cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surrogate modeling of advanced computer simulations using deep Gaussian processes

Abstract The continuous advancements in computer power and computational modeling through high-fidelity and multiphysics simulations add more challenges on assessing their predictive capability. In this work, metamodeling or surrogate modeling through deep Gaussian processes (DeepGP) is performed to construct surrogates of advanced computer simulations drawn from the nuclear engineering area. This work is centered around three major ideas: (1) surrogate modeling through deep Gaussian processes (DeepGP), (2) simulation assessment through surrogate-based uncertainty quantification (UQ) methodologies, and (3) drawing conclusions regarding the underlying uncertainty of the four simulations considered in this paper. First, DeepGP models are trained, optimized, and validated to yield variety of features: (1) achieving high accuracy (small error metrics) on the validation set, (2) automatically capturing the surrogate model uncertainty (i.e. interpolation errors), (3) fitting multiple outputs with different scales simultaneously, (4) handling high dimensional input spaces, and (5) learning from small data amounts. Second, the validated DeepGP surrogates are utilized to efficiently perform UQ tasks such as uncertainty propagation (through Monte Carlo sampling), parameter screening (through Morris screening), and variance decomposition (through Sobol Indices) to investigate the selected simulations. Third, the thermal-hydraulics (fluid flow) results demonstrate the importance of inlet temperature uncertainty in void fraction predictions. For the reactor physics application (fuel depletion/consumption), DeepGP accurately captures the uncertainty in criticality calculations, which is about 0.6% (i.e. a considerable value for this application). For the application of kinetic parameters (nuclear data), DeepGP successfully explains 95% or more of the variance in all 12 outputs. Finally, DeepGP-based UQ analysis of the fuel performance application (materials science) shows the importance of the clad surface temperature, fuel porosity, and linear heat rate in explaining the variance of the maximum fuel centerline and surface temperatures.
MRI in Metastatic Spine Disease

5–10% of cancer patients develop spinal metastases during the course of their disease. With spinal metastases, a T1-weight MRI will show a decrease in the normal hyperintensity signal of the vertebra. This will present with a hypointense vertebrae with the disc appearing brighter than the bone. On a T2-weight MRI, you will see an increase in the normal hypointense signal of the vertebrae, with the vertebrae instead becoming hyperintense. MRI is an important imaging modality in spinal pathology due to its high spatial resolution bone marrow visualization. With T1-weighted imaging, we are able to evaluate vertebral body bone marrow replacement, and with T2-weighted imaging we can evaluate for soft-tissue extension and bone destruction. MRI of the spine can answer three important diagnostic questions in metastasis: is there a lesion, what is the level of involvement, and is there cord compression?
Comparative Study Evaluating Lumen Apposing Metal Stents Versus Double Pigtail Plastic Stents for Treatment of Walled-Off Necrosis.

OBJECTIVES Lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) are increasingly used for direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) in the management of walled-off necrosis (WON). We compared LAMS and traditional cystoenterostomy in the management of WON. METHODS Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent DEN for management of WON was performed. Primary outcome was rate of WON resolution. Secondary outcomes included technical and clinical success, time and number of procedures until resolution, requirement for alternative therapy, recurrence, and adverse events. RESULTS One hundred twelve patients underwent DEN with LAMS (n = 34) or traditional cystoenterostomy (n = 78). Mean WON size was 90.2 × 60.1 mm, and 61.8% had infected necrosis. Overall WON resolution was similar between LAMS and traditional cystoenterostomy (94.1% vs 92.1%, P = 0.510), with similar number of procedures until resolution (1.5 vs 1.5, P = 0.871). The LAMSs were associated with faster resolution (86.9 vs 133.6 days, P = 0.038), lower recurrence (6.3% vs 23.1%, P = 0.032), and decreased requirement for surgery (0% vs 12.8%, P = 0.031) compared with traditional cystoenterostomy, but higher adverse event rates (41.2% vs 7.7%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Despite higher adverse event rates, initial LAMS cystoenterostomy for management of WON results in faster resolution, lower recurrence, and decreased requirement for surgery.
A viral genome packaging motor transitions between cyclic and helical symmetry to translocate dsDNA

Molecular segregation and biopolymer manipulation require the action of molecular motors to do work by applying directional forces to macromolecules. The additional strand conserved E (ASCE) ring motors are an ancient family of molecular motors responsible for diverse tasks ranging from biological polymer manipulation (e.g. protein degradation and chromosome segregation) to establishing and maintaining proton gradients across mitochondrial membranes. Viruses also utilize ASCE segregation motors to package their genomes into their protein capsids and serve as accessible experimental systems due to their relative simplicity. We show by CryoEM focused image reconstruction that ASCE ATPases in viral dsDNA packaging motors adopt helical symmetry complementary to their dsDNA substrates. Together with previous data, including structural results showing these ATPases in planar ring conformations, our results suggest that these motors cycle between helical and planar cyclical symmetry, providing a possible mechanism for directional translocation of DNA. We further note that similar changes in quaternary structure have been observed for proteasome and helicase motors, suggesting an ancient and common mechanism of force generation that has been adapted for specific tasks over the course of evolution.
Parameter Spaces and Moduli Spaces

We can now give a slightly expanded introduction to the notion of parameter space, introduced in Lecture 4 and discussed occasionally since. This is a fairly delicate subject, and one that is clearly best understood from the point of view of scheme theory, so that in some sense this discussion violates our basic principle of dealing only with topics that can be reasonably well understood on an elementary level. Nevertheless, since it is one of the fundamental constructions of algebraic geometry, and since the constructions can at least be described in an elementary fashion, we will proceed. One unfortunate consequence of this sort of overreaching, however, is that the density of unproved assertions, high enough in the rest of the text, will reach truly appalling levels in this lecture.
Hemodialysis Clearance of Enarodustat (JTZ-951), an Oral Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agent, in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease.

The dialysis clearance of enarodustat (JTZ-951) was determined in patients (N = 6) with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Enarodustat (5 mg PO) was administered before (day 1) and after hemodialysis (day 8) with pharmacokinetic assessments on the 2 occasions. Dialysis clearance was based on plasma and dialysate enarodustat concentrations. Fraction of administered dose recovered in dialysate, total predialyzer and postdialyzer plasma enarodustat concentrations, and total and unbound venous plasma concentrations were determined. Hemodialysis did not significantly affect overall total concentrations with similar mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity (coefficient of variation) of 3350 (26.4%) and 3640 (20.9%) ng · h/mL on days 1 and 8, respectively, and mean terminal half-life was 9.35 (11.9%) and 9.96 (18.7%) hours on the 2 occasions. Mean maximum concentration was somewhat lower on day 1 compared to day 8 (404 vs 559 ng/mL); the difference did not significantly affect total exposure (area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity). Plasma protein binding was high (>99%) with similar binding on the 2 occasions, and total pre- and postdialyzer enarodustat concentrations were similar. Plasma unbound enarodustat concentrations decreased during dialysis, with a postdialysis rebound presumably due to re-equilibration with peripheral tissues. Mean unbound area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity was marginally lower (∼22%) on day 1 compared to day 8. Dialysis clearance (0.415 L/h) was insignificant relative to dialyzer plasma flow (∼20 L/h), and the fraction of administered dose recovered in dialysate was small (6.74% of dose) with low intersubject variability (coefficient of variation, 14.7%). Thus, enarodustat can be administered regardless of dialysis schedule, and dose supplementation is not required in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.
Response to: Emergency Medicine Residents Experience Acute Stress While Working in the Emergency Department.

Author(s): Janicki, Adam J.; Frisch, Stephanie O.; Patterson, P. Daniel; Brown, Aaron; Frisch, Adam
Localization of Operational Faults in Cloud Applications by Mining Causal Dependencies in Logs Using Golden Signals

Cloud based microservice architecture has become a powerful mechanism in helping organizations to scale operations by accelerating the pace of change at minimal cost. With cloud based applications being accessed from diverse geographies, there is a need for round-the-clock monitoring of faults to prevent or to limit the impact of outages. Pinpointing source(s) of faults in cloud applications is a challenging problem due to complex interdependencies between applications, middleware, and hardware infrastructure all of which may be subject to frequent and dynamic updates. In this paper, we propose a light-weight fault localization technique, which can reduce human effort and dependency on domain knowledge for localizing observable operational faults. We model multivariate error-rate time series using minimal runtime logs to infer causal relationship among the golden signal errors (error rates) and micro-service errors to discover ranked list of possible faulty components. Our experimental results show that our system can localize operational faults with high accuracy (F1 = 88.4%) underscoring the effectiveness of using golden signal error rates in fault localization.
Quantifying Tradeoffs in Ecosystem Services Under Various Oyster Reef Restoration Designs

Oyster populations within the coastal bays of Virginia have greatly declined, mainly due to overharvesting and disease, and past restoration efforts have largely focused on increasing their populations. Current restoration goals have now expanded to simultaneously procure the wider ecosystem services oysters can offer, including shoreline protection and ecosystem diversification. However, tradeoffs exist in designing artificial reefs because it is unlikely one design will optimize all services. This study compares the services provided by reef designs varying in elevation and width located adjacent to an intertidal marsh within a coastal bay of VA, USA. We quantified wave attenuation to determine potential coastal protection of the adjacent marsh, and changes to sediment composition and infaunal communities before and after reef construction for 3 years. After construction, we also quantified oyster size and population density to compare high and low elevation reef designs. High elevation reefs were more effective at attenuating waves and fostering oyster growth compared to low elevation reefs. Oysters atop high elevation reefs were on average approximately twice as dense and 20% larger than those on low elevation designs. Reef width had a minimal effect on oyster population density; densities on high and low reefs were similar for designs with one or three rows. The presence of oyster reefs also increased infaunal diversity and sediment organic matter. Our results indicate that artificial reef design can differentially affect the services provided through restoration, and elevation is especially important to consider when designing for oyster population enhancement and coastal protection.
Progress on the development of interband cascade photodetectors

The InAs/GaSb type-II superlattice (T2-SL) based interband cascade (IC) photodetectors are emerging as a promising candidate for high performance infrared (IR) detectors, particularly for high operating temperature applications. In this paper, we present our latest progress on the development of high performance IC photodetectors in both mid- and longwave-IR. Our results show significant improvement in both the electrical and optical performance for the IC detectors. The mid-IR detectors show zero-bias operation, with external quantum efficiency as high as 11%. The dark current is 1.75 nA/cm2 at 120 K and -10mV, which shows over 5 times improvement over our previous best results. The Johnson-limited D* of the mid-IR detector is around 1.20×1011 Jones at 200 K, showing more than 10 times improvement over a wide temperature range. These mid-IR IC detectors have obtained background limited operation up to 210 K. Progress in longwave-IR IC detectors is also presented, which also demonstrates excellent electrical performance.
Roof-Structure Roof-Drainage Interaction

A proposed methodology for computing the depth of water on a flexible draining roof at any time, T, after the beginning of a rainstorm is presented. The results have application in the studies of roof failures due to ponding and for the design of roof members and roof drains where ponding problems are expected. Curves are given for simple horizontal and simple sloped roofs. A case study of an actual roof system that failed is given to illustrate the application of the general methodology to more complex situations.
Discrete Time Branching Process

We introduce branching processes. They are a recurring theme throughout the book. In this chapter we use them to model drug resistance and cancer risk.
Learning Outdoor Color Classification from Just One Training Image

We present an algorithm for color classification with explicit illuminant estimation and compensation. A Gaussian classifier is trained with color samples from just one training image. Then, using a simple diagonal illumination model, the illuminants in a new scene that contains some of the same surface classes are estimated in a Maximum Likelihood framework using the Expectation Maximization algorithm. We also show how to impose priors on the illuminants, effectively computing a Maximum-A-Posteriori estimation. Experimental results show the excellent performances of our classification algorithm for outdoor images.
Drowsiness and driving--a dangerous duo.

This article details the findings of the Institute of Medicine's report on sleep disorders and sleep deprivation. This report documents the extraordinary prevalence of sleepiness and sleep disorders in U.S. society and emphasizes the serious physiologic and performance consequences associated with these conditions. Of particular clinical and legal importance to practicing physicians is the issue of sleepiness and its effect on performance as it pertains to themselves, their trainees, their patients, and hospital and clinic employees.
Salmonella Infection Does Not Increase Expression and Activity of the High Affinity IL-12 Receptor

Expression of high affinity IL-12 receptors is required for IL-12-mediated IFN-γ production. Activation of this pathway has been shown to be critical in generating optimal cell-mediated immunity. Therefore, increased IL-12 receptor expression might be expected in the host response after infection by an intracellular bacterial pathogen. In the present study, we have made the surprising discovery that infection with Salmonella results in an early reduction of high affinity IL-12 receptor expression and activation. After oral inoculation with Salmonella , the level of mRNA expression encoding IL-12 receptor β2 (IL-12Rβ2) subunit was diminished 12 h postinfection in the mesenteric lymph nodes and subsequently in the spleen. Furthermore, decreased IL-12Rβ2 mRNA expression was observed in CD4 + T lymphocytes isolated from the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleens of infected mice. Attenuated IL-12Rβ2 mRNA expression correlated with reduced receptor signaling, as demonstrated by reduced IL-12-induced STAT4 phosphorylation in enriched T lymphocytes isolated from the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleens of Salmonella -infected mice. These in vivo results were substantiated with an in vitro model system. In this model system, T lymphocytes cocultured with Salmonella -infected macrophages expressed less IL-12Rβ2 mRNA. The cocultured T cells were also less responsive to IL-12 as assessed by reduced phosphorylation of STAT4 and limited IFN-γ secretion. Together, these studies suggest that Salmonella can limit an optimal host immune response by reducing the expression and activity of high affinity IL-12 receptors.
Contact-Inhibited Revertant Cell Lines Isolated from Simian Virus 40-Transformed Cells III. Concanavalin A-Selected Revertant Cells

Contact-inhibited variants have been isolated by treatment of simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed Balb/c 3T3 cells (SVT2) with the plant lectin concanavalin A. These con A revertant cells exhibit the following properties: (i) they resemble 3T3 cells morphologically and grow to saturation densities which are similar to that of 3T3 cells; (ii) they synthesize the SV40-specific T antigen and yield infectious virus after fusion with permissive monkey cells; (iii) they contain a high sialic acid content similar to that of 3T3 cells and not to that of SVT2 cells; sialic acid composition was found to be independent of serum concentration; (iv) they contain more chromosomes with the average number in the tetraploid range than the SVT2 cells from which they were derived; and (v) SVT2 and revertant cells, confluent or subconfluent, produce more collagen than Balb/3T3 cells. The relationship of surface membrane properties to contact inhibition of growth and the mechanisms for generating revertant cells are discussed. Images
Switching of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mating-Type Genes

Homothallic switching of the budding yeast mating-type (MAT) genes has provided one of the most intensively studied examples of a programmed genetic rearrangement. A site-specific double-strand break (DSB) at the MAT locus, induced by HO endonuclease, provokes the replacement of mating-type specific sequences through homologous recombination. Homothallic organisms have the capacity to self-diploidize by converting some offspring of a haploid cell of one mating type to cells of the opposite mating type. This chapter briefly looks at the determination of cell lineage and at the mechanism of silencing the donor sequences. The conversion of one mating type to the other involves the replacement at the MAT locus of Ya or Yα by a gene conversion induced by a DSB. Additional information has been gleaned from the analysis of DSB-induced recombination in meiotic cells. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has evolved an elaborate mechanism that gives it the ability to choose between its two donors. It makes sense that MATa should seek out and recombine with HMLα rather than HMRa, so that the recombinational repair of the DSB will lead to a switch to the opposite mating type. By comparing the recombination enhancer (RE) sequences of S. cerevisiae and S. carlsbergensis (which is functional in S. cerevisiae), it was possible to narrow down the RE to 270 contiguous base pairs in S. cerevisiae or 244 in S. carlsbergensis, within which are four well-conserved subdomains.
Interlibrary Lending in Mexican, Caribbean, Central American, and South American Libraries

This article reports on a survey to Mexican, Caribbean, Central American, and South American libraries about interlibrary loan services and activities. It builds on previous studies and reports in an attempt to address a void in current interlibrary lending literature concerning Latin American libraries’ interlibrary lending services.
Creatine Phosphate Shuttle Pathway in Tissues with Dynamic Energy Demand

This chapter discusses the creatine phosphate shuttle pathway in tissues with dynamic energy demand. All cells use adenosine tri phosphate (ATP) as the immediate energy source. Cellular ATP is generated by oxidative metabolism and by glycolysis. Many specialized cells in an organism require fast and constant energy utilization to maintain specialized cellular function. It is evident that many cells with constant and rapid energy demand have a compartmentalized CK system. New recombinant deoxyribonucliec acid (DNA) methodology such as “site-directed mutagenesis” facilitates the dissection of the creatine kinase (CK) molecule and demonstrates the molecular mechanism through which the CKs catalyze the enzymatic reaction as well as delineate the various features of the enzyme molecule which targets it to regions of diverse cellular ATPases. Future technologies such as “gene targeting,” “transgenic models,” and “dominant negative modulation” provide the opportunity to alter the cellular CK level at selected tissue sites and at selected developmental or experimental time points. Understanding the contribution of the creatine phosphate shuttle pathway in cellular homeostasis under conditions of stress, such as decreased energy supply or increased energy demand provides new insights and approaches for the management of diverse disease states.
Adult Development and the Transformative Powers of Psychotherapy

This article explores the ways in which receiving, providing, and teaching others to do psychotherapy have influenced my adult development. In my 70s, I arrived at the conviction that at every stage of adulthood, practicing psychotherapy has had a direct and causal influence on my efforts to fill my personal life with meaning, virtue, and maturity. The first section of this article focuses on the ways in which learning to be a particular kind of psychoanalytic therapist facilitated my transition into early adulthood. The middle sections describe how I have used the professional practice of psychotherapy to integrate or dissolve the boundaries between work and play, and science and art, in the everyday conduct of my life. My psychobiographical analysis concludes with some reflections on a professional failure and the compensations of being an aging therapist.
Xenopus germline nanos1 is translationally repressed by a novel structure-based mechanism

The translational repressor Nanos is expressed in the germline and stem cell populations of jellyfish as well as humans. Surprisingly, we observed that unlike other mRNAs, synthetic nanos1 RNA translates very poorly if at all after injection into Xenopus oocytes. The current model of simple sequestration of nanos1 within germinal granules is insufficient to explain this observation and suggests that a second level of repression must be operating. We find that an RNA secondary structural element immediately downstream of the AUG start site is both necessary and sufficient to prevent ribosome scanning in the absence of a repressor. Accordingly, repression is relieved by small in-frame insertions before this secondary structure, or translational control element (TCE), that provide the 15 nucleotides required for ribosome entry. nanos1 is translated shortly after fertilization, pointing to the existence of a developmentally regulated activator. Oocyte extracts were rendered fully competent for nanos1 translation after the addition of a small amount of embryo extract, confirming the presence of an activator. Misexpression of Nanos1 in oocytes from unlocalized RNA results in abnormal development, highlighting the importance of TCE-mediated translational repression. Although found in prokaryotes, steric hindrance as a mechanism for negatively regulating translation is novel for a eukaryotic RNA. These observations unravel a new mode of nanos1 regulation at the post-transcriptional level that is essential for normal development.
Some social contexts of self-destructive behavior

This study investigated the social context of self-injurious behavior in autistic, schizophrenic, and mentally retarded children residing in a state hospital. Social interactions between subjects and staff were recorded along with subjects' self-destructive behavior. The results showed a substantial increase in self-destructive behavior following the staff's presentation of demands, denials, and punishments in 19 of the 20 subjects. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that self-injurious behavior is a social behavior, which is determined by persons in the environment. In addition, the self-destructive behavior of one subject may have been largely self-stimulatory in nature.
A comprehensive circuit model for the electromechanical/Acoustic transducer

A comprehensive circuit model is derived for the electromechanical transducer using an electromagnetic gyrator to link the electric and the magnetic circuits and a magnetomechanical gyrator to link the magnetic and the mechanical circuits. The unified model permits evaluation of the effect of the system parameters on overall operation, particularly the parameters of the magnetic circuit. The loudspeaker is discussed as a particular example although the theory can he extended to other electromechanical devices.
Paired Mg and Mg(B) ionization chambers for the measurement of boron neutron capture dose in neutron beams.

The use of the boronneutron capture (BNC) reaction to provide a dose enhancement in fast neutron therapy is currently under investigation at the Gershenson RadiationOncology Center of Harper Hospital in Detroit, MI. The implementation of this treatment modality presents unique challenges in dosimetry. In addition to the measurement of photon and neutrondoses in the mixed field, a measure of the thermal neutron flux and the associated boronneutron capture dose throughout the treatment volume is desired. A pair of small-volume magnesiumionization chambers has been constructed with the aim of providing this information. One of the chambers, denoted the Mg(B) chamber, is lined with a boron-loaded foil. The ionization response of this chamber has been calibrated in terms of BNC dose per ppm loading of 10 B . These paired chambers can be used to map the local BNC response in neutron beams. From this data and an estimation of the boron concentration in the tumor and normal tissue, the boronneutron capture enhancement may be evaluated.
Nhe1 Is Essential for Potassium but Not Calcium Facilitation of Cell Motility and the Monovalent Cation Requirement for Chemotactic Orientation in Dictyostelium discoideum

In Dictyostelium discoideum, extracellular K+ or Ca2+ at a concentration of 40 or 20 mM, respectively, facilitates motility in the absence or presence of a spatial gradient of chemoattractant. Facilitation results in maximum velocity, cellular elongation, persistent translocation, suppression of lateral pseudopod formation, and myosin II localization in the posterior cortex. A lower threshold concentration of 15 mM K+ or Na or 5 mM Ca2+ is required for chemotactic orientation. Although the common buffer solutions used by D. discoideum researchers to study chemotaxis contain sufficient concentrations of cations for chemotactic orientation, the majority contain insufficient levels to facilitate motility. Here it has been demonstrated that Nhe1, a plasma membrane protein, is required for K+ but not Ca2+ facilitation of cell motility and for the lower K+ but not Ca2+ requirement for chemotactic orientation.
An analysis of counterwashers for freeze-distillation desalination

A hydrodynamic model based on Darcy's law is developed for flooded counterwashers of the type used in washing brine from ice crystals. In the model the brine is displaced by fresh water from the interstices of the ice plug. Similarity parameters which can be used for comparing the performance of different counterwashers are derived. Both analytic and numerical solutions are presented. The production rate of fresh water is found, for example, to increase with an increase in the ice crystal size, the ice plug length above the screens, the concentration of ice crystals in the slurry, and the external mechanical restraining forces on the ice plug. It is also found to increase with a decrease in the ice plug length below the screens, where this length is shown to be an independent parameter of the problem under certain slurry feed conditions, such as gravity feed. Design criteria are presented for minimizing the capital cost for a given production rate.
On the inconsistency of Bayesian non-parametric estimators in competing risks/multiple decrement models

Abstract In the competing risks/multiple decrement model, the joint distribution is often not identifiable given only the observed time of failure and the cause of failure. The traditional approach is consequently to assume a parametric model. In this paper we shall not do this, but rather assume a Bayesian stance, take a Dirichlet process as a prior distribution, and then calculate the posterior distribution given the data. In this paper we show that in dimensions ⩾ 2, the posterior mean yields an inconsistent estimator of the joint probability law, contrary to the common assumption that the prior law ‘washes out’ with large samples. For single decrement mortality tables however, the non-parametric Bayesian method allows a flexible method for adjusting a standard mortality table to reflect mortality experience, or covariate information.
Glutaraldehyde-induced bowel injury after laparoscopy

We document the sequelae of the inadvertent introduction of glutaraldehyde into the peritoneal cavity. It describes the clinical course, progressive histological changes to the bowel at different periods over the course of 1 year, and what long-term morbidity remains. The chemical structure, effects, and pathogenesis of glutaraldehyde are described as well as suggestions for avoiding similar problems in the future.
Vitamin A Concentration in Rat Liver During Recovery from CCI4 Cirrhosis.

SummaryNineteen rats were rendered severely cirrhotic by the bi-weekly administration of carbon tetrachloride over a period of 2 months. Three months after discontinuance of the CCl4 injections the hepatic cells in the livers of these rats appeared histologically normal and very little fibrosis was present. At this time the mean vitamin A concentration in the livers was found to be 12.5± 8.6 international units per gram of fresh tissue. The livers of 6 control rats receiving the same amount of food and of vitamin A as the CCl4 treated rats had a mean vitamin A concentration of 26.9± 9 I. U./g. The difference between these values was found to have statistical significance.No correlation was observed between the vitamin A concentration in the cirrhotic livers and (1) the liver weight, or (2) the degree of fibrosis, or (3) the brewers'yeast intake of the animals.It is concluded that the livers of rats recovering from CCl4 cirrhosis contain much less vitamin A than do the livers of normal rats on the same diet.
Stable sulphur isotopes in plants: a review

The determination of the natural abundances of stable isotopes has become a useful method by which to study the transformations of elements in biological and ecological studies as well as to investigate the mechanisms of chemical reactions. Unlike carbon and nitrogen isotopes, however, stable sulphur isotopes are used infrequently, and their potential as tracers in biochemical and physiological studies are only beginning to be realized. This review provides an overview of research involving stable sulphur isotopes in studies of plant metabolism and pollution. Topics discussed include the mechanisms and accompanying isotopic fractionations involved during the uptake and assimilation of inorganic sulphur compounds by plants, the utility of plants as bioindicators of environmental sulphur pollution, and the emission of isotopically light H2S by plants in response to high concentations of sulphur. Future advances in the field are proposed.
Lag relationships involving tropical sea surface temperatures

Abstract A long historical record (∼100 years) of monthly sea surface temperature anomalies from the Comprehensive Ocean–Atmosphere Data Set was used to examined the lag relationships between different locations in the global Tropics. Application of complex principal component (CPC) analysis revealed that the leading mode captures ENSO-related quasi-cyclical warming and cooling in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The dominant features of this mode indicate that SST anomalies in the eastern Pacific lead those of the central Pacific. However, a somewhat weaker aspect of this mode also indicates that SST anomalies in the tropical Indian and western tropical North Atlantic Oceans vary roughly in concert with each other but lag behind those in the central and eastern Pacific. The stability of these lag relationships is indicated by the fact that the leading mode is quite similar in three different 30-year time periods. In order to further examine these relationships some simple indexes were formed as the average ov...
Three-dimensional simulations of freckles in binary alloys

Abstract A tridimensional finite-element model was developed to calculate the thermosolutal convection and macrosegregation during the solidification of dendritic alloys. A single set of conservation equations is solved in the mushy zone, all-liquid, and all-solid regions without internal boundary conditions. The model is applied to simulate the directional solidification of a Pb–Sn alloy in cylinders of square and circular cross section. The calculations are started from an all-liquid state and the evolution of convection, solute and energy transport, and the mushy zone growth are followed in time. The results show details of the channels, which result in freckles, that are not observable in existing two-dimensional simulations. Several qualitative features of channels and freckles previously observed in experiments with transparent systems, like chimney convection, preference of channels to be on surfaces, and enhanced solid growth at the channel mouth (“volcanoes”) are successfully reproduced.
Development of Knowledge Tables and Learning Outcomes for an Introductory Course in Transportation Engineering

Many decisions about the content of an introductory transportation engineering course are complicated by a wide range of topics and skills to be presented in a limited amount of time. The information presented in this paper was compiled by a working group of educators who represented universities of varying sizes and geographic areas. This working group was charged with developing core concepts and associated knowledge tables for the introductory transportation course for the following core concept areas: traffic operations, transportation planning, geometric design, transportation finance, transportation economics, traffic safety, and transit and nonmotorized transport. Instructors can weave the knowledge tables together by explaining the ways of being of a transportation professional and the course learning outcomes. A key focus of the working group's efforts was to provide more guidance to instructors on core content versus optional content. The intent of the working group was not to dictate what exact...
Analogies between embryonic (T/t) antigens and adult major histocompatibility (H-2) antigens

Progress has been made in defining cell surface components specified by the T/t locus in the mouse, both in their expression on sperm and, in the one case studied, on normal embryonic cells and teratocarcinoma. Some striking analogies between this putative embryonic cell recognition system and the adult major histocompatibility complex are presented.
Bradykinin prevents reperfusion injury by targeting mitochondrial permeability transition pore through glycogen synthase kinase 3β

Although bradykinin has been demonstrated to protect the heart at reperfusion, the detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate the protection remain elusive. Here we aimed to determine whether bradykinin protects the heart at reperfusion by modulating the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening through glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta). Bradykinin given at reperfusion reduced infarct size in isolated rat hearts subjected to 30 min regional ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. The infarct-limiting effect of bradykinin was reversed by atractyloside, an opener of the mPTP, suggesting that bradykinin may protect the heart at reperfusion by modulating the mPTP opening. In support of this observation, bradykinin prevented the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)), an index of the mPTP opening. Bradykinin increased GSK-3beta phosphorylation at reperfusion, and the selective inhibitor of GSK-3beta SB216763 reduced infarct size and prevented the loss of DeltaPsi(m) by mimicking the effect of bradykinin. The effect of bradykinin on GSK-3beta phosphorylation was blocked by wortmannin and LY294002, and bradykinin increased Akt phosphorylation at reperfusion. Further experiments showed that the MEK inhibitor PD98059 prevented the effect of bradykinin on GSK-3beta. However, the mTOR/p70s6K pathway inhibitor rapamycin did not alter bradykinin-induced GSK-3beta phosphorylation and bradykinin failed to alter phosphorylation of either mTOR or p70s6K at reperfusion. Taken together, these data suggest that bradykinin protects the heart at reperfusion by modulating the mPTP opening through inhibition of GSK-3beta. The PI3-kinase/Akt pathway and ERK, but not the mTOR/p70s6K pathway account for the suppression of GSK-3beta by bradykinin.
The role and impact of gender and age on children's preferences for pediatricians.

Objective.—To determine the physician gender preferences of children and the consequences of meeting/not meeting children's preferences, both in their liking and feeling comfortable in talking with the pediatrician. Methods.—A convenience sample of 125 parent-child pairs completed surveys when coming for an outpatient visit to a university-sponsored, urban pediatric practice. Results.—Both adolescents and preadolescents (especially females) as young as 9 years of age expressed a gender preference for their physician. Meeting those preferences significantly affected how much children both liked and felt comfortable in talking with their physician. In young teen females, gender-preferred physicians are synonymous with gender-congruent physicians; yet although their preference for gender-congruent physicians increased in early adolescence, data indicated that their preference was often not met for several years to come. Conclusions.—Liking and comfort with the pediatrician are not only desirable, but may also influence the doctor-patient relationship and young people's ability to develop health communication skills that they need as adults. These results, if validated, could also lead to a rethinking of parental dominance in the role of physician selection.
Injection of An. stephensi Embryos to Generate Malaria-resistant Mosquitoes

The introduction of exogenous genes into the genomes of mosquitoes requires microinjection techniques tailored to the specific species of interest. This video protocol demonstrates a method used by the James laboratory to microinject DNA constructs into Anopheles stephensi embryos for the generation of transformed mosquitoes. Techniques for preparing microinjection needles, collecting and preparing embryos and performing the microinjection are illustrated.
AES/GRG5: more than just a dominant-negative TLE/GRG family member.

The human Transducin-like Enhancer of Split (TLE) and mouse homologue, Groucho gene-related protein (GRG), represent a family of conserved non-DNA binding transcriptional modulatory proteins divided into two subgroups based upon size. The long TLE/GRGs consist of four pentadomain proteins that are dedicated co-repressors for multiple transcription factors (TF). The second TLE/GRG subgroup is composed of the Amino-terminal Enhancer of Split (AES) in humans and its mouse homolog GRG5 (AES/GRG5). In contrast to the dedicated co-repressor function of long TLE/GRGs, AES/GRG5 can both positively or negatively modulate various TF as well as non-TF proteins in a long TLE/GRG-dependent or -independent manner. Therefore, AES/GRG5 is a functionally dynamic protein that is not exclusively defined by its role as a long TLE/GRG antagonist. AES/GRG5 may function in various developmental and pathological processes but the functional characteristics of endogenous AES/GRG5 in a physiologically relevant context remains to be determined. Developmental Dynamics 239:2795–2805, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Multiple murine alpha 1-protease inhibitor genes show unusual evolutionary divergence.

Abstract The murine alpha 1-protease inhibitors (alpha 1-PI) are encoded by a small gene family on chromosome 12. Studies of alpha 1-PI and other serine protease inhibitor genes have revealed an unusually high rate of mutation of the reactive centers of the inhibitors. Using a modification of the PCR technique, we have previously identified five distinct alpha 1 PI reactive site sequences present in the genome of C57BL/6 mice. In this report, we use cDNA cloning techniques to demonstrate that all five genes are expressed in the adult mouse liver. DNA sequence analysis shows that three of the five mRNAs expressed have a substitution for methionine-353, which is essential for normal activity of the homologous human protein, alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT). Comparison of the DNA sequences of the five cDNAs indicates a higher degree of polymorphism in the carboxyl-terminal half of the protein and an extraordinarily replacement/silent ratio of nucleotide changes in a narrow region surrounding the reactive site. The clustering of polymorphisms near the reactive site combined with the high replacement/silent ratio suggest an evolutionary mechanism that apparently selects for functional diversity of the alpha 1-PI genes. Finally, modeling of the three-dimensional positions of the alpha 1-PI polymorphic residues into the homologous positions of the crystallographic structure of ovalbumin, a member of the alpha 1-PI supergene family, predicts that many of these amino acids are on the surfaces, which are likely to interact with the protease targets.
Identity and Therapy in the Black Community

Counselors working in the black community must understand the special problems of black people in discovering and affirming their identity. Black Power, proclaiming the integrity of the black community, has special relevance for black people in search of an identity. Counselors cannot ignore the new self-awareness which many black clients bring to counseling. An approach to counseling black clients is suggested, and some techniques are reviewed that may facilitate their full freedom. The role of the white counselor may be one of supervisor of lay therapists in the black community or change-agent and interpreter in the white community.
Cross-flow ultrafiltration of an aqueous polymer foam solution produced by gas sparging

Abstract The potential use of cross-flow ultrafiltration membranes to filter and break a foam solution of an aqueous polymer is investigated. A solution made of 300 kDa polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) dissolved in water was introduced into a tubular ultrafiltration membrane module having a 100 kDa MW cut off. The polymer has the property of being able to form metastable foam when air is injected into the solution. The foam was injected into the membrane module at different pressures and concentrations. It was found that the membranes were able to filter the foam solution with rejection increasing with the polymer concentration in the feed. It was also found that, under the same transmembrane pressures (TMPs), the permeate flux was higher with the foam present than without. Depending on the flow conditions, up to 125% increase in flux was observed. It was possible to break the foam solution by concentrating it in a recycled tank and the permeate flux was found to depend on the nature of two-phase flow regime in the membrane tubes. It was possible to predict the permeate flux of the foam solution by modifying the mass transfer coefficient in the theoretical models used for predicting the flux of single-phase flow.
Introducing functional programming in discrete mathematics

Programming assignments in my discrete mathematics course have changed recently due to an influx of non-computer science students with little or no programming experience. Programming problems are now assigned in a simple to learn, easy to write, mathematical-like functional programming language that requires no previous programming experience. In theory, all students begin on the same basis. Exposure to the concepts of functional programming is an essential part of computer science and mathematics curricula. For most students this is the only exposure to functional programming. Functional programming and discrete mathematics are a natural combination. One week of lectures and perhaps a small monetary investment is all that is required. An instructor totally unfamiliar with functional programming can easily learn enough in a week or so to present a simple introduction to the topic. Introducing functional programming concepts in discrete mathematics was very successful. Students found the exposure to functional programming to be an insight they had never experienced before and enthusiastically recommended an introduction to functional programming be a permanent part of the course.
Separating the low and high hierarchies by oracles

Abstract The relativized low and high hierarchies within NP are considered. An oracle A is constructed such that the low and high hierarchies relative to A are infinite, and for each k an oracle Ak is constructed such that the low and high hierarchies relative to Ak have exactly k levels.
Thermochemistry of the reaction catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase

Abstract The thermochemistry of the reduction of pyruvate to lactate, in the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form); catalyzed by the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase, has been studied. After approximately 120 experiments, a best value for the enthalpy of reaction has been determined to be −14.80±0.30 kcal mol −1 . This reveals that the driving force for the reaction is almost completely enthalpic in nature. In addition, using the current methodology, it is possible to determine lactate dehydrogenase activity as low as 0.15 international units (325 Wroblewski units) per sample.