cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regional microglial activation in the substantia nigra is linked with fatigue in MS.

Objective The goal of our study is to assess the role of microglial activation in MS-associated fatigue (MSAF) using [F-18]PBR06-PET. Methods Fatigue severity was measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) in 12 subjects with MS (7 relapsing-remitting and 5 secondary progressive) and 10 healthy control participants who underwent [F-18]PBR06-PET. The MFIS provides a total fatigue score as well as physical, cognitive, and psychosocial fatigue subscale scores. Standardized Uptake Value (SUV) 60–90 minute frame PET maps were coregistered to 3T MRI. Voxel-by-voxel analysis using Statistical Parametric Mapping and atlas-based regional analyses were performed. SUV ratios (SUVRs) were global brain normalized. Results Peak voxel-based level of significance for correlation between total fatigue score and PET uptake was localized to the right substantia nigra (T-score 4.67, p = 0.001). Similarly, SUVRs derived from atlas-based segmentation of the substantia nigra showed significant correlation with MFIS (r = 0.76, p = 0.004). On multiple regression, the right substantia nigra was an independent predictor of total MFIS (p = 0.02) and cognitive MFIS subscale values (p = 0.007), after adjustment for age, disability, and depression. Several additional areas of significant correlations with fatigue scores were identified, including the right parahippocampal gyrus, right precuneus, and juxtacortical white matter (all p Conclusion Substantia nigra microglial activation is linked to fatigue in MS. Microglial activation across key brain regions may represent a unifying mechanism for MSAF, and further evaluation of neuroimmunologic basis of MSAF is warranted.
Minority carrier lifetime and photoluminescence of mid-wave infrared InAsSbBi

Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements are reported for InAsSbBi alloys grown by molecular beam epitaxy with Bi mole fractions ranging from 0 to 0.8%, yielding minority carrier lifetimes on the order of hundreds of nanoseconds. The minority carrier lifetimes extracted from the time-resolved photoluminescence measurements are comparable to those of lattice-matched InAsSb grown at the same respective temperatures. Nomarski imaging shows that smooth, droplet-free surface morphologies are obtained in 1 μm thick InAsSbBi epilayers grown at temperatures between 360 and 380 °C. The alloy composition-dependent bandgap energies for the InAsSbBi samples are determined from temperature-dependent steady-state photoluminescence measurements and compared with the tetragonal distortion measured by x-ray diffraction to determine the Sb and Bi mole fractions of each sample. The minority carrier lifetime and the achievable extension of the InAsSb(Bi) cut-off wavelength are analyzed as functions of alloy composition and compared with the performance of InAsSb layers with similar growth parameters.
Moving boundary model for dynamic control of multi-evaporator cooling systems facing variable heat loads

Abstract Two-phase systems comprising of a single pump or compressor, a condenser, and multiple microchannel evaporators can provide the unique advantage of handling multiple heat sources while being compact and lightweight. Such systems also present challenges with regards to handling asynchronous transient heat loads, maintaining fixed evaporator temperatures, enabling high system efficiencies, and avoiding the critical heat flux. The overall objective of this study is to dynamically control the performance of a two-phase system comprising of two evaporators experiencing transient heat loads. This study simulates a pumped liquid cycle comprising of two microchannel evaporators using the moving boundary model, which considers phase-change heat transfer and pressure drop occurring in the evaporators. The moving boundary model predicts the overall performance corresponding to different system settings and evaporator heat loads to determine the optimum operating conditions. By knowing these conditions in advance, the study presents a strategy combining feedforward and feedback control to ensure system operation close to the optimum operating condition. The approach discussed in this study is generally applicable and allows maintaining the desired evaporator temperatures and high system efficiency in the presence of transient heat loads.
Identification of specific call types produced by pre-weaning gilts in response to isolation

Abstract Monitoring the vocalizations produced by livestock in commercial facilities can be used to remotely assess the arousal, and perhaps welfare, of the animals. Domestic swine is an ideal candidate for this type of assessment as it is a highly social and vocal mammal, however, a standardized description of the vocal repertoire of domestic swine has yet to be established. The objectives of this study were (1) to identify specific vocalizations produced by pre-weaning gilts in response to brief 5 min isolation from dam and natal farrowing pen using advanced acoustic analysis, and, (2) examine the relationship between such vocalizations and behaviors displayed during isolation in order to examine the potential for specific vocalizations, or “call types”, to represent different arousal levels in the animal. Vocalizations were classified according to acoustic and spectral characteristics such as peak frequency, duration, frequency range, and harmonics. Over 14,000 vocalizations across 40 gilts were analyzed and categorized into seven call types (A–G). The most frequent vocalizations identified were type E calls (squeals, 28.9 %), C calls (croaks, 21.9 %), D calls (high frequency grunts, 18.4 %), and A calls (low frequency grunts, 18 %). Call type was found to co-vary with several behavioral responses to isolation. C calls (croaks) were positively correlated (P
The Adaptive Learner: How Faculty and Medical Students' Perceptions of Learning Needs and Desires Differ.

PROBLEM CONSIDERED Medical schools historically have utilized instructor-centered lectures to teach medical students the basic sciences. Several commercial electronic-based resources are now available to enhance lecture-based content. This study examines perceptions between students and faculty regarding the efficacy of lecture-based teaching and learning strategies used by students overall. RESEARCH METHODS The authors distributed surveys to medical students and basic science teaching faculty at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Survey items used categorical and 10-point scales and open-ended text response. Mean scores were compared with independent t tests and Cohen d effect sizes. Pearson (r) and Spearman rho (ρ) correlations were used for relational analysis. IBM SPSS 24.0 was used for statistical analysis, NVivo 11 was used for qualitative analysis. RESULTS Faculty's perception of meeting students' learning needs was rated significantly higher (mean [SD] = 7.3 [1.3]) than students (5.9 [2.0]) (Cohen d = 1.0/P < .001). There was a significant negative correlation between lectures meeting students' learning needs and time students spent outside of lecture seeking supplemental learning resources (ρ = -0.4/P < .001). Students highlighted their use of personal learning strategies, desire for equitable access to resources, and preparation for national board examinations. Faculty emphasized their perceptions of learning resources, recognition of learning styles, time restrictions, and desire to utilize diverse teaching methods. CONCLUSIONS Student and faculty perceptions regarding student learning needs were significantly different. Students use lectures extensively, but additionally add to the financial burden of medical school by personally funding supplemental resources. This study helps bridge the gap between medical students and faculty regarding what educational tools are best suited to support a student population with increasingly diverse learning needs.
A Productive Evaluation Program For Dairy Cattle

A two-year study of the entire reproductive cycle of the cow, heat detection to calving, in well-managed Pennsylvania dairy herds was just completed. Objectives of the study were to collect and store significant individual animal and herd information in order to evaluate and problem-solve the management, nutritional, genetic, and infectious influences on reproductive performance. Stored data was used to (1) define expected reproductive performance standards and goals for Pennsylvania dairy operations and (2) develop a multidisciplinary approach to reproductive problem solving where performance does not measure up to these standards.
NPAS4 in the medial prefrontal cortex mediates chronic social defeat stress-induced anhedonia and dendritic spine loss

Chronic stress can produce reward system deficits (i.e. anhedonia) and other common symptoms associated with depressive disorders, as well as neural circuit hypofunction in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). However, the molecular mechanisms by which chronic stress promotes depressive-like behavior and hypofrontality remain unclear. We show here that the neuronal activity-regulated transcription factor, NPAS4, in the mPFC is regulated by chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), and it is required in this brain region for CSDS-induced changes in sucrose preference and natural reward motivation. Interestingly, NPAS4 is not required for CSDS-induced social avoidance or anxiety-like behavior. We also find that mPFC NPAS4 is required for CSDS-induced reduction of pyramidal cell dendritic spine density, revealing a relationship between mPFC dendritic spine changes and anhedonia-like behavior, but not social avoidance behavior. Finally, transcriptomic analysis from the mPFC revealed that NPAS4 influences expression of numerous genes linked to glutamatergic synapses and ribosomal function, as well as many dysregulated genes observed in common neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression. Together our findings reveal an essential role for the activity-regulated transcription factor, NPAS4, in chronic stress-induced mPFC hypofunction and anhedonia.
Multiple sclerosis diagnosis: Knowledge gaps and opportunities for educational intervention in neurologists in the United States

Background:Few studies have addressed the results of educational efforts concerning proper use of McDonald criteria (MC) revisions outside multiple sclerosis (MS) subspecialty centers. Neurology re...
NSCLCs harboring EGFR kinase domain mutations are sensitive to proteasome inhibition

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 3261 The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway regulates the intracellular concentration of key proteins including oncogenic kinases. Proteasome inhibition in NSCLC has been tested preclinically, but previous studies have not identified a subset most likely to benefit. Here we report that NSCLC cell lines harboring EGFR kinase domain mutations are routinely sensitive to proteasome inhibition. Activating mutations in the kinase domain of EGFR are most commonly exon 19 deletions and substitutions for L858 in exon 21, and confer sensitivity to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) gefitinib and erlotinib. Over time, resistance universally emerges,associated with a second somatic T790M mutation in approximately 50% of cases. Currently, irreversible EGFR inhibitors are being tested in erlotinib-resistant NSCLCs, with limited efficacy reported in preliminary studies. We propose proteasome inhibition as a novel strategy for NSCLCs resistant to EGFR inhibitors. We have challenged two groups of NSCLC cell lines with bortezomib: one with EGFR mutation and the other with wild-type (WT) EGFR. Annexin V apoptosis assay revealed that IC50s for mutant EGFR NSCLC cells are routinely below 50nM, whereas IC50s for the majority of WT cell lines are above 50nM. Identical results were obtained with other proteasome inhibitors, including MG262 and MG132. In NCI-H1975 cell (EGFR L858R-T790M), 25nM bortezomib treatment caused caspase 3 induction at 16hrs while the induction was not in evident in NCI-H460 cell (EGFR-WT). The induction of apoptosis was partially reversed with a pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk. Proteasome inhibition caused an initial increase in the expression of EGFR, followed by depletion of the protein by 24 hours. Real-time qRT-PCR indicated that EGFR depletion does not occur at the transcription level. The treatment of H1975 or HCC827 (EGFR del) cells with 100nM bortezomib resulted in the induction of Grp78 and Hsp70 at 8 hrs, suggesting the initiation of ER stress. Phosphorylation of eIF2a was evident at 16hrs, which coincided with EGFR depletion, caspase 3 activation, and PARP cleavage. Pretreatment of HCC827 and H1975 cells with a low dose of cyclohexamide reversed the effects of bortezomib. Bortezomib also caused tumor regression in an inducible bitransgenic murine model of adenocarcinoma driven by EGFR harboring compound L858R/T790M mutation. Moreover, HCC827 and H1975 cells were sensitive to Tunicamycin or 2-deoxyglucose, compounds that induce ER stress with a depletion of EGFR. In summary, proteasome inhibition is effective against NSCLCs with EGFR mutations. The mechanism connecting ER stress to apoptosis is under active investigation.
Fetal distress in term pregnancies.

Abstract A diagnosis of fetal distress was made in 75 term obstetrical patients from a population of 3,972 term deliveries. Twenty-three percent of the infants were scored 6 or less on the 5-minute Apgar rating. One or more determinations of fetal scalp pH were available in 27 of these patients. The scalp pH improved the accuracy of the diagnosis of fetal distress modestly. Follow-up evaluation to at least 1 month of age was available in 75% of the infants. Six infants were not neurologically normal; in four of them this was of major importance, and in the other two it was of minor importance. In one, the condition was almost certainly unrelated to prenatal or perinatal factors, whereas in the other five, evidence of chronic fetal asphyxia as well as perinatal asphyxia was elicited. An additional 10 term infants with a 5-minute Apgar score of 6 or less had entirely normal electronic fetal monitoring tracings.
Evaluation of first morning urine to detect significant bacteriuria. I.

Abstract In this study 1,000 patients in an antepartum clinic were screened by collection of dual urine specimens, one immediately after awakening which was refrigerated until brought to the clinic and a second specimen which was collected during the clinic visit. Comparison of the 2 specimens demonstrated that useful quantitative bacteriology could be obtained by culturing a first morning voiding. Further comparison demonstrated that the incidence of >10 5 bacteria per milliliter of urine was 7.8 per cent with the use of the first morning specimen and 6.1 per cent with the use of the clinic specimen. The incidence of urinary tract infection, as defined, in this population was 4.7 per cent, and in this study 96 per cent of these patients had >10 5 bacteria per milliliter of urine in their first morning voiding, whereas only 83 per cent had >10 5 bacteria per milliliter of urine in the clinic specimen.
Color and Streptomycetes: Report of an International Workshop on Determination of Color of Streptomycetes

A report summarizing the results of an international workshop on determination of color of streptomycetes is presented. The results suggest that the color systems which seem most practically appealing and effective to specialists on actinomycetes are those embracing a limited number of color names and groups. The broad groupings allow placement of isolates into reasonably well-defined categories based on color of aerial mycelium. Attempts to expand such systems (more color groups) lead to difficulties. It is common knowledge that many, if not all, of the individual groups would in these broad systems contain strains that differ in many other respects, e.g., spore-wall ornamentation, color of vegetative (substratal) mycelium, morphology of chains of spores, and numerous physiological criteria. Also, cultures of intermediate color can be found, which makes placement difficult. As it now stands, color as a criterion for characterization of streptomycetes and streptoverticillia is in questionable status. Although much useful color information can be obtained by an individual, the application of this information to that in the literature or its use in communication with other individuals leaves much to be desired. More objective methods of color determination are needed. At present, the most effective method that could be used internationally is the color-wheel system of Tresner and Backus. Furthermore, the significance of color in speciation of these organisms is an open question. Obviously, more critical work on the color problem is needed.
The Critical Role of "Unused" Resources

: The uneven temporal and spatial distribution of water on the Earth suggests an important role for the portion of the resource that is not directly used by humans. By extension, an important underlying theory about world-wide resource distribution and function is inferred. Policies that control resource preservation and development need to take this theory into account. Some examples for the water resource are presented.
Adrenal hormones mediate melatonin-induced increases in aggression in male Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

Among the suite of seasonal adaptations displayed by nontropical rodents, some species demonstrate increased territorial aggression in short compared with long day lengths despite basal levels of testosterone. The precise physiological mechanisms mediating seasonal changes in aggression, however, remain largely unknown. The goal of the present study was to examine the role of melatonin, as well as adrenal hormones, in the regulation of seasonal aggression in male Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). In Experiment 1, male Siberian hamsters received either daily (s.c.) injections of melatonin (15 Ag/day) or saline 2 h before lights out for 10 consecutive days. In Experiment 2, hamsters received adrenal demedullations (ADMEDx), whereas in Experiment 3 animals received adrenalectomies (ADx); control animals in both experiments received sham surgeries. Animals in both experiments subsequently received daily injections of melatonin or vehicle as in Experiment 1. Animals in all experiments were tested using a resident–intruder model of aggression. In Experiment 1, exogenous melatonin treatment increased aggression compared with control hamsters. In Experiment 2, ADMEDx had no effect on melatonin-induced aggression. In Experiment 3, the melatonin-induced increase in aggression was significantly attenuated by ADx. Collectively, the results of the present study demonstrate that short day-like patterns of melatonin increase aggression in male Siberian hamsters and suggest that increased aggression is due, in part, to changes in adrenocortical steroids.
Three-Dimensional Static Modeling of the Lumbar Spine

This paper presents three-dimensional static modeling of the human lumbar spine to be used in the formation of anatomically-correct movement patterns for a fully cable-actuated robotic lumbar spine which can mimic in vivo human lumbar spine movements to provide better hands-on training for medical students. The mathematical model incorporates five lumbar vertebrae between the first lumbar vertebra and the sacrum, with dimensions of an average adult human spine. The vertebrae are connected to each other by elastic elements, torsional springs and a spherical joint located at the inferoposterior corner in the mid-sagittal plane of the vertebral body. Elastic elements represent the ligaments that surround the facet joints and the torsional springs represent the collective effect of intervertebral disc which plays a major role in balancing torsional load during upper body motion and the remaining ligaments that support the spinal column. The elastic elements and torsional springs are considered to be nonlinear. The nonlinear stiffness constants for six motion types were solved using a multiobjective optimization technique. The quantitative comparison between the angles of rotations predicted by the proposed model and in the experimental data confirmed that the model yields angles of rotation close to the experimental data. The main contribution is that the new model can be used for all motions while the experimental data was only obtained at discrete measurement points.
Laser tissue welding in urologic surgery.

A very exciting and promising application for lasers in urologic surgery is the use of laser tissue welding. Although not a new idea, the use of lasers in reconstructive surgery has not produced the widespread implementation as with the use of lasers as destructive instruments. In early experiments, the ability to anastomose a variety of different-sized vessels with the laser was examined. As research activity has expanded, urologists have become increasingly interested in the use of the laser to join a variety of tissues in the genitourinary tract including vas deferens, ureter, and urethra. ‘The application of laser tissue welding with reconstructive laparoscopic surgery is now just beginning. This review is a brief outline of the early research on laser welding in different disciplines, a summary of current investigations as they apply to urology and laparoscopy, and some thoughts about the future laser systems and applications.
HABITAT FRAGMENTATION LOWERS SURVIVAL OF A TROPICAL FOREST BIRD

Population ecology research has long been focused on linking environmental features with the viability of populations. The majority of this work has largely been carried out in temperate systems and, until recently, has examined the effects of habitat fragmentation on survival. In contrast, we looked at the effect of forest fragmentation on apparent survival of individuals of the White-ruffed Manakin (Corapipo altera) in southern Costa Rica. Survival and recapture rates were estimated using mark-recapture analyses, based on capture histories from 1993 to 2006. We sampled four forest patches ranging in size from 0.9 to 25 ha, and four sites in the larger 227-ha Las Cruces Biological Station Forest Reserve (LCBSFR). We found a significant difference in annual adult apparent survival rates for individuals marked and recaptured in forest fragments vs. individuals marked and recaptured in the larger LCBSFR. Contrary to our expectation, survival and recapture probabilities did not differ between male and female manakins. Also, there was no support for the existence of annual variation in survival within each study site. Our results suggest that forest fragmentation is likely having an effect on population dynamics for the White-ruffed Manakin in this landscape. Therefore, populations that appear to be persisting in fragmented landscapes might still be at risk of local extinction, and conservation action for tropical birds should be aimed at identifying and reducing sources of adult mortality. Future studies in fragmentation effects on reproductive success and survival, across broad geographical scales, will be needed before it is possible to achieve a clear understanding of the effects of habitat fragmentation on populations for both tropical and temperate regions.
Progressive osseous heteroplasia: diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis

Progressive osseous heteroplasia (POH) is an ultrarare genetic condition of progressive ectopic ossification. Most cases of POH are caused by heterozygous inactivating mutations of GNAS, the gene encoding the alpha subunit of the G-stimulatory protein of adenylyl cyclase. POH is part of a spectrum of related genetic disorders, including Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, pseudohypoparathyroidism, and primary osteoma cutis, that share common features of superficial ossification and association with inactivating mutations of GNAS. The genetics, diagnostic criteria, supporting clinical features, current management, and prognosis of POH are reviewed here, and emerging therapeutic strategies are discussed.
Distilling Free-Form Natural Laws from Experimental Data

For centuries, scientists have attempted to identify and document analytical laws that underlie physical phenomena in nature. Despite the prevalence of computing power, the process of finding natural laws and their corresponding equations has resisted automation. A key challenge to finding analytic relations automatically is defining algorithmically what makes a correlation in observed data important and insightful. We propose a principle for the identification of nontriviality. We demonstrated this approach by automatically searching motion-tracking data captured from various physical systems, ranging from simple harmonic oscillators to chaotic double-pendula. Without any prior knowledge about physics, kinematics, or geometry, the algorithm discovered Hamiltonians, Lagrangians, and other laws of geometric and momentum conservation. The discovery rate accelerated as laws found for simpler systems were used to bootstrap explanations for more complex systems, gradually uncovering the "alphabet" used to describe those systems.
Role of particle size in the formation of respiratory tract tumors induced by benzo(a)pyrene.

Abstract The role of particle size in experimental respiratory tumor formation was studied by intratracheal instillation of two different particle sizes of benzo(a)pyrene into Syrian golden hamsters. One group of hamsters received large particles (64% above 10 μm), the second group was treated with smaller-sized particles (98% less than 10 μm). Otherwise, treatment was similar. Only 5 respiratory tumor-bearing animals of 48 were found in the group receiving small particles, whereas 31 respiratory tumor-bearing animals of 48 were found in the group which received the larger particles. Analysis of the retention rate of instilled B(a)P showed that small particles cleared much more rapidly from the lungs than did the larger particles.
Cryopreservation of erythropoietin-responsive cells in murine hematopoietic tissue.

Abstract The optimal conditions were determined under which maximum survival of murine hematopoietic erythropoietin-responsive cells (ERC) could be ensured during manipulations required for cryopreservation. Cell survival was similar over freezing rates between 2 and 10 °C/min. Optimal cryoprotectants were 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 20% fetal calf serum; the DMSO was removed by centrifugation after stepwise dilution with 20 vol of medium over a 10-min period. Differing thawing rates for the cell suspensions had minimal effects on survival. “Seeding” the cell suspensions with ice crystals had no effect on ERC recovery. Overall ERC survival varied between 20 and 40%. These results confirm earlier reports that certain ERC populations are more sensitive to damage during cryopreservation than are other hematopoietic progenitor cells.
Micropropagation of candelilla, Euphorbia antisyphilitica Zucc

Axillary shoot proliferation was induced in vitro from shoot explants of greenhouse grown candellila (Euphorbia antisyphilitica Zucc). Optimum shoot proliferation was obtained by supplementing a modified Murashige and Skoog [7] medium with 0.13 μM naphthalene-acetic acid and 4.44 μM 6-benzylaminopurine. Rooting occurred on 100% of shoots transferred to a medium containing half strength salts supplemented with 0.49 μM indole-3-butyric acid. Fully rooted plants were transferred to potting soil and established under greenhouse conditions without special acclimatization techniques.
Superior colliculus connections with the extraocular motor nuclei in the cat

Direct and indirect projections from the cat superior colliculus to the extraocular motor nuclei were studied using the orthograde autoradiographic tracing method, the retrograde horseradish peroxidase technique, and Golgi methods. The results show that the superior colliculus projects to the central gray matter directly overlying the oculomotor complex. This projection arises almost entirely from the rostral third of the colliculus, and it terminates most heavily over the rostral half of the oculomotor complex. Dendrites of oculomotor cells extend into this tectal termination zone, making direct tecto-oculomotor contacts possible. Central gray cells within this termination zone project bilaterally to the abducens nuclei. It is proposed that the superior colliculus projection to the supraoculomotor central gray matter and the projection from the central gray matter to the abducens nuclei play a role in convergent eye movements. The superior colliculus projects lightly to a cell group directly ventrolateral to the trochlear nucleus. The superior colliculus sends a small direct projection to the contralateral abducens nucleus and a substantial projection to wide regions of the reticular formation that have been shown previously to project, in turn, to the abducens nucleus. Colliculus cells projecting to the abducens nucleus and adjacent reticular formation are located only in the caudal three-fourths of the colliculus, where they become increasingly concentrated at successively more caudal levels. It is proposed that the graded density of the cells of origin of this projection is the basic structural mechanism by which the colliculus generates horizontal foveating saccades of different amplitudes. Laminar analysis of the origin of all the superior colliculus projections to the extraocular motor regions described here revealed that they arise mostly from the stratum griseum intermedium.
Retinoic acid receptors as regulators of human epidermal keratinocyte differentiation.

To examine the role of nuclear retinoic acid (RA) receptors (RARs) in the regulation of squamous differentiation in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK), we analyzed binding activity, mRNA expression, and transcriptional activity of the endogenously expressed RARs. Specific RA-binding activity eluted from size-exclusion HPLC with an apparent mol wt of 50 kilodaltons and was predominantly (greater than 95%) associated with the NHEK nuclear cell fraction. This RAR-binding activity represented in part the expression of RAR alpha and RAR gamma genes, whose transcripts were expressed in similar abundance in undifferentiated NHEK. Differentiation resulted in lower mRNA expression of RAR alpha relative to the mRNA expression of RAR gamma. Treatment of NHEK cells with 10(-6) M RA did not induce expression of RAR beta mRNA. Similarly, three squamous cell carcinoma cell lines derived from human skin and oral cavity expressed RAR alpha and RAR gamma transcripts, but not RAR beta transcripts. Transfection of N...
Positive and negative exchange bias in CoNi/Gd/CoNi trilayers and CoNi/Gd bilayers

Abstract Temperature-dependent magnetic properties of CoNi/Gd/CoNi trilayers and CoNi/Gd bilayers were investigated experimentally between room temperature and 90 K. The films were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering at room temperature. Strong positive and negative exchange bias were observed due to the diffusion of Co and Ni into the Gd layer. The larger of the Gd or CoNi layer magnetization determines the exchange bias direction due to the antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between Gd and Co, and between Gd and Ni. Cooling magnetic field strength did not change the exchange bias field strength. However, the exchange bias field became zero when hysteresis loop measurements were done in large magnetic field intervals. This may be the sign of the existence of interface domain wall for exchange bias at lower field interval and its annihilation in the larger field interval.
Rotational-level-dependent quenching of OH(A2Σ+) at flame temperatures

Abstract The collisional quenching of OH (A 2Σ+, ν′ = 0) is studied by laser-reduced fluorescence in the burnt gases of low-pressure (7 Torr) stoichiometric H2/O2/N2O flames. The temperature of these flames is adjusted between 1200 and 2300 K by altering the O2/N2O mixing ratio. The variation of the quenching rate constant with rotational level in the OH(A) for H2O collider is substantially less at 2300 K than previously observed at room temperature. The OH(A) quenching rate constant by atomic hydrogen at 1200 K is estimated k = 8 × 10−10 cm3 s−1.
A Comparison of Processes for the Conversion of Uranyl Nitrate into Ceramic-Grade UO2

The preferred processes for converting uranyl nitrate solutions into UO2 for the fabrication of nuclear fuel pellets all involve the thermal decomposition of solid compounds into UO3 without meltin...
Mitochondrial DNA is a major cellular target for a dihydrodiol-epoxide derivative of benzo[a]pyrene

When mammalian cell cultures are exposed for 2 hours to (+/-)-7 beta, 8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha, 10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene, a mutagenic and carcinogenic derivative of benzo[a]pyrene, the extent of covalent modificationof mitochondrial DNA is 40 to 90 times greater than that of nuclear DNA. Evidence is presented that this reflects the lipophilic character of the derivative and the very high ratio of lipid to DNA in mitochondria. These results suggest that mitochondrial DNA may be an important cellular target of chemical carcinogens.
Role of calcium in the programmed death of rat prostatic glandular cells.

By using a newly developed and validated rat ventral prostatic organ culture system in which prostatic glandular cells can be induced to undergo programmed cell death, the role of an elevation in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in this death process was studied. By using this organ culture system, ventral prostatic glandular epithelial cells can be maintained in culture for a period of more than 14 days with a low daily rate of cell death (i.e., approximately 5% die per day) if androgen is included in the media. In contrast, if androgen is not included in the media, the daily rate of prostatic glandular cell death increases approximately 3-fold (i.e., approximately 15% die per day). With this organ culture system it has been demonstrated that the daily rate of programmed death of the glandular epithelial cells can be shifted from 5% to 15% of the cells dying per day when testosterone and 10 microM of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 are both present in the media. Thus, when the intracellular free Ca2+ is elevated within prostatic cells by means of ionophore treatment, the daily rate of glandular cell death in the presence of testosterone is identical to that induced when testosterone is not present in the media. If the organ cultures are maintained in media lacking testosterone but containing 10 microM of the Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine to inhibit elevations in the intracellular free Ca2+ derived from the extracellular pools, the rise in the daily rate of cell death from 5 to 15% of the cells dying per day induced by androgen ablation can be inhibited by approximately 70%. These results suggest that an increase within prostatic glandular cells in their intracellular free Ca2+ derived from extracellular Ca2+ pools is a critical early event involved in triggering the subsequent process of programmed cell death (i.e., specifically DNA fragmentation) in these cells following androgen ablation.
Disordered eating patterns in competitive female athletes.

In an effort to identify risk for disordered eating patterns in competitive female athletes, the present study compared a sample of NCAA Division I female athletes (n = 74) to a college female nonathlete control group (n = 52). Measures included the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) (Garner, Olmsted, & Polivy, 1983), the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) (Garner & Garfinkel, 1979), and body mass. Findings indicated that none of these highly trained athletes had scores indicative of the constellation of disturbances in eating patterns and personality attributes seen in anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Rather, results suggested that the typical college female athlete falls into the normal range with regard to body mass and eating patterns. The competitive female cross-country runner actually may be at slightly less risk for body dissatisfaction than her nonathlete counterpart, whereas the gymnast may be at somewhat greater risk for weight preoccupation.
Mind your language: on novices' interactions with error messages

Error messages are one of the most important tools that a language offers its programmers. For novices, this feed-back is especially critical. Error messages typically contain both a textual description of the problem and an indication of where in the code the error occurred. This paper reports on a series of studies that explore beginning students' inter-actions with the vocabulary and source-expression high-lighting in DrRacket. Our findings demonstrate that the error message significantly fail to convey information accurately to students, while also suggesting alternative designs that might address these problems.
Benchmarking: The end of the process

A typical NASA Applied Sciences Program project will involve transformation of a partner's national, state, or local decision support system (DSS) to accept and use new NASA research products. The baseline DSS is typically called State 1 and the transformed, enhanced DSS is State 2. Benchmarking measures the performance of a DSS before and after enhancement. It measures the differences in a partner's DSS resulting from enhancements to it arising from use of new Earth science results, and as such, it is the end of the process. We use the Defect Detection and Prevention [1,2] (DDP) process and tool for benchmarking. DDP is both a process for information collection and quantification, and a tool for analysis and visualization of changing "risk profiles" and levels of objectives attainment between DSS State 1 and State 2. Examples of Benchmarking are discussed.
Pyoderma gangrenosum of the breasts precipitated by breast surgery

Pyoderma gangrenosum may occur in unusual sites and not be readily recognized. Delays in diagnosis and appropriate treatment may result in extensive ulcerations and scarring. We present two patients with pyoderma gangrenosum involving the breasts after breast operation. Delays in diagnosis resulted in extensive ulcerations and scarring of the breasts.
A Brief Review of the Species of Porphyridium with Additional Records for the Rarely Collected Alga Porphyridium sordidumGeitler, 1932 (Rhodophycophyta, Porphyridiales)

Summary The author gives a brief review and characterization of the four currently recognized species of Porphyridium, namely: P. purpureum, P. aerugineum, P. sordidum, and P. griseum. The initial finds of P. sordidum in North America are briefly discussed. Because P. sordidum has not been further reported since 1967, the author gives the medium, environmental (culture) conditions and techniques useful in the determination of the presence in, and the subsequent isolation of P. sordidum from, naturally collected material. These parameters have permitted an additional 20 records of P. sordidum to be established since Geitler 's 1931 collection. The author gives the known world distribution of P. sordidum of which 18 collections herein reported are new to science.
Delineating melanoma using multimodal polarized light imaging

Background and Significance Melanoma accounts for 3% of all skin cancers but causes 83% of skin cancer deaths. The first step in treatment of melanoma is the removal of the lesions, usually by surgical excision. Currently most lesions are removed without intraoperative margin control. Post-operative methods inspect 1–2% of the surgical margin and are prone to sampling errors. In this study we evaluate the use of reflectance and fluorescence polarization imaging for the demarcation of melanoma in thick fresh skin excisions. Materials and Methods Pigmented lesions clinically suspicious for melanoma were elliptically excised with proper margins. Elliptical surgical excisions were vertically bisected along the short axis of the specimen into two halves in the middle of the pigmented lesions. The vertically bisected tumor face was imaged. After that, one half of the sample was briefly stained in aqueous 2 mg/ml solution of tetracycline, whereas another half was stained in 0.2 mg/ml aqueous solution of methylene blue. Then both specimens were reimaged. Reflectance images were acquired in the spectral range between 390 and 750 nm. Fluorescence images of the tetracycline-stained tissue were excited at 390 nm and registered between 450 and 700 nm. Fluorescence of the methylene blue-stained samples was excited at 630 nm and registered between 650 and 750 nm. After imaging, the tissue was processed for standard H&E histopathology. The resulting histological and optical images were compared to each other. Results and Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that both tetracycline and methylene blue are suitable for imaging dysplastic and benign nevi. Melanoma is better delineated in the samples stained in methylene blue. Accurate and rapid delineation of melanoma in standard fresh surgical excisions appears feasible. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:10–16, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Security-aware mapping for TDMA-based real-time distributed systems

Cyber-security has become a critical issue for real-time distributed embedded systems in domains such as automotive, avionics, and industrial automation. However, in many of such systems, tight resource constraints and strict timing requirements make it difficult or even impossible to add security mechanisms after the initial design stages. To produce secure and safe systems with desired performance, security must be considered together with other objectives at the system level and from the beginning of the design. In this paper, we focus on security-aware design for Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) based real-time distributed systems. The TDMA-based protocol we consider is an abstraction of many time-triggered protocols that are being adopted in various safety-critical systems for their more predictable timing behavior, such as FlexRay, Time-Triggered Protocol, and Time-Triggered Ethernet. To protect against attacks on TDMA-based real-time distributed systems, we apply a message authentication mechanism with time-delayed release of keys, which provides a good balance between security and computational overhead but needs sophisticated network scheduling to ensure that the increased latencies due to delayed key releases will not violate timing requirements. We propose formulations and an algorithm to optimize the task allocation, priority assignment, network scheduling, and key-release interval length during the mapping process, while meeting both security and timing requirements. Experimental results of an automotive case study and a synthetic example show the effectiveness and efficiency of our approach.
Pulmonary Function Testing Coming of Age for the Elderly

Since the early days of respiratory care, known then as inhalation therapy, technicians and therapists have been called upon to measure pulmonary function values in patients of all ages. In 1975, Ruppel published his first Manual of Pulmonary Function Testing [1][1] (now in its 10th edition), making
Causal mechanisms of masked hypertension: socio-psychological aspects.

The contribution of Dr Thomas Pickering's study to the measurement of blood pressure (BP) is the defining aspect of his academic career and achievement – narrowly defined. In this regard, two important areas characterized his study as it relates to masked hypertension. First, he introduced the term,
The Implementation of Sample, Mand, and Delay Techniques to Enhance the Language of Delayed Children in Group Settings:

Two early childhood teachers of integrated delayed children and two special education early childhood teachers of segregated delayed children were taught to use sample, mand, and delay techniques with five young children with language and cognitive delays. From Baseline to Intervention, the teachers changed significantly the types of initiations they directed to the children: They significantly increased samples, mands, and delays and decreased questions, while they maintained comments. The teachers did not significantly increase the number of initiations they directed to the target children.From Baseline to Intervention, the children significantly Increased their word rates, utterance rates, number of words per utterance, and percent of responding to the teachers' initiations. The children made nonsignificant gains in rate of initiations and syntax scores. The authors concluded that the sample, mand, and delay techniques were successfully and easily implemented by teachers of young children with language...
Development of a Psychology Department Diversity Newsletter

A small committee of psychology students and faculty published a student-written newsletter addressing diversity in psychology. The newsletter has been published once each semester for 4 semesters with the purpose of more directly involving and interesting students in multicultural issues. Content varies across issues but includes discussions of multiculturally relevant media and events such as plays, books, journal articles, legislative initiatives, student re-search, and classroom activities.
Reversible loss of acetylcholine receptor clusters at the developing rat neuromuscular junction

Exposure of sternomastoid muscles excised from 16-day embryonic rats to medium depleted of Ca2+ or containing high concentrations of KCl leads to extensive loss of aggregates of acetylcholine receptors newly formed at the motor end plate region. Upon restoration of Ca2+ or removal of excess KCl, receptor accumulations reappear in the central regions of about one-third of the muscle fibers. This susceptibility of junctional AChR aggregates lasts only a short while during development of the neuromuscular junction. By the time of birth, end plate receptor aggregates have become resistant to these treatments.
Direct Micro Mechanical Testing Method for MEMS Materials

Mechanical properties of MEMS materials are crucial for MEMS performance and reliability. Micro scale mechanical test has been challenging to MEMS community, due to the difficulties in handling micro scale specimens. In this article, a novel micro mechanical tensile testing method has been developed in combining a stiff microscale specimen developed with MTS Tytron Micro Force Tester. The advantages of this method include that it is a standard direct test of micro machined specimens, simple boundary conditions, and easy specimen handling/mounting in characterization. A novel specimen with micro features has been designed and fabricated for the direct mechanical testing. The specimen consists of three micro beams in parallel. The width of the center beam is 40 μm and the outer two beams’ width is 90 μm. The length of all three beams is 4 mm long. An optimized design has been achieved with finite element analysis, which shows that 98% of the total deformation occurs on the beams’ gage length. The stress is uniformly distributed over the three beams with a difference less than 0.5% among them. Both UV-LIGA fabricated nickel and SU-8 specimens have been tested. The UV-LIGA fabricated nickel has fracture strength of 1000±70 MPa and the results of SU-8 show a brittle behavior with fracture strength of 48±3 MPa.Copyright © 2005 by ASME