cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maximizing neutron yields by scaling hollow diameter of a dense plasma focus anode

Experiments were performed to maximize the neutron yield from a 2 kJ dense plasma focus (DPF) and characterize the amount of copper sputtered from the surface of an anode by varying the diameter of the anodes’ on-axis hollow. The hollow is a void in the copper material along the longitudinal axis of the anode. All the anodes had an outer diameter of 1.2 in. and the diameter of the hollow varied from 0 in. (no hollow) to 1 in. The anodes with a hollow produced a greater number of neutrons per discharge than the anode without a hollow. Over 40 discharges, the hollow anode that yielded the most neutrons (9.1 ±0.4 ×10 6 neutrons per discharge produced with the 0.75 in. hollow) produced >6 times more neutrons than the anode with no hollow. A qualitative observation of the anodes after 130 discharges showed less surface damage on anodes with a larger hollow. Quantitative sputter measurements were performed by characterizing the amount of copper sputtered onto on-axis quartz targets for three newly machined anodes, each with a particular hollow diameter. The quantitative results matched the qualitative observations: the copper sputter was reduced using larger hollows. The largest hollow sputtered 17 ±1.0 nm/sr/discharge of copper, a reduction of 69 % compared to the anode with the most damage.Experiments were performed to maximize the neutron yield from a 2 kJ dense plasma focus (DPF) and characterize the amount of copper sputtered from the surface of an anode by varying the diameter of the anodes’ on-axis hollow. The hollow is a void in the copper material along the longitudinal axis of the anode. All the anodes had an outer diameter of 1.2 in. and the diameter of the hollow varied from 0 in. (no hollow) to 1 in. The anodes with a hollow produced a greater number of neutrons per discharge than the anode without a hollow. Over 40 discharges, the hollow anode that yielded the most neutrons (9.1 ±0.4 ×10 6 neutrons per discharge produced with the 0.75 in. hollow) produced >6 times more neutrons than the anode with no hollow. A qualitative observation of the anodes after 130 discharges showed less surface damage on anodes with a larger hollow. Quantitative sputter measurements were performed by characterizing the amount of copper sputtered onto on-axis quartz targets for three newly machined ano...
Opiate Prescribing Practices After Common Isolated Lower Extremity Injuries.

OBJECTIVE This retrospective study aimed at identifying opiate prescribing practices, the number of morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) prescribed by orthopaedic and nonorthopaedic providers in patients with operatively treated isolated lower extremity fractures, and provide opiate prescribing recommendations. METHODS Patients older than 18 years with isolated lower extremity (unicondylar, bicondylar, tibial shaft, pilon, and ankle) fractures between 2005 and 2016 were identified. Prescribing information was obtained from the State Controlled Substance Monitoring Database. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each injury and plotted for MME use. Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests were used for data analysis. To aid in clinical relevance, MMEs were converted to number of pills of oxycodone 10 mg (OC 10 mg). RESULTS Three hundred forty-one patients met our inclusion criteria. Mean age was 45 years; 56% (192/341) were men. Forty-seven percent (159/341) were prescribed opiates before their injury. Orthopaedic providers prescribed more opiates to patients with pilon fractures compared with unicondylar (P = 0.010), tibial shaft (P < 0.001), and ankle (P < 0.001) fractures. Bicondylar plateau fracture patients also received more opiates when compared with unicondylar (P = 0.001), tibial shaft (P < 0.001), and ankle (P < 0.001) fractures. Nonorthopaedic providers prescribed more opiates to patients with pilon fractures when compared with unicondylar (P = 0.006), bicondylar (P < 0.001), tibial shaft (P < 0.001), and ankle fractures (P = 0.006). Differences between orthopaedic and nonorthopaedic MMEs prescribed are significantly different for each injury type (<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Patients with pilon or bicondylar tibial plateau fractures are currently being prescribed more opiates when compared with other isolated fractures. We have developed an opiate prescription guideline based on what is being prescribed by orthopaedic providers.
The Story of Small Business Lending

Half the people who work in America own or work for a small business, and thus small businesses are important to the economy. There are many different types of small businesses, but they all face a common challenge: accessing the capital they need to operate and succeed. Banks are the traditional source of capital for small businesses, but small business lending has not changed much in 50 or 100 years, and is a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating process for borrowers. However, a new dawn of innovation in financial services, sometimes referred to as fintech, shows promising signs of addressing some of the frictions that have long plagued the small business lending market. Using big data and technology, fintech has the power to make it easier for lenders to evaluate and better serve their customers, and also help small business owners better see their own cash flow prospects and borrowing needs.
SSim: NASA Mars Rover Robotics Flight Software Simulation

Each new Mars rover has pursued increasingly richer science while tolerating a wider variety of environmental conditions and hardware degradation over longer mission operation duration. Sojourner operated for 83 sols (Martian days), Spirit for 2208 sols, and Opportunity is at 5111 sols, and Curiosity operation is ongoing at 2208 sols. To handle this increase in capability, the complexity of onboard flight software has increased. MSL (also known as Curiosity), uses more flight software lines of code than all previous missions to Mars combined, including both successes and failures[1]. MSL has more than 4,200 commands with as many as dozens of arguments, 54,000 parameters, and tens of thousands of additional state variables. A single high-level command may perform hours of configurable robotic arm and sampling behavior. Incorrect usage can result in the loss of an activity or the loss of the mission. Surface Simulation (“SSim”) was developed to address the challenge of making full and effective use of many capabilities of MSL, while managing complexity and risk. SSim is software that performs rapid context sensitive simulation of flight software. NASA Mars missions are comprised of three phases: several months of Cruise, a brief but exciting Entry Descent and Landing (EDL), and a Surface mission that typically lasts as long as the hardware survives. SSim is meant for use during the surface phase when the mission fulfills its primary objectives. The focus of SSim on MSL was the robotic flight software, including rover mobility and navigation, robotic arm manipulation, and sample acquisition, processing, and delivery. It can execute behaviors in simulation a thousand times faster than they execute in real time on the flight compute element. SSim is used by rover drivers to develop and validate command sequences throughout the planning cycle. SSim has been used to plan all of the Curiosity robotic operations since landing and is expected to continue to be used for the remaining life of the rover. Due to the impact of SSim on MSL, the Mars 2020 mission plans to increase the scope of SSim during flight operations, simulating not only rover planner operations, but all surface operations, including the instrument, power, thermal and telecommunication behavior. SSim is part of the Rover Sequencing and Visualization (RSVP) suite of Rover Planning tools [2]. In the paper we provide an overview of SSim architecture, design, implementation, and usage on MSL, as well as an overview of plans for Mars 2020.
A Game Theoretic Approach for Parking Spot Search with Limited Parking Lot Information

We propose a game theoretic approach to address the problem of searching for available parking spots in a parking lot and picking the “optimal” one to park. The approach relies on limited information provided by the parking lot, i.e., its layout and the current number of cars in it. Due to the fact that such information is or can be easily made available for many structured parking lots, the proposed approach can be applicable without requiring major updates to existing parking facilities. For large parking lots, a sampling based strategy is integrated with the proposed approach to overcome the associated computational challenge. The proposed approach is compared against a state-of-the-art heuristic-based parking spot search strategy through simulation studies and demonstrates its advantage in terms of achieving lower cost function values.
Distal biceps ruptures in National Football League players: return to play and performance analysis.

Background Distal biceps ruptures are rare injuries that tend to occur at a younger age in high-level athletic populations. Data analyzing athletes’ ability to return to play, as well as performance, after surgery for a distal biceps rupture are lacking. Methods All National Football League (NFL) players from the 2000-2016 seasons who were found to have a surgically treated distal biceps rupture were included. Analysis of performance and career length was conducted with a control group matched for position, age, experience, and performance statistics. Data for the cohort vs. control group, as well as before vs. after injury, were analyzed with the paired-samples Student t test, with P Results We identified 35 NFL players for the study; 33 (94%) were able to return to sport at an average of 351.4 ± 123.9 days. Offensive linemen undergoing surgery played fewer games per season compared with the control group (P = .04). However, the average number of seasons after surgery and after the index date was not found to be significant (P > .05). Mean career length, as well as number of games per season, did not differ in the postsurgical group vs. control group (P > .05) for all other positions. Performance scores within skill players did not prove to be significant between the postoperative and control groups (P > .05). Conclusions Distal biceps ruptures treated surgically in NFL players allow for return to play at a high rate. The level of performance after surgery is similar to that of the player before injury. On average, NFL career length does not appear to be affected after distal biceps surgery.
Hidden in plain light

Light pulses transiently change a metal to an insulator by unveiling a hidden ordered state.
Aggregated pairwise classification of elastic planar shapes

The classification of shapes is of great interest in diverse areas ranging from medical imaging to computer vision and beyond. While many statistical frameworks have been developed for the classification problem, most are strongly tied to early formulations of the problem with an object to be classified described as a vector in a relatively low-dimensional Euclidean space. Statistical shape data have two main properties that suggest a need for a novel approach: (i) shapes are inherently infinite-dimensional with strong dependence among the positions of nearby points, and (ii) shape space is not Euclidean but is fundamentally curved. To accommodate these features of the data, we work with the square-root velocity function of the curves to provide a useful formal description of the shape, pass to tangent spaces of the manifold of shapes at projection points (which effectively separate shapes for pairwise classification in the training data) and use principal components within these tangent spaces to reduce dimensionality. We illustrate the impact of the projection point and choice of subspace on the misclassification rate with a novel method of combining pairwise classifiers.
“Somehow, I Wasn’t Drawn into The Editorial Office of Novyi Mir”: Digital Approaches to the Literary Environment of Late Socialist Journals

Abstract Boris Eikhenbaum’s 1927 essay on the literary environment (literaturnyi byt) marks an important conceptual turning point in the formalist approach to the study of literature, shifting the focus from immanent analysis of the text to what he called “literature’s social mode of being.” This article revisits Eikhenbaum’s approach as a point of departure for the study of late socialist literature. It explores literary periodicals in the 1960s through the lens of a bibliographical dataset which was developed as part of the digital humanities project Soviet Journals Reconnected. 1 Applied to this data, quantitative methods reveal the emergence of centrifugal forces and a fragmented mode of literary production during this period. By providing a detailed discussion and documentation of computational methods and putting them into a dialogue with studies of the literary environment in the vein of Eikhenbaum, this article highlights the connections and potential research uses of digital humanities approaches for the Slavic field.
Activity-dependent modulation of rod photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated channels mediated by phosphorylation of a specific tyrosine residue.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are crucial for phototransduction in vertebrate rod photoreceptors. The cGMP sensitivity of these channels is modulated by diffusible intracellular messengers, including Ca2+/calmodulin, contributing to negative feedback during sensory adaptation. Membrane-associated protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases also modulate rod CNG channels, but whether this results from direct changes in the phosphorylation state of the channel protein has been unclear. Here, we show that bovine rod CNG channel α-subunits (bRET) contain a tyrosine phosphorylation site crucial for modulation. bRET channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes exhibit modulation, whereas rat olfactory CNG channels (rOLF) do not. Chimeric channels reveal that differences in the C terminus, containing the cyclic nucleotide-binding domain, account for this difference. One specific tyrosine in bRET (Y498) appears to be crucial; replacement of this tyrosine in bRET curtails modulation, whereas installation into rOLF confers modulability. As the channel becomes dephosphorylated, there is an increase in the rate of spontaneous openings in the absence of ligand, indicating that changes in the phosphorylation state affect the allosteric gating equilibrium. Moreover, we find that dephosphorylation, which favors channel opening, requires open channels, whereas phosphorylation, which promotes channel closing, requires closed channels. Hence, modulation by changes in tyrosine phosphorylation is activity-dependent and may constitute a positive feedback mechanism, contrasting with negative feedback systems underlying adaptation.
Use of models and observations to assess trends in the 1950-2005 water balance and climate of Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

[1] A 1-dimensional surface energy balance model is applied to produce continuous simulations of daily lake evaporation of Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon (UKL) for the period 1950–2005. The model is implemented using observed data from land-based sites and rafts collected during 2005–2006. Progressively longer, temporally overlapping simulations are produced using observed forcing data sets from sites near UKL. Simulation of the entire 56 years is accomplished using forcing data derived from weather station data and a 1949–2007 regional climate simulation over western North America. Simulated mean annual evaporation for 1950–2005 is 1073 mm. The simulated evaporation estimates are an improvement over existing May–September pan-derived estimates because the latter are not representative of annual evaporation rates and do not span the multidecadal period of interest over which climate-driven interannual (and longer) variability is evident. Evaporation and the other components of the water balance display statistically significant trends over the past 56 years that are associated with changes in meteorological forcing over the lake and the radiative and moisture balances at higher elevations of the catchment. Trends in the basin are consistent with and imbedded in regional and hemispheric climate trends that have occurred over the last century.
Don't Forget Non-Code Statutes

Laws that are not codified in statutory codes present special research challenges. Strategies, including checking compiler's notes and session laws, can help ensure all relevant laws are found.
Differences in the intestinal absorption of saturated and unsaturated long chain fatty acids.

Although considerable progress has been made in the study of long chain fatty acid absorption, and of the contrasts between them and the medium chain fatty acids, relatively little emphasis has been placed on differences in intestinal absorption among the long chain fatty acids themselves. Recent studies, showing that the triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in intestinal lymph during long chain fat absorption were different with saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, suggested the possibility of corresponding and possibly causative differences in their intestinal absorption. After intraduodenal infusion into rats as mixed micelles or emulsions containing 14C-fatty acid, monoolein, and taurocholate, it was found that the saturated palmitic acid consistently required a greater length of intestine for its absorption than did the unsaturated linoleic acid. Moreover, in short term experiments it was noted that even when uptake of the two fatty acids by mucosa was similar, palmitate esterification was significantly less rapid. In vitro studies, utilizing everted sacs incubated in mixed micelles, confirmed that although uptake of palmitate equalled or exceeded that of linoleate, palmitate esterification was significantly less rapid, and in contrast to linoleate esterification was further reduced by high palmitate and low taurocholate concentrations. The initial uptake of both fatty acids conformed to saturation kinetics, with similar Vmax and slightly differing Km's. It is concluded that although intraluminal solubility of palmitate is less than that of linoleate, initial uptake of the two lipids by intestinal mucosa is similar. However, significant differences in rates of entry into the cell and/or rate of microsomal metabolism result, for the saturated fatty acid, in a significantly less rapid reesterification and, therefore, overall absorption. These findings may account for the previously observed differences in intestinal lipoprotein formation and for the greater absorption of unsaturated fatty acids reported in patients with steatorrhea.
Genetics-based self-adjusting expert systems

The conventional rule-based expert system (ES) paradigm has been criticized because of its inability to display characteristics of true intelligence and its relatively static knowledge storehouse and dependence on rote-learned rule fragments as a basis for reasoning. An approach to constructing self-adjusting ESs is described. Self-adjusting ESs are characterized by their dynamic knowledge bases that improve with experience and their ability to pursue unfocused reasoning. An implementation of the paradigm is examined and its traits in light of the criticisms leveled against its predecessor are evaluated. >
Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic En Face Views of Ventricular Septal Defects: Feasibility, Accuracy, Imaging Protocols and Reference Image Collection.

Background Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital cardiac anomaly. Accurate assessment is critical for planning treatment. Recent advances in three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography have improved image quality and ease of use. Methods The feasibility and accuracy of three specific 3D echocardiographic protocols to demonstrate en face views of VSDs were analyzed in a retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients. Sixty-four patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography and 36 transesophageal echocardiography. Types of VSDs included 34 muscular, 32 perimembranous, 18 malaligned, 11 inlet, four outlet, and one acquired. Ages ranged from 1 day to 77 years, and body weights from 3 to 92 kg. Three-dimensional echocardiographic full-volume mode with standard XYZ and adjustable plane cropping, 3D full-volume mode with iCrop, and narrow-sector live 3D protocols were compared for feasibility and accuracy to obtain a diagnostic-quality en face view of a VSD. Results The success rate for obtaining a high-quality en face image for the three protocols was 100% for full-volume mode with iCrop, 97% for full-volume standard mode, and 94% for narrow-sector live 3D mode. The ability of both full-volume mode with iCrop and full-volume standard mode to demonstrate a VSD was slightly better than that of narrow-sector live 3D mode ( P Conclusions Three-dimensional echocardiography of VSDs is feasible and accurate in most patients using defined protocols. The protocols are described and illustrated in detail, and a reference 3D image collection is presented.
La influencia de las rutinas productivas en el tratamiento informativo de la inmigración

As rotinas produtivas condicionam e conotam o tratamento informativo dos acontecimentos referentes a imigracao e aos imigrantes. Determinam entao uns conteudos e mensagens onde a multiculturalidade nao se ve refletida suficientemente. Tudo isso projeta na opiniao publica uma imagem conflitiva dos imigrantes. Para facilitar a incorporacao plena da cidadania na sociedade de acolhida, os meios e seus profissionais devem reciclar-se e formar-se na interculturalidade.
Hepatic ANGPTL3 regulates adipose tissue energy homeostasis

Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) is a circulating inhibitor of lipoprotein and endothelial lipase whose physiological function has remained obscure. Here we show that ANGPTL3 plays a major role in promoting uptake of circulating very low density lipoprotein-triglycerides (VLDL-TGs) into white adipose tissue (WAT) rather than oxidative tissues (skeletal muscle, heart brown adipose tissue) in the fed state. This conclusion emerged from studies of Angptl3(-/-) mice. Whereas feeding increased VLDL-TG uptake into WAT eightfold in wild-type mice, no increase occurred in fed Angptl3(-/-) animals. Despite the reduction in delivery to and retention of TG in WAT, fat mass was largely preserved by a compensatory increase in de novo lipogenesis in Angptl3(-/-) mice. Glucose uptake into WAT was increased 10-fold in KO mice, and tracer studies revealed increased conversion of glucose to fatty acids in WAT but not liver. It is likely that the increased uptake of glucose into WAT explains the increased insulin sensitivity associated with inactivation of ANGPTL3. The beneficial effects of ANGPTL3 deficiency on both glucose and lipoprotein metabolism make it an attractive therapeutic target.
Subunit selectivity of topiramate modulation of heteromeric GABAA receptors

Topiramate (TPM) is an anticonvulsant of novel chemical structure whose mechanism of action remains elusive. Reports of TPM modulation of ligand- and voltage-gated ion channel functions are variable and often inconsistent. In fact, TPM has been found to produce enhancement, inhibition, and no effect on GABA-currents of cultured neurons and GABA(A) receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. To identify possible causes for the variable effects of TPM on GABA(A) receptors, multiple combinations of recombinant GABA(A) receptor subunits were expressed in Xenopus oocytes. TPM modulation of GABA-currents was sensitive to GABA concentrations and the beta subunit isoform co-expressed in heteromeric GABA(A) receptors. TPM potentiated and directly activated heteromeric receptors containing either beta(2) or beta(3) subunit. TPM's direct activation was most effective on receptors comprised of alpha(4)beta(3)gamma(2S) subunits and activated approximately 74% of the peak GABA-current. TPM modulation of beta(1)-containing heteromeric receptors depended on the co-expressed alpha subunit isoform (i.e., either TPM enhancement or inhibition). Depolarized potentials decreased TPM enhancement and increased TPM inhibition depending on the beta subunit present. These results suggest that the effects of TPM on GABA(A) receptor function will depend on the expression of specific subunits that can be regionally and temporally distributed, and altered by neurological disorders.
Thermo‐compositional convection in Europa's icy shell with salinity

[1] We present two-dimensional numerical simulations of thermo-compositional convection to test the hypothesis that the combined buoyancy from both thermal and salinity contrasts in Europa's ice shell can produce the numerous uplifts and pits on Europa's surface. Our simulations show that uplifts and pits with amplitude of 100–500 m and diameters of 10–30 km (similar to some of the observed features) can be produced in a 10–30 km-thick ice shell with 2–10% compositional density variations if the viscosity contrast due to temperature variation does not exceed 106. The pit and uplift formation time and lifetime are approximately proportional to the surface viscosity, ranging from 104 years to 107 years for viscosity contrasts of 104–106. Convection cannot produce substantial surface topography if the viscosity contrast exceeds 107–108. These results imply that thermo-compositional convection can only produce Europa's pits and uplifts if Europa's surface is weak.
Biomaterial Design Considerations for Repairing the Injured Spinal Cord

With increasing regularity, biomaterials are being designed with the goal of promoting repair of the injured spinal cord. Most often, the efficacy of novel biomaterials is tested using in vitro models; however, their true potential will be realized only after they are applied and evaluated in standardized in vivo spinal cord injury (SCI) models. The purpose of this review is to (1) provide a primer on SCI research including an overview of common pathogenic mechanisms that may respond to biomaterials and the in vivo models and outcomes assessment tools used to evaluate therapeutic efficacy; (2) review the types of biomaterials that have been tested in these models; (3) discuss which biomaterials might be applied to these models in the future; and (4) recommend future engineering strategies to create better in vivo models and assessment tools.
Semigroups of operators and measures of noncompactness

Abstract It is observed that the perturbation class of an open semigroup in a Banach algebra is a closed two-sided ideal. Certain seminorms on the algebra of bounded operators are introduced; these seminorms induce norms on the quotient algebra modulo the ideal of compact operators. Using these seminorms and an assumption apparently weaker than the metric approximation property it is shown that semiFredholm operators have canonical projections (in the quotient algebra) that are not topological zero divisors. A sufficient condition is found that the converse be true. The special cases of subprojective and superprojective Banach spaces are studied. Some properties of essential spectrum are discussed.
A new interpretation of the frequency curves associated with ant polymorphism

The frequency curves characterizing all stages in the phylogenetic development of ant polymorphism can be interpreted most simply on the basis of divergence of two size groups of larvae beyond a critical point in larval development. The degree of divergence, and with it the decrease of the medias, depends on the amount of development, or the rate of divergence, following the critical point. The frequency curves characterizing the more elementary stages of polymorphism can be explained on the basis of simple competition among larvae, providing that a fair degree of ovipository periodicity obtains. This interpretation is at present supported principally by inconclusive circumstantial evidence, and it is admitted that other explanations may be found to hold equally well.
Assessment of 2 × 2 Associations: Generalization of Signal-Detection Methodology

Abstract The signal-detection and receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) methods, as evolved from an engineering context, are here adapted for use in general biobehavioral contexts. It is shown why, without such adaptation, the results of using ROC methods are not robust in such biobehavioral contexts. With adaptation, the ROC methods prove a valuable addition to the established body of statistical methods of assessing 2 × 2 association, serving as a basis to organize and to interrelate otherwise seemingly disparate approaches.
Steady State Analysis of the Rectified Superconducting Alternator

Equations are derived to predict the electrical behavior of a three-phase superconducting alternator connected to a full-wave bridge rectifier. This is accomplished by expanding a previous analysis for conventional rectified alternators and adding computational impovements. The significance of the work is that it provides a means of calculating certain critical variables such as the ac current in the superconducting field winding and the ac voltage harmonics at the rectified output. A numerical example based on a machine designed for airborne applications is included.
GROWTH OF THE LEAN BODY MASS DURING CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE.

Determination of the K 40 content of the human body in the whole body counter offers a means of estimating potassium content, and hence lean body mass. Fat content is obtained by subtraction. The lean body mass rises sharply during adolescence, particularly in the male in whom the maximal value (at 18 to 20 years of age) is 1.4 times that of the female where a maximum is attained by 15 or 16 years of age. Males have more lean body mass per unit height and less fat per unit weight than females. Average values for lean body mass in this study agree with those obtained by the other workers who have used total body water or densitometry.
Environmentally relevant concentrations of a common insecticide increase predation risk in a freshwater gastropod

Ecological receptors are faced with a multitude of stressors that include abiotic and biotic factors creating a challenge for assessing risk of chemical exposure. Of particular interest and importance are the effects of contaminants on inter-species interactions such as competition and predator–prey relationships. The objective of this study was to determine whether environmentally relevant concentrations of the commonly used insecticide, malathion, would alter predator avoidance behavior in a freshwater gastropod that could translate to increased predation risk. We exposed adult Physa pomilia snails to 0, 0.25, or 1.0 mg/L malathion for 2, 24, or 48 h and evaluated predator avoidance using a behavioral assay in which snails were exposed to cues from predatory crayfish. We found a significant reduction in predator avoidance in snails exposed to both concentrations of malathion after 48 h of exposure. To evaluate whether observed effects of malathion on predator avoidance actually increased susceptibility of snails to predators, we conducted a predator challenge experiment. Snails exposed to 0.25 mg/L malathion for 48 h were significantly more susceptible to predation. That increased predation risk was evident 48 h after initial malathion exposures is a unique result because most studies have evaluated behavioral responses soon after (<12 h) initiation of pesticide exposure. The extent to which the observed interactions affect natural populations, and the mechanisms through which they are mediated are largely unexplored. However, our study is the first to show that a commonly used insecticide decreases predator avoidance and may actually increase predation susceptibility in gastropods at concentrations several orders of magnitude below acute toxicity levels.
Solid-state coordination chemistry: influences of (M(terpyridyl))(M = Fe(III), Cu(II), Ni(II)) subunits on molybdenum oxide structures.

The hydrothermal reactions of Na2MoO4·2H2O and 2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘-terpyridine with appropriate salts of Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) yield a variety of mixed metal oxide phases. The Cu(II) system affords t...
Quantitative MR assessment of structural changes in white matter of children treated for ALL

Our research builds on the hypothesis that white matter damage resulting from therapy spans a continuum of severity that can be reliably probed using non-invasive MR technology. This project focuses on children treated for ALL with a regimen containing seven courses of high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) which is known to cause leukoencephalopathy. Axial FLAIR, T1-, T2-, and PD-weighted images were acquired, registered and then analyzed with a hybrid neural network segmentation algorithm to identify normal brain parenchyma and leukoencephalopathy. Quantitative T1 and T2 maps were also analyzed at the level of the basal ganglia and the centrum semiovale. The segmented images were used as mask to identify regions of normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and leukoencephalopathy in the quantitative T1 and T2 maps. We assessed the longitudinal changes in volume, T1 and T2 in NAWM and leukoencephalopathy for 42 patients. The segmentation analysis revealed that 69% of patients had leukoencephalopathy after receiving seven courses of HDMTX. The leukoencephalopathy affected approximately 17% of the patients' white matter volume on average (range 2% - 38%). Relaxation rates in the NAWM were not significantly changed between the 1st and 7th courses. Regions of leukoencephalopathy exhibited a 13% elevation in T1 and a 37% elevation in T2 relaxation rates.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
MicroRNA-200 Is Induced by Thioredoxin-interacting Protein and Regulates Zeb1 Protein Signaling and Beta Cell Apoptosis

Small noncoding microRNAs have emerged as important regulators of cellular processes, but their role in pancreatic beta cells has only started to be elucidated. Loss of pancreatic beta cells is a key factor in the pathogenesis of diabetes, and we have demonstrated that beta cell expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is increased in diabetes and causes beta cell apoptosis, whereas TXNIP deficiency is protective against diabetes. Recently, we found that TXNIP also impairs beta cell function by inducing microRNA (miR)-204. Interestingly, using INS-1 beta cells and primary islets, we have now discovered that expression of another microRNA, miR-200, is induced by TXNIP and by diabetes. Furthermore, we found that miR-200 targeted and decreased Zeb1 (zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1) and promoted beta cell apoptosis as measured by cleaved caspase-3 levels, Bax/Bcl2 ratio, and TUNEL. In addition, Zeb1 knockdown mimicked the miR-200 effects on beta cell apoptosis, suggesting that Zeb1 plays an important role in mediating miR-200 effects. Moreover, miR-200 increased beta cell expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin, consistent with inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a process thought to be involved in beta cell expansion. Thus, we have identified a novel TXNIP/miR-200/Zeb1/E-cadherin signaling pathway that, for the first time, links miR-200 to beta cell apoptosis and diabetes and also beta cell TXNIP to epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition, our results shed new light on the regulation and function of miR-200 in beta cells and show that TXNIP-induced microRNAs control various processes of beta cell biology.
Cl3− electron photodetachment spectrum: measurement and assignment

Abstract An electron photodetachment spectrum of Cl 3 − is reported for 193 nm (6.42 eV) excitation. The spectrum was assigned using high-level ab initio calculation for the Cl 3 radical and the Cl 3 − ion. A broad band centered around 1.25 eV (electron kinetic energy) has been assigned to the Cl 3 − ( X 1 Σ g + )→Cl 3 ( X 2 Π u ) and Cl 3 ( 1 2 Σ g + ) transitions. Vertical photodetachment accesses the transition state region for the Cl exchange reaction: Cl+Cl 2 →Cl 2 +Cl. A narrow doublet band at 0.55 eV is assigned to the Cl 3 − ( X 1 Σ g + )→Cl 3 ( 1 2 Π g ) transition, split by spin–orbit interaction.
Tissue Cations and Water in Arterial Hypertension

Human hypertensive subjects were found to have an increased sodium and water concentration in renal artery and psoas muscle. Hypertensive rats showed a high water content in their aortas. If the water and sodium content were increased in hypertensive arterioles as well as arteries, the swelling of the arteriolar walls would narrow the lumens enough to account for much of the increased peripheral resistance. Low sodium diets may alleviate hypertension by lowering the sodium and water contents in arteriolar walls toward normal values.
Use of Automatic Safety Belts in Michigan

The use of automatic safety belts among motorists throughout the state of Michigan was examined in May 1990 as part of a broader direct-observation survey to measure compliance with Michigan's mandatory safety belt use law. Use of the two most common types of automatic belt systems were measured: the nonmotorized detachable three-point lap and shoulder belt system and the motorized shoulder belt with manual lap belt system. A total of 828 drivers and 237 front-right passengers were observed with automatic belt systems between April 30, 1990 and May 24, 1990. Use of nonmotorized detachable three-point lap and shoulder belt systems was 74.3%. Lap belt use of motorized shoulder and manual lap belt systems was 79.2%. Of all motorized shoulder belt and manual lap belt systems observed, 97.4% had the shoulder belts connected.
Effective Dose Reduction to Cardiac Structures Using Protons Compared With 3DCRT and IMRT in Mediastinal Hodgkin Lymphoma

Purpose We investigated the dosimetric impact of proton therapy (PT) on various cardiac subunits in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Methods and Materials From June 2009 through December 2010, 13 patients were enrolled on an institutional review board-approved protocol for consolidative involved-node radiotherapy (INRT) for HL. Three separate treatment plans were developed prospectively by using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and PT. Cardiac subunits were retrospectively contoured on the 11 patients with intravenous-contrast simulation scans, and the doses were calculated for all treatment plans. A Wilcoxon paired test was performed to evaluate the statistical significance ( p Results The mean heart doses were 21 Gy, 12 Gy, and 8 Gy (relative biologic effectiveness [RBE]) with 3DCRT, IMRT, and PT, respectively. Compared with 3DCRT and IMRT, PT reduced the mean doses to the left and right atria; the left and right ventricles; the aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valves; and the left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right circumflex coronary arteries. Conclusions Compared with 3DCRT and IMRT, PT reduced the radiation doses to all major cardiac subunits. Limiting the doses to these structures should translate into lower rates of cardiac toxicities.
The influence of coronary collateral flow on the assessment of myocardial perfusion by videodensitometry.

Objectives: Coronary collateral flow often mitigates the effects of coronary artery obstruction and has a significant impact on the prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease. In the presence of variable degrees of coronary collateral flow, digital radiographic assessment of myocardial blood flow has not been quantitatively validated. Methods: A distal coronary arterial collateral path was created into the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) bed in 8 anesthetized pigs. Both LAD and collateral paths were pump-perfused and corresponding flows measured. A number of commonly used digital indices and parametric images of myocardial perfusion were then extracted from the sequence of images filmed before and during the injection of contrast. Data were acquired at 5 levels of total flow (LAD flow + collateral flow): 100, 85, 70, 55 and 40% of maximally vasodilated, baseline flow. At each level of total flow, data were acquired at 4 levels of collateral flow ratios (collateral flow/total flow): 0, 10, 25 and 50%. Results: Regional percent segment shortening, reflecting myocardial blood flow, decreased as total flow fell, and remained unaltered when coronary collateral ratio alone was altered without change in total flow. On the other hand, linear regression between total flow and digital indices at 10, 25 and 50% coronary collateral flow ratios, compared with 0%, showed a successive and significant downward displacement, documenting an underestimation of flow by all digital indices in the presence of collateral flow. Conclusions: In the absence of a collateral pathway and during maximal coronary vasodilation with adenosine, digital radiographic indices of myocardial perfusion, based upon indicator dilution theory, show a relatively good correlation with regional transmural myocardial blood flow. However, due to underestimation of total transmural blood flow, these indices have limited utility when myocardial perfusion is provided in part by a collateral pathway. The effect is probably related to an alteration in the regional vascular volume into which iodinated contrast is injected.
Crystallographic data on a complete kappa-type human Bence-Jones protein.

Abstract A complete human κ-type Bence—Jones protein (Fin) has been isolated and crystallized. Immunochemical and physicochemical characterization of protein Fin indicates that it is of the κ-chain subgroup, κII, and that it consists of two non-covalently bound intact monomers having a molecular weight of ~23,000 Crystals of Bence—Jones protein Fin obtained from ammonium sulfate solutions have the orthorhombic space group P2 1 2 1 2 1 with cell dimensions a = 132.0 A , b = 93.3 A , and c = 42.3 A . The asymmetric unit consists of a dimer of molecular weight ~46,000.
Adenohypophysial control of extrarenal excretion in the duck (Anas platyrhynchos).

Abstract When a single intravenous load of hypertonic saline was administered to shamoperated ducks the extrarenal excretion of electrolytes by the nasal glands was the same as that of the intact bird. The plasma corticosterone concentrations of chronically adenohypophysectomized ducks was reduced to less than 10% of that in the sham-operated birds, and the extrarenal excretion of water and electrolytes was decreased to approximately 5% of normal. Treatment of the adenohypophysectomized birds with ACTH restored the plasma corticosterone concentrations and the extrarenal response to normal. The intravenous administration of glucose to the adenohypophysectomized birds during the waning phase of extrarenal excretion failed to either prolong or increase the rate of water and electrolyte excretion. Although the regulation of nasal gland function may be indirectly facilitated by the gluconeogenic action of the adrenal steroids, a direct action of these hormones on the nasal gland tissue may be essential for normal extrarenal function.
Crystallization and structure formation in polymer blends with strong intermodular interactions: blends of poly(ethylene oxide) and styrene‐hydroxystyrene copolymers

Time-resolved synchrotron wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering experiments were used to investigate crystallization behavior and microstructure development of a nearly monodisperse poly(ethylene oxide) [PEO] (M w = 53,500), and its melt-miscible blends with two fractionated styrene - hydroxystyrene random copolymers [SHS]. PEO crystallization rates decrease significantly in the presence of the melt-miscible SHS copolymers. All low and high molecular weight SHS blends exhibit a crystallization process at relatively short times characterized by large Avrami exponents (n), followed by a dominant process with n near that of neat PEO. A model for the crystallization of these blends is proposed.
Performance of end-to-end and gateway-to-gateway flow control procedures in internet environments

A performance comparison between end-to-end flow control (EEFC) and gateway-to-gateway flow control (GGFC) in internet environments is presented. The performance is measured in terms of average delivery delay of packets. First, a new technique for computing the average delivery delay across a network is introduced. It is shown that, for a given input rate to the network, there exists an optimum time-out which minimizes the average delivery delay. Then the performance is evaluated for EEFC and GGFC in an internet environment. It is observed that when the networks are in tandem, GGFC offers a better performance over that of EEFC. However, in general configurations where there is a high degree of traffic bifurcation between the networks, only under adaptive routing does GGFC result in a lower average delivery delay than that of EEFC. Finally, routing and flow control in internets are discussed.
Electrostatic and potential cation-π forces may guide the interaction of extracellular loop III with Na+ and bile acids for human apical Na+-dependent bile acid transporter

The hASBT (human apical Na + -dependent bile acid transporter) constitutes a key target of anti-hypercholesterolaemic therapies and pro-drug approaches; physiologically, hASBT actively reclaims bile acids along the terminal ileum via Na + co-transport. Previously, TM (transmembrane segment) 7 was identified as part of the putative substrate permeation pathway using SCAM (substitute cysteine accessibility mutagenesis). In the present study, SCAM was extended through EL3 (extracellular loop 3; residues Arg 254 -Val 286 ) that leads into TM7 from the exofacial matrix. Activity of most EL3 mutants was significantly hampered upon cysteine substitution, whereas ten (out of 31) were functionally inactive (<10% activity). Since only E282C lacked plasma membrane expression, EL3 amino acids predominantly fulfill critical functional roles during transport. Oppositely charged membrane-impermeant MTS (methanethiosulfonate) reagents {MTSET [(2-trimethylammonium) ethyl MTS] and MTSES [(2-sulfonatoethyl) MTS]} produced mostly similar inhibition profiles wherein only middle and descending loop segments (residues Thr 267 -Val 286 ) displayed significant MTS sensitivity. The presence of bile acid substrate significantly reduced the rates of MTS modification for all MTS-sensitive mutants, suggesting a functional association between EL3 residues and bile acids. Activity assessments at equilibrative [Na + ] revealed numerous Na + -sensitive residues, possibly performing auxiliary functions during transport such as transduction of protein conformational changes during translocation. Integration of these data suggests ligand interaction points along EL3 via electrostatic interactions with Arg 256 , Glu 261 and probably Glu 282 and a potential cation-π interaction with Phe 278 . We conclude that EL3 amino acids are essential for hASBT activity, probably as primary substrate interaction points using long-range electrostatic attractive forces.
HYPOXANTHINE AND TETRAHYDROBIOPTERIN TREATMENT OF A PATIENT WITH FEATURES OF THE LESCH-NYHAN SYNDROME: 118

In previous studies on this patient of normal intelligence 6.9% of the normal HGPRT activity and an elevated Km for hypoxanthine in intact fibro-blasts had been found. It was thought that perhaps a slight increase in HGPRT activity could alleviate his neurological symptoms. The patient was treated with hypoxanthine 3 × 1 g + allopurinol 3 × 100 mg daily for 3 months. Serum hypoxanthine and xanthine rose from 0.4 and 0.35 to 1.53 ± 0.11 and 1.19 ± 0.11 mg%, respectively. His 24h urinary excretion of hypoxanthine ranged between 1.34 and 2.02 g. His 24h urinary excretion of dopamine was on an average 25% below our reference values, and his serotonin excretion decreased at 50-70% of his baseline values. The patient felt quieter and suffered less from disturbances of equilibrium. The therapy had to be interrupted because of renal colics. Treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin had no effect on his neurological symptoms although his urinary dopamine excretion increased significantly.