cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined ultrasound-curcumin treatment of human cervical cancer cells

Abstract Objectives Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with cervical cancer. Studies showed curcumin inhibits HPV oncogenes expression but curcumin has low bioavailability. The objectives were: (1) to study ultrasound enhancement of curcumin effects on HeLa, SiHa and C33A, (2) to compare two frequencies for sonoporation and (3) to detect cell-free DNA released by the treatment. Study design HeLa, SiHa and C33A cells (non-HPV control) were processed and exposed to either: (1) 10 μM curcumin only, (2) 10 μM curcumin with 8 s of 7.5 MHz ultrasound, (3) 10 μM curcumin with 8 s of 5.0 MHz ultrasound, (4) control medium, or (5) 8 s of 7.5 MHz ultrasound. The five treated groups were incubated (48 h) and analyzed by dual fluorescence apoptosis/necrosis assay. DNA in spent media was analyzed by capillary analysis. Results Combined curcumin ultrasound resulted in 9-, 12- and 16-fold higher necrosis in HeLa, SiHa and C33A cells respectively. Increased necrosis correlated with higher ultrasound frequencies. There was increased apoptosis in HeLa or SiHa cells with the combined treatment. Curcumin alone resulted in a lesser 2–4-fold increase in necrosis in the groups. Cell-free DNA was detected in the spent media of HeLa and SiHa but not C33A cultures. Conclusions The results showed enhanced necrosis in cervical carcinoma cell lines after combined treatment and confirmed the ultrasound capacity to increase effectiveness of curcumin. Cancer cells were smaller post-treatment suggesting microtubule structural disruption. Cell-free DNA was low molecular weight consistent with lysed host cell.
In Search of Authenticity: The Formation of Folklore Studies

In Search of Authenticity: The Formation of Folklore Studies. Regina Bendix. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1997.306 pp.
Motion-compensated compressed sensing for dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI using regional spatiotemporal sparsity and region tracking: block low-rank sparsity with motion-guidance (BLOSM).

Purpose Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the heart is well-suited for acceleration with compressed sensing (CS) due to its spatiotemporal sparsity; however, respiratory motion can degrade sparsity and lead to image artifacts. We sought to develop a motion-compensated CS method for this application. Methods A new method, Block LOw-rank Sparsity with Motion-guidance (BLOSM), was developed to accelerate first-pass cardiac MRI, even in the presence of respiratory motion. This method divides the images into regions, tracks the regions through time, and applies matrix low-rank sparsity to the tracked regions. BLOSM was evaluated using computer simulations and first-pass cardiac datasets from human subjects. Using rate-4 undersampling, BLOSM was compared with other CS methods such as k-t SLR that uses matrix low-rank sparsity applied to the whole image dataset, with and without motion tracking, and to k-t FOCUSS with motion estimation and compensation that uses spatial and temporal-frequency sparsity. Results BLOSM was qualitatively shown to reduce respiratory artifact compared with other methods. Quantitatively, using root mean squared error and the structural similarity index, BLOSM was superior to other methods. Conclusion BLOSM, which exploits regional low-rank structure and uses region tracking for motion compensation, provides improved image quality for CS-accelerated first-pass cardiac MRI. Magn Reson Med 72:1028–1038, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Note on Curve Fitting with Minimum Deviations by Linear Programming

Abstract For some time it has been well known among specialists in mathematical programming that the statistical problem of fitting a linear multiple regression with the criterion of minimizing the sum of absolute deviations from the regression function (rather than squared deviations) may be reduced to a linear programming problem. But this knowledge seems not widespread among general statisticians.1 This note briefly reviews the formulation of this application of linear programming, and its history.
Urinary and hepatic disorders in neonatal foals

Abstract Urinary tract dysfunction, such as acute renal failure, ruptured urinary tract, placental dysfunction (non-renal azotemia), candida cystitis, and infected/patent urachus, is commonly seen in neonatal foals. The diagnosis and management relies upon the clinical signs, measurement of serum chemistries, urinalysis, and ultrasonographic examination of the urinary tract and umbilical structures. Treatment of acute renal failure with crystalloids, colloids, vasopressors, furosemide, mannitol, and dialysis is discussed. An indwelling urinary catheter is placed to monitor urine output and prevent rupture of the bladder. Nephrotoxic drugs should be used only in euvolemic foals that are producing an adequate amount of urine. Guidelines for the prevention of nephrotoxic acute renal failure are provided. Liver disease is uncommon in foals, although frequently septicemic neonatal foals have increased liver enzymes and bilirubin values without any underlying liver disease. Differential diagnoses for liver disease in neonatal foals include Bacillus piliformis (Tyzzer's Disease), neonatal equine herpes virus-1 infections, hepatic damage secondary to neonatal isoerythrolysis, biliary obstruction secondary to duodenal ulceration, and umbilical vein infections. Portosystemic shunts and congenital deficiency in ammonia metabolism in Morgan foals often lead to central nervous system signs at 6–12 weeks of age, and are not considered disorders of the neonatal period. The diagnosis of hepatic disorders is based on the clinical signs, increases in liver enzymes, ammonia and bile acid concentrations, electrolyte concentrations, ultrasound of the umbilical structures and liver, and ancillary diagnostic tests such as transrectal portoscintigraphy, positive-contrast portography, liver biopsy and gastrointestinal barium study.
Miniature Cryogenic Valves for a Titan Lake Sampling System

The Cassini mission has revealed Titan to be one of the most Earthlike worlds in the Solar System complete with many of the same surface features including lakes, river channels, basins, and dunes. But unlike Earth, the materials and fluids on Titan are composed of cryogenic organic compounds with lakes of liquid methane and ethane. One of the potential mission concepts to explore Titan is to land a floating platform on one of the Titan Lakes and determine the local lake chemistry. In order to accomplish this within the expected mass volume and power budgets there is a need to pursue the development for a low power lightweight cryogenic valves which can be used along with vacuum lines to sample lake liquid and to distribute to various instruments aboard the Lander. To meet this need we have initiated the development of low power cryogenic valves and actuators based on a single crystal piezoelectric flextensional stacks produced by TRS Ceramics Inc. Since the origin of such high electromechanical properties of Relaxor-PT single crystals is due to the polarization rotation effect, (i.e., intrinsic contributions), the strain per volt decrease at cryogenic temperatures is much lower than in standard Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) ceramics. This makes them promising candidates for cryogenic actuators with regards to the stroke for a given voltage. This paper will present our Titan Lake Sampling and Sample Handling system design and the development of small cryogenic piezoelectric valves developed to meet the system specifications.
Project Athena: supporting distributed computing at MIT

Project Athena™ was an educational computing initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, undertaken in partnership with the IBM Corporation and Digital Equipment Corporation from 1983 to 1991. This paper gives an overview of the network-based distributed computing services, developed for a number of UNIX™-capable workstations. These services are extensions to the native operating systems of the workstations, and provide interoperability as well as systems administration facilities in a large heterogeneous workstation environment. Under Project Athena, a mature distributed computing environment was developed. Its organization and support structure may be used as a model when planning a new installation, whether on a university or commercial campus. A section of this paper deals with the support requirements for distributed computing environments, based on the Project Athena experience.
Aging and the course of desire

Abstract The desire to make a difference in the world, to receive the esteem and approval of others, and to be attractive to others for the person one is, is a basic human longing. The fate of such desire over the course of life is a subject that has largely been relegated to studies of changing patterns of sexual activity with advancing age. The broader topic of the human desire to remain actively engaged in the world has yet to be fully developed and incorporated within sociological theories of aging. We know little of the variables that affect the workings of desire and the circumstances under which desire is more or less likely to be manifest. Due to its reluctance to bridge the disciplinary boundaries that separate structural and social psychological approaches to theorizing age, sociologists of aging and the life course have rarely considered the ways in which human desire for recognition, love, and influence affect behavior at various points in the life course. In this paper, I address the problem of the social breakdown syndrome that is thought to bring about an atrophy in the skills and talents of those in old age. With concepts drawn from the dramaturgical literature in sociology, I argue that those who continue to benefit from the emotional energy that derives from satisfying and productive social interactions will age in ways that cannot be explained by existing sociological theories of aging.
The nuclear Coulomb sum rule in a relativistic model

Abstract The nuclear Coulomb sum rule is investigated in a relativistic quantum field theory of the nucleus based on baryons and mesons. First an effective, local, covariant, conserved electromagnetic current operator is constructed for the many-baryon system. It describes the electromagnetic structure of an isolated nucleon; the lowest-mass two-pion contribution to the spectral weight functions of the form factors is contained in it. The sum rule is then evaluated in a model based on baryons and neutral scalar and vector mesons. In the mean-field approximation (MFT) this model correctly describes the saturation properties of nuclear matter. The “one-body” term in the sum rule can be evaluated exactly through the use of the canonical anticommutation relations for the baryon field and the identification of conserved quantities. The remaining relativistic two-body contribution is evaluated in the MFT. Meson contributions to the sum rule at large momentum transfers q 2k F ≳ 1 completely dominate anticipated static, short-range, two-nucleon correlation contributions to the non-relativistic Coulomb sum rule. One possible implication is that the nucleus must (at least) be considered as a dynamic system of mesons and baryons.
Are There Two Liberalisms? The Partisan and Demographic Influences on Two Dimensions of Political Belief

Abstract Recent analyses suggest that a new kind of liberalism has emerged in the American system. “Social liberalism,” in this view, is organized by issues that are relatively new to the political agenda: abortion, homosexuality, marijuana use, pornography. This dimension of belief occupies an ideological domain clearly separate from traditional “New Deal” issues involving government spending and the management of the economy. Some scholars argue, furthermore, that partisan and social divisions on the basis of New Deal-style economic issues have declined in importance, and that the relatively young and the better educated are now more liberal on both dimensions of belief. Evidence presented here indicates that mass opinions on social issues and traditional views on government spending form distinct ideological dimensions. However, this analysis also reveals clear and persistent patterns of conflict characteristic of economic issues.
COMPOSITION AND PALATABILITY OF MECHANlCALLY DEBONED MEAT AND MECHANICALLY SEPARATED TISSUE

Four groups of Good and Choice grade carcasses were hand boned. Flat bones from the right sides were mechanically deboned using a Beehive machine with 0.46 mm holes in the cylinder and designated mechanically deboned meat (MDM). Flat bones from the left sides were hand-cleaned of all visible muscle and fat and then run through the mechanical deboner and designated mechanically separated tissue (MST). No significant differences in moisture, fat or protein between tissue from the right and left sides were present, but MDM had less ash than did MST. Higher ash content in the MST was paralleled by higher values (P < 0.05) for iron, calcium, magnesium, collagen and pH. Greater amounts of isoleucine (P < 0.05) were present in MDM than in MST. Bologna was formulated to contain 30% MDM or 30% MST. No differences in processing quality of the bolognas were noted. Independent triangle tests for flavor and grittiness showed that panel members could detect differences (P < 0.01) in bologna containing MDM or MST when compared to control bologna.
Oxidation resistance of thin boron carbo-nitride films on Ge(100) and Ge nanowires

Abstract Chemical vapor deposition of thin ( 0.7 N 0.08 , or BCN) on Ge(100) and Ge nanowire (GeNW) surfaces was studied to determine the ability of BCN to prevent oxidation of Ge. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to track Ge oxidation of BCN-covered Ge(100) upon exposure to ambient, 50 °C deionized water, and a 250 °C atomic layer deposition HfO 2 process. BCN overlayers incorporate O immediately upon ambient or water exposure, but it is limited to 15% O uptake. If the BCN layer is continuous, the underlying Ge(100) surface is not oxidized despite the incorporation of O into BCN. The minimum continuous BCN film thickness that prevents Ge(100) oxidation is ~ 4 nm. Thinner films (≤ 3.2 nm) permitted Ge(100) oxidation in each of the oxidizing environments studied. GeNWs with a 5.7 nm BCN coating were resistant to oxidation for at least 5 months of ambient exposure. High resolution transmission electron microscopy images of HfO 2 /BCN/Ge(100) cross-sections and BCN-coated GeNWs reveal clean, abrupt BCN–Ge(100) interfaces.
Alternate solutions for two particular third order kinetic rate laws

Alternate solutions to third order rate law expressions which are first order in one reactant and second order in another for the generalized reaction \({{aA}+{bB}\mathop \rightarrow \limits^{k_A }{P}}\) with a limiting reactant and for simple cubic autocatalysis \({{A}+{ 2B}\mathop \rightarrow \limits^{k_A }{3B}}\) are presented and discussed. These solutions are expressed in terms of the Lambert function W[x] with argument x(t) = α exp(α − βt), where α and β are empirical parameters. These expressions permit the concentrations of the reactant species to be explicitly represented as dependent functions of time. For the generalized reaction, the solution involves considering exactly which species is limiting, so that the correct branch of the Lambert function can be determined. For simple cubic autocatalysis, the solution is shown to be consistent with the characteristics associated with clock reactions. An exact expression for the “induction time” associated with a clock reaction described by this mechanism is also derived.
Network Structure and the Risk for HIV Transmission Among Rural Drug Users

Research suggests that structural properties of drug users’ social networks can have substantial effects on HIV risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the structural properties of Appalachian drug users’ risk networks could lend insight into the potential for HIV transmission in this population. Data from 503 drug users recruited through respondent-driven sampling were used to construct a sociometric risk network. Network ties represented relationships in which partners had engaged in unprotected sex and/or shared injection equipment. Compared to 1,000 randomly generated networks, the observed network was found to have a larger main component and exhibit more cohesiveness and centralization than would be expected at random. Thus, the risk network structure in this sample has many structural characteristics shown to be facilitative of HIV transmission. This underscores the importance of primary prevention in this population and prompts further investigation into the epidemiology of HIV in the region.
Fecal corticosterone concentrations and reproductive success in captive female southern white rhinoceros

Prolonged or frequent secretion of adrenal glucocorticoids in response to aversive stimuli can negatively impact reproduction. Because female southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) reproduce poorly in captivity, we compared fecal corticosterone metabolite concentrations among parous, nulliparous, and adolescent females and examined social and physical aspects of the captive environment that might be related to differences in corticosterone metabolite concentrations. Aggression, dominance, sexual and play interactions, social group size and composition, enclosure size, and other housing characteristics were assessed though behavioral observations and review of historical and institution records. Concentrations of metabolized corticosterone in fecal samples were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. The proportion of nulliparous females did not differ (p>0.05) between subordinate and dominant animals, and subordinates did not have a higher mean fecal corticosterone concentration than dominants (p>0.05). Of the behaviors examined, only the frequency of sexual play behaviors differed (p 0.05) for females housed in most of the environmental conditions assessed. Housing with a female companion known from adolescence, however, tended to be associated (p=0.06) with a lower mean corticosterone concentration than that when housing with a female companion introduced during adulthood or no female companion. Wild-caught females had a higher (p 0.05) between acyclic and cycling, or nulliparous and parous females.
Spectral measurements of high-temperature isotopic carbon dioxide in the 4.5- and 2.8-μm regions

High-resolution measurements have been made using the AFGL 2-m path difference Fourier transform spectrometer on isotopically enriched samples of carbon dioxide. Two regions were investigated: 2140–2320 and 3470–3770 cm−1. The samples were observed in absorption at temperatures up to 800 K. Observed line positions to high rotational levels were obtained for 15 parallel bands with Δv3 = 1 for the isotopic variants 13C16O2, 13C16O18O, and 13C16O17O in the 4.5-μm region and for 23 bands of the type Δv1 = 1, Δv3 = 1 for the species 12C16O2, 12C16O18O, and 12C18O2 in the 2.8-μm region.
Mucociliary clearance and submucosal gland secretion in the ex vivo ferret trachea

In many species submucosal glands are an important source of tracheal mucus, but the extent to which mucociliary clearance (MCC) depends on gland secretion is unknown. To explore this relationship, we measured basal and agonist-stimulated MCC velocities in ex vivo tracheas from adult ferrets and compared the velocities with previously measured rates of ferret glandular mucus secretion (Cho HJ, Joo NS, Wine JJ. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 299: L124-L136, 2010). Stimulated MCC velocities (mm/min, means ± SE for 10- to 35-min period poststimulation) were as follows: 1 μM carbachol: 19.1 ± 3.3 > 10 μM phenylephrine: 15.3 ± 2.4 ≈ 10 μM isoproterenol: 15.0 ± 1.9 ≈ 10 μM forskolin: 14.6 ± 3.1 > 1 μM vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP): 10.2 ± 2.2 >> basal (t15): 1.8 ± 0.3; n = 5-10 for each condition. Synergistic stimulation of MCC was observed between low concentrations of carbachol (100 nM) and isoproterenol (300 nM). Bumetanide inhibited carbachol-stimulated MCC by ~70% and abolished the increase in MCC stimulated by forskolin + VIP, whereas HCO3 (-)-free solutions did not significantly inhibit MCC to either intracellular Ca(2+) concentration or intracellular cAMP concentration ([cAMP]i)-elevating agonists. Stimulation and inhibition of MCC and gland secretion differed in several respects: most importantly, elevating [cAMP]i increased MCC much more effectively than expected from its effects on gland secretion, and bumetanide almost completely inhibited [cAMP]i-stimulated MCC while it had a smaller effect on gland secretion. We conclude that changes in glandular fluid secretion are complexly related to MCC and discuss possible reasons for this.
Metoprolol-induced changes in myocardial (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake in Parkinson's disease.

To the Editor: In the November 14, 2000, issue of Circulation , de Milliano et al1 presented an interesting case of improved cardiac uptake of the radioiodinated norepinephrine analogue 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine …
β1 Integrin Inhibitory Antibody Induces Apoptosis of Breast Cancer Cells, Inhibits Growth, and Distinguishes Malignant from Normal Phenotype in Three Dimensional Cultures and In vivo

Current therapeutic approaches to cancer are designed to target molecules that contribute to malignant behavior but leave normal tissues intact. beta(1) integrin is a candidate target well known for mediating cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions that influence diverse cellular functions; its aberrant expression has been implicated in breast cancer progression and resistance to cytotoxic therapy. The addition of beta(1) integrin inhibitory agents to breast cancer cells at a single-cell stage in a laminin-rich ECM (three-dimensional lrECM) culture was shown to down-modulate beta(1) integrin signaling, resulting in malignant reversion. To investigate beta(1) integrin as a therapeutic target, we modified the three-dimensional lrECM protocol to approximate the clinical situation: before treatment, we allowed nonmalignant cells to form organized acinar structures and malignant cells to form tumor-like colonies. We then tested the ability of beta(1) integrin inhibitory antibody, AIIB2, to inhibit tumor cell growth in several breast cancer cell lines (T4-2, MDA-MB-231, BT474, SKBR3, and MCF-7) and one nonmalignant cell line (S-1). We show that beta(1) integrin inhibition resulted in a significant loss of cancer cells, associated with a decrease in proliferation and increase in apoptosis, and a global change in the composition of residual colonies. In contrast, nonmalignant cells that formed tissue-like structures remained resistant. Moreover, these cancer cell-specific antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects were confirmed in vivo with no discernible toxicity to animals. Our findings indicate that beta(1) integrin is a promising therapeutic target, and that the three-dimensional lrECM culture assay can be used to effectively distinguish malignant and normal tissue response to therapy.
Hybrid discourse practice and science learning

In this article, we report on a study of how creative linguistic practices (which we call hybrid discourse practices) were enacted by students in a fifth-grade science unit on barn owls and how these practices helped to produce a synergistic micro-community of scientific practice in the classroom that constituted a fertile space for students (and the teacher) to construct emergent but increasingly legitimate and dynamic disciplinary knowledges and identities. Our findings are important for the ways in which they demonstrate (a) how students use hybrid discourse practices to self-scaffold their work within complex curricular tasks and when they are not completely sure about how to enact these tasks (b) how hybrid discourse practices can promote inquiry orientations to science, (c) how hybrid discourse practices index new and powerful forms of science pedagogy, and (d) how hybrid discourse practices are relevant to more global issues such as the crucial roles of language fluency and creativity, which are known prerequisites for advanced science learning and which aid students in developing skills that are necessary for entry into science and technology careers.
Sensitivity summation theorems for stochastic biochemical reaction systems.

Abstract We investigate how stochastic reaction processes are affected by external perturbations. We describe an extension of the deterministic metabolic control analysis (MCA) to the stochastic regime. We introduce stochastic sensitivities for mean and covariance values of reactant concentrations and reaction fluxes and show that there exist MCA-like summation theorems among these sensitivities. The summation theorems for flux variances is shown to depend on the size of the measurement time window (ϵ) within which reaction events are counted for measuring a single flux. It is found that the degree of the ϵ-dependency can become significant for processes involving multi-time-scale dynamics and is estimated by introducing a new measure of time-scale separation. This ϵ-dependency is shown to be closely related to the power-law scaling observed in flux fluctuations in various complex networks.
Wyatt, Alamanni, and Literary Imitation

Inspired by the Library's copy of 'Opere toscane di Luigi Alamanni, ad Rey Francesco Primo" (published in 1532, probably by Filippo di Giunta in Florence), Guss writes about the Renaissance idea of literary imitation as manifest in the poem of Thomas Wyatt (1503 â€“1542 ) , "Myne owne John Poynz," which is is an almost literal translation of the tenth satire of Luigi Alamanni (1495-1556), "O vi dirA´ poi che d'udir vi cale."
Ischemia–reperfusion injury pathophysiology, part I

Objective: To review the current scientific literature on ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury in both human and veterinary medicine. To describe the normal antioxidant defense mechanisms, the pathophysiology of IR injury, and the role of neutrophils in IR injury. Data sources: Data sources include scientific reviews and original research publications in both human and veterinary medicine. Summary: IR injury is a complex pathophysiological process involving numerous pathways and body systems. Normal antioxidant defense mechanisms function to limit oxidative injury during times of health. Ischemia is the period that occurs before oxygenated blood is re-introduced and the severity of injury has been shown to correlate with the magnitude and length of ischemia in dogs. During ischemia, there is a buildup of substances (i.e., xanthine oxidase, hypoxanthine, etc.) that, upon re-introduction of oxygen, form reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS, produced in large part upon reperfusion, can cause extensive damage to DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Although mammalian systems are endowed with abundant antioxidant defenses, the generation of large amounts of ROS can overwhelm these mechanisms leading to cell dysfunction and death. Neutrophils play a critical role in IR injury and may mediate the majority of mucosal and microvascular injury that occurs by releasing ROS and proteolytic enzymes. Although experimental studies have been carried out on cats, dogs, and horses there are few clinical studies on companion animals. Conclusions: The pathophysiology of IR injury is complex and involves damage by ROS to all biological membranes. Neutrophils play a major role in IR injury and initiate and propogate much of the damage. This article is intended as a review of the pathophysiology of IR injury.
Asymptotic distribution of regression M-estimators

Abstract We consider the following linear regression model: Y i =Z i ′θ 0 +U i , i=1,…,n, where {Ui}i=1∞ is a sequence of R m -valued i.i.d. r.v.'s; {Zi}i=1∞ is a sequence of i.i.d. d×m random matrices; and θ0 is a d-dimensional parameter to be estimated. Given a function ρ: R m → R , we define a robust estimator θ n as a value such that n −1 ∑ i=1 n ρ(Y i −Z i ′ θ n )= inf θ∈ R d n −1 ∑ i=1 n ρ(Y i −Z i ′θ). We study the convergence in distribution of a n ( θ n −θ 0 ) in different situations, where {an} is a sequence of real numbers depending on ρ and on the distributions of Zi and Ui. As a particular case, we consider the case ρ(x)=|x|p. In this case, we show that if E[||Z||p+||Z||2] p> 1 2 or m⩾2; and some other regularity conditions hold, then n 1/2 ( θ n −θ 0 ) converges in distribution to a normal limit. For m=1 and p= 1 2 , n 1/2 ( log n) −1/2 ( θ n −θ 0 ) converges in distribution to a normal limit. For m=1 and 1 2 >p>0 , n 1/(3−2p) ( θ n −θ 0 ) converges in distribution.
MO-FF-A1-01: Optimal Schedule for Localized Radio-Sensitization of 125I Prostate Implants

Purpose: Localized radiosensitization may improve the therapeutic ratio of 125I prostate brachytherapy. Spacers used in permanent implants may be manufactured from a drug‐releasing polymer. Loading the polymer with radio‐sensitizer would allow spacers to deliver protracted release of radio‐sensitizer localized to the prostate. Such devices will have a limited drug‐loading capacity, and the drug release schedule that optimizes outcome, under such a constraint, is not known. This work seeks optimal drug release schedules for 125I prostate brachytherapy and demonstrates the manufacture of such spacers. Method and Materials: Mathematical models of cell kill based using quadratic (LQ) models were used to compare biologic effectiveness of a number of drug release schedules where sensitization is present for a limited time (T). A range of radiosensitizations (S) was simulated by incorporating time dependent α and β values in the LQ model and calculating cell survival fractions. To avoid model dependence, a range of baseline α/β values were considered. A limited drug capacity was simulated by comparing schedules with equal products of sensitization and time (ST). To evaluate the ability to create drug‐releasing spacers, a gold fiducial marker was coated with a polymer loaded with fluorescent molecules. Results: Comparing cell kill for schedules with equivalent ST shows that the cell kill is increased more by delivering a substantial sensitization over a shorter time than by sensitizing less for a longer time. Extended duration of radio‐sensitization requires a time scale of weeks to achieve increased cell kill given sensitization levels reported for taxol. Polymercoated fiducials show 2‐week drug release is technically feasible. Conclusion: Using brachytherapy spacers to produce localized radio‐sensitization over the time scale relevant to prostate brachytherapy is feasible. Both traditional sensitizers and repair inhibitors may be employed to improve the therapeutic ratio of prostate brachytherapy.
Quantification of primary and tertiary C bond cleavage in alkaline activation: isobutane dissociation on Pt(110)-(1 sx 2)☆

Abstract The trapping-mediated dissociative chemisorption of three isotopes of isobutane ((CH 3 ) 3 CH, (CH 3 ) 3 CD, and (CD 3 ) 3 CH) has been investigated on the Pt(110)-(1 × 2) surface, and both the apparent activation energies and the apparent pre-exponential factors of dissociative chemisorption have been measured. Of more significance, the probabilities of primary and tertiary C bond cleavage for alkane activation on this surface were evaluated. The activation energy of primary C bond cleavage is 137 cal/mol greater than that of tertiary C bond cleavage for isobutane, and the two true activation energies that embody the single measured activation energy were determined for each of the three isotopes. The true pre-exponential factors were evaluated, and tertiary C bond cleavage was also found to be preferred on entropic grounds. The magnitude of the effect is a factor of 3.2.
Multiple healthy behaviors and optimal self-rated health: findings from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to examine the association between the number of healthy behaviors (i.e., not currently smoking, not currently drinking excessively, physically active, and consuming fruits and vegetables five or more times per day) and optimal self-rated health (SRH) among U.S. adults or adults with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) or diabetes. Methods We estimated the age-standardized prevalence of optimal SRH among a total of 430,912 adults who participated in the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Prevalence ratios were produced with multivariate Cox regression models using number of healthy behaviors as a predictor; status of optimal SRH was used as an outcome variable while controlling for sociodemographic and health risk factors. Results The age-standardized prevalence of reporting optimal SRH was 83.5%, 55.6%, and 56.3% among adults overall, and adults with CVDs or diabetes, respectively. Also in the aforementioned order, adults who reported having four healthy behaviors had 33%, 85%, and 87% increased likelihoods of reporting optimal SRH, when compared to their counterparts who reported none of these behaviors. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that number of healthy behaviors is associated with optimal SRH among adults, especially adults with CVDs or diabetes. These findings reinforce the support for identifying and implementing clinical and population-based intervention strategies that effectively promote multiple healthier lifestyle behaviors among adults.
Effect of salinity and K/Na ratio of irrigation water on growth and solute content of Atriplex amnicola and Sorghum bicolor

Total salinity and K/Na ratios in the irrigation water were varied for two different types of plants; sorghum, a moderately salt tolerant crop plant whose growth is inhibited by high NaCl levels, and Atriplex, an extreme halophyte whose growth is stimulated by high NaCl levels. Sorghum growth was significantly reduced at all salinity levels from 50 to 150mM, but Atriplex growth was not reduced until salinity exceeded 100 mM. In both species, growth reductions were increased by increasing the ratio of K to Na from 1/100 to 1/1 in the irrigation water. The amount of K and Na accumulated in the leaves of Atriplex reflected the relative amounts in the irrigation water, but in sorghum most of the increase in the concentration of K + Na was due to the increase in K regardless of the ratio of K/Na in the irrigation water. Nitrate levels in leaves of sorghum were little affected by salinity but were decreased in Atriplex by the combination of high salinity and K/Na ratio. The lower amount of salt accumulation in sorghum was compensated for by greater accumulation of soluble organic compounds, such as proline and soluble carbohydrates, that presumably were osmotically active and could contribute to osmotic adjustment. All of the results supported the general conclusion that, despite differences between glycophytes, such as sorghum, and halophytes, such as Atriplex, in sensitivity to the total soluble salt concentration in irrigation water, in both species growth was reduced more by K/Na ratios of 1/1 and 1/10 than by a ratio of 1/100 at those salinity levels that significantly reduced growth in each species.
Multifocal epithelioid glioblastoma mimicking cerebral metastasis: case report

Summary Objective. Epithelioid glioblastoma is a rare morphologic subtype of glioblastoma that closely mimics metastatic carcinoma or metastatic melanoma histologically. All previous case reports of this unusual glioblastoma variant have been solitary lesions. We report here the first case to our knowledge of multifocal epithelioid glioblastoma mimicking cerebral metastasis. Clinical presentation. A 67-year-old man with a prior history of mycosis fungoides, a common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, presented with memory loss and impaired peripheral vision. Two discrete brain lesions highly suspicious for metastases were identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intervention. The patient underwent two separate craniotomies; both lesions were successfully resected in toto with an excellent post-surgical outcome. Conclusion. Epithelioid glioblastoma is one of the rarest morphologic subtypes of glioblastoma. Here we describe the first case to our knowledge of multifocal epithelioid glioblastoma that convincingly mimicked a secondary metastatic process. Multifocal epithelioid glioblastoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with multiple discrete brain lesions. An attempt at gross total resection is recommended when anatomically feasible for definitive histopathological diagnosis and to improve progression free survival of patients who present with similarly ambiguous and potentially misleading multiple lesions.
A High Stability Voltage Programmed RF Source for the Zero Gradient Synchrotron

The oscillator described in the text generates a frequency program which sweeps between 4 - 13.7 MHz with an initial df/dt of 172 MHz/sec and a final df/dt of 420 kHz/sec. This program is stable within 0.025% of the required value. FM noise on the order of 800 cps peak-to-peak appears on the first part of the program and reduces to less than 250 cps p - p near the end. A second rf output is provided which sweeps 1 MHz above the 4 - 14 output to be used with beam monitoring equipment employing a 1 MHz heterodyne technique. Both rf outputs employ AGC loops to maintain 2vpp across 125?.
High speed nanofluidic protein accumulator

Highly efficient preconcentration is a crucial prerequisite to the identification of important protein biomarkers with extremely low abundance in target biofluids. In this work, poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchips integrated with 10 nm polycarbonate nanopore membranes were utilized as high-speed protein accumulators. Double-sided injection control of electrokinetic fluid flow in the sample channel resulted in highly localized protein accumulation at a very sharp point in the channel cross point. This greatly enhanced the ability to detect very low levels of initial protein concentration. Fluorescein labeled human serum albumin solutions of 30 and 300 pM accumulated to 3 and 30 µM in only 100 s. Initial solutions as low as 0.3 and 3 pM could be concentrated within 200 s to 0.3 and 3 µM, respectively. This demonstrates a ∼105–106 accumulation factor, and an accumulation rate as high as 5000/sec, yielding a >10× improvement over most results reported to date.
Pain’s Description: Beginning Grammar and Biological Philology

How can pain complaints be elicited and analyzed so as to increase the empathic bond between patient and clinician? I will argue that though Wierzbicka’s approach to this question is useful—an expl...
Non-equilibrium electron distributions and electron longitudinal optical phonon scattering rates in wurtzite GaN

Non-equilibrium electron distributions and electron-longitudinal optical phonon scattering rates in wurtzite GaN have been studied by subpicosecond time-resolved Raman spectroscopy. Our experimental results show that for electron densities n≥5×1017cm−3, the non-equilibrium electron distributions in wurtzite GaN can be very well described by Fermi-Dirac distribution functions with the effective electron temperature much higher than the lattice temperature. In addition, we find that the total electron-longitudinal optical phonon scattering rate in GaN is about one order of magnitude larger than that in GaAs. We attribute this enormous increase in the electron-longitudinal optical phonon scattering rate to the much larger ionicity in GaN.
Field and laboratory observations of spawning periodicity and behavior of a northern population of the Atlantic silverside, Menidia menidia (Pisces: Atherinidae)

The spawning periodicity and mating behavior of a northern population of the Atlantic silverside, Menidia menidia, was studied both in the field (Salem Harbor, Massachusetts) and in laboratory experiments. Spawning in the field coincided with new and full moons. Under conditions of unlimited food availability in artificial outdoor pools that received natural celestial illumination or in indoor aquaria receiving no evening illumination, spawning occurred every 1–3 days rather than fortnightly. These results suggest that tidal influences are a primary factor that synchronizes spawning in M. menidia. Published reports of diel time of spawning in both marine and freshwater species of Menidia indicate a generic tendency to spawn during mid-morning. This pattern coupled with high tides that cover suitable spawning substrates during mid-morning only at fortnightly intervals could account for the semilunar spawning cycle in marine populations of Menidia. Although general characteristics of the reproductive ecology of M. menidia in Massachusetts were similar to a thoroughly studied population in South Carolina, several differences were evident. The breeding season was shorter in Massachusetts (late; April–June), and occurred over a much lower range of temperatures (9–21°C). Intensity and frequency of spawning was correlated with the height of high tide. Eggs were deposited only on mats of intertidal, filamentous algae rather than on roots or stems of Spartina alterniflora or other intertidal vegetation. Promiscuous spawning occurred in small, highly male-dominated groups of fish, primarily after the tide had begun to recede, and often at the water's edge. No predation on spawning adults was observed but the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, fed daily on developing embryos during high tide.
Mechanisms of pathogenesis of the CNS pathogen, Naegleria fowleri

Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis is a fatal disease of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by Naegleria fowleri, an ameboflagellate found in freshwater habitats throughout the world. Pathogenic and nonpathogenic Naegleria have been isolated from the environment, but mechanisms of pathogenicity are not fully understood. Activation of complement in the CNS, induction of proinflammatory cytokines, as well as direct damage to brain tissue by the amebae may contribute to the pathogenesis of infection. We examined pathogenic N. fowleri in brain tissue from mice by scanning electron microscopy. Trophozoites with prominent food cups were abundant on lysed brain tissue. Ribonuclease protection assays of brain microglial cells cocultured with amebae revealed that pathogenic N. fowleri induced the production of proinflammatory cytokine mRNAs. Additionally, we have demonstrated that pathogenic N. fowleri activate the alternative pathway of complement but are resistant to complement-mediated lysis. Previous studies in our laboratory have determined that an 18–20 kDa protein on the surface of N. fowleri is cross-reactive with antibodies to mammalian CD59, a complement regulatory protein that prevents lysis of target cells. Also, cDNA encoding CD59 from human erythroleukemic cells was shown to hybridize with RNA and gDNA isolated from complement-resistant N. fowleri but not with nonpathogenic complement-sensitive N. gruberi in Northern and Southern blots. The amebae “CD59-like” protein may be a virulence factor and play a role in regulating complement and also serve to protect the ameba from cytolytic molecules.
You read what you value: understanding personal values and reading interests

This paper presents an experiment on the relationship between personal values and reading interests of online articles. Results suggest that individuals' values can predict their topical interests. For example, holding stronger universalism values predict interests towards environmental articles, whereas holding stronger achievement values predict interest towards work-related articles. Findings demonstrate the possibility of targeting based on individuals' personal values, but also highlight certain challenges and limitations when applying this approach for online content.
Porous Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Scaffolds for Retinal Pigment Epithelium Transplantation

Purpose. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplantation is a promising strategy for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, previous attempts at subretinal RPE cell transplantation have experienced limited success due to poor adhesion, organization, and function on aged or diseased Bruch's membrane. Instead, cell-based strategies may benefit from a synthetic scaffold that mimics the functions of healthy Bruch's membrane to promote the formation of a functional RPE monolayer while maintaining metabolite exchange between the vasculature and outer retina.
Brief report: Search for DNA markers in two autistic males with the fragile X syndrome

Kanner (1943) was the first investigator in the field of infantile autism to suggest a genetic predisposition in children who later developed the symptoms of autism. Family and twin studies of autism have shown that autism is occasionally aggregated in families (reviewed by Folstein & Rutter, 1987). These kinds of studies, however, tell us little about the nature of the genetic defect or defects. A number of recent studies have reported an increased prevalence of the fragile X chromosome in autistic populations. A recent review summarized the results of 10 studies of a total of 594 autistic males and arrived at a mean rate of 8.4~ of autistic males having the fragile site 0tregman, Dykins, Watson, Ort, & Leckman, 1987). The meaning of this association is not clear. However, it has been suggested that when a chromosomal abnormality is associated with a disease, a gene causing the disease may be located within the region of the abnormality. Thus, the association does suggest a discrete region of the genome in which to search
Development of a PCR- and probe-based test for the sensitive and specific detection of the dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, in its mosquito intermediate host.

Abstract The mosquito-borne filarial worm, Dirofilaria immitis , causes heartworm disease in dogs. Detection of this parasite in its mosquito intermediate host currently involves dissection and microscopic examination for larval stages. Although this method is used commonly as a screening tool for epidemiological surveys, it lacks both sensitivity and specificity. In this study, a more efficient PCR- and probe-based diagnostic assay was developed. The target selected for this assay is a segment of the 16 S rRNA gene. The assay specifically detects as little as 10 pg of D. immitis genomic DNA, equivalent to DNA derived from one third stage larva (L 3 ), but does not detect 100 ng (10 000-fold excess) of the purified DNA from several other filarial nematodes, including Dirofilaria striata , Dirofilaria tenuis , Dipetalonema reconditum , Wuchereria bancroftii , Brugia pahangi , B. malayi , Onchocerca volvulus or Loa loa . This assay also detects one L 3 of D. immitis , the minimal biological unit of infection, in a pool of 200 mosquito heads. This assay can serve as a highly specific and sensitive tool for efficiently screening the large numbers of mosquitoes to determine, with statistical validity the seasonal transmission pattern of D. immitis in a locality prior to designing a rational preventive medication program for that parasite.