cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pancreatic islets of the coturnix quail. A light and electron microscopic study with special reference to the islet organ of the splenic lobe.

The endocrine pancreas of the Coturnix quail consists of two major islet configurations. Islets containing B and D cells are found in all four lobes of the pancreas, but islets consisting of A and D cells occur with regularity only in the third and splenic lobes. Pancreatic islets comprise only a small percentage of the tissue volume in the ventral, dorsal and third lobes. In the splenic lobe, however, one or more A islets surrounded by numerous small B islets may constitute more than 50% of the total cellular mass. Secretory granules of the B cells are aldehyde fuchsin-positive and show three distinct profiles at the ultrastructural level. The PTAH-positive A granules are usually round or teardrop shaped and are of uniform electron density. D cells are argyrophilic; their secretory granules are of heterogeneous densities. These cells are located at the peripheries of the B islets, but are freely dispersed in the A islets. At the electron microscopic level, Type IV cells, previously not reported in avian islets, are found mainly in the A islets of this species. This unusual cell type contains granules of differing densities, but, unlike those of the D cell, they are often rod-shaped and biconcave in profile. Because of the distinct segregation of islet types, and the peculiar arrangement of the D and Type IV cells within the two kinds of islets, it is suggested that the Japanese quail may serve as a model for investigations of avian islet function.
Religion and depression in older medical inpatients.

Objective The objective of this study is to examine the religious characteristics of older medical inpatients with major and minor depression, compare them with religious characteristics of nondepressed patients, and examine their relationship to severity and type of depression. Methods Medical inpatients over age 50 at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC) and three community hospitals were identified with depressive disorder using a structured psychiatric interview. Detailed information was obtained on their psychiatric, medical, and religious characteristics. Religious characteristics of these patients were then compared with those of nondepressed patients in a concurrent study at DUMC controlling for demographic, health, and social factors. Among depressed patients, relationships to severity and type of depression were also examined. Results Religious involvement among 411 patients with major and 585 with minor depression was widespread, although not as frequent as in 428 nondepressed patients. After controlling for demographic and physical health factors, depressed patients were more likely to indicate no religious affiliation, less likely to affiliate with neofundamentalist denominations, more likely to indicate "spiritual but not religious," less likely to pray or read scripture, and scored lower on intrinsic religiosity. Among depressed patients, there was no relationship between religion and depression type, but depression severity was associated with a lower religious attendance, prayer, scripture reading, and lower intrinsic religiosity. Social factors only partially explained these relationships. Conclusion Older medically ill hospitalized patients with depression are less religiously involved than nondepressed patients or those with less severe depression. Implications for clinicians are discussed.
Community Characteristics are Associated with Blood Pressure Levels in a Racially Integrated Community.

Community problems have been associated with higher, and community resources and social cohesion with lower, blood pressure. However, prior studies have not accounted for potential confounding by residential racial segregation. This study tested associations between community characteristics and blood pressure levels and prevalent hypertension in a racially integrated community. The Exploring Health Disparities in Integrated Communities Study measured blood pressure in residents of two contiguous racially integrated and low-income US Census Tracts. Community characteristics included a standardized community problem score and binary indicators for community social cohesion, having a community leader available, and having at least one community resource observed on the participant’s block. In adjusted models, greater community problems and proximity to resources were associated with lower systolic (β = −2.020, p = 0.028; β = −4.132, p = 0.010) and diastolic (β = −1.261, p = 0.038; β = −2.290, 0.031) blood pressure, respectively, among whites (n = 548). Social cohesion was associated with higher systolic (β = 4.905, p = 0.009) and diastolic blood pressure (β = 3.379, p = 0.008) among African Americans (n = 777). In one racially integrated low-income community, community characteristics were associated with blood pressure levels, and associations differed by race. Directions of associations for two findings differed from prior studies; greater community problem was associated with lower blood pressure in whites and community social cohesion was associated with higher blood pressure in African Americans. These findings may be due to exposure to adverse environmental conditions and hypertensive risk factors in this low-income community.
Acetylcholinesterase and its association with heparan sulphate proteoglycans in cortical amyloid deposits of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Previous studies have used a sensitive histochemical technique to demonstrate acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase within the pathological lesions of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we used this technique to show that acetylcholinesterase localized in either frozen or fixed neocortical tissue sections is removed after treatment with various glycosaminoglycans, heparinases or proteases. Heparan sulphate, heparinase lyase type I and to a lesser degree, heparin and chondroitin sulphate were effective in solubilizing a large part of the cholinesterase activity. At physiological concentrations, the protease papain or trypsin readily removed activity but collagenase or pronase were relatively less effective. Peptide protease inhibitors and divalent metals did not exhibit any clear effect. The specificity of these observations was shown by inhibition of activity with various anticholinesterases including diisofluorophosphate. Our results suggest that acetylcholinesterase is anchored to and may be released from the heparan sulphate glycosaminoglycans shown to be contained in the lesions. We further suggest that the localization of cholinesterases is closely associated with the accumulation of the glycosaminoglycans in amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas and related neoplasms: a review

Abstract Acinar cell carcinomas (ACCs) are rare tumours of the exocrine pancreas, accounting for up to 2% of all pancreatic neoplasms in adults and 15% of those in children. They are typically solid, cellular, stroma-poor tumours composed of sheets of relatively uniform cells. This sheet-like arrangement is usually punctuated by variable numbers of acinar structures. Variable amounts of neuroendocrine elements in the form of scattered individual cells are quite common, and some cases have more significant neuroendocrine or ductal elements (mixed acinar neuroendocrine carcinoma and mixed acinar ductal carcinoma). Demonstration of acinar differentiation, usually by immunohistochemistry, is necessary for the diagnosis. Among the antibodies recognizing various pancreatic enzymes, trypsin and chymotrypsin are the most useful. Molecular alterations characteristic of ductal adenocarcinomas such as mutation in the KRAS oncogene are absent in ACCs. However, allelic loss on chromosomes 11p and mutations in the APC/β-catenin pathway have been identified in about 50% and 25% of cases, respectively. ACCs are fairly aggressive tumours, although they are not as dismal prognostically as ductal adenocarcinomas. Those patients who present with localized disease have a much better prognosis than those who present with metastases (5-year survival rate of 25% vs. 50%). Unfortunately, metastases, usually involving the liver, are present in 50% of patients at the time of diagnosis.
Statistical Comparative Analyses of Drillhole, Channel, Belt and R.O.M. Coal Washability Samples

Prediction of run-of-mine (R.O.M.) coal washability characteristics is of great interest during mine and preparation plant planning. The prediction is usually based on the data available from drillholes sampled during the exploration stage. This paper deals with the comparative analysis of washability data from a variety of coal seam samples—drillhole, channel, belt and R.O.M., The data was compared to investigate differences between the various types of samples. Both statistical and empirical tests were used to facilitate the comparisons. Conclusions and recommendations from these comparative analyses are presented.
Symmetric versus asymmetric collisions in ion-induced Auger emission from silicon

Abstract We investigate the production of Si 2p Auger electrons during bombardment of Si surfaces by 1.0–5.1 keV Ar+ ions. Yields of Auger electrons emitted at ∼ 146° with respect to the ion beam are measured as a function of ion energy. We observe a threshold of ∼ 3.8 keV for formation of a double L vacancy in Si, which is due to ArSi collisions. This value is higher than those of previous studies, which were presumably influenced by contamination of the Ar+ beam with multiply charged ions, as follows from our measurements of the variation of the Auger yields with the energy of the electrons in the ion source. We conclude that Auger emission in our energy range is dominated by symmetric collisions involving a fast Si recoil, with excitation in asymmetric, ArSi collisions growing in importance above the ∼ 3.8 keV threshold. The conclusion is also supported by the appearance of additional, Doppler shifted, Auger peaks at high projectile energies. Our threshold value for ArSi collisions is in good agreement with previous studies of gas-phase collisions, and should be used to reevaluate recent computer simulations which fail to predict the observations.
The (1,2)-step competition graph of a tournament

The competition graph of a digraph, introduced by Cohen in 1968, has been extensively studied. More recently, in 2000, Cho, Kim, and Nam defined the m-step competition graph. In this paper, we offer another generalization of the competition graph. We define the (1,2)-step competition graph of a digraph D, denoted C"1","2(D), as the graph on V(D) where {x,y}@?E(C"1","2(D)) if and only if there exists a vertex z x,y, such that either d"D"-"y(x,z)=1 and d"D"-"x(y,z)@?2 or d"D"-"x(y,z)=1 and d"D"-"y(x,z)@?2. In this paper, we characterize the (1,2)-step competition graphs of tournaments and extend our results to the (i,k)-step competition graph of a tournament.
DNA from Bacteriophage Lambda: Molecular Length and Conformation

The length of the DNA molecules from wild-type lambda bacteriophage is 17.2 micro, corresponding to a molecular weight of 33 million in the B form. The molecules from a double-deletion mutant of lambda are 23 percent shorter. Both types of molecules join ends at 60 degrees C to form circular molecules or polymers. The point of junction cannot be distinguished by any irregularity in the uniform duplex molecule.
SU‐E‐T‐346: Evaluation of Inverse‐Compton Scattering Gamma‐Ray Sources for Clinical Use in Radiotherapy

Purpose: To evaluate the potential clinical uses of gamma‐ray beams generated by the process of laser‐Compton backscattering from relativistic electron beams. Methods: Inverse‐Compton backscattering has been demonstrated to produce short pulse‐length, high brightness, gamma‐ray beams with energy in the neighborhood of 1 MV (F. Albert et al., Phys. Rev. ST 13, 070704 (2010)). The reported experimental parameters for inverse‐ Compton beams in the high orthovoltage energy range are used to estimate potential future performance of >1 MV sources, with realistically achievable parameters for spectral bandwidth and beam emittance. A model source based on these parameters is implemented in a commercial treatment planning system (Pinnacle 8.0) and used to deliver small‐field treatments to phantoms, and to compare to retrospective stereotactic radiosurgery plans. Results: The emittance of current and future laser‐gamma sources are compared to the requirements of SRS and SBRT. These features have a measurable effect on the beam penumbra that can be beneficially exploited in radiotherapy. Not unexpectedly, the principle limitation of such sources would appear to be the peak flux that can be obtained, since these sources are high brightness, but not necessarily high flux producers, leading to long treatment times that would not be clinically useful. Relaxation of some beam parameters, such as larger source size, would not significantly affect the use of such a source in SRS. Conclusions: The generation of highly collimated gamma‐rays of energy 1 MV and above is possible using the Thompson‐Compton scattering of laser photons from linac accelerated electron beams. The flux produced by these beams has been increasing steadily with each new construction project, and theoretical estimates of the achievable flux indicate that they may reach clinically relevant levels of output in the future. Certain characteristics of these beams, specifically the angular divergence and small source size, can be beneficially employed in radiotherapy.
Improved outcomes of pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy and heart transplantation.

The report by Tsirka et al. ([1][1]) provided a very useful update of the outcomes for infants and children who develop dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Their use of a category combining death and cardiac transplant (“heart death”) as end points was sensible and helpful. However, some of the
SU-E-T-456: Development of An EPID-Based Output Measurement and Dosimetric Verification Tool for Electron Beam Therapy

Purpose: To develop an efficient and robust method for output and absolute dosimetric measurements of electron beam therapy by using a high spatialresolution and high frame-rate amorphous silicon flat-panel electronic portal imaging device (EPID). Methods: A previously-established EPID dosimetry system was extended to measure the output factors of electron beams of various sizes and their planar dose distributions at reference depths. Specific EPID responses to different electron energies were derived from Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to de-convolve the EPID raw images to the incident electron fluence map. To reconstruct the 2D water-based dose distribution map at reference depths for different energies, the fluence map was further convolved with a MC simulated pencil beam kernel. Different energies of 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV from a Varian C-series linac were tested. Standard square fields ranging from 2×2 to 15×15 cm{sup 2} were measured and validated against film/ion chamber measurements. Small fields of different patient cases with irregular cutout shapes were also tested. Results: The EPIDmeasured output factors for 2×2, 3×3, 6×6, and 10×10 cm{sup 2} fields with all electron energies agree with the film/ion chamber data within 2.7%. The average discrepancy between EPID and film/ion chamber measurements was 1.4%. Themore » differences for the three patient cases were 0.1%, 2.1%, and 1.6%. Deliveries with different monitor units were tested and the results exhibited good linearity. Measurements with different dose rate showed that the dose rate dependence was less than 1%. Using the proposed method, 2D absolute dose maps were created from the EPID raw images and the results were consistent with film measurements. Conclusion: The efficient data readout and portability of the newly developed EPID system provides an efficient and accurate solution for electron beam therapy. It addresses an important unmet clinical need for a fast and reliable small field output factor measurement.« less
PDF modeling of turbulent-mixing effects on initiator efficiency in a tubular LDPE reactor

The effect of turbulent mixing in the reaction zone of a tubular low-density polyethylene reactor was studied by combining a Lagrangian composition probability density function (LCPDF) code with a computational fluid-dynamics code. Because the LCPDF code can treat the chemical reaction terms in a turbulent flow without resorting to moment closures, it is used to describe the temperature and scalar fields of reactants including initiator and monomer molar concentrations, and the moments of the molecular weight distribution. The chemical reaction terms are efficiently dealt with using a three-parameter chemical lookup table that contains the temperature and composition changes as functions of initiator and monomer concentrations and temperature over a small time step. The reaction-rate constants from the study of Lee and Marano (1979) are functions of temperature and pressure. The flow fields are obtained using the k – e turbulence model. Because the temporal and spatial evolution of all fields in the reactor can be simulated, it is possible to study the effect of the initiator injection location, flow rate and temperature of the monomer and initiator feed streams on polymerization in considerable detail. Moreover, by observing the probability distribution of the composition fields, a better understanding of hot-spot formation is achieved, leading to improved reactor designs.
Amnesia: How Russian History Has Viewed Lend-Lease

During the Second World War the United States sent billions of dollars worth of military equipment and supplies to the Soviet Union through the Lend-Lease program. In the Soviet official memory of the war, however, Lend-Lease aid was either marginalized or disappeared completely. Past scholars and even Soviet rulers have given different reasons for this amnesia, which often include a paranoid Stalin or high tensions during the Cold War. This essay argues instead that Marx’s ideology was mainly responsible for marginalizing the memory of U.S. aid to the Soviet Union. For many, World War II legitimized the Soviet’s collective economy. The memory of aid from the capitalist West did not fit the ideological narrative and thus was forgotten. It also demonstrates how memory can be shaped to fit an ideological view.
How Rock Music Videos Can Change What Is Seen when Boy Meets Girl: Priming Stereotypic Appraisal of Social Interactions.

An experiment demonstrated the capacity of sex role stereotyped portrayals of women and men found in popular rock music videos to alter impressions formed of a man and a woman who subsequently were seen interacting. The results indicated that stereotypic rock music videos increased the accessibility of (i.e., primed) sex role stereotypic schemas, dramatically changing impressions of the interactants. Of particular interest were judgments of skill, indicating that impressions formed by subjects who had watched sex role stereotypic videos, but not by those who had watched neutral videos, seemed guided by the principles of chivalry: droit de seiquneur for her and noblesse oblige for him. A process whereby rock music videos perpetuate sex role stereotypes was described.
Recombinant GABAC receptors expressed in rat hippocampal neurons after infection with an adenovirus containing the human ρ1 subunit

1A recombinant adenovirus was generated with the human ρ1 GABAC receptor subunit (adeno-ρ). Patch-clamp and antibody staining were employed to confirm functional expression of recombinant ρ1 receptors after infection of human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293 cell line), human embryonic retinal cells (911 cell line), dissociated rat hippocampal neurons and cultured rat hippocampal slices. 2Standard whole-cell recording and Western blot analysis using ρ1 GABAC receptor antibodies revealed that recombinant ρ1 receptors were expressed in HEK293 and 911 cells after adeno-ρ infection and exhibited properties similar to those of ρ1 receptors after standard transfection. 3Cultured rat hippocampal neurons (postnatal day (P)3-P5) did not show a native GABAC-like current. After adeno-ρ infection, however, a GABAC-like current appeared in 70-90 % of the neurons. 4Five days after infection, expression of GABAC receptors in hippocampal neurons significantly decreased native GABAA receptor currents from 1200 ± 300 to 150 ± 70 pA (n= 10). The native glutamate-activated current was unchanged. 5Hippocampal slices (P8) did not show a native GABAC-like current, although recombinant ρ1 receptors could be expressed in cultured hippocampal slices after adeno-ρ infection. 6These data indicate that an adenovirus can be used to express recombinant GABAC receptors in hippocampal neurons. This finding could represent an important step towards the gene therapy of CNS receptor-related diseases.
QUANTUM DESCRIPTIONS OF FREE-ELECTRON LASERS

The v a r i o u s quantum mechanical d e s c r i p t i o n s of the f r e e e l e c t r o n l a s e r a r e r ev iewed : (1) c a l c u l a t i n g t h e g a i n from the mismatch between the matrix elements for emis s ion and a b s o r p t i o n of a s i n g l e p h o t o n , d e r i v e d from the D i r a c or Klein-Gordon e q u a t i o n ; (2) a m u l t i p h o t o n d e s c r i p t i o n based on t h e model of a c o n s t a n t c u r r e n t i n t e r a c t i n g with a quantized e l e c t r o m a g n e t i c f i e l d ; (3) s o l v i n g t h e K l e i n G o r d o n e q u a t i o n in t h e p r e s e n c e of both t h e l a s e r and t h e wigg le r t aken as c l a s s i c a l e x t e r n a l f i e l d s , which g i v e s a u n i f i e d d e s c r i p t i o n of a l l opera t ing regimes but spon taneous e m i s s i o n ; (4) a f u l l y q u a n t i z e d s m a l l s i g n a l s o l u t i o n of t he n o n r e l a t i v i s t i c many p a r t i c l e Bambini-Renieri Hamil tonian def ined in a moving frame. This a p p r o a c h d i s p l a y s t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n c l a s s i c a l a n d quantum-mechanical f l u c t u a t i o n s in the s t a r t up.
TREATMENT OF ADDISON’S DISEASE

PREVIOUS TO 1930 the usual duration of life of patients with Addison’s disease was less than two years (1). Today, it is possible to extend greatly the period of survival and, in some instances, to restore patients to a life of normal, if limited, activity and economic independence (2). Three important contributions have made possible this remarkable advance in therapy: (a) the successful preparation of potent adrenal cortical extracts (3, 4); (b) an understanding of the disturbance in sodium and potassium metabolism which occurs in adrenal cortical insufficiency (5–9); and (c) the synthesis of a crystalline adrenal cortical hormone, desoxycorticosterone (10).
The Nicotiana rustica-paniculata Amphidiploid Derivatives

(1) Amphidiploid plants combining the diploid chromosome numbers of N. rustica (24II) and N. paniculata (12II) were obtained in the F2 by the union of diploid gametes from the F1 hybrid (12II+12I). These plants showed a variable number of quadrivalents at the first metaphase and accordingly by continuous selfing gave rise to distinctive true breeding derivative lines most of which have 72 chromosomes.(2) These uniform lines indicate that dissociation of quadrivalents in the original F2 plants was not strictly preferential and that complete substitution is possible in some quadrivalents at least.(3) Three haploid plants were found in one line. These had 12II+12I, 11II+13I and 10II+1IV+12I and are comparable to the haploids obtained by Jφrgensen from Solanum nigrum (36II).
Saline infusion sonography: a diagnostic and therapeutic intervention for patients on tamoxifen

Abstract Background: Uterine cancer is a complication associated with tamoxifen (Tam). A monitoring strategy has not been developed for patients on Tam. Transvaginal sonography (TVS) and endometrial biopsies have not met the criteria for screening. Objective: To investigate the role of saline infusion sonography (SIS) as a diagnosis and treatment intervention for patient on Tam with abnormal TVS or postmenopausal bleeding (PMB). Methods: Saline infusion sonography was used for 25 patients on Tam; 13 had one SIS, 9 had two, 2 had three, and 1 had four, for a total of 41 SISs. Indications for SIS were PMB (9/41; 22%); endometrial thickness >5 mm on referring TVS (27/41; 66%); and screening (5/41; 12%). Median age was 61 years (18 postmenopausal patients; 7 premenopausal). Median Tam duration was 40 months (range, 11–70). Saline infusion sonography was performed with 10 mL of saline injected via intrauterine insemination catheter under sono guidance. If endometrial pathology was noted, a treatment intervention was attempted. Results: In 9 of 41 SIS events, the endometrial cavity was normal; 10 had submucus fibroids, 5 had subendometrial cystic changes; and 17 had endometrial polyps. Among 17 patients with polyps, 11 (65%) had prior biopsies that failed to show any pathology. Among the 17 patients with endometrial polyps, 15 (88%) were successfully removed at SIS. Six patients have had follow-up SIS after an SIS-polypectomy. Four of six patients (66%) had no regrowth of polyps; the two patients with regrowth of a polyp had a second SIS-guided polypectomy with subsequent normal TVS. Of the 41 patients, 4 (10%) failed therapy, requiring hysteroscopy; three were due to submucus fibroids and one was due to patient intolerance to SIS. In 37 patients (90%), SIS events, diagnosis and treatment were achieved at the time of SIS. Conclusion: Patients on Tam are at risk for the development of endometrial pathology. SIS offers an effective method of evaluation and therapy in this group of patients.
Structural destabilization of synaptosomal particles by lysis and sequential chemical treatments.

Synaptosomes from rat brains were subjected to a sequence of treatments: osmotic lysis, buffered saline wash, nonionic detergent, EGTA and EDTA. After each treatment, particulate samples were fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde-1% formaldehyde and centrifuged to form pellets which were then processed for and examined by electron microscopy. Five morphological classes of synaptic particle were defined in terms of character and presence of synaptic vesicles, flocculent and stranded material, designated as intervesicular scaffolding (IVS), and presynaptic membrane. During osmotic lysis, the presynaptic compartment was altered by loss of most, but not all, small synaptic vesicles, by increase in proportion of large vesicles, and by disappearance of the presynaptic densities. The retention of vesicles was interpreted in terms of IVS struts interconnecting anchorage sites on synaptic vesicles and the presynaptic junctional membrane. Treatment of lysed synaptosomes with nonionic detergent or EGTA resulted in loss of vesicles and IVS from the junctional region in most particles. The apposition of pre- and postsynaptic junctional membranes along the synaptic cleft was disrupted more by EGTA than by detergent. The final result of the sequential treatments was a sediment containing a high proportion of synaptic particles, about half of which had lost their presynaptic junctional membranes.
Assessment of Mercury and Selenium Concentrations in Tissues of Stranded Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea)

Abstract The impact of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) compounds on wildlife health is an issue of concern, especially because anthropogenic practices (e.g., fossil fuel combustion, metal processing) release these trace elements and their compounds into the environment where they become incorporated into food chains. Little is known about the concentrations of these elements in tissues (other than in blood) of most wild reptiles, especially for pelagic species. The purpose of this study was to document Hg and Se concentrations in leatherback sea turtles, Dermochelys coriacea. To assess Hg and Se concentrations in leatherbacks, multiple tissue samples (whole blood, enteric contents from the small intestine, feces, yolked follicles, liver, and salt gland) were collected from dead, stranded male and female leatherbacks that were assigned to three life stage classes (juvenile, subadult, adult) identified at gross necropsy. The tissues were tested for Hg and Se concentrations. The liver exhibited the highest co...
Editor’s Spotlight/Take 5: Osteogenic Gene Expression Correlates With Development of Heterotopic Ossification in War Wounds

When a basic science paper floats across the radar of a clinician, or clinician-scientist, it often creates some tension: Read it, or pass?
Alkyl-terminated crystalline Ge nanoparticles prepared from NaGe: Synthesis, functionalization and optical properties

Abstract High purity NaGe was directly prepared by a low-temperature reaction of NaH and Ge. The product was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. This material is a useful starting reagent for the preparation of Ge nanoparticles. Hydrogen-terminated germanium (Ge) nanoparticles were prepared by reaction of NaGe with NH4Br. These Ge nanoparticles could be prepared as amorphous or crystalline nanoparticles in quantitative yields and with a narrow size distribution. The nanoparticles were functionalized via thermally initiated hydrogermylation with 1-eicosyne, CH3(CH2)17C≡CH to produce alkyl-terminated Ge nanoparticles. The modified Ge nanoparticles were characterized by powder XRD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The alkyl-functionalized Ge nanoparticles can be expected to have promising applications in many technological and biological areas.
Neurodegenerative basis of age-related cognitive decline

Objective: To assess the contribution of dementia-related neuropathologic lesions to age-related and disease-related change in cognitive function. Methods: A total of 354 Catholic nuns, priests, and brothers had annual clinical evaluations for up to 13 years, died, and underwent brain autopsy. The clinical evaluations included detailed testing of cognitive function from which previously established composite measures of global cognition and specific cognitive functions were derived. As part of a uniform neuropathologic evaluation, the density of neurofibrillary tangles was summarized in a composite measure and the presence of Lewy bodies and gross and microscopic cerebral infarction was noted. Results: During follow-up, rate of global cognitive decline was gradual at first and then more than quadrupled in the last 4 to 5 years of life consistent with the onset of progressive dementia. Neurofibrillary tangles, cerebral infarction, and neocortical Lewy bodies all contributed to gradual age-related cognitive decline and little age-related decline was evident in the absence of these lesions. Neurofibrillary tangles and neocortical Lewy bodies contributed to precipitous disease-related cognitive decline, but substantial disease-related decline was evident even in the absence of these lesions. Conclusion: Mild age-related decline in cognitive function is mainly due to the neuropathologic lesions traditionally associated with dementia.
Sexualities and Genders in an Age of Neoterrorism

While there is a plethora of scholarly articles, books, and popular press pieces that address a number of implications of neoliberalism (e.g., global economic policies, class issues, labor issues, ...
Strain-dependent anterior segment neovascularization following intravitreal gene transfer of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

Background A promising strategy for delaying death of photoreceptor cells in retinal degenerative disease is to support survival of these cells through intraocular delivery of growth/neurotrophic factors. One factor that has received great attention is basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; fgf-2), a known stimulator of angiogenesis. We evaluated the potential for neovascularization induced by adenovirus-mediated intravitreal delivery of bFGF. Methods Recombinant adenoviruses carrying the low molecular weight (18 kD) or the high molecular weight (22, 23 and 24 kD) forms of human bFGF, driven by the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter/enhancer, were prepared. Viruses were delivered to eyes of different strains of mice and rats through intravitreal injection. Contralateral eyes were injected with control virus carrying a reporter gene [green fluorescent protein (GFP) or lacZ]. Transgene expression was assessed by Western analysis and by immunohistochemistry. Neovascularization was evaluated in vivo and histologically attermination of the experiment. Results Adenovirus-mediated delivery of the 18 kD form of bFGF resulted in anterior segment neovascularization in a strain-dependent fashion. Generation of new blood vessels was not observed after injection of the higher molecular weight forms of bFGF or of control solutions. Conclusion The low molecular weight form (18 kD) (but not the high molecular weight forms) of bFGF drives angiogenic response in the anterior segment of specific strains of mice. Genetic modifiers may contribute to and/or prevent neovascularization induced by bFGF. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does tenure protect the salaries of medical school faculty

When faculty have tenure, are their salaries protected? If so, what portion and in what circumstances? In the era of managed care and shrinking resources, these questions are becoming particularly important at medical schools because salaries there tend to be higher than salaries elsewhere in academia and because those salaries are more commonly dependent on outside funding. A fundamental question that will increasingly be asked is whether reductions in the salaries of tenured faculty are legally permissible. To a large extent, the answer is a matter of interpreting what each medical school has contractually obligated itself to do regarding tenure; generally, schools' tenure rules support the legal right to impose a salary reduction. But, in fact, the historical record shows few instances of such reductions. Thus there are few judicial decisions regarding tenure that can help predict how particular tenure contracts are likely to be interpreted. In this situation, faculty and institutions can be expected to interpret the historical absence of salary reductions for tenured faculty in contrasting ways. Generally, if the written policies are clear, past practices will play little or no legal role. If the policies are unclear, institutions must show that their practices were primarily related to the pre-1994 conditions of mandatory retirement and have little relevance to present circumstances. Although the main historical purpose of tenure was the protection of academic freedom, can the protection of salary be encompassed within this purpose? Usually not; the current situation is almost always one in which cost concerns, not political ones, motivate medical schools to reduce the salaries of faculty with reduced funding or practice incomes. The author concludes that although there are few precedents and many unexplored issues, it is clear that tenure was not intended to protect full salaries at most medical schools. His view is that in appropriate circumstances, reductions in the salaries of tenured faculty are legally achievable.
Intramitochondrial inclusions in the myocardial cells of human hearts with coronary disease

Abstract Moderately electron-dense intramitochondrial inclusions occurred in the myocytes present in biopsies from akinetic or dyskinetic left ventricle from 8 of 10 patients with old myocardial infarction, and in biopsies from 1 of 2 patients having apparently normal left ventricles but presenting with unstable angina. These inclusions were classified according to their presence in necrotic or viable cells into two categoris: (1) The necrotic cell type inclusion occurred in aneurysmal ventricular wall. The inclusion material occupied enlarged matrix spaces, masked cristal membrane profiles and often invaded intracristal spaces of disrupted mitochondria. Cytochrome oxidase activity was shown to be absent in these mitochondria. (2) The viable cell type inclusion occurred in the presence of various focal ultrastructural changes, but myofibrils, glycogen, nuclei and sarcolemma did not show any of the changes described by others for the early irreversible phase of cell injury in animal models of myocardial ischemia. This type of inclusion, 100 to 600 mμ in diameter, developed in the matrix of about 15% of total mitochondrial profiles. Cytochrome oxidase was demonstrated to be active in most of these mitochondria, including those which contained the inclusions. In right ventricular biopsy controls from five of eight patients with old myocardial infarction and from one of two patients with unstable angina, viable cell type inclusions were only rarely seen (less than 1%). The two types of inclusions we found in human hearts are compared with the three distinct types of intramitochondrial densities described by others in animal models of acute myocardial ischemia.
The built environment, walking, and physical activity: Is the environment more important to some people than others?

We examine whether specific types of people are more sensitive to the built environment when making a decision to walk or engage in other physical activity. Over 700 participants from 36 environmentally diverse, but equivalent-sized neighborhoods or focus areas responded to a survey, kept a travel diary, and wore an accelerometer for seven days. Subgroups defined by demographic and socioeconomic variables, as well as self reported health and weight status demonstrate that most subgroups of people walk more for transportation in high density areas. However, only the less healthy walked more overall in high density areas after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and physical activity was remarkably similar among the groups and across different kinds of environments. While environmental interventions may not increase physical activity population wide, some populations - including some for whom interventions may be important such as the less healthy and the unemployed or retired - are more affected by these neighborhood environmental characteristics.
Influence of a fine glass powder on the durability characteristics of concrete and its comparison to fly ash

Abstract A detailed investigation carried out to ascertain the durability characteristics of fine glass powder modified concretes is reported in this paper. Tests were designed to facilitate comparisons between concretes modified with either glass powder or fly ash at the same cement replacement level. The optimal replacement level of cement by glass powder is determined from strength and hydration tests as 10%. The later age compressive strengths of glass powder and fly ash modified concretes are seen to differ by only 5%. The durability characteristics are ascertained using tests for rapid chloride permeability, alkali–silica reactivity, and moisture transport parameters. The chloride penetrability values indicate some amount of pore refinement. The potential of glass powder to reduce the expansion due to alkali–silica reaction is established from tests conducted in accordance with ASTM C 1260, but fly ash is found to perform better at similar replacement levels. Glass powder–fly ash blends that make up a 20% cement replacement level are found to be as efficient as 20% fly ash in reducing expansion. The control concrete is seen to exhibit the lowest overall moisture intake after 14 days of curing, and fly ash concrete the highest, with the glass powder concrete in between. The trend is reversed at later ages, demonstrating that both the replacement materials contribute to improved durability characteristics. The sorptivity and moisture diffusion coefficient values calculated from the moisture intake-time data also demonstrate a similar trend. These studies show that fine glass powder has the potential to improve the durability of concretes.
Examining Associations between Race, Urbanicity, and Patterns of Bullying Involvement.

Research on the role of race and urbanicity in bullying involvement has been limited. The present study examined bullying involvement subgroups that relate to race, urbanicity, and the perceived reason for the bullying. Self-report data were collected from 10,254 middle school youth (49.8 % female; 62.4 % Caucasian, 19.0 % African American, and 5.6 % Hispanic) and latent class analyses were used to identify three subtypes of bullying involvement: low involvement (50 %), victim (31.3 %), and bully-victim (18.7 %). Irrespective of urbanicity (urban vs. non-urban), African American youth were more likely to be members of either the victim or bully-victim classes than the low involvement class. Further exploration of the community context suggested that urbanicity was associated with the increased likelihood of having been racially bullied. Urban bully-victims were also more likely to have been bullied about money than non-urban bully-victims. Findings underscore the importance of addressing both race and urbanicity for culturally sensitive prevention programming.
Interpolation techniques and associated software for environmental data

Environmental data are being collected all over theworld using monitoring stations, each of which isspread over a geographic region. Researchers areusing the collected data for both planning and deci-sion-making. However, they need information at loca-tions/regions that are not covered by the monitoringstations for impact studies. Interpolation techniquesranging from simple ratio method to complex mathe-matical equations are being used to achieve this task.Interpolation is a method or mathematical functionthat estimates the values at locations where no meas-ured values are available.Very little research has been conducted, however,to investigate the relative performance of differentinterpolation methods. The objective of this study isto review different interpolation techniques and theavailable software. Applications of interpolation tech-niques to environmental data are also discussed. Acomparative study will help researchers and environ-mental professionals readily decide suitable softwareand interpolation techniques that suit their speciﬁcdata interpolation problem. As such, this article aimsat providing a comparative study of commonly usedtechniques and a review of geographic informationsystem (GIS) software for the purpose of interpolat-ing environmental data.This article is divided into various sections. Areview of commonly used interpolation techniques ispresented in Review of Interpolation Techniques sec-tion, a review of popular off-the-shelf GIS software isgiven in Review of Available Software section, severalexamples of application of interpolation techniques/software to environmental problems are reviewed inApplications of Interpolation Techniques and Soft-ware section, a detailed case study of a scenario ofinterpolating environmental data is presented in CaseStudy section, and remarks and conclusions are givenin Conclusion section.
Acyclovir bioavailability in human skin

Clinical experience demonstrates that oral acyclovir (ACV) is superior to topical ACV in treating recurrent cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infections. Cutaneous HSV-1 infections are complex in their pathology, affecting the basal epidermis in skin as well as establishing a latency phase in sensory ganglia. In vitro and in vivo human skin model systems were used in the present study to quantitate ACV disposition and absorption in skin and blood following two routes of administration and to investigate whether bioavailability differences were the result of insufficient drug delivery. Physicochemical and physiologic parameters determined from these experiments were used to develop a mathematical model to predict ACV disposition and absorption in human subjects. Model predictions and in vivo data agree; topical administration of commercial 5% ACV ointment and cream result in a 48 times greater total epidermal ACV concentration than after oral administration. Mathematical modeling of the ACV concentration gradient through the epidermis revealed, however, that the drug concentration in the target site of HSV-1 infections, the basal epidermis, is 2-3 times less after topical administration than after oral administration. Thus, the observed lack of clinical efficacy with topical ACV therapy in the recurring HSV-1 infection likely reflects the insufficient delivery of the drug to the target site of the HSV-1 infection, the basal epidermis.
Molecular structures of the metastable charge-transfer complexes of benzene (and toluene) with bromine as the pre-reactive intermediates in electrophilic aromatic bromination

Successful crystallization and X-ray crystallographic analyses of the highly metastable (1∶1) complexes of bromine with benzene and toluene establish the unique (localized) structure B that differs in notable ways from the long-accepted (delocalized) structure A. Furthermore, we demonstrate the (highly structured) charge-transfer complexes [C6H6,Br2] and [CH3C6H5,Br2] to be the pre-reactive intermediates that are converted (via an overall Br+ transfer) to the Wheland intermediates in electrophilic aromatic bromination. The role of the dative ion pairs [C6H6˙+ Br2˙−] and [CH3C6H5˙+ Br2˙−] in the rate-limiting activation processes is underscored.
The impacts of graphene nanosheets and manganese valency on lithium storage characteristics in graphene/manganese oxide hybrid anode

Graphene nanosheets (GNS) with attached MnOx nanoparticles are studied in regard to their structure and morphology. The relationship between the lithium storage performances and GNS contents as well as manganese valency was investigated. Experimental results showed that the specimen with 44wt% GNS and high content of MnO delivered high reversible capacity (over twice of that in graphitic carbon anode), good cycling stability (0.8% fading per cycle), and high rate capability (67% at the 800 mA/g), which are dramatically better than pure Mn3O4. The improvement is attributed to the presence of GNS which provides continuous networks for fast electronic conduction and mechanical flexibility for accommodating the large volume change. The MnOx/GNS hybrid material has the added advantages over pure GNS, benefiting from its lithium storage potential of around 0.5 V which not only ensures high rate capability but also reduces the risk of metallic lithium formation with its safety hazard.
Single-Molecule Studies of the Lysine Riboswitch Reveal Effector-Dependent Conformational Dynamics of the Aptamer Domain

The lysine riboswitch is a cis-acting RNA genetic regulatory element found in the leader sequence of bacterial mRNAs coding for proteins related to biosynthesis or transport of lysine. Structural analysis of the lysine-binding aptamer domain of this RNA has revealed that it completely encapsulates the ligand and therefore must undergo a structural opening/closing upon interaction with lysine. In this work, single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) methods are used to monitor these ligand-induced structural transitions that are central to lysine riboswitch function. Specifically, a model FRET system has been developed for characterizing the lysine dissociation constant as well as the opening/closing rate constants for the Bacillus subtilis lysC aptamer domain. These techniques permit measurement of the dissociation constant (K(D)) for lysine binding of 1.7(5) mM and opening/closing rate constants of 1.4(3) s(-1) and 0.203(7) s(-1), respectively. These rates predict an apparent dissociation constant for lysine binding (K(D,apparent)) of 0.25(9) mM at near physiological ionic strength, which differs markedly from previous reports.