cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracing Compartment-Specific Redox Pathways Using Stable Isotopes and Mass Spectrometry

Metabolism is central to virtually all cellular functions and contributes to a range of diseases. A quantitative understanding of how biochemical pathways are dysregulated in the context of diseases such as cancer and metabolic syndrome is necessary to identify new therapeutic targets. To this end we apply stable isotope tracers, mass spectrometry, and metabolic flux analysis (MFA) to study metabolism in mammalian cells, animal models, and human patients. Using these approaches we have characterized how proliferating and differentiated cells regulate flux of glucose and amino acids into mitochondria for maintaining redox homeostasis and lipid biosynthesis. Recently, we have developed novel methods for studying pyridine nucleotide metabolism, employing 2H tracers and mass spectrometry to quantify how specific metabolic pathways are used to regenerate NADH and NADPH. To better understand how redox pathways are regulated in the cytosol and mitochondrial matrix we have generated compartment-specific enzyme reporters that exploit the neomorphic activity of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDHs). Specifically, R132H IDH1 and R172K IDH2 produce (D)2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) in the cytosol and mitochondria, respectively. Quantitation of labeling from specifically labeled 2H tracers provides critical insights into NAD(P)H-producing pathways in each compartment. We have employed this approach to identify redox pathway regulation under hypoxia, where oxidative pentose phosphate pathway flux is upregulated to fuel reductive carboxylation. The application of MFA to cell and animal models greatly improves our ability to characterize intracellular metabolic processes, providing a mechanistic understanding of cellular physiology and metabolic function.
Linear Analysis of Quadrature Domains, III☆☆☆

The linear data of a quadrature domain, introduced in the first paper in this series, is further investigated. The matricial structure of all hyponormal operators with finite rank self-commutators, which is inductively constructed from such linear data, is discussed. In particular, a conservation law (of a determinantal function) in the iterative process of defining these matrices is exploited. The spectrum of the determining left upper corner of some of these operators is analyzed in connection with the existence of generalized quadrature formulas on planar domains.
Interactive balance rehabilitation tool with wearable skin stretch device

Physical interactions between human and machine are essential in facilitating effective physical therapy training programs. Nowadays, physical training largely involves robotic assistive devices or wearable haptics. In this study, we propose a lightweight wearable sensory augmentation device using skin stretch feedback to provide individuals with additional sensory cues during balance training. The goals of this study are i) to determine the effectiveness of the proposed novel system in improving the dynamic stability of healthy individuals and ii) to test the efficacy of additional cutaneous cues in substituting for missing visual feedback in said healthy subjects. The entire system comprises of a haptic wristband, a visual display, and a force platform. The haptic wristband provides real-time skin stretch feedback at the dorsal side of the wrist in response to user's postural sway. Center of pressure (COP) was displayed on a screen and users were asked to move the COP to a target position displayed on the screen by controlling their body posture in the sagittal plane. Results showed that subjects could complete the tasks when they received both visual feedback and skin stretch feedback by shifting their weights. When visual feedback was subsequently removed, subjects successfully interpreted the tactile cues at the wrist from the skin stretch device and completed the tasks. Larger sample size, diverse groups, and longitudinal studies are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed device as a balance rehabilitation tool.
Generalized Microgrid Power Flow

Power flow analysis for islanded microgrid is a challenging problem due to the lack of means to incorporate the hierarchical control effect. This letter bridges the gap by devising a generalized microgrid power flow (GMPF). The novelty of GMPF includes: 1) it introduces the generalized distributed generator (DG) bus and the adaptive swing bus to model the DGs’ behaviors; 2) the droop-based power flow is used to initialize the secondary control adjustment; and 3) three types of secondary control modes are developed within a double loop framework. Test results validate the effectiveness and excellent convergence performance of GMPF.
Training Nephrology Fellows in Temporary Hemodialysis Catheter Placement and Kidney Biopsies is Needed and Should be Required.

Proficiency in performing percutaneous kidney biopsies and placing temporary vascular access for hemodialysis (nontunneled catheters) has been a requirement of nephrology fellowship training in the United States since at least the 1980s. A lot has changed since then, but in my opinion, the need to
Failed Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty: Common Etiologies and Surgical Options for Revision

Carpometacarpal (CMC) arthroplasty surgery, although modifications have occurred over time, continues to be commonly performed and has provided patients with their desired pain relief and return of function. The complications of primary surgery, although relatively rare, can present in various clinical ways. An understanding of the underlying anatomy, pathology of coexisting conditions, and specific techniques used in the primary surgery is required to make the best recommendation for a patient with residual pain following primary CMC arthroplasty. The purpose of this review is to provide insights into the history of CMC arthroplasty and reasons for failure and to offer an algorithmic treatment approach for the clinical problem of persistent postoperative symptoms.
Teaching Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders the Skills to Participate in the Development of Their Own IEPs:

Three students with emotional/behavioral disorders (E/BD) were taught to manage their own simulated IEP staffing using the Self-Directed IEP instructional program (Martin, Marshall, Maxon, & Jerman...
Computing Location-Based Lineage from Workflow Specifications to Optimize Provenance Queries

We present a location-based approach for executing provenance lineage queries that significantly reduces query execution cost without incurring additional storage costs. The key idea of our approach is to exploit the fact that provenance graphs resemble the workflow graphs that generated them and that many workflow computation models assume workflow steps have statically defined data consumption-production i.e., data input-output rates. We describe a new lineage computation technique that uses the structure of workflow specifications together with consumption-production rates to pre-compute i.e., to forecast the access paths of all dependent data items prior to workflow execution. We also present experimental results showing that our approach can significantly out perform traditional data lineage query techniques.
Hammock effect and complete cusp prolapse: Rare mechanisms of Melody valve failure demonstrated by intracardiac echocardiography

Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement using Melody valve (Medtronic, Minneapolis MN) has significantly increased in the recent decades. Melody valve failures, although rare, can be problematic and require re-intervention. Through intracardiac echocardiography, we present two patients who each had a rare etiology for dysfunction of their Melody valve. Hammock effect, wherein the valve does not oppose the stent and complete cusp failure causing severe regurgitation have not been previously described as causes of Melody valve failure in the absence of endocarditis. Awareness and knowledge of these mechanisms is pivotal in the management of this patient population.
Professional-Patient Boundaries: a National Survey of Primary Care Physicians’ Attitudes and Practices

The essence of humanism in medicine and health care is relationships—caring relationships between clinicians and patients. While raising concerns regarding professional-patient boundaries has positively contributed to our understanding and prevention of potentially harmful boundary violations, there is controversy about which types of relationships, caring acts, and practices are acceptable versus cross boundary lines. To examine primary care physicians’ practices and attitudes regarding acts that have been questioned as potentially “inappropriate” or “unethical” crossing of professional-patient boundaries. Surveys conducted via in-person polling or electronic and mailed paper submissions from April 2016 to July 2017. We calculated descriptive statistics and examined associations with practices and attitudes using logistic regression. Random sample of all US primary care physicians who treat adult patients; convenience sample of attendees at medicine grand rounds presentations. Outcomes were self-reported practices and attitudes related to giving patients rides home, paying for patients’ medication, helping patients find jobs, employing patients, going to dinner with patients, and providing care to personal friends. Among 1563 total respondents, 34% had given a ride home, 34% had paid for medications, 15% helped patients find a job, 7% had employed a patient, 10% had dinner with patients, and 59% provided care to personal friends. A majority disapproved of dinner with a patient (75%) but approved of or were neutral on all other scenarios (61–90%). The medical profession is quite divided on questions related to drawing lines about appropriate boundaries. Contrary to official and widespread proscriptions against such practices (with exception of dinner dates), many have actually engaged in such practices and the majority found them acceptable.
Optical imaging method to quantify spatial dose variation due to the electron return effect in an MR-linac

Purpose Treatment planning systems (TPSs) for MR-linacs must employ Monte Carlo-based simulations of dose deposition to model the effects of the primary magnetic field on dose. However, the accuracy of these simulations, especially for areas of tissue-air interfaces where the electron return effect (ERE) is expected, is difficult to validate due to physical constraints and magnetic field compatibility of available detectors. This study employs a novel dosimetric method based on remotely captured, real-time optical Cherenkov and scintillation imaging to visualize and quantify the ERE. Methods An intensified CMOS camera was used to image two phantoms with designed ERE cavities. Phantom A was a 40 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm clear acrylic block drilled with five holes of increasing diameters (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 cm). Phantom B was a clear acrylic block (25 cm × 20 cm × 5 cm) with three cavities of increasing diameter (3, 2, 1 cm) split into two halves in the transverse plane to accommodate radiochromic film. Both phantoms were imaged while being irradiated by 6 MV flattening filter free (FFF) beams within a MRIdian Viewray (Viewray, Cleveland, OH) MR-linac (0.34 T primary field). Phantom A was imaged while being irradiated by 6 MV FFF beams on a conventional linac (TrueBeam, Varian Medical Systems, San Jose, CA) to serve as a control. Images were post processed in Matlab (Mathworks Inc., Natick, MA) and compared to TPS dose volumes. Results Control imaging of Phantom A without the presence of a magnetic field supports the validity of the optical image data to a depth of 6 cm. In the presence of the magnetic field, the optical data shows deviations from the commissioned TPS dose in both intensity and localization. The largest air cavity examined (3 cm) indicated the largest dose differences, which were above 20% at some locations. Experiments with Phantom B illustrated similar agreement between optical and film dosimetry comparisons with TPS data in areas not affected by ERE. Conclusion There are some appreciable differences in dose intensity and spatial dose distribution observed between the novel experimental data set and the dose models produced by the current clinically implemented MR-IGRT TPS.
The utility of assessing physical activity in ovarian cancer patients following chemotherapy

19666 Objective: The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the utility of objective assessments of physical activity for investigating the patterns and predictors of reduced physical act...
The Speckled Protein (SP) Family: Immunity's Chromatin Readers.

Chromatin ‘readers’ are central interpreters of the epigenome that facilitate cell-specific transcriptional programs and are therapeutic targets in cancer and inflammation. The Speckled Protein (SP) family of chromatin ‘readers’ in humans consists of SP100, SP110, SP140, and SP140L. SPs possess functional domains (SAND, PHD, bromodomain) that dock to DNA or post-translationally modified histones and a caspase activation and recruitment domain (CARD) to promote multimerization. Mutations within immune expressed SPs associate with numerous immunological diseases including Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, veno-occlusive disease with immunodeficiency, as well as Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, underscoring their importance in immune regulation. In this review, we posit that SPs are central chromatin regulators of gene silencing that establish immune cell identity and function.
Predicting terrestrial contamination of the Mars 2020 sample caching system with novel multispecies outgassing and transport models

One of the Mars 2020 mission’s primary science objectives is to seek out traces of past life on Mars – the rover’s sample caching system (SCS) will collect and store rock cores and regolith samples for possible return to Earth for analysis by a future mission. These samples must be contaminated with fewer than 10 parts-per-billion (PPB) total organic carbon (TOC) of terrestrial origin to permit an unambiguous detection of Martian organic signatures; this 10 PPB threshold translates to less than a monolayer of adsorbed contaminant molecules on the inside surfaces of sample tubes. Achieving such a stringent requirement has necessitated some of the strictest contamination control protocols ever enacted in NASA’s history. Throughout all phases of the mission, sources of terrestrial organic carbon can contaminate samples and sample caching hardware through a variety of transport mechanisms in free-molecular and continuum flow regimes. Predicting and mitigating the contamination of future returned samples requires a comprehensive understanding and cataloging of contaminant sources, transport mechanisms, and adsorption characteristics. Therefore, JPL Contamination Control has developed a novel multispecies model based on experimental measurements of Mars 2020 flight hardware, which has been applied in characterizing organic carbon contaminant sources, species compositions, and outgassing rate dependences on temperature. These are the boundary conditions for an end-to-end modeling framework in which the transport and deposition of contaminant species are calculated for each mission phase, culminating in a prediction of the total quantity of terrestrial organic carbon within future returned samples.
Characterizing spatiotemporal trends in extreme precipitation in Southeast Texas

Rainfall extreme value analysis provides information that has been crucial in characterizing risk, designing successful infrastructure systems, and ultimately protecting people and property from the threat of rainfall-induced flooding. However, in the Houston region recent events (such as the unprecedented rainfall wrought by Hurricane Harvey) have highlighted the inability of existing analyses to accurately characterize current climate conditions. Specifically, there has been little research investigating how spatial patterns of extreme precipitation have shifted through time in the Texas Gulf Coast region, which has led to mis-characterization of existing intensity–duration–frequency curves. This study investigates spatiotemporal trends in extreme precipitation in southeast Texas using a statistical approach for peaks-over-threshold modeling that employs a generalized Pareto distribution. Precipitation data from over 600 rain gauges across the region are analyzed in 40-year time windows to evaluate shifts in distribution parameters and extreme rainfall levels through time. Spatial analysis of these trends focuses on highlighting regions with increasing, stationary, and decreasing extreme rainfall through time. Results demonstrate heterogeneity in spatiotemporal trends across the entire study region, but significant increases in extreme rainfall over the Houston urban area. Spatial analysis of these trends focuses on how extreme rainfall has changed within different watersheds. Return level estimates of extreme rainfall values are also compared to the current standards for Harris County. Results from this study identify areas that have experienced significant shifts in extreme rainfall, and can help inform where design standards may be inaccurate or outdated.
Generation and age of immigration on later life cognitive performance in KHANDLE.

Objectives We examined the association of generational status and age at immigration with later life cognitive outcomes in a diverse sample of Latinos and Asian Americans. Design Baseline data were obtained from the Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences (KHANDLE) study, and a prospective cohort is initiated in 2017. Setting Older adults in Northern California. Participants Our cohort consisted of Asians (n = 411) and Latinos (n = 340) who were on average 76 years old (SD = 6.8). Measurements We used multivariable linear regression models to estimate associations between generational status and age at immigration (collapsed into one five-level variable) with measures of verbal episodic memory, semantic memory, and executive function, adjusting for age, gender, race and ethnicity, and own- and parental education. Results Generational status and age at immigration were associated with cognitive outcomes in a graded manner. Compared to third-generation or higher immigrants, first-generation immigration in adulthood was associated with lower semantic memory (β = -0.96; 95% CI: -1.12, -0.81) than immigration in adolescence (β = -0.68; 95% CI: -0.96, -0.41) or childhood (β = -0.28; 95% CI: -0.49, -0.06). Moreover, immigration in adulthood was associated with lower executive function (β = -0.63; 95% CI: -0.78, -0.48) than immigration in adolescence (β = -0.49; 95% CI: -0.75, -0.23). Similarly, compared to third-generation individuals, first-generation immigrants had lower executive functioning scores. Conclusions Our study supports the notion that sociocontextual influences in early life impact later life cognitive scores. Longitudinal studies are needed to further clarify how immigration characteristics affect cognitive decline.
Utilization of mixed reality tools in the design of wireless assistive products.

The focus of this paper is on the use of mixed reality tools, specifically Augmented Reality (AR) and Tangible Augmented Reality (TAR), for evaluating design concepts and soliciting feedback in the design of assistive products. AR and TAR are tools that allow a person to look at an environment where computer generated elements are dynamically shown alongside real objects. In the context of product development, it allows a 3D model of a product (such as an appliance on a countertop) to be viewed within a real environment. Additionally, it can allow a user to a user to move, operate and interact with the virtual product.Technologies such as AR and TAR have become more accessible to regular users as computing power has become smaller and more powerful. While use by consumers is still somewhat limited, AR is already finding uses in Design. This paper will present the current challenges that must be addressed related to using AR including implementation and use of AR by designers, the level of validity in representing a product to users with disabilities, and ability of users to use the technology to provide useful/accurate feedback on a concept compared to manufactured physical prototypes.
Neuropsychological Screening in Pediatric Multidisciplinary Clinics: Group Characteristics and Predictive Utility.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of administering caregiver-report neuropsychological screening measures in pediatric multidisciplinary clinics (MDCs) and investigate predictive utility for cognitive and academic difficulties on follow-up testing. METHOD The Pediatric Perceived Cognitive Functioning (Peds PCF) and Colorado Learning Difficulties Questionnaire (CLDQ) were administered to caregivers of youth with history of brain tumor (BT), non-central nervous system (CNS) cancer, or Fontan circulation as part of routine neuropsychological consultation in MDCs from 2017 to 2019. We examined cross-sectional differences on screening measures, and relationships between screening and intellectual and academic test performance in a subset who presented for follow-up neuropsychological evaluation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify suggested cut scores on screening measures for predicting who would most benefit from further evaluation. RESULTS Screening was completed with 192 families. Children with history of non-CNS cancer (n = 29) had fewer parent-reported cognitive and academic concerns compared with either BT (n = 88) or Fontan (n = 75) groups. Peds PCF and CLDQ scores were related to intellectual and academic test performance in the group presenting for neuropsychological evaluation (n = 68). ROC curve analysis identified cut scores across screening measures with maximal sensitivity and specificity for detecting neuropsychological difficulties. CONCLUSIONS It is feasible to utilize parent rating measures during neuropsychological consultation in pediatric MDCs. The Peds PCF and CLDQ demonstrated sensitivity to intellectual and academic difficulties in children with significant medical histories. Screening may be a helpful tool for pediatric neuropsychologists and other professionals during MDC consultation to inform clinical management.
Integer Programming Duality

This article surveys what is known about the theory of duality for integer programs and describes methods for obtaining dual solutions. Keywords: duality; integer programming; value function; subadditive dual; dual functions
ScalaQL: language-integrated database queries for scala

One of the most ubiquitous elements of modern computing is the relational database. Very few modern applications are created without some sort of database backend. Unfortunately, relational database concepts are fundamentally very different from those used in general-purpose programming languages. This creates an impedance mismatch between the the application and the database layers. One solution to this problem which has been gaining traction in the .NET family of languages is Language-Integrated Queries (LINQ). That is, the embedding of database queries within application code in a way that is statically checked and type safe. Unfortunately, certain language changes or core design elements were necessary to make this embedding possible. We present a framework which implements this concept of type safe embedded queries in Scala without any modifications to the language itself. The entire framework is implemented by leveraging existing language features (particularly for-comprehensions).
Assessing stand water use in four coastal wetland forests using sapflow techniques: annual estimates, errors and associated uncertainties

Forests comprise approximately 37% of the terrestrial land surface and influence global water cycling. However, very little attention has been directed towards understanding environmental impacts on stand water use (S) or in identifying rates of S from specific forested wetlands. Here, we use sapflow techniques to address two separate but linked objectives: (1) determine S in four, hydrologically distinctive South Carolina (USA) wetland forests from 2009–2010 and (2) describe potential error, uncertainty and stand-level variation associated with these assessments. Sapflow measurements were made from a number of tree species for approximately 2–8 months over 2 years to initiate the model, which was applied to canopy trees (DBH > 10–20 cm). We determined that S in three healthy forested wetlands varied from 1.97–3.97 mm day−1 or 355–687 mm year−1 when scaled. In contrast, saltwater intrusion impacted individual tree physiology and size class distributions on a fourth site, which decreased S to 0.61–1.13 mm day−1 or 110–196 mm year−1. The primary sources of error in estimations using sapflow probes would relate to calibration of probes and standardization relative to no flow periods and accounting for accurate sapflow attenuation with radial depth into the sapwood by species and site. Such inherent variation in water use among wetland forest stands makes small differences in S (<200 mm year−1) difficult to detect statistically through modelling, even though small differences may be important to local water cycling. These data also represent some of the first assessments of S from temperate, coastal forested wetlands along the Atlantic coast of the USA. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrastructural evaluation of the canine hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system in diabetes insipidus associated with pituitary neoplasms.

The ultrastructure of the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system in dogs was shown to be similar to other mammalian species. Diabetes insipidus was manifested morphologically by vesiculation and loss of ribosomes from the endoplasmic reticulum and an inactive Golgi apparatus in the neurons of the supraoptic nucleus. Axons and axon-terminals within the pars nervosa were devoid of mature neurosecretory granules. The diabetes insipidus appeared to be the result of compression of neurons within the supraoptic nucleus by the slowly expanding adenohypophysial neoplasm which resulted in a diminished synthesis of transport protein.
Preparing General Education Pre-Service Teachers for Inclusion: Web-Enhanced Case-Based Instruction.

This study investigated the use of Web-enhanced instruction and an inclusion teaching case to teach pre-service teachers to adapt instruction for included limited English proficient students with d...
Panel discussion: establishing a state-of-the-art college computing environment

Providing a state-of-the-art computing environment to effectively deliver computing curriculum is critical for many colleges. During the past few years, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Central Arkansas has made significant efforts to provide such a computing environment. In this panel discussion, we share our experiences.
Understanding the evolution of environmental and energy performance of the US corn ethanol industry: evaluation of selected metrics

Throughout the past two decades, numerous studies characterized the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and net energy balance of corn ethanol production in the USA. A wide range of reported values resulted from differences in the vintage of the data used to evaluate the ethanol conversion technology and the agricultural practices of corn production, which evolved substantially during the rapid growth phase of the industry. Methodological differences in life cycle assessments also caused the reported values to vary widely. With corn dry mills growing from 30% of total installed ethanol production capacity in 1990 to 80–90% from 2006 to 2011, we document the evolution of this industry using vintage-specific data to analyze selected energy and environmental metrics, including GHG emissions, fossil energy use, direct land use, and GHG emissions reduction per hectare of land harvested for ethanol production. Our estimates indicate that production and use of corn ethanol emitted 44% fewer GHG emissions, consumed 54% less fossil energy and required 44% less land in 2010 compared to 1990 (on a life cycle basis). Our review and analysis point to strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of the corn dry mill industry by building on the progress already achieved. Using biomass (e.g. residues from corn production) for process heat or combined heat and power is one such strategy. Additional environmental benefits are projected from the adoption of integrated gasification combined cycle technology (using corn residues), which leads to energy-self-sufficient mills or net electricity producers depending on the power system configuration. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Calcium-induced inactivation of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle.

The ability of myofilament space Ca2+ to modulate Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of skeletal muscle was investigated. Single fibers of the frog Rana pipiens belindieri were manually skinned (sarcolemma removed). Following a standard load and pre-incubation in varying myoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations, SR Ca2+ release was initiated by caffeine. Ca2+ release rates were calculated from the changes in absorbance of a Ca2+ sensitive dye, antipyrylazo III. An apparent dissociation constant (K d) for dye-Ca2+ binding of 8000 μM2 was determined by comparing the buffering action of the dye with that of ethylenebis(oxonitrilo)tetraacetate (EGTA) using the contractile proteins of the skinned fiber as a measure of free Ca2+. This value for K d was used in the calculation of Ca2+ release rates. As the myoplasmic space Ca2+ was increased from pCa 7.4, Ca2+ release rates declined sharply such that at pCa 6.9 the calculated release rate was 72±3% (mean ± SEM) of control (pCa 8.4). Further increases in myoplasmic Ca2+ from pCa 6.9 to pCa 6.1 did not result in a further decline in release rate. The effect of a decreased driving force on Ca2+ ions was investigated to determine whether it could account for the change in release rates observed. At pCa 6.9, where the greatest degree of inactivation occurred, the measured effects of a change in driving force could account for at most 40% of the observed inactivation. Varying concentrations of Ba2+ and Sr2+ in the myofilament space had no inactivating effect on the SR Ca2+ release rates. The ability of myofilament Ca2+ to inhibit SR Ca2+ release at concentrations normally encountered during muscle activation suggests a role for released Ca2+ as a modulator of the SR Ca2+ channel.
Lingual rhabdomyoma in a dog.

Abstract A neutered male mixed breed dog, with a history of progressive dyspnoea, was presented for surgical removal of an enlarging lingual neoplasm (60 × 40 × 70 mm), previously diagnosed as a granular cell tumour. Microscopically the excised neoplasm comprised sheets of pleomorphic cells; large granular eosinophilic cells, multinucleated giant cells and smaller angular cells. A tentative diagnosis of rhabdomyoma was based on the light microscopic changes. This diagnosis was confirmed by the ultrastructural identification of bundles of intracytoplasmic filaments (interpreted to be myosin) within the neoplastic cells and the strong positive reaction of these cells to markers for “muscle-specific” actin (HHF35).
On singleton 1-rounded sets of matroids

Abstract The aim of this paper is to show that there are exactly eight connected matroids N with the property that if M is a connected matroid having N as a minor and x is an element of M, then M has a minor isomorphic to N which contains x in its ground set.
Endovascular papillary angioendothelioma (Dabska tumor): underrecognized malignant tumor in childhood

Endovascular papillary angioendothelioma, or Dabska tumor, was first presented in 1969 by Maria Dabska where she presented cases occurring in 6 children. The tumor was described as being a low-grade angiosarcoma characterized by papillary endovascular proliferations of atypical endothelial cells and anastomosing vascular channels within the dermis. Since its original description, only 30 case reports have been written describing the varying presentation, clinical course, and histopathology of this tumor. This case report documents the presentation and management of endovascular papillary angioendothelioma in a young male and reviews the current literature. Because more cases of EPAs are reported, perhaps a more standard approach to accurate diagnosis and treatment with surgical intervention and pathologic recognition via microscopy and immunohistochemistry can be determined.
Low Pressure Pyrolysis of Polyacrylonitrile

MANY commercial processes for the production of high mechanical property carbon fibre include, as an important first stage, the thermal oxidation of polyacrylonitrile fibre in air at atmospheric pressure. We have observed the formation of an unstable solid fibrous product during pyrolysis of polyacrylonitrile fibre at pressures below 10 mm Hg. Specifically, 99.5% polyacrylonitrile fibre (0.5% methyl methacrylate) samples were heated at 290° C for 2 h and then exposed to normal atmosphere at 25° C. Table I illustrates the increase in oxygen content of a sample with increasing atmospheric exposure time. Fig. 1 shows how the weight increases with atmospheric exposure time. Before vacuum pyrolysis, the fibres were degassed at 140° C until no further gas was measurably evolved.
Socially optimal and equilibrium distributions of office activity: Models with exogenous and endogenous contacts

Abstract Two models of the location of office activities within a city are developed. In the first model, the pattern of interoffice contacts is specified exogenously as has been traditional in the literature. In the second model the contact patterns as well as the distribution of firms are endogenous. For both models, the market equilibrium distribution of office activities is not socially optimal. Two sources for this market failure are identified in these models: (1) agglomeration economies and (2) transactional externalities arising from firm interdependence and mobility.
Magnetization process and principal magnetic susceptibilities in RbMnF3

The temperature dependence of χ⊥, initialχp (powder), and evaluated χ∥ for RbMnF3 are reported for the temperature range of 4.2–106 K. A shallow minimum at TTN ≅ 0.72 is observed in χ⊥. The field dependence of the magnetization shows a smooth rotation of the spins to a normal direction above Hc ≅ 2.43 kOe at 4.2 K.
IR External Reflection Spectroscopy: A probe for chemically modified surfaces

During the past decade, infrared spectroscopy (IR-ERS) has emerged as an important tool for probing molecular structures and modes of bonding at chemically modified surfaces. In this report, a few recent developments in the application of IR-ERS to the qualitative and quantitative characterization of chemically modified surfaces are discussed. Emphasis is placed on examples that illustrate the utility of this technique for probing the composition and spatial arrangement of organic polymer films and monomolecular assemblies at surfaces with both high and low IR reflectivities. In addition, the importance of examining the underlying optical phenomena that govern the passage of electromagnetic radiation from one medium to another are discussed. Such considerations provide a means to select conditions for high detectability (primarily a function of substrate reflectivity) and to separate shifts and distortions of spectral band shapes caused by optical effects from those caused by surface-induced changes in structure or chemical bonding.
Conformational Changes of Escherichia coli RNA Polymerase ς70 Factor Induced by Binding to the Core Enzyme

Abstract Mutants of RNA polymerase ς70subunit from Escherichia coli with unique cysteine residues engineered into conserved region 1 (autoinhibition domain of ς70), region 2.4 (−10 DNA element binding domain), region 4.2 (−35 DNA element binding domain), and a nonconserved region between regions 1 and 2 were prepared. The chemical reactivity of the cysteine at each position was determined for free ς70 and ς70 in complex with the core polymerase and was used as a measure of a conformational response of a particular region of the protein to an interaction with the core polymerase. Both increases and decreases in cysteine reactivity were observed in the presence of core polymerase at several positions in ς70, providing direct physical evidence for modulation of ς70 conformation by the core enzyme. Binding of the core polymerase resulted in increased solvent exposure of DNA binding domains of ς70 and in more complex changes in the autoinhibition domain (region 1). Similar conformational changes in ς70 were detected using fluorescence probes covalently attached to cysteine residues engineered into ς70. Thus, the results obtained provided physical evidence supporting a model in which core enzyme allosterically regulates DNA binding activity of ς70 by “unmasking” its DNA binding domains.
Increased respiratory drive as an inhibitor of oral feeding of preterm infants

This study was designed to determine whether increased respiratory drive induced by inhalation of carbon dioxide would alter the reflex and voluntary components of feeding. For 10 preterm infants (mean +/- SD: postconceptional age at study, 34 +/- 2 weeks; weight, 2.1 +/- 0.2 kg), four trials of nutritive feeding were offered: two while the infants were inhaling a gas mixture containing 40% oxygen and two while the infants were breathing 40% oxygen and 7% carbon dioxide. Nasal airflow was monitored with a pneumotachygraph. Pressure-sensitive catheters in the esophagus and in the feeding nipple were used to detect swallowing and sucking. Sucking frequency and pattern, rate of swallowing, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and minute ventilation were recorded for 30-second epochs during feeding. When the inhaled gas mixture was switched from 40% oxygen to 40% oxygen and 7% carbon dioxide, sucking frequency decreased from 53 +/- 10 to 48 +/- 12 and from 54 +/- 12 to 40 +/- 19 sucks/min, respectively (p < 0.005). Frequency of swallowing also fell during the two feeding epochs on 7% carbon dioxide, from 45 +/- 15 to 40 +/- 15 and from 43 +/- 14 to 31 +/- 16 swallows/min (p < 0.003). Thus acute hypercapnea was accompanied by a decrease in rate of both sucking and swallowing during nutritive feeding. Increased ventilatory drive may directly inhibit nutritive feeding behavior in premature infants.
1575 IDIOPATHIC NEPHROTIC SYNDROME: LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS

The clinical course of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) was studied in 65 children (mean age 3.3 yrs, range 1-14 yrs) who were either steroid responsive (61 pts) or had steroid-resistant minimal change disease (4 pts) at onset. All pts were followed for a minimum of 10 yrs (range 10-25 yrs) and follow-up was 15 yrs in 29 pts (45%). Of the 61 steroid responsive pts, 53 had a frequently relapsing-steroid dependent course. Of these pts, 20 were treated with cytoxan which induced a permanent remission in 13 (mean duration 8.7 yrs, range 6-12 yrs) and significantly reduced the rate of relapses in 4 others. Of the 33 pts not given cytoxan, 35% continue to experience relapses 10-18 yrs after onset while the others have been in remission for the past 2-16 yrs (mean 7.6 yrs). Of the 4 pts with steroid resistant minimal change disease, 3 were treated with cytoxan and all achieved a remission. Two of these pts have had no relapses 10 and 12 yrs after onset and 1 pt had a single relapse. At the completion of follow-up (mean 14.4 yrs), all pts have normal renal function (Scr < 1.5 mg/dl), 17% have BP ≥ 140/80 and 76% have a height which is < 50%tile (adjusted for sex and age) while 33% are < 25%tile for height. These findings suggest that in children with steroid responsive NS or steroid resistant minimal change disease there is: a) a favorable long-term outcome; b) the duration of relapsing disease is reduced by treatment with cytoxan and c) short stature is a significant consequence of therapy.
Threshold conditions for rill initiation on a vertisol, Gunnedah, N.S.W., Australia

Abstract The effect of soil shear strength on rill development and erosion of a strongly aggregated vertisol was studied in a flume and in a paddock sown with wheat. Soil strength measurements using a hand held torsional shear vane were related to threshold conditions for rill initiation in the laboratory. Field measurements on the same soil demonstrated the effect of increasing shear strength on rill development. This simple method can be easily used in the field to assess relative susceptibility to rill erosion.
SOME CONFUCIAN‐CHRISTIAN COMPARISONS

Comparaison entre le confucianisme et le christianisme: 1) sur la question de la piete filiale consideree comme un devoir sacre, 2) sur le probleme de la propriete rituelle, soulevant un paradoxe entre la nature creee par Dieu et la culture artificielle des hommes , 3) sur le fondement de la communaute religieuse dans l'incarnation de la personne et de l'oeuvre de Jesus
Self-propagating domino-like reactions in oxidized graphite

Graphite oxide (GO) has received extensive interest as a precursor for the bulk production of graphene-based materials. Here, the highly energetic nature of GO, noted from the self-propagating thermal deoxygenating reaction observed in solid state, is explored. Although the resulting graphene product is quite stable against combustion even in a natural gas flame, its thermal stability is significantly reduced when contaminated with potassium salt by-products left from GO synthesis. In particular, the contaminated GO becomes highly flammable. A gentle touch with a hot soldering iron can trigger violent, catastrophic, total combustion of such GO films, which poses a serious fire hazard. This highlights the need for efficient sample purification methods. Typically, purification of GO is hindered by its tendency to gelate as the pH value increases during rinsing. A two-step, acid–acetone washing procedure is found to be effective for suppressing gelation and thus facilitating purification. Salt-induced flammability is alarming for the fire safety of large-scale manufacturing, processing, and storage of GO materials. However, the energy released from the deoxygenation of GO can also be harnessed to drive new reactions for creating graphene-based hybrid materials. Through such domino-like reactions, graphene sheets decorated with metal and metal oxide particles are synthesized using GO as the in situ power source. Enhanced electrochemical capacitance is observed for graphene sheets loaded with RuO2 nanoparticles.
Modulating malignant epithelial tumor cell adhesion, migration and mechanics with nanorod surfaces.

The failure of tumor stents used for palliative therapy is due in part to the adhesion of tumor cells to the stent surface. It is therefore desirable to develop approaches to weaken the adhesion of malignant tumor cells to surfaces. We have previously developed SiO2 coated nanorods that resist the adhesion of normal endothelial cells and fibroblasts. The adhesion mechanisms in malignant tumor cells are significantly altered from normal cells; therefore, it is unclear if nanorods can similarly resist tumor cell adhesion. In this study, we show that the morphology of tumor epithelial cells cultured on nanorods is rounded compared to flat surfaces and associated with decreased cellular stiffness and non-muscle myosin II phosphorylation. Tumor cell viability and proliferation was unchanged on nanorods. Adherent cell numbers were significantly decreased while single tumor cell motility was increased on nanorods compared to flat surfaces. Together, these results suggest that nanorods can be used to weaken malignant tumor cell adhesion, and therefore potentially improve tumor stent performance.
Selection and differentiation of aminopterin resistant cells of Datura innoxia

Abstract Primary cultured pith cells of Datura innoxia were subjected to a stepwise selection of colonies resistant to the folic acid analog, aminopterin. The first two screenings were done at a concentration of 1 · 10−5 M, followed by 2 · 10−5 M and 4 · 10−5 M. The frequency of resistant colonies ranged from 5.4 · 10−6 to 10−7 during these steps. Resistance was maintained in cells through two subcultures (3 months) without aminopterin. Independently isolated resistant lines differed with respect to growth and ability to differentiate. Plants have been obtained from five resistant lines. One of these plants is fertile and has produced seeds.
The Infrared Absorption of the FCl− Heteronuclear Molecule Ion in KCl

Single crystals of KCl doped with KF and exposed to high dosages of Co60 γ-radiation develop a simple doublet absorption on the high frequency edge of the KCl reststrahl. This 403.7—399.8 cm−1 doublet is assigned to the fundamental internal vibration of the FCl− heteronuclear molecule ion. The doublet separation, intensity ratio, thermal decay, optical bleaching and polarization properties support this assignment. The internal stretching frequency of FCl− in KCl is not markedly different than would be approximated from gas phase data for the neutral species.
Creating Steroidal Ligand-Receptor Pairs for Behavioral Studies of Androgen Receptor

Heterologous agonist-receptor pairs designed after high resolution structural studies have yielded insights into specificity of signaling by protein kinases and G-protein coupled receptors. We are extending this concept to the realm of steroid nuclear receptors with a goal to learning the behavioral effects of steroid activation of the androgen receptor in the brain. We are designing a steroidal ligand-hormone receptor pair such that the novel ligand does not bind to endogenous androgen receptors (AR), and the designer receptor does not bind to endogenous androgens. We have synthesized novel steroids that do not bind endogenous AR. Since steroid binding affects the folding of the receptor, prediction of amino acid mutations in the androgen receptor that are needed to accommodate the steroidal ligand is difficult. To combat this issue, we are using a genetic selection in S. cerevisiae to reveal gain of function activity from a library of about 10⊥9 randomly mutated AR ligand binding domains. In this experiment, yeast strains containing a hormone-inducible HIS3 gene select for full length AR mutants that are active in the presence of our novel steroids.
Trip availability for rapid transit systems

Passenger acceptance of mass transit systems depends on predictable travel times. The major sources of travel time uncertainty are passenger wait delays due to system loading and travel time delays due to failures. The second of these effects is treated analytically. Travel time distributions are developed for a typical automated group rapid transit network with a passenger load of 14000 passengers per hour. In addition, an approximate availability solution is presented and compared to the analytic solution.
Cytology and genetics of forage grasses

The progress in genetics and cytogenetics of the Gramineae during the past 14 years appears to be fairly comparable in quantity and quality with that made prior to this period. Chromosome numbers are known for more than twice as many species of grasses as were known 14 years ago. Nevertheless, such reports are still unavailable for thousands of the grass species of the world. Some 80% of the grasses are polyploid, and more than were previously recognized have one form or another of apomictic reproduction. Apospory appears to be widespread in the Panicoid grasses.
Prevention of inhalational anthrax in the U.S. outbreak.

The anthrax outbreak in the United States in fall 2001 resulted from the intentional dissemination of Bacillus anthracis spores ([1][1]). In response to the outbreak, public health authorities recommended that some groups of individuals undergo a 60-day regimen of antimicrobial prophylaxis (AP) ([2