cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High speed melt spinning of poly(L-lactic acid) filaments

Poly(L-lactic acid) filaments were prepared by high speed melt spinning at take-up velocities up to 5000 m/min. The crystallinity, birefringence, tensile strength, Young's modulus and yield strength all exhibit maxima at take-up velocities between 2000 and 3000 m/min. The boiling water shrinkage exhibits a minimum in this range. The maximum tensile strength of the as-spun filaments was 385 MPa and the maximum modulus was 6 GPa. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1005–1012, 1998
Doing the impossible

(1964). Doing the impossible. Australasian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 86-97.
CONFIGURATIONAL EFFECTS IN ANTIBODY-ANTIGEN INTERACTIONS STUDIED BY MICROCALORIMETRY

In this paper we study the binding of two monoclonal antibodies, E3 and E8, to cytochrome c using high-sensitivity isothermal titration calorimetry. We combine the calorimetric results with empirical calculations which relate changes in heat capacity to changes in entropy which arise from the hydrophobic effect. The change in heat capacity for binding E3 is -350 +/- 60 cal K-1 mol-1 while for E8 it is -165 +/- 40 cal K-1 mol-1. This result indicates that the hydrophobic effect makes a much larger contribution for E3 than for E8. Since the total entropy change at 25 degrees C is very similar for both antibodies, it follows that the configurational entropy cost for binding E3 is much larger than for binding E8 (-77 +/- 15 vs. -34 +/- 11 cal K-1 mol-1). These results illustrate a case of entropy compensation in which the cost of restricting conformational degrees of freedom is to a large extent compensated by solvent release. We also show that the thermodynamic data can be used to make estimates of the surface area changes that occur upon binding. The results of the present study are consistent with previous hydrogen-deuterium exchange data, detected using 2D NMR, on the two antibody-antigen interactions. The NMR study indicated that protection from exchange is limited to the binding epitope for E8, but extends beyond the epitope for E3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Spin-unsaturated subshells and the nucleon-nucleus optical-model spin-orbit potential

The role of spin-unsaturated subshells in calculations of optical-model spin-orbit potentials is investigated using a realistic nucleon-nucleon interaction. For projectiles of moderate bombarding energies the one-body spin-orbit potential is predicted to be quenched relative to that for nearby nuclei having only spin-saturated shells. The source of this quenching is the same as that discussed by Scheerbaum in an investigation of the quenching of spin-orbit splittings in bound states. A simple physical picture is given which permits a qualitative understanding of this quenching in terms of the components of the nucleon-nucleon interaction. An estimate of the effect on polarization-like observables is made, and a general problem with currently used tensor forces is reemphasized. The relationship of this problem to a number of other structure and scattering problems is stressed.
Multimode dielectric resonator antenna of very high permittivity

In this paper a design strategy to obtain low loss, small size dielectric antennas, by using very high dielectric constant materials is described. It is shown how by properly selecting the resonator shape and combining different resonant modes it is possible to design dielectric resonator antennas (DRA) with compact size and wide frequency coverage even at the cellular frequencies. Simple formulas are presented to illustrate the design procedure and allow a quick dimensioning of the antenna. Furthermore the paper describes techniques to enhance the response provided by the natural resonance frequencies of DRA, by adding parasitically coupled conducting strips, to enable multi-band operation. Results and examples are reported, showing the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Manipulation of opiate activity in the amygdala alters memory processes.

Abstract The opiate agonist, levorphanol, injected into the amygdala complex of rats following passive avoidance conditioning produced time-dependent and dose-dependent decreases in retention. This effect obtained with levorphanol was observed to be stereospecific. In addition, post-training administration of the opiate antagonist, naloxone, into the amygdala significantly increased retention of passive avoidance conditioning in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. Finally, these opposing effects of opiate agonist and antagonist administration were blocked by combined administration of levorphanol and naloxone. These data support a possible role for amygdala opioid peptides in time-dependent memory processes.
A Forgotten Case of “Scientific Excellence on the Periphery”: The Nationalist Cocaine Science of Alfredo Bignon, 1884–1887

The A. charts the brilliant and now largely forgotten career of Alfredo Bignon, a Peruvian chemist who did groundbreaking scientific studies of cocaine and invented an efficient, low-tech process for refining it from coca leaves. Working in the same period as Freud, whose cocaine research is decidedly not forgotten, Bignon knew the benefits and costs of science on the periphery. His efforts were suported by Peruvian nationalists, who saw coca as their gift to the world, but the kowledge he produced was "appropriated" by German pharmaceutical interests who had little need of a lone chemist, remotely situated, with ties to French drug companies. Although Bignon was cut out of "big cocaine," local variants of his no-frills process for refining the drug surfaced decades later in "jungle labs," where they were used to cook low-grade cocaine for a new global drug flow, this one illicit. His "cocaine science," a product of the margins, is now central to the world market for cocaine.
Challenges of conducting field experiments in correctional settings: boot camp prison study as an example

The challenges of conducting a field experiment in a correctional setting. This paper discusses the issues related to planning, design, and completion of a randomized control study of a correctional boot camp including the difficulties confronted and how these were or were not overcome. At the beginning, correctional administrators were interested in and supportive of the study and this greatly facilitated our initial work. However, as described in this paper, during the course of the research obstacles and difficulties arose. Using the boot camp experiment as an example, we review the trials and tribulations of trying to do a field experiment in corrections. The importance of collecting quantitative and qualitative in order to understand the experiences of both the control and experimental groups is emphasized, as is the need to examine the theoretical mechanisms hypothesized to lead to changes in outcomes. Some of the challenges confronted in this randomized control trial are those facing anyone attempting to conduct a field experiment, others relate to the particular issues faced by those who are conducting experiments in correctional settings. The paper concludes with a discussion of the issues confronting researchers who are doing field experiments in corrections.
Mechanistic Role of Structurally Dynamic Regions in Dicistroviridae IGR IRESs

Dicistroviridae intergenic region (IGR) internal ribosome entry site(s) (IRES) RNAs drive a cap-independent pathway of translation initiation, recruiting both small and large ribosomal subunits to viral RNA without the use of any canonical translation initiation factors. This ability is conferred by the folded three-dimensional structure of the IRES RNA, which has been solved by X-ray crystallography. Here, we report the chemical probing of Plautia stali intestine virus IGR IRES in the unbound form, in the 40S-subunit-bound form, and in the 80S-ribosome-bound form. The results, when combined with an analysis of crystal structures, suggest that parts of the IRES RNA change structure as the preinitiation complex forms. Using mutagenesis coupled with native gel electrophoresis, preinitiation complex assembly assays, and translation initiation assays, we show that these potentially structurally dynamic elements of the IRES are involved in different steps in the pathway of ribosome recruitment and translation initiation. Like tRNAs, it appears that the IGR IRES undergoes local structural changes that are coordinated with structural changes in the ribosome, and these are critical for the IRES mechanism of action.
Proximate and elemental composition and energy content of mesopelagic crustaceans from the Eastern Gulf of Mexico

The proximate and elemental chemical compositions of 25 species of pelagic decapod and mysid crustaceans collected from the eastern Gulf of Mexico (∼27°N; 86°W, 1984 to 1989) was examined. Water level ranged from 63 to 95% and increased slightly with species' increased depth of occurrence. Protein levels were generally high (1.5 to 18.3% wet wt, WW; 27.6 to 62.4% ash-free dry wt, AFDW) and comprised the primary organic component in the majority of species. Protein, both as % WW and % AFDW, decreased with increased depth of occurrence. In contrast to protein, lipid levels were low (0.5 to 8.9% WW; 5.7 to 60.9% AFDW), and increased with increased depth of occurrence. Carbon and nitrogen best mirrored measured lipid and protein levels when considered as non-protein carbon and non-chitin nitrogen, respectively. C:N ratios increased with increased depth, consistent with changes in protein and lipid with depth. Because of their compositional attributes, resident Gulf of Mexico species have a low total wet weight energy content relative to species from more productive regions. Energy content showed no significant trend with depth. Vertical migration patterns were distinctly different between shallow-and deep-living gulf species and these differences were largely responsible for the relationships observed between composition and depth. In migrating species, the protein and nitrogen content were higher, the lipid and carbon contents and C:N ratio lower, than in non-migrating species. Three deep-living species of the genus Acanthephyra were found to be compositionally atypical, resembling shallow, migrating types rather than other deep-living, non-migratory species.
Analogous microbial forms in recent subaerial habitats and in Precambrian cherts: Gloethece coerulea Geitler and Eosynechococcus moorei Hofmann

Abstract The mid-Precambrian microbial fossil Eosynechococcus moorei Hofmann is remarkably similar in morphology to the modern subaerial cyanophyte Gloeothece coerulea Geitler. Eosynechococcus moorei was discovered and described by Hofmann (1976) in cherts of the approximately 1.9 Ga old Belcher Island Formation, Canada, as a member of a microbial assemblage in stromatolites that were interpreted as intertidal. Gloeothece coerulea is a member of a lithophytic microbial assemblage that forms thin crusts on periodically wetted terrestrial rocks. The fossil-to-Recent comparison is based on study of the Eosynechococcus moorei type slides and fresh collections of Gloeothece coerulea from the mountains of Norway. Both the fossil and Recent microorganisms are rod-shaped unicells that have the same cell division pattern, pigmented extracellular envelopes, colony formation, and postmortem degradation sequences. This comparison is based on the following interpretation of the fossil. Ellipsoidal structures with occasional rod-shaped to granular inclusions are interpreted as extracellular envelopes with shrunken cell remnants. This interpretation is consistent with the principles demonstrated in the study of the co-occurring Eoentophysalis belcherensis (Golubic and Hofmann, 1976). The properties listed above were applied in combination at the population level. Gloeothece coerulea is the only plausible morphological counterpart of the mid-Precambrian Eosynechococcus moorei. The occurrence of Eosynechococcus at billion-year intervals in the fossil record, combined with the primitive fine structure of the photosynthetic apparatus (no thylakoid membranes) in its Recent counterpart Gloeothece coerulea (= Gloeobacter violaceus Rippka, Waterbury, and Conen-Bazire) supports the conclusion that this morphotype has been maintained since Precambrian time. The lithophytic assemblage to which Gloeothece coerulea belongs is an example of an extensive prokaryotic vegetational cover on Recent, periodically wetted rocks where higher plants do not grow. Such assemblages must have been common in the past but may not have been preserved as fossils because they occur as crusts on slopes and vertical cliffs with no sediment accumulation. Prokaryotic communities of subaerial habitats are proposed as a model for colonization of terrestrial environments in the Precambrian, long before the evolution of vascular plants.
Multi-User Aware Frame Structure for OFDMA Based System

In this paper, we propose a multi-user aware frame structure for doubly dispersive channels in order to increase both spectral efficiency and frequency spread immunity of orthogonal frequency division multiple accessing (OFDMA) based systems. Unlike the conventional OFDMA based system where the fixed cyclic prefix duration and subcarrier spacing are utilized within the frame structure considering the worst case communication channel, in the proposed approach, multiple cyclic prefix durations and subcarrier spacings are employed. In order to build the proposed frame structure, the statistics of the mobility and the range of the users are mapped to inter-carrier-interference and maximum excess delay to obtain multiple subcarrier spacings and cyclic prefix durations. As a result, better frequency spread immunity and spectral efficiency are achieved by exploiting the doubly dispersive channel characteristics of the users.
Mechanism of CD1d-restricted natural killer T cell activation during microbial infection

CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells are important for host defense against a variety of microbial pathogens. How and when these T cells become activated physiologically during infection remains unknown. Our data support a model in which NKT cells use a unique activation mechanism not requiring their recognition of microbial antigens. Instead, weak responses to CD1d-presented self antigens were amplified by interleukin 12 made by dendritic cells in response to microbial products, resulting in potent interferon-gamma secretion. NKT cells were among the first lymphocytes to respond during Salmonella typhimurium infection, and their activation in vivo also depended on interleukin 12 and CD1d recognition. We propose this mechanism of activation as a major pathway responsible for the rapid activation of NKT cells in different microbial infections.
Pharynx and oesophagus evaluation during the swallow using helical computerized tomography.

Purpose: Videofluorography (VF) and endoscopy are commonly used for dynamic imaging (DI) of pharyngeal swallowing but do not offer transverse plane (TP) information. The aim of the present study was to evaluate helical computerized tomography (HCT) to measure the DI capability pharyngeal swallowing in the TP.Methods: The HCT scan technique used was a single-slice cine mode with scan times of 100 ms. All 15 subjects were studied supine during dry swallow, swallowing of barium sulphate jelly and 3, 10, 15 or 20 ml of a 40% barium sulphate solution. Nine subjects repeated the test twice at more than 1 week's interval to determine the test-retest reliability.Results: Swallowing leads to closure of the vocal folds, pharyngeal constriction and narrowing of the piriform sinuses allowing jelly passage between the sinuses. Laryngeal elevation then occurrs with the opening of the pharyngoesophageal segment (PES). Swallowing a bolus of 20 ml produced the maximum anteroposterior and transverse diameters as well as th...
Denture wearing and oral cancer

Four hundred patients with oral cancer were studied to determine if there appeared to be a risk related to denture wearing. Forty-three percent of the group wore dentures, and there seemed to be no correlation between the wearing of dentures and any specific cancer site. Furthermore, there was no difference between denture and nondenture wearers relative to age, sex, time from first signs or symptoms to diagnosis, tumor stage, or tobacco use. In addition, a large number of individuals in the general population wear dentures, and carcinomas occur infrequently in denture-bearing sites. Other studies have shown no difference between denture wearers and control groups in the occurrence of oral cancer. Therefore, it does not seem plausable at this time to consider denture irritation as a significant carcinogenic aggravating factor.
A Novel and Reproducible Mouse Model of Spinal Cord Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Background: To apply the power of mice genetics to the study of spinal cord injury (SCI), improved small animal injury models are needed. We describe a novel ischemia/reperfusion murine model that is induced by spinal cord compression that can be reproduced effectively. Method: Mice were subjected to injury by placing a 10, 15, or 20 g weight on a 2 × 1 mm region of the cord at T12 for 5-15 min after laminectomy. The injury was monitored by mouse multimodality magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The effect of changing the orientation of a 15 g weight (7.5 g/mm2) to produce a narrow injury (with the long 2 mm axis of the weight parallel to the cord) to a transverse orientation markedly influenced resulting injury. Locomotor assessments were made using the mouse BBB (mBBB) and the transformed BBB (tBBB) scoring systems. Results: A weight of 7.5 g/mm2 produced moderate injury as assessed by MRI. A large fraction of mice with transverse injury exhibited autophagia with severe infection and required euthanasia. ...
Ultrastructural studies of differentiation in the oocyte of the polyclad turbellarian, Prostheceraeus floridanus

Oocyte differentiation in the polyclad turbellarian Prostheceraeus floridanus has been examined to determine the nature of oogenesis in a primitive spiralian. The process has been divided into five stages. (1) The early oocyte: This stage is characterized by a large germinal vesicle surrounded by dense granular material associated with the nuclear pores and with mitochondria. (2) The vesicle stage: The endoplasmic reticulum is organized into sheets which often contain dense particles. Vesicles are found in clusters in the cytoplasm, some of which are revealed to be lysosomes by treatment with the Gomori acid phosphatase medium. (3) Cortical granule formation: Cortical granules are formed by the fusion of filled Golgi vasuoles which have been released from the Golgi saccules. The association between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi suggests that protein is synthesized in the ER and transferred to the Golgi where polysaccharides are added to form nascent cortical granules. (4) Yolk synthesis: After a large number of cortical granules are synthesized, yolk bodies appear. They originate as small membrane-bound vesicles containing flocculent material which subsequently increase in size and become more compact. Connections between the forming yolk bodies and the endoplasmic reticulum indicate that yolk synthesis occurs in the ER. (5) Mature egg: In the final stage, the cortical granules move to the periphery and yolk platelets and glycogen fill the egg. At no time is there any evidence of uptake of macromolecules at the oocyte surface. Except for occasional desmosomes between early oocytes, no membrane specialization or cell associations are seen throughout oogenesis. Each oocyte develops as an independent entity, a conclusion supported by the lack of an organized ovary.
A low-dimensional model for delamination in a laterally loaded composite beam: Theory and experiment

Abstract Delamination is an important failure mechanism in certain types of composite structures. As layers of the composite become separated from one another, the composite loses some of its structural integrity and may not be capable of supporting the intended loads. Detecting this type of damage is currently a problem of interest to the structural health monitoring community. However, in order to design an appropriate detection strategy, knowledge of the underlying physics of delaminated structures is essential. Here, a low-dimensional model of a delamination in a laminated beam is developed. The model consists of only five elements yet is capable of capturing much of the behavior observed in an accompanying experiment. Both experimental and theoretical results are presented for the static response of a thin, delaminated beam.
Mentoring to prevent school drop outs

American businesses have established partnerships with schools in an effort to upgrade the quality of education and increase the number of skilled workers for the future. In these partnerships, business employees act as mentors to help develop human and social capital in at-risk children beginning at an early age so that they will graduate from high school and be prepared for post-secondary education. The purpose of this study was to examine mentoring policy in two elementary schools in an urban district. Participants in the study included central office administrators, principals from the two schools, 10 fourth-grade at-risk students in each school who had been mentored for at least one year, their mentors from local businesses, their teachers, and parents. Data were gathered from interviews, documents, and observations. The successes and limitations for mentoring programs in these two schools depended on policy, implementation, school governance, and support from central office. The study provided implications for improving these programs and providing a model for future mentoring programs.
Abiotic reduction of nitroaromatic contaminants by iron(II) complexes with organothiol ligands

Complexation of FeII by dissolved and surface-bound ligands can significantly modify the metal's redox reactivity, and recent work reveals that FeII complexes with selected classes of organic ligands are potent reductants that may contribute to the natural attenuation of subsurface contaminants. In the present study, we investigated the reactivity of FeII–organothiol ligand complexes with nitroaromatic contaminants (NACs; ArNO2). Experimental results show that NACs are unreactive in Fe2+-only and ligand-only solutions but are reduced to the corresponding aniline compounds (ArNH2) in solutions containing both FeII and a number of organothiol ligands. Observed reaction rates are highly dependent on the structure of the FeII-complexing ligand, solution composition, FeII speciation, and NAC structure. For two model ligands, cysteine and thioglycolic acid, observed pseudo–first order rate constants for 4-chloronitrobenzene reduction (kobs; 1/s) are linearly correlated with the concentration of the respective 1:2 FeII–organothiol complexes (FeL22−), and kobs measurements are accurately predicted by kobs = kFeL22-[FeL22−], where kFeL22- = 1.70 (±0.59) 1/M/s and 26.0 (±4.8) 1/M/s for cysteine and thioglycolic acid, respectively. The high reactivity of these FeII complexes is attributed to a lowering of the standard one-electron reduction potential of the FeIII/FeII redox couple on complexation by organothiol ligands. The relative reactivity of a series of substituted NACs with individual FeII complexes can be described by linear free-energy relationships with the apparent one-electron reduction potentials of the NACs. Tests also show that organothiol ligands can further promote NAC reduction indirectly by re-reducing the FeIII that forms when FeII complexes are oxidized by reactions with the NACs.
The Production of Large, Epoxy-Embedded, 50 μ Sections by Precision Sawing; A Preliminary to Survey for Ultrathin Sectioning

Tissue slices not more than 4 mm thick—including those containing mineralized bone—were fixed in buffered 6.25% glutaraldehyde. Parts of the specimen to be used for subsequent electron microscopy had to be within 1 mm of the surface to permit proper penetration of the second fixation in 1% OsO4, therefore, if such parts were not originally so exposed, superfluous tissue was dissected away. After fixation and washing, a regular dehydration and embedding sequence was used, but with the time in individual fluids tripled, and 2 changes of absolute ethanol and 2 of undiluted resin added to insure thorough permeation. The resin mixture (containing Epon 812) was the hardest one normally used for ultra-thin sectioning. The blocks were cut at 50 μ on a Gillings-Bronwill thin-sectioning, hardtissue saw, which had been modified by the addition of supplementary water jets for cooling the diamond blade and the tissue block. Sections were examined microscopically in glycerol; a selected area was punched out with a 1 mm...
The nature of bacteria pathogenic to fish

Abstract A review is made of the progress in research on bacteria which are pathogenic to fish, with particular emphasis on those investigations performed during the past decade. The report includes a critical review of material published; the comments and suggestions are designed to stimulate the initiation of new research projects.
Protein kinase βII in Zucker obese rats compromises oxygen and flow-mediated regulation of nitric oxide formation

In severe obesity, microvascular endothelial regulation of nitric oxide (NO) formation is compromised in response to muscarinic stimulation, and major arteries have suppressed flow-mediated dilatio...
An approach to coordinate efforts to reduce the public health burden of stroke: the Delta States Stroke Consortium.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, with a particularly high burden on the residents of the southeastern states, a region dubbed the “Stroke Belt.” These five states — Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee — have formed the Delta States Stroke Consortium to direct efforts to reduce this burden. The consortium is proposing an approach to identify domains where interventions may be instituted and an array of activities that can be implemented in each of the domains. Specific domains include 1) risk factor prevention and control; 2) identification of stroke signs and symptoms and encouragement of appropriate responses; 3) transportation, Emergency Medical Services care, and acute care; 4) secondary prevention; and 5) recovery and rehabilitation management. The array of activities includes 1) education of lay public; 2) education of health professionals; 3) general advocacy and legislative actions; 4) modification of the general environment; and 5) modification of the health care environment. The Delta States Stroke Consortium members propose that together these domains and activities define a structure to guide interventions to reduce the public health burden of stroke in this region.
Teen pregnancy is not a public health crisis in the United States. It is time we made it one

This commentary discusses the effect of premature parenthood on future poverty. It also comments on the article by Lawlor and Shaw asserting that teen mothers are as likely as older mothers to bear and raise healthy successful children.
Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Medications for Type 2 Diabetes: An Update Including New Drugs and 2-Drug Combinations

This systematic review compared the effectiveness of the vast array of treatment regimens for type 2 diabetes and found little evidence on the relative effects of various antihyperglycemic therapie...
Computer-assisted quantification of vascular tortuosity in retinopathy of prematurity (an American Ophthalmological Society thesis)

Results: By expert consensus, 37 of the 185 eyes (20%) had tortuosity sufficient for plus disease. The overall accuracy of ROPtool of 95% (175/185) for identifying tortuosity sufficient for plus disease was similar to that of examiner 1 (93%, 172/185, P = .5), examiner 2 (93%, 172/185, P = .5), and examiner 3 (91%, 168/185, P = .1). Sensitivity of ROPtool of 97% (36/37) was superior to that of examiner 1 (65%, 24/37, P < .001), examiner 2 (70%, 26/37, P < .001), and examiner 3 (81%, 30/37, P = .02). The mean tortuosity of quadrants with plus disease was 19.1 tortuosity units, compared to 9.9 tortuosity units for quadrants with pre-plus (P < .001) and 4.8 tortuosity units for normal quadrants (P < .001 for pre-plus vs normal). Conclusions: ROPtool has excellent sensitivity and overall accuracy relative to expert consensus in the detection of tortuosity sufficient for plus disease. Computer-assisted analysis of retinal images has the potential to remove subjectivity from the determination of plus disease and to optimize the timing of follow-up and treatment for ROP.
Subcritical bifurcation of plane Poiseuille flow

We apply the perturbation theory which was recently developed and justified by Joseph & Sattinger (1972) to determine the form of the time-periodic solutions which bifurcate from plane Poiseuille flow. The results a t lowest significant order seem to be in good agreement with those following from the formal perturbation method of Stuart (1960) as extended by Reynolds & Potter (1967). Given the numerical results of the present calculation, the rigorous theory guarantees that the only time-periodic solution which bifurcates from laminar Poiseuille flow is a two-dimensional wave. The wave which bifurcates at the lowest Reynolds number exists, but it is unstable when its amplitude is small. Solutions which escape the small domain of attraction of laminar Poiseuille flow snap through this unstable time-periodic solution with a small amplitude to solutions of larger amplitudes.
The neurocognitive effects of radiation in adult low-grade glioma patients

Radiotherapy is a component of the treatment regimen for the majority of patients with low-grade gliomas. Therefore, the effect of radiotherapy on the long-term cognitive performance of these patients is a major concern. This article reviews the neurocognitive effects of radiotherapy on patients with low-grade gliomas. The weight of evidence suggests only sporadic, limited neurocognitive damage from focal radiotherapy at the doses usually prescribed for low-grade gliomas.
Concepts in the classroom, programming in the lab

Computing Curricula 1991 calls for breadth in the undergraduate computer science curriculum. Many authors have recommended structured laboratories for computer science. This is a report on a project to combine these goals in an introductory sequence of courses. We present two courses in which all programming is done in a laboratory environment, leaving the lectures for more conceptual material that ranges over a broad selection of topics. Student reactions to this project have been very positive—we have increased the number of students continuing with the major, as well as student satisfaction with the courses themselves.
Comparing VaR Approximation Methods that Use the First Four Moments as Inputs

This article compares four methods used to approximate value at risk (VaR) from the first four moments of a probability distribution: Cornish–Fisher, Edgeworth, Gram–Charlier, and Johnson distributions. Increasing rearrangements are applied to the first three methods. Simulation results suggest that for large sample situations, Johnson distributions yield the most accurate VaR approximation. For small sample situations with small tail probabilities, Johnson distributions yield the worst approximation. A particularly relevant case would be in banking applications for calculating the size of operational risk to cover certain loss types. For this case, the rearranged Gram–Charlier method is recommended.
Peer education programs in corrections: curriculum, implementation, and nursing interventions.

Despite the prevalence of HIV and other infectious diseases in U.S. prisons, and the mix of infected and high-risk prisoners in crowded and volatile living conditions, federal and state prisons have reduced or eliminated prevention education programs addressing HIV and other infectious diseases for incarcerated populations. Nurses'knowledge, education, and licensure place them in a position to influence prison policy in developing and implementing educational programs for inmates and staff. Their role as advocates for patients in prison and their separation from the more punitive aspects of corrections also enable nurses to earn the trust of inmate populations. These factors identify nurses as the staff best suited within corrections to implement inmate prevention education. Training inmate educators to provide peer prevention and strategies for risk reduction have potential to modify inmate behaviors both within the facility and following release. Selection criteria for peer educator recruitment, prison-sensitive issues, and suggested training activities are discussed.
Batch, fed‐batch, and microcarrier cultures with CHO cell lines in a pressure‐cycle driven miniaturized bioreactor

Miniaturized bioreactors for suspension cultures of animal cells, such as Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, could improve bioprocess development through the ability to cheaply explore a wide range of bioprocess operating conditions. A miniaturized pressure-cycled bioreactor for animal cell cultures, described previously (Diao et al., 2008), was tested with a suspension CHO cell line producing commercially relevant quantities of human IgG. Results from the suspended CHO cell line showed that the cell growth was comparable to conventional flask controls and the target protein production was enhanced in the minibioreactor, which may be due to the relatively high oxygen transfer rate and the moderate shear stress, measured and simulated previously. Microcarrier culture using an anchorage-dependent CHO cell line and Cytodex 3 also showed a similar result: comparable growth and enhanced production of a model protein (secreted alkaline phosphatase or SEAP). Various fed-batch schemes were applied to the CHO cells producing human IgG, yielding cell numbers (1.1 × 10(7) /mL) at day 8 and titers of human IgG (2.3 g/L) at day 14 that are typical industrial values for CHO cell fed-batch cultures. The alteration of the volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient is a key parameter for viability of the CHO cell line producing human IgG. We conclude that the minibioreactor can provide favorable cell culture environments; oxygen transfer coefficient and mixing time can be altered to mimic values in a larger scale system allowing for potential prediction of response during scale-up.
Functions of insulin and insulin receptor signaling in retina: possible implications for diabetic retinopathy.

Insulin action regulates the metabolic functions of the classically insulin-responsive tissues: liver, adipose, and skeletal muscle. Evidence also suggests that insulin acts on neural tissue and can modulate neural metabolism, synapse activity, and feeding behaviors. Insulin receptors are expressed on both the vasculature and neurons of the retina, but their functions are not completely defined. Insulin action stimulates neuronal development, differentiation, growth, and survival, rather than stimulating nutrient metabolism, e.g., glucose uptake as in skeletal muscle. Insulin receptors from retinal neurons and blood vessels share many similar properties with insulin receptors from other peripheral tissues, and retinal neurons express numerous proteins that are attributed to the insulin signaling cascade as in other tissues. However, undefined neuron-specific signals downstream of the insulin receptor are likely to also exist. This review compares retinal insulin action to that of peripheral tissues, and demonstrates that the retina is an insulin-sensitive tissue. The review also addresses the hypothesis that dysfunctional insulin receptor signaling in the retina contributes to cell dysfunction and death in retinal diseases.
Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: An 18 year follow-up study.

Abstract Background Cognitive impairment occurs in 40–65% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Less is known about the rate and pattern of cognitive decline over the course of the illness. Objective To examine long-term changes in cognition among patients enrolled in the phase III clinical trial of intramuscular interferon beta-1a (IM IFNβ-1a). Methods Twenty-two patients underwent a longitudinal investigation comparing neuropsychological test performance at study entry and 18-year follow-up. Results Over the 18 year interval, significant declines were observed on measures of information processing speed, simple and complex auditory attention, episodic learning and memory, and visual construction. Nine patients (41%) were found to be cognitively impaired at study entry. At follow-up 13 patients (59%) were cognitively impaired. While both the impaired and unimpaired patients at baseline experienced declines on these measures, only one measure, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), demonstrated a group (cognitively impaired versus intact at baseline)×time interaction. This interaction was characterized by a steeper decline in the unimpaired than the impaired group at baseline. Conclusions Over an 18 year period, our results suggest that cognitive impairment in MS progresses, with declines being most evident on measures known to be most sensitive to MS-related cognitive difficulties both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.
Information, Bureaucracy, and Economic Reforms in China and the Soviet Union

The argument in this essay can be reduced to the following form: the better a planning system is in terms of central planning techniques, the less likely it is to depart from central planning. The author proposes an information approach to explain why China launched economic reforms at a relatively earlier stage of development than did the Soviet Union. The claim is twofold regarding the connections between initiation of reform and information flows in China and in the Soviet Union. First, all else being equal, a bureaucracy better informed about economic conditions is more likely to pursue realistic economic objectives and its policies are less likely to induce macroeconomic instability. To the extent that macroeconomic instability activates a search for alternatives to the status quo, including reforms, a bureaucracy with better information-collection capabilities is less likely to initiate such a search and therefore less likely to initiate reforms.Second, policymakers choose between reforms and the strengthening of central planning as alternative solutions to the status quo. The choice of one solution over another depends on their relative costs. Again, all else being equal, the higher the costs of strengthening central planning (or reform), the more likely is reform (or strengthening of central planning) to be chosen. This essay focuses on one aspect of these costs—the costs of information provision.
Need to know-information, knowledge, and decision making

The success of information and knowledge management depends on understanding and supporting the user's need to know. This requires understanding humans' abilities, limitations, and inclinations in seeking of information and knowledge. This paper explores these phenomena in the context of two decades of studying human decision making in the domains of research, design, and management. The findings summarized are discussed in terms of implications for design, development, and deployment of information and knowledge support systems.
Who are you with and where are you going

We propose an agent-based behavioral model of pedestrians to improve tracking performance in realistic scenarios. In this model, we view pedestrians as decision-making agents who consider a plethora of personal, social, and environmental factors to decide where to go next. We formulate prediction of pedestrian behavior as an energy minimization on this model. Two of our main contributions are simple, yet effective estimates of pedestrian destination and social relationships (groups). Our final contribution is to incorporate these hidden properties into an energy formulation that results in accurate behavioral prediction. We evaluate both our estimates of destination and grouping, as well as our accuracy at prediction and tracking against state of the art behavioral model and show improvements, especially in the challenging observational situation of infrequent appearance observations–something that might occur in thousands of webcams available on the Internet.
Effect of cell swelling on membrane and cytoplasmic distribution of pICln.

pICln is found ubiquitously in mammalian cells and is postulated to play a critical role in cell volume regulation. Mutagenesis studies led to the proposal that pICln is a swelling-activated anion ...
Stillbirth as a risk factor for subsequent infant mortality

Abstract Background Infant mortality is an important indicator of the health and wellness of a society. Multiple risk factors for infant mortality have been identified and investigated; however, the influence of prior pregnancy experience on subsequent infant mortality is under-researched. Aims To examine the association between stillbirth in the first pregnancy and risk for infant mortality in the second pregnancy in a large population-based dataset. Study design Population-based, retrospective cohort study Subjects Missouri maternally linked cohort data files were utilized from 1989 through 2005. Analyses were restricted to women who had two singleton pregnancies during the study period. Outcome measures The exposure was stillbirth in the first pregnancy, while the primary outcome was infant mortality in the second pregnancy. Results Women who experienced stillbirth in their first pregnancy were more likely to be of advanced age, black, and obese and had higher rates of pregnancy-related complications (p Conclusions Women with prior stillbirth bear elevated risks for subsequent infant mortality. Women's previous childbearing experiences could serve as important criteria in determining appropriate interconception strategies to improve subsequent feto-infant health and survival.
On arithmetic fundamental lemmas

We present a relative trace formula approach to the Gross–Zagier formula and its generalization to higher-dimensional unitary Shimura varieties. As a crucial ingredient, we formulate a conjectural arithmetic fundamental lemma for unitary Rapoport–Zink spaces. We prove the conjecture when the Rapoport–Zink space is associated to a unitary group in two or three variables.
Targeting HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells by an antisense iron responsive element-directed gene expression

Overexpression of HER-2/neu proto-oncogene is found in many human cancers including 20-30% of breast cancer and is a predictor of poor prognosis. To target breast cancer cells that overexpress HER-2/neu mRNA, we previously described a novel strategy that combines the principle of antisense (AS) and translational inhibitory activity conferred by an iron-responsive element (IRE) (AS-IRE). Here, we showed that three potential AS-IREs, i.e. AS-IRE1, 4, and 5, derived from HER-2/neu antisense sequence could bind endogenous iron regulatory protein (IRP) and, when placed in 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of a reporter gene, the gene expression could be translationally repressed by recombinant IRP in vitro. Using AS-IRE4 as our model, we demonstrated that it is regulated by iron, and importantly, such regulation is impaired in HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Furthermore, we showed that AS-IRE4 could preferentially direct the expression of a reporter gene in HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Interestingly, when AS-IRE4 was placed in 5'UTR of Bax gene, a pro-apoptotic protein in the Bcl-2 protein family, we observed a preferential cell killing in breast cancer cells that overexpress HER-2/neu. Taken together, our results suggest that AS-IRE behaves as a functional IRE and it may direct therapeutic gene expression to preferentially target HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells.
A hybrid FEBI-MoM-PO formulation for the analysis of radiation and scattering problems

This paper presents a full wave hybrid formulation that systematically combines finite element - boundary integral method with method of moments and physical optics. Unlike many existing hybrids, each method in the proposed formulation is correctly tested by following duality parings. A robust domain decomposition preconditioner is then applied to solve the final system matrix. Several real life examples are analyzed to demonstrate the accuracy as well as efficiency of the proposed approach.
AT2R Gene Delivered by Condensed Polylysine Complexes Attenuates Lewis Lung Carcinoma after Intravenous Injection or Intratracheal Spray

Transfection efficiency and toxicity concerns remain a challenge for gene therapy. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) have been broadly investigated to improve the transfection of genetic material (e.g., pDNA and siRNA). Here, a synthetic CPP (polylysine, K9 peptide) was complexed with angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) plasmid DNA (pAT2R) and complexes were condensed using calcium chloride. The resulting complexes were small (∼150 nm) and showed high levels of gene expression in vitro and in vivo. This simple nonviral formulation approach showed negligible cytotoxicity in four different human cell lines (cervix, breast, kidney, and lung cell lines) and one mouse cell line (a lung cancer cell line). In addition, this K9-pDNA-Ca(2+) complex demonstrated cancer-targeted gene delivery when administered via intravenous injection or intratracheal spray. The transfection efficiency was evaluated in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cell lines cultured in vitro and in orthotopic cancer grafts in syngeneic mice. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that the complex effectively delivered pAT2R to the cancer cells, where it was expressed mainly in cancer cells along with bronchial epithelial cells. A single administration of these complexes markedly attenuated lung cancer growth, offering preclinical proof-of-concept for a novel nonviral gene delivery method exhibiting effective lung tumor gene therapy via either intravenous or intratracheal administration.
Interaction of Colloidal Particles with Critical Liquid Mixtures

The interaction of polystyrene latex spheres with critical solvent mixtures has been studied for two solvent mixtures, each at a variety of solvent compositions, with colloidal particles of different radius, surface charge density and volume fraction. When the solvent is in its two-phase regime but near the critical temperature, the particles partition strongly into a preferred phase, the choice of phase depending on particle surface-charge-density alone. Deeper in the two phase regime, the particles migrate to the interface. In the one-phase region, there is a sizeable zone of aggregation for solvent mixtures on the side of the coexistence curve rich in the non-preferred liquid. This aggregation can be shown to be incompatible with both the Fisher-DeGennes mechanism and with mechanisms based on prewetting arguments.
A NEW LOPHODERMIUM ON PONDEROSA PINE

In June 1963, a needle cast fungus was observed on Pinus ponderosa Laws. in the Roosevelt National Forest, Larimer County, Colorado. The length of the prominent, black, often sinuous hysterothecia (up to 45 mm) and of the asci (averaging 181 /x) indicated that this fungus was distinct from those treated by Darker (1932) or by Tehon (1935). Although the gross characteristics of the fungus resemble to some extent those of Hypoderwella medusa Dearness, the filiform (length/ width = 30-40), fasciculate spores, which extend the full length of the ascus, do not indicate placement in Hypodermella. Reference to several treatments of hypodermataceous genera (Lagerberg, 1910; Darker, 1932; Nannfeldt, 1932; Tehon, 1935; and Terrier, 1942) indicates that this fungus is properly assigned to the genus Lophodermium as it is presently defined. The following new species is proposed: