newly derived model directly, a parametric study is conducted for carbon foams, whose modeling motivated the present study. The predicted values of the effective Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio compare favorably with those based on existing models and experimental data.
OT-09CHARACTERIZATION OF INFILTRATING MYELOID CELLS ASSOCIATED WITH XENOGRAFTED GLIOMAS IN THE RODENT BRAIN

INTRODUCTION: Ionizing radiation, usually delivered as fractionated external beam radiotherapy, is a cornerstone of treatment for many types of brain tumors in children. However, depending on the age of the child, radiation also causes a number of late effects including progressive cognitive dysfunction. Specifically, irradiation of key structures such as the hippocampus results in the activation of inflammatory pathways, and can profoundly affect the neural structures that mediate learning and memory. METHODS: GL261 mouse glioma cells syngenic with C57/Bl6 mice were implanted into the frontal lobe of 8-12 week old mice. Tumors and normal brain tissues were examined by histology, and flow cytometry. To separate resident microglia from macrophages derived from circulating monocytes in vivo, we utilized a transgenic reporter mouse (CCR2RFP/+CX3CR1GFP/+) to accurately delineate cells based on their expression of either CX3CR1+ or CCR2+. RESULTS: We have previously shown that ionizing radiation leads to macrophage infiltration, and that mice deficient for CCR2 also have a blunted effect on cognition. In tumor bearing animals, there is a robust infiltration of peripherally derived CD11b+/F4/80+ cells into the tumor. These cells primarily express CCR2. Relative to control animals, there is also an increase in this cell population in the ipsilateral hemisphere and contralateral hemisphere. Cognitive function in tumor-bearing CCR2 knockout animals will be assessed to determine if loss of CCR2 signaling attenuates the effect of brain irradiation. CONCLUSION: An inflammatory cell population is present in increased numbers in the uninvolved brain of tumor bearing animals. This cell population plays a role in radiation-induced cognitive change and targeting this population may provide a route to ameliorate the cognitive decline observed after ionizing radiation.
Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy Studies of a Fluorescent Polyelectrolyte−Surfactant Complex

Thin films prepared from a complex formed between poly(vinyl sulfate) (PVS) and a cationic indocarbocyanine surfactant dye (DiI) are investigated by near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Local film morphology and chemical composition are studied as a function of dye/anionic-site stoichiometry. AFM images show that overall film morphology changes modestly with dye content. Fluorescence NSOM images reveal that at lowest PVS loading, the films are extremely heterogeneous, exhibiting round fluorescent regions 100−250 nm in size. As the dye content is increased, the fluorescent regions increase in number but remain of similar sizes. NSOM fluorescence spectra prove these regions contain aggregated DiI and indicate they are likely polymer−surfactant micelles entrapped in the films.
Contests for Space in Breeding Cichlasoma Meeki: the Use of Increased Apparent Size Displays

1. The conditions under which firemouth cichlids (Cichlasoma meeki) employed a branchiostegal display (erection of the gill membranes) were investigated to test four predictions concerning Increased Apparent Size (IAS) displays, in which the apparent size of an animal increases without an increase in Resource Holding Potential (RHP). Since size correlates with RHP for many species, IAS displays are assumed to increase an animal's apparent RHP. If contests are settled on the basis of differences in perceived RHP values, animals exhibiting falsely high values of RHP may avoid escalated contests and thus acquire resources at less cost. 2. The branchiostegal display could be performed alone or simultaneously with any other agonistic behaviour. It accompanied non-contact behaviour acts more commonly than contact acts, but accompanied no type of act more than one third of the times that act was performed. 3. It was performed primarily towards paired intruders, and those equal to or larger in size than the resident. 4. It was performed more often towards larger heterospecifics than towards larger conspecifics, and rarely towards smaller fish of any species. 5. The display often accompanied the first act of a contest, and this probability was greatest for contests with larger pairs of conspecifics. 6. The function of the display seems most likely to be a combination of an IAS display and a signal of a low probability of attack.
The complete closed coexistence curves for 2H,3H,6H,7H,8H-5,8-(Dimethylmethano)-5(R)-methylquinoxaline with water and with deuterium oxide

The complete closed solubility curves for 2H, 3H, 6H, 7H, 8H-5,8-(dimethylmethano)-5(R)-methylquinoxaline with water and with deuterium oxide have been determined. With water the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was found to be 51.4°C and the critical solution temperature (CST) was found to be 215.0°C. With deuterium oxide the values were 40.4°C for the LSCT and 221.7°C for the CST. The deuterium oxide curve completely encompassed the water curve. Solution compositions at the critical temperatures were also determined.
Non-mesonic decay of a bound V 1 0 -particle

A charged nuclear fragment, ejected from a cosmic ray star, stopped in the emulsion and subsequently disintegrated into two doubly charged particles. Both of the particles from the disintegration stopped in the emulsion. From the energetics of the disintegration and the characteristics of the tracks, the fragment was foudn to have been (Be7+V 1 0 )bound, or (Be8+V 1 0 )bound, with aQ of 170±3 MeV or 176±3 MeV respectively. The nuclear binding of the V 1 0 was 4±5 MeV or −1±5 MeV respectively.
Epidermoid cysts of testes and role of sonography

Four patients with histologically proved epidermoid cysts of the testicle were managed with radical orchiectomy. High-resolution testicular sonography demonstrated similar findings in all cases, but these findings were not specific and did not preclude other malignant or teratomatous lesions. The lack of both unique clinical features and specific sonographic findings would suggest that extreme caution must be used if wedge resection or enucleation is contemplated for a patient with presumed epidermoid cyst.
Serum and Secretory IgA from HIV-Infected Individuals Mediate Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity

The potential function of IgA anti-HIV antibodies in mediation of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was investigated in this study. Serum IgA isolated from HIV-seropositive subjects in stage B3 or C3 and from healthy seronegative individuals was compared to IgG and whole serum for the ability to mediate ADCC. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from uninfected donors were used as effectors against CEM-NKr cells chronically infected with the HTLV-IIIB strain of HIV-1. Whole sera, isolated IgA, and IgG from both groups of seropositive individuals were capable of significant ADCC lysis against infected CEM-NKr cells compared to identical preparations from seronegative individuals. In comparing ADCC activity between the two seropositive groups, IgG mediated higher mean ADCC levels in the C3 group at the two highest concentrations of antibody assayed (P < 0.03), whereas IgA mediated the highest mean ADCC levels in the B3 group at all concentrations. Secretory IgA (S-IgA) isolated from colostrum of HIV-infected women was also examined for ADCC capabilities against infected CEM-NKr cells. Significant differences were observed between ADCC mediated by S-IgA from seropositive mothers compared to seronegative mothers (P < 0.04), but the amount of lysis detected was not as great as that seen with serum IgA. The presence of IgG, serum IgA, and secretory IgA antibodies capable of mediating ADCC may be critical in maintaining a functional immune response in all stages of HIV infection.
Procalcitonin-Guided Antibiotic Therapy Duration in Critically Ill Adults

Procalcitonin is a promising biomarker for antibiotic therapy because its levels rise and fall quickly with bacterial infections. A multidatabase literature search was reviewed with 3 primary prospective randomized control trials used in further analysis. The results indicated that a procalcitonin-guided antibiotic protocol reduces the number of days a patient has to take antibiotics while having no effect on mortality when compared with control groups. Short-term studies did not show a difference in the intensive care unit length of stay, infection relapse rate, superinfection rate, or multidrug-resistant bacteria rate between the procalcitonin-protocol and control group. Because procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy has been shown to reduce the duration of treatment with antibiotics in critically ill patients without worsening the mortality rate or other outcomes, the implementation of a procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy should be considered for patients with proven or highly suspected bacterial infections in the intensive care unit.
Neuromuscular fatigue in dystrophic muscle.

THE effects of the dystrophic process upon muscle function are of continued interest. Dystrophic mouse muscle has been found to exhibit multiple action potentials, spontaneously, as well as in response to a single stimulus to its nerve1,2; d-tubocurarine or sustained, periodic single shock stimulation shortens the after-discharges1. Heightened muscle responsiveness and excitability to dual shocks also develop1. In addition, excised dystrophic muscle is less fatiguable and maintains a tetanus for a longer time than the normal3. It was felt that an investigation of neuromuscular fatiguo might help to further delineate and perhaps clarify some of these phenomena.
Rutgers Acquires the Nandino Collection of Modern Mexican Literature

Dauster describes the personal library of the distinguished Mexican poet, Elias Nandino aquired by Rutgers Library.Â Dr. Nandino has been closely associated with the major developments in Mexican poetry over a period of forty years. The Nandino collection includes some 700 volumes as well as literary periodicals beginning in 1928.
Liver abscesses in feedlot cattle: a review.

Liver abscesses in slaughtered beef cattle result from aggressive grain-feeding programs. The incidence, averaging from 12 to 32% in most feedlots, is influenced by a number of dietary and management factors. Liver abscesses represent a major economic liability to producers, packers, and ultimately consumers. Besides liver condemnation, economic impacts include reduced feed intake, reduced weight gain, decreased feed efficiency, and decreased carcass yield. Fusobacterium necrophorum, a member of the ruminal anaerobic bacterial flora, is the primary etiologic agent. Actinomyces pyogenes is the second most frequently isolated pathogen. Ruminal lesions resulting from acidosis generally are accepted as the predisposing factors for liver abscesses. F. necrophorum possesses or produces a number of virulence factors that participate in the penetration and colonization of the ruminal epithelium and subsequent entry and establishment of infection in the liver. However, only a few virulence factors have been characterized well. Control of liver abscesses in feedlot cattle generally has depended on the use of antimicrobial compounds. Five antibiotics (i.e., bacitracin methylene disalicylate, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, tylosin, and virginiamycin) are approved for prevention of liver abscesses in feedlot cattle. Tylosin is the most effective and the most commonly used feed additive. Tylosin feeding reduces abscess incidence by 40 to 70%. The mode of action of antibiotics in preventing liver abscesses is believed to be via inhibition of ruminal F. necrophorum. Protective immunity against F. necrophorum induced by a variety of antigenic components has ranged from ineffectual to significant protection.
Isometric embedding in products of complete graphs

Abstract An isometric (i.e., distance-preserving) embedding of a connected graph G into a cartesian product of complete graphs is equivalent to a labelling of each vertex of G by a string of symbols of fixed length such that the distance between two vertices is equal to the Hamming distance between the corresponding strings. Such a labelling could provide an addressing scheme for a communications network, since it enables a message to find a shortest path to its destination using only local information. We show that any two such embeddings of the same graph G are essentially the same, and give a polynomial-time algorithm which will find such an embedding if it exists. In addition we characterize the graphs which are isometrically embeddable in powers of K3.
Acceleration support by integrated starter/alternator for automotive applications

AbstractThe integrated starter / alternator (ISA) of high power generation capacities is able to address increasing power demands in land vehicles. This paper seeks to demonstrate that ISA's design, performance capabilities, and operating effciency indicate that its application can be extended to functionalities such as acceleration support. The incorporation of ISA in conventional vehicles with acceleration support features enables the vehicle to accelerate faster, ensures more reliable and smoother acceleration, provides enhanced manoeuvrability, lowers the stress as well as the response time of the internal combustion engine (ICE), and improves overall vehicle efficiency. Furthermore, acceleration support contributes towards improving fuel economy and the lowering of emissions. This paper presents an approach towards achieving acceleration support by ISA using ADVISOR as the design test tool.
Changes in procedure volume and service provider distribution among radiologists and nonradiologists in dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry between 1996 and 2002.

Purpose To determine changes in the number of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) procedures performed in the United States, as well as changes in the relative number of procedures performed by radiologists and nonradiologists. Methods The two major Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Edition, codes for DEXA scans were selected from the national Medicare Part B databases from 1996 through 2002 (the most recent). The total number of scans done on Medicare patients, as well as the percentages performed by radiologists and nonradiologists, were tabulated. Results In 1996, a total of 501,505 DEXA scans were performed among all Medicare patients. Of these, 30% were performed by radiologists. In 2002, there were 2,195,548 DEXA scans performed among all Medicare patients, of which radiologists performed 45%. Conclusion Between 1996 and 2002, the number of DEXA scans performed on all Medicare patients increased by more than fourfold. In the same population, the percentage of scans performed by radiologists increased from less than one-third to almost one-half. Consequently, radiologists are steadily gaining market share of this procedure in the Medicare population.
Racemic protein crystallography.

Although natural proteins are chiral and are all of one “handedness,” their mirror image forms can be prepared by chemical synthesis. This opens up new opportunities for protein crystallography. A racemic mixture of the enantiomeric forms of a protein molecule can crystallize in ways that natural proteins cannot. Recent experimental data support a theoretical prediction that this should make racemic protein mixtures highly amenable to crystallization. Crystals obtained from racemic mixtures also offer advantages in structure determination strategies. The relevance of these potential advantages is heightened by advances in synthetic methods, which are extending the size limit for proteins that can be prepared by chemical synthesis. Recent ideas and results in the area of racemic protein crystallography are reviewed.