cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The detection of honey bee (Apis mellifera)-associated viruses in ants.

Interspecies virus transmission involving economically important pollinators, including honey bees (Apis mellifera), has recently sparked research interests regarding pollinator health. Given that ants are common pests within apiaries in the southern U.S., the goals of this study were to (1) survey ants found within or near managed honey bee colonies, (2) document what interactions are occurring between ant pests and managed honey bees, and 3) determine if any of six commonly occurring honey bee-associated viruses were present in ants collected from within or far from apiaries. Ants belonging to 14 genera were observed interacting with managed honey bee colonies in multiple ways, most commonly by robbing sugar resources from within hives. We detected at least one virus in 89% of the ant samples collected from apiary sites (n = 57) and in 15% of ant samples collected at non-apiary sites (n = 20). We found that none of these ant samples tested positive for the replication of Deformed wing virus, Black queen cell virus, or Israeli acute paralysis virus, however. Future studies looking at possible virus transmission between ants and bees could determine whether ants can be considered mechanical vectors of honey bee-associated viruses, making them a potential threat to pollinator health.
Tracheal and lower airway changes in a patient with mucolipidosis type II.

Introduction Mucolipidosis type II (MLII) is a lysosomal storage disease causing systemic deposition of mucopolysaccharides. We describe imaging and bronchoscopy findings not previously reported in the literature in a child with MLII. Case A 9-year-old with MLII s/p hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (HSCT), bronchiectasis, and aspiration presented with recurrent respiratory illnesses. Bronchoscopy and chest computed tomography were performed, showing a saber-sheath trachea with fixed narrowing and curvature. Discussion This case describes potentially life-threatening airway distortion in MLII despite HSCT that cannot be ameliorated with tracheostomy. Etiology is unknown but likely due to abnormal deposition causing an immobile, stenotic airway and restricted thorax.
Leisure and Late Adulthood: Examining the Benefits of Participation during Retirement

Current demographic trends reveal that older adults in America are entering late adulthood with more education, health, and financial resources than ever before. As a result, both men and women are spending more years in retirement. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the recreation and leisure habits of older adults and determine their influence on contemporary aging. Specifically, researchers sought information on the influence of recreation and leisure on personal and social identity development, formation of social groups and quality of life during the transition from the workforce to retirement. A qualitative research design was utilized with older adults in various stages of retirement participating in focus groups.
Introduction to the special issue on yoga and positive embodiment: a note from the editors on how we got here.

Studying the practice of yoga and its relationship to body image, embodiment, and eating disorders brings together the professional and personal aspects of our lives as yoga practitioners, research...
A case of the world's largest renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction Renal cell carcinoma is often discovered at an early stage due to the increased use of imaging studies in the current era; therefore, its presentation as a gigantic renal cell carcinoma is rarely encountered. Case presentation A 59-year-old male presented to our hospital due to dizziness, fatigue, and increasing abdominal distension. A computed tomography scan showed an extremely large mass occupying most of the abdomen and pelvis. Surgical resection of the mass was performed. The largely cavitary mass with fibrous capsule was 43 cm and 13.0 kg, and contained a large amount of necrotic tissue. A portion of the left kidney was identified at the periphery of the mass, indicating that the tumor was arising from the left kidney. The final pathologic diagnosis was type 1 papillary renal cell carcinoma. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this tumor is the world's largest malignant renal tumor.
The influence of language knowledge and test components on reading comprehension scores.

This study investigated the dependability of reading comprehension scores across different text genres and response formats for readers with varied language knowledge. Participants included 78 fourth-graders in an urban elementary school. A randomized and counterbalanced 3 × 2 study design investigated three response formats (open-ended, multiple-choice, retell) and two text genres (narrative, expository) from the Qualitative Reading Inventory (QRI-5) reading comprehension test. Standardized language knowledge measures from the Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Achievement (Academic Knowledge, Oral Comprehension, Picture Vocabulary) defined three reader profiles: (a) 100 as proficient. Generalizability studies partitioned variance in scores for reader, text genre, and response format for all three groups. Response format accounted for 42.8 to 62.4% of variance in reading comprehension scores across groups, whereas text genre accounted for very little variance (1.2–4.1%). Single scores were well below a 0.80 dependability threshold (absolute phi coefficients = 0.06–0.14). Decision studies projecting dependability achieved with additional scores varied by response format for each language knowledge group, with very low projected dependability on open-ended and multiple-choice scores for readers with basic language knowledge. Multiple-choice scores had similarly low projected dependability levels for readers with emerging language knowledge. Findings evidence interactions between reader language knowledge and response format in reading comprehension assessment practices. Implications underscore the limitations of using a single score to classify readers with and without proficiency in foundational skills.
Pulmonary fibrosis screening: quantifying the psychological impact

Screening programmes have transformed outcomes in a number of conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. For example, lung cancer screening has effectively reduced cancer-associated mortality1 by identifying premetastatic lesions amenable to curative or highly effective therapies. Therefore, it is natural to wonder if screening for a similarly morbid disease such as pulmonary fibrosis (PF) could yield comparable results. A decade ago, screening for PF would likely have had little impact on the natural history of these disorders. However, three recent discoveries have made PF screening potentially more consequential: (1) the identification of interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) which are thought to be PF precursor lesions2 3; (2) the realisation that asymptomatic relatives of patients with PF represent a sizeable at-risk population that are enriched for ILAs4–6; and (3) the development of antifibrotic therapies that are effective even for individuals with preserved lung function.7 8 Thus, the stage is now set to determine if PF screening is a viable avenue for improving clinical outcomes. In our zest to construct PF screening algorithms, we must acknowledge that such programmes may have unintended consequences. By definition, PF screening would aim to identify a potentially fatal disorder in individuals who do not yet have symptoms, a process which could cause excessive emotional or psychological …
“Repeat After Me”: Is There a Better Way to Correct Tone Errors in Teaching Mandarin Chinese as a Second Language?

Blocked practice outperforms random practice in sports and musical training. This study examines whether the principle of blocked practice and random practice applies to correcting L2 Mandarin learners’ tone errors. Three treatments were designed: (1) repeating the target word (blocked practice), (2) repeating the target word in the original context (blocked practice combined with random practice), and (3) repeating the target word in a new context (random practice). Nineteen L2 Mandarin learners received treatments to correct their tone errors and then participated in the post-treatment assessments. The results showed that the third treatment was the best among the three, which indicated that repeating the target words without context is not as effective as repeating them in a context when correcting the tone errors. A pedagogical modal is proposed based on the findings. The limitations of the current study and methodological refinement are also discussed.
Free-standing, thin-film sensors for the trace detection of explosives.

In a world focused on the development of cybersecurity, many densely populated areas and transportation hubs are still susceptible to terrorist attacks via improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These devices frequently employ a combination of peroxide based explosives as well as nitramines, nitrates, and nitroaromatics. Detection of these explosives can be challenging due to varying chemical composition and the extremely low vapor pressures exhibited by some explosive compounds. No electronic trace detection system currently exists that is capable of continuously monitoring both peroxide based explosives and certain nitrogen based explosives, or their precursors, in the vapor phase. Recently, we developed a thermodynamic sensor that can detect a multitude of explosives in the vapor phase at the parts-per-trillion (ppt) level. The sensors rely on the catalytic decomposition of the explosive and specific oxidation-reduction reactions between the energetic molecule and metal oxide catalyst; i.e. the heat effects associated with catalytic decomposition and redox reactions between the decomposition products and catalyst are measured. Improved sensor response and selectivity were achieved by fabricating free-standing, ultrathin film (1 µm thick) microheater sensors for this purpose. The fabrication method used here relies on the interdiffusion mechanics between a copper (Cu) adhesion layer and the palladium (Pd) microheater sensor. A detailed description of the fabrication process to produce a free-standing 1 µm thick sensor is presented.
Emerging directions in the study of the environmental determinants of mental health: commentary on the MINDMAP Project.

The study of environmental determinants of health is at a crossroads. Harmonised health data across cohorts followed over decades, novel technologies to gather information on health behaviours and location data, and high-resolution spatial data on environmental factors have made it possible for researchers to unearth insights and relationships never before possible. This special issue of Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health brings findings from collaborators in the MINDMAP Project, an ambitious effort to examine the environmental determinants of mental health and well-being in older populations across Europe and Canada. The investigators involved in these studies have developed multiple high-resolution spatial datasets to examine a broad range of environmental factors, including area-level socioeconomic measures, crime, the built environment, green spaces and noise. In addition, the MINDMAP collaboration enables validated and harmonised measures of mental health and well-being, including loneliness, depressive symptoms, antidepressant use, anxiety, affect and mental distress. But the true strength of the MINDMAP collaboration is the potential for innovation by applying diverse study designs, ranging from mobile health approaches to agent-based modelling, to answer questions about how environmental factors drive healthy ageing. The findings presented unearth insights into potential environmental drivers of healthy ageing. Wey et al provide an overview of the MINDMAP Project, which used longitudinal data from six cohort studies located in Eastern and Western Europe, as well as Canada, that comprised a total of 220 621 participants. Baseline years of these studies ranged from 1984 to 2012, with up to seven repeated data collection periods. Looking across these studies, the investigators harmonised data on 1848 environmental exposures and 993 individual-level determinants and health outcomes. The domains covered by these rich harmonised data include physical environments, sociodemographic factors, health behaviours, disease status, medication use, cognitive functioning, psychological assessments and social networks. The resulting harmonised multinational dataset was transparently …
Abnormal Flow Conditions Promote Endocardial Fibroelastosis Via Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition, Which is Responsive to Losartan Treatment

IntroductionEndocardial Fibroelastosis (EFE) is defined by fibrotic tissue on the endocardium, stunting cardiac development. EFE restricts compliance, leading to heart failure, and contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. While research suggests that EFE forms through aberrant endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), the pathologic triggers are still speculative. Anecdotally, we observed EFE development in patients with abnormal left ventricular flow.ObjectiveOur objective is to study whether abnormal flow induces EndoMT in neonatal endocardium and promotes EFE development, and whether losartan treatment, which can decrease TGF-β production to impair EndoMT, can abrogate EFE formation.Methods and ResultsUsing a rodent model of EFE, we establish three flow conditions in neonatal hearts: Normal Flow (NF), Static/no flow (S), and Regurgitant Flow (RF). We demonstrate EFE development, increased mRNA and protein expression of EndoMT markers (αSMA, SNAIL), and EndoMT-related signaling pathways (TGFβ, NOTCH1) in S and RF, whereas NF conditions do not. Further, losartan treatment significantly decreases EFE in neonatal hearts and decreases mRNA and protein expression of EndoMT markers. Next, human endocardial endothelial cells were isolated from left ventricular tissue and subjected to two flow conditions: static and laminar shear stress (LSS). RNAseq analysis demonstrate that laminar shear stress suppresses the gene expression critical for mesenchymal differentiation and Notch signaling, which are associated with EndoMT progression.Conclusions:Our data demonstrate that the absence of normal flow can promote EFE development through EndoMT. We identify losartan as a potential therapy, as it is able to abrogate EFE development in our animal model.
Hyperspaces and Function Graphs in Digital Topology.

We adapt the study of hyperspaces and function spaces from classical topology to digital topology. We define digital hyperspaces and digital function graphs, and study some of their relationships and graphical properties.
Active Learning Strategies: A Computing Course for Undergraduates

The programming language Python is simple and easy to learn and is used for students with no prior background in programming. Several colleges and universities teach Python to students who are learning a programming language for the first time. In this paper, we present a curricular model for introducing, through active learning strategies, data analytics concepts and applications into an introductory computer science course for non-majors. We have designed the course to use a variety of hands-on laboratory projects that use the Python programming language and associated tools. While introducing students to an important research area, we believe the use of these projects improves students’ learning experiences, enables them to apply and relate fundamental computational thinking concepts of algorithmic reasoning, data representation, and computational efficiency to data analytics problems. Assessment results show that introducing data analytics concepts and applications through active learning strategies enhanced students’ computing capability to solve problems.
Recess and Overweight and Obesity in Children 5-11 Years of Age: 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND Recess has been shown to increase total daily energy expenditure, which may favorably impact body mass index by decreasing adiposity. This study examines associations between recess participation and adiposity. METHODS The study sample included male (N = 1434) and female (N = 1409) children 5 to 11 years of age participating in the 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Overweight and obesity were defined using age- and sex-specific percentiles. Recess participation interview questions were answered via proxy response. RESULTS Compared to a referent group participating in recess 5 days/week for >30 minutes/day and independent of demographic and behavioral factors, analysis revealed significantly greater odds of obesity in females reporting no recess participation (odds ratio 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-3.15, p = .03). Furthermore, minority females were consistently found to possess greater odds of overweight and obesity independent of recess participation time. Only Mexican American boys were found to have greater odds of obesity independent of participation recess time. CONCLUSIONS In a large nationally representative sample of US children, reporting no recess was associated with significantly greater odds of obesity in females. Minority females were also more likely to be overweight and obese and Mexican American boys are more likely to be obese independent of recess participation time.
Peirce’s Role in the History of Logic: Lingua Universalis and Calculus Ratiocinator

This chapter discusses central issues of Peirce’s conception of logic, comparing his work with the works of other logicians of the time, in particular Boole, Venn, Schroder, and Frege. It presents a detailed analysis of Peirce’s approach to notation, including pasigraphy and Peirce’s claw.
Properties of Niobium Recovered from Megabar Dynamic Pressures

Nb was processed and recovered intact from peak dynamic pressures in the range 0.6–1.2 Mbar. Pressure and effective-plastic-strain histories were calculated using a finite-element hydrodynamic computer code. Recovered specimens were characterized by X-ray diffraction, metallography, Vicker’s hardness, and superconducting transition temperature Tc. The maximum change observed in the Tc of 9.18 K for the unshocked specimen was a decrease of 0.035 K in the specimen shocked to a maximum pressure of 0.6 Mbar. Shock processing of V3Si at 1 Mbar was recently reported by Stewart et al. to depress Tc 1.8 K from the initial value of 16.4 K. These results indicate that shock-induced defects and disorder have a relatively weak effect on the Tc of equilibrium phases and suggest that shock-synthesized metastable superconductors might have Tc’s close to intrinsic values for the ordered material.
Southern Africa: From Angola to Soweto

In early December of 1497 three Portuguese sailing ships rounded the Cape of Good Hope and ventured into the Indian Ocean. The adventurist crews, headed by Vasco da Gama, were the first Europeans t...
Reactivity of amino acids in the azo coupling reaction: I. Dependence of their reactivity on pH

Abstract Azo coupling reactions of N -α-acetylhistidine, N -α-acetyltyrosine, and N -α-acetyllysine with p -methylbenzenediazonium ion were investigated as model reactions to obtain information on the relative reactivity of the histidine, tyrosine, and lysine moieties of protein, separated from structural effects. The azo coupling yields of the amino acids increased as the pH of the reaction medium was increased, indicating that the ractive species are the imidazole anion of histidine, the phenolate anion of tyrosine, and the neutral e-amino group of lysine. It was calculated, based on percentage yields of the azo products, that the imidazole anion is more reactive than the phenolate anion and the e-amino group, respectively.
Domain structure of micro-patterned CoZrTa with 45 degree induced anisotropy for isotropic high permeability

Magnetic materials have been utilized to increase the inductance of integrated inductors by taking advantage of their high-permeability [1]-[3]. It has been shown by simulation of the magnetic flux in a closed-core inductor that magnetic films with isotropic permeability are promising. Utilizing a core with uniaxial magnetic hard axis inevitably produces an effective air-gap, which inefficiently closes the flux loop [4]. In order to obtain isotropic permeability in both longitudinal and transverse directions of a magnetic film, a CoZrTa film was deposited with induced easy axis at a 45° angle from the conventional pattern axis. This paper studies the magnetic properties of this CoZrTa film and the domain structures of both patterned and unpatterned samples to obtain a physical understanding of the magnetization process which determines the permeability frequency spectrum.
Ocean acidification impacts multiple early life history processes of the Caribbean coral Porites astreoides

Ocean acidification (OA) refers to the increase in acidity (decrease in pH) of the ocean's surface waters resulting from oceanic uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Mounting experimental evidence suggests that OA threatens numerous marine organisms, including reef-building corals. Coral recruitment is critical to the persistence and resilience of coral reefs and is regulated by several early life processes, including: larval availability (gamete production, fertilization, etc.), larval settlement, postsettlement growth, and survival. Environmental factors that disrupt these early life processes can result in compromised or failed recruitment and profoundly affect future population dynamics. To evaluate the effects of OA on the sexual recruitment of corals, we tested larval metabolism, larval settlement, and postsettlement growth of the common Caribbean coral Porites astreoides at three pCO 2 levels: ambient seawater (380 μatm) and two pCO 2 scenarios that are projected to occur by the middle (560 μatm) and end (800 μatm) of the century. Our results show that larval metabolism is depressed by 27% and 63% at 560 and 800 μatm, respectively, compared with controls. Settlement was reduced by 42-45% at 560 μatm and 55-60% at 800 μatm, relative to controls. Results indicate that OA primarily affects settlement via indirect pathways, whereby acidified seawater alters the substrate community composition, limiting the availability of settlement cues. Postsettlement growth decreased by 16% and 35% at 560 and 800 μatm, respectively, relative to controls. This study demonstrates that OA has the potential to negatively impact multiple early life history processes of P. astreoides and may contribute to substantial declines in sexual recruitment that are felt at the community and/or ecosystem scale.
Computer networks reliability evaluations and intermittent faults

The reliability of systems is evaluated on the basis of faults which are permanent in nature, but in reality system failures are also due to faults which are intermittent in nature. Intermittent fault describes a fault or an error that is occasionally present due to unstable hardware or software states. When the system is subject to intermittent and permanent faults, a model for studying reliability of digital systems is set up which is based on a Markov model containing three states. >
The ForeSeeHome Device and the HOME Study: A Milestone in the Self-detection of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

detection methods that register, quantify, and compare macular dysfunction over time have not been available. Ideally, an instrument that would integrate these features could be developed. The Home Monitoring of the Eye (HOME) study is a culmination of such an effort. 5 The HOME study determined whether CNV from AMD could be detected earlier using telemonitoring and preferential hyperacuity perimetry, a technique of macular visual field testing that can exceed the sensitivity of
Adaptive control of linear stochastic systems

An adaptive control algorithm for linear systems with unknown constant parameters and quadratic performance criterion has been obtained. The control is nonlinear in the estimate of the state of the plant and is given as the weighted integral of the model conditional optimal controls with the a-posteriori probabilities as weights. The control scheme is separated into a bank of model-conditional deterministic control gains, and a corresponding bank of known nonlinear functions of the model conditional, causal, mean-square state-vector estimate. The separation here can be viewed as a decomposition of the control into a bank of model conditional optimal non-adaptive linear controls, one for each admissible value of the unknown parameter, and the bank of a-posteriori model probabilities which incorporate the learning nature of the adaptive control. The computational requirements are reduced by a great extent for the special case when the uncertainity is only in the measurement matrix.
Psychological dysfunction is associated with symptom severity but not disease etiology or degree of gastric retention in patients with gastroparesis.

Psychological Dysfunction Is Associated With Symptom Severity but Not Disease Etiology or Degree of Gastric Retention in Patients With Gastroparesis
Functional mediation of compensatory enlargement of the parotid gland.

The role of functional activity in mediating compensatory enlargement of the parotid gland after removal of the other major salivary glands was investigated. Increased levels of activity were achieved by feeding rats a bulk diet. Conversely, a liquid diet was used to reduce the functional demands on the parotid. It was found that the liquid diet completely prevented the compensatory response from occurring. Bulk diet, on the other hand, caused an even greater compensatory response than did the standard chow diet. Compensatory enlargement of the parotid, therefore, depends on its functional activity and not on other, e.g., humoral factors dissociated from function. The character of the cellular response in compensatory enlargement was also examined. The chow diet caused compensatory enlargement by an increase in cell size with little, if any, increase in cell number.
Trade-Off between Information Format and Capacity in the Olfactory System

As information about the sensory environment passes between layers within the nervous system, the format of the information often changes. To examine how information format affects the capacity of neurons to represent stimuli, we measured the rate of information transmission in olfactory neurons in intact, awake locusts (Schistocerca americana) while pharmacologically manipulating patterns of correlated neuronal activity. Blocking the periodic inhibition underlying odor-elicited neural oscillatory synchronization increased information transmission rates. This suggests oscillatory synchrony, which serves other information processing roles, comes at a cost to the speed with which neurons can transmit information. Our results provide an example of a trade-off between benefits and costs in neural information processing.
Chiton hemocyanin structure

Abstract 1. 1. Hemocyanin from the chiton, Katharina tunicata , has a sedimentation coefficient (S o 20.w ) of 61.2S, M r = 4.2 × 10 6 , at pH 7.0 in the presence of 10 mM MgCl 2 . 2. 2. In electron micrographs, the 61S hemocyanin appears as a three-tiered cylinder, 31 nm in dia. and 19 nm in length, with a polar profile. 3. 3. An increase in alkalinity results in gradual dissociation to 20S and 11S components, which correspond to one-fifth and one-tenth molecules, respectively. The 61S molecule is stabilized in buffers containing MgCl 2 . 4. 4. SDS and regular gel electrophoresis of K. tunicata hemocyanin show a single subunit with an apparent M r of about 350,000 or greater. 5. 5. Although the 11S subunits are homogeneous, digestion studies indicate that the functional domains are heterogeneous. 6. 6. The hemocyanins from each molluscan class, chiton, cephalopod and gastropod, appear to be distinctive.
Threshold responses to the dorsal regulatory gradient and the subdivision of primary tissue territories in the Drosophila embryo

Abstract Dorsoventral patterning in Drosophila is initiated by the maternal regulatory factor dorsal (dl), which is a member of the Rel family of transcription factors. dl functions as a transcriptional activator and repressor to establish different territories of gene expression in the precellular embryo. Differential regulation of dl target genes may be essential for subdividing each tissue territory (the presumptive mesoderm, neuroectoderm, and dorsal ectoderm) into multiple cell types in older embryos. Different paterns of snail (sna) and decapentaplegic (dpp) expression help define the limits of inductive interactions between the mesoderm and dorsal ectoderm after gastrulation. Similarly, the differential regulation of short gastrulation (sog) and dpp may be decisive in the initial subdivision of the dorsal ectoderm, whereas different limits of gene expression within the neuroectoderm might provide the basis for the subsequent subdivision of this tissue into ventral and lateral regions.
The relationship of handedness to a “lateralized” task

Abstract There is a widespread belief that left-handers are less lateralized than right-handers, and consequently, are more likely to show deficits in performance on lateralized tasks. However, recent indications point to the possibility that it is the degree of handedness, regardless of direction, that accounts for differences in performance between handedness groups. We tested this notion through the use of a task developed by Nebes which involved matching of parts to wholes. Results indicated that performance on this lateralized task was indeed related to the degree of behaviorally-assessed preference and proficiency of handedness, and not to direction of hand preference.
An exotic invasive shrub has greater recruitment than native shrub species within a large undisturbed wetland

The idea that invasive species have higher recruitment and tolerate a wider range of conditions than native species requires more rigorous examination across a range of community types. We aimed to compare the recruitment and distribution patterns of adults and seedlings of an exotic invasive plant, glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus), with four co-occurring native shrub species within a heterogeneous Wisconsin wetland. Detailed vegetation survey data were analyzed for spatial and compositional patterns of shrub distributions. In adult plant frequency and cover, buckthorn was not significantly different from the native winterberry. However, the number of glossy buckthorn seedlings exceeded by more than seven times the combined number of seedlings of the four native species. Sample units containing buckthorn adults were also much more likely to contain seedlings than for native shrubs. However, native seedlings were not more likely to occur at sites lacking adults, suggesting no greater dependence on recruitment away from adults in native species. Buckthorn, winterberry, poison sumac, and dogwood all showed preference for sites with higher tree densities and lower predominance of obligate wetland species in an ordination of 114 species. Glossy buckthorn adults and seedlings and winterberry seedlings were more widely distributed across seven community types than adults and seedlings of the other native species, suggesting broad tolerance to the conditions in different community types. High recruitment is the key factor that may allow glossy buckthorn to overcome community resistance and spread.
Comments on the Carcinogenicity and Mutagenicity of metals and their compounds

The carcinogenicity of metals has received extensive study, both epidemiologically and in the laboratory. These have included case reports of occasional human occurrence or clusters of cancer cases as well as extensive epidemiologic studies; in addition, there has been significant laboratory research on the whole animals and in vitro systems. This body of information will be examined selectively. I will not in this paper attempt a comprehensive review of the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of metals and their compounds. Rather, I will attempt to set forth some historical perspectives, and to comment on some current gaps and needs. Other papers in this workshop have presented thorough and very current reviews of most of the topics briefly noted in this presentation and do not require repetition here. The cancer issue has been studied and reported on far more extensively than that relating to heritable mutations. There has been in recent years increasing interest in the use of short term tests for mutageni...
Depth estimation from a sequence of monocular images with known camera motion

Abstract This paper reports an approach of computing depth maps from a monocular image sequence, under the assumption that the camera motion is known. The direct depth estimation method is combined with the optical flow based method to improve estimation accuracy. The optical flow on and near moving edges are computed using a correlation technique. The optical flow information is then fused with gradient information to estimate depth not only on the moving edges but also in the internal regions. The depth estimation problem is formulated as a Kalman filter problem and is solved in three stages. In the prediction stage, the depth map estimated for the current frame, together with knowledge of the camera motion, is used to predict the depth and depth variance at each pixel in the next frame. In the estimation stage, a Kalman filter is employed to refine the predicted depth map. The resulting estimation algorithm takes into account the information from the neighboring pixels. In the smoothing stage, based on the error covariance information, morphological filtering is applied to reduce the effect of measurement noise and to fill in untrustable areas. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Local polyhedra and geometric graphs

We introduce a new realistic input model for geometric graphs and nonconvex polyhedra. A geometric graph G is local if (1) the longest edge at every vertex v is only a constant factor longer than the distance from v to its Euclidean nearest neighbor and (2) the lengths of the longest and shortest edges differ by at most a polynomial factor. A polyhedron is local if all its faces are simplices and its edges form a local geometric graph. We show that any boolean combination of any two local polyhedra in IRd, each with n vertices, can be computed in O(n log n) time, using a standard hierarchy of axis-aligned bounding boxes. Using results of de Berg, we also show that any local polyhedron in IRd has a binary space partition tree of size O(n logd-1 n). Finally, we describe efficient algorithms for computing Minkowski sums of local polyhedra in two and three dimensions.
Effect of surface preparation technique on the radiation detector performance of CdZnTe

Synthetic CdZnTe (CZT) semiconducting crystals are highly suitable for the room temperature-based detection of gamma radiation. The surface preparation of Au contacts on surfaces of CZT detectors is typically conducted after (1) polishing to remove artifacts from crystal sectioning and (2) chemical etching, which removes residual mechanical surface damage however etching results in a Te rich surface layer that is prone to oxidize. Our studies show that CZT surfaces that are only polished (as opposed to polished and etched) can be contacted with Au and will yield lower surface currents. Due to their decreased dark currents, these as-polished surfaces can be used in the fabrication of gamma detectors exhibiting a higher performance than polished and etched surfaces with relatively less peak tailing and greater energy resolution.
On prime ideals in hereditary PI-rings

Abstract It is shown that if P is a prime ideal of a right hereditary ring R satisfying a polynomial identity, then R P is a hereditary Noetherian ring.
Sensitization to HLA antigens in islet recipients with failing transplants.

A QUESTION that has plagued islet transplantation since its inception is whether islet failure is the result of exhaustion or rejection. Attempts have been made to immunomodulate islet preparations prior to transplantation’ as well as improve immunosuppression’,’ to lessen the risk of rejection. However, clinical islet transplantation has not achieved the desired success rate and the cause of failure still remains unanswered. We have retrospectively analyzed seven of our islet recipients for anti-donor HLA sensitization. Our data suggest that there is a strong correlation between islet allograft failure, documented by a decrease in Sustacal Stimulation Indices (SSI), and a rise in anti-donor HLA sensitization as detected by panel reactive antibody (PRA) testing. Furthermore, the data imply that donor-specific T cells are present in these patients and may be responsible for loss of islet function.
Study of the Nef reaction and related syntheses in the 9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene series

Abstract To obtain model compounds for a study of Nef reaction byproducts, a series o-new9,10-dihydro-9,10-(11,11-disubstituted-12-R-ethano)anthracenes (IV–VII) has been prepared in which R is (a) hydrogen, (b) methyl or (c) phenyl. Blue, monomeric 11-chloro-11-nitroso derivatives (Va−Vc) were prepared by action of hydrogen chloride on ether suspenf sions of potassium salts of the corresponding 11-nitro compounds (Ia−Ic). 11-Chloro-11-nitro derivatives (IVa−IVc) were obtained by chlorination of potassium salts of Ia−Ic and, in the case of IV b, also by oxidation of Vb. 11-Nitro-11-nitroso derivatives (VIa−VIc) were prepared by nitrosation of potassium or sodium salts of Ia−Ic. These blue, monomeric pseudonitroles (VIa−VIc) were oxidized to the corresponding gem-dinitro compounds (VIIa−VIIc). Pyrolysis of IIIa−IIIc at 230−260° produced much reverse Diels-Alder reaction, as well as some cw-elimination of nitrous acid, yielding the 11-chloroetheno derivatives VIIIa−VIIIc, including the known VIIIa. A similar olefinic product (Xb) is the sole crystalline product from the Diels-Alder reaction of anthracene with β-ethyl-β-nitrostyrene. Preparation of the Diels-Alder adduct (Id) of anthracene and 1-nitro-1-butene is described.
End-tidal carbon monoxide as an indicator of the hemolytic rate

In the first days of life, low grade jaundice is essentially universal. The source of the elevated bilirubin level giving rise to "physiological jaundice of the newborn" is only partly known. We hypothesized that it is, at least in part, the result of active and specific hemolysis involving a physiological mechanism to lower the high fetal hematocrit, appropriate for the relatively low oxygen environment in utero, to a lower level appropriate for the state of oxygen abundance after birth. We tested this by quantifying end tidal carbon monoxide (ETCO) as a marker of the rate of heme metabolism to bilirubin. We found that ETCO values of 20 neonates and children with known hemolytic disorders were higher than 20 age-matched healthy controls (p<0.0001), indicating that this instrumentation recognizes hemolysis in neonates and children. We also found that ETCO reference intervals were indeed higher in healthy neonates during the first three days after birth (5th to 95th percentile reference range, 1.4 to 1.7ppm) than after 1month of age (all ≤1.0ppm, p<0.0001). These results suggest to us that hemolysis is physiological during the first days after birth. The cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for transient hemolysis after birth are topics of current investigation.
Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in HER14 cells by melittin and Ca2+ ionophore A23187.

Abstract We investigated the effect of melittin and Ca 2+ ionophore A23187 on protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in HER14 cells (NIH-3T3 cells transfected with human epidermal growth factor ‘EGF’ receptor). Cell fractions were used to measure protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in vitro using 32 P-labeled poly(Glu/Tyr) (4 : 1) peptide as a substrate. Treatment of HER14 cells with melittin or with A23187, inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in the cell sonicate and homogenate, as well as in cytosolic and particulate fractions of these cells. The inhibitory effect of both drugs was prevented by preincubating cells with EGTA (ethyleneglycolbis( β -aminoethyl ether)- N , N , N ′, N ′-tetracetic acid). The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin enhanced the inhibitory effect of A23187, but not that of melittin. Addition of arachidonic acid to the cells partially prevented the inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase activity by melittin or A23187. Preexposure of cells to EGF enhanced the inhibitory effect of melittin - but not that of A23187. Addition of CaCl 2 , or MgCl 2 to the cell homogenate inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase activity. These results show that protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in HER14 cells is inhibited by melittin and Ca 2+ ionophore A23187 through a Ca 2+ -dependent mechanism, and is regulated by arachidonic acid metabolism and EGF receptor activation.
Review of Neuropathic Pain Screening and Assessment Tools

Chronic pain due to injury to or diseases of the nervous system, known as neuropathic pain (NP), is a common debilitating medication condition for which there are currently several symptomatically effective therapies. Therefore, early identification of NP in the primary and specialty care setting will avoid unnecessary delays in amelioration of symptoms. Given that it is associated with unique symptoms and physical exam signs, several assessment tools have been developed to aid medical practitioners in the identification of patients with NP. The majority of these tools have been developed to differentiate NP from nonNP and to quantify the severity of symptoms that define NP, and some have been used to aid in assessment of response to interventions. This focused review will describe the primary NP assessment tools that are currently available, and discuss their suitability for screening patients and for research applications. Wider use of NP assessment tools will facilitate the development of new therapies, further clarify the epidemiology of this condition, and improve the treatment of NP.
Identification of mitochondrial DNA sequence variation and development of single nucleotide polymorphic markers for CMS-D8 in cotton

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), which is a maternally inherited trait and controlled by novel chimeric genes in the mitochondrial genome, plays a pivotal role in the production of hybrid seed. In cotton, no PCR-based marker has been developed to discriminate CMS-D8 (from Gossypium trilobum) from its normal Upland cotton (AD1, Gossypium hirsutum) cytoplasm. The objective of the current study was to develop PCR-based single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers from mitochondrial genes for the CMS-D8 cytoplasm. DNA sequence variation in mitochondrial genes involved in the oxidative phosphorylation chain including ATP synthase subunit 1, 4, 6, 8 and 9, and cytochrome c oxidase 1, 2 and 3 subunits were identified by comparing CMS-D8, its isogenic maintainer and restorer lines on the same nuclear genetic background. An allelic specific PCR (AS-PCR) was utilized for SNP typing by incorporating artificial mismatched nucleotides into the third or fourth base from the 3′ terminus in both the specific and nonspecific primers. The result indicated that the method modifying allele-specific primers was successful in obtaining eight SNP markers out of eight SNPs using eight primer pairs to discriminate two alleles between AD1 and CMS-D8 cytoplasms. Two of the SNPs for atp1 and cox1 could also be used in combination to discriminate between CMS-D8 and CMS-D2 cytoplasms. Additionally, a PCR-based marker from a nine nucleotide insertion–deletion (InDel) sequence (AATTGTTTT) at the 59–67 bp positions from the start codon of atp6, which is present in the CMS and restorer lines with the D8 cytoplasm but absent in the maintainer line with the AD1 cytoplasm, was also developed. A SNP marker for two nucleotide substitutions (AA in AD1 cytoplasm to CT in CMS-D8 cytoplasm) in the intron (1,506 bp) of cox2 gene was also developed. These PCR-based SNP markers should be useful in discriminating CMS-D8 and AD1 cytoplasms, or those with CMS-D2 cytoplasm as a rapid, simple, inexpensive, and reliable genotyping tool to assist hybrid cotton breeding.
Ruthenium-Catalyzed Olefin Metathesis after Tetra-n-butylammonium Fluoride-Mediated Desilylation

One-pot procedures expedite organic synthesis but pose challenges in that many reagents must be compatible with each other. We discovered that the presence of (n)Bu(4)NF hindered rutheniumcatalyzed olefin metathesis when (n)Bu(4)NF-mediated desilylation and olefin metathesis were performed in one pot. This problem could be solved by the addition of (TMS)(2)O to remove fluoride anions in order to facilitate the ruthenium-catalyzed olefin metathesis.
The social and emotional adjustment of immigrant children: a review of the literature.

This article reviews the existing research on the prevalence of social and emotional adjustment problems among immigrant children examines the findings on the kinds of adjustment problems exacerbated by migration or particular to immigrant school children and reviews and assesses effectiveness of intervention programs developed specifically to aid such children. Also considered is a theoretical framework which would facilitate conceptualizing the process of immigration among children their particular needs and how these might best be met by primary and secondary preventive mental health interventions. (authors)
A Simple Absorption Model for High-Energy π-N, K-N, and N-N Scattering: Application to Charge-Exchange Reactions

A simple parametrization of the high-energy $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}N$, $K\ensuremath{-}N$, and $N\ensuremath{-}N$ scattering phase shifts is obtained. The partial-wave amplitudes are assumed to be purely imaginary. This representation is used to discuss the absorption in a peripheral-model description of charge-exchange reactions with incident pions, kaons, and nucleons. The Jacob-Wick helicity amplitudes are used to treat the spin dependence. The $n\ensuremath{-}p$ charge-exchange differential cross section is found to be narrow, primarily because, in the presence of absorption, the pion-exchange contribution is not zero in the forward direction. In addition the angular distribution exhibits a secondary maximum at a small angle due to one of the helicity-flip amplitudes. In contrast, the $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}N$ and $K\ensuremath{-}N$ charge-exchange angular distributions, determined by $\ensuremath{\rho}$ exchange, are relatively wide.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Teacher Education: A Constructivist Approach

Teacher education programs must begin to foster in beginning teachers of all disciplines new images of collaboration, involvement, and inquiry—images of classroom environments where students of all cultures engage in interdisciplinary activities and construct knowledge rooted in their own personal experiences. The high number of language minority students who score below the national norm in mathematics and science and avoid careers in these areas underscores the fact that uncoordinated instruction has had negative ramifications on the academic success of these students. Collaboration between ESOL teachers and teachers of other subject areas is imperative. Teacher education programs must reevaluate current pedagogical orientations and reorganize to prepare teacher candidates of all disciplines for coordinated interdisciplinary education for all students. This article describes the evolution of a collaborative initiative involving undergraduate and graduate students in two teacher education programs at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. This collaboration, motivated by constructivist approaches, integrates language pedagogy and science instruction. It is based on the premise that if teachers are to collaborate in schools and create enhanced interdisciplinary classroom environments that better foster students' linguistic and academic growth, they must experience such pedagogy in teacher education programs at the university.