cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis transposon sequencing database (MtbTnDB): a large-scale guide to genetic conditional essentiality [preprint]

Abstract Characterization of gene essentiality across different conditions is a useful approach for predicting gene function. Transposon sequencing (TnSeq) is a powerful means of generating genome-wide profiles of essentiality and has been used extensively in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) genetic research. Over the past two decades, dozens of TnSeq screens have been published, yielding valuable insights into the biology of Mtb in vitro, inside macrophages, and in model host organisms. However, these Mtb TnSeq profiles are distributed across dozens of research papers within supplementary materials, which makes querying them cumbersome and assembling a complete and consistent synthesis of existing data challenging. Here, we address this problem by building a central repository of publicly available TnSeq screens performed in M. tuberculosis, which we call the Mtb transposon sequencing database (MtbTnDB). The MtbTnDB encompasses 64 published and unpublished TnSeq screens, and is standardized, open-access, and allows users easy access to data, visualizations, and functional predictions through an interactive web-app (www.mtbtndb.app). We also present evidence that (i) genes in the same genomic neighborhood tend to have similar TnSeq profiles, and (ii) clusters of genes with similar TnSeq profiles tend to be enriched for genes belonging to the same functional categories. Finally, we test and evaluate machine learning models trained on TnSeq profiles to guide functional annotation of orphan genes in Mtb. In addition to facilitating the exploration of conditional genetic essentiality in this important human pathogen via a centralized TnSeq data repository, the MtbTnDB will enable hypothesis generation and the extraction of meaningful patterns by facilitating the comparison of datasets across conditions. This will provide a basis for insights into the functional organization of Mtb genes as well as gene function prediction.
Exploring nature of criticality in high school science teaching: sociopolitical consciousness in multicultural science education

In this forum, we discuss the need for multicultural education that is supported by culturally relevant pedagogy to fashion science teaching that intimately connects science content to students’ sociocultural and linguistic experiences. In Nepal, teacher education programs and teachers’ pedagogical practices view students' multiple cultural and linguistic backgrounds as afterthoughts rather than an integral part of being an effective science teacher. This kind of lack of recognition of multicultural education and cultural relevancy in science teaching fails to excite students to learn science and find its use in social change and personal transformation. We also extend the findings from a single teacher case study into the larger issues of theoretical alignments when exploring science teachers and teaching in the Global South. Additionally, we believe multicultural science education and culturally relevant pedagogy needs to go hand-in-hand if the goal of science teaching and learning is for equity, social change, and sociopolitical consciousness. Finally, we argue that multicultural and culturally relevant science education is influential theories to understand Nepali science teachers, students, and their successes and struggles.
Endoscopic Surgical Excision of Ectopic Tooth in Left Nasal Cavity

Ectopic teeth in the nasal cavity are a rare phenomenon. They are often associated with a variety of symptoms and future complications, ranging from nasal crusting and obstruction to chronic infections. In most reported cases, their removal is recommended. Here, we report a case of an ectopic intranasal tooth in a symptomatic adult. The tooth was removed endoscopically with good results.
Seawater Desalination Unit Design for Rural Areas Powered by Hybrid Solar Power and Battery Storage

The use of solar photovoltaic (PV) and Battery storage Systems (BSS) for seawater desalination is important to get fresh water for those who live far away from the electrical grid. Besides, this hybrid combination is important in the cases of disasters, and it will help communities to get their daily need of freshwater. This work provides the simulation and modeling for Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalination unit powered by a hybrid form of energy from solar and BSS with a capacity of 2 m3 per day. The simulation began with the evaluation of the specific energy consumption for desalination. The required power for desalination is taken directly from solar panels and BSS with an electrical grid connection as a backup. Also, this work evaluates the best number of PV panels and batteries that will give the lowest possible cost of energy.
Vibration of the fully stressed standing column supporting a load

The fully stressed column with self-weight and supporting a top load is found. The equilibrium solution is unique, and the cross-sectional area tapers exponentially toward the top. Such an optimum column will be important in column design. The vibration frequency is obtained by first transforming the governing equation and then using an efficient initial-value numerical method. The problem depends on two non-dimensional parameters: One represents the column density, and one represents the product of rigidity and top load. Tables for the free top case and the sliding top case are presented.
Correction to: Dialogic meta-ethnography: troubling methodology in ethnographically informed qualitative inquiry

In the original publication, the author name Sophia Jeong was incorrectly published. This has been corrected with this correction.
Pre-Existing Oxidative Stress Creates a Docking-Ready Conformation of the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Domain

The redox-dependent changes on the binding between the receptor-binding domain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 spike protein and the peptidase domain of the human cell surfac...
Transient Analysis of the Metadyne Generator [includes discussion]

The phenomenon of self-excitation, often met in commutator machines, will be investigated for the metadyne case. Methods of stabilization that are incorporated as built-in features also will be discussed. For the purpose of checking the analysis, an experimental verification is carried out for several metadyne configurations. Actual steady-state and transient characteristics are given and compared with calculated analytical results. The extent of the validity of the assumptions basic to the analysis is evaluated in the light of these experimental results. The analysis will disclose characteristics of the metadyne which differ greatly from the conventional types of d-c machines, and which therefore can be useful for many applications. Attention will be focused on the inherent high response rate of many metadyne configurations.
Modeling the approximate number system to quantify the contribution of visual stimulus features.

The approximate number system (ANS) subserves estimation of the number of items in a set. Typically, ANS function is assessed by requiring participants to compare the number of dots in two arrays. Accuracy is determined by the numerical ratio of the sets being compared, and each participant’s Weber fraction (w) provides a quantitative index of ANS acuity. When making numerical comparisons, however, performance is also influenced by non-numerical features of the stimuli, such as the size and spacing of dots. Current models of numerosity comparison do not account for these effects and consequently lead to different estimates of w depending on the methods used to control for non-numerical features. Here we proffer a new model that teases apart the effects of ANS acuity from the effects of non-numerical stimulus features. The result is an estimate of w that is a more theoretically valid representation of numerical acuity and novel terms that denote the degree to which a participant’s perception of number is affected by non-numerical features. We tested this model in a sample of 20 adults and found that, by correctly attributing errors due to non-numerical stimulus features, the w obtained was more reliable across different stimulus conditions. We found that although non-numerical features biased numerosity discriminations in all participants, number was the primary feature driving discriminations in most of them. Our findings support the idea that, while numerosity is a distinct visual quantity, the internal representation of number is tightly bound to the representation of other magnitudes. This tool for identifying the different effects of the numerical and non-numerical features of a stimulus has important implications not only for the behavioral investigation of the ANS, but also for the collection and analyses of neural data sets associated with ANS function.
Trends in ICT for relief and development: From mobile data collection to data driven decision making

At CRS we employ information and communications technology for development (ICT4D) across the gamut of our programming—from our signature activities in emergency response, agriculture and health to our complementary efforts in education, microfinance, peacebuilding, and water and sanitation. We also work closely with technology partners to influence the evolution of ICT4D to ensure it meets the needs of developing communities. Over the past five years, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has used information and communication technology for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in projects across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. The use of technology for M&E makes CRS more accountable to donors and program participants, and improves the way learning is shared within the agency and with other relief and development organizations. With increasing amounts of data being collected on mobile devices and geographic information system (GIS) tools becoming easier to use, there is great opportunity to apply mapping and spatial analysis to improve program delivery.
Mapping water content in the upper mantle

Variations in water (hydrogen) content in Earth's (upper) mantle can be inferred from geophysical observations if the relationship between water content and relevant physical properties is known and if high-resolution geophysical measurements are available. This paper reviews the current status of mineral physics understanding of the effects of water on elastic and non-elastic deformation of minerals such as olivine and its influence on seismologically measurable properties. Important effects of water on seismic wave propagation are through indirect effects due to hydrogen-related defects in nominally anhydrous minerals as opposed to the direct effects caused by the formation of hydrous minerals. Two cases of indirect effects are reviewed: (i) effects through the enhancement of anelasticity and (ii) effects through the modifications of lattice preferred orientation. The former causes enhanced attenuation (low Q) and low velocities by the increase of water content and the latter modifies the nature of seismic anisotropy. Experimental data are reviewed to formulate ways to infer water content from seismological data and analytical equations are derived that relate velocity and attenuation anomalies to anomalies in temperature and/or water content. The results are applied to infer the distribution of water in Earth's upper mantle using seismological observations. In subduction zones, the regions of high water content in the shallow upper mantle (200 km) are inferred to be localized to the mantle beneath current or recent volcanoes although wider distribution is hinted in the deeper portions (200 km). In the upper mantle beneath hot spot volcanoes such as Hawaii and Iceland, both seismic wave attenuation and anisotropy measurements suggest the presence of a column of material with a high water content, indicating that Hawaii and Iceland are not only hot spots but also wet spots.
Has Foreign Bank Entry Led to Sounder Banks in Latin America

Policymakers continue to debate the merits of opening emerging market financial sectors to foreign ownership. A comparison of the 1995-2000 performance of foreign and domestic banks in select Latin American countries reveals that while foreign banks differed little from their domestic counterparts in overall financial condition, they showed more robust loan growth, a more aggressive response to asset quality deterioration, and a greater ability to absorb losses - characteristics that could help to strengthen the financial systems of their host countries.
Behavioral evaluation of the neurotoxicity produced by dichloroacetic acid in rats.

Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) is commonly found in drinking water as a by-product of chlorination disinfection. It is a known neurotoxicant in rats, dogs, and humans. We have characterized DCA neurotoxicity in rats using a neurobehavioral screening battery under varying exposure durations (acute, subchronic, and chronic) and routes of administration (oral gavage and drinking water). Studies were conducted in both weanling and adult rats, and comparisons were made between Long-Evans and Fischer-344 rats. DCA produced neuromuscular toxicity comprised of limb weakness and deficits in gait and righting reflex; altered gait and decreased hindlimb grip strength were the earliest indicators of toxicity. Other effects included mild tremors, ocular abnormalities, and a unique chest-clasping response (seen in Fischer-344 rats only). Neurotoxicity was permanent (i.e., through 2 years) following a 6-month exposure to high dose levels, whereas the effects of intermediate dose levels with exposures of 3 months or less were slowly reversible. The severity, specificity, and recovery of neurological changes were route, duration, and strain dependent. Fischer-344 rats were more sensitive than Long-Evans rats, and weanling rats may be somewhat more sensitive than adults. Oral gavage produced significantly less toxicity compared to the same intake level received in drinking water. Neurotoxicity was progressive with continued exposure, and was observed at exposure levels as low as 16 mg/kg/day (lowest dose level tested) when administered via drinking water in subchronic studies. The data from these studies characterize the neurotoxicity produced by DCA, and show it to be more pronounced, persistent, and occurring at lower exposures than has been previously reported. Further research should take into account these marked route, age, and strain differences.
The role of the Species Survival Plan in Maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus conservation

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Maned Wolf Species Survival Plan (MWSSP) was established almost 25 years ago. The goals of the MWSSP are to (1) maintain a viable self-sustaining captive population in North America, (2) enhance health and well-being of individuals living in North American zoos and (3) promote conservation of this species through education and field-conservation initiatives. Since its inception, the MWSSP and member institutions have supported studies on nutrition, medical management, behaviour and reproductive biology, and published a husbandry manual, which serves as a guide for captive management of Maned wolves Chrysocyon brachyurus in North and South American zoos. Furthermore, the MWSSP has provided funding for field studies aimed at identifying potential threats to wild populations in range countries, including Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina, as well as for the first Population and Habitat Viability Assessment Workshop for this species. Finally, the MWSSP has played an active role in promoting education and outreach efforts in both the United States and range countries. In this paper, we review and discuss the roles of the MWSSP in ex situ and in situ conservation of the Near Threatened Maned wolf.
Advanced Crystalline Laser Materials

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has recently undertaken an effort to develop new solid state lasers capable of operating at considerably higher performance levels (efficiency, average power, wavelength diversity, etc.) than attainable with current technologies. To guide this effort, we have performed analyses to establish the fundamental limits on the performance levels of solid state lasers in terms of known laser physics and design principles (gain, gain saturation, amplified spontaneous emission, parasitics, nonlinear self-focusing, etc.) and the physical properties of crystalline and amorphous materials.1,2 a technical summary of these results, and the salient conclusions drawn from them, was presented by John Emmett at this conference.
Photoacoustic ultrasound: experimental results

Recent theoretical calculations by our group (2134-14) indicate that regional optical absorption of radiation within highly scattering media, such as biologic tissue, can be localized by detecting photo-acoustic waves that are produced during regional, optical absorption. This paper reports our initial experimental verification that measurable ultrasonic waves are produced when differential optical absorption takes place within turbid media simulating biologic tissue. For these experiments, an aquarium filled with a 0.5% intralipid solution was used to simulate the scattering properties of biologic tissue. Regional, optical absorption was produced by suspending black, latex spheres (3 - 10 mm diameter) within the intralipid bath. A broadband, xenon flash lamp (1 microsecond(s) ec rise time) was used for one set of experiments and a Nd:YAG laser ((lambda) equals 1064 nm, pulse width < 10 ns) was used for another set. A variety of focused, ultrasound transducers (0.5 - 2.5 MHz) were used successfully to detect and localize photo-acoustic waves. Lateral scanning of the transducers was used to localize the position of the absorption cells with a spatial resolution approximately 1 mm.
Zenneck Memorial Lecture

We are assembled here this evening to commemorate one of the pioneers in radio science, Prof. Jonathan Adolf Wilhelm Zenneck. The occasion and the location of this meeting could not have been chosen more appropriately. This is the first General Assembly of URSI to be held in Zenneck's native country, Germany. Zenneck was a great advocate of URSI. Before World War II, he was chairman of the German National Committee and vice president of URSI, two posts which are now held by one of his former students, Professor Dieminger. After the War, Zenneck was elected honorary president of the German National Committee.
High levels of CC-chemokine expression and downregulated levels of CCR5 during HIV-1/HTLV-1 and HIV-1/HTLV-2 coinfections.

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and HTLV-2 are common copathogens among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected individuals. HTLV-2 may confer a survival benefit among patients with HIV-1/HTLV-2 coinfections, along with lower plasma HIV-1 levels and delayed rates of CD4(+) T-cell decline. These effects have been attributed to the ability of the HTLV-2 viral transactivating Tax2 protein to induce the production of high levels of antiviral CC-chemokines and to downregulate expression of the CCR5 receptor, resulting in impaired entry of HIV-1 into CD4(+) T-cells. This study investigated the innate immunity of coinfected HIV/HTLV individuals by testing the ability of patient PBMCs to produce CC-chemokines in association CCR5 receptor modulation. The cellular proliferative responses of HIV/HTLV coinfected versus HIV monoinfected individuals were also evaluated. Higher levels of MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and RANTES (P < 0.05) were found in HIV-1/HTLV-2 coinfected group compared to HIV-1 monoinfected population. Upregulated levels of RANTES were shown in HIV-1/HTLV-1 after 1 and 3 days of culture (P < 0.05). Lymphocytes from HIV-1/HTLV-2 coinfected individuals showed significant CCR5 downregulation after 1 and 3 days of culture compared to lymphocytes from HIV-1 and uninfected groups (P < 0.05). Lower percentages of CCR5-positive cells were found in HIV-1/HTLV-1 coinfected after 3 days of incubation (P < 0.05). Levels of proliferation were significantly higher in the HIV-1/HTLV-1 group compared to HIV-1 alone (P < 0.05). HTLV-2 and HTLV-1 infections may induce the involvement of innate immunity against HIV-1 via stimulation of CC-chemokines and receptors, potentially modifying CCR5/HIV-1 binding and HIV-1 progression in coinfected individuals.
Comment on “Acquiring DNA sequence data from dried archival red algae (Florideophyceae) for the purpose of applying available names to contemporary genetic species: a critical assessment”1 1Appears in Botany 90(3): 191–203. doi:10.1139/b11-079.

Saunders and McDevit recently reported their efforts to extract and amplify DNA by PCR in successively older red algal (Rhodophyta) herbarium specimens. They found that recent collections (4-11 years old) readily amplified but that archival material (decades to a century old) yielded contamination problems, diminished success correlated with age, or failed to amplify. As a solution, they proposed that epitypes be designated based on contemporary sequenced specimens. In response, we extracted and amplified in independent laboratories three loci (COI, ITS2, and rbcL) from the same 1836 Sparlingia pertusa specimen that Saunders and McDevit were unable to amplify. The use of Q-solution enhanced amplification success and likely is partly responsible for our achievements with archival specimens. These findings, along with data from the last 13 years in which we have sequenced over 100 historical and type specimens, indicate that with proper controls, amplifying DNA from red algal herbarium specimens of any age ...
GEOMETRIC CONTROL OF SELECTIVITY IN ALKALI METAL ION COMPLEXATION BY ACYCLIC N4-TRIPODAL LIGANDS

Abstract A simple mass spectrometry experiment established that two acyclic N4-tripodal ligands lithium ion with surprisingly high selectivity in a methanol/water solution of five alkali metal perchlorate salts. The selectivity was confirmed by a 1H NMR experiment.
Survival Outcomes of Metaplastic Breast Cancer Patients: Results from a US Population-based Analysis

Background Metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) is a rare histologic subtype needing further characterization. The aim of our study was to compare MBC to infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast and to identify demographic, clinicopathologic, treatment, and survival differences. Methods MBC and IDC patients were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) public-use data set. Disease-specific survival (DSS) differences were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess factors prognostic for DSS. To control for hormone receptor status, a subsequent planned analysis was completed for receptor-negative MBC and IDC. Lastly, a matched case-control analysis was conducted to minimize potential bias due to baseline demographic, clinical, and pathologic differences. Results The SEER data set included 1,011 MBC and 253,818 IDC patients diagnosed from 2001 to 2010. MBC patients had larger, higher grade tumors, had less frequent axillary nodal involvement, and were more likely to be treated with mastectomy. Five-year DSS rates were significantly worse for patients with MBC than for IDC patients (78 vs. 93 %, p Conclusions MBC patients have shorter DSS than IDC patients. Improved clinical and biological understanding of MBC may result in more effective therapy and better cancer outcomes.
Interpretation of reprogramming to predict the success of somatic cell cloning

In the context of mammalian somatic cell cloning, the term reprogramming refers to the processes that enable a somatic cell nucleus to adopt the role of a zygotic nucleus. Gene re-expression is one measure of reprogramming if correlated with subsequent developmental potential. This paper describes several experiments utilizing pre-implantation gene expression to evaluate reprogramming and clone viability. We have established a direct correlation between Oct4 expression in mouse clones at the blastocyst stage and their potential to maintain pluripotent embryonic cells essential for post-implantation development. Furthermore, the quality of gene expression in clones dramatically improves when genetically identical clones are combined in clone-clone aggregate chimeras. Clone--clone aggregates exhibit a higher developmental potential than single clones both in vitro and in vivo. This could be mediated by complementation between blastomeres from epigenetically different clones within the aggregate rather than by the increase in cell number resulting from aggregation. We also discuss the use of tetraploid embryos as a model to evaluate reprogramming using gene expression and demonstrate that somatic cell nuclei can be reprogrammed by blastomeres to re-express embryonic specific genes but not to contribute to post-implantation development.
Managing moods and parenting: Perspectives of former system youth who struggle with emotional challenges

Abstract Young adults who were served in public systems of care as children are much more likely than their peers to be parenting in adolescence and young adulthood. They are also more likely than their counterparts to have a history of mental health problems. This study examined the perspectives of young adult parents with mood problems who had been involved in public systems of care before age 18. Qualitative interviews with twenty-eight participants were analyzed to examine the experience of managing moods and parenting. Young parents described how their symptoms impact their parenting and how parenting impacts their coping. They also described the strengths and challenges of using mental health services while parenting. Findings highlight the need to provide interventions that include supports for both parenting and symptom management and for providers to include both tangible and emotional support in their interventions.
Cell kinetic analysis of intact rat colonic crypts by confocal microscopy and immunofluorescence

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Precise quantitative and spatial analysis of cell cycle-related biomarkers in colonic crypts is often vital for studies of colon carcinogenesis and cancer prevention. To overcome the limitations of histology, confocal laser microscopy of microdissected whole crypts was used to quantitate S phase and mitotic cells. METHODS: Microdissected distal colonic crypts were studied in a modified rat starvation refeeding model. S phase cells were labeled in vivo with 5- bromodeoxyuridine. Mitotic cells were labeled with MPM2 (antibody to mitosis-specific epitope) and also assessed for chromatin morphology with propidium iodide. Sequential optical crypt sections, produced by confocal microscopy, were digitally imaged. S phase labeling indices per whole crypt were also compared with those derived by conventional immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: S phase and mitotic cells were clearly discriminated without background staining. The labeled S phase cell number and fraction per whole crypt were significantly decreased with starvation and increased with refeeding. Variability in the labeling index between whole crypts analyzed by confocal microscopy was significantly smaller than between histological crypt sections. Consequently, the intervention contributed to 92.2% of the total variability of the labeling index in whole crypts but only to 59% of the variability in histological sections. CONCLUSIONS: Major limitations of histology are overcome by crypt microdissection and confocal microscopic analysis. The total crypt cell population as well as labeled M phase and S phase cells can be imaged, localized, and quantitated with improved precision. (Gastroenterology 1996 Dec;111(6):1493-500)
Colocalization of Protein Kinase A with Adenylyl Cyclase Enhances Protein Kinase A Activity during Induction of Long-Lasting Long-Term-Potentiation

The ability of neurons to differentially respond to specific temporal and spatial input patterns underlies information storage in neural circuits. One means of achieving spatial specificity is to restrict signaling molecules to particular subcellular compartments using anchoring molecules such as A-Kinase Anchoring Proteins (AKAPs). Disruption of protein kinase A (PKA) anchoring to AKAPs impairs a PKA-dependent form of long term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. To investigate the role of localized PKA signaling in LTP, we developed a stochastic reaction-diffusion model of the signaling pathways leading to PKA activation in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Simulations investigated whether the role of anchoring is to locate kinases near molecules that activate them, or near their target molecules. The results show that anchoring PKA with adenylyl cyclase (which produces cAMP that activates PKA) produces significantly greater PKA activity, and phosphorylation of both inhibitor-1 and AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit on S845, than when PKA is anchored apart from adenylyl cyclase. The spatial microdomain of cAMP was smaller than that of PKA suggesting that anchoring PKA near its source of cAMP is critical because inactivation by phosphodiesterase limits diffusion of cAMP. The prediction that the role of anchoring is to colocalize PKA near adenylyl cyclase was confirmed by experimentally rescuing the deficit in LTP produced by disruption of PKA anchoring using phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Additional experiments confirm the model prediction that disruption of anchoring impairs S845 phosphorylation produced by forskolin-induced synaptic potentiation. Collectively, these results show that locating PKA near adenylyl cyclase is a critical function of anchoring.
Fingering of the solid-liquid 4 He interface in two-dimensions

A novel Hele-Shaw experiment is described in which the two “fluids” are superfluid and solid4He. A thin cell in which solid and liquid4He initial occupy the lower and upper halves, respectively, is inverted. The growth of solid4He by simultaneous melting and freezing of different parts of the interface is monitored. Qualitative results on the shape of the interface and the growth rate are presented.
Determining a Dosimetric Correlate for Acute Esophagitis in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

Purpose/Objective(s): Acute radiation esophagitis is a common complication in the treatment of lung malignancies which can lead to treatment interruption and undesirable morbidity. We report our experience treating locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancers using chemoradiotherapy via IMRT and the associated acute treatment-related toxicities, and we determined potential dosimetric parameters predictive for acute esophagitis.
Abnormal event-related potentials in young and middle-aged adults with the ApoE ε4 allele

The largest genetic susceptibility factor for Alzheimer's disease is the Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) e4 allele. Cognitive decline and olfactory impairment are greater in those positive for the e4 allele. This study sought to determine if the olfactory event-related potential (OERP), compared to the visual ERP, would be sensitive to these subtle declines. Participants included 40 individuals from two age groups, half of each group were e4 allele positive and half were e4 negative. Visual ERPs did not demonstrate significant differences between ApoE groups. OERPs demonstrated robust age by ApoE interactions. P3 latencies were significantly longer in e4 young and middle age participants. These findings suggest that very early olfactory and cognitive changes related to ApoE status are detectible via the OERP.
Immune response to sheep erythrocytes with cytoxan and hybaroxia

Abstract Concurrent administration of 97% oxygen at 3.4 atmospheres absolute pressure for 30 minute periods twice daily, five days per week, was without significant effect in potentiating immunosuppression to sheep erythrocytes by single doses of 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg body weight of cytoxan. Possible HPO potentiating effects with other antigen-immunosuppressive systems are not excluded, and such studies are presently in progress.
TWO-YEAR CLINICAL EVALUATION OF AN AMALGAM ADHESIVE

This study compared the clinical effectiveness of an amalgam adhesive as the principal mode of retention for large, complex amalgam restorations with traditional pin-retained amalgams. Restorations were evaluated for retention and reinforcement, postoperative sensitivity, marginal adaptation and recurrent decay. At the end of two years, all restorations were completely retained and rated Alfa for each of the parameters evaluated. An amalgam adhesive proved clinically effective as a suitable alternative to pin retention.
The Combustion Analysis of Coal under Deflagration

The products of coal under fast pyrolysis experiments were carried to study the mechanism of coal products under the fast heat effects of deflagration. Several coal were studied here, such as young lignite, old lignite, long flame coal, coke and young anthracite. The experiments temperature is between 588~1313K, experiments heating velocity is 5000K/s, and with normal pressure, experiments time are 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s. Through fast pyrolysis experiments, products separated out from coal was got. There are CH4, CO, CO2, C2H4, C2H6, C4, C5, C3H6, C3H8. This mixed gas is flammable. The results could be used to study the combustion efficiency and mechanism of this special combustion course of different rank coal. This work is useful for study the coal using in the field of energy using and combustion. It may provide one new method to protect our environment tomorrow.
Model Reduction of Computational Aerothermodynamics for Hypersonic Aerothermoelasticity

A primary challenge for aerothermoelastic analysis in hypersonic flow is accurate and efficient computation of unsteady aerothermodynamic loads. This study examines two model reduction strategies with the goal to enable the use of computational fluid dynamics within a long time-record, dynamic, aerothermoelastic analysis. One approach seeks to exploit the quasi-steady nature of the flow by using steady-state computational fluid dynamics to capture primary flow features, and simple analytical approximations to account for unsteady effects. The second approach seeks to minimize the computational cost of steady-state computational fluid dynamics flow analysis using either kriging or proper orthogonal decomposition-based modeling techniques. These model reduction strategies are assessed, both individually and combined, in the context of a three-dimensional hypersonic control surface. Results computed over a wide range of operating conditions and reduced frequencies indicate that when combined, the considered approaches yield an aerothermodynamic model that is tractable within a dynamic aerothermoelastic analysis, and generally has less than 5% maximum error relative to computational fluid dynamics.
Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Events Over 15 Years among Older Adults with Depressive Symptoms

Objectives: To determine whether depression status is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) events, defined as CHD death or nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (MI). Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: An urban primary care practice. Participants: Two thousand seven hundred twenty-eight adults (71.4% women, 65.5% black), age 60 years and older, who were screened for depression between 1991 and 1993. Measurements: Depressive symptom severity at baseline was assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Data regarding baseline demographic and clinical variables, as well as laboratory evidence of acute MI, were obtained from an electronic medical record system. All-cause mortality and CHD death were determined from the National Death Index through 2006. Results: A total of 423 (15.5%) participants reported elevated symptoms of depression (CES-D score ≥16). During the 13 to 16 years of follow-up, 1,646 (60.3%) individuals died from any cause, and 727 (26.6%) died from CHD or suffered an acute MI. Cox proportional hazards models revealed that individuals with elevated depressive symptoms were more likely to experience a CHD event, even after adjustment for demographics and comorbid health conditions (relative risk = 1.46, 95% confidence interval: 1.20–1.77). Depression status was also a significant predictor of all-cause mortality in adjusted models. Conclusions: We report the longest prospective study to date to examine depression status as an independent risk factor for CHD among a cohort of older adults including large numbers of women and underrepresented minorities. The present findings underscore the need to consider depression as a common and modifiable risk factor for CHD events among older adults.
Monte Carlo study of the pairing interaction in the two-leg Hubbard ladder

Monte Carlo calculations of the irreducible particle-particle interaction on a two-leg Hubbard ladder doped near half-filling are reported. As the temperature is lowered, this interaction develops structure in momentum space similar to the magnetic susceptibility chi(q) and reflects the development of strong short-range antiferromagnetic correlations. Using this interaction, the eigenfunction of the leading singlet pair eigenvalue is found to have d(x2-y2)-like symmetry. The single-particle spectral weight is also shown to peak near (pi,0) and (0,pi) when the ratio of the inter- to intra-chain hopping t(perpendicular to)/t approximate to 1.5, leading to an increased tendency for pairing. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.
A forty-two year voyage through vision research.

ABSTRACT This presentation is an overview of my involvement in vision research and the factors and individuals that influenced my career in this field over the last 42 years. It also summarizes my research interests and contributions in the areas of aqueous humor dynamics, transport of various substances across blood-aqueous barrier and in the lens. The metabolism and function of glutathione in the lens and the development of tissue culture of human lens epithelium as a model system to study its role in lens and cataract formation are reviewed.
Cardiac biology: Cell plasticity helps hearts to repair

Fibroblast cells are known as key players in the repair of damaged heart structures. New findings show that injury also induces fibroblasts to become endothelial cells, helping to mend damaged blood vessels. See Article p.585 Cardiac fibroblasts are thought to be terminally differentiated cells. Arjun Deb and colleagues now show that cardiac injury prompts these fibroblasts to undergo mesenchymal–endothelial transition (MEndoT) and acquire endothelial-cell-like fate, a process mediated, in part, via a p53-dependent mechanism. They find that decreasing MEndoT by p53 deletion leads to reduced vascular density after ischaemic injury and worsened heart function. Conversely, use of a small-molecule activator of p53 increases MEndoT, leading to better preservation of heart function and reduced scarring.
Estimating the motion and mechanics of a planetary atmosphere

Abstract The daily displacements of cyclones and anticyclones over the Northern Hemisphere were used to estimate the latitudinal profile of the average West-East wind and the meridional flux of relative angular momentum in the terrestrial atmosphere. The best estimates of the directly measured winds and momentum transport were obtained when only the small systems, especially the cyclones, were used as tracers. The implications of these results to the study of extra-terrestrial atmospheres is discussed.
Response time measurements using Walsh functions

The sal- and cal-functions of the well-known Walsh functions are used to construct a simple and minimal Walsh function generator. Codes at random sequence or a sequence of codes at random time are generated. A generated code automatically enables a particular stimulus (which may be visual or audible) or any appropriate objective external stimulus (depending upon the response time and the reflex action) to be measured. The time accuracy is determined by the particular application and upon the particular response. This particular measuring system is designed for measurements of response time of the man-machine interaction but measurements can be extended with minor modifications to response time of interest to medical, biological, physiological, and psychological fields.
A comparative study of the thermal stability of the vertebrate eye lens: Antarctic ice fish to the desert iguana.

Abstract We analyzed the thermal stability characteristics of the lenses of 12 vertebrate species in four vertebrate classes. In the selection of animals for comparisons, we controlled for the variable of phylogenetic relatedness by choosing closely-related species that naturally live under very different environmental temperatures, as well as distantly-related species that live under similar environmental temperature regimes. Further, we obtained animals over the range of temperatures in which vertebrates occur, −2°C to 47°C. Experiments in which whole lens transparency was measured under conditions of heat stress showed that animals naturally occurring in high temperature environments have lenses whose transparency is significantly more resistant heating. Studies of behavior of the crystallins during heat stress of the whole lens showed that: (1) a direct correlation exists between the resistance of the lens to thermal insult and both the preferred and maximum body temperature of the animal, (2) some crystallins are more resistant to thermal stress than others, and (3) the taxon-specific crystallins (δ-, τ- and π-crystallins) were more labile than α-, β- and γ-crystallins.
Applications of excimer lasers in microelectronics

Among the newly developed techniques for thin film processing and semiconductor device fabrication, the excimer laser is one of the most promising and powerful due to its usefulness for rapid thermal processing and surface microstructure modification. To date, its applications in microelectronics include deep UV lithography, metal deposition and reflow, process monitoring and diagnostics, laser repairing, and thin film processing including high temperature superconductor material synthesis and laser enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In this paper, the status of semiconductor device metallization using excimers laser will be reviewed, and recent development in texturization of polycrystalline silicon thin films, silicide formation, and maskless patterning using excimer lasers will be presented.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A plasma immersion ion implantation reactor for ULSI fabrication

Abstract A plasma immersion ion implanation (PIII) reactor compatible with integrated-circuit fabrication has been developed. Using this system, metallic impurity gettering with a noble gas plasma, sub-100-nm p+/n junction formation with SiF4 plasma for preamorphization and BF3 plasma for doping, trench conformal p+ doping, and Pd ion seeding implantation for selective Cu electroless plating were successfully carried out. The PIII system consists of an electron cyclotron resonance plasma source, a processing chamber with wafer bias supply, a sputtering target with bias supply, gas handling and plasma diagnostic tools. The apparatus is described in this paper. Plasma characterization and reactor performance are also presented.
Negative Feedback and Crosstalk in the TGF-β Signaling Pathway

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway transduce extracellular signals into transcrip- tional responses controlling key cellular processes, such as differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis, through a network of receptors. Defects along of the pathway have been associated with a wide range of diseases, including developmental diseases and a variety of cancer types. Here, we examine the role of the negative feedback through protein products of transcriptional regulation by mediator SMAD proteins in the behavior of the network by analyzing a novel, detailed computational model of the pathway. The model includes macromolecular assembly, receptor trafficking and signaling, activation of two SMAD channels, nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of smad-complexes, and feed-back through inhibitory SMADs. This computational model is able to accurately reproduce and explain experimental data in diverse cell types and our analysis uncovered the importance of negative-feedback-mediated crosstalking between channels in the TGF-β pathway. In addition, we identified key crosstalk points among pathways through literature mining approaches, by constructing a detailed ligand-receptor network for all the members of the TGF-β superfamily and mapping the interactions with other pathways.
Teaching, research, and service: Striking the balance in doctoral education

The concept of balance across the multiple role expectations of faculty is a relative term that should be understood in the context of the mission of a particular institution and as it relates to the external environment. Various metaphors or visual images of balance carry symbolic meanings. During this dynamic period in higher education, images of balance that suggest that creativity and the capacity for change are preferable to static forms. Models for defining balance are presented that include two levels of analysis (the individual faculty member and the institutional level) and two temporal variations (continuous balance versus balance over a period of time). Strategies identified by faculty that enhance faculty productivity included both individual and institutional characteristics. Formal faculty development activities are also described. Those aimed at the individual level include orientation, mentoring, peer expertise, and use of sabbaticals or leaves. Institutional approaches to faculty development relate to the reward structure and recognition systems and use workshops and centers for providing faculty development. Based on changes occurring in the health care system and in higher education, implications for changes in faculty roles in the future are discussed.
Relationship between sex of parent and child on weight loss and maintenance in a family-based obesity treatment program.

To determine if the sex of the participating parent/child pair is a contributing factor in initial weight loss and maintenance within a family-based obesity treatment program. A 2-year family-based obesity treatment program targeting one overweight parent and one overweight child. One overweight parent (body mass index (BMI)⩾25) and child (⩾85th BMI percentile) from 164 families. Parameters of body weight, including height, weight, BMI, z-BMI, percent overweight (BOV) at baseline and at 6-, 12- and 24-month follow-up time points. Children within the opposite-sex dyads had greater weight loss (P<0.01) at 6- and 12-month time points compared with children in the same-sex dyads. Parents within opposite-sex dyads had significantly greater weight loss at 24 months (P<0.05) compared with those in the same-sex dyads. When individual dyads were examined, the change in child z-BMI after 6 months was greater for the mother–son dyad as compared to the mother–daughter and father–son (P<0.05). For parent z-BMI, the mother–daughter dyad consistently exhibited the poorest results. At 6- and 12-month time points, parents in the mother–daughter dyad lost significantly less weight than parents in all other dyads (P<0.05), and at 24 months, parents in the mother–daughter dyad lost less weight than parents in the opposite-sex dyads (P<0.05). These data reveal that child–parent sex interactions can strongly influence the outcome of obesity treatment when both parent and child are the target for weight loss. The reasons that underlie this effect remain to be determined.