cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physiological characterization of ocular melanosis-affected canine melanocytes.

Objective Cairn terriers with ocular melanosis (OM) accumulate large, heavily pigmented melanocytes in the anterior uvea. Darkly pigmented plaques develop within the sclera, leading us to hypothesize that OM uveal melanocytes may have an abnormal migratory capacity. Animals studied Globes from OM-affected Cairn terriers and unaffected control eyes enucleated for reasons unrelated to this study were used for immunohistochemistry and to culture melanocytes for in vitro cell behavior assays. Procedures The scleral plaques of six dogs were immunolabeled for HMB-45, MelanA, PNL2, CD18, CD204, and Iba-1 and compared with the pigment cells accumulated within the irides. Cultured uveal melanocytes from OM-affected and control dogs were compared using conventional assays measuring cell proliferation, invasion capability, and melanin production. Results Melanocytes isolated from OM eyes had significantly elevated levels of per-cell melanin content and production compared to controls. The majority of pigmented cells in the scleral plaques were HMB45 positive indicating a melanocytic origin. Many were also CD18 positive. No differences were observed between cultured melanocytes from OM-affected and control uvea for standard in vitro proliferation or invasion assays. Conclusion Pigmented cells which accumulate in the sclera of OM-affected Cairn terriers are predominantly melanocytes; however, in vitro assays of uveal melanocytes did not reveal differences in migratory behavior between OM and control cells. Migratory behavior of OM-melanocytes may be environment-dependent. We suggest that RNA sequencing and differential expression analysis would be a useful next step in understanding this disease.
Exceptionalism, metaphor and hybrid warfare

I argue that, in American public discourse after the attacks of 9/11, the myth of World War II has become the dominant justificatory metaphor for the United States’ (already metaphorical) War on Te...
Atomic Movies of Laser-Induced Structural and Phase Transformations from Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of laser-materials interactions are playing an important role in investigation of complex and highly non-equilibrium processes involved in short pulse laser processing and surface modification. This role is defined by the ability of MD simulations to reveal in-depth information on the structural and phase transformations induced by the laser excitation and, at the same time, to provide clear visual representations, or “atomic movies,” of laser-induced dynamic processes. This chapter provides a brief overview of recent progress in the description of laser coupling and relaxation of photo-excited states in metals, semiconductors, insulators and molecular systems within the general framework of the classical MD technique and presents several examples of MD simulations of laser melting, generation of crystal defects, photomechanical spallation, explosive boiling and molecular entrainment in laser ablation. Possible directions of future progress in atomistic modeling of laser-materials interactions and the potential role of MD simulations in the design of an integrated multiscale computational model capable of accounting for interrelations between processes occurring at different time- and length-scales are discussed.
Silent myocardial ischemia in unstable angina: Prognostic considerations

Unstable angina is a high risk syndrome which may be defined by the new onset of angina symptoms, a crescendo pattern of angina, and the occurrence of rest angina. The pathophysiology of this condition is complex, and involves a combination of fixed coronary atherosclerosis and superimposed dynamic coronary obstruction, mediated by coronary vasoconstriction, and/or platelet aggregation and thrombosis (1,2). Although aggressive medical therapy for patients with unstable angina often successfully controls symptoms in the coronary care unit, a significant proportion of patients whose symptoms are initially ameliorated nevertheless experience cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and recurrent angina requiring revascularization (3–6).
Review of Fractionation and Bioassay Characterization Techniques for the Evaluation of Organics Associated with Ambient Air Particles

The primary objective of coupling chemical fractionation and genetic bioassay techniques for particulate organics is the identification of potentially genotoxic components associated with the collected particles. There are, however, other objectives which can be of major importance. These objectives include: determining the primary sources of particles with genotoxic properties, understanding chemical transformation in the atmosphere, determining exposure levels of toxic airborne agents and assisting in the design of control technology. The number of references integrating the chemical analysis of air particulate organics with the bioassay of those organics is relatively few. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate, with these and other related references, the approaches that one may use in identifying genotoxic substances associated with air particles.
Practical and statistical challenges in driving research

Driving is an integral aspect of many modern societies, and motor vehicle safety is an important public health issue. With advances in sensor technology, more and more driving data are being collected by researchers, insurers, and automobile companies, which has increased the need and opportunities for statisticians to be involved in driving research. This report discusses several practical and statistical challenges in driver-level studies, including the process of defining meaningful driving metrics, issues related to "Big Data" aspects of driving research, and the principle of reproducible research.
Evidence-Based Practice: A Common Definition Matters

More than a decade ago, a national survey of social work faculty suggested that although the majority (73%) were favorable toward the evidence-based practice (EBP) movement, a collective definition...
Quantized Dominant Strategy Mechanisms with Constrained Marginal Valuations

We address the problem of designing efficient allocation mechanisms for a divisible resource, which is a fundamental problem in many networked systems. One milestone in mechanism design is the well-known Vickrey-Clarke-Groves (VCG) mechanism, where there exists a strictly dominant strategy for each agent. However, VCG mechanisms can require an excessive amount of communication making it impractical in some large networked systems. Alternative approaches have been studied that relax the incentive properties of VCG to limit communication. Alternatively, in prior work we considered the use of quantization as a way to reduce communication and maintain dominant strategy incentive compatibility, albeit with a loss of efficiency. Our prior work bounded this efficiency loss allowing for arbitrary concave increasing agent utilities. In this paper, we first refine this analysis when bounds on the marginal utility of an agent are known. In addition to quantizing the resource, we also study mechanisms that quantize the bids an agent can submit and again bound the overall efficiency loss given constraints on the agent’s marginal valuations.
“Big Dipper” Dynamic Contact Angle Curves for Pt-Cured Poly(dimethylsiloxane) on a Thermal Gradient: Inter-relationships of Hydrosilylation, Si–H Autoxidation, and Si–OH Condensation to a Secondary Network

Platinum cure for poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coatings on a thermal gradient (45-140 °C) was carried out to study the effect of temperature on surface chemistry and wetting behavior. The motivation is the interest in surfaces with continuous gradients in wettability for applications such as protein adsorption, controlling bacterial adhesion, directional movement of cells, and biosensors. The Wilhelmy plate method and the advancing/receding drop method were employed for determining the positional dependence of θA and θR. A strong dependence of receding contact angles (θR) on cure temperature was found for Sylgard 184 (S-PDMS) and a Pt-cured laboratory-prepared analogue (Pt-PDMS) of known composition. Cure on the thermal gradient gave rise to striking "Big Dipper" Wilhelmy plate dynamic contact angle curves. High contact angle hysteresis (60-80°) was found for 45 °C cure (CAH = θΔ = θA - θR) but low CAH for 140 °C cure (10-20°). Drop addition/withdrawal using goniometry identified a similar trend. Attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy showed absorptions for Si-OH (3500 cm-1) and Si-H (1250 cm-1) that were correlated with wetting behavior and near-surface chemistry. These studies revealed a complex relationship among hydrosilylation, Si-H autoxidation, and condensation of Si-OH. A model for advancing from a single network due to hydrosilylation to a double network for hydrosilylation plus Si-O-Si from condensation of Si-OH best explains evidence from spectroscopic and contact angle studies. These results are relevant to interactions of Pt-cured silicones at bio-interfaces, as receding contact angles determine work of adhesion, as well as applications that benefit from maximum hydrophobicity and minimizing water roll-off angles.
Predictive Value of Tenofovir Diphosphate in Dried Blood Spots for Future Viremia in Persons Living With HIV.

BACKGROUND Tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) in dried blood spots (DBS) is associated with viral suppression in persons living with HIV (PLWH) taking tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). However, its value as a predictor of future viremia remained unknown. METHODS Blood for plasma viral load (VL) and TFV-DP in DBS were collected (up to 3 visits within 48 weeks) in PLWH on TDF. TFV-DP cut points were selected using logistic prediction models maximizing the area under the receiver operation characteristic curve, and estimated adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of future viremia (≥20 copies/mL) were compared to the highest TFV-DP category. RESULTS Among all 451 participants in the analysis, aOR of future viremia for participants with TFV-DP <800 and 800 to <1650 fmol/punch were 4.7 (95% CI, 2.6-8.7; P < .0001) and 2.1 (95% CI, 1.3-3.3; P = .002) versus ≥1650 fmol/punch, respectively. These remained significant for participants who were virologically suppressed at the time of the study visit (4.2; 95% CI, 1.5-12.0; P = .007 and 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-4.0; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS TFV-DP in DBS predicts future viremia in PLWH on TDF, even in those who are virologically suppressed. This highlights the utility of this biomarker to inform about adherence beyond VL. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02012621.
Health-Care Transition for Patients with Allied Disorders of Hirschsprung’s Disease

For young patients to receive medical care in accordance with age-related changes in physical condition and complications and physical and personality maturity, the health-care transition from childhood to adult appropriate medical care is an important subject. However, allied disorders of Hirschsprung’s disease are rare and severe condition, so it is not easy to progress the transition to an adult health-care system. In this condition medical care should be seamlessly continued from childhood to adulthood, and it is necessary to prepare programs including seamless diagnostic criteria, severity classification, guidelines, education, and guidance of medical support.
A Sodium‐Containing Quasicrystal: Using Gold to Enhance Sodium′s Covalency in Intermetallic Compounds.

The first Na-containing icosahedral quasicrystal Na13Au12Ga15 is synthesized from mixtures of the elements in welded Ta tubes under Ar (750 °C, 3—5 h, followed by annealing at 350 °C for 3—5 d).
Comics and Critical Librarianship: Reframing the Narrative in Academic Libraries . Olivia Piepmeier and Stephanie Grimm, eds. Sacramento, CA: Library Juice Press, 2019. 338p. Paper, $45.00 (ISBN: 978-1-63400-080-2).

Comics and Critical Librarianship: Reframing the Narrative in Academic Libraries looks at comics librarianship in the context of critical librarianship. Piepmeier and Grimm describe critical librarianship as something that “comes from an intentional engagement with the political and social dimensions of libraries and librarianship, including ideas of neutrality, authorship and authority, and the histories of censorship and affirming cultural divides within our own professions” (4). The chapters held in this important book identify conversations in comics librarianship that are lacking when it comes to collection management and organization, outreach, instruction, how language and classification can affect how comics are seen in academia, and more. The authors contribute needed information to the conversation. This book is a timely and essential addition to academic library literature. The book is split into five distinct sections: the basics, collecting, organizing, teaching, and reaching.
Underprepared College Students' Understanding of and Misconceptions with Fractions.

This study investigated understanding of and misconceptions with fractions in college students enrolled in a remedial mathematics course. Data were collected from 22 college students for one semester. The analysis of 41 fraction problems revealed that participants’ common misconceptions were associated with a lack of understanding of basic definition of fractions, least common denominators/least common multiples, and order of operations. In addition, some students were able to recall the procedures but could not compute fractions accurately due to the misconceptions listed above.
Political challenges to prioritizing gender in global health organisations.

Background Many global health organisations have adopted formal strategies to integrate gender in their programming. In practice, few prioritise the issue. Institutions with considerable global power therefore largely overlook fundamental drivers of adverse health outcomes: gender inequality and harmful gender norms. We analyse the factors shaping attention to gender in organisations involved in global health governance. Methods Drawing on scholarship from the fields of organisational behavior and management, sociology, international relations and the policy process, we undertook a thematic analysis of peer-reviewed scholarship and organisational documents. We also conducted 20 semi-structured interviews over Skype with individuals working at the cross-section of gender and health. Results In seeking to reform the policies and practices of global health organisations, gender proponents confront patriarchal organisational cultures, hostile political environments and an issue that is difficult to address as it requires upsetting existing power structures. Proponents also face three linked challenges internal to their own networks. First, there is little cohesion among champions themselves, as they are fragmented into multiple networks. Second, proponents differ on the nature of the problem and solutions, including whether reducing gender inequality or addressing harmful gender norms is the primary goal, the role of men in gender initiatives, which health issues to prioritise, and even the value of proponent cohesion. Third, there are disagreements among proponents on how to convey the problem. Some advance an instrumental case, while others believe that it should be portrayed as a human rights issue and using any other argument undermines that fundamental justification. Conclusions Prospects for building more gender-responsive global health organisations will depend in part on the ability of proponents to address these disagreements and develop strategies for negotiating difficult organisational cultures and political environments.
Multi-Scale Model-Driven Sampling with Autonomous Systems at a National Littoral Laboratory: Turbulence Characterization from an AUV

Abstract : My long term goal is to utilize turbulence measurements obtained from small Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) based sensors as the subgrid characterization tool in combined coastal ocean observation/ prediction networks. I wish to use AUV-based turbulence measurements to quantify mixing in shallow water physical process studies (upwelling regions, fronts. boundary layers) within the context of the LEO-15 based National Ocean Partnership Program (NOPP) coupled ocean observation/modeling system This includes estimating mixing levels, identifying regions of enhanced mixing, determining the horizontal spatial scale of mixing events, defining the role of boundary layers, and parameterizing results for coastal predictive model testing studies of subgrid scale processes.
Hedging Multiple Price and Quantity Exposures

We examine the general hedging problem faced by a global portfolio manager or a pure exporting multinational firm. Most hedging models assume that these economic agents hold only a single asset in the spot market and are exposed only to a single source of price-quantity uncertainty. Such models are less relevant to many financial and exporting firms which face multiple sources of risk. In this paper we develop a general hedging model which explicitly recognizes that these hedgers are faced with multiple price and quantity uncertainties. Our model takes advantage of the full correlation structure of changes in spot prices, quantities and forward prices. We carry out simulations of the hedging model for a firm with two pairs of price and quantity exposures to demonstrate potential gains in hedging efficiency and effectiveness.
Financial and Psychological Risk Attitudes Associated with Two Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Nicotine Receptor (CHRNA4) Gene

With recent advances in understanding of the neuroscience of risk taking, attention is now turning to genetic factors that may contribute to individual heterogeneity in risk attitudes. In this paper we test for genetic associations with risk attitude measures derived from both the psychology and economics literature. To develop a long-term prospective study, we first evaluate both types of risk attitudes and find that the economic and psychological measures are poorly correlated, suggesting that different genetic factors may underlie human response to risk faced in different behavioral domains. We then examine polymorphisms in a spectrum of candidate genes that affect neurotransmitter systems influencing dopamine regulation or are thought to be associated with risk attitudes or impulsive disorders. Analysis of the genotyping data identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding the alpha 4 nicotine receptor (CHRNA4, rs4603829 and rs4522666) that are significantly associated with harm avoidance, a risk attitude measurement drawn from the psychology literature. Novelty seeking, another risk attitude measure from the psychology literature, is associated with several COMT (catechol-O-methyl transferase) SNPs while economic risk attitude measures are associated with several VMAT2 (vesicular monoamine transporter) SNPs, but the significance of these associations did not withstand statistical adjustment for multiple testing and requires larger cohorts. These exploratory results provide a starting point for understanding the genetic basis of risk attitudes by considering the range of methods available for measuring risk attitudes and by searching beyond the traditional direct focus on dopamine and serotonin receptor and transporter genes.
Racial disparities in lung adenocarcinoma: The contribution of African ancestry.

8516Background: Racial disparities in lung cancer are well-known with African Americans disproportionally affected by lung cancer in terms of incidence and survival. Previous comparative analyses o...
Factors associated with childhood sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy

Abstract Background People who experience childhood sexual abuse (CSA) have a higher rate of adolescent pregnancy than people who do not experience CSA. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify risk or protective factors that are associated with this group to help understand the high rate of adolescent pregnancy in people with CSA histories. Methods This review was conducted using strategies described by Whittemore and Knafl (2005). Five research articles met the following criteria: written in English, published in peer-reviewed journals in the past 10 years, and included the examination of predictors of adolescent pregnancy in any domain of the social ecological model of individual, relationship, community, or societal factors present among girls with CSA histories. Results Studies suggest that people who are abused in childhood through adolescence and are not believed when they report abuse may be at greater risk for pregnancy in adolescence. CSA was associated with a range of sexual risk taking behavior (e.g., ineffectual contraception use, drug and alcohol use prior to sex, multiple partners) which could lead to adolescent pregnancy. Individual-level behaviors where predominantly studied. There were no reports at the community or societal level of the model. Conclusions Identifying additional risk or protective factors at the relationship, community, and societal level may prove helpful in developing strategies tailored to this population. The unique characteristics that lead to higher rates of sexual risk-taking behavior that can lead to adolescent pregnancy have not been well documented and deserve further study to guide design and prevention/intervention modalities.
Secretory Carcinoma of the Thyroid in a 49-Year-Old Man Treated with Larotrectinib: Protracted Clinical Course of Disease Despite the High-Grade Histologic Features.

Secretory carcinoma of the thyroid gland is histologically and genetically similar to its mammary and salivary gland counterparts. Unlike differentiated thyroid carcinomas of follicular cell origin, thyroid SC is not a thyroglobulin-producing tumor and would not be amenable to radioactive iodine therapy. Instead, these carcinomas may respond to targeted therapy with TRK inhibitors, which further emphasizes the importance of their recognition among morphologically similar thyroid entities. Based on eleven cases reported to date, most primary thyroid SC tend to present as locally advanced malignancies and are characterized by frequent recurrences and long-term survival. High-grade histologic features, increased mitotic count and necrosis have been described but their impact on clinical course and outcome remains unclear. We hereby report the case of a primary SC with high-grade features arising in the thyroid of a 49-year-old man, who was treated with Larotrectinib for his second recurrence. The patient achieved a durable response that lasted for 18 months but then he continued to progress and died of disease 181 months after the diagnosis.
An action-based behavior model for persuasive telehealth

Technological advances in telehealth systems are primarily focused on sensing, monitoring and analysis. Intervention, behavior alternation and in general affecting change could use additional research and technology development. Many people, especially the elderly, are resistant to change. Such resistance diminishes the impact factor of telehealth systems. Persuasion technology and mechanisms are urgently needed to counter this resistance to change and promote healthy lifestyle. In this paper, we propose an action- based behavior model to enable persuasion. We also review existing technologies we believe are most suitable for enabling persuasive telehealth. We present our ongoing work in the domain of behavior alteration for obese and diabetic individuals.
HLA-linked hemochromatosis alleles in sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda

We tested the hypothesis that the hepatic siderosis that characterizes sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda is due to the presence of HLA-linked hemochromatosis alleles. We studied 21 probands with sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda and 135 of their relatives by determining HLA haplotypes and measuring transferrin saturation and serum ferritin concentration. Liver biopsies were performed in all probands and in relatives when appropriate. Seventeen pedigrees were available and were studied by both likelihood analysis and by a gene counting method. We estimated that 10 of the 17 probands with available living relatives possessed at least one hemochromatosis allele. Thirteen of the 21 probands (62%) possessed at least one HLA-A3 alloantigen. Eighteen of 69 relatives who shared an HLA haplotype with a proband (26%) had an elevation of transferrin saturation or serum ferritin concentration. Only one first-degree relative not sharing an HLA haplotype with a proband had an elevated transferrin saturation or serum ferritin concentration. These findings indicate that HLA-linked hemochromatosis alleles are far more common in patients with sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda than in individuals in the general population and may be responsible for the hepatic siderosis associated with most cases of sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda.
Modulation of Immune Cell Function by α1-Adrenergic Receptor Activation

The sympathetic nervous system regulates human immune system functions through epinephrine (Epi) and norepinephrine (NE) activation of adrenergic receptors (AR) expressed on immunocompetent cell populations. The anti-inflammatory effects that are most often attributed to increased sympathetic activity have been shown to occur through β2- and α2-AR stimulation. However, dichotomous AR effects on immune system function are becoming increasingly apparent. Reports of α1-AR expression on immune cell populations have been conflicting due to a lack of specific antibodies or subtype-selective receptor ligands. This has made α1-AR identification difficult and further characterization of α1-AR subtype expression limited. Nevertheless, there is some evidence suggesting an induction of α1-AR expression on immunocompetent cells under certain physiological conditions and disease states. Also, the function of α1-AR activation to modulate immune responses is just beginning to emerge in the literature. Changes in the secretion of inflammatory mediators as well as increased cell migration and differentiation have been described following α1-AR stimulation on immunocompetent cells. These observations demonstrate the significance of α1-AR activity in immune cell biology and emphasize the importance for understanding α1-AR effects on the immune system.
Complexity of Checking Freshness of Cryptographic Protocols

Freshness is a central security issue for cryptographic protocols and is the security goal violated by replay attacks. This paper is the first to formally define freshness goal and its attacks based on role instances and the attacker's involvement, and is the first work to investigate the complexity of checking freshness. We discuss and prove a series of complexity results of checking freshness goals in several different scenarios, where the attacker's behavior is restricted differently, with different bounds on the number of role instances in a run.
The Impact of item flaws, testing at low cognitive level, and low distractor functioning on multiple-choice question quality

This study investigated the impact of addressing item writing flaws, testing at low cognitive level and non-functioning distractors ( 0.8) and insufficient discriminatory ability (point-biserial correlation < 0.2) on previous administration were identified. Items in Experimental Subgroup A underwent removal of item writing flaws along with enhancement of tested cognitive level (21 multiple-choice questions), while Experimental Subgroup B underwent replacement or removal of non-functioning distractors (11 multiple-choice questions). A control group of items (Group C) did not undergo any intervention (23 multiple-choice questions). Post-intervention, the average number of functioning distractors (≥ 5 % selection frequency) per multiple-choice question increased from 0.67 to 0.81 in Subgroup A and from 0.91 to 1.09 in Subgroup B; a statistically significant increase in the number of multiple-choice questions with sufficient point-biserial correlation was also noted. No significant changes were noted in psychometric characteristics of the control group of items. Correction of item flaws, removal or replacement of non-functioning distractors, and enhancement of tested cognitive level positively impact the discriminatory ability of multiple-choice questions. This helps prevent construct-irrelevant variance from affecting the evidence of validity of scores obtained in multiple-choice questions.
Will semantic web technologies work for the development of ICD-11?

The World Health Organization is beginning to use Semantic Web technologies in the development of the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Health officials use ICD in all United Nations member countries to compile basic health statistics, to monitor health-related spending, and to inform policy makers. While previous revisions of ICD encoded minimal information about a disease, and were mainly published as books and tabulation lists, the creators of ICD-11 envision that it will become a multipurpose and coherent classification ready for electronic health records. Most important, they plan to have ICD-11 applied for a much broader variety of uses than previous revisions. The new requirements entail significant changes in the way we represent disease information, as well as in the technologies and processes that we use to acquire the new content. In this paper, we describe the previous processes and technologies used for developing ICD. We then describe the requirements for the new development process and present the SemanticWeb technologies that we use for ICD-11. We outline the experiences of the domain experts using the software system that we implemented using Semantic Web technologies. We then discuss the benefits and challenges in following this approach and conclude with lessons learned from this experience.
Inhibition of Glutathione Synthesis with Propargylglycine Enhances N-Acetylmethionine Protection and Methylation in Bromobenzene-Treated Syrian Hamsters

The finding that liver necrosis caused by the environmental glutathione (GSH)-depleting chemical, bromobenzene (BB) is associated with marked impairment in O- and S-methylation of BB metabolites in Syrian hamsters raises questions concerning the role of methyl deficiency in BB toxicity. N-Acetylmethionine (NAM) has proven to be an effective antidote against BB toxicity when given after liver GSH has been depleted extensively. The mechanism of protection by NAM may occur via a replacement of methyl donor and/or via an increase of GSH synthesis. If replacement of the methyl donor is an important process, then blocking the resynthesis of GSH in the methyl-repleted hamsters should not decrease NAM protection. This hypothesis was examined in this study. Propargylglycine (PPG), an irreversible inhibitor of cystathionase, was used to inhibit the utilization of NAM for GSH resynthesis. Two groups of hamsters were pretreated with an intraperitoneal (ip) dose of PPG (30 mg/kg) or saline 24 h before BB administration (800 mg/kg, ip). At 5 h after BB treatment, an ip dose of NAM (1200 mg/kg) was given. Light microscopic examinations of liver sections obtained 24 h after BB treatment indicated that NAM provided better protection (P < 0.05) in the PPG + BB + NAM group than in the BB + NAM group. Liver GSH content, however, was lower in the PPG + BB + NAM group than in the BB + NAM group. The Syrian hamster has a limited capability to N-deacetylated NAM. The substitution of NAM with methionine (Met; 450 mg/kg) resulted in a higher level of GSH in the BB + Met group than in the BB + NAM group (P < 0.05). The enhanced protection by PPG in the PPG + BB + NAM group was accompanied by higher (P < 0.05) urinary excretions of specificO- and S-methylated bromothiocatechols than in the BB + NAM group. The results suggest that NAM protection occurs primarily via a replacement of the methyl donor and that methyl deficiency occurring in response to GSH repletion plays a potential role in BB toxicity.
Activation of Guinea Pig Macrophages by Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide Requires Bone Marrow-Derived Lymphocytes

The activation of guinea pig peritoneal macrophages by Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was studied by using 14C-glucosamine uptake. Peritoneal exudate cells incorporated significant amounts of 14C-glucosamine when stimulated with LPS but neither purified macrophages nor nonadherent lymphocytes by themselves incorporated glucosamine. The activation of macrophages could be restored by adding nonadherent peritoneal lymphocytes, spleen cells, and lymph node cells but not thymocytes. Removal of B lymphocytes abolished the restorative capacity from active lymphoid cell populations. In contrast, B lymphocytes would restore glucosamine incorporation by macrophages stimulated with LPS but T lymphocytes did not. In addition, cell-free supernatants from LPS stimulated B lymphocytes but not from T lymphocytes could restore glucosamine incorporation by macrophages. These experiments demonstrate that LPS does not directly activate macrophages as measured by glucosamine incorporation but stimulates B lymphocytes which in turn activate macrophages.
Nitric Oxide Signaling in Pain and Nociceptor Sensitization in the Rat

We investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in inflammatory hyperalgesia. Coinjection of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMA) inhibited PGE2-induced hyperalgesia. L-NMA was also able to reverse that hyperalgesia. This suggests that NO contributes to the maintenance of, as well as to the induction of, PGE2-induced hyperalgesia. Consistent with the hypothesis that the NO that contributes to PGE2-induced sensitization of primary afferents is generated in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons themselves, L-NMA also inhibited the PGE2-induced increase in tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium current in patch-clamp electrophysiological studies of small diameter DRG neurons in vitro. Although NO, the product of NOS, often activates guanylyl cyclase, we found that PGE2-induced hyperalgesia was not inhibited by coinjection of 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. We then tested whether the effect of NO depended on interaction with the adenylyl cyclase-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway, which is known to mediate PGE2-induced hyperalgesia. L-NMA inhibited hyperalgesia produced by 8-bromo-cAMP (a stable membrane permeable analog of cAMP) or by forskolin (an adenylyl cyclase activator). However, L-NMA did not inhibit hyperalgesia produced by injection of the catalytic subunit of PKA. Therefore, the contribution of NO to PGE2-induced hyperalgesia may occur in the cAMP second messenger pathway at a point before the action of PKA. We next performed experiments to test whether administration of exogenous NO precursor or donor could mimic the hyperalgesic effect of endogenous NO. Intradermal injection of either the NOS substrate L-arginine or the NO donor 3-(4-morphinolinyl)-sydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1) produced hyperalgesia. However, this hyperalgesia differed from PGE2-induced hyperalgesia, because it was independent of the cAMP second messenger system and blocked by the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ. Therefore, although exogenous NO induces hyperalgesia, it acts by a mechanism different from that by which endogenous NO facilitates PGE2-induced hyperalgesia. Consistent with the hypothesis that these mechanisms are distinct, we found that inhibition of PGE2-induced hyperalgesia caused by L-NMA could be reversed by a low dose of the NO donor SIN-1. The following facts suggest that this dose of SIN-1 mimics a permissive effect of basal levels of NO with regard to PGE2-induced hyperalgesia: (1) this dose of SIN-1 does not produce hyperalgesia when administered alone, and (2) the effect was not blocked by ODQ. In conclusion, we have shown that low levels of NO facilitate cAMP-dependent PGE2-induced hyperalgesia, whereas higher levels of NO produce a cGMP-dependent hyperalgesia.
The prediction of paranoid behavior: Comparative validities of obvious vs. subtle MMPI paranoia (Pa) items

Assessed the relations among the obvious, neutral, and subtle MMPI Paranoia (PA) subscale scores and criteria that consisted of Mehrabian's Stimulus Screening Scale, Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale, a Paranoia Questionnaire, the Einstellung Test, and an unobtrusive measure of personalization. Male college students served as Ss (N = 100). The obvious PA subscale was found to be correlated significantly with Mehrabian's Stimulus Screening Scale, Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale (in a negative direction), and the Paranoia Questionnaire. The neutral PA subscale was related significantly to Mehrabian's Stimulus Screening Scale, Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale (also in a negative direction), and, at a trend level, the Einstellung Test. The subtle subscale correlated with Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale (in a positive direction) and an unobtrusive measure of personalization. Correlations among the criteria themselves were generally insignificant, but the relationships found supported the use of the paranoia criteria as measures of the intended construct.
Gene transfer of human manganese superoxide dismutase protects small intestinal villi from radiation injury

Small bowel toxicity represents a major dose-limiting side effect of radiation treatment for many malignancies. We examined the effects of overexpressing human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in the small intestine in mice to prevent radiation enteritis. Mice were treated with the human MnSOD gene delivered enterally using a nontoxic, replication-defective herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1-based vector. HSV vectors containing the human MnSOD transgene and green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene, or GFP transgene alone, were constructed and injected intraluminally into a 2cm length of small intestine of C3H/HeNsd mice. Total body irradiation of 15 Gy was delivered to mice inoculated 24 hours earlier with either HSV-MnSOD (10(3) to 10(8) plaque-forming units), control HSV-GFP, or no vector. At 24 or 72 hours after irradiation, mice were killed and villi areas were measured from appropriate segments of the small intestine. Control irradiated mice showed a decreased villi area of 82% by day 3 after irradiation, whereas treatment of mice with HSV-MnSOD 10(8) plaque-forming units led to only a 16% decrease in villi area (P < 0.001) before radiation. Similar findings were seen on day 3 and were associated with a significant (P < 0.001) preservation of enteric protein content in HSV-MnSOD-treated mice. A dose-dependent effect of MnSOD in preventing radiation-induced small bowel injury was evident. These data demonstrate that overexpression of human MnSOD via a replication-defective herpes viral vector is an efficacious method of protecting the small intestine from ionizing radiation damage.
The Function of the Executive

IN DAYS OF WORLD EVENTS economists are understandably occupied with broad aggregates, "bloodless categories" of total employment, national income, corporate retained earnings, cyclical fluctuations and the like. While such is necessarily the case it is now and again important and refreshing to turn, as Professor Hayek has recently done,' to the human material involved in these economic transactions. Especially is it interesting and relevant to examine such of these as approach large means and far-reaching discretion. What are the Executives doing? What are their motives and incentives? What benefits induce the community to keep them at their tasks? And how is it that every day the Executive's bag of tricks seems to grow larger and more astounding, his sweep and influence more powerful? An essay attempting to answer these questions might well have been called "'The Instinct of Workmanship and the State as a Work of Art." For any inquiry into the conditions and
Deadtime Approximations with Adaptive Deadtime Compensation

Simple polynomial approximations of the Pade type are considered for deadtime estimation with single-loop adaptive control. An LQG regulator is used with combined parameter identification via a Sequential Gauss-Newton (SGN) method. These include provisions for unknown constant load inputs and random noise effects. An equation error approach is used based upon the deadtime-plus-first order (DT+FOE) model form. However, for the error partial with respect to deadtime, two forms are given based upon a simple Pade approximation for part of the deadtime. One form of the partial relates to the equation error and the other is a hybrid form relative to an output+equation error formulation. Simulation tests of the adaptive control procedures were made for combined parameter changes, including the deadtime. These results are discussed relative to conditions for satisfactory convergence.
Polarization dependence of optical absorption and emission in quantum wires.

The polarization dependence of absorption and emission spectra in cylindrical quantum wires is studied using a formulation of multiband envelope-function theory in a representation of cylindrical Bloch waves. The work presented is an analysis of the optical properties of quantum wires, which includes band-coupling effects. Contrary to the assumptions employed in previous studies, the valence states involved in these transitions are a strong admixture of light- and heavy-hole character. Band-coupling effects are therefore essential to understanding valence-subband dispersion and density of states, the energy dependence of interband optical-transition matrix elements, and polarization anisotropies. Analytical expressions are derived for the polarization dependence of optical matrix elements, and hence, optical-absorption and emission spectra. Applicability of the results derived for cylindrical quantum wires to the case of wires with lower symmetry is discussed.
Reflections on jokes and cartoons about suicide

This article is intended to engage others in a dialogue about the role and meaning of jokes about suicide. Types of jokes involving suicide are examined to distinguish the different types of humor involved. A sample of 118 recent political cartoons in an online website was downloaded, of which 73 concerned suicide bombers. Examples of suicide cartons and jokes involving disparagement, incongruity, repression, and ridiculousness are provided. Although in some contexts, such as suicidal terrorism, these themes may be appropriate, a few cartons and jokes that addressed ordinary suicidal individuals were often hostile.
Flutter, Postflutter, and Control of a Supersonic Wing Section

A number of issues related to the flutter and postflutter of two-dimensional supersonic lifting surfaces are addressed. Among them there are the 1) investigation of the implications of the nonlinear unsteady aerodynamics and structural nonlinearities on the stable/unstable character of the limit cycle and 2) study of the implications of the incorporation of a control capability on both the flutter boundary and the postflutter behavior. To this end, a powerful methodology based on the Lyapunov first quantity is implemented. Such a treatment of the problem enables one to get a better understanding of the various factors involved in the nonlinear aeroelastic problem, including the stable and unstable limit cycle. In addition, it constitutes a first step toward a more general investigation of nonlinear aeroelastic phenomena of three-dimensional lifting surfaces.
Language of Early- and Later-identified Children With Hearing Loss

Objective. To compare the language abilities of earlier- and later-identified deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Method. We compared the receptive and expressive language abilities of 72 deaf or hard-of-hearing children whose hearing losses were identified by 6 months of age with 78 children whose hearing losses were identified after the age of 6 months. All of the children received early intervention services within an average of 2 months after identification. The participants9 receptive and expressive language abilities were measured using the Minnesota Child Development Inventory. Results. Children whose hearing losses were identified by 6 months of age demonstrated significantly better language scores than children identified after 6 months of age. For children with normal cognitive abilities, this language advantage was found across all test ages, communication modes, degrees of hearing loss, and socioeconomic strata. It also was independent of gender, minority status, and the presence or absence of additional disabilities. Conclusions. Significantly better language development was associated with early identification of hearing loss and early intervention. There was no significant difference between the earlier- and later-identified groups on several variables frequently associated with language ability in deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Thus, the variable on which the two groups differed (age of identification and intervention) must be considered a potential explanation for the language advantage documented in the earlier-identified group.
Self-Assembling DNA Nanostructures and DNA-Based Nanofabrication

DNA can be used as a versatile, programmable molecular building material for creating self-assembled nanostructures. Directed-assembly using DNA as the addressing agent has been demonstrated for conducting and semi-conducting inorganic materials for emerging applications in nano-electronics fabrication. So far, complex programmable DNA nanostructures have been made, along with simple repetitive mixed materials structures. The current challenge is to create functional devices via DNA assembly.
Aircraft Observations of Boundary Layer Rolls off the Coast of California

Abstract Large-scale horizontal rolls can have a significant influence on turbulent transport across the atmospheric boundary layer. The formation and maintenance of such rolls is dependent on the thermal and dynamic stability of the boundary layer (BL). The authors present aircraft observations of boundary layers, both with and without roll circulations, off the coast of California. The contribution of the rolls to the turbulent fluxes of heat, moisture, and momentum, and the variances of the three velocity components are determined for four cases. The fractional roll contributions to the u and w variances, and the sensible heat and along-wind momentum fluxes, show a near linear increase with altitude, from less than 10% at 30 m to more than 70% at the top of the BL. The variance in υ and crosswind momentum flux are more scattered, although the variance shows a slight increase with altitude from about 40% to 60%. The latent heat flux also shows a great deal of scatter, especially in the lower third of th...
The Tipping Point for Combination Therapy: Cancer Vaccines With Radiation, Chemotherapy, or Targeted Small Molecule Inhibitors

Therapeutic cancer vaccines are a unique treatment modality in that they initiate a dynamic process of activating the host immune system, which can then be exploited by concurrent or subsequent therapies. The addition of immunotherapy to standard-of-care cancer therapies has shown evidence of efficacy in preclinical models and in the clinical setting. This review examines the preclinical and clinical interactions between vaccine-mediated tumor-specific immune responses and local radiation, systemic chemotherapy, or select small molecule inhibitors, as well as the potential synergy between these modalities.
A foam-insulated liquid hydrogen target for streamer chambers

Abstract The design and performance of a liquid hydrogen target used within the sensitive volume of a large streamer chamber are described. A polyvinylchloride foam was used for thermal and electrical insulation. None of the high voltage problems of earlier designs was encountered.