cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beam shape optimization for laser powder beam fusion additive manufacturing (Conference Presentation)

Laser Powder Beam Fusion (LPBF)processes use laser beams to selectively melt powder layers and build three dimensional parts layer by layer. Usually, the beam has a Gaussian profile and the melt temperature peaks near the beam center. For typical conditions this temperature is well over the boiling point and drives intensive evaporation. Evaporation-driven recoil momentum can produce detrimental material spattering and keyhole porosity. Evaporation itself consumes a significant amount of energy thus degrading the process efficiency. It can therefore be beneficial to alter the beam shape so as to have the temperature distribution in the melt pool close to that of a flat top. We determined with a simple thermal model the beam shape providing a relatively flat temperature distribution . The optimal is found to be doughnut mode-like, skewed in the scan direction. We did high fidelity simulations of the melt pool produced by the optimized beam and evaluated the possible benefits, including the efficiency increase. We started the experiments with doughnut shape beam far from the optimal but also far from the Gaussian one. The experimental data will be compared with simulation results. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.
Age associated non-linear regulation of redox homeostasis in the anucleate platelet: Implications for CVD risk patients

Abstract Background Aging is a complex physiological phenomenon, intricately associated with cardiovascular pathologies, where platelets play a central pathophysiological role. Although antiplatelets are commonly employed to prevent and treat major adverse cardiovascular events, aging associated intraplatelet changes remain largely unexplored. Methods Platelets were studied in high cardiovascular risk patients (aged 40–100 years) comparing them to younger healthy subjects. This was followed by cross sectional and longitudinal mice studies. Flow cytometry, biochemical and molecular assays were used to study platelets comprehensively. Findings CVD Patients were categorized in the age groups 40–59, 60–79, and 80–100 years. Progressive decline in platelet health was observed in the 40–79 years age cohort, marked by increase in oxidative stress, hyperactivation and apoptotic markers. Paradoxically, this was reversed in patients aged above 79 years and the improved platelet phenotype was associated with lower oxidative damage. The platelets from the very old (80–100 year) group were found to be preloaded with increased antioxidants, which also contributed to higher resistance against induced redox insults. Cross sectional mouse studies excluded the effect of comorbidities and medications. Longitudinal mouse studies implicate an adaptive increase in antioxidant levels as the mechanism. Interpretation We report a novel age associated, non-linear redox regulation in platelets in both humans and mice. In advanced age, there occurs an adaptive increase in platelet antioxidants, reducing the intracellular ROS and leading to a healthier platelet phenotype. Clinically, our results advocate the use of less aggressive antiplatelet therapies for CVD in the elderly population. Fund Study funded by NIH-NHLBI, RO1-HL122815 and RO1-HL115247.
Polymeric Heart Valves: Back to the Future?

Studart and co-workers have developed a heart valve prototype that employs a patient-specific crimpable polymer stent via novel 3D printing technologies. The idea of engineering replacement valves has a rich history, constantly driven forward by emerging materials and technologies.
VIL1, a Polycomb-associated protein, modulates high ambient temperature response via H3K27me3 and H2A.Z in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract Adapting to the everchanging environment is key to a successful life for an organism. Eukaryotes reprogram their transcriptome in order to adapt to an unfavorable environment. To achieve this reprogramming, plants and animals employ multiple responses including epigenetic regulation. In the search for mutations compromised in high ambient temperature response, we found that VIL1, a PHD finger protein displays aberrant development at high temperature. RNA-seq analysis shows that vil1 fails to downregulate heat suppressed genes. H2A.Z ChIP-seq showed that unlike wild type, vil1 fails to evict H2A.Z from heat responsive genes. We also found that vil1 suppresses constitutive thermo-morphogenic phenotype of arp6. Supporting this phenotype, RNA-seq analysis revealed that constitutive heat responsive transcriptome of arp6 reverted back to the wild-type levels in arp6vil1. This observation suggests an antagonistic relationship between VIL1 and ARP6. We found that this antagonism can be explained in part by interaction between H3K27me3 and H2A.Z.
Lingering Legacies: Public Attitudes about Medicaid Beneficiaries and Work Requirements

CONTEXT This article provides a detailed picture of the mindset of Americans about Medicaid work requirements and the important roles that perception of deservingness and racial bias play in public attitudes. METHODS The authors conducted a large original survey to investigate public attitudes toward work requirements. They analyzed the predictors of overall support for work requirements, correlates of who should be exempt from them, and attitudes toward work supports that make compliance with work requirements easier. FINDINGS The authors found that public opinion is split relatively evenly when it comes to Medicaid work requirements in the abstract. When Americans are confronted with the complexities of the issue, important nuances emerge. The authors also found consistent evidence that support for work requirements is higher among conservatives, those who see Medicaid as a short-term program, and racially resentful non-Hispanic whites. They show that groups that have historically been framed as deserving see high levels of support for their exemption (e.g., the disabled and senior citizens). Finally, the authors found that Americans are supportive of policies that provide individuals with help when transitioning into the workforce. CONCLUSIONS Americans' views of Medicaid and the populations it serves are complex and continue to be influenced by perceptions of deservingness and race.
Suppression of HIV-1 Viral Replication by Inhibiting Drug Efflux Transporters in Activated Macrophages.

BACKGROUND Ethanol has been shown to increase oxidative stress, drug efflux transporter expression, and promote HIV progression. Macrophages, which express drug efflux transporters, serve as an essential sanctuary site for HIV. The antiretroviral drug lopinavir, a protease inhibitor, is a substrate of the drug efflux transporters P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1. The NF-κB signaling pathway is associated with inflammation and drug efflux transporter expression. OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of ethanol on drug efflux transporters and HIV replication of macrophages and develop strategies to increase the efficacy of the protease inhibitor. METHODS The expression of PGP and MRP1 was examined with western blot. The NF- κB inhibition was assessed with nuclear western blot. LC-MS/MS and p24 ELISA were used to assess intracellular LPV and viral replication. RESULTS Ethanol at 40mM slightly increased drug efflux transporter PGP and MRP1 expression in activated macrophages. IKK-16, an NF- κB inhibitor, counteracted the increased transporter expression caused by ethanol exposure. MK571, an MRP1 inhibitor, and IKK-16 significantly increased intracellular LPV concentration with or without ethanol treatment. MK571 significantly increased LPV efficacy in suppressing viral replication with or without ethanol treatment. A decreasing trend and a significant decrease were observed with IKK-16+LPV treatment compared with LPV alone in the no ethanol treatment and ethanol treatment groups, respectively. CONCLUSION In activated macrophages, inhibiting drug efflux transporter MRP1 activity and reducing its expression may represent a promising approach to suppress viral replication by increasing intracellular antiretroviral concentrations. However, different strategies may be required for ethanolrelated vs. untreated groups.
The environment of FRB 121102 and possible relation to SGR/PSR J1745−2900

Variations of the dispersion (DM) and rotation (RM) measures of FRB 121102 indicate magnetic fields $\sim$ 3--17 mG in the dispersing plasma. The electron density may be $\sim 10^4\,$cm$^{-3}$. The observed time scales $\sim 1$ year constrain the size of the plasma cloud. Increasing DM excludes simple models involving an expanding supernova remnant, and the non-zero RM excludes spherical symmetry. The varying DM and RM may be attributable to the motion of plasma into or out of the line of sight or changing electron density within slower-moving plasma. The extraordinarily large RM of FRB 121102 implies an environment, and possibly also a formation process and source, qualitatively different from those of other FRB. The comparable and comparably varying RM of SGR/PSR J1745-2900 suggests it as an FRB candidate. An appendix discusses the age of FRB 121102 in the context of a "Copernican Principle".
Clinical management among individuals with variant of uncertain significance in hereditary cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Improper medical use of variant of uncertain significance (VUS) remains a concern in hereditary cancer genetic testing. The goal of this study was to assess the association between pathogenic and likely pathogenic (P/LP), VUS, and benign and likely benign (B/LB) genetic test results and cancer-related surgical and screening management. Systematic searches of Medline, Embase, EBSCO CINAHL Plus, and PsycINFO were conducted from 1946 to August 26, 2020. Eligible studies included individuals with cancer genetic test result and surgical or screening management outcomes. We reviewed 885 abstracts and 22 studies that reported relevant surgical and screening outcomes were included. Meta-analysis revealed significantly higher surgical rates among individuals with P/LP than among those with VUS for therapeutic mastectomy with contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (OR = 7.35, 95% CI, 4.14-13.64), prophylactic mastectomy (OR = 3.05, 95% CI, 1.5-6.19), and oophorectomy (OR = 6.46, 95% CI, 3.64-11.44). There were no significant differences in therapeutic mastectomy, or breast conservation or lumpectomy rates between individuals with P/LP and VUS, or in any outcomes between patients with VUS and B/LB. Studies evaluating screening outcomes were limited, and results were conflicting. Comprehensive analysis do not indicate that a significant number of individuals with VUS results undergo inappropriate clinical management.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Self-Reported Outcomes in Patients With Adrenal Insufficiency

CONTEXT: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare environment. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of the pandemic on self-reported outcomes in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI). DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective longitudinal survey study at 2 tertiary centers. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with AI. INTERVENTION: Patient-centered questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, Short Form-36, and AI self-management. RESULTS: Of 342 patients, 157 (46%) had primary AI, 109 (32%) had secondary AI, and 76 (22%) had glucocorticoid-induced AI. When compared to prepandemic, daily glucocorticoid dose and number of adrenal crises did not change. However, patients reported a higher financial impact from AI (34% vs 23%, Pâ =â 0.006) and difficulty accessing medical care (31% vs 7%, Pâ <â 0.0001) during the pandemic. A third of patients reported difficulty managing AI during the pandemic. After adjusting for duration and subtypes of AI, younger patients [odds ratio (OR) 2.3, CI 95% 1.3-4.1], women (OR 3.7, CI 95% 1.9-7.1), poor healthcare access(OR 4.2, CI 95% 2.3-7.7), lack of good insurance support (OR 2.8, CI 95% 1.3-5.9), and those with a higher financial impact (OR 2.3, CI 95% 1.3-4.3) reported greater difficulties managing AI. Patients were more likely to report a higher anxiety score (≥8) if they found managing AI challenging during the pandemic (OR 3.0, CI 95% 1.3-6.9), and had lower Physical Component Summary (OR 4.9, CI 95% 2.2-11.0) and Mental Component Summary (OR 4.1, CI 95% 1.8-9.5) scores prior to the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: A third of patients with AI reported difficulties with management of AI during the pandemic, particularly in younger patients, women, and those with poor healthcare access.
Outcomes of metastatic synovial sarcoma with doxorubicin, pazopanib, and ifosfamide therapy.

e23552Background: Synovial sarcoma (SS) accounts for 5-10% of all soft tissue sarcoma. SS are aggressive tumors with a median 5-year survival of 60-70% when localized disease but also a propensity ...
Systematic Assessment of the Impact of DTI Methodology on Fractional Anisotropy Measures in Alzheimer’s Disease

White matter microstructural changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are often assessed using fractional anisotropy (FA) obtained from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). FA depends on the acquisition and analysis methods, including the fitting algorithm. In this study, we compared FA maps from different acquisitions and fitting algorithms in AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and healthy controls (HCs) using the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. Three acquisitions from two vendors were compared (Siemens 30, GE 48, and Siemens 54 directions). DTI data were fit using nine fitting algorithms (four linear least squares (LLS), two weighted LLS (WLLS), and three non-linear LLS (NLLS) from four software tools (FSL, DSI-Studio, CAMINO, and AFNI). Different cluster volumes and effect-sizes were observed across acquisitions and fits, but higher consistency was observed as the number of diffusion directions increased. Significant differences were observed between HC and AD groups for all acquisitions, while significant differences between HC and MCI groups were only observed for GE48 and SI54. Using the intraclass correlation coefficient, AFNI-LLS and CAMINO-RESTORE were the least consistent with the other algorithms. By combining data across all three acquisitions and nine fits, differences between AD and HC/MCI groups were observed in the fornix and corpus callosum, indicating FA differences in these regions may be robust DTI-based biomarkers. This study demonstrates that comparisons of FA across aging populations could be confounded by variability in acquisitions and fit methodologies and that identifying the most robust DTI methodology is critical to provide more reliable DTI-based neuroimaging biomarkers for assessing microstructural changes in AD.
Proportional Cox Hazards Model to Quantify the Likelihood of Underestimation in Transportation Projects

AbstractPreparing accurate cost estimates for highway projects always has been challenging for transportation agencies. It is a common problem that the lowest submitted bid significantly deviates f...
Artifact Corrections and Model Assumptions

As long as the data satisfy the model assumptions, the estimates should be satisfactory and plausible. No restrictions need to be placed on how the model parameters ρ j and their estimates are viewed. They may be regarded as a product of other parameters if desired. However, in many practical testing settings, measurement unreliability and range restriction are important considerations and cannot be regarded as negligible. The obvious question arises as to how the model or procedures can be altered to allow for corrections of these influences. There are several possible approaches to the problem. Because corrections for unreliability and corrections for range restriction present different kinds of problems, each will be considered separately.
Bogor: A Flexible Framework for Creating Software Model Checkers

Model checking has proven to be an effective technology for verification and debugging in hardware and more recently in software domains. With the proliferation of multicore architectures and a greater emphasis on distributed computing, model checking is an increasingly important software quality assurance technique that can complement existing testing and inspection methods. We believe that recent trends in both the requirements for software systems and the processes by which systems are developed suggests that domain-specific model checking engines may be more effective than general purpose model checking tools. To overcome limitations of existing tools which tend to be monolithic and non-extensible, we have developed an extensible and customizable model checking framework called Bogor. In this article, we summarize how Bogor provides direct support for modeling object-oriented designs and implementations, how its modeling language and algorithms can be extended and customized to create domain-specific model checking engines, and how Bogor can be deployed in broader software development context contexts in conjunction with complementary quality assurance techniques.
d-TSR: Parallelizing SMT-Based BMC Using Tunnels over a Distributed Framework

We present a tool d-TSR for parallelizing SMT-based BMC over a distributed environment targeted for checking safety properties in low-level embedded (sequential) software. We use a tunneling and slicing-based reduction (TSR) approach to decompose disjunctively a BMC instance (at a given depth) into simpler and independent subproblems. We exploit such a decomposition to cut down communication cost and idle time of CPUs during synchronization while solving BMC instances. Our approach scales almost linearly with number of CPUs, as demonstrated in our experimental results.
Pattern theory: a unifying perspective

The term “Pattern Theory” was introduced by Ulf Grenander in the 70s as a name for a field of applied mathematics which gave a theoretical setting for a large number of related ideas, techniques and results from fields such as computer vision, speech recognition, image and acoustic signal processing, pattern recognition and its statistical side, neural nets and parts of artificial intelligence (see [Grenander 76–81]). When I first began to study computer vision about ten years ago, I read parts of this book but did not really understand his insight. However, as I worked in the field, every time I felt I saw what was going on in a broader perspective or saw some theme which seemed to pull together the field as a whole, it turned out that this theme was part of what Grenander called pattern theory. It seems to me now that this is the right framework for these areas, and, as these fields have been growing explosively, the time is ripe for making an attempt to reexamine recent progress and try to make the ideas behind this unification better known. This article presents pattern theory from my point of view, which may be somewhat narrower than Grenander’s, updated with recent examples involving interesting new mathematics.
Dimensionality Reduction for Distance Based Video Clustering

Clustering of video sequences is essential in order to perform video summarization. Because of the high spatial and temporal dimensions of the video data, dimensionality reduction becomes imperative before performing Euclidean distance based clustering. In this paper, we present non-adaptive dimensionality reduction approaches using random projections on the video data. Assuming the data to be a realization from a mixture of Gaussian distributions allows for further reduction in dimensionality using random projections. The performance and computational complexity of the K-means and the K-hyperline clustering algorithms are evaluated with the reduced dimensional data. Results show that random projections with an assumption of Gaussian mixtures provides the smallest number of dimensions, which leads to very low computational complexity in clustering.
An Energy-linked Conformational Change in the Coupling Factor Protein in Chloroplasts: STUDIES WITH HYDROGEN EXCHANGE

Abstract A small amount of tritium incorporated from a labeled water medium into the coupling factor of chloroplasts has been interpreted as indicating a conformational change in the protein. The tritiation of this protein occurred in light but not darkness and was markedly inhibited by the uncouplers NH4Cl and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone. These results raise the possibility that ATP formation in chloroplasts may be linked with a conformational change in the phosphorylating enzyme.
Mitochondrial Import of Cytochrome C

Cytochrome c is encoded in the nuclear genome, synthesized in the cytoplasm, and then imported into the mitochondrial intermembrane space. However, unlike most other proteins imported into this compartment, cytochrome c lacks cleavable targeting sequences and its import does not depend on maintenance of a potential across the inner mitochondrial membrane or on ATP hydrolysis. The presence of an excess of apocytochrome c does not inhibit import of other mitochondrial precursors and cytochrome c import does not involve proteolytically-sensitive receptors on the outer surface of mitochondria (for a review see Stuart and Neupert, 1990).
Psychological Benefit from Hospitalization

Vernon and Schulman9s desire to collect more precise information about reactions of children to hospitalization is laudable (Pediatrics, 34:694, 1964), but their cause is not served by the data they present. Clinical research usually follows clinical observations. Perhaps a reason that hospitalization as a source of psychological benefit to preschool children has been neglected in previous studies is that it rarely is seen clinically. In their study, children9s behaviour following hospitalization was not observed but rather parents9 reports of their perceptions of behaviour
The evolution of arguments regarding the existence of field-aligned currents

The present understanding of Birkeland (magnetically-field-aligned) currents was not obtained by a direct, logical course. The story is rather more complex. Starting at the end of the 19th century, the Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland laid out a compelling case, supported by both theory and experiment, for the existence of field-aligned currents that cause both the aurora and polar geomagnetic disturbances. Sydney Chapman, the British geophysicist, became the acknowledged leader and opinion maker in the field in the decades following Birkeland's death. Chapman proposed, in contradistinction to Birkeland's ideas, equivalent currents that were restricted to flow in the ionosphere with no vertical or field-aligned components. Birkeland's ideas may have faded completely if it had not been for Hannes Alfven, who became involved well after Chapman's ideas gained predominance. Alfven kept insisting that Birkeland's current system made more sense because field-aligned currents were required to drive most of the ionospheric currents. The author became personally involved when Zmuda et al. (1966) submitted to the Journal of Geophysical Research a paper reporting satellite data showing magnetic disturbances above the ionosphere that were consistent with field-aligned Birkeland currents, but which they did not interpret as being due to such currents.
Power-Aware Replication of Data Structures in Distributed Embedded Real-Time Systems

In this paper, we study the problem of positioning copies of shared data structures to reduce pow er consumption in real-time systems. Power-constrained real-time systems are of increasing importance in defense, space, and consumer applications. We describe our energy consumption model and present numerical results linking the placement of data structures to energy consumption.
Excessive Handling as a Cause of Hypoxemia

Continuous transcutaneous oxygen (TcPo2) monitoring was used to study low-birth-weight infants (15 control, 15 experimental) during their stay in the intensive care nursery (ICN). Twenty hours of continuous recordings were made of heart rate, respiratory rate, and TcPo2 in the first five days after birth. Personnel caring for the control infants were blind to the TcPo2 measurements. Those caring for the experimental group were instructed in the operation of the TcPo2 monitor and used the device to modify the timing and extent of procedures to minimize "undersirable time" (TcPo2 less than 40 or greater than 100 torr). Control group infants had an average of 40 min/20 hr in "undesirable time." When personnel used TcPo2 monitoring to modify care this "undesirable time" was reduced to 6 min/20 hr. This difference was statistically significant (P less than .001). Infants in the control group were handled more frequently, and experienced more hypoxemia. Of the hypoxemic time suffered by the control infants 75% was associated with handling. Only 5% of the hypoxemia or hyperoxemia was detected by blood Pao2 analysis or conventional monitors. Intermittent arterial blood gas sampling is an inadequate method for monitoring arterial oxygenation in low-birth-weight infants since hypoxemia and hyperoxemia are often missed. Continuous TcPo2 monitoring improves care by diminishing "undesirable time."
The Science of Man in Ancient Greece. Maria Michela Sassi. Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press, 2001, 254 pp., $34.00, hardcover. ISBN 0-226-73530-3.

Maria Michela Sassi wrote this remarkable book as an attempt to describe the origins of science and philosophy in ancient Greece. It is clear that the author carefully studied hundreds of texts written by Giants like Aristotle, Plato, Aristophanes, Euripides, Hesiod, Hippocrates, Xenophon, and others and extracted material that could be put together as a logical unit, her book. But, what does this book address? Guided by the title, I expected something different, at least at the beginning. However, here “science” is used as a broad term, covering anything from philosophy to cultural behavior. The Greeks had an interest in studying differences among individuals, such as gender, age, social class, and ethnic group, as well as studying biologic phenomena, e.g., menstruation, conception, embryology, zoology, and so forth. Using primitive observational tools, they then tried to explain such phenomena. Needless to say, most of …
Natural Interaction with Visualization Systems

As new input devices and interaction techniques emerge daily, how might they improve interactive visualization?
Price-Production Decisions with Deterministic Demand

The problem of simultaneously making price and production decisions for a single product with a known deterministic demand function is considered. The objective is to maximize profit, and backorders are not allowed. Results which reduce the computations necessary for the pricing decision are given, and planning horizons are identified as in previous inventory research. These results are combined into an efficient forward algorithm.
Effect of Acculturation on the Acceptability of Potential Microbicides and Sexual Risk-Taking

Background: The objective was to determine the acceptability and use patterns of potential microbicides among African American (AA), acculturated Hispanic (AH), and less acculturated Hispanic (LAH) women. We measured baseline sexual risk-taking and the likelihood of behavioral change, given effective microbicides. Methods: Interview of 506 Mexican-American and AA women, all of whom have a sexually transmitted infection enrolled in Project Sexual Awareness for Everyone. Results: The 3 groups reported similarly high acceptance of potential microbicides (76%-83% P = 0.24). LAHs were most likely to report they would use microbicides covertly (P = 0.03). Given the possibility of effective microbicides, AHs were consistently more likely to report risk disinhibition. AHs, as compared to LAHs and AAs, respectively, were most likely to report that they would not use condoms, (53% vs. 33% vs. 30% P <0.001), would have a 1-night stand ( 18% vs. 8% vs. 6% P = 0.02), or would have sex with humans before they got to know them (18% vs. 8% vs. 6% P = 0.01). AHs were also most likely to say they would or probably would change from baseline safe sexual practices to unsafe sexual behaviors if potential microbicides were available. Age was controlled for in the analysis as AHs were younger than AAs and LAHs. Conclusions: Future microbicides were acceptable among this at risk cohort. Acculturation was a predictor of risk disinhibition and should be considered when tailoring sexually transmitted infection prevention messages, given the advent of effective microbicides.
THE INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE, SALINITY, AND SUBLETHAL EXPOSURE TO PHENANTHRENE, A PETROLEUM-DERIVED POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON (PAH), ON THE RESPIRATION RATE OF JUVENILE MUD CRABS, RHITHROPANOPEUS HARRISII

ABSTRACT Laboratory-reared juvenile mud crabs; Rhithropanopeus harrisii, were acclimated to temperature-salinity combinations of 20, 25, or 30°C and 5, 15, or 25 parts per thousand (‰) salinity. Subsequently, they were exposed for 10 days to phenanthrene concentrations of 0, 75, 150, or 300 µg/l (ppb). This gave a complete 3 × 3 × 4 factorial design of the factor combinations. On the tenth day of phenanthrene exposure the respiration rates of the crabs were determined both at steady state with the rearing salinity, and immediately following a move from either 15 ‰ to 5 ‰ salinity (hypoosmotic shock) or 15 ‰ to 25 ‰ salinity (hyperosmotic shock). To a certain extent, all the factors tested affected the respiration rates. An increase in temperature usually caused an increase in the respiration rate, although this was small. The juvenile crabs were tolerant both to a wide range of acclimation salinities, and to osmotic shock under control conditions. However, phenanthrene-exposed animals showed marked change...
Intracisternal injection of TRH antibody blocks gastric emptying stimulated by 2-deoxy-d-glucose in rats

We evaluated the effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) on gastric emptying of a non nutrient solution in conscious rats using a Phenol red method. Intravenous injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose dose-dependently increased the rate of gastric emptying. This stimulatory action of 2-DG was abolished by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. Intracisternal injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) antibody blocked intracisternal TRH and intravenous 2-DG-induced enhancement of gastric emptying but not the stimulation of gastric emptying induced by intracisternal pancreatic polypeptide. The TRH antibody injected intraperitoneally had no effect. These results suggest that endogenous TRH in the brain is involved in vagal-dependent stimulation of gastric emptying by 2-DG.
Effect of a simple chlorine dioxide method for controlling five foodborne pathogens, yeasts and molds on blueberries.

Abstract The effect of aqueous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) on controlling foodborne pathogens, yeasts, and molds on blueberries was studied. Five pathogens were spot-inoculated on the skin of blueberries. A sachet containing necessary chemicals for generation of ClO2 was used to provide 320 ppm of ClO2 in 7.5 l of water. The efficacy of different concentrations (1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 ppm) of ClO2 and various contact times (10 s; 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 min; and 1 h and 2 h) were studied. ClO2 was most effective in reducing Listeria monocytogenes (4.88 log cfu/g) as compared to the other pathogens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was reduced by 2.16 log cfu/g after 5 min when treated with 15 ppm of ClO2. Relatively short treatment time was more effective in reducing Salmonella Typhimurium than longer treatment time for most concentrations. The highest reduction (4.56 log cfu/g) of Staphylococcus aureus was achieved with 15 ppm of ClO2 for 30 min. When treated for 2 h with 5 ppm of ClO2, Yersinia enterocolitica was reduced by 3.49 log cfu/g. Fifteen ppm of ClO2 reduced natural yeasts and molds by 2.82 log cfu/g after 1 h. Concentrations of ClO2 decreased over time. When exposed to blueberries, ClO2 concentrations were further reduced, showing significant degradation.
Rate of DNA chain growth in mammalian cells infected with cytocidal RNA viruses.

Abstract We have measured the rate of DNA chain growth in L cells infected with reovirus, mengovirus or Newcastle disease virus, or treated with puromycin to inhibit cellular protein synthesis. Cellular DNA was pulse-labeled with high doses of thymidine- 3 H and then prepared for autoradiography by isolation of the DNA strands on Millipore filters. Reovirus infection has no effect on rate of chain growth 8 hr after infection whereas mengovirus and Newcastle disease virus cause little or no reduction in rate 5 hr after infection. Puromycin also is capable of causing marked inhibition in overall DNA synthesis without reducing rate of chain growth to a commensurate degree. However, after 2 hr of treatment with puromycin, the rate of DNA chain growth is significantly reduced. The effect is dose dependent.
Properties of Fuming Nitric Acid Affecting Its Storage and Use as a Rocket Propellant

Some of the general problems of storing fuming nitric acid (the system HNO3-NO2-H2O) in closed metal con­ tainers for periods of the order of months at elevated tem­ peratures around 130 F are discussed. A literature review of some of the properties of importance for satisfactory storage and use as a rocket propellant, as well as a discus­ sion of chemical methods of analysis, is included. Two chemical processes which cause problems in the storage of this widely used oxidant are: (a) the corrosion of metal containers causing change in composition of the acid and its contamination with metallic salts, and (b) the thermal decomposition of acid lean in NO2 and H 20 with accom­ panying high pressures and changes in composition of the oxidant. Liquid and gas phase corrosion of aluminum al­ loys and of stainless steel alloys of the 18-8 class are found to be markedly inhibited by the presence of about 0.5 wt per cent hydrofluoric acid in the fuming nitric acid, thus reducing the first problem of storage. The mechanism of passivation appears to be the formation of an impervious coating of insoluble metal fluoride on the surface of the metal. The second problem of thermal decomposition and correspondingly excessive storage pressures is elimi­ nated in acid containing enough NO2 (12 to 16 wt per cent) to obtain the results desired without causing high partial pressure of this species, and enough H 20 (2 to 3V2 wt per cent) to give satisfactory results without unduly diluting the oxidizing power.
Development of methods to monitor ionization modification from dosing vehicles and phospholipids in study samples

Two approaches to monitor the matrix effect on ionization in study samples were described. One approach is the addition of multiple reaction monitoring transitions to the bioanalytical methods to monitor the presence of known ionization modification-causing components of the matrix, for example, m/z 184→125 (or m/z 184→184) and m/z 133→89 may be used for phospholipids and polyethylene oxide containing surfactants, respectively. This approach requires no additional equipment and can be readily adapted for most method. The approach detects only the intended interfering compounds and provides little quantitative indication if the matrix effect is within the tolerable range (±15%). The other approach requires the addition of an infusion pump and identifies an appropriate surrogate of the analyte to be infused for the determination of modification on the ionization of the analyte. The second approach detects interferences in the sample regardless of the sources (i.e., dosing vehicle components, co-administrated drugs, their metabolites, phospholipids, plasticizers and endogenous components introduced due to disease stage).
IRONIA, SÁTIRA E SECULARIZAÇÃO NO MEMORIAL DO CONVENTO DE JOSÉ S ARAM AGO

"Ironia, Satira e Secularizacao no Manorial do Convento de Jose Saramago" examina os modos de representacao discursiva de um dos mais controversos exemplares da novelistica portuguesa contemporânea. Baseando-se principalmente na relacao entre a estrutura ironica e a sua derivacao como construcao satirica, o ensaio visa a uma analise interpretativa da intencao parodico-revisionista do discurso romanesco, o qual apresenta uma abrangente e perspicaz analise critica da clericalidade monastica. O confronto entre as variadas formas de atuacao desta instituicao - dentre as quais a virtuose inquisitorial - com a sua realidade social, politica e cultural indica uma nitida direcao da vida e da crenca religiosa em dependencia da sua contraparte profana e secular. Esta visao analitica do Memorial do Convento de Jose Saramago constitui um dos mais incisivos redimensionamentos criticos do consenso historico tradicional do catolicismo vis-a-vis a sociedade portuguesa do seculo XVIII.
Measuring the gravitational acceleration of antimatter with an antihydrogen interferometer

The gravitational force on antimatter has never been directly measured. A method is suggested for making this measurement by directing a low-energy beam of neutral antihydrogen atoms through a transmission-grating interferometer and measuring the gravitationally-induced phase shift in the interference pattern. A 1% measurement of the acceleration due to the Earth's gravitational field (¯ g) should be possible from a beam of about 105 or 106 atoms. If more antihydrogen can be made, a much more precise measurement of¯ g would be possible. A method is suggested for producing an antihydrogen beam appropriate for this experiment.
Numerical Solution of a Nonlinear Klein-Gordon Equation

Abstract We compute the solutions of the equation u tt − Δu + m 2 u + gu p = 0 for p odd and m , g > 0. Our computations show that (i) the solutions remain bounded as t → ∞, (ii) the amplitude decreases as p increases, and (iii) the number of oscillations increases as p increases. Because of (i), theoretical results imply that the amplitude goes to zero like O(t −3 2) as t → ∞.
Putting risk in perspective: An evidence-based approach to selected risks associated with the use of oral contraception

Although use of oral contraceptives is an effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy, concerns exist about associated adverse health outcomes. The concept of risk and different approaches to describing risk are discussed, and studies of health risks associated with specific exposures are used to illustrate the differences between relative and absolute risk. Evidence about health risks associated with use of oral contraceptives is presented within the context of population-based risk estimates.
Horizontal product differentiation and policy adjustment in the presence of abatement subsidies and emission taxes

There are important examples of countries which have implemented policies to promote pollution abatement activities in sectors characterised by some degree of product differentiation. This paper examines the role of product differentiation on optimal policy and industry emissions in a Cournot oligopoly model in the presence of abatement technology, abatement subsidies and emission taxes. The analysis indicates that as products become more differentiated the government can afford a tax increase due to the presence of subsidies and abatement technology. Additionally, highly differentiated industries may experience a rapid increase in emissions and so policies such as research and development (R&D) may be needed to tackle higher emissions. The government adjusts optimal policy as industries become more or less pollution-intensive, and the extent of the adjustment varies across industries characterised by different degrees of product differentiation. The analysis is potentially relevant to industries where fi...
A Unique Corneal Dystrophy of Bowman’s Layer and Stroma Associated with the Gly623Asp Mutation in the Transforming Growth Factor β–Induced (TGFBI) Gene

Purpose To report a unique corneal dystrophy characterized by deposits at Bowman's layer and stromal lattice lines associated with the Gly623Asp missense mutation in the transforming growth factor β–induced ( TGFBI ) gene. Design Experimental study. Participants and Controls The proband, 3 affected siblings, 4 unaffected relatives, and 100 control individuals. Methods Slit-lamp examination, photographic documentation, and isolation of genomic DNA from buccal mucosal swabs obtained from each family member examined. Exons 4 and 11 to 14 of the TGFBI gene were amplified and sequenced in these family members and in control individuals. Main Outcome Measures Clinical characteristics of corneal opacification in affected patients and presence of coding region changes in the TGFBI gene. Results Significant phenotypic variability, including polymorphic Bowman's layer opacities and stromal lattice lines, was noted in the 4 affected siblings who were examined. Screening of TGFBI exon 14 in the proband, 3 affected siblings, and a 19-year-old unaffected relative revealed a missense change, Gly623Asp, that was absent in the other 3 unaffected relatives screened and in 200 control chromosomes. Conclusions We report a novel corneal dystrophy phenotype secondary to the Gly623Asp mutation in the TGFBI gene that is associated with clinical features of both lattice corneal dystrophy and a Bowman's layer dystrophy. The presence of clinical features considered atypical for a TGFBI -associated dystrophy in this pedigree, as well as the wide range of phenotypic expressions of the Gly623Asp mutation in affected members, underscore the clinical utility of molecular genetic analysis in the diagnosis of suspected corneal dystrophies.
The transmembrane domains of the bacterial cell division proteins FtsB and FtsL form a stable high-order oligomer

FtsB and FtsL are two essential integral membrane proteins of the bacterial division complex or "divisome", both characterized by a single transmembrane helix and a juxtamembrane coiled coil domain. The two domains are important for the association of FtsB and FtsL, a key event for their recruitment to the divisome, which in turn allows the recruitment of the late divisomal components to the Z-ring and subsequent completion of the division process. Here we present a biophysical analysis performed in vitro that shows that the transmembrane domains of FtsB and FtsL associate strongly in isolation. Using Forster resonance energy transfer, we have measured the oligomerization of fluorophore-labeled transmembrane domains of FtsB and FtsL in both detergent and lipid. The data indicate that the transmembrane helices are likely a major contributor to the stability of the FtsB-FtsL complex. Our analyses show that FtsB and FtsL form a 1:1 higher-order oligomeric complex, possibly a tetramer. This finding suggests that the FtsB-FtsL complex is capable of multivalent binding to FtsQ and other divisome components, a hypothesis that is consistent with the possibility that the FtsB-FtsL complex has a structural role in the stabilization of the Z-ring.
Non-destructive real-time imaging of cell seeded tissue engineered scaffolds

The use of tissue engineered scaffolds in combination with progenitor cells has emerged as a promising strategy to restore or replace tissues damaged by disease or trauma. In addition to being biocompatible and exhibiting appropriate mechanical properties, scaffolds must be designed to sustain cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation to ultimately produce the desired tissue once implanted in the patient [1]. Conventional techniques used to assess successful scaffold design include cell viability stains, DNA assays, and histological sectioning/staining. While significant information can be gained from using these methodologies, they are destructive to the sample and only provide snapshots of scaffold and cell development at a limited number of time points. Consequently, key temporal and spatial information relating to tissue regeneration in the scaffold is lost utilizing these techniques. Thus, the ability to non-destructively monitor cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation in real-time is of great importance for scaffold design and tissue engineering [2].Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Mixed endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary in a Swyer's syndrome patient

Abstract Endodermal sinus tumor is a highly malignant germ cell tumor occurring almost exclusively in young women in their 20s. Due to a lack of precise nomenclature, one cannot accurately determine the exact frequency of this tumor. Several investigators reported relatively large series of cases like [1]71, [2]41, [3]22, [4]4 cases, and others. Endodermal sinus tumor frequently occurs in association with other germ cell tumors. We present a case of endodermal sinus tumor with dysgerminoma and gonadoblastoma of the contralateral ovary in a patient who has the endocrine characteristics of Swyer's syndrome.
Pharmacy Review: Reducing the Risks of Diabetes: The Pharmacist's Perspective

Pharmacists are in a unique position to affect the lives of people living with diabetes. The pharmacist can identify people at risk, screen for pharmacotherapy problems, and give encouragement between physician visits. The medication knowledge that the clinical pharmacist brings to the health care team results in decreased costs, improved glycemic control, and greater adherence to ADA standards of care.
Spectral absorption and sensitivity measurements in single ommatidia of the green crab,Carcinus

Rhabdoms of the green crabCarcinus maenas were examined by microspectrophotometry and found to contain a visual pigment with λmax at 502–506 nm. Upon irradiation, a stable metarhodopsin formed with unchanged λmax and molar extinction coefficient. In the presence of 5% glutaraldehyde the rhabdoms were photobleached. Partial bleaching experiments indicate that in the rhabdoms studied, only one visual pigment was present, with an absorption spectrum appropriate for a hypothetical rhodopsin from Dartnall's (1953) nomogram.
Physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters of seven lipophilic chlorambucil esters designed for brain penetration.

This report describes the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters of seven chlorambucil esters, which were compared with those of chlorambucil. These esters were designed as chlorambucil prodrugs to increase the brain penetration and concentration vs time profile of chlorambucil within the CNS for potential treatment of brain tumors. They include four aliphatic esters from one to eight carbon chains in length (chlorambucil-methyl, -propyl, -hexyl, and -octyl esters) and three aromatic esters, including the phenylmethyl, phenylethyl and prednisolone ester of chlorambucil, prednimustine. The esters were lipophilic and possessed log octanol:water partition coefficients (log P values) that ranged from 4.05 to greater than 8.0. All retained alkylating activity, which was reduced compared with that of chlorambucil. In addition, all were metabolized in vivo in the rat to yield chlorambucil alone. Measurement of the in vitro rate of ester hydrolysis of the compounds to yield chlorambucil in rat plasma demonstrated that short-chain aliphatic and aromatic chlorambucil esters were rapidly broken down to their parent compound. The plasma half-lives of the compounds increased with the increasing length and complexity of their ester chain. This may have been related to an increase in the binding of the long-chain esters to plasma proteins, protecting the ester from nonspecific plasma esterases, and to a reduced affinity of plasma esterases to these esters. Pharmacokinetic analysis of chlorambucil-hexyl, -octyl, and -prednisolone esters by HPLC demonstrated that following their intravenous administration in the rat (in doses equivalent to equimolar chlorambucil, 10 mg/kg), they yielded only low concentrations of active compounds in plasma and brain. The brain:plasma ratio of these was low and similar to that of chlorambucil, and no ester demonstrated anticancer activity superior to that obtained after the administration of equimolar chlorambucil (5 mg/kg i.v., days 1-5) against brain-sequestered Walker 256 carcinosarcoma in the rat.