cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alterations in MDCK and LLC-PK1 cells exposed to oxalate and calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals

Structural analysis of human kidney stones reveals the presence of cellular membranes and other cell fragments. Experimentally, calcium oxalate crystallization is facilitated when an exogenous nephrotoxin is given with ethylene glycol, thus providing cellular degradation products to act as heterogeneous nuclei. In this report, we tested whether oxalate alone could act as a cell toxin capable of producing damaged cells without the presence of an exogenous agent. Cultured LLC-PK1 and MDCK cells, when exposed to 1.0 mmol KOx, a concentration at the limit of metastability for calcium oxalate nucleation, were severely damaged as measured by specific lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in the spent media and by trypan blue exclusion. This effect was magnified by the addition of pre-formed calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals; the injury was significantly amplified when compared to exposure to oxalate alone. Scanning electron microscopy studies illustrated attachment of crystals to cells with loss of cell-to-cell and cell-to-substrate contact, as cells were released from the monolayer. In both oxalate and combined crystal-oxalate studies, more cells were released from the monolayer and exhibited considerably more damage when compared to controls. Oxalate, at the limit of metastability for calcium oxalate, is a cell toxin and can produce cellular degradation products. This effect is increased significantly by the addition of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals.
Lung Cancer: Can Pathologic Features Predict Molecular Alterations?

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States. Since therapeutic regimens target specific mutations, molecular testing has become routine practice. Molecular analysis is expensive and poses a burden on rising health care costs. The present study was undertaken to see if pathologic features are predictive of molecular alterations in lung cancers. A retrospective search of …
Disparities in Use of Human Epidermal Growth Hormone Receptor 2–Targeted Therapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer

PurposeTrastuzumab is a key component of adjuvant therapy for stage I to III human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer. The rates and patterns of trastuzumab use have never been described in a population-based sample. The recent addition of HER2 information to the SEER-Medicare database offers an opportunity to examine patterns of trastuzumab use and to evaluate possible disparities in receipt of trastuzumab.MethodsWe examined a national cohort of Medicare beneficiaries with incident stage I to III HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosed in 2010 and 2011 (n = 1,362). We used insurance claims data to track any use of trastuzumab in the 12 months after diagnosis as well as to identify chemotherapy drugs used in partnership with trastuzumab. We used modified Poisson regression analysis to evaluate the independent effect of race on likelihood of receiving trastuzumab by controlling for clinical need, comorbidity, and community-level socioeconomic status.ResultsOverall, 50% of white ...
Need for primary care.

Objective This paper is a renewed call for medical schools to address the societal need for more primary care physicians. Data sources Numerous studies from the literature are cited as background for this paper. Data synthesis The Author retraces the historical beginnings of the specialty of Family Practice and some of the more recent events which highlight the need for more primary care physicians. Conclusions The author concludes that there is a societal need for more primary care physicians and that medical schools should respond to this need.
Mechanical signals and mechanosensitive modulation of intracellular [Ca2+] in smooth muscle

We tested the hypothesis that strain is the primary mechanical signal in the mechanosensitive modulation of intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) in airway smooth muscle. We found that [Ca2+]i ...
The Z Velocity Dispersion of Outer H I Disks

The velocity dispersion of the interstellar gas measured perpendicular to the disk in face-on spiral galaxies shows a remarkable consistency. Typically the width of the velocity distribution decreases monotonically with increasing galactic radius through the luminous, stellar disk; but in the outer disk where there is gas but no stars the velocity dispersion is σ v ≃ 7 km s−1 with a scatter of 2 km s−1 at most from one position to another and from one galaxy to another. Trying to understand this number raises questions about the thermal state of the H I in outer, gaseous disks. The most important issue is to understand the dominant heating and cooling processes for the atomic gas.
Relationships Between Probability and Possibility Theories

The goal of a new area of Computing with Words (CWW) is solving computationally tasks formulated in a natural language (NL). The extreme uncertainty of NL is the major challenge to meet this ambitious goal requiring computational approaches to handle NL uncertainties. Attempts to solve various CWW tasks lead to the methodological questions about rigorous and heuristic formulations and solutions of the CWW tasks. These attempts immediately reincarnated the long-time discussion about different methodologies to model uncertainty, namely: Probability Theory, Multi-valued logic, Fuzzy Sets, Fuzzy Logic, and the Possibility theory. The main forum of the recent discussion was an on-line Berkeley Initiative on Soft Computing group in 2014. Zadeh claims that some computing with words tasks are in the province of the fuzzy logic and possibility theory, and probabilistic solutions are not appropriate for these tasks. In this work we propose a useful constructive probabilistic approach for CWW based on sets of specialized K-Measure (Kolmogorov’s measure) probability spaces that differs from the random sets. This work clarifies the relationships between probability and possibility theories in the context of CWW.
The role of top managers in determining investment in innovation: The case of small and medium-sized enterprises in India:

This article examines the role of top managers in shaping the innovation investment actions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India. Survey responses from 477 top managers of Indian S...
Development of Pharmaceutically Acceptable Crystalline Forms of Drug Substances via Solid-State Solvent Exchange

In the pharmaceutical industry, solid form screening plays an important role to discover forms that exhibit desired physicochemical properties for drug product development. This work describes an approach to meet this objective by the transformation of undesirable solvates to hydrates or cosolvates with water via solid-state solvent exchange. Case studies of two drug substances, imatinib mesylate and linagliptin, are discussed, where linaglipitin methanol/ethanol solvate was converted to an iso-structural hydrate and, similarly, imatinib mesylate methanol–water cosolvate was converted to a predominantly water-containing cosolvate. Through quality by design based optimization, temperature and relative humidity were identified as critical process parameters that impacted the rate of solvent exchange during humidification. In addition, crystallization parameters that impacted the crystal size were found to play a key role in determining the extent of solvent exchange. This unexpected effect of crystal size w...
The Mechanism of Action of (−)-Lomaiviticin A

Conspectus(−)-Lomaiviticin A (4) is a complex C2-symmetric bacterial metabolite that contains two diazofluorene functional groups. The diazofluorene consists of naphthoquinone, cyclopentadiene, and diazo substituents fused through a σ- and π-bonding network. Additionally, (−)-lomaiviticin A (4) is a potent cytotoxin, with half-maximal inhibitory potency (IC50) values in the low nanomolar range against many cancer cell lines. Because of limitations in supply, its mechanism of action had remained a “black box” since its isolation in the early 2000s. In this Account, I describe how studies directed toward the total synthesis of (−)-lomaiviticin A (4) provided a platform to elucidate the emergent properties of this metabolite and thereby connect chemical reactivity with cellular phenotype.We first developed a convergent strategy to prepare the diazofluorene (9 + 10 → 13). We then adapted this chemistry to the synthesis of lomaiviticin aglycon (21/22) and the natural monomeric diazofluorene (−)-kinamycin F (3)...
Depressive Symptoms in Bariatric Surgery Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Bariatric surgery has been shown to be a safe and effective intervention for patients with comorbid obesity and multiple sclerosis (MS); however, this sub-population may be at heightened risk for pre- and postoperative depressive symptoms. This current exploratory study aims to describe the prevalence and nature of depressive symptoms in a sample of patients with MS who undergo bariatric surgery. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who received bariatric surgery and had a diagnosis of MS (n = 31) and a control sample of non-surgical MS patients with severe obesity (n = 828). Longitudinal outcome measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Multiple Sclerosis Performance Scale (MSPS). There were no significant differences in PHQ-9 total and item scores between groups at baseline. PHQ-9 scores significantly improved at years 1 (p < 0.01) and 2 (p = 0.03) post-bariatric surgery when compared to non-surgical controls. Higher BMI (p = 0.03) and worse overall quality of life (p < 0.01) were associated with worsening of PHQ-9 scores in the bariatric group. When compared to controls, the bariatric group demonstrated improved MSPS scores on a trend level 1 year post-surgery (p = 0.08). Consistent with the literature on more general bariatric surgery populations, current findings highlight the possible early benefits of bariatric surgery for reducing depressive symptoms in this population when compared to controls. Importantly, results should be viewed as preliminary and additional research is needed to examine bariatric surgery and associations with depressive symptoms and performance in the MS population.
Evaluation of the head and neck cancer patient population and the incidence of hospitalization at an academic medical center.

PurposePatients with head and neck cancer are at risk for disease- and treatment-related toxicities that may be severe enough to require hospitalization. The risk factors associated with hospitalization in these patients are not well defined.MethodsWe conducted a single-center, retrospective observational study of patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemotherapy at an academic medical center infusion clinic in a one-year period. The primary objective was to characterize the head and neck cancer population at an academic medical center. Secondary objectives included describing the clinical and social factors associated with hospitalization.ResultsThere were 109 patients with head and neck cancer included in the analysis. Of these patients, 38 (35%) were hospitalized. The factors that were significantly associated with hospitalization on univariable logistic regression were former alcohol abuse, being on a nonstandard of care chemotherapy regimen, and having a chemotherapy agent discontinued. On mu...
Do younger patients have better results after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

Background As surgeons have become more adept and midterm to long-term results have demonstrated improved patient outcomes, the indications for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) have expanded. This study compares the clinical outcomes and complication rates between patients 65 years and younger and patients 70 years and older undergoing RTSA. Methods A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected cohort with minimum 2-year follow-up was performed at a single institution. Patient demographic data, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, range of motion, patient satisfaction, notching, and complication rates were analyzed. Results There were 32 patients (57 ± 4.9 years old) in the 65 years and younger group, whereas 50 patients (76 ± 4.9 years old) were in the 70 years and older group. The mean follow-up time was 3 years (range, 2-8 years). There were no significant differences in preoperative, postoperative, or change in ASES scores between the younger and older groups. Postoperatively, the younger cohort achieved a higher degree (mean) of forward flexion (133° vs. 117°), abduction (127° vs. 110°), and external rotation (40° vs. 27°) (P Conclusion Patient-reported outcomes scores and complication rates after RTSA of patients aged 65 years and younger were similar to those of patients aged 70 years and older. However, younger patients were able to achieve increased postoperative range of motion.
Wirelessly controlled harvester/sensor of air speed

A wirelessly controlled self-powered multi-functional system that uses a relay to change from harvesting air flow energy to sensing its speed and vice versa is developed. Both functions are achieved through the use of the same micro-wind turbine. When the relay is in the on position, the turbine harvests the air’s kinetic energy to charge a battery. When a measurement is needed, the relay is turned off wirelessly and energy harvesting is shut down. The charged battery is then used to turn on a wirelessly controlled single board computer that controls a data acquisition system to sense the rotational speed of the turbine, which is proportional to the air speed. The system is tested and results from a broad range of wind speeds are presented and analyzed. The system presented here can be used for autonomous sensing of air speed without a need for wired connections to an external power source or batteries that need to be regularly replaced, which makes it ideal for integration within the Internet of things as a platform for a smart building system.
Systems of Nonlocalized (Indistinguishable) Particles

In Chapter 1 we developed the elementary statistical mechanics of systems of distinguishable particles, and in Chapter 3 we showed how the concepts could be used to determine the thermodynamic functions for such systems, exemplified by the Einstein and Debye models for crystalline solids. In this chapter we consider the same aspects of systems of indistinguishable particles. This is in order to be able eventually to tackle the subject of gases, the molecules of which, because of their translational motion, must be regarded as indistinguishable.
Crusade Against Slavery: Edward Coles, Pioneer of Freedom

Review of: "Crusade Against Slavery: Edward Coles, Pioneer of Freedom," by Kurt E. Leichtle and Bruce G. Carveth.
Between Djakarta and Peking

As has been apparent from the preceding pages much of the impetus in the development of Communism in the Singapore-Malaysia area in recent years has come from the pressures being exerted by People’s China and the Indonesian Republic, not just on Malaysia but on the Southeast Asian region as a whole. Since September 1965, and the failure of the Communist coup in Djakarta, these pressures have rapidly declined, although their residual influence is still felt somewhat. No picture of Singapore-Malaysia Communism would be complete without a glance at the machinations of Djakarta and Peking, acting singly or together, particularly since 1962.
Alcohol-Induced Mesenteric Lymphatic Permeability: Link to Immunometabolic Modulation of Perilymphatic Adipose Tissue

Alcohol exerts significant immunomodulatory effects on innate and adaptive immune responses, impairing host defense against infections. Gut-mucosa-derived dendritic cells (DCs) traffic to mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) through mesenteric lymphatic vessels (MLVs), contributing to intestinal antigen homeostasis. Previously, we demonstrated that acute alcohol administration to male rats induces MLV hyperpermeability resulting in perilymphatic adipose tissue (PLAT) inflammation and insulin signaling dysregulation. We hypothesized that alcohol-induced MLV hyperpermeability can lead to DC leakage to PLAT. DCs promote adipose tissue regulatory T cell (Treg) expansion, and this has been proposed as a mechanism underlying age-associated insulin resistance (IR). The aim of this study was to determine whether chronic alcohol consumption promotes DC leakage to PLAT and results in metabolic dysregulation. Male rats received a Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet containing 36% of calories from alcohol for 10 weeks. Time-matched control animals were pair-fed. PLAT, MLNs, and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) were isolated for flow cytometry analyses. PLAT explants were used for determinations of insulin-induced glucose uptake. Chronic alcohol consumption decreased MLN CD4/CD8 ratio and Treg frequency in PBLs. Alcohol increased the frequency of DCs, CD4 T cells, and Tregs in PLAT. Lastly, alcohol decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in PLAT. Collectively, these findings suggest that alcohol-induced immune cell deviation from the gut-MLN pathway is associated with PLAT immunometabolic dysregulation. Whether this immune cell deviation impacts induction of mucosal immunity warrants further investigation.
Rare case of cystic hygroma in the epidural space resulting in multilevel spinal cord compression.

Lymphangioma, or cystic hygroma, involving the epidural space and spinal soft tissue, is a rare benign lesion consisting of an abnormal collection of lymphatic tissue isolated from the normal lymphatic system. This case report is the most extensive case of cystic hygroma involving the spine reported in the literature. A 23-year-old man with a history of cystic hygromas of the neck and thorax presented with bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness that progressively worsened over 3 months. A left hemilaminectomy from C4 to T5 with endoscopic exploration and cyst drainage was performed. At last follow-up, the patient was ambulating and returned to work. Aggressive decompression of mass lesions resulting in myelopathy, such as the spinal cystic hygromas, resulted in improved motor function as well as overall function status.
Rethinking Landscape Conservation: Linking Globalized Agriculture to Changes to Indigenous Community-Managed Landscapes:

Community-managed landscapes have valuable conservation potential. In particular, indigenous community management has slowed deforestation. However, globalized agriculture is an underlying driver o...
Microwave sintering of YBa2CU3OX superconductors

Le frittage dans un four a micro-ondes des supraconducteurs YBaCuO permet d'obtenir des densites plus elevees et des grosseurs de grain plus faibles que le frittage dans un four electrique conventionnel. Les proprietes electriques sont ameliores
Secure embedded intelligence in nuclear systems: Framework and methods

Abstract We present potential approaches for implementing secure embedded intelligence (SEI) and integrated state awareness (ISA) in advanced nuclear energy (NE) systems. A framework for deliberate design and operations of such systems is provided, and potential risks, challenges and impacts discussed. Activities that should be carried out in research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) opportunities are identified. Resulting implications for operation of ‘smart nuclear systems’, including remote operations, flexible operations, predictive maintenance, inherent digital security, and autonomous controls, are discussed.
Convertible Codes: New Class of Codes for Efficient Conversion of Coded Data in Distributed Storage

Erasure codes are typically used in large-scale distributed storage systems to provide durability of data in the face of failures. In this setting, a set of k blocks to be stored is encoded using an [n, k] code to generate n blocks that are then stored on different storage nodes. A recent work by Kadekodi et al. [Kadekodi et al., 2019] shows that the failure rate of storage devices vary significantly over time, and that changing the rate of the code (via a change in the parameters n and k) in response to such variations provides significant reduction in storage space requirement. However, the resource overhead of realizing such a change in the code rate on already encoded data in traditional codes is prohibitively high. Motivated by this application, in this work we first present a new framework to formalize the notion of code conversion - the process of converting data encoded with an [n^I, k^I] code into data encoded with an [n^F, k^F] code while maintaining desired decodability properties, such as the maximum-distance-separable (MDS) property. We then introduce convertible codes, a new class of code pairs that allow for code conversions in a resource-efficient manner. For an important parameter regime (which we call the merge regime) along with the widely used linearity and MDS decodability constraint, we prove tight bounds on the number of nodes accessed during code conversion. In particular, our achievability result is an explicit construction of MDS convertible codes that are optimal for all parameter values in the merge regime albeit with a high field size. We then present explicit low-field-size constructions of optimal MDS convertible codes for a broad range of parameters in the merge regime. Our results thus show that it is indeed possible to achieve code conversions with significantly lesser resources as compared to the default approach of re-encoding.
Microsurgical observation of the posterior vitreous in patients with vitreous hemorrhage caused by Terson syndrome.

Abstract Purpose To describe features characteristic of vitreous hemorrhage in patients with Terson syndrome observed through a microsurgical scope. Methods Between May 2015 and February 2019, 12 eyes of 10 patients with vitreous hemorrhage occurring after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) underwent pars plana vitrectomy. Results During vitreous surgery, we found 10 of 12 eyes did not have posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Furthermore, we observed in 9 of the 10 eyes without PVD (90.0%) that there was no hemorrhage in the posterior vitreous cavity at the posterior pole while we removed vitreous hemorrhage. We confirmed that this clean space could be the posterior precortical vitreous pocket (PPVP). Conclusion and importance Terson syndrome may have no hemorrhage in the PPVP regardless of the presence of severe vitreous hemorrhage. The cases presented in our study may suggest one of the mechanisms of Terson syndrome.
Cytomegalovirus Encephalopathy during Brain Tumor Irradiation

Some patients with brain cancer show extremely short survival postradiochemotherapy treatment for unknown reasons. Recent work shows that this is closely linked to encephalopathy associated with reactivation of latent cytomegalovirus in the host. Importantly, survival can be enhanced by treatment with antiviral drugs.See related article by Goerig et al., p. 3259.
Ménière's Disease

Meniere's disease is an idiopathic inner ear disorder characterized by the classic triad of unilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and attacks of vertigo. Most cases are sporadic and affect only one ear but approximately 10% of the time both ears become affected. The cause is not well understood but the process that leads to attacks is thought to be related to sudden accumulation of endolymph swelling in the labyrinth, possibly due to membrane and ion channel abnormalities. The treatments, both medical and surgical, are directed at stopping the attacks of vertigo and arresting the progression of hearing loss if possible.
Skin Sea Surface Temperatures From the GOES-16 ABI Validated With Those of the Shipborne M-AERI

Derived from satellite measurements, the skin sea surface temperature (SSTHammerDriveskin) is a critical variable in research into the climate and other aspects of the ocean-atmosphere system As the new generation of visible and infrared imaging radiometers, the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) onboard the current U.S. geostationary satellites series provides marked improvements to remote sensing of the ocean surface from geostationary orbit, including a wider range of spectral bands and more rapid sampling. This research compares SSTHammerDriveskin derived from the ABI onboard the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-16 satellite from January 2018 to October 2019 with the independent data acquired from Marine-Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometers (M-AERIs) deployed on ships. The result shows an averaged SSTHammerDriveskin mean bias of 0.086 K and a robust standard deviation of 0.220 K. The properties of the bias are determined based on various aspects such as geographical distribution, day/night, aerosol effect, and satellite zenith angle. This study also shows that the ABI sensor-specific error statistics (SSES) are effective to reduce the errors by slant-path water vapor and satellite zenith angle. The main result of this research is that the SSTHammerDriveskin products derived from the ABI compare well with independent, International System of Units (SI)-traceable radiometric skin temperatures taken from ships, and this should give confidence in the use of these remotely-sensed SSTHammerDriveskin fields for many scientific endeavors. Some remaining challenges have been identified for algorithm developers to address, and we hope these will be pursued in due course.
2 STOPPING A PANDEMIC

By the time a smallpox outbreak occurred in Bradford, England, in January 1962, the country was largely free of the disease. The authorities first noticed something strange in Bradford when a cook from Bradford's Children's Hospital was admitted to a “fever hospital” (a hospital used for isolating those with severe diseases). The cook's blood sample indicated a severe viral infection, with unusual damage to the blood cells. But what kind of virus? 1
Robotic “Reverse-Seven” Ureteroileal Reimplantation: Step-by-Step Surgical Technique

Abstract Introduction: Ileoureteral replacements are complex surgeries performed when the length or location of the ureteral injury precludes primary ureteroureterostomy, Boari flap, or psoas hitch...
Distributed-Memory k-mer Counting on GPUs

A fundamental step in many bioinformatics computations is to count the frequency of fixed-length sequences, called k-mers, a problem that has received considerable attention as an important target for shared memory parallelization. With datasets growing at an exponential rate, distributed memory parallelization is becoming increasingly critical. Existing distributed memory k-mer counters do not take advantage of GPUs for accelerating computations. Additionally, they do not employ domain-specific optimizations to reduce communication volume in a distributed environment. In this paper, we present the first GPU-accelerated distributed-memory parallel k-mer counter. We evaluate the communication volume as the major bottleneck in scaling k-mer counting to multiple GPU-equipped compute nodes and implement a supermer-based optimization to reduce the communication volume and to enhance scalability. Our empirical analysis examines the balance of communication to computation on a state-of-the-art system, the Summit supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Lab. Results show overall speedups of up to two orders of magnitude with GPU optimization over CPU-based k mer counters. Furthermore, we show an additional 1.5$\times$ speedup using the supermer-based communication optimization.
Applied Holographic Interferometry as a Nondestructive Method for the Dynamic and Modal Analysis of an Advanced Graphite-Epoxy Composite Structure

Holographic Interferometry methods have been successfully employed to characterize the materials and behavior of diverse types of structures under stress1,2,3. Specialized variations of this technology have also been applied to define dynamic and vibration related structural behavior4. Such applications of holographic technique offer some of the most effective methods of modal and dynamic analysis available. Structures and processed materials can be analyzed with very low amplitude excitation and the resultant data can be used to adjust the accuracy of mathematically derived structural models.
Faith as social capital: Religion and community development in Southern Asia

A.T. Ariyaratne’s contention that a preoccupation with the material and financial dimensions of development can undermine its spiritual and cultural dimensions may sound somewhat romantic and impractical. His Sarvodaya Movement, however, based on the philosophy that the material improvement of communities is merely a means to their spiritual awakening, is one of the worldi¯s largest and most effective community development organizations. Most villages in Sri Lanka have had some contact with and been benefited by Sarvodaya community development work. The Sarvodaya Movement is tremendously popular in Sri Lanka, largely because it seeks to facilitate spiritual awakening through community and economic empowerment (Bond, 1996).
Synthesis of Avian Oncornavirus DNA in Infected Chicken Cells

Abstract The intracellular synthesis and integration of viral DNA (vDNA) into the host cell genome was studied in cultured chicken embryo fibroblasts infected with avian sarcoma or leukemia viruses. The newly synthesized vDNA was detected by hybridization with 70S viral RNA. Extraction of infected cell DNA by the selective procedure of Hirt resulted in the enrichment of newly synthesized vDNA in the low molecular weight supernatant fraction while leaving the bulk of cellular DNA containing integrated vDNA in the high molecular weight pellet fraction. This approach led to detection of intracellular vDNA synthesis within 1 h after infection and to vDNA integration into cellular DNA within 24 h. There was a several-fold increase in the vDNA content of infected cells during the initial phase of virus infection. But only a part of this newly synthesized vDNA appeared to become covalently linked with high molecular weight cellular DNA. Most of the remaining unintegrated vDNA gradually disappeared. The sedimentation profiles of minimally sheared cellular DNA in alkaline sucrose velocity gradients suggest that vDNA is synthesized as free linear molecules of approximately 3 × 106 daltons which subsequently are covalently linked to host cell DNA.
A study of meson-meson inelastic collisions using the Glauber multiple-quark-scattering model

The Glauber multiple-quark-scattering model has been applied to meson-meson inelastic scattering.
Anatomical volume visualization with weighted distance fields

We describe the use of the weighted distance transform (WDT) to enhance applications designed for volume visualization of segmented anatomical datasets. The WDT is presented as a general technique to generate a derived characteristic of a scalar field that can be used in multiple ways during rendering. We obtain real-time interaction with the volume by calculating the WDT on the graphics card. Several examples of this technique as it applies to an application for teaching anatomical structures are detailed, including rendering embedded structures, fuzzy boundaries, outlining, and indirect lighting estimation.
Aging of human fibroblasts in vitro: Correlations between DNA synthetic ability and cell size

Abstract Monolayer and mitotically shaken-off WI38 cells and an SV40 transformed variant were examined by size distribution analysis and 3 H-thymidine autoradiography. The mean cell volume of mitotic cells remained constant at about 4300 μm 3 regardless of culture age, whereas cells in the monolayer attained sizes in excess of 5 000 μm 3 without incorporating 3 H-thymidine. Transformed cells did not show an increase in cell size with serial passage. Cells which had not incorporated detectable amounts of 3 H-thymidine during a previous continuous labeling period could be separated by rate velocity sedimentation according to size. It was concluded that the increase in volume occurring as cells enter phase III was associated with loss of the ability to divide.
A Survey for Doppler-Shift Oscillations in K Giants

A survey of K giants is being conducted to search for both short- and long-term oscillations. Our radial velocity spectrometer has a short-term precision on bright stars of +_ 4 m/s after an exposure of 3 minutes on the CCD detector. Extensive sets of observations have been reduced for Arcturus, Pollux, and Aldebaran. Power spectra show no apparent oscillations within these data sets for frequencies between 0.15 and 2.0 mHz. However, the nightly averages over a 4 month time base show a three-fold increase in variance for Arcturus when compared to Pollux. A periodogram reveals a period of 1.844 +_0.005 days (or its alias of 2.174 days).
The duality of culture and practice: Poverty relief in New York City, 1888--1917

In 1893, Charles Henderson, a Baptist minister and member of the newly formed Department of Sociology at the University of Chicago, published the first of his several books on the American social-welfare system. In this book, entitled An Introduction of the Study of the Dependent, Defective and Delinquent Classes and of Their Social Treatment, Henderson set himself three tasks. First, he sought to differentiate rigorously the classes and sub-classes of the poor. Drawing upon scientific research in medicine, psychiatry, eugenics, and sociology, as well as the accumulated records of numerous charity organizations and state agencies, he constructed a complicated taxonomic system to distinguish among various social types. In a chapter dedicated to "unemployed and homeless dependents," for example, he proposed a hierarchical scale ranging from "those who are temporarily out of employment, but who have some resources and are able to work" down to the "social bottom stratum" where one would find "the vicious wanderers, the semi-criminal vagabonds and the sturdy rogues." In between these poles were two classes the "partially futile," defined as "men who are willing to work and able to do something, but fall below the average in ability to co6perate in industry," and the "wholly futile," described as "the unemployable ... (who) are not capable of keeping step with the average workman, nor of adapting their slow and uncertain movements to the speed of modern machinery."2 Henderson's second task was to review the range of alternative relief practices for providing assistance (and punishment) to these various classes of "dependents, defectives and delinquents." Here he compared the advantages and disadvantages of numerous types of employment assistance schemes, social investigations, "work-tests," various sorts of outdoor and indoor relief organizations, and the practice of giving money as compared to the giving of food, coal, and other necessities. His third task was to demonstrate the linkage between these two domains the classification of the poor and
Chapter 32 Isolation and Reactivation of Newt Lung Respiratory Cilia

Publisher Summary Cilia are the moving parts of the respiratory mucociliary epithelium, assisting in defense against respiratory tract infections. The constant and coordinated beating of cilia minimizes the adverse effects of inhaled material by exporting out of the respiratory tract any foreign material trapped in the mucous blanket. Dysfunction of mucociliary clearance may result either from impaired cilia or from abnormalities in the fluid component. A series of models or simplifications of the respiratory epithelium from newt lungs have been developed, that possess several advantages for studying mucociliary transport and the regulation of respiratory cilia. These models include isolated lungs, isolated epithelial sheets, and epithelia in primary tissue culture, isolated ciliated cells, isolated and reactivated ciliary tufts, and populations of demembranated ciliary axonemes. Such models allow study of the mucociliary transport process at different levels of organization without the regulatory influences of higher levels of organization. In this chapter, the methods used to isolate and reactivate demembranated ciliary axonemes from lungs of the newt, Taricha grunulosa , are summarized. The solutions, the isolation and reactivation of normal ciliary axonemes and of outer-arm-depleted axonemes have been described. With populations of demembranated cilia, study of ciliary function independent of cellular controls and investigate regulatory mechanisms that are inherent to the axoneme itself. Such demembranated axonemes can be isolated in a simple, one step process from newt lungs. Statistically, beat frequency shows a gaussian distribution about the mean for healthy axonemes. These characteristics are so consistent that reactivating solution can be used as a quality control solution at the start of the day's reactivation experiments and then every several hours to be sure that reactivated cilia have the same motility potential. These reactivation characteristics are not dependent on the particular animal, do not vary between males and females, and are the same throughout the year.
Multi-dimensional power spectrum estimation using noncausal rational models

Methods are presented for the identification of noncausal, rational, multidimensional systems from covariance data in connection with the development of noncausal models in multidimensional power spectrum estimation. It is shown how a recently proposed notion of state for noncausal systems and the resulting rank properties can be used for model estimation. The general class of noncausal systems studied encompasses the quarter-plane causal, all-pole, separable, and factorizable models previously considered for 2-D spectrum estimation. >
Investigating the Roles of Putative Active Site Residues in the Oxalate Decarboxylase from Bacillus subtilis

Oxalate decarboxylase (OxDC) catalyzes the conversion of oxalate into CO2 and formate using a catalytic mechanism that remains poorly understood. The Bacillus subtilis enzyme is composed of two cupin domains, each of which contains Mn(II) coordinated by four conserved residues. We have measured heavy atom isotope effects for a series of Bacillus subtilis OxDC mutants in which Arg-92, Arg-270, Glu-162, and Glu-333 are conservatively substituted in an effort to define the functional roles of these residues. This strategy has the advantage that observed isotope effects report directly on OxDC molecules in which the active site manganese center(s) is (are) catalytically active. Our results support the proposal that the N-terminal Mn-binding site can mediate catalysis, and confirm the importance of Arg-92 to catalytic activity. On the other hand, substitution of Arg-270 and Glu-333 affected both Mn(II) incorporation and the ability of Mn to bind to the OxDC mutants, thereby precluding any definitive assessment of whether the metal center in the C-terminal domain can also mediate catalysis. New evidence for the importance of Glu-162 in controlling metal reactivity has been provided by the unexpected observation that the E162Q OxDC mutant exhibits a significantly increased oxalate oxidase and a concomitant reduction in decarboxylase activities relative to wild type OxDC. Hence the reaction specificity of a catalytically active Mn center in OxDC can be perturbed by relatively small changes in local protein environment, in agreement with a proposal based on prior computational studies.
Digits lost or gained? Evidence for pedal evolution in the dwarf salamander complex (Eurycea, Plethodontidae).

Change in digit number, particularly digit loss, has occurred repeatedly over the evolutionary history of tetrapods. Although digit loss has been documented among distantly related species of salamanders, it is relatively uncommon in this amphibian order. For example, reduction from five to four toes appears to have evolved just three times in the morphologically and ecologically diverse family Plethodontidae. Here we report a molecular phylogenetic analysis for one of these four-toed lineages – the Eurycea quadridigitata complex (dwarf salamanders) – emphasizing relationships to other species in the genus. A multilocus phylogeny reveals that dwarf salamanders are paraphyletic with respect to a complex of five-toed, paedomorphic Eurycea from the Edwards Plateau in Texas. We use this phylogeny to examine evolution of digit number within the dwarf−Edwards Plateau clade, testing contrasting hypotheses of digit loss (parallelism among dwarf salamanders) versus digit gain (re-evolution in the Edwards Plateau complex). Bayes factors analysis provides statistical support for a five-toed common ancestor at the dwarf-Edwards node, favoring, slightly, the parallelism hypothesis for digit loss. More importantly, our phylogenetic results pinpoint a rare event in the pedal evolution of plethodontid salamanders.
The crystal structure of di-n-butylarsinic acid

Abstract The crystal structure of di-n-butylarsinic acid has been determined from 1257 independent photographically recorded intensities. For convenience, a non-conventional triclinic cell, B 1 was chosen, a = 8.38(2), b = 13.12(3), c = 10.39(2) A, α = 91.5(5), β = 89.8(5), γ = 98.5(5)°, z = 4/cell, d(calcd.) = 1.31, d(measured) = 1.32 g/cc, R = 0.096 with unit weights, anisotropic temperature factors and no contribution of H-atoms included. The acid molecules are present as non-planar, H-bonded dimers across the centers of symmetry in the cell. The configuration around As is nearly tetrahedral, the average distance As-C = 1.95(2) A, As-O(1) = 1.67(1), As-O(2) = 1.74(1) A, O(1)-O′(2) = 2.47(2) A, and the dihedral angle between O(1)-As-O(2) and O(1)-O(2)-O′(1)-O′(2) is 140.0(7)° with a chair configuration for the dimer ring. The average distance C-C = 1.55(5) A, angle C-C-C = 110(2)°. The intra-dimer C-C contracts are ≧ 4.5 A, while there are a number of inter-dimer distances close to 4 A.
Treatment of acute scaphoid fractures in the athlete

Scaphoid fractures in athletes can be very disabling and may limit successful and early return to play. Typically, the mechanism of injury is a fall onto an outstretched hand or a direct blow; the patient will present with swelling, limited motion, and snuffbox tenderness. Multiple-view plain images will very often reveal the diagnosis. In addition, diagnostic modalities such as CT scanning and MRI are helpful in better defining the architecture of the fracture and vascularity of the scaphoid, and diagnosing occult fractures. Early and accurate diagnosis is critical to help ensure appropriate treatment and optimal outcome. Traditional treatment of stable nondisplaced fractures remains cast immobilization. However, if early return to play is desired operative fixation may be warranted. For nondisplaced fractures operative techniques include open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and percutaneous fixation through a dorsal or volar approach. Arthroscopy can be used as an adjunct to the percutaneous technique. For displaced fractures, the preferred technique remains ORIF through either a volar or dorsal approach. Considerations in treatment type are based on the stability and location of the fracture as well as patient issues such as compliance and the need for return to play. With appropriate diagnosis and individualization of treatment, scaphoid fractures can be successfully managed in most athletes with few or no long-term sequelae.
A new technique of depositing phospholipid bilayers on qaurtz surfaces: Its use in membrane spin-label studies

Abstract We have developed a new improved technique termed the parallel-beam spattering (PBS) method for depositing phospholipid bilayers on quartz surfaces. This technique involves atomizing the phospholipid mixture with a stream of nitrogen gas and passing this atomized mixture through two orifices separated by a distance to achieve a parallel beam of atomized particles before deposition on the quartz plate. A static electric field can easily be applied to the quartz surface. Also a goniometer of new design has been constructed to allow precise positioning of the deposited phospholipid bilayers with reference to the magnetic field. We have utilized the PBS method to deposit phosphatidylcholine/nitroxyl labeled cholestane mixtures on quartz plates and have found that hydrated bilayers of these mixtures yield ESR spectra with essentially the same characteristics as those obtained using more conventional techniques. The distinct advantage of the new technique for depositing bilayers is that there is no spectral anomaly present which usually is present when the more conventional method of depositing bilayers is used. The spectral anomaly is apparently caused by a portion of the bilayers aligned in directions not directly parallel to the quartz surface. For precision work the spectral anomaly is unacceptable. It is not observed with the new PBS method which has yielded highly reproducible results.
GMM, maximum likelihood, and nonparametric efficiency☆

Abstract An optimal GMM estimator is shown to be asymptotically equivalent, in an i.i.d. setting, to a maximum likelihood estimator for a certain parametric problem. This helps to explain the nonparametric efficiency of GMM. A new efficiency result is also proven.
Do All Carbonized Charcoals Have the Same Chemical Structure? 2. A Model of the Chemical Structure of Carbonized Charcoal†

Charcoals and carbonized charcoals (i.e., biocarbons) were prepared from a wide variety of biomass substrates, including pure sugars containing five- and six-membered rings with furanose and pyranose configurations, lignin, agricultural residues (corncob and nut shells), and a hard wood. These biocarbons were subject to proximate and elemental analysis, gas sorption analysis, and analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron spin resonance (ESR), 13C cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CPMAS) NMR, and matrix-assisted, laser desorption ionization coupled with time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS). All the carbonized charcoals contained oxygen heteroatoms, had high surface areas, and were excellent conductors of electricity. Doping the biocarbon with boron or phosphorus resulted in a slight improvement in its electrical conductivity. The XRD analysis indicated that the carbonized charcoals possess an ar...
Profenofos insecticide bioactivation in relation to antidote action and the stereospecificity of acetylcholinesterase inhibition, reactivation, and aging

Poisoning signs in chicks administered the organophosphorus insecticide profenofos correlated with in vivo inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Mixtures of atropine with eserine, pyridinium oximes, or the bispyridinium compound SAD-128 increased the LD50 of coadministered profenofos by up to sevenfold in chicks and fourfold in mice. Atropine and the oximes were less effective as profenofos antidotes, indicating that profenofos-inhibited AChE may undergo rapid aging. Brain AChE from chicks poisoned with profenofos was not reactivated by pralidoxime methanesulfonate, although it was from chicks poisoned with the phosphoramidothiolate, methamidophos. Similarly, eel AChE, inhibited in vitro by bioactivated (-)-profenofos, the most toxic isomer, did not reactivate in contrast to that inhibited by methamidophos, nonbioactivated (-)-profenofos, and (+)-profenofos, with or without bioactivation. It appears that the action of eserine and possibly SAD-128 was due to protecting AChE or cholinergic receptors from profenofos or bioactivated profenofos and that oximes may work in the same way rather than as reactivators due to rapid aging of the inhibited AChE.
An IEEE centennial retrospective

The year 1984 was the centennial year for the AIEE which merged with the IRE in 1963 to form the IEEE. During those same hundred years, electrical science and engineering made dramatic advances. This article sets forth the proposition that scientific discovery must precede invention and application for orderly progress to occur and provides numerous examples of discoveries which support this proposition. The article further suggests that the manner in which the IEEE came into being was profoundly influenced by this orderly progress.