cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural activity associated with repetitive simulation of episodic counterfactual thoughts

When people revisit past autobiographical events they often imagine alternative ways in which such events could have occurred. Often these episodic counterfactual thoughts (eCFT) are momentary and fleeting, but sometimes they are simulated frequently and repeatedly. However, little is known about the neural differences between frequently versus infrequently repeated eCFT. The current study explores this issue. In a three-session study, participants were asked to simulate alternative ways positive, negative, and neutral autobiographical memories could have occurred. Half of these eCFT were repeatedly re-simulated while the other half were not. Immediately after, participants were asked to simulate all these eCFT again while undergoing fMRI. A partial least squares analysis on the resultant fMRI data revealed that eCFT that were not frequently repeated preferentially engaged brain regions including middle (BA 21) and superior temporal gyri (BA 38/39), middle (BA 11) and superior frontal gyri (BA 9), and hippocampus. By contrast, frequently repeated eCFT preferentially engaged regions including medial frontal gyri (BA 10), anterior cingulate cortex, insula, and inferior parietal lobule (BA 40). Direct contrasts for each type of eCFT were also conducted. The results of these analyses suggest differential contributions of regions traditionally associated with eCFT, such as BA 10, anterior cingulate cortex, and hippocampus, as a function of kind of eCFT and frequency of repetition. Consequences for future research on eCFT and rumination are considered.
Substrate integrated waveguide slotted antenna array with amplitude weighting and integrated monopulse feed

A 20×12 substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) slotted antenna array is introduced that has amplitude weighting in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions and is equipped to make angle measurements in both azimuth and elevation directions. A SIW monopulse feed structure is embedded within the combiner substrate and feeds the four SIW antenna quadrants from the backside of the array. Amplitude weighting is achieved in the azimuth direction by varying the radiating slot offset from the centerline, while the elevation amplitude weighting is achieved through a series of SIW sidewall couplers integrated into the antenna face. The resulting design and measured results demonstrate a low profile, low-loss, passive antenna array capable of accurate angle measurement in target tracking applications.
Cryo-braking using penetrators for enhanced capabilities for the potential landing of payloads on icy solar system objects

Abstract The icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn are important astrobiology targets. Access to the surface of these worlds is made difficult by the high ΔV requirements which is typically in the hypervelocity range. Passive braking systems cannot be used due to the lack of an atmosphere, and active braking by rockets significantly adds to the missions costs. This paper demonstrates that a two-stage landing system can overcome these problems and provide significant improvements in the payload fraction that can be landed The first stage involves a hypervelocity impactor which is designed to penetrate to a depth of a few tens of meters. This interaction is the cryo-breaking component and is examined through laboratory experiments, empirical relations and modeling. The resultant ice-particle cloud creates a transient artificial atmosphere that can be used to enable passive braking of the second stage payload dd, with a substantially higher mass payload fraction than possible with a rocket landing system. It is shown that a hollow cylinder design for the impactor can more efficiently eject the material upwards in a solid cone of ice particles relative to solid impactors such as spheres or spikes. The ejected mass is shown to be of the order of 103 to 104 times the mass of the impactor. The modeling indicates that a 10 kg payload with a braking system of 3 m2 (i.e. an areal density of 0.3 kg/m2) is sufficient to allow the landing of the payload with the deceleration limited to less than 2000 g's. Modern electronics can withstand this deceleration and as such the system provides an important alternative to landing payloads on icy solar system objects.
A First Course in Differential Geometry. By Izu Vaisman.

(1986). A First Course in Differential Geometry. By Izu Vaisman. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 93, No. 8, pp. 668-672.
Synthesis and Photopolymerization of 1-Propenyl Ether Monomers

A variety of mono-, di-, and multifunctional 1-propenyl ethers were readily prepared in high yields by the condensation of alcohols with allyl halides followed by the base or transition metal catalyzed rearrangement of the resulting allyl ethers. These monomers in general display very high reactivity in cationic polymerizations. In our work, we have focused on photoinduced cationic polymerizations of these monomers using diaryliodonium and triarylsulfonium salt photoinitiators. To study these very fast photopolymerizations, extensive use of differential photoscanning calorimetry and real-time infrared spectroscopy were made. Employing these techniques, the effects of monomer and photoinitiator structure on the rates of polymerization were studied.
STEM Project-Based Learning and Teaching for Exceptional Learners

Today’s classroom is a heterogeneous grouping of students with diverse backgrounds and with disabilities or special challenges in learning and behavior. This chapter focuses on how to reach these students through the use of Project-Based Learning (PBL). Although the strategies and issues presented here are, “best practice” for the instruction and management of students with enriched backgrounds, extensive vocabularies, strong self-advocacy, and self-management skills, these types of students may learn well without them. However, students with diverse or disabling conditions require these strategies for successful participation and learning. Students who are diverse, disabled and/or normative will benefit from a learning environment where these practices are used skillfully. This chapter begins with a section on the characteristics and learning considerations for exceptional and diverse learners followed by a section on the key elements of STEM PBL and concluded with a section on how these elements can address learner characteristics to improve student participation and performance.
Integrating technology into learning and working: A promising future

In this concluding synthesis article, I summarize and discuss the papers that comprise both parts of this special issues. Two organizing frameworks are provided to facilitate readers to assimilate of the scope and depth of the contributors’ ideas, theories and constructs: (1) activity theory; and, (2) instructional design.
Biomarker Discovery via Optimal Bayesian Feature Filtering for Structured Multiclass Data

Biomarker discovery aims to find a shortlist of high-profile biomarkers that can be further verified and utilized in downstream analysis. Many biomarkers exhibit structured multiclass behavior, where groups of interest may be clustered into a small number of patterns such that groups assigned the same pattern share a common governing distribution. While several algorithms are proposed for multiclass problems, to the best of our knowledge, none can take such constraints on the group-pattern assignment, or structure, as input, and output high-profile potential biomarkers as well as the structure they satisfy. While post analyses may be used to infer the structure, ignoring such information impedes feature selection to fully take advantage of experimental data. Recent work proposes a Bayesian framework for feature selection that places priors on feature-label distribution and label-conditioned feature distribution. Here we extend this framework for structured multiclass problems, solve the proposed model for the case of independent features, evaluate it in several synthetic simulations, apply it to two cancer datasets, and perform enrichment analysis. Many of the highly ranked genes and pathways are suggested to be affected in the cancer under study. We also find potentially new biomarkers. Not only do we detect biomarkers, but also make inferences about the underlying distributional connections across classes, which provide additional insight on cancer biology.
Ensemble feature selection for biomarker discovery in mass spectrometry-based metabolomics

Biomarker discovery, i.e., identifying the discriminative features that are responsible for alteration of a biological system, is often solved by feature selection implemented by machine learning approaches. While many individual feature selection methods are used in biomarker discovery, the nature of omics data (small number of samples, large number of features, and noisy data) makes each of those individual feature selection algorithms unstable. In this paper, we investigate various ensemble feature selection methods to improve the reliability of the molecular biomarker selection by combining the complementary information of multiple feature selection methods. We compare the performance of different ensemble approaches and evaluate their performances using a metabolomics dataset containing three sample groups. Our results indicate that our ensemble approach outperforms the individual feature selection algorithms and provides more stable results.
Phase 2 study of vascular endothelial growth factor trap for the treatment of metastatic thyroid cancer.

Background Several multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have demonstrated activity in patients with thyroid cancer that is refractory to radioactive iodine (RAI). The antitumor effect is attributed at least in part to the ability of these TKIs to inhibit angiogenesis in these vascular tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Trap (VT) is a recombinantly produced fusion protein consisting solely of human sequences for VEGF receptors 1 and 2 extracellular domains and human immunoglobulin 1. Evaluating VT in patients with thyroid cancer is reasonable considering the activity observed with TKIs targeting VEGF. Methods The current study was a single-institution, phase 2, Simon 2-stage design (21 to >41 patients) study based on the objective response rate and/or 6-month progression-free survival as the primary endpoints. Eligible patients were required to have progressive, RAI-refractory and/or [18 F]fludeoxyglucose-avid, recurrent and/or metastatic, nonmedullary, nonanaplastic thyroid cancer; disease that was measurable using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria; and adequate organ and bone marrow function. VT at a dose of 4 mg/kg intravenously was administered every 14 days. Results A total of 40 patients were included in the analysis. Of these patients, 24 had papillary thyroid cancer, 2 had follicular thyroid cancer, and 11 had Hurthle cell thyroid cancer. The final 3 tumors were classified as poorly differentiated. There were no complete and/or partial responses noted; 34 patients achieved stable disease and 6 patients experienced disease progression as their best response. Of the 34 patients with stable disease, 16 remained on the study for >6 months and 6 patients remained on the study for >12 months. The median duration on treatment was 4.1 months (range, 0.6-30.8 months). Conclusions Unlike TKIs, which have shown responses in this setting, to the authors' knowledge there have been no responses observed with the use of single-agent VT to date. It does not appear to be a promising drug for the treatment of patients with thyroid cancer.
Abstract 420: Rlf-Mycl1 gene fusion as a novel oncogenic driver in a mouse model of small cell lung cancer

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive subtype of lung cancer, accounting for about 15% of all lung cancer cases and approximately 200,000 deaths per year. SCLC genetic alterations are characterized by near-universal loss of function of the tumor suppressor genes TP53 and RB1. Several in-frame gene fusions have been identified in SCLC tumors and cell lines, with recurrent fusion events noted in up to 5% of cases. However, the biological and therapeutic implications of these fusions, including the recurrent in-frame RLF-MYCL1 gene fusion, are unknown. MYCL1 is frequently expressed in SCLC and differential expression of MYC family members has been associated with different SCLC subtypes. Here we investigate the functional significance of the RLF-MYCL1 gene fusion by developing a novel Rlf-Mycl1-driven genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) of SCLC using CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering. Methods: SgRNAs targeting intronic sequences of the Rlf and Mycl1 genes were cloned into a Cas9-expressing plasmid and co-transfected in NIH/3T3 cells. The presence of the Rlf-Mycl1 fusion was confirmed at the DNA and protein level. To test whether the RLF-MYCL1 gene fusion is important for the oncogenic switch during early SCLC development, we transduced Rb1Δ/Δ;Trp53Δ/Δ;Rbl2+/Δ precancerous neuroendocrine cells (preSCs), which were isolated from an early stage in tumorigenesis, with a lentiviral vector encoding Cas9 and with the dual sgRNAs targeting Rlf and Mycl1 genes (P-RM). Results: The P-RM transduced preSCs formed significantly more colonies in soft agar than those infected with non-targeting sgRNAs (P-NT) (p Summary: A major hurdle to SCLC clinical advancement is the absence of targetable driver mutations. Our findings indicate that the Rlf-Mycl1 gene fusion accelerates SCLC tumor growth. Defining mechanisms by which Rlf-Mycl1 accelerates tumorigenesis may identify therapeutic strategies to target SCLC harboring this fusion oncogene. Our study further supports a careful analysis of the involvement of other gene-fusions in SCLC. Citation Format: Metamia Ciampricotti, Triantafyllia Karakousi, Alvaro Quintanal Villalonga, Viola Allaj, Andrea Ventura, Triparna Sen, JT Poirier, Thales Papagiannakopoulos, Charles M. Rudin. Rlf-Mycl1 gene fusion as a novel oncogenic driver in a mouse model of small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 420.
Osteoporosis in premenopausal women, pregnancy, and lactation

Abstract Although presentation with osteoporosis in the premenopausal years is quite rare, fractures during this time can cause significant morbidity. Diagnostic criteria for premenopausal women differ substantially from those in postmenopausal women and interpretation of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements also differs. In premenopausal women, interpretation of BMD must take into account both the timing of peak bone mass accrual and expected changes related to reproductive events. Evaluation in this population focuses on a search for possible secondary/pathologic causes of bone fragility and bone loss. Some women have no cause found after extensive evaluation and may have primary forms of osteoporosis. They may also exhibit the effects of pathologic conditions or medication exposures that are no longer present at the time of initial evaluation. Initial management in premenopausal women with osteoporosis should focus on addressing underlying secondary causes, whenever possible. Some women, particularly those who have multiple or recurrent fragility fractures or ongoing causes of bone loss, may benefit from medical treatment. Data to inform pharmacologic treatment decisions are sparse; studies are often small and have provided very little evidence regarding the effects of therapeutic interventions on fracture risk. This chapter discusses the epidemiology, classification, and evaluation of premenopausal osteoporosis, as well as the unique considerations for use of BMD by dual X-ray absorptiometry in premenopausal patients. The chapter will also discuss considerations for pharmacologic treatment in this population.
Modulation of locomotor behaviors by location-specific epileptic spiking and seizures.

Abstract Introduction Epilepsy is a debilitating neurological condition characterized by spontaneous seizures as well as significant comorbid behavioral abnormalities. In addition to seizures, epileptic patients exhibit interictal spikes far more frequently than seizures, often, but not always observed in the same brain areas. The exact relationship between spiking and seizures as well as their respective effects on behavior are not well understood. In fact, spiking without overt seizures is seen in various psychiatric conditions including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Methods In order to study the effects of spiking and seizures on behavior in an epileptic animal model, we used long-term video-electroencephalography recordings at six cortical recording sites together with behavioral activity monitoring. Animals received unilateral injections of tetanus toxin into either the somatosensory or motor cortex. Results Somatosensory cortex-injected animals developed progressive spiking ipsilateral to the injection site, while those receiving the injection into the motor cortex developed mostly contralateral spiking and spontaneous seizures. Animals with spiking but no seizures displayed a hyperactive phenotype, while animals with both spiking and seizures displayed a hypoactive phenotype. Not all spikes were equivalent as spike location strongly correlated with distinct locomotor behaviors including ambulatory distance, vertical movements, and rotatory movement. Conclusions Together, our results demonstrate relationships between brain region-specific spiking, seizures, and behaviors in rodents that could translate into a better understanding for patients with epileptic behavioral comorbidities and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Investigating the Lagged Relationship between Smap Soil Moisture and Live Fuel Moisture in California, USA

Live fuel moisture (LFM), defined as the ratio between water in the fresh biomass out of the dry biomass, is a vital measurement of vegetation water content and flammability. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of in-situ measurement of LFM at all the active sites in California, USA and revealed the difference between evergreen forest and shrub/scrub, the two dominant land cover types in California's fire-prone regions. We found that LFM of evergreen forest responses to soil moisture increase later than shrub/scrub, due to a later occurrence of major precipitation, a lower air temperature, and the different plant physiology. The comparison between SMAP L-band radiometer soil moisture and LFM showed that the lag between the rise in soil moisture and the response from LFM was much longer in evergreen forest. Compared with the evergreen forest, LFM of shrub/scrub was more sensitive to the inter-annual variability of soil moisture due to plant physiology and air temperature.
Риски человека в цифровую эпоху

The article discusses human risks in the digital world, taking into account the influence of modern technology on its biology, the possibility of its transformation and merging with information technology.
Increasing Log Availability in Unmanned Vehicle Systems.

Autonomous multi-vehicle systems are becoming increasingly relevant for many operations. However, logging data within these systems is difficult. In particular, loss of individual vehicles and inherently lossy and noisy communications environments can result in the loss of important mission data. We present a novel distributed ledger protocol, the Unmanned Vehicle System Logging Protocol (UVSLP), that enhances data survival in such systems. We demonstrate the behavioral correctness of this protocol using informal verification methods and tools provided by the Monterey Phoenix project. We further verified the correctness of this protocol through implementation field tests.
Age-not sex or gender-makes the case of Ellie Anderson Complex.

In ‘The Complex Case of Ellie Anderson’, Joona Rasanen and Anna Smajdor raise several ethical questions about the case. One question asks, but does not answer, whether Ellie faced discrimination for being transgender when her mother was not allowed access to Ellie’s sperm following her death. In raising the question, the authors imply anti-trans bias may have influenced this determination. However, this inference is not supported by current ethical and legal guidance for posthumous use of gametes, with which Ellie’s case is consistent. We consider the authors’ responses to their other ethical queries, and how their suggestions for what options might have been available to Ellie and her family are instructive for addressing attempts in the USA and UK to restrict minors’ access to gender-affirming medical treatment, including puberty-blocking therapy.
Acute Appendicitis with Neuronal Hyperplasia and Swelling: A Novel Histologic Mimic of Appendiceal Goblet Cell Adenocarcinoma and Signet-Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma.

Goblet cell adenocarcinoma and signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma are well-known diagnostic pitfalls of routine appendectomy specimens. Here we present a case of acute appendicitis with prominent neur...
Chapter 6 Three Dimensional Dynamic Structure of Transfer Rna by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a study on the three-dimensional dynamic structure of transfer RNA (tRNA) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. 13 C-enriched, native modified nucleosides are used as probes, whose aromatic and proton resonance chemical shifts and Nuclear Overhauser Effect (NOE) values give access to internucleotide distances of bases not involved in Watson–Crick pairs. In Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) , tRNA multiple peaks for the methyl groups of T in tRNA Phe and tRNA Tyr , and Gm in the latter, indicates multiple structural forms for the regions of the molecule probed. These multiple forms coalesced to a single structure upon the addition of MgCl 2 . The studies on carbon NMR signals of yeast tRNA Phe are correlated with their corresponding proton resonances via a two-dimensional carbon-proton correlation experiment. Although analysis of the protein perturbation of tRNA conformation is difficult, studies of other effectors of tRNA site-specific structure are quite successful.
Transport of α-Aminoisobutyric Acid by Streptococcus pyogenes and Its Derived L-Form

We studied the uptake of α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) in Streptococcus pyogenes and its physiologically isotonic L-form. S. pyogenes cells starved for glucose or treated with carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone accumulated limited amounts of AIB. A high apparent Km value characterized the glucose-independent transport of AIB. The rate and extent of AIB accumulation significantly increased in the presence of glucose. Two saturable transport components with distinct apparent Km values characterized glycolysis-coupled transport of AIB. A biphasic Lineweaver-Burk plot was also obtained for l-alanine transport by glycolyzing S. pyogenes cells. AIB seems to share a common transport system(s) with glycine, l- and d-alanine, l-serine, and l-valine. This was shown by the competitive inhibition of AIB uptake by these compounds and their ability to induce competitive exchange efflux of accumulated AIB. About 30% of the AIB uptake was not inhibited by a saturating amount of l-valine, indicating the existence of more than one system for AIB transport. p-Chloromercuribenzoate markedly inhibited the accumulation of AIB by both glycolyzing and glucose-starved cells. In contrast, carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone affected only metabolism-dependent uptake of AIB, which was also sensitive to dinitrophenol, N-ethylmaleimide, iodoacetate, fluoride (NaF), arsenate, and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. These results are interpreted according to the chemiosmotic theory of Mitchell, whereby a proton motive force constitutes the driving force for AIB accumulation. AIB was not accumulated by the L-form. However, a temporary accumulation of AIB by a counterflow mechanism and a saturable system with a low apparent affinity were demonstrated for AIB transport by this organism. We suggest that a deficiency in the coupling of energy to AIB transport is responsible for the apparent lack of active AIB accumulation by the L-form.
Complications of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: MR imaging.

Arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) using autografts or allografts is being performed with increasing frequency, particularly in young athletes. Although the procedure is generally well tolerated, with good success rates, early and late complications have been documented. As clinical manifestations of graft complications are often non-specific and plain radiographs cannot directly visualize the graft and the adjacent soft tissues, MR imaging has a definite role in the diagnosis of complications after ACL reconstruction and may direct subsequent therapeutic management. Our purpose is to review the normal MR imaging of the ACL graft and present the MR imaging findings of a wide spectrum of complications after ACL reconstruction, such as graft impingement, graft rupture, cystic degeneration of the graft, postoperative infection of the knee, diffuse and localized (i.e., cyclops lesion) arthrofibrosis, and associated donor site abnormalities. Awareness of the MR imaging findings of complications as well as the normal appearances of the normal ACL graft is essential for correct interpretation.
The task, interaction, and display (TID) taxonomy for human-virtual environment interaction

A taxonomy is proposed that classifies virtual environment tasks according to the type of task, user interaction, and display (TID) that evoke efficient human task performance. The TID can assist virtual environment designers by guiding and directing their design efforts.
Prediction Markets as Decision Support Systems

Valuations from “prediction markets” reveal expectations about the likelihood of events. “Conditional prediction markets” reveal expectations conditional on other events occurring. For example, in 1996, the Iowa Electronic Markets (IEM) ran markets to predict the chances that different candidates would become the Republican Presidential nominee. Other concurrent IEM markets predicted the vote shares that each party would receive conditional on the Republican nominee chosen. Here, using these markets as examples, we show how such markets could be used for decision support. In this example, Republicans could have inferred that Dole was a weak candidate and that his nomination would result in a Clinton victory. This is only one example of the widespread potential for using specific decision support markets.
Adenovirus type 2 nuclear RNA accumulating during productive infection.

Abstract The viral-specific nuclear RNA which accumulates early and late during productive infection of HeLa cells by adenovirus-type 2 (Ad2) has been characterized with respect to its size and stability after denaturation by Me2SO. Early nuclear transcripts, under nondenaturing conditions, sediment in the range 28 to 45S, but treatment with Me2SO prior to sedimentation results in a shift to about 20S. Later nuclear RNA accumulates as a composite of two populations of molecules: one with a broad size distribution centering on 45S under nondenaturing conditions and less than 32S after denaturation and a second having a narrow size distribution around 35S which is quite stable to Me2SO. Analysis of late RNA by hybridization to Sma fragments of Ad2 DNA suggests that the 35S RNA species is derived from a limited portion of the left half of the viral genome.
The problem of non-locality and simultaneous photon detection behind a beam splitter

Abstract It is shown explicitly that when a photon is incident on a beam splitter, one arm of which is followed by a light amplifier, the joint probability of photon detection in both arms is non-zero only because of spontaneous emission from the amplifier. The non-locality of quantum mechanics does not play a significant role in this situation.
Effects of alpha and gamma radiation on glass reaction in an unsaturated environment

Radiation may effect the long-term performance of glass in an unsaturated repository site by interacting with air, water vapor, or liquid water. The present study examines (1) the effects of alpha or gamma irradiation in a water vapor environment, and (2) the influence of radiolytic products on glass reaction. Results indicate that nitric and organic acids form in an irradiated water vapor environment and are dissolved in thin films of condensed water. Glass samples exposed to these conditions react faster and have a different assemblage of secondary phases than glasses exposed to nonirradiated water vapor environments. 23 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.
CAN PITTING IN GREEN BEANS: RELATION TO VACUUM, pH, NITRATE, PHOSPHATE, COPPER, AND IRON CONTENT

Early Gallatin green beans were packed in .25 and 50/.25 tinplate R-enameled cans with variations in vacuum and pH and with added levels of NO3- and PO4 and were analyzed for brine and slurry pH, NO3-, PO4 CU, and Fe. The cans were then visually examined for pitting after storage at 30°C and room temperature. The pH, NO-3, PO4 and Cu decreased significantly during storage and Fe showed a significant increase. The decrease in slurry pH and Cu was correlated with pitting severity. The increase in Fe content during storage correlated with pitting severity and possibly could be used as an indicator of pitting during prolonged storage.
Toxic effects of octylphenol on cultured rat spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells.

Abstract Alkylphenols, including the estrogenic 4- tert -octylphenol (OP), are environmental pollutants. Because administration of OP to adult male rats impairs spermatogenesis and OP has been shown to be toxic to aquatic animals and to mammalian splenocytes in vitro , we studied whether OP exerts direct toxic effects on cultured spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells isolated from male rats. Cell viability was assessed with a Live/Dead Eukolight viability/cytotoxicity kit. Culture of mixed spermatogenic cells from adult rats with 10 −8 M OP or Sertoli cells from 19- to 21-day-old rats with 10 −12 M OP, but not with 0.08% EtOH (vehicle) or 10 −6 M 17β-estradiol (E 2 ) or dexamethasone (DEX), significantly decreased the percentage of viable cells after 24 h of treatment. None of the treatments significantly altered total cell number. Flow cytometric analyses of spermatogenic cells revealed that exposure to 10 −4 or 10 −6 M OP yielded abnormal relative ploidy classes. Four hours of treatment with 10 −6 M OP, but not with 10 −6 M E 2 or DEX, caused significant chromatin condensation in Sertoli cells as observed with acridine orange staining. The decreased percentage of viable cells after 24 h of exposure to 10 −6 M OP remained when Sertoli cells were cultured in Ca 2+ -free medium. Sertoli cells contained nuclei of reduced size and labeled 3′-OH DNA ends as detected by microscopic analyses when the cells had been incubated for 24 h with 10 −6 M OP but not with vehicle or 10 −6 M E 2 or DEX. The results demonstrate that OP, but not E 2 or DEX, is directly toxic to cultured rat spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells and suggest that this toxic effect in Sertoli cells is exerted through Ca 2+ -independent apoptosis.
Excision and Skin Grafting of Thermal Burns

A 45-year-old man presents with extensive burns after a house fire. Excision and grafting are recommended for management of his burns. Depending on the depth and extent of the burn, early excision and grafting promote wound healing, reduce the risk of infection, and shorten hospitalization but increase the need for blood transfusion, as compared with conservative management.
Overuse injuries in ultraendurance triathietes

Overuse injuries represent the largest percentage of sports-related injuries requiring medical treatment. These injuries represent a substantial health issue for the millions of adults who have made physical activity an integral part of their lifestyle, but may be even more important to those pursuing ultraendurance exercise. The purposes of this study were to report the type and incidence of overuse injuries in ultraendurance triathletes and to relate training practices to injury occurrence. Data was gathered from the responses of 95 competitors (75 men, 20 women) in the 1986 Hawaii Ironman Triathlon who completed a training and medical history questionnaire. In this sample, virtually all (91%) sustained at least one soft tissue, overuse injury during the previous year's training. The area of the body most frequently involved was the back, but the most common pattern was to have multiple areas involved. Because of the consistent combinations of injuries, mechanical abnormalities, such as diminished shock absorption, may have contributed to injury. Training habits were extremely variable and not directly related to either the incidence or type of injury.
Fuel-cache site-selection for polar research: a summary of results

Scientists conducting polar research in Antarctica must contend with harsh environmental conditions that constrain their movements and raise their costs. One on going challenge is choosing cache sites for aircraft refueling. Given a data-gathering mission (e.g. set of flight destinations), aircraft fuel-consumption model, and infrastructure (e.g. base and cache-sites), the Fuel-Cache Site-Selection (FCSS) problem identifies the optimal use of cache sites to fulfill the mission. The FCSS problem is important for planning expeditions in infrastructure-poor areas for scientific or military purposes. However, the FCSS problem is computationally challenging due to interaction across different flight-routes. Related approaches from literature concerning routing are inadequate due to assumptions about the cost of providing infrastructure. This paper proposes heuristics and a filter-and-refine based exact algorithm, evaluation using analytical and experimental methods, and a case study with end-users, e.g. polar scientists.
A review of mechanical behaviour and stress effects in hard superconductors

Abstract The mechanical properties of type II superconducting materials are reviewed as well as the effect of stress on the superconducting properties of these materials. The bcc alloys Nb-Ti and Nb-Zr exhibit good strength and extensive ductility at room temperature. Mechanical tests on these alloys at 4.2 K revealed serrated stress-strain curves, non-linear elastic effects, and reduced ductility. The non-linear behaviour is probably due to twinning and de-twinning or a reversible stress-induced martensitic transformation. The brittle A-15 compound superconductors, such as Nb 3 Sn and V 3 Ga, exhibit unusual elastic properties and structural instabilities at cryogenic temperatures. p]Multifilamentary composites consisting of superconducting filaments in a normal metal matrix are normally used for superconducting devices. The mechanical properties of alloy and compound composites, tapes, as well as composites of niobium carbonitride chemically vapour deposited on high strength carbon fibres are presented. Hysteretic stress-strain behaviour in the metal matrix composites produces significant heat generation, an effect which may lead to degradation in performance of high field magnets. Measurements of the critical current density, J c , under stress in a magnetic field are reported. Modest stress-reversible degradation in J c is observed in Nb-Ti composites while more serious degradation is found in Nb 3 Sn sample. The importance of mechanical behaviour on device performance is discussed.
Heart rate adjustment of the time-voltage ST segment integral: Identification of coronary disease and relation to standard and heart rate-adjusted ST segment depression criteria

To assess the effect of heart rate adjustment of the magnitude of the ST integral (ST-HR integral) on exercise test performance, the exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) of 50 clinically normal subjects and 100 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease was analyzed. At matched specificity of 96% with standard ECG criteria (greater than or equal to 0.1 mV of additional horizontal or downsloping ST segment depression), an unadjusted ST integral partition of 16 microV-s identified coronary disease in the 100 patients with known or suspected disease with a sensitivity of only 41%, a value significantly lower than the 59% sensitivity of standard ECG criteria (p less than 0.01) and the 65% sensitivity of an ST depression partition of 130 microV (p less than 0.001). However, test performance of the ST integral was greatly improved by simple heart rate adjustment: at a matched specificity of 96%, an ST-HR integral partition of 0.154 microV-s/beat per min identified coronary disease in the 100 patients with a sensitivity of 90%, a value significantly greater than the 59% sensitivity of standard criteria and 65% sensitivity of ST depression criteria (each p less than 0.001) and similar to the 91% sensitivity of the ST-HR index and 93% sensitivity of the ST-HR slope (each p = NS). Comparison of receiver-operating characteristic curves confirmed the superior overall test performance of the ST-HR integral relative to the ST integral and ST segment depression, and demonstrated improved performance that was comparable with that of the ST-HR index and the ST-HR slope.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Role of the Filters in the Formation and Stabilization of Semiquinone Radicals Collected from Cigarette Smoke.

The fractional pyrolysis of Bright tobacco was performed in a nitrogen atmosphere over the temperature range 240–510 °C in a specially constructed, high temperature flow reactor system. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to analyze the free radicals in the initially produced total particular matter (TPM) and in TPM after exposure to ambient air (aging). Different filters have been used to collect TPM from tobacco smoke: cellulosic, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, nylon, Teflon, and Cambridge. The collection of the primary radicals (measured immediately after collection of TPM on filters) and the formation and stabilization of the secondary radicals (defined as radicals formed during aging of TPM samples on the filters) depend significantly on the material of the filter. A mechanistic explanation about different binding capabilities of the filters decreasing in the order cellulosic > cellulose nitrate > cellulose acetate > nylon ∼ Teflon is presented. Different properties wer...
Interaction of cisplatin and noise on the peripheral auditory system

The potentiation of cisplatin ototoxicity by noise was explored in the chinchilla. The effects of exposure to cisplatin alone, noise alone or concurrent exposure to both agents were compared in terms of the threshold shift of the auditory evoked potential and the amount of hair cell loss. The combination of cisplatin plus noise produced significantly more hair cell loss and hearing loss at the high frequencies than did either the noise or cisplatin alone when the noise level was 85 dB SPL or higher; no interaction was seen when the noise level was 70 dB SPL. The amount of the interaction, when present, was constant regardless of the noise level. These results indicate that moderate to high levels of noise can exacerbate cisplatin ototoxicity.
Preparation of microparticulate β-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae for use in immune potentiation

Aims: To develop a method for the preparation of an immunologically active, homogeneous, nonaggregated, microparticulate β-glucan-containing material from the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods and Results: Using a combination of sonication and spray-drying, a homogeneous preparation of 1–2-µ diameter β-glucan-containing particles was made from alkali- and acid-insoluble yeast cell wall material. This microparticulate β-glucan remained in suspension longer and, following oral administration at 0·1 mg kg−1 for 14 d, enhanced phagocytosis of mouse peritoneal macrophages significantly better than did aggregated β-glucan particles. Conclusions: A new sonication and spray-drying method can be employed to overcome the problem of aggregation of β-glucan microparticles in aqueous media. Significance and Impact of the Study: A microparticulate form of β-glucan that remains in suspension longer for pharmaceutical applications and has superior immune potentiation characteristics has been developed.
Caregiver coping strategies predict cognitive and functional decline in dementia: The Cache County Dementia Progression Study

Objectives Few longitudinal studies have studied the influence of the care environment on the clinical progression of dementia. We examined whether caregiver coping strategies predict dementia progression in a population-based sample. Design Longitudinal, prospective cohort study. Setting Cache County (Utah) population. Participants A total of 226 persons with dementia, and their caregivers, were assessed semiannually for up to 6 years. Measurements Ways of Coping Checklist–Revised, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Results Mean (SD) age of dementia onset in persons with dementia was 82.11 (5.84) years and mean caregiver age was 67.41 (13.95) years. Mean (SD) follow-up was 1.65 (1.63) years from baseline. In univariate linear mixed-effects models, increasing use of problem-focused and counting blessings by caregivers was associated with slower patient worsening on the MMSE. Problem-focused coping, seeking social support, and wishful thinking were associated with slower Clinical Dementia Rating Scale sum of boxes (CDR-sb) worsening. Considering covariates, increasing use of problem-focused coping was associated with 0.70 points per year less worsening on the MMSE and 0.55 points per year less worsening on the CDR-sb. Compared with no use, the "regular" use of this strategy was associated with 2 points per year slower worsening on the MMSE and 1.65 points per year slower worsening on the CDR-sb. Conclusions Caregiver coping strategies are associated with slower dementia progression. Developing interventions that target these strategies may benefit dementia patients.
Plasma polymerization by magnetron glow discharge. I. Effect of magnetic field on breakdown of monomers in low pressure

The breakdown voltage Vb of glow discharge of an organic monomer generally decreases as the system pressure decreases; however, below a certain threshold pressure, the breakdown voltage increases with decreasing system pressure. In the pressure range below 100 mTorr, the breakdown voltage generally increases as a linear function of 1/p, where p is the system pressure of the reactor. In this region, glow discharge without magnetic enhancement often yields unstable discharge, which is associated with a very steep slope of a line in the Vb vs 1/p plot. The similar plots for glow discharges of non‐polymer‐forming gases, such as He, Ar, and O2, do not follow the simple linear relationship, but a more or less linear increase is followed by a plateau. Effects of magnetic field on the breakdown phenomena were investigated by using planar parallel electrodes with circular arrangement of permanent magnets. Three different electrode systems with slightly different magnetic field profiles were used to investigate the...
Simultaneous information integration in decisions concerning normal populations

Abstract Decision behavior in yes-no and forced-choice decision tasks was examined, with the amount of information ( n ) being varied. Subjects were to decide which of two hypothetical normal distributions had been used to generate the information. A power function was used to model a hypothetical misperception process, and a change in performance as a function of n was taken as an indication of misaggregation. Evidence for both hypothetical processes was found, but both task and subject differences were apparent in the extent to which each hypothesis was supported. The misaggregation process was the result of increased inconsistency in responding as n increased.
Acute psychotic symptoms induced by topiramate.

The incidence of psychosis during clinical trials of topiramate was 0.8%, not significantly different from the rate for placebo or reported rates of psychosis in patients with refractory epilepsy. We observed psychotic symptoms in five patients soon after initiation of topiramate therapy. We performed a retrospective chart review of the first 80 patients who began on topiramate after approval for clinical use, between January and April 1997. Symptoms suggestive of psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions, were sought for analysis. Cognitive effects such as psychomotor slowing, confusion, and somnolence were not included. Five patients developed definite psychotic symptoms 2 to 46 days after beginning topiramate. Dosages at symptom onset were 50-400 mg/day. Symptoms included paranoid delusions in four patients and auditory hallucinations in three. Symptoms of psychosis and other psychiatric symptoms resolved quickly with discontinuation of topiramate in three patients, dose reduction from 300 to 200 mg/day in one and with inpatient treatment and neuroleptics in another. One patient had a history of auditory hallucinations, one of aggressive and suicidal thoughts, but three had no significant psychiatric history. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of psychotic symptoms, even in patients without a previous psychiatric history, when prescribing topiramate. Symptoms resolve quickly with discontinuation.
RRDE Catalyst Ink Aging Effects on Selectivity to Water Formation in ORR

Rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) testing is commonly used for determining the activity and selectivity of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. The effect of RRDE catalyst ink aging on the reported selectivity to water formation was studied for both commercial Pt/Vulcan carbon and nitrogen-containing nanostructured carbon (CN x ) catalysts. Aging the ink before application could cause a significant improvement in the selectivity measured. While the reasons behind this improvement in selectivity are not yet clear, possible explanations include changes in physical properties of the catalyst, changes in surface hydrophilicity, and changes in surface oxygen functional groups.
Anti-predatory vigilance and the limits to collective detection: visual and spatial separation between foragers

Collective detection concerns the idea that all members of a socially feeding group are alerted to an attack as long as at least one group member detects it. We found that collective detection in mixed flocks of emberizid sparrows is limited markedly by relatively small degrees of visual and spatial separation between foragers. These limits on collective detection appear to influence the degree to which flock members lower their vigilance with increasing group size (the group size effect). Specifically, the decrease in collective detection with increasing visual and spatial isolation between foragers is accompanied by a concomitant decrease in the strength of the vigilance group size effect. Explanations for the vigilance-related effects of such separation based upon a bird’s ability to monitor the vigilance behavior of flockmates can be ruled out for our experimental system. Our results also shed light on the issue of whether the vigilance group size effect is influenced more by collective detection or the simple dilution of risk with increasing group size. We argue that collective detection is not only an important determinant of the group size effect, but also that the phenomena of collective detection and risk dilution are interdependent.