cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Internal Transitions of Negatively Charged Excitons and Many-Electron Effects in GaAs Quantum Wells

States of charged magnetoexcitons in quasi-two-dimensional systems are investigated. The effect of excess electrons on internal transitions of negatively charged excitons X− in GaAs quantum wells is studied experimentally by optically detected resonance (ODR) spectroscopy and theoretically. An experimentally observed blue shift with excess electron density is explained in terms of collective excitations—magnetoplasmon bound to a mobile valence band hole. A possibility to observe photoluminescence of dark X− states in angle-resolved experiments is also discussed.
On Mesh Stabilization Techniques for Underintegrated Elements

Mesh stabilization techniques for controlling the hourglass modes in underintegrated hexahedral and quadrilateral elements are examined. It is shown, using the Laplace equation as a model, that the “orthogonal” hourglass techniques previously developed can be obtained from simple requirements that ensure that the finite element patch test is also satisfied. By contrast, other hourglass control techniques fail to satisfy the patch test for elements that are not rectangular. These results also apply to certain finite difference methods. The extension of these techniques to solid mechanics problems is also discussed.
Effects of soluble products of activated lymphocytes and macrophages (lymphokines and monokines) on human sperm motion parameters

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of supernatants from activated leukocyte cultures and purified lymphokine and monokine preparations on sperm motion. An automated semen analyzer was used to obtain accurate measurements of several parameters of sperm motion. Supernatants from activated peripheral blood leukocyte cultures significantly decreased sperm motility. In studies of effects of individual lymphokines and monokines, significant anti motility effects were observed when spermatozoa were incubated with the lymphokine γ-interferon and the monokine tumor necrosis factor. Subnormal fertility may result from defective sperm function caused by lymphokines and monokines elaborated by activated lymphocytes and macrophages residing in the reproductive tracts of infertile men and women.
Multimodal therapy for cancer related fatigue in patients with prostate cancer receiving radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy.

10114Background: There are limited studies to evaluate treatments that target causative mechanisms of Cancer-related-fatigue (CRF) using validated tools in a defined population. The objective is to...
Dialectical tensions in the narrative discourse of Donald J. Trump and Pope Francis

Reacting to the impact of Pope Francis and President Donald J. Trump on the world stage, New York Times essayist, Austen Ivereigh, asked the question, “Is Pope Francis the Anti-Trump?” He concluded...
Use of Computer Simulation Modeling to Reduce the Consequences of an Active Shooter Event in a Large Event Venue

Active shooter incidents are a growing concern within the United States. When means of mitigating the risk associated with threats and vulnerabilities are no longer viable, one must look to mitigate the consequences of an active shooter. This paper explored the means of mitigating the risk of a single active shooter incident within a large event venue increasing the number of armed off duty law enforcement officers available to respond to the incident. By running a computer simulation model of a stadium with 4,000 fans, the research group increased the number of armed off duty law enforcement officers and ran the simulation with a single active shooter. The research group then counted the number of fans shoot and graphed the results. The results showed a negative logarithmic relationship between the number of fans shot and the number of off duty law enforcement officers available. The logarithmic graph reached its base of 3 casualties at 38 law enforcement officers, or 0.7% of the total fan population. In a stadium with a seating capacity of 18,000, security would require 120-180 armed off-duty law enforcement officers to adequately mitigate the consequences of a single active shooter.
Lineage does not regulate the connectivity of projection neurons in the mouse olfactory bulb

Abstract Lineage regulates the synaptic connections between neurons in some regions of the invertebrate nervous system. In mammals recent experiments suggest that cell lineage determines the connectivity of pyramidal neurons in the neocortex, but the functional relevance of this phenomenon and whether it occurs in other neuronal types remains controversial. We investigated whether lineage plays a role in the connectivity of mitral and tufted cells, the projection neurons in the mouse olfactory bulb. We used transgenic mice to label neuronal progenitors sparsely and observed that clonally related neurons receive synaptic input from olfactory sensory neurons expressing different olfactory receptors. These results indicate that lineage does not determine the connectivity between olfactory sensory neurons and olfactory bulb projection neurons.
γ-Tocotrienol suppression of the Warburg effect is mediated by AMPK activation in human breast cancer cells.

AbstractCancer cell metabolism is characterized by aerobic glycolysis or the “Warburg effect”. Enhanced Akt signaling is associated with activation of various downstream enzymes involved in the gly...
On the Efficacy of Open Educational Resources: Parametric and Nonparametric Analyses of a University Calculus Class.

Open educational resources (OER), which are free and openly licensed educational materials, have been a widely discussed topic in response to high textbook costs, the need for more pedagogical flexibility, and inequality in access to educational materials. In this study we examine the efficacy of OER through a quantitative analysis of the impact of OER on student final exam performance in a large calculus course. Our dataset affords us a relatively large sample size, allows us to classify students in both treatment and control groups, and includes a variety of covariates that allow us to control for multiple correlated factors. We estimate causal treatment effects using several econometric approaches. Our study adds the following insights into the research on OER efficacy: (i) OER materials do not, in general, lead to any significant change in student final exam performance; and (ii) OER materials have a significantly positive impact on both international students and Pell Grant eligible students.
Antibody-based therapy in acute leukemia - beware the risks.

Antibody-based therapy has started to revolutionize the treatment of acute leukemia. The CD3/CD19 bispecific antibody blinatumomab [1] and inotuzumab ozogamicin (IO), an anti-CD22 antibody conjugat...
NP6 Preliminary Results From the Multi-Pronged Intervention to Increase Secondary Student Participation in School Lunch (MPI)

Objective The National School Lunch Program is a healthy lunch option for students, yet participation is suboptimal and fruit and vegetable waste remains high. The study intervention consisted of adding school-lunch vending machines and mobile carts, school-lunch outreach to teachers, and cafeteria redesigns. The objectives were to determine the impact on school-lunch participation, perceptions and fruit and vegetable consumption. Description This three-year quasi-experimental study included 24 middle and high schools of which half received the intervention and half served as controls. Daily meal participation data were available through electronic point-of-sale records. Student and teacher surveys (20,905 and 1,941, respectively) assessed consumption and perceptions. Mixed effects linear and logistic regression models were used to assess differences between intervention and control groups in outcomes. Evaluation No significant differences in overall lunchtime fruit and vegetable consumption or student lunch participation were observed between control and intervention groups. There was a decrease in participation among teachers at intervention compared to control schools (0.5% difference, P Conclusion and Implications The intervention did not have a positive effect on overall lunchtime fruit and vegetable consumption or lunch participation but had a modest effect on student and teacher perceptions of school-lunch and FRPM student lunch participation. Additional innovations are needed to improve school-lunch participation and student dietary intakes. Funding 2015-68001-23236.
Insolación(es). El sol en las novelas Insolación de Emilia Pardo Bazán (1889) y La insolación de Carmen Laforet (1963)

Carmen Laforet publica la novela La insolacion en 1963 con un titulo que parece ciertamente imitar el titulo ‘Insolacion’, la novella que Emilia Pardo Bazan habia publicado setenta y cuatro anos an...
Construction of an inducible amyloid expression circuit in Bacillus megaterium: A case study with CsgA and TasA

Environmental applications of synthetic biology such as water remediation require engineered strains to function robustly in a fluctuating and potentially hostile environment. The construction of synthetic biofilm formation circuits could potentially alleviate this issue by promoting cell survival. Towards this end, we construct a xylose-inducible system for the expression of the functional amyloids CsgA and TasA in the soil bacterium Bacillus megaterium. We find that although both amyloids are expressed, only TasA is successfully exported from the cells. Furthermore, expression of CsgA results in a significant growth penalty for the cells while expression of TasA does not. Finally, we show that TasA expression conveys a small but detectable increase in cells’ adhesion to nickel beads. These results suggest that TasA is a promising candidate for future work on synthetic biofilm formation in B. megaterium.
Attacking Key Management in Ransomware

Ransomware have observed a steady growth over the years with several concerning trends that indicate efficient, targeted attacks against organizations and individuals alike. These opportunistic attackers indiscriminately target both public and private sector entities to maximize gain. In this article, we highlight the criticality of key management in ransomware's cryptosystem in order to facilitate building effective solutions against this threat. We introduce the ransomware kill chain to elucidate the path our adversaries must take to attain their malicious objective. We examine current solutions presented against ransomware in light of this kill chain and specify which constraints on ransomware are being violated by the existing solutions. Finally, we present the notion of memory attacks against ransomware's key management and present our initial experiments with dynamically extracting decryption keys from real-world ransomware. Results of our preliminary research are promising and the extracted keys were successfully deployed in subsequent data decryption.
Antero-lateral ligament reconstruction improves knee stability alongside anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Recent evidence has found the antero-lateral ligament (ALL) may play a role in stabilizing the knee, but its role in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is controversial. The purpose of the current study is to systematically review and meta-analyze the current evidence in the literature to ascertain whether ACL reconstruction combined with ALL reconstruction affects knee stability, re-rupture rates and patient-reported outcomes compared to ACL reconstructions performed alone. A literature search was performed based on the PRISMA guidelines. Cohort studies comparing ACL + ALL reconstruction and ACL reconstruction alone were included. Six clinical trials (LOE I: I, LOE II: 2, LOE III: 3) with 729 patients were included, with a mean follow-up time of 34.2 (24–54.9) months. There was a significant difference in favor of combined ACL + ALL reconstruction for reduced re-rupture rate (2.4% vs 7.3%, p < 0.01), residual positive pivot shift rate (33.3% vs 11.4%, p < 0.01), and reduced KT-arthrometer evaluation (1.6 vs 2.6, p < 0.01). Combined ACL + ALL reconstruction resulted in improved IKDC scores (92.5 vs 87.8, p < 0.01), Lysholm scores (95.7 vs 91.2, p < 0.01) and Tegner scores (6.7 vs 5.7, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in rate of return to play at the same level (54.3% vs 46.0%, n.s.). The current evidence suggests alongside soft tissue graft ACL reconstruction that concomitant ALL reconstruction improves clinical outcomes, with improved knee stability and lower re-rupture rates. III.
Using Neighboring-Group Participation for Acyclic Stereocontrol in Diastereoselective Substitution Reactions of Acetals

Neighboring-group participation of an ester enabled stereocontrol in substitution reactions of acyclic acetals. The ester group formed a trans-fused dioxolenium ion intermediate, which underwent a ...
Update on the gestational effects of maternal hyperthermia.

Objectives I plan to review the types of defects caused by gestational hyperthermia. Hyperthermia-induced malformations in animals and humans involve many organs and structures, particularly the central nervous system, as well as other defects. The type of defect is related to the timing of the hyperthermic insult, and the underlying mechanisms include cell death, membrane disruption, vascular disruption, and placental infarction. Methods Review of recent epidemiologic studies (2005-2020) has confirmed an association between gestational hyperthermia and birth defects. Results There are strong associations between neural tube defects and maternal fever, and other studies have demonstrated associations between first trimester hyperthermia and an increased risk for cardiovascular defects, oral clefts, isolated congenital ear defects, cataracts, hypospadias, renal anomalies, possibly anorectal malformations, and congenital anomalies in general, suggesting that this association between maternal hyperthermia and birth defects in humans is causal. The first prospective evaluation of maternal fever was reported in 1998, and this study confirmed findings from previous case-control studies and case series regarding the magnitude and duration of elevated maternal body temperature in relation to an increased risk for neural tube defects as well as a specific pattern of malformation. Conclusions The consistency of findings across these different study designs supports the causal nature of the relationship between maternal fever and specific birth defects. This review summarizes the recent human evidence documenting the gestational effects of maternal hyperthermia.
Aerial Flight Paths for Communication: How Participants Perceive and Intend to Respond to Drone Movements

This work has developed an iteratively refined understanding of participants' natural perceptions and responses to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight paths, or gestures. This includes both what they believe the UAV is trying to communicate to them, in addition to how they expect to respond through physical action. Previous work in this area has focused on eliciting gestures from participants to communicate specific states, or leveraging gestures that are observed in the world rather than on understanding what the participants believe is being communicated and how they would respond. This work investigates previous gestures either created or categorized by participants to understand the perceived content of their communication or expected response, through categories created by participant free responses and confirmed through forced choice testing. The human-robot interaction community can leverage this work to better understand how people perceive UAV flight paths, inform future designs for non-anthropomorphic robot communications, and apply lessons learned to elicit informative labels from people who may or may not be operating the vehicle. We found that the Negative Attitudes towards Robots Scale (NARS) can be a good indicator of how we can expect a person to react to a robot. Recommendations are also provided to use motion approaching/retreating from a person to encourage following, perpendicular to their field of view for blocking, and to use either no motion or large altitude changes to encourage viewing.
Increased CFTR expression and function from an optimized lentiviral vector for cystic fibrosis gene therapy.

Despite significant advances in cystic fibrosis (CF) treatments, a one-time treatment for this life-shortening disease remains elusive. Stable complementation of the disease-causing mutation with a normal copy of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene fulfills that goal. Integrating lentiviral vectors are well suited for this purpose, but widespread airway transduction in humans is limited by achievable titers and delivery barriers. Since airway epithelial cells are interconnected through gap junctions, small numbers of cells expressing supraphysiologic levels of CFTR could support sufficient channel function to rescue CF phenotypes. Here, we investigated promoter choice and CFTR codon optimization (coCFTR) as strategies to regulate CFTR expression. We evaluated two promoters—phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) and elongation factor 1-α (EF1α)—that have been safely used in clinical trials. We also compared the wild-type human CFTR sequence to three alternative coCFTR sequences generated by different algorithms. With the use of the CFTR-mediated anion current in primary human CF airway epithelia to quantify channel expression and function, we determined that EF1α produced greater currents than PGK and identified a coCFTR sequence that conferred significantly increased functional CFTR expression. Optimized promoter and CFTR sequences advance lentiviral vectors toward CF gene therapy clinical trials.
Average Measures of Phase and Synchrony in Inhomogeneous Populations of Circadian Oscillators

Abstract Circadian misalignment between the phase of molecular circadian oscillators and the external environment has been linked to adverse health effects, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, and psychiatric disorders. Desynchrony of the circadian clock within populations of oscillators has also been linked to these conditions. For this reason, we wish to develop a control strategy to shift molecular circadian phase while also controlling for population synchrony. Previous work has demonstrated that model predictive control can effectively solve this problem when synchrony is determined directly by measuring the phase of each cell in a homogeneous population. Such cell-specific phase measurements are rarely possible in vivo, and such homogeneity is not biologically plausible. For these reasons, we wish to design an observer that can accurately determine the mean phase of the population and derive a proxy for population synchrony. We show that a model parameterized with the average parameter set of the population can be used to sense phase from mean population expression levels, despite inaccuracies when sensing the phase of a single cell. Similarly, we are able to use the average amplitude of the population in comparison to the amplitude of the average population oscillator as a measure of synchrony within the population. Taken together, these two metrics, based on the average behavior of the cell, allow us to control the phase and synchrony of the population of cellular oscillators without measuring the phase of individual cells.
Mental health needs among parents of children with cancer: A commercial claims data analysis.

e18722Background: Caring for a child diagnosed with cancer may adversely affect mental health (MH) of parents. However, little is known about MH care needs among parents of pediatric cancer patient...
Comparison and predicted equation of energy expenditure during walking or running among Caucasians, African Americans and Asians

Abstract Knowledge of measured energy expenditure (EE) during walking and running is important for exercise prescription. Further, research on the EE comparison and EE predicted equation during walking or running among different ethnicities is limited. The purpose of the current study was to compare EE to walk or run 1 mile in Caucasian, African American and Asian adults and to develop a regression equation to predict EE to walk or run 1 mile. Two hundred and twenty-four participants were included (71 Caucasians, 68 African Americans and 85 Asians) with 3 groups (normal weight walking, overweight walking and running). EE was measured via indirect calorimetry. Analysis of variance was used to compare EE across groups. Multiple regression analysis was employed for EE prediction, and the prediction equation was cross-validated. A significant EE difference was found between walking and running among three ethnicities. The prediction equation was: EE ​= ​0.978 Body Weight – 4.571 Gender (male=1; female=2) ​+ ​3.524 Ethnicities (Caucasians=1, African Americans=2, Asians=3) ​+ ​32.447 (standard error of estimate=12.5 ​kcal·mile−1). The equation was valid through cross-validation, so it is recommended to apply for calculating EE during walking or running 1 mile among Caucasians, African Americans and Asians.
Risk of hospitalization and mortality associated with uncontrolled blood pressure in patients with hypertension and COVID-19.

Objective: The role of uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) in COVID-19 severity among patients with hypertension is unclear. We evaluated the association between uncontrolled BP and the risk of hospitalization and/or mortality in patients with hypertension from a large US integrated healthcare system. Methods: We identified patients with hypertension and a positive RT-PCR test result or a diagnosis of COVID-19 between March 1 - September 1, 2020 from Kaiser Permanente Southern California. BP categories was defined using the most recent outpatient BP measurement during 12 months prior to COVID-19 infection. The primary outcome of interest was all-cause hospitalization or mortality within 30 days from COVID-19 infection. Results: Among 12,548 patients with hypertension and COVID-19 (mean age = 60 years, 47% male), 63% had uncontrolled BP (≥130/80 mm Hg) prior to COVID-19. Twenty-one percent were hospitalized or died within 30 days of COVID-19 infection. Uncontrolled BP was not associated with higher hospitalization or mortality (adjusted rate ratios for BP ≥ 160/100 mm Hg vs < 130/80 mm Hg = 1.00 [95% CI: 0.87, 1.14]; BP 140-159/90-99 mm Hg vs < 130/80 mm Hg = 1.02 [95% CI: 0.93, 1.11]). These findings were consistent across different age groups, treatment for antihypertensive medications, as well as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. Conclusion: Among patients with hypertension, uncontrolled BP prior to COVID-19 infection did not appear to be an important risk factor for 30-day mortality or hospitalization.
SEPARATION OF A SUPERSONIC TURBULENT BOUNDARY LAYER

The separation of a supersonic turbulent boundary layer under the effect of a strong adverse gradient has been studied at M ~ 3 by examining in detail the phenomena of flow over a step and shock-wave boundary-layer interaction. Wall static pressures, total head surveys, and optical techniques, including the use of color Schlieren, were used to provide a model of the separation phenomenon. I t was found tha t : (1) When the separated region is small, the phenomenon appears to be different from when the separated region is large. For small regions the gradients are stronger, and large changes can occur for small changes in the disturbance. (2) Separation at M ~ 3 occurred at a pressure ratio of about 2, about two to three boundary-laj^er thicknesses from the start of the interaction and was unaffected by the flow downstream. (3) A considerable pressure rise occurs after the separation point. The peak pressure ratio of about 2.6 occurs approximately six to eight boundary-layer thicknesses downstream of the start of the interaction. (4) These results, combined with other investigations, indicate an extremely small change of separation pressure ratio with Mach Number. (5) The effect of Reynolds Number on the phenomenon appears to be negligible. (6) The detailed model, showing considerable pressure rise after separation, appears to be susceptible to the type of theoretical treatment proposed by Crocco and Lees. However, more results on mixing rates are needed for its direct application.
Zwitterionic copolymer self-assembly for fouling resistant, high flux membranes with size-based small molecule selectivity

Abstract Membranes that exhibit size-based rejection between small molecules ( −2 h − 1 bar −1 , over three times that of a commercial membrane with similar MWCO. They show size-based selectivity, with a cut-off around 1 nm. This closely matches the size of zwitterionic domains measured by transmission electron microscopy, indicating permeation occurs through these self-assembled “nanochannels.” These membranes show excellent fouling resistance during filtration of protein solutions and oil emulsions, completely resisting irreversible fouling and retaining over 96% of their permeance during filtration. These membranes have potential uses in biomolecule separations, purification of pharmaceuticals, and wastewater treatment.
A Bayesian marine debris detector using existing hydrographic data products

A detection methodology for marine debris presence after a natural disaster is described. The methodology is based both on a predictive model and a Bayesian hierarchical spatial method. The chosen fusion approach relies on auto-logistic regression to weight the outputs of multiple target detection algorithms, as well as to capture the intrinsic processes related to the presence of marine debris. The algorithms are applied to existing hydrographic data products (e.g., bathymetric surfaces, backscatter mosaics). The approach, in active development, is demonstrated and tested both with artificial and real survey data. The scalability of the technique permits its straightforward extension to additional detection algorithms for ad-hoc data products.
Hydroxyurea and radiation therapy in advanced cervical cancer

Abstract A prospective randomized double blind study on women with locally advanced cervical cancer was carried out to evaluate the combination of hydroxyurea and irradiation therapy. The results of the clinical trials are discussed as well as a method for improving similar future studies.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and oncocytoma: comparison of cytomorphologic features.

BACKGROUND Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is a distinct tumor with a prognosis intermediate between renal oncocytoma (RO) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma. To our knowledge the cytologic features of only a limited number of ChRCC have been described to date. A retrospective review of the cytomorphologic features of ChRCC and a comparison with RO was performed. METHODS Fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) of six cases of histopathologically proven ChRCC were reviewed. The material examined was comprised of smears, cytospins, Thin Prep® Pap Test™ preparations, and cell block sections stained with Diff-Quik®, Papanicolaou, and hematoxylin and eosin. Six FNABs of ROs were examined similarly. The cytomorphology of each tumor was studied and particular attention was paid to features differentiating the two entities. RESULTS The characteristic cytomorphologic features of ChRCC (present in all cases) included round/oval, occasionally polygonal, moderately pleomorphic large cells present singly and in small clusters. The abundant cytoplasm was variegated, ranging from dense to flocculent to vacuolated, with prominent cytoplasmic membranes. The nuclei were large and hyperchromatic, with nuclear membrane irregularities and grooves present at least focally. Frequent binucleation was observed. Small nucleoli were present in many cells, but rarely prominent. In contrast, RO showed large cells with homogenous granular cytoplasm. The nuclei showed minimal to no nuclear membrane irregularities, tiny nucleoli, mild pleomorphism, and only an occasional large, more hyperchromatic nucleus was observed. CONCLUSIONS ChRCC has a distinct combination of cytomorphologic features. Careful attention to cytoplasmic and nuclear features allows for the distinction between ChRCC and RO in cytologic preparations. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 1999;87:161–7. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
Defect Structure and n-Type Electrical Properties of SrCe0.95Eu0.05 O 3 − δ

The effect of defect structure on the electrical conductivity for Eu-doped SrCeO 3 was studied in a reducing range of P H 2 , P H 2 O , P O 2 . A defect model was derived and verified by computational simulation against bothelectrical conductivity data and Brouwer-type defect equilibria. At higher temperatures, part of the conductivity was due to oxygen vacancies and electrons. At low temperature, protonic conduction dominated. The measured total conductivity is proportional to P - 1 / 8 O 2 in the temperature range of 650-750°C, and to P - 1 / 6 O 2 at 800°C in wet atmospheres, because of a transition from ionic- to electronic-dominant conduction. The results agree with a derived defect model based on the equilibrium equation for the valence change of Eu ions between trivalent and divalent.
Receptors on immunocompetent cells: I. Receptor specificity of cells participating in a cellular immune response

Abstract The specificity of antigen-binding receptors possessed by lymphoid cells mediating a cellular immune response, the stimulation of DNA synthesis by antigen, was directly evaluated by a cellular immunoadsorbent technique. Lymphoid cells from guinea pigs immune to 2,4-dinitrophenyl-guinea pig albumin (DNP-GPA) were mixed with agarose beads to which either DNP-GPA, DNP-bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA) or DNP-lysine had been covalently linked. The cell population which responds to antigen with DNA synthesis was adsorbed only by DNP-GPA agarose and not by either DNP-BSA agarose or DNP-lysine agarose. Furthermore, the cells could distinguish between haptenic groupings, as shown by the fact that DNP-GPA agarose preferentially depleted the DNP-GPA response of trinitrophenyl (TNP)-GPA immune cells; similarly, TNP-GPA agarose preferentially depleted the DNA synthetic response to TNP-GPA of DNP-GPA cells. On the other hand, cells from animals immunized with DNP-GPA which were actively producing anti-DNP antibody, as measured by incorporation of tritiated leucine into newly synthesized antibody, were adsorbed equally well by DNP-GPA agarose, DNP-BSA agarose, and DNP-lysine agarose. The results obtained show that cells specifically participating in a cellular immune response bear a receptor with a complex specificity pattern, appreciating elements of both hapten and carrier. Furthermore, when guinea pigs are immunized to both DNP-GPA and to KLH, the DNP-GPA receptors are on different cells than are the KLH receptors.
Superconductivity. Geometry spawns vortices.

The properties of superconductors can be affected by their shape. This effect is increasingly noticeable as the size of the superconductor decreases.
Paraffin Plombage of the Chest Revisited

Complications related to previous thoracic plombage procedures are not uncommon. The management of these complications can be challenging. We present a patient who had a partial resection of the left upper lobe, a seven-rib thoracoplasty, and paraffin wax plombage 38 years previously, in whom a chest wall mass and a discharging sinus developed. She underwent excision and debridement of the paraffin wax mass followed by serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi pedicled muscle intrathoracic transposition. Follow-up at 2 years revealed excellent cosmetic and functional results.
Overexpression of [delta]-Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Synthetase Increases Proline Production and Confers Osmotolerance in Transgenic Plants

Proline (Pro) accumulation has been correlated with tolerance to drought and salinity stresses in plants. Therefore, overproduction of Pro in plants may lead to increased tolerance against these abiotic stresses. To test this possibility, we overexpressed in tobacco the mothbean [delta]-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, a bifunctional enzyme able to catalyze the conversion of glutamate to [delta]-pyrroline-5-carboxylate, which is then reduced to Pro. The transgenic plants produced a high level of the enzyme and synthesized 10- to 18-fold more Pro than control plants. These results suggest that activity of the first enzyme of the pathway is the rate-limiting factor in Pro synthesis. Exogenous supply of nitrogen further enhanced Pro production. The osmotic potentials of leaf sap from transgenic plants were less decreased under water-stress conditions compared to those of control plants. Overproduction of Pro also enhanced root biomass and flower development in transgenic plants under drought-stress conditions. These data demonstrated that Pro acts as an osmoprotectant and that overproduction of Pro results in the increased tolerance to osmotic stress in plants.
Patients’ satisfaction with complete dentures: an update.

Population aging is a worldwide phenomenon and, even though there is a downward trend in edentulism, the need for complete dentures is not likely to decrease in the near future. Furthermore, patients’ satisfaction with their dentures is fundamental to improving oral health-related quality of life among edentulous individuals. Considering this, a search was performed for literature since 2001 on the factors that may influence patient satisfaction with complete dentures. Many factors were reported that related to technique, patient, and dentist, as well as their likelihood of influencing patient satisfaction. The factors presenting reasonable evidence of influencing patient satisfaction are the kind of therapy chosen (implant-retained overdentures rated more favorably than conventional dentures); patient personality and psychological factors; patient oral conditions; patient perception of the dentist and dental care; and patient-dentist communication issues. Several other factors that may influence patient satisfaction were not addressed in the recent literature or presented contradicting results, highlighting the need for more research in this topic.
Enhanced caveolin-1 expression in smooth muscle cells: Possible prelude to neointima formation

AIM: To study the genesis of neointima formation in pulmonary hypertension (PH), we investigated the role of caveolin-1 and related proteins. METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were given monocrotaline (M, 40 mg/kg) or subjected to hypobaric hypoxia (H) to induce PH. Another group was given M and subjected to H to accelerate the disease process (M + H). Right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, lung histology for medial hypertrophy and the presence of neointimal lesions were examined at 2 and 4 wk. The expression of caveolin-1 and its regulatory protein peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, caveolin-2, proliferative and anti-apoptotic factors (PY-STAT3, p-Erk, Bcl-xL), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and heat shock protein (HSP) 90 in the lungs were analyzed, and the results from M + H group were compared with the controls, M and H groups. Double immunofluorescence technique was used to identify the localization of caveolin-1 in pulmonary arteries in rat lungs and in human PH lung tissue. RESULTS: In the M + H group, PH was more severe compared with M or H group. In the 4 wk M+H group, several arteries with reduced caveolin-1 expression in endothelial layer coupled with an increased expression in smooth muscle cells (SMC), exhibited neointimal lesions. Neointima was present only in the arteries exhibiting enhanced caveolin-1 expression in SMC. Lung tissue obtained from patients with PH also revealed neointimal lesions only in the arteries exhibiting endothelial caveolin-1 loss accompanied by an increased caveolin-1 expression in SMC. Reduction in eNOS and HSP90 expression was present in the M groups (2 and 4 wk), but not in the M + H groups. In both M groups and in the M + H group at 2 wk, endothelial caveolin-1 loss was accompanied by an increase in PPARγ expression. In the M + H group at 4 wk, increase in caveolin-1 expression was accompanied by a reduction in the PPARγ expression. In the H group, there was neither a loss of endothelial caveolin-1, eNOS or HSP90, nor an increase in SMC caveolin-1 expression; or any alteration in PPARγ expression. Proliferative pathways were activated in all experimental groups. CONCLUSION: Enhanced caveolin-1 expression in SMC follows extensive endothelial caveolin-1 loss with subsequent neointima formation. Increased caveolin-1 expression in SMC, thus, may be a prelude to neointima formation.
Gas/Aerosol Chemical Reactions in the NaOH-SO2-H2O System:

The hydrolysis of a solid NaOH microparticle in humid nitrogen and the chemical reaction between the resulting NaOH solution microdroplet and SO2 gas have been studied with the use of elastic and inelastic (Raman) light scattering. A single solid NaOH particle was levitated electrodynamically in a reaction chamber and exposed to water vapor. After hydrolysis/deliquescence, the resulting solution droplet was exposed to SO2 gas. Raman spectra and elastic resonance spectra collected during the reactions indicate that low SO2 concentrations in the gas phase yield NaHSO3 while high SO2 concentrations result in NaSO3 as the product. These results indicate that the reversibility of the key reactions becomes important when the SO2 concentration is low.
Non-traditionally derived CTL epitopes: exceptions that prove the rules?

Abstract Recent data indicate that cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes in viral, tumor and model systems are encoded by non-primary open reading frame (ORF) sequences, as well as other non-traditional sources. Here, Shawn-Marie Mayrand and William Green review these findings and discuss whether these non-traditionally derived CTL epitopes influence the shaping of the T-cell repertoire and immune regulation.
Surface states and chiral symmetry on the lattice.

In a Hamiltonian formalism we study chiral symmetry for lattice fermions formulated in terms of Shockley surface states bound to a wall in an extra spatial dimension. For hadronic physics this provides a natural scheme for taking quark masses to zero without requiring a precise tuning of parameters. We illustrate the chiral anomaly as a flow of states in this extra dimension. We discuss two alternatives for extending the picture to a chiral coupling of gauge fields to such fermions: one with a small explicit breaking of gauge symmetry and one with heavy mirror fermions.
A DEVICE FOR EVALUATING MELT/FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF CHEESES

A device to objectively measure the melt/flow behavior of cheeses at different temperatures was built consisting of a temperature-controlled heater, an LVDT (linear variable differential transformer), and a personal computer with a data acquisition system. This device, named UW Meltmeter, operates in the lubricated squeeze-flow configuration and can be used either alone at a constant force or in conjunction with a universal testing machine at a constant deformation rate. A marker technique was used to verify the shear-free squeezing flow assumption. The flow of Mozzarella cheeses with 14 and 43% fat content was studied at 40 and 60C under constant force (0.7 and 0.9 N) and constant cross-head speed (0.5 and 2.5 cm/min). Biaxial extensional strain rate and biaxial stress growth coefficient were calculated. The results supported the expected trend of increased meltability at higher fat levels and at higher temperatures.
Increased circulating atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) release during induced ventricular tachycardia.

Abstract During sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), there is usually a rise in mean atrial pressure. Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a peptide released by the atria in response to increased atrial pressure or distension. ANF causes arterial vasodilation and natriuresis in man, and may contribute to the polyuria noted during tachycardia. We hypothesized that induction of sustained VT would cause elevation of right atrial pressure and lead to increased release of ANF. We measured mean arterial pressure, right atrial pressure, VT cycle length, atrial cycle length, plasma norepinephrine, and central ANF in 11 patients during 20 episodes of VT. The mean cycle length of induced tachycardia was 335 ± 15 msec, with a mean atrial cycle length of 547 ± 43 msec. Baseline plasma ANF was 70 ± 11 femtomoles per milliliter and increased to 133 ± 22 fmol/ml ( p p
Developmental changes in antioxidant metabolites, enzymes, and pigments in fruit exocarp of four tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) genotypes: β-carotene, high pigment-1, ripening inhibitor, and ‘Rutgers’

In surface cell layers of fleshy fruit, antioxidants must limit photooxidative reactions that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in high light. Our objective was to measure changes in the concentrations of antioxidant metabolites and pigments, and the activities of enzymes of the Mehler-peroxidase, ascorbate-glutathione cycle in fruit exocarp tissue under non-stress conditions of the following fruit-specific tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.=Solanum lycopersicum) mutants and their parent: (1) beta-carotene (B), (2) high pigment (hp-1), (3) ripening inhibitor (rin), and (4) the nearly isogenic wild-type 'Rutgers'. Developmental variables included days after anthesis (DAA) and fruit surface color. The highest total ascorbic acid (AsA) concentration was in the exocarp of immature green fruit of hp-1, being 32% higher than 'Rutgers'. The hp-1 mutant also had the highest chlorophyll and total carotenoid concentrations, comprised mostly of lycopene in red ripe fruit; whereas, beta-carotene comprised 90% of the carotenoids in B. Although enzyme activities varied within genotype, they generally increased with development, then decreased as fruit maturity was reached, being coupled with AsA and glutathione (GSH) concentrations. In all mutants, dark-green (DG) exocarp had more chlorophyll and protein, higher concentrations of reduced AsA and GSH, and usually lower enzyme activities than light-green (LG) exocarp taken from the same fruit.
New England Journalist: Highlights in the Newspaper Career of Charles H. Dow

A major accomplishment sometimes overshadows the background that made accomplishment possible. The creator of Wall Street's most famous investment formula was, in fact, a journalist and entrepreneur of note. His total contribution to the financial community was far larger than the theory for which he is remembered today.
Circadian Variation of Plasma Catecholamines in Young and Old Men: Relation to Rapid Eye Movement and Slow Wave Sleep

Young and old healthy subjects with indwelling venous cannulae were found to undergo significant diurnal variations in plasma catecholamine levels. Both norepinephrine and epinephrine levels peaked in late morning and reached lowest values at night during sleep. Catecholamine levels were similar during slow wave and rapid eye movement sleep. While epinephrine levels were unaffected by age, norepinephrine levels were greater in older subjects by 28‰ during the day (at 1100 h; P < 0.01) and by 75‰ at night (between 2200-0900 h; P < 0.01). Older subjects slept less well; they had 90‰ less stage 4 sleep, 27‰ less rapid eye movement sleep, and twice as much wakefulness at night (P < 0.05). These findings raise the possibility that this well known age effect on sleep may be related to increased sympathetic nervous system activity.
Pulsed-gas glow discharge for ultrahigh mass resolution measurements with fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

A new pulsed-gas glow discharge (GD) source has been developed for use with an external ion source Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer. With pulsed argon gas introduction into the GD source, the gas load and pressure in the mass analyzer region were greatly reduced; this resulted in improved mass resolution. Mass resolution of greater than 1 450 000 (fwhm) has been achieved for Cu+ ions from a brass sample, the highest reported for any type of GD mass spectrometer. The pulsed-gas GD source promises analytical usefulness for ultrahigh resolution measurements in GD mass spectrometry.
Structure and orientation of extracellular matrix in developing chick optic tectum

The mechanisms underlying directed axonal movement in the developing central nervous system are largely unknown. Histochemical methods for transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the surface of the developing optic tectum in the chick embryo at the time of optic fiber ingrowth. A highly structured extracellular matrix consisting of fibrillar and granular components was seen in normal and in uninnervated specimens that had been fixed in solutions containing the cationic dyes Alcian blue, ruthenium red, or safranin O. The strong affinity of these stains for glycosaminoglycans suggests that the matrix contains such macromolecular aggregates. With routine fixation methods the matrix was not seen, but empty extracellular spaces were apparent. The tectal matrix was particularly prominent ahead of the growing front of optic fibers. Its location was thus appropriate for interacting with pioneering axons that cross the surface of the developing tectum along its anteriorposterior axis. Matrix fibrils were organized in a stacked alignment predominantly parallel to the tectal surface, but otherwise their orientation appeared random. The matrix possibly bears on the guidance of optic fibers. However, its geometry suggests that this may involve a mechanism more specific than mechanical contact guidance.
Phytoestrogens activate estrogen receptor β1 and estrogenic responses in human breast and bone cancer cell lines

Plant-derived phytoestrogens and estrogens in hormone replacement therapies have overlapping yet sometimes divergent effects on the incidence of breast cancer and osteoporosis. Using human MCF-7 breast carcinoma and G-292 osteosarcoma cell lines, it was investigated whether the phytoestrogens genistein and daidzein affect reporter gene transcription via the estrogen receptors (ERs) ERalpha and ERbeta1 as well as whether they affect the expression of estrogen-responsive genes in MCF-7 cells and the secretion of the cytokine IL-6 from G-292 cells. The results showed that genistein and daidzein potently trigger transactivation with ERbeta1 from estrogen response element-reporter genes (EC50s of 1.7-16 nM) although they were 400- to 600-fold less potent than 17beta-estradiol (E2) (EC50 of 0.02-0.04 nM). E2 was the only potent activator of ERalpha (EC50 of 0.1-0.4 nM). The rank order potency (E2 > genistein > daidzein) is maintained in MCF-7 cells as well as G-292 cells with both receptor subtypes, with a strong receptor selectivity of the phytoestrogens for ERbeta1 over ERalpha. Genistein and daidzein increased the expression of estrogen-responsive genes in MCF-7 cells. Daidzein, like E2, inhibited IL-1beta- and hormone-mediated IL-6 secretion from G-292 cells. The results provide a basis for understanding how dietary phytoestrogens protect bone without increasing the risks for breast cancer.
What is argument for? An adaptationist approach to argument and debate

A consideration of selection pressures on the psychology of argument suggests that fixing the truth value of claims is not the primary criterion for argument generation or evaluation. Instead, argument psychology is designed to change representations in other minds as a way to negotiate conflicts of interest and as a way to signal social coordination.