cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Safety of Autonomous Driving by Incorporating Terrestrial Signals of Opportunity

A receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM)-based framework for autonomous ground vehicle (AGV) navigation is developed. This framework aims to incorporate terrestrial signals of opportunity (SOPs) alongside GPS signals to provide tight horizontal protection level (HPL) bounds to enhance the safety of autonomous driving. The performance of the combined GPS-SOP system is analyzed. Simulation results show that the combined GPS-SOP system reduces the HPL significantly from a GPS-only system, particularly in poor user-to-satellite geometry conditions. It is also shown that adding SOPs is more effective in increasing RAIM availability as opposed to adding GNSS satellites. Experimental results show that the GPS-SOP system reduces the HPL by 44.77% from the HPL obtained by GPS-only.
Chapter 2 – Loads

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the concept of loads on structures. There are three broad categories of loads on building structures: dead loads, live loads, and “environmental” loads. Dead loads consist of the weight of the building itself, including structure, partitions, cladding, roofing materials, and permanent interior finishes such as carpet, ceiling systems, etc. These gravity loads are always downward-acting and can be calculated with a reasonable degree of accuracy, being the summation of various building material weights, which are easily determined and quite predictable. Live loads are nonpermanent, or movable, loads within buildings caused by the weight of people, furnishings, storage of objects, etc. They are relatively unpredictable, vary over time, and are often dynamic—rather than static—in their application. Since it is not possible to measure these loads absolutely, a probabilistic approach is used in which values are assigned to various types of occupancies based on “worst-case” expectations, taking into consideration actual observed loading conditions and the historical record of structural failures. Environmental loads are those due to snow, wind, rain, soil (and hydrostatic pressure), and earthquake.
Near-field electrospinning on nonconductive substrates using AC fields

Abstract Near-field electrospinning (NFES) is a micro-additive manufacturing technique that uses DC electric fields to continuously print micro- and nanofibers onto moving collectors. Traditionally, NFES was limited to printing on conductive and semiconductor substrates because of the charged nature of fibers. Here, printing on nonconductive substrates is achieved using AC electric fields which produce fibers with zero net charge that have reduced electrostatic interactions with the substrate. Furthermore, the process enables the patterning of complex patterns on soft elastomers and rigid plastics for planar and cylindrical substrates, which will lead to applications in flexible electronics and structured surface coatings.
Health Care Disparities Across the Urban-Rural Divide: A National Study of Individuals with COPD.

Purpose The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is high in rural America. Few studies, however, have examined urban/rural differences in health care access, or racial/ethnic and income disparities stratified by urban/rural residence, among persons with COPD. Methods We studied individuals age ≥ 40 years with COPD from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The primary exposure was "urban" or "rural" county of residence. We examined multiple health and health care access/services outcomes using logistic regressions adjusted for age and sex, and performed analyses stratified by rural/urban county that included additional adjustment for race/ethnicity or income. Findings Our sample included 34,439 individuals. COPD prevalence was 8.6% in rural counties versus 5.4% in urban counties. Rural residents with COPD were poorer, had less education, worse health, and more disability. Of the rural population with COPD, 12.6% were uninsured, versus 10.4% in urban areas (AOR 1.26; 95% CI: 1.00-1.58). Rural residents with COPD were more likely to have not seen a doctor due to cost (AOR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.02-1.36). Differences in other outcomes were mostly nonsignificant. We observed large access disparities by race/ethnicity and income among individuals in both urban and rural counties, with the highest rates of forgone care among minorities in rural counties. Conclusion Patients with COPD in rural areas experience greater morbidity and obstacles to care than those in urban areas. Racial/ethnic minorities and those with low incomes-particularly in rural areas-are also at greater risk of forgoing doctor visits due to cost. Expanded access to health care could address respiratory health inequities.
Spinophilin limits GluN2B-containing NMDAR activity and sequelae associated with excessive hippocampal NMDAR function

N-methyl-D-Aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are calcium-permeable ion channels that are ubiquitously expressed within the glutamatergic postsynaptic density. Phosphorylation of NMDAR subunits defines receptor activity and surface localization. Modulation of NMDAR phosphorylation by kinases and phosphatases regulates calcium entering the cell and subsequent activation of calcium-dependent processes. Spinophilin is the major synaptic protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) targeting protein that controls phosphorylation of myriad substrates via targeting or inhibition of PP1. Spinophilin limits NMDAR function in a PP1-dependent manner and we have previously shown that spinophilin sequesters PP1 away from the GluN2B subunit of the NMDAR, which results in increased phosphorylation of Ser-1284. However, how spinophilin modifies NMDAR function is unclear. Herein, we detail that while Ser-1284 phosphorylation increases calcium influx via GluN2B-containing NMDARs, overexpression of spinophilin decreases GluN2B-containing NMDAR activity by decreasing its surface expression. In hippocampal neurons isolated from spinophilin knockout animals there is an increase in cleaved caspase-3 levels compared to wildtype mice; however, this effect is not exclusively due to NMDAR activation; suggesting multiple putative mechanisms by which spinophilin may modulate caspase cleavage. Behaviorally, our data suggest that spinophilin knockout mice have deficits in spatial cognitive flexibility, a behavior associated GluN2B function within the hippocampus. Taken together, our data demonstrate a unique mechanism by which spinophilin modulates GluN2B containing NMDAR phosphorylation, channel function, and trafficking and that loss of spinophilin promotes pathological sequelae associated with GluN2B dysfunction.
Induced Membranes for Segmental Mandibular Reconstruction: Case Series and Technique Review.

Purpose This article describes the induced membrane technique (IMT) and presents 10 cases in which the technique was applied for segmental mandibular reconstruction. Methods Ten patients requiring segmental mandibular resection were reconstructed using the staged IMT. Mandibular resection, placement of a reconstruction plate and polymethylmethacrylate spacer, was performed. At the second procedure, the spacer was removed through a small incision and particulate autograft from the ilium was placed, in some cases with bone morphogenic protein. Results Nine of the 10 patients achieved bony continuity with the IMT. Spacers were designed to optimize mandibular form and future implant-based restoration. All patients have either had implants placed or have adequate bone for implant placement. The average hospital length of stay for both surgeries combined was 3.1 nights. Conclusions The IMT can be successfully used to reconstruct segmental mandibular defects, allowing surgeons to create a neomandible with optimal form both for facial contour and for dental implant-based reconstruction.
Protectionism Among the States: How Preference Policies Undermine Competition

Many, but not all, US state governments have adopted preference policies that give an advantage to in-state businesses (vendors) that submit bid proposals for state projects. Most preference policies are specified in a specific percentage advantage, which means that an in-state vendor will be chosen even if it submits a higher bid than a lower-cost, out-of-state vendor submits. Although some states have broad policies that apply to all or virtually all state contracts, other states selectively apply such policies to only one or to a few specific goods and services. In this paper, we estimate the effects of these policies on the costs of government. We find that preference policies are associated with a $148 increase per person in state construction costs and with a $158 increase per capita in capital expenditures.
Differential impact of anxious misery psychopathology on multiple representations of the functional connectome

Abstract Introduction One aim of characterizing dimensional psychopathology is associating different domains of affective dysfunction with brain circuitry. The functional connectome, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), can be modeled and associated with psychopathology through multiple methods; some methods assess univariate relationships while others summarize broad patterns of activity. It remains unclear whether different dimensions of psychopathology require different representations of the connectome to generate reproducible associations. Methods Patients experiencing anxious misery symptomology (depression, anxiety and trauma; n=192) received resting-state fMRI scans. Three modeling approaches (seed-based correlation analysis [SCA], edgewise regression and Brain Basis Set Modeling [BBS]), each relying on increasingly broader representations of the functional connectome, were used to associate connectivity patterns with six data-driven dimensions of psychopathology: anxiety sensitivity, anxious arousal, rumination, anhedonia, insomnia and negative affect. To protect against overfitting, 50 participants were held-out in a testing dataset, leaving 142 participants as training data. Results Different modeling approaches varied in the extent to which they could model different symptom dimensions: SCA failed to reproducibly model any symptoms, subsets of the connectome (edgewise regression) were sufficient to model insomnia and anxious arousal and broad representations of the entire connectome (BBS) were necessary to model negative affect and ruminative thought. Conclusion These results reveal that different methods of representing the functional connectome differ in the degree they can model different symptom dimensions, highlighting the potential sufficiency of subsets of connections for some dimensions and the necessity of connectome-wide approaches in others.
The Products of Direct Liquefaction of Biomass

Wood is converted to a dense liquid fuel by thermal treatment at 300–360 °C under a pressure of water and reducing gas in the presence of aqueous alkali. The product includes both an oil phase and an aqueous phase rich in dissolved organics. Previous work1 showed that the oil phase has little in common with petroleum fuels, and the standard methods of petroleum chemistry are therefore largely inapplicable. Thus there existed a need for new methods for the fractionation of biomass oils into constituent chemical classes for the purpose of assessing comparative product quality and evaluating the best end uses and upgrading options.
Errata: "Plastic Buckling of Axially Compressed Cylindrical Shell"

of the critical stress obtained by the minimization of the positive root only while there are two roots available. 2) The conclusion drawn by Eq. (17) may not be universal. Since the insulation materials used on the cryogenic tanks usually are not linear, and the supporting arrangement may not be regular under thermal effect, then the spring stiffness can be either irregular and/or nonlinear. Thus the power law of \ may not always be valid. By the process of minimization described in Ref. 1, it can be expected that the particular ft is a function of Z and K or ftp = f ( Z , K, const). By the substitution of ftp in Eq. (15), the critical stress is obtained as
Abstract P281: A Novel Mutation in Adiponectin Receptor 1 Contributes to Cardiac Hypertrophy and Cardiometabolic Dysregulation

Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived cytokine, is known to influence cardiac remodeling and to suppress pathological cardiac growth and diabetes-induced disorders. Disruption of adiponectin or its receptor AdipoR1 has significant effects on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and myocardial metabolism signal transduction. We recently identified a novel mutation in the AdipoR1 gene among 126 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients, including two family members with diabetes. Our screening identified a G>A transition at 146th position that replaced the amino acid valine (GUG) into methionine (AUG) (V146M). The consequences of this mutation on cardiac function and metabolism are not known. Here, using adenoviral gene delivery system, we found that Ad.V146M increased cell size, protein synthesis, induced expression of hypertrophic gene markers and increased serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) compared to control Ad.βGal or wild type AdipoR1 (Ad.AR1) in cultured cardiomyocytes. We also discovered tha...
Performance evaluation of an inter-stream adaptation algorithm for multimedia communications

Controlling the quality of a collaborative multimedia session, which employs multiple streams, is a challenging problem. In this paper, we present and analyze the performance of an inter-stream adaptation algorithm, which dynamically allocates the shared resources reserved for a session among the streams belonging to it. The objective of this dynamic allocation is to optimize the overall session quality. The traffic characteristics of the streams are specified using the M-LBAP (Modified Linear Bounded Arrival Processes) model. The M-LBAP model provides tight characterization for the traffic while maintaining the simplicity and linearity of the LBAP model. Delay bounds for streams sharing a group reservation are analytically derived using the M-LBAP model. Degradation paths specified using the M-LBAP model are used as the basis for a dynamic rate based algorithm for inter-stream adaptation (RISA). The performance of RISA is contrasted to static resource allocation policies, and it is shown that higher utilization and acceptance ratios are achievable by RISA. These achievable results are reflected on and summarized by a proposed metric for judging the effectiveness of resource allocation on the overall quality of session.
Immunoliposomes for Cancer Treatment

Publisher Summary Immunoliposomes represent a rational strategy to achieve targeted drug delivery for cancer treatment. This chapter summarizes the recent developments in the use of immunoliposomes for cancer treatment. Because of their improved pharmacologic properties, sterically stabilized liposomes have generated renewed interest in liposomes as drug carriers. Sterically stabilized liposomes containing doxorubicin have shown encouraging clinical activity. Immunoliposomes (ILs) represent a further strategy to enhance liposomal drug delivery, by linking liposomes to monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against tumor-associated antigens. Sterically stabilized immunoliposomes directed against tumor-associated antigens have been used to target murine squamous cell lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and murine fibrosarcoma cells in vitro . Immunoliposomes designed for intraperitoneal therapy have been used to target human ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in ascites fluid in vivo . In addition to targeting tumor-associated an igens, immunoliposomes have been developed to target endothelial cells. Anti-HER2 immunoliposome-mediated delivery of doxorubicin may represent a particularly advantageous strategy for the treatment of breast and other cancers with frequent HER2 overexpression. Moreover, anti-HER2 immunoliposome delivery of doxorubicin provides a means of limiting the toxicity of doxorubicin in normal tissues. Immunoliposomes may prove useful as a tumor-targeted delivery system for a variety of anticancer agents, such as doxorubicin, by increasing tumor exposure and reducing toxicity to normal cells and tissues. In addition to targeted delivery of small molecule drugs, improvements in immunoliposome design and construction may lead to new therapeutic applications, such as gene therapy.
Synthesis of substituted carbonyl nitrosyl halides of molybdenum and tungsten

Abstract The reaction of (CO) 3 M(CH 3 CN) 3 (M  Mo or W) in THF successively with NOCl and a Lewis base was used in the preparation of M(CO) 2 (NO)(Diphos)Cl, M(CO) 2 (NO) (Bipy)Cl, M(CO) 2 (NO) (Phen)Cl, Mo(CO) (NO) (CH 3 CN) (PPh 3 ) 2 Cl and Mo(CO) 2 (NO)(DPM)Cl.
The Terrestrial Planet Finder coronagraph: technology and mission design studies

The Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) coronagraph study involves exploring the technologies that enable a coronagraph style instrument to image and characterize earth-like planets orbiting nearby stars. Testbeds have been developed to demonstrate the emerging technologies needed for this effort and an architecture study has resulted in designs of a facility that will provide the environment needed for the technology to function in this role. A broad community of participants is involved in this work through studies, analyses, fabrication of components, and participation in the design effort. The scope of activities - both on the technology side and in the architecture study side - will be presented in this paper. The status and the future plans of the activities will be reviewed.
Oncolytic viruses as platform for multimodal cancer therapeutics: a promising land.

Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy with T-VEC for patients with advanced melanoma in a successful phase III clinical trial has showcased the potential of this novel modality of cancer treatment. OVs kill cancer cells and associated stromal cells via multimodal mechanisms, killing directly by infection and oncolysis, indirectly by vasculature-targeting, bystander effect and elicited antitumor immunity. For most OVs, the antitumor immunity elicited by the OV contributes to, or even plays essential roles in the overall efficacy of the oncolytic virotherapy (OVT).1, 2, 3
Socioeconomic Status, Stress, and Immune Markers in Adolescents with Asthma

OBJECTIVE Previous research has demonstrated links between low socioeconomic status (SES) and clinical asthma outcomes, as well as links between stress and asthma. The objective of this study was to test whether adolescents with asthma from different SES backgrounds differed in biological profiles relevant to asthma, including immune and cortisol measures. The second objective was to test whether psychological stress and control beliefs could explain these differences. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adolescents with persistent asthma from either low (N= 18) or high (N= 12) SES neighborhoods were interviewed about their stress experiences (chronic stress, acute life events, interpretations of ambiguous life events) and control beliefs. Blood was drawn to assess immune (cytokines, eosinophils, IgE) and neuroendocrine (cortisol) markers associated with asthma. RESULTS Adolescents in the low SES group had significantly higher levels of a stimulated cytokine associated with a Th-2 immune response (IL-5), higher levels of a stimulated cytokine associated with a Th-1 immune response (IFN-gamma), and marginally lower morning cortisol values compared with the high SES group. Low SES adolescents also had greater stress experiences and lower beliefs about control over their health. Statistical mediational analyses revealed that stress and control beliefs partially explained the relationship between SES and IL-5/IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION Our finding that low SES was associated with elevations in certain immune responses (IL-5/IFN-gamma) in adolescents with asthma suggests the importance of further exploration into relationships between SES and Th-2/Th-1 responses in asthma. Our findings also suggest that psychological stress and control beliefs may provide one explanation for links between SES and immune responses in childhood asthma.
Characterization of potato tuber lipoxygenase cDNAs and lipoxygenase expression in potato tubers and leaves

A collection of cDNAs was isolated from a λgt11 potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber library by using a soybean lipoxygenase (LOX; linoleate:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.13.11.12) sequence as a hybridization probe. These cDNA clones were classified by restriction patterns and sizes and two clones, plox1 and plox2, were selected for sequencing and further analysis. These clones were found to be virtually identical and contain full-length cDNAs having a high degree of homology with other cloned LOX genes. plox1 contains a 2 806-bp insert, with an open reading frame that encodes a protein of 861 amino acids (96.9 kDa), consistent with molecular mass estimates of the principal tuber LOX deduced from SDS-PAGE. The deduced sequence contains iron-binding domains that are conserved among LOXs. Restriction analysis of potato genomic DNA confirmed that potato LOX is comprised of a gene family with at least three members. The plox1 sequence hybridized to a transcript of 2.8 kb in gel blot analyses of total RNA extracted from potato tuber. Treatment of potato disks and leaves with methyl jasmonate or jasmonic acid increased LOX enzyme activity, as well as abundance of LOX mRNA, consistent with jasmonate's reported effect on LOX expression in plants. The fungal elicitor arachidonic acid (AA) strongly induced LOX enzyme activity in leaves and induced LOX mRNA transcripts in potato leaves and tuber disks. Infection of potato leaves with Phytophthora infestans induced LOX activity as well as LOX mRNA accumulation in both incompatible and compatible interaction types. LOX expression was compared with that of a wound-inducible proteinase inhibitor (PINII) and a pathogenesis-related protein (P4). Jasmonates induced PINII but not P4 transcript accumulation in potato leaves. In contrast, AA induced P4 but not PINII transcript accumulation in potato leaves. Infection with P. infestans resulted in a gene expression pattern similar to that observed with AA.
A new technique for long-term recording of eye movements in infants

A device for recording eye movements from infants over long time periods is described. The device consists of an infrared light-emitting diode and a phototransistor mounted in a small package which covers one eye. The eyepiece is insensitive to EEG, EKG, or EMG potentials, and avoids irritation of the infant's skin from application of electrode paste. Detection of eye movements compares favorably to conventional eye movement electrodes.
Smoking cessation with ethnic minorities: Themes and approaches

Research investigating ethnic group differences in smoking prevalences, and smoking attitudes and behavior, is reviewed. Factors relating to the development of culturally sensitive smoking cessation interventions are discussed and several examples are provided of recent efforts to target smoking cessation initiatives toward minority communities. The problem of recruitment and retention of minority participants in health behavior research remains a vexing issue, which may best be addressed by incorporating smoking cessation interventions within regular health care, workplace, or school settings.
Metabolism of endothelin-1 by neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid (NG108-15) cells.

Abstract The endothelin (ET) peptides, ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3, as well as the ETA and ETB receptor subtypes, are known to occur in brain, but there is a dearth of information on the metabolism of these peptides by the central nervous system (CNS). In this study we have investigated the kinetics of ET-1 binding to and dissociation from the hybrid neuroblastoma x glioma cell line, NG108–15, which is known to contain functional ET receptors, and metabolism of bound ET-1. [125I]ET-1 was incubated with cells for various periods of time up to 6 h, and the nature of the radioactivity in the cell medium and lysate was analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). It was found that NG108–15 cells are capable of degrading [125I]ET-1 to [125I]Tyr and several fragments of intermediate hydrophobicity; however, a portion of the cell-associated [125I]ET-1 was protected from degradation for several hours.
Splice variants of rat TR4 orphan receptor: differential expression of novel sequences in the 5'-untranslated region and C-terminal domain.

The use of rapid amplification of 5'-cDNA ends-PCR yielded two novel sequences for the rat orphan receptor, TR4, representing heterogeneity on the 5'-untranslated region. Genomic structure analysis revealed that the 5'-untranslated region of the longer messenger RNA fragment, rTR4-1, contained three exons, alpha, beta, and gamma. The skipping of exon gamma gave rise to rTR4-2, indicating that rTR4-1 and rTR4-2 are products of alternative splicing. We isolated another novel rat TR4 splice variant, rTR4-NS, which was found to diverge from rTR4-2 at codon 504. rTR4-NS contained an unspliced intronic sequence with in-frame codons for eight amino acids followed by a termination codon. The three TR4 messenger RNA variants were differentially expressed. rTR4-NS appeared to be a rare transcript found in limited areas of the brain. In situ hybridization detect prominent TR4 signals in brain areas known to be involved in stress response. In cerebellar granule cells, the rise in TR4 expression correlated with the pr...
Relationship of Aquatic Natural Organic Material Characteristics to the Toxicity of Selected Insecticides

Toxicities of the commercial insecticide formulations of azinphos methyl, chlorpyrifos, fenvalerate, and methyl parathion were evaluated in streamwater samples containing natural organic material (NOM) using a modification of a bacterial bioluminescence assay. Toxicity reduction of azinphos methyl was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with water sample nonvolatile total solids (NVTS) concentration. Toxicity reductions of fenvalerate and of methyl parathion were significantly correlated to E4/E6 absorbance ratio of NOM, and to the proportion of NOM having molecular weight greater than 3700 Da. Toxicity reductions of fenvalerate and methyl parathion had significant correlations to the concentration of NVTS in water samples. Linear regressions of insecticide EC50 values to these NOM characteristics were used to mathematically model the effect of NOM on insecticide toxicity. Insecticide logKOW values were significantly correlated to the slopes of the EC50-total organic carbon (TOC) concentration regression lines. This confirms that the level of association of some nonionic organic contaminants with NOM is a function of the contaminant′s water solubility. No single NOM characteristic was the best predictor of toxicity for all insecticides examined. However, these findings suggest that the influence of NOM on toxicity results primarily from differences in TOC content and abundance of larger molecular size NOM.
INTERACTION OF IgG HEAVY‐CHAIN ALLOTYPES (GM) AND HLA IN CONFERRING SUSCEPTIBILITY TO THYROID CARCINOMA

SUMMARY We have recently reported an increase in HLA-DR1 in 52 patients with thyroid epithelial cancer from Eastern Hungary (Juhasz et al., 1986). We have now investigated the association of IgG heavy chain markers (Gm) in 50 patients with this disease and explored possible interaction between Gm and HLA in modifying the risk for thyroid cancer. No Gm phenotype showed significant increases in the patients compared to 168 local controls. When both Gm and HLA, however, were considered, a marked heterogeneity in risk was noted. The odds ratio for DR1 +fb+ homozygotes was 37.5, for DR1 +fb− individuals 60 and for DR1−fb+ individuals 2.6 (DR1−fb−= 1.0). Thus Gm and HLA interact to enhance greatly the risk of thyroid cancer.
Political institutions, policy choice and the survival of leaders

Institutional arrangements influence the type of policies that leaders pursue. We examine two institutional variables: size of the selectorate (S) – the set of people who have an institutional say in choosing leaders – and the size of the winning coalition (W) – the minimal set of people whose support the incumbent needs in order to remain in power. The larger the winning coalition, the greater the emphasis leaders place on effective public policy. When W is small, leaders focus on providing private goods to their small group of supporters at the expense of the provision of public goods. The size of the selectorate influences how hard leaders work on behalf of their supporters. The greater the size of the selectorate, the more current supporters fear exclusion from future coalitions. This induces a norm of loyalty that enables leaders to reduce their effort and still survive. As a first step towards a theory of endogenous selection of institutions, we characterize the institutional preferences of the different segments of society based on the consequences of these institutions for individual welfare. We conclude by examining the implication of the model for the tenure of leaders, public policy, economic growth, corruption, taxation and ethnic politics.
Atmospheric sulfur compounds and microbes.

Abstract The current increased emissions of sulfur dioxide have necessitated the determination of the background levels of atmospheric sulfur-containing compounds, both inorganic and organic, to understand better the natural cycling of S through the biosphere and the impact of added S pollution. Although much is known about the sources, both anthropogenic and natural, about the sinks, both abiotic and biotic, and about the various atmospheric reactions of inorganic S-containing gases and atmospheric particulates, comparatively little is known about the atmospheric organic S-containing volatiles. The organic S-containing compounds as well as the inorganic S-containing gases volatilized from soil, fresh water, and marine environments are primarily of microbial origin. Microbes are biotic sources and potential sinks for many of the atmospheric S-containing gases and volatiles, and also the growth and activity of microbes in natural habitats are influenced by these gases and volatiles. The purpose of this review is to focus on (1) the possible contributions of volatized organic S-containing compounds to the cycling of S, (2) the involvement of microorganisms in both the production and removal of these volatile organics from the atmosphere, and (3) the effects of these volatile organics on microbial activities in natural environments. For comparison, some attention will be directed to the more prevalent inorganic S-containing constituents in the atmosphere.
The interaction of ameloblasts and odontoblasts in transplants.

Abstract Tissue was removed from continuously growing incisors of adult rats and transplanted subcutaneously in homologous 3-day-old animals whose thymus glands were removed at birth. The interaction of ameloblasts derived from enamel organs and of odontoblasts from tooth pulps was followed for 40 days and compared with growth of separate transplants. Odontoblasts initially formed bone when transplanted separately and formed dentine in the presence of ameloblasts. Cords and nests of epithelium grew from enamel organs and elaborated matrix that was calcified only in the presence of odontoblasts. Only ameloblasts that had not interacted with adult odontoblasts survived in the ectopic location away from the tooth and formed the epithelial cords seen in ameloblastomas. Where enamel was formed, an inflammatory response resulted in its destruction and may account for the absence of the secreting ameloblast in the epithelial odontogenic tumors.
Effect of fluid viscosity on the ohmic heating rate of solid-liquid mixtures

The effect of fluid viscosity on the ohmic heating rates of fluid-particle mixtures was investigated. Fluids of identical electrical conductivity but different viscosity were used with identical amounts of solid particles (of electrical conductivity lower than the fluid) and heated ohmically in batch (static and vibrating), and continuous flow heaters. In the static ohmic heater, the heating rate of the fluid and particles was found to be comparable for the different fluids. However, in the vibrating ohmic heater, the heating rate of fluid and particles was found to increase with increasing fluid viscosity. In the continuous flow ohmic heater, the mixture with the higher viscosity fluid heated faster than that with the lower viscosity fluid. The important implication is that poor interphase convective heat transfer may actually contribute to accelerated overall heating, since the more (electrically) conductive phase does not lose heat readily to the less (electrically) conductive phase, and consequently heats rapidly, transferring heat to the other phase by larger temperature differences.
Four channel fused fibre mux/demux couplers and add/drop filters in the 1300 and 1550nm regions

Cascaded fused fibre devices designed to multiplex four channels in a wavelength band are described. These devices, capable of performing multiplexing, demultiplexing, or add/drop functions, show low insertion loss, high isolation, and polarisation independent operation.
Cells infected with herpes simplex virus 1 export to uninfected cells exosomes containing STING, viral mRNAs, and microRNAs

STING (stimulator of IFN genes) activates the IFN-dependent innate immune response to infection on sensing the presence of DNA in cytosol. The quantity of STING accumulating in cultured cells varies; it is relatively high in some cell lines [e.g., HEp-2, human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HEL), and HeLa] and low in others (e.g., Vero cells). In a preceding publication we reported that STING was stable in four cell lines infected with herpes simplex virus 1 and that it was actively stabilized in at least two cell lines derived from human cancers. In this report we show that STING is exported from HEp-2 cells to Vero cells along with virions, viral mRNAs, microRNAs, and the exosome marker protein CD9. The virions and exosomes copurified. The quantity of STING and CD9 exported from one cell line to another was inoculum-size–dependent and reflected the levels of STING and CD9 accumulating in the cells in which the virus inoculum was made. The export of STING, an innate immune sensor, and of viral mRNAs whose major role may be in silencing viral genes in latently infected neurons, suggests that the virus has evolved mechanisms that curtail rather than foster the spread of infection under certain conditions.
Differential Contributions of C3, C5, and Decay-Accelerating Factor to Ethanol-Induced Fatty Liver in Mice

Background & Aims: The complement pathway is an important component of the innate and adaptive immune response. Here we tested the hypothesis that activation of complement is required for development of ethanol-induced fatty liver. Methods: Wild-type mice and mice lacking the third (C3) or fifth (C5) components of the complement activation pathway, as well as mice lacking decay-accelerating factor (CD55/DAF), a complement regulatory protein, were fed Lieber–DeCarli ethanol-containing diets for 6 weeks or pair-fed control diets. Results: Ethanol feeding to wild-type mice increased C3a in plasma. Wild-type and C5−/− mice fed the ethanol diet developed hepatic steatosis characterized by microvesicular and macrovesicular lipid accumulation and increased triglyceride content. C3−/− mice did not develop steatosis, while CD55/DAF−/− mice accumulated even more hepatic triglyceride after ethanol feeding than wild-type mice. Levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and hepatic tumor necrosis factor α, indicators of hepatocyte injury and inflammation, respectively, were increased in wild-type and CD55/DAF−/− mice but not in C5−/− mice after ethanol feeding. In contrast to the protective effect of C3−/− against ethanol-induced steatosis, levels of both alanine aminotransferase and tumor necrosis factor α were increased in C3−/− mice after ethanol feeding. Conclusions: Here we have identified several elements of the complement system as important contributors to ethanol-induced fatty liver. C3 contributed primarily to the accumulation of triglyceride in the liver, whereas C5 was involved in inflammation and injury to hepatocytes. Further, the absence of CD55/DAF exacerbated these responses, suggesting that CD55/DAF serves as a barrier to ethanol-induced fatty liver.
God and empty terms

1 . It is possible that something has unsurpassable greatness. 2. There is a possible world in which something has unsurpassable greatness (from 1). 3. If there is a possible world in which something has unsurpassable greatness, then there is a possible world in which something has maximal excellence in every world (by definition of 'unsurpassable greatness'). 4. If there is a possible world in which something has maximal excellence in every world, then something has maximal excellence in every world. 5. Something has maximal excellence in every world (2, 3,4).
Physiological and psychological factors influencing sexual dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Part II emotionality and sexuality in persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Discussions of the emotional and behavioral disturbances associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) date as far back as the original diagnostic works by Charcot. Most of the early works addressed emotional reactions such as euphoria that were then commonly felt to be results of the progression of the disease. The early thinking seemed to be that these reactions were brought on solely by the progressive neurological damage. Research continues to focus on the emotional reactions deemed to be inherent in the neurological progression of the disease but is less convinced of even these symptoms and so the debates rage on. Current research has also begun to branch out into the areas of social adaptation and emotional responsivity to the environment.
New mutant mouse with communicating hydrocephalus and secondary aqueductal stenosis

A new mutation resulting in hydrocephalus in the mouse is described. Inheritance is autosomal recessive. The disease becomes evident a few days after birth by the presence of generalized ventricular dilatation. This early phase is followed after 2 weeks of age by a phase of superimposed aqueductal stenosis, which appears to be secondary to compression of the midbrain by the expanding cerebral hemispheres. Affected animals usually die by 1 month of age. Golgi studies demonstrate damage to the cerebral cortex in both phases of the pathological process. The hemispheric white matter is more severely disrupted. Horseradish peroxidase, a protein tracer demonstrable by electron microscopy, enters the intercellular spaces of the brain in the normal manner by passing between ependymal cells after it is injected into a lateral cerebral ventricle. Scanning electron microscopy revealed large numbers of macrophages and red blood cells on the ventricular surface of the hydrocephalic brain. Review of the literature suggests that some types of human hydrocephalus may exhibit a similar sequence of generalized ventricular enlargement followed secondarily by compression of the midbrain with resultant aqueductal stenosis.
Chalcophile behavior of thallium during MORB melting and implications for the sulfur content of the mantle

We present new laser ablation ICP-MS trace element concentration data for 28 elements in 97 mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) glasses that cover all major spreading centers as well as Tl concentration data for all mineral phases in five lherzolites from the Lherz massif, France. The ratio between the elements thallium (Tl) and cerium (Ce) is nearly constant in MORB, providing evidence that the depleted MORB mantle (DMM) has uniform Ce/Tl. Lherzolite mineral data reveal that sulfides are heterogeneous and contain between 23 and 430 ng/g of Tl while all other minerals contain Tl below the analytical detection limit of ∼1 ng/g. We argue that Tl in MORB is controlled by residual sulfide during mantle melting. To investigate the observed relationship between Tl and Ce, we conduct models of fractional mantle melting, which show that the constant Ce/Tl in MORB is only reproduced if the ratio between clinopyroxene and sulfide in the upper mantle varies by less than 10%. In addition, the rate of melting for these two phases must be nearly identical as otherwise melt depletion and refertilization processes would lead to Ce/Tl fractionation. These model results allow us to establish a relationship for the sulfur content of DMM: [S]DMM = SCSS × Mcpx /Rcpx, where SCSS is the sulfur concentration of a silicate melt at sulfide saturation, Rcpx is the melt reaction coefficient, and Mcpx is the modal abundance of clinopyroxene in the DMM. Using this equation, we calculate that the average upper mantle sulfur concentration is 195 ± 45 μg/g.
Analysis of goalkeepers’ defence in the World Cup in Korea and Japan in 2002

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of goalkeepers’ defence interventions in parallel with the type of opponent attack, the area of the last pass of attack, the shooting zone most often used, the body part most often used for the last pass or for shooting, and the technical and physical actions most often used for carrying out defensive technical skills. The sample consisted of 34 goalkeepers from the national teams that participated in 54 matches of the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. The matches were analysed by systematic observation. A reliability kappa index of 0.95 was established between observers. The variables studied were: type of opponent attack, area of last pass of attack, field zone from which shot was taken, body part with which last part of attack or shot was made, zone of goalkeeper intervention, defensive technical and physical actions of goalkeeper intervention. Results related to opposing team's attacks showed that teams most often used positional a...
The effect of heart position and rotation on the cardiac vector: an experimental study.

Abstract 1. 1. An experimental method has been devised for studying the effect of heart position and rotation on the cardiac vector. 2. 2. The spatial positions of the initial and terminal vectors are characteristic for various heart positions and degrees of rotation. The width of the QES loop in each projection indicates degree and direction of rotation. The direction of inscription of the QRS loop in various projections is related to the degree and kind of rotation of the loop about its longitudinal axis, as well as to intrinsic changes of the loop. 3. 3. The spatial position of the initial vectors can be utilized to determine heart position, and for the differentiation of the normal heart, right ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular hypertrophy, combined ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, and left bundle branch block. 4. 4. The spatial position of the terminal vectors can be utilized to distinguish between left ventricular hypertrophy and incomplete right bundle branch block, and between the normal but unusually rotated heart and incomplete right bundle branch block. 5. 5. The spatial position of the terminal vectors can be utilized to determine position and rotation of the heart, even when the initial vectors are not suitable for this purpose as a consequence of having been altered by localized myocardial disease.
Nitrogen fertilization and cropping system impacts on soil properties and their relationship to crop yield in the central Corn Belt, USA

Abstract Evaluating the effects of management practices on soil physical and chemical properties would be valuable to explain field-level variability in crop production. A 23-year-old experiment on a Muscatune soil (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic, Aquic Argiudolls) in Illinois with five N rates [0 (N 0 ), 70 (N 1 ), 140 (N 2 ), 210 (N 3 ) and 280 (N 4 ) kg N ha −1 ] and two cropping systems [continuous corn ( Zea mays L.) (CC), and corn–soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation (CS)] was evaluated. Specific objectives were to: (i) evaluate the effects of long-term N fertilization and cropping systems on field level changes in soil physical and chemical properties and crop yield, (ii) identify the most responsive soil physical and chemical properties to N fertilizer and crop management, and (iii) investigate the relationship between the selected soil properties and crop yield. Soil was collected in May 2004 to 30 cm depth and 20 soil physical and chemical properties were measured. The univariate analysis indicated that 14 soil properties were significantly influenced by at least one treatment effect (crops, N or crops × N). Due to multicollinearity among soil properties, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to group correlated properties, resulting in five soil properties such as soil organic carbon stock (OC stock), mean weight diameter (MWD), soil C:N ratio, exchangeable potassium (K + ) and gravimetric moisture content ( ω ). Finally, the multiple regression analysis performed between PCA derived soil properties and corn and soybean yields retained all the representative soil properties from PCA except ω as yield predictors for corn ( P R 2 = 0.39) from CC system, whereas none of the soil properties were significantly related to corn and soybean yields from CS system. The soil properties most influenced by long-term N fertilization of continuous corn were successfully identified with PCA and multiple regression. The insignificant relationship between corn and soybean yields from CS system and PCA derived soil properties might be due to the lack of response of soybean to N fertilization. This study shows the integrated use of multivariate and regression analyses in identifying yield determining soil properties by eliminating the multicollinearity among soil properties.
Minimally invasive spine surgery for adult degenerative lumbar scoliosis

Object Historically, adult degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) has been treated with multilevel decompression and instrumented fusion to reduce neural compression and stabilize the spinal column. However, due to the profound morbidity associated with complex multilevel surgery, particularly in elderly patients and those with multiple medical comorbidities, minimally invasive surgical approaches have been proposed. The goal of this meta-analysis was to review the differences in patient selection for minimally invasive surgical versus open surgical procedures for adult DLS, and to compare the postoperative outcomes following minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and open surgery. Methods In this meta-analysis the authors analyzed the complication rates and the clinical outcomes for patients with adult DLS undergoing complex decompressive procedures with fusion versus minimally invasive surgical approaches. Minimally invasive surgical approaches included decompressive laminectomy, microscopic decompression, later...
Formation of triple-stranded bovine DNA in vitro.

EVIDENCE for a triple-stranded complex of polynucleotides was reported for homopolymer RNAs by Felsenfeld et al.1 in 1957. They detected a drop in absorbancy at 260 nm for a mixture consisting of two parts polyadenylic acid (poly(rA)) and one part polyuridylic acid (poly(rU)), during a continuous variation mixing study of the two homopolymers. Addition of 0.1 M MgCl2 produced the greatest triple-strand formation with a minimum absorbance at 67 mol % poly(rU), 33 mol % poly(rA)2. Since this early work, many triple-stranded complexes have been identified, including combinations of homopolymers of deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides; Riley et al.3 reported a triple strand formed by the homopolymers dA: dT: dT. They also reported the caesium sulphate buoyant densities of various double-stranded and triple-stranded homopolymers. In all cases, the triple-stranded homopolymer had a greater buoyant density than the analogous double-stranded homopolymer. We now report evidence for the formation of triple-stranded bovine DNA in vitro.