cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Challenges in and strategies for the surveillance of school health policies and practices: a commentary.

Since 1994, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been monitoring policies and practices across multiple components of school health through 2 surveillance systems: the School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS), a national survey periodically conducted at the state, district, school, and classroom levels, and the School Health Profiles (Profiles), a system of surveys assessing school health policies and practices in states, large urban school districts, territories, and tribal governments. CDC has encountered several challenges in implementing these systems. In this commentary, we describe the most common challenges encountered and the strategies that CDC has identified to address them. We hope our experiences will be helpful to others interested in monitoring school health policies and practices.
Cochlear microvasculature in normal and damaged ears

The minute vessels of the cochlea were examined post mortem in normal guinea pigs and in others exposed to intense noise or treated with the ototoxic drugs gentamicin and quinine. The benzidine stain was used to display the capillary networks, and osmic acid for surface preparations, “thick” sections, and ultrathin sections for electron microscopic examination. The capillaries of the spiral ligament, i.e., the so-called arteriovenous anastomoses, do not show the characteristics of the muscular shunts described by Chambers and Zweifach. They are divided into two groups, the adstrial capillaries closely applied to the basal surface of the stria vascularis, and the poststrial capillaries which supply the tissue of the spiral ligament. Continuing beneath the floor of the external sulcus they form an alternating pattern with the root cells, and are surrounded by a specialized pericapillary tissue which resembles that found around the capillaries of the spiral prominence. These tissues are readily destroyed by gentamicin and other ototoxic aminoglycosidic antibiotics. Vasoconstriction of the outer and inner spiral vessels in response to noise and quinine appears to involve both contraction of pericytes and swelling of the endothelial cells. After prolonged exposure to noise or treatment with gentamicin, degeneration of capillaries with formation of intervascular strands and avascular channels is found in the suprastrial network of the spiral ligament. Similar capillary changes are seen in presbycusis, and in the deaf Dalmatian dog.
A realistic model of market liquidity and depth

A model that realistically defines market liquidity and depth is introduced. Liquidity is the expected rate of order execution in shares per minute. Depth is the average density of the limit order book in shares per dollar. Illiquid markets tend to exhibit longer execution delays and indirectly higher risk related to price impact. Markets with low depth are characterized by high price sensitivity and larger risks. Deviations from fundamental value exist because arbitraging them away carries liquidity cost, entails impact risk, and generates negatively skewed profits. Premia include liquidity and transparency components. In order to avoid excessive frontrunning and liquidity withholding around their block trade, traders break their block orders into smaller orders. In anonymous markets, the trader discriminates against early liquidity providers, and is only compensated for liquidity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 25:443–464, 2005
Bethe-Salpeter amplitudes and density correlations for mesons with Wilson fermions.

We present an investigation of various gauge-invariant definitions of the $q\overline{q}$ Bethe-Salpeter (BS) amplitude for mesons in lattice QCD, and compare them to the Coulomb and Landau gauge BS amplitudes. We show that the gauge-invariant BS amplitude is considerably broadened by the use of "fat" gauge links (constructed by smearing the links of the original lattice). A qualitative demonstration of the Lorentz contraction of the pion wave function at nonzero momentum is given. We also calculate density-density correlations and discuss the limitations in extracting the charge radius of the pion from these observables. Lastly, the polarization dependence of the BS amplitude for the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ meson is exhibited, and we extract the relative admixture of $l=0$ and $l=2$ states showing that simple hydrogenlike wave functions provide a good fit.
Torsional stiffness and strength of the proximal tibia are better predicted by finite element models than DXA or QCT

Individuals with spinal cord injury experience a rapid loss of bone mineral below the neurological lesion. The clinical consequence of this bone loss is a high rate of fracture around regions of the knee. The ability to predict the mechanical competence of bones at this location may serve as an important clinical tool to assess fracture risk in the spinal cord injury population. The purpose of this study was to develop, and statistically compare, non-invasive methods to predict torsional stiffness (K) and strength (Tult) of the proximal tibia. Twenty-two human tibiae were assigned to either a "training set" or a "test set" (11 specimens each) and mechanically loaded to failure. The training set was used to develop subject-specific finite element (FE) models, and statistical models based on dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT), to predict K and Tult; the test set was used for cross-validation. Mechanical testing produced clinically relevant spiral fractures in all specimens. All methods were accurate and reliable predictors of K (cross-validation r(2)≥0.91; error≤13%), however FE models explained an additional 15% of the variance in measured Tult and illustrated 12-16% less error than DXA and QCT models. Given the strong correlations between measured and FE predicted K (cross-validation r(2)=0.95; error=10%) and Tult (cross-validation r(2)=0.91; error=9%), we believe the FE modeling procedure has reached a level of accuracy necessary to answer clinically relevant questions.
Rorschach assessment of borderline children.

Projective testing may provide the clinician with a valuable context in which childhood borderline conditions may be investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine if Rorschach scores could be useful in diagnosing borderline disorders. Rorschach scores from a group of 13 borderline children and 10 conduct disorder children were compared using a step-down discriminate analysis. The results indicated that children in these two groups could be correctly classified beyond chance levels using Rorschach scores. Three variable, content analysis, human movement, and animal movement were the strongest contributors in separating the two groups. The Rorschach measure of form quality (i.e., adequacy of perception) was notable in that it failed to produce any independent discriminatory power in this analysis. As in the case of adult borderline testing using the Rorschach, novel scoring procedures, used in conjunction with standard scoring procedures may lead to further clarification of childhood borderline disorders.
Anti-angiogenic therapy of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) remains one of the major causes of acquired blindness in developed nations. This is true despite the development of laser treatment, which can prevent blindness in the majority of those who develop this complication. The hallmark of PDR is neovascularisation (NV), abnormal angiogenesis that may ultimately cause severe vitreous cavity bleeding and/or retinal detachment. Pharmacologic therapy aimed at preventing NV, as an adjunct to laser treatment, or as an alternative to laser treatment, would be a welcome addition to the armamentarium. PDR could be prevented by improved metabolic control or by pharmacologically blunting the biochemical consequences of hyperglycaemia (e.g., with aldose reductase inhibitors, inhibitors of non-enzymatic glycation or by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition). The angiogenesis in PDR could be treated via growth factor (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin like growth factor-1) blockade, integrin (e.g., α-v β-3) blockade...
Research brief: the need for historically grounded HIV/AIDS prevention research among Native Americans

This is a brief report that summarizes the need for historically grounded HIV prevention research among Native Americans living in the United States. It illustrates the intersection of culture and history, showing that ethnic groups can respond to historical traumatic events for generations, often to the detriment of individual and collective health.
Stratigraphy, Petrography, and Paleoenvironmental Interpretation of Mississippian-Pennsylvanian Amsden Formation South of La Barge Guard Station, Salt River Range, Western Wyoming: ABSTRACT

The Amsden Formation, named by N. H. Darton in 1904 during mapping of the Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming, consists of red shales, limestones, sandstones, and cherty beds. The Amsden was later subdivided into four members (in ascending order): the Darwin Sandstone (E. Blackwelder, 1918), the Horseshoe Shale (W. W. Mallory, 1967), the Moffat Trail Limestone (W. J. Sando and others, 1975), and the Ranchester Limestone (W. W. Mallory, 1967). All members crop out in the study area. The Darwin Sandstone Member is up to 88.4 m (290 ft) thick, disconformably overlies the Mississippian Mission Canyon Limestone, and is conformably overlain by the Horseshoe Shale Member. It is a quartzarenite with minor amounts of feldspar interpreted as being deposited in a nearshore or beach environment. The Horseshoe Shale Member is 25.9 m (85 ft) thick and conformably overlies the Darwin Member. The Horseshoe Shale Member contains fine-grained terrigenous sediment interpreted to have accumulated in a lagoon or back-reef environment. The lower part is a white to red siltstone with localized areas of pisolitic hematite; the upper part is organic-rich black shale containing palynomorphs. The Moffat Trail Limestone Member is 29.0 m (95 ft) thick and conformably overlies the Horseshoe Shale Member. The Moffat Trail consists of biomicrites, pelmicrites, and silty micrites. It is interpreted to represent open-marine, low-energy carbonate-shelf deposition. The Ranchester Limestone Member is 9.4 m (31 ft) thick and conformably overlies the Moffat Trail Member. The Ranchester contains silty dolomite, carbonate, and red siltstone, representing the maximum transgression of the Pennsylvanian sea. The Pennsylvanian Wells Formation conformably overlies the Ranchester Member. End_of_Article - Last_Page 932------------
Effects of intracranial self-stimulation on brain opioid peptides.

Abstract The neurochemical system(s) underlying brain stimulation reward (ICSS) has been investigated for many years. The catecholamine hypothesis is currently most accepted with predominant emphasis on the role of dopamine. The present report examines the role of three opioid peptides—Methionine and Leucine Enkephalin (ME and LE) and β-Endorphin (β-E) in this behavior. Peptide levels from piutitary, hypothalamus and whole brain were determined by independent RIAs and analyzed according to treatment: low, moderate and high ICSS responders, sham controls, animals receiving nonspecific stimulation, and naloxone—with and without ICSS. Not only did naloxone reduce ICSS from high responders by 74%, it also was able to reduce peptide levels—most notably for ME and βE in most regions. Additionally, the effects of ICSS on endorphin levels was found to be related to the rate category of responding. Since endorphins are known to interact with dopamine systems, it is therefore considered likely that the endogenous opioid peptides play an important role in ICSS either directly or indirectly via their influence on catecholamine systems.
Are doctors and nurses associated with coverage of essential health services in developing countries? A cross-sectional study

There is broad policy consensus that a shortage of doctors and nurses is a key constraint to increasing utilization of essential health services important for achieving the health Millennium Development Goals. However there is limited research on the quantitative links between health workers and service coverage rates. We examined the relationship between doctor and nurse concentrations and utilization rates of five essential health services in developing countries. We performed cross-national analyses of low- and middle-income countries by means of ordinary least squares regression with coverage rates of antenatal care, attended delivery, caesarean section, measles immunization, tuberculosis case diagnosis and care for acute respiratory infection as outcomes. Doctor, nurse and aggregate health worker (sum of doctors and nurses) concentrations were the main explanatory variables. Nurses were associated with utilization of skilled birth attendants (P = 0.02) and doctors were associated with measles immunization rates (P = 0.01) in separate adjusted analyses. Aggregate health workers were associated with the utilization of skilled birth attendants (P < 0.01) and measles immunization (P < 0.01). Doctors, nurses and aggregate health workers were not associated with the remaining four services. A range of health system and population-level factors aside from health workers influences coverage of health services in developing countries. However, it is also plausible that health workers who are neither doctors nor nurses, such as clinical officers and community health workers, may be providing a substantial proportion of health services. The human resources for health research agenda should be expanded beyond doctors and nurses.
Optimizing a generalized polling protocol for resource finding over a multiple access channel

We consider a generalized polling protocol to locate (or find) resources known only by name in a distributed system interconnected by a bus-based multiple access channel. The set of nodes in the system are partitioned into a set of disjoint groups. To locate a resource, the searching node sequentially polls each one of the groups until the resource is found. This scheme is a generalization of both pure polling and broadcast. Our basic aim is to show how to obtain an optimal division of the nodes into groups. To that end, a typical generalized polling protocol is analyzed and an efficient algorithm is given that provides a group division minimizing the expected cost per resource location operation.
The effect of photon statistics on two-photon absorption and emission

Abstract A quantum mechanical calculation, taking into account the Bose statistical nature of photons, produces a gain term that is linear in photon intensity.
HIV and HCV testing for young drug users in Rhode Island

Young injection drug users (IDU) are at risk for both human immunonodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C infections (HCV). Rates of HIV testing have been widely documented, but limited information exists regarding HCV screening rates. Among a community sample of 86 IDUs, aged 18-25 years in Rhode Island, 87.2% reported ever testing for HIV versus 51.2% for HCV (p < .001). Young injectors were under-screened for HCV compared with the far less prevalent HIV infection.
Use of a neighboring uninjured nerve for restoration of tissue function

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Clostridium difficile (CD) colitis is at historically high levels, leading to increased complications and costs in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery involving the gastrointestinal tract. We sought to assess if screening and empiric treatment of preoperative asymptomatic CD carriers would decrease symptomatic CD colitis in patients undergoing cystectomy and urinary diversion METHODS: A prospective evaluation of CD carrier status was undertaken in patients undergoing cystectomy and urinary diversion between January-September 2015 by testing stool samples at the time of surgery. Patients identified as CD carriers were treated with intravenous metronidazole until return of bowel function. The incidence of clinically symptomatic CD colitis was assessed in this intention to treat cohort and compared to a retrospective cohort of 562 patients that underwent cystectomy during 2010-2013. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients were included in the intention to treat analysis, of which 62 (79%) were screened intraoperatively for CD. Of those screened, 18 (30%) were asymptomatic carriers of CD. The incidence of patients who developed symptomatic CD colitis in the intention to treat cohort was 3.8% (3/78 patients). Of those 3 patients, 2 were negative for CD preoperatively and 1 was unknown. None of the treated patients developed CD colitis or adverse outcomes. When compared to the historical cohort which had aCD colitis incidence of 8.8%, the relative risk reduction was 57% with a number needed to treat of 20. CONCLUSIONS: Cystectomy patients were found to have a high incidence of asymptomatic CD. Identification and treatment of asymptomatic carriers at time of surgery seems to decrease the incidence of CD colitis. Further studies are warranted to assess the utility and cost of testing for CD status followed with empiric treatment.
Connexin Mediated Cataract Prevention in Mice

Cataracts, named for any opacity in the ocular lens, remain the leading cause of vision loss in the world. Non-surgical methods for cataract prevention are still elusive. We have genetically tested whether enhanced lens gap junction communication, provided by increased α3 connexin (Cx46) proteins expressed from α8(Kiα3) knock-in alleles in Gja8tm1(Gja3)Tww mice, could prevent nuclear cataracts caused by the γB-crystallin S11R mutation in CrygbS11R/S11R mice. Remarkably, homozygous knock-in α8(Kiα3/Kiα3) mice fully prevented nuclear cataracts, while single knock-in α8(Kiα3/−) allele mice showed variable suppression of nuclear opacities in CrygbS11R/S11R mutant mice. Cataract prevention was correlated with the suppression of many pathological processes, including crystallin degradation and fiber cell degeneration, as well as preservation of normal calcium levels and stable actin filaments in the lens. This work demonstrates that enhanced intercellular gap junction communication can effectively prevent or delay nuclear cataract formation and suggests that small metabolites transported through gap junction channels protect the stability of crystallin proteins and the cytoskeletal structures in the lens core. Thus, the use of an array of small molecules to promote lens homeostasis may become a feasible non-surgical approach for nuclear cataract prevention in the future.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Parity in Bangladeshi Women

Human fertility is a complex trait determined by gene-environment interactions in which genetic factors represent a significant component. To better understand inter-individual variability in fertility, we performed one of the first genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of common fertility phenotypes, lifetime number of pregnancies and number of children in a developing country population. The fertility phenotype data and DNA samples were obtained at baseline recruitment from individuals participating in a large prospective cohort study in Bangladesh. GWAS analyses of fertility phenotypes were conducted among 1,686 married women. One SNP on chromosome 4 was non-significantly associated with number of children at P <10-7 and number of pregnancies at P <10-6. This SNP is located in a region without a gene within 1 Mb. One SNP on chromosome 6 was non-significantly associated with extreme number of children at P <10-6. The closest gene to this SNP is HDGFL1, a hepatoma-derived growth factor. When we excluded hormonal contraceptive users, a SNP on chromosome 5 was non-significantly associated at P <10-5 for number of children and number of pregnancies. This SNP is located near C5orf64, an open reading frame, and ZSWIM6, a zinc ion binding gene. We also estimated the heritability of these phenotypes from our genotype data using GCTA (Genome-wide Complex Trait Analysis) for number of children (hg2 = 0.149, SE = 0.24, p-value = 0.265) and number of pregnancies (hg2 = 0.007, SE = 0.22, p-value = 0.487). Our genome-wide association study and heritability estimates of number of pregnancies and number of children in Bangladesh did not confer strong evidence of common variants for parity variation. However, our results suggest that future studies may want to consider the role of 3 notable SNPs in their analysis.
Modified Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-Bearing Liposomes (MRBLs) Are Sensitive to EGF in Solution

Cancers often overexpress EGF and other growth factors to promote cell replication and migration. Previous work has not produced targeted drug carriers sensitive to abnormal amounts of growth factors. This work demonstrates that liposomes bearing EGF receptors covalently crosslinked to p-toluic acid or methyl-PEO4-NHS ester (or, in short, MRBLs) exhibit an increased rate of release of encapsulated drug compounds when EGF is present in solution. Furthermore, the modified EGF receptors retain the abilities to form dimers in the presence of EGF and bind specifically to EGF. These results demonstrate that MRBLs are sensitive to EGF in solution and indicate that MRBL-reconstituted modified EGF receptors, in the presence of EGF in solution, form dimers which increase MRBL permeability to encapsulated compounds.
A multi-mode spectrometer for atomic emission spectrometry

A unique spectrometer system, the Multi-Mode Spectrometer (MMS), has been developed. The MMS integrates a scanning Michelson interferometer, a flat-field grating, and a linear photodiode array detector into a single spectrometer system. With these components, the MMS is capable of applying dispersive, interferometric, or combined dispersive/interferometric techniques for enhanced spectrometric flexibility. The effects of source fluctuation and redistributed photon noise can be reduced. In addition, the MMS has unique capabilities in data compression, application of internal standards, and noise spectrum analysis.
Comparing Teacher and Student Responses to the Mixed-Age College Classroom:

The research reported here is part of an ongoing study designed to compare perceptions of faculty and students at a two-year campus about faculty-student relationships, attitudes toward younger students, and attitudes toward mixed-age classrooms. Faculty and student focus groups and interviews formed the basis for a survey that elicited perceptions from 183 faculty and 320 students (199 traditional and 121 older). Both faculty and students reported positive attitudes toward the mixed-age classroom and some negative perceptions of younger students. Results reported for students by age group indicate that students do not perceive differences in the way faculty treat older and younger students, even though faculty reported more positive attitudes toward older students.
Inhibitive Influence of Oxygen Vacancies for Photoactivity on TiO 2 ( 110 )

Scanning tunneling microscopy results reveal a pronounced site selectivity in the hole-mediated photooxidation of trimethyl acetate (TMA) on ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}(110)$, wherein the reaction readily occurs at regular Ti sites but is completely inhibited at oxygen vacancy (${V}_{\mathrm{O}}$) defects. Utilizing electron energy loss spectroscopy and density functional theory, we show that the lack of reactivity of TMA groups adsorbed at ${V}_{\mathrm{O}}$'s cannot be attributed to either a less active adsorption conformation or electron transfer from the ${V}_{\mathrm{O}}$ defect. Instead, we propose that the excess unpaired electrons associated with the ${V}_{\mathrm{O}}$ promptly recombine with photoexcited holes approaching the surface, effectively ``screening'' TMA species at the ${V}_{\mathrm{O}}$ site. We also show that this screening effect is predominately localized at the ${V}_{\mathrm{O}}$, only mildly affecting TMA's at adjacent Ti sites.
746-5 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Promotes Coronary Collateral Formation After Myocardial Infarction

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell mitogen and angiogenic factor. We hypothesized that intracoronary infusion of VEGF would promote capillary formation in a myocardial infarction (MI) model. MI was created in 10 dogs by balloon occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery for 1.5 hours. At 30 minutes and again at 4 hours after occlusion, a bolus of either 30 micrograms of VEGF in treated animals (n = 5) or normal saline (NS) in controls (n = 5) was given in the left circumflex artery. In addition, a non-MI control group (n = 5) was given intracoronary VEGF. All animals received heparin. Coronary angiograms, left ventricular ejection fraction, anterior wall motion scores, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were obtained at baseline and at 7 days post MI. Capillary and arteriolar density (vessels per square mm) was quantified histologically using periodic acid-Schiff and factor VIII antibody staining by a blinded observer. arteriolarlcapillary density (mean ± S.D.) NS-with MI 6.5 ± 1.4 VEGF-no MI 7.3 ± 2.6 VEGF-with MI 12.9 ± 2.9 Capillary and arteriolar density was significantly increased in MI animals given VEGF vs. NS (p = 0.004) and in VEGF animals with MI vs. no MI (p = 0.016). Conclusions Use of VEGF was associated with an increase in capillary and arteriolar density and was most significant after MI. Additional studies may further define a role for VEGF in promoting molecular bypass following MI.
Power spectra of noise-induced hopping between two overlapping Josephson steps

We have studied the power spectra measured from an electronic analog of a driven Josephson junction. The frequency of the ac drive is 1.1 times the plasma frequency of the Josephson analog. At this frequency, the /ital I/-/ital V/ curve of a noise-free simulation shows a region of overlap between the zeroth and the 2/3 Josephson steps. Adding noise to the simulation causes the system to switch between the two steps which forms a noisy ramp similar to that seen from a Josephson junction driven at 419 GHz. The power spectra of the switching voltage measured from the analog are essentially Lorentzian, indicating that the hopping time is much shorter than the lifetimes of the two states. By measuring the noise power density at zero frequency and the 3-dB roll-off frequency of the Lorentzian spectrum, we can deduce the lifetimes of the two states. The exponential dependence of the lifetimes on the noise level indicates that this hopping is similar to a thermally activated hopping over an energy barrier, which characterizes the global stability of the attractors under finite perturbations.
Enzymes on material surfaces.

Enzyme interactions with material surfaces are of interest for industrial food and pharmaceutical transformations, biosensors, artificial cells, cell free reactions, drug and nutrition delivery technologies, and imaging. When in contact with a material surface, an enzyme may lose or appear to lose activity due to the nature of the enzyme, the nature of the material, and/or the nature of the interface between the enzyme, material, and substrate environment. The purpose of this review is to survey recent advances that have been made towards the preservation, optimization, and enhancement of enzyme activity on material surfaces within the context of well-known concepts that describe the loss of activity after immobilization. This review breaks down the immobilized enzyme system to look at the individual components of the system—namely the enzyme, the material, and the interface. For each piece, possible causes for the loss of enzyme activity are described as well as strategies that have been applied to limit the affect. At the conclusion we identify areas of future research needed to overcome limitations in the current state-of-the art for immobilized enzyme systems.
Anticancer drug sensitivity analysis: An integrated approach applied to Erlotinib sensitivity prediction in the CCLE database

ABSTRACT The cancer cell line encyclopedia (CCLE), a joint academic and industry collaboration, provides a vast resource for analyzing the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs across numerous cell lines. The predictive modeling of tumor sensitivity to targeted drugs has primarily focused on generating functions that map gene expressions and genetic mutation profiles to targeted drug sensitivity. The prediction accuracies of genomic signature based models are often limited as reported in initial analysis (Barretina et al.) of CCLE database. In this article, we illustrate that incorporating the target inhibition profile of the anticancer drugs and the functional behavior of related drugs will enable us to achieve much higher prediction accuracy.
Oncostatin M Stimulates Transcription of the Human α2(I) Collagen Gene via the Sp1/Sp3-binding Site

Abstract Oncostatin M (OSM), a member of the hematopoietic cytokine family, has been implicated in excessive bone growth and in the process of fibrosis. As part of an ongoing study of the molecular mechanisms of fibrosis, we have investigated the transcriptional regulation of the α2(I) collagen gene by OSM in human fibroblasts. An OSM response element was mapped by deletional analysis between base pairs (bp) −148 and −108 in the α2(I) collagen promoter. Further functional analysis of the α2(I) collagen promoter containing various substitution mutations revealed that both the basal activity and OSM stimulation of this promoter are mediated by a TCCTCC motif located between bp −128 and −123. Furthermore, three copies of the 12-bp synthetic α2(I) collagen promoter fragment containing the “TCC” motif conferred OSM inducibility to the otherwise unresponsive thymidine kinase promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that the TCCTCC motif constitutes a novel binding site for the transcription factors Sp1 and Sp3. No differences have been observed in in vitro gel shift binding assays between unstimulated and OSM-stimulated fibroblasts. However, subtle conformational changes were detected in the region of the promoter surrounding TCC repeats after OSM stimulation using in vivofootprint analysis. In conclusion, this study characterized a dual-function response element that mediates the basal activity and OSM stimulation of the human α2(I) collagen promoter.
Optical characterization of the internal electric field distribution under bias of CdZnTe radiation detectors

Polarized transmission optical profiles were used to characterize the CdZnTe (CZT) room-temperature radiation detectors. The internal electric field distributions of the CZT detectors under bias were probed by a 952 nm illumination between two crossed Glan-Taylor polarizers. A 16-bit digital charge coupled device (CCD) was employed as an image sensor. The 2-dimensional (2D) images reflecting the internal electrical field intensity changes were obtained utilizing the Pockels electro-optic effect. CZT detectors of crystal sizes of 5 by 5 by 5 mm were investigated under different bias voltages. Uniform and nonuniform internal electric field distributions throughout the detector volumes, under different light illumination conditions, were observed and analyzed. A theoretical model of the semiconductor energy band structure under the bias was established and used to understand the measurement results.
Interface characteristics of Ge3N4-(n-type) GaAs MIS devices

Abstract Passivation of GaAs surfaces was achieved by the deposition of Ge 3 N 4 dielectric films at low temperatures. Electrical characteristics of MIS devices were measured to determine the interface parameters. From C - V - f and G - V - f measurements, density of interface states has been obtained as (4–6)×10 11 cm −2 eV −1 at the semiconductor mid-gap. Some inversion charge buildup was seen in the C - V plot although the strong inversion regime is absent. Thermally stimulated current measurements indicate a trap density of 5×10 18 −10 19 cm −3 in the dielectric film, with their energy level at 0.59 eV.
Gas chromatographic determination of picloram in human urine.

Picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) is used to control broadleaf weeds and woody plants. It is used in forestry for site preparation and to help release pine seedlings from broadleaf competition. The use of any pesticide requires that we monitor not only its effectiveness but also the exposure of human beings to the compound. Methods for analyses of exposure and the fate of compounds differ for individual pesticides. Although methods have been developed for analysis of picloram from urine, none have been reported using boron trifluoride methylation with C18 cartridge cleanup and electron capture detection. Nolan et al. (1984) have reported that 88-94% of picloram that had been orally ingested by human volunteers was excreted unchanged in the urine within 72 hours. In the same paper they report an analytical method for picloram in urine using GC/MS with a limit of quantification of 10 ppb. Tonder and Daugherty (1981) have reported an analytical screening method for acidic toxic substances involving diazo-methane derivatization followed by florisil cleanup. The percent recovery for picloram was 60-63% at 40 ppb. Draper (1982) also used diazomethane derivatization with a recovery of 104 ~ 6% for 4 replications fortified at 100 ppb. Libich et al. (1984) analyzed for picloram with a Hall detector in the chlorine mode following base hydrolysis and methylation with boron trifluoride in methanol. The mean recovery was 80% with a range of 76% to 90%. In order to complete one of our research projects, we needed an analytical method for picloram in urine using election capture detection. We also wished to avoid the use of diazomethane due to the potential health hazards associated with it. Our method affords a limit of quantification of 10 ppb.
Renal toxicity in man treated with mitomycin C

Thirty-two patients with metastatic carcinomas were treated with mitomycin C. Three of them developed renal toxicity within 6 to 7 months of therapy. The toxic effect was mainly on the glomerular tuft and especially on the nuclei. Nephrotoxicity of mitomycin C has been noticed in rhesus monkeys, but has never been reported in man. Patients who are being treated with mitomycin C should be observed for a rising blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and albuminuria.
Temporal coding of sensory information in the brain

Physiological and psychophysical evidence for temporal coding of sensory qualities in different modalities is considered. A space of pulse codes is outlined that includes 1) channel-codes (across-neural activation patterns), 2) temporal pattern codes (spike patterns), and 3) spike latency codes (relative spike timings). Temporal codes are codes in which spike timings (rather than spike counts) are critical to informational function. Stimulus-dependent temporal patterning of neural responses can arise extrinsically or intrinsically: through stimulus-driven temporal correlations (phase-locking), response latencies, or characteristic timecourses of activation. Phase-locking is abundant in audition, mechanoception, electroception, proprioception, and vision. In phase-locked systems, temporal differences between sensory surfaces can subserve representations of location, motion, and spatial form that can be analyzed via temporal cross-correlation operations. To phase-locking limits, patterns of all-order interspike intervals that are produced reflect stimulus autocorrelation functions that can subserve representations of form. Stimulus-dependent intrinsic temporal response structure is found in all sensory systems. Characteristic temporal patterns that may encode stimulus qualities can be found in the chemical senses, the cutaneous senses, and some aspects of vision. In some modalities (audition, gustation, color vision, mechanoception, nocioception), particular temporal patterns of electrical stimulation elicit specific sensory qualities.
TEST EBIS Operation and Component Development for the RHIC EBIS

Most design goals of the BNL Test EBIS Project have been exceeded and we are confident that an EBIS meeting RHIC requirements can be built. Achieved parameters include 10 A electron beam current, ion charge state above Au32+, and greater than 55 nC total extracted ion charge. The Test EBIS utilizes the full electron beam power but has only half the trap length and operates at a reduced duty factor compared with an EBIS for RHIC, which would produce at least 85 nC total ion charge in 10–40 microsecond pulses, containing ~3 × 109 particles/pulse of Au32+ ions. Normalized rms emittance values for 1–3 mA extracted ion beams have been in the range of 0.08–0.1 pi mm mrad. Present development of the source is focused on establishing operational reliability and facilitating future upgrades in ion intensity and species, since the major emphasis is now on integrating the EBIS into a pre-injector facility, including an RFQ and linac. Recent progress towards this goal includes the following: (1) An IrCe electron gun cathode and modified anode have been installed in an electron gun chamber separable from the source ionization region by a gate valve. A very low loss 10 A, electron beam has been propagated with the new configuration, with 100 kW peak power dissipation at the electron collector. (2) A new electron collector power supply configuration has been tested which can lower the cost compared to our present setup, while improving the stability of the electron beam launch. This is an important first step towards placing the EBIS on a nominal 50 kV platform, necessary for efficient highly charged ion transport to the RFQ. (3) A hollow cathode ion source obtained from CEA Saclay, has been tested and is being installed. This will allow us to provide a variety of ion species to the RHIC and NASA Space Radiation Laboratory facilities, and is valuable at the present project stage for beamline development and emittance studies of heavy and light ion beams of highly charged ions from the EBIS. (4) An electron collector for RHIC has been designed which would allow operation exceeding 10 A electron beams at 100% duty factor. The RHIC collector design could allow upgrades to 300 kW electron beam power. (5) Controls for pulse to pulse switching and diagnostics for charge state and charge fraction verification have been developed.
Simulated motion of flux tubes

Abstract Magnet needles floating vertically in cupric sulphate solution serve as a model of flux tubes. A Lorentz force is exerted on the needles by passing a current through the solution. Pinning barriers, analogous to grain boundaries in thin films, are provided by crossmagnetized saw blades clamped 1 2 in above solution. An array of magnet needles, originally compressed on the left, is released and the resulting motion and velocity distribution are investigated. The model compares well with experiments using thin film superconductors.
The Metabolism of Gibberellin A20 to Gibberellin A1 by Tall and Dwarf Mutants of Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the metabolism of gibberellin A20 (GA20) to gibberellin A1 (GA1) by tall and mutant shoots of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. The data show that the tall and dx mutant of rice and the tall and ga5 mutant of Arabidopsis metabolize GA20 to GA1. The data also show that the dy mutant of rice and the ga4 mutant of Arabidopsis block the metabolism of GA20 to GA1. [17–13C,3H]GA20 was fed to tall and the dwarf mutants, dx and dy, of rice and tall and the dwarf mutants, ga5 and ga4, of Arabidopsis. The metabolites were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and full-scan gas chromatography-mass spectrometry together with Kovats retention index data. For rice, the metabolite [13C]GA, was identified from tall and dx seedlings; [13C]GA1 was not identified from the dy seedlings. [13C]GA29 was identified from tall, dx, and dy seedlings. For Arabidopsis, the metabolite [13C]GA1 was identified from tall, ga5, and ga4 plants. The amount of [13C]GA1 from ga4 plants was less than 15% of that obtained from tall and ga5 plants. [13C]GA29 was identified from tall, ga5, and ga4 plants. [13C]GA5 and [13C]GA3 were not identified from any of the six types of plant material.
The absorption of direct dyes by crosslinked cellulose. III. The steady state diffusivities

The influence of the degree of chemical crosslinking of cellulose film on the steady state diffusion of a direct dye is investigated. Crosslinking reduces the steady state diffusivity of the dye by almost twice the reduction in the absorption equilibrium. The steady state diffusivity was calculated from both the time-lag technique and from permeability measurements. The results are interpreted on basis of the pore model and the gel model for swollen cellulose. Der Einflus der chemischen Vernetzung von Cellulosefilmen auf die stationare Diffusion eines Direktfarbstoffes wird untersucht. Durch die Vernetzung wird die stationare Diffusion des Farbstoffs fast zweimal so stark verringert wie das Absorptionsgleichgewicht. Die stationaren Diffusionskonstanten wurden sowohl nach der Inkubationsmethode als auch aus Durchlassigkeitsmessungen berechnet. Die Ergebnisse werden auf Basis des Porenmodells sowie des Gelmodells fur gequollene Cellulose interpretiert.
Pulsed-Power Hydrodynamics: An Application of Pulsed-Power and High Magnetic Fields to the Exploration of Material Properties and Problems in Experimental Hydrodynamics

Pulsed-power hydrodynamics (PPH) is an evolving application of low-impedance pulsed-power technology. PPH is particularly useful for the study of problems in advanced hydrodynamics, instabilities, turbulence, and material properties. PPH techniques provide a precisely characterized controllable environment at the currently achievable extremes of pressure and material velocity. The Atlas facility, which is designed and built by Los Alamos National Laboratory, is the world's first, and only, laboratory pulsed-power system designed specifically for this relatively new family of pulsed-power applications. Atlas joins a family of low-impedance high-current drivers around the world, which is advancing the field of PPH. The high-precision cylindrical magnetically imploded liner is the tool most frequently used to convert electromagnetic energy into the hydrodynamic (particle kinetic) energy needed to drive strong shocks, quasi-isentropic compression, or large-volume adiabatic compression for the experiments. At typical parameters, a 30-g 1-mm-thick liner with an initial radius of 5 cm and a moderate current of 20 MA can be accelerated to 7.5 km/s, producing megabar shocks in medium density targets. Velocities of up to 20 km/s and pressures of > 20 Mbar in high-density targets are possible. The first Atlas liner implosion experiments were conducted in Los Alamos in September 2001. Sixteen experiments were conducted in the first year of operation before Atlas was disassembled, moved to the Nevada Test Site (NTS), and recommissioned in 2005. The experimental program resumed at the NTS in July 2005. The first Atlas experiments at the NTS included two implosion dynamics experiments, two experiments exploring damage and material failure, a new advanced hydrodynamics series aimed at studying the behavior of particles of damaged material ejected from a free surface into a gas, and a series exploring friction at sliding interfaces under conditions of high normal pressure and high relative velocities. Longer term applications of PPH and the Atlas system include the study of material interfaces subjected to multimegagauss magnetic fields, material strength at high strain rate, the properties of strongly coupled plasmas, and the equation of state of materials at pressures approaching 10 Mbar.
Fever, Headache, and Abdominal Pain in an African Male

1. What is (are) this patient’s most striking laboratory result(s)? 2. How do you explain this patient’s most striking laboratory result(s)? 3. Which additional laboratory test(s) is (are) paramount to the accurate diagnosis of this patient’s condition? 4. What is this patient’s most likely diagnosis? 5. What is the etiology of this patient’s disease? 6. What is the pathogenesis of this patient’s disease? 7. What are the principal complications found in this patient’s condition?
Testosterone Decreases 3β‐Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase‐Isomerase Messenger Ribonucleic Acid in Cultured Mouse Leydig Cells by a Strain‐Specific Mechanism

We previously reported a strain-related difference in basal 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-isomerase (3betaHSD) activity in response to testosterone in cultured Leydig cells. The data suggested that the response to testosterone was androgen receptor mediated and that testosterone was acting via a trans-acting factor distal to the androgen receptor to regulate Leydig cell basal 3betaHSD activity. This study was designed to determine whether the previous reported strain-related difference in basal 3betaHSD activity in response to testosterone was due to a difference at the 3betaHSD protein and/or at the mRNA level. In C57BL/6J Leydig cells, 2.0 microM testosterone significantly decreased basal 3betaHSD immunoreactive mass by day 6 in culture. Treatment with 2.0 microM testosterone and 2.0 microM hydroxyflutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist, negated the inhibitory effect of testosterone on C57BL/6J 3betaHSD immunoreactive mass. Treatment with 2.0 microM testosterone also significantly decreased 3betaHSD mRNA content in C57BL/6J Leydig cells, which was detectable on day 3 in culture. In contrast to Leydig cells from C57BL/6J mice, Leydig cells from C3H/HeJ mice were not susceptible to the inhibitory effect of testosterone on 3betaHSD. Treatment with 2.0 microM testosterone had no detectable effect on C3H/HeJ 3betaHSD immunoreactive mass or mRNA content at any time point in culture. These data indicate that the testosterone-induced loss of basal 3betaHSD activity in C57BL/6J Leydig cells can be accounted for by the loss of 3betaHSD immunoreactive mass, which is preceded by the loss of 3betaHSD mRNA, and that the strain-related difference in the regulation of 3betaHSD is present at all three levels. Thus, the putative trans-acting factor involved in the mechanism whereby testosterone decreases basal 3betaHSD is likely to regulate the amount of 3betaHSD mRNA.
Implementation of an On-Line Archive for Retrieval of Laboratory Results for Outpatients

An on-line archive of laboratory results designed specifically for ambulatory care areas is described. It is a direct result of paper-flow problems in clinics, which were manifested by numerous phone calls to the laboratory for test results performed up to 10 months ago, and requiring as much as 30 minutes each for retrieval. The archive is incorporated into the result inquiry program of our laboratory computer and is transparent to the user. Utilization of this system by our personnel saves up to 12 hours of work each day. By capturing in a separate file the patient location of each call for outpatient results we are able to identify the clinics that use the telephone for retrieval of test results.
A step increase in streamflow in the conterminous United States

[1] Annual minimum, median, and maximum daily streamflow for 400 sites in the conterminous United States (U.S.), measured during 1941–1999, were examined to identify the temporal and spatial character of changes in streamflow statistics. Results indicate a noticeable increase in annual minimum and median daily streamflow around 1970, and a less significant mixed pattern of increases and decreases in annual maximum daily streamflow. These changes in annual streamflow statistics primarily occurred in the eastern U.S. In addition, the streamflow increases appear as a step change rather than as a gradual trend and coincide with an increase in precipitation.