cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prostate-specific antigen doubling times in patients who have failed radical prostatectomy: correlation with histologic characteristics of the primary cancer.

Abstract Objectives This study sought to characterize the postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time and time to biochemical recurrence in patients who have failed radical prostatectomy. Methods Of 539 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1984 and 1992, postoperative PSA levels in 80 initially became undetectable (less than 0.07 ng/mL) before eventually increasing, as evidenced by rising PSA levels above the residual cancer detection limit of the Tosoh AIA-600 immunoassay run in the ultrasensitive mode (ie, 0.07 ng/mL or higher). The PSA doubling time and time to biochemical recurrence were calculated for each of the 80 patients and were correlated with the histopathologic variables from the operative specimen. Results Postoperative PSA doubling times were predicted by the extent of capsular penetration, percent Gleason grade 4 or 5, lymph node involvement, and tumor volume on univariate analysis and by capsular penetration, percent Gleason grade 4 or 5, lymph node involvement, and patient age on multivariate analysis. Times to recurrence were predicted by the presence of positive margins and percent Gleason grade 4 or 5 in both univariate and multivariate regression models. The PSA doubling time did not correlate with recurrence time. The median PSA doubling time for all patients was 284 days, and the median time to recurrence was 648 days. Conclusions These results demonstrate that PSA doubling time and recurrence time are indicative of different biologic characteristics of recurrent prostate cancer: Doubling time appears to represent the aggressiveness of the original prostate cancer, whereas time to recurrence reflects the extent of residual postoperative disease. This information should aid in the selection of men who need greater vigilance during postoperative surveillance.
Evaluation of heart malformations in B6C3F1 mouse fetuses induced by in utero exposure to methyl chloride

C57BL/6 female mice impregnated by C3H males mice to produce B6C3F1 fetuses were exposed daily for six hr to atmospheres containing 0, 250, 500, or 750 ppm methyl chloride, from gestation day 6 to gestation day 18. There were 74 to 77 females with copulation plugs per exposure concentration. Females exposed to 750 ppm ethyl chloride exhibited ataxia commencing on the seventh day of exposure (gestation day 12). They also showed hypersensitivity to touch or sound, tremors and convulsions. Six females in the 750 ppm group died and one was euthanized in extremis prior to scheduled sacrifice. On gestation day 18, all other females were euthanized for evaluation. Only dams exposed to 750 ppm exhibited significant decrease in body weight by gestation day 18, weight gain during the gestation period, and absolute weight gain (weight gain minus gravid uterine weight) versus controls. There were no treatment related-effects on these parameters in the other exposure groups. None of the groups exhibited exposure-related differences in pregnancy rate, gravid uterine weight, or maternal liver weight. There were no differences in the numbers of implantations, resorption, dead fetuses, nonlive (dead plus resorbed) fetuses, live fetuses, sex-ratio, or mean fetal body weight per litter. There was a significant exposure-related increase in the number and percentage of affected (nonlive plus malformed) fetuses per litter with the incidence of affected fetuses in the 750 ppm group significantly higher than controls. There was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of heart defects in the 500 and 750 ppm group relative to controls. Of the 37 fetuses in the study with heart defects, 23 were females, 14 were males. The heart defects observed included: absent or abnormal tricuspid valve, reduced number of papillary muscles and/or chordae tendineae on the right side, small right ventricle, globular heart, and white spots in the left ventricular wall. Multiple malformations were observed in one fetus from the 500 ppm group and in three fetuses in the 750 ppm group. It is concluded that methyl chloride inhalation exposure to pregnant C57BL/6 mice from gestation day 6 through gestation day 17 resulted in maternal toxicity only at the 750 ppm exposure concentration and was teratogenic to B6C3F1 conceptuses at exposure concentrations of 750 and 500 ppm, leading to fetal heart malformations. No evidence of embryo or fetotoxicity other than teratogenicity was seen at any of the exposure concentrations employed. No maternal, embryo or fetotoxicity or teratogenicity was associated with exposure of mice, during critical periods of embryo and fetal development, to 250 ppm of methyl chloride.
Volvulus of small intestine

Abstract A study has been made of 34 patients on whom 37 operations were performed for volvulus of the small intestine. The etiologic factors were most frequently found to be peritoneal adhesions and congenital anomalies. In about half the cases signs of intestinal obstruction were present without interference with the circulation. The clinical symptoms were mostly those of intestinal obstruction and no characteristic syndrome was found. Treatment is surgical and consists of detorsion and removal of the predisposing cause or, if necessary, resection of the bowel. There seems to be a definite predisposition, in some cases, toward intestinal obstruction caused by twisting or kinking of the small intestine as a result of peritoneal adhesions.
Social marking and the mental coloring of identity: Sexual identity construction and maintenance in the United States

This article theoretically develops the concepts of social markingand mental coloringas processes in assigning and maintaining other-defined sexual identities in the United States. While most studies of sexual identity focus exclusively on sexual orientation as the foundation for identity construction, I demonstrate that contemporary sexual identities are formed along six hierarchically arranged dimensions represented as continuums. These dimensions include (1) quantity of sex, (2) timing of sex, (3) level of perceived enjoyment, (4) degree of consent, (5) orientation, and (6) social value of agents. Along these dimensions, the social marking process is used to construct discrete identities at each extreme. Social marking is a rigid, asymmetrical classification process that accents one side of a contrast as unnatural, thereby tacitly naturalizing the unmarked side. Mental coloring intensifies the rigid contrast by figuratively painting all members of the marked category under a single stereotypical image. I introduce two ideal-typical classification conventions for assigning marked identities: the mental one-drop ruleand the mental entire-ocean rule.These conventions maintain the rigidity of the marking process by preventing identity categories from overlapping. I conclude that the cognitive sociological processes outlined in this article are generalizable to the broader study of identity constructions. Ultimately the social marking of identity legitimates unequal treatment of marked categories by creating the illusion that they are less natural than the unmarked.
Using student performance predictions in a computer science curriculum

Professors often develop anecdotal guidelines about how each student's past performance in their academic major relates to their performance in later courses. While these guidelines can be useful, a more formal statistical analysis of these relationships can provide valuable insight into predicted student performance, which can help professors guide their students to focus on potential areas of difficulty. In addition, such analyses can identify which courses are key indicators of later performance in the major. This additional insight into the relationships between the courses in the curriculum can help professors implement curriculum changes and measure the effects of those changes. In this paper, we present the results of such an analysis for computer science majors at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding a novel fatty acid binding protein from rat brain

We have adopted a polymerase chain reaction approach to identify and clone a cDNA that contains the complete coding sequence of a novel fatty acid binding protein (FABP) from a rat brain lambda gt10 library. Sequencing of the brain FABP (B-FABP) cDNA revealed an open reading frame coding for a protein with 132 amino acids and a predicted size of approximately 15,000 Da. This putative protein shares extensive sequence homology with other members of the FABP family. Northern blot analysis using the B-FABP cDNA as a probe established the presence of an abundant mRNA approximately 0.8 kb long in rat brain and in the MOCH-1 oligodendrocyte cell line. This transcript was also present in rat liver but not in other tissues examined. A developmental profile of this mRNA in rat brain demonstrated detectable expression in 15-day-old embryos with levels peaking in 1-day postnatal neonates and declining thereafter, reaching a low steady-state level at 3 weeks of age. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed B-FABP mRNA in various brain regions, with the highest levels in fiber tracts. The B-FABP message was also detected at a lower level in several gray matter regions. The cloning approach used in this study would likely be useful in the identification and isolation of FABP-encoding genes from other tissues and species.
Comparison of a carboxypeptidase E-like enzyme in human, bovine, mouse, Xenopus, shark and Aplysia neural tissue

Several diverse species contain an enzyme with many properties in common with those of bovine carboxypeptidase E (CPE), a neuropeptide processing carboxypeptidase B-like enzyme. This enzyme has been designated EC 3.4.17.10, and is also known as enkephalin convertase and carboxypeptidase H. All tissues that are known to contain bioactive peptides also contain CPE-like enzymatic activity. In Xenopus laevis, enzyme activity is highest in the brain and pituitary, lower in the skin, and undetectable in liver and gut. In Aplysia californica, enzyme activity is highest in the atrial gland, but is also present in moderate amounts in the various neural tissue. CPE extracted from human, bovine, mouse, Xenopus, shark, and Aplysia neural tissue is substantially purified using substrate affinity chromatography and concanavalin A sepharose columns. The partially purified enzyme from all species examined possess very similar enzymatic properties. These properties include a pH optimum of 5.6, a stimulation by cobalt chloride, and an inhibition by chelating agents (1,10-phenanthroline). Arginine-derived active site-directed inhibitors show similar inhibition constants (Ki's) towards enzyme from the various species, whereas lysine-derived inhibitors are substantially less potent towards the Aplysia carboxypeptidase than towards enzyme isolated from the other species. The similar properties of the carboxypeptidase isolated from the various species suggests that a CPE-like is involved in the biosynthesis of many peptide neurotransmitters and hormones in a wide range of organisms.
Viscosity, packing density and optical properties of pigment blends

Abstract The effect of blending particles of different size and shape on the viscosity of aqueous suspensions has been evaluated using polystyrene spheres (plastic pigment) and plate-like clay particles. At high solids content a minimum viscosity is observed in mixtures of like particles differing in size but not in mixtures of unlike particles. The viscosity of blends is closely related to the packing density of particles as inferred from the critical solids volume concentration and the porosity of dry coatings formed from the blends. The variation in light-scattering efficiency of the coating is also related to changes in the void structure of dry coatings formed from blends.
Vocal Fry as a Phonational Register

The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis that vocal fry is a separate phonational register: specifically, whether or not the range of fundamental frequencies associated with vocal fr...
Scram1 is a modifier of spinal cord resistance for astrocytoma on mouse Chr 5

Tumor location can profoundly affect morbidity and patient prognosis, even for the same tumor type. Very little is known about whether tumor location is determined stochastically or whether genetic risk factors can affect where tumors arise within an organ system. We have taken advantage of the Nf1−/+;Trp53−/+cis mouse model of astrocytoma/glioblastoma to map genetic loci affecting whether astrocytomas are found in the spinal cord. We identify a locus on distal Chr 5, termed Scram1 for spinal cord resistance to astrocytoma modifier 1, with a LOD score of 5.0 and a genome-wide significance of P < 0.004. Mice heterozygous for C57BL/6J×129S4/SvJae at this locus show less astrocytoma in the spinal cord compared to 129S4/SvJae homozygous mice, although we have shown previously that 129S4/SvJae mice are more resistant to astrocytoma than C57BL/6J. Furthermore, the astrocytomas that are found in the spinal cord of Scram1 heterozygous mice arise in older mice. Because spinal cord astrocytomas are very rare and difficult to treat, a better understanding of the genetic factors that govern astrocytoma in the spine may lead to new targets of therapy or prevention.
Transfusion-associated AIDS: serologic evidence of human T-cell leukemia virus infection of donors

An assay for antibodies to membrane antigens of cells infected by human T-cell leukemia virus was used to examine serum from persons who donated blood to 12 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) associated with blood transfusions. The occurrence of positive results in the assay was significantly greater among donors to the AIDS patients (9 of 117; 7.7 percent) than among random donors (1 of 298; 0.3 percent). Of 12 sets of donors examined, 9 sets included a donor whose serum gave positive results for the presence of the antibodies. In six of these nine sets, the seropositive donor was an individual who was also identified as a possible source of AIDS transmission when epidemiologic and immunologic criteria were used.
First-Principles Investigation of Phase Stability in the O2-LiCoO2 System

A first-principles investigation of the phase stability in the O2-LiCoO2 system is performed to better understand the unusual layered phases obtained upon Li deintercalation (i.e., T#2 and O6). Fir...
miR‐21: a small multi‐faceted RNA

More than 1000 microRNAs (miRNAs) are expressed in human cells, some tissue or cell type specific, others considered as house-keeping molecules. Functions and direct mRNA targets for some miRNAs have been relatively well studied over the last years. Every miRNA potentially regulates the expression of numerous protein-coding genes (tens to hundreds), but it has become increasingly clear that not all miRNAs are equally important; diverse high-throughput screenings of various systems have identified a limited number of key functional miRNAs over and over again. Particular miRNAs emerge as principal regulators that control major cell functions in various physiological and pathophysiological settings. Since its identification 3 years ago as the miRNA most commonly and strongly up-regulated in human brain tumour glioblastoma [1], miR-21 has attracted the attention of researchers in various fields, such as development, oncology, stem cell biology and aging, becoming one of the most studied miRNAs, along with let-7, miR-17–92 cluster (‘oncomir-1’), miR-155 and a few others. However, an miR-21 knockout mouse has not yet been generated, and the data about miR-21 functions in normal cells are still very limited. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge of miR-21 functions in human disease, with an emphasis on its regulation, oncogenic role, targets in human cancers, potential as a disease biomarker and novel therapeutic target in oncology.
Mammalian sperm-egg interaction: Identification of a glycoprotein in mouse egg zonae pellucidae possessing receptor activity for sperm

Abstract Sperm-egg interaction in mammals is initiated by binding of sperm to the zona pellucida, an acellular coat completely surrounding the plasma membrane of unfertilized eggs. Zonae pellucidae of mouse eggs are composed of three different glycoproteins, designated ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3, having apparent molecular weights of 200,000, 120,000 and 83,000, respectively (Bleil and Wassarman, 1978, 1980a, 1980b). In this investigation, ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 were purified from zonae pellucidae isolated individually from unfertilized mouse eggs and 2-cell embryos. Each of the glycoproteins was then tested for its ability to interfere with the binding of sperm to eggs in vitro. Solubilized zonae pellucidae isolated from unfertilized eggs, but not from 2-cell embryos, reduced binding of sperm to as little as 10% of control values. Similarly, ZP3 purified from zonae pellucidae of unfertilized eggs reduced the binding of sperm to eggs in vitro to an extent comparable to that observed with solubilized zonae pellucidae. On the other hand, ZP3 purified from zonae pellucidae of 2-cell embryos had no significant effect on the extent of sperm binding, consistent with the inability of solubilized zonae pellucidae from 2-cell embryos to affect sperm binding. In no case did purified ZP1 and ZP2 interfere significantly with the binding of sperm to eggs in vitro. These results suggest that ZP3 possesses the receptor activity responsible for the binding of sperm to zonae pellucidae of unfertilized mouse eggs. Fertilization apparently results in modification of ZP3 such that it can no longer serve as a receptor for sperm.
In Situ Cure Monitoring of an Out-of-Autoclave Prepreg: Effects of out-time on viscosity, gelation and vitrification

Abstract The cutting, lay-up and bagging of out-of-autoclave (OOA) prepregs for composite part fabrication can take from several days to weeks, depending on the desired part size. This period of ambient temperature “out-time” induces resin polymerization/cross-linking, and affects critical physicochemical phenomena such as minimum viscosity, gelation, and vitrification. Therefore, the capability to monitor out-time at ambient conditions and to understand its influence on key resin properties is valuable to minimize waste and increase efficiency. In this study, the dielectric properties of out-of-autoclave (OOA) carbon/epoxy prepreg aged from 0 to 7 weeks are investigated. The measured dielectric data is used to develop an in-situ out-time monitoring method at ambient condition. Furthermore, the effects of out-time and out-life on critical physicochemical parameters are identified.
Intractable Nausea and Vomiting Due to Gastrointestinal Mucosal Metastases Relieved by Tetrahydrocannabinol (Dronabinol)

Abstract Four years following resection of a Clark's level IV malignant melanoma, a 50-year-old man developed widespread metastatic disease involving the liver, bones, brain, gastrointestinal mucosa, and lungs. One week after whole brain radiation therapy, he was admitted to the hospital for nausea, vomiting, and pain. He was treated with several antiemetic drugs, but it was not until dronabinol was added that the nausea and vomiting stopped. Dronabinol was an effective antiemetic used in combination with prochlorperazine in nausea and vomiting unresponsive to conventional antiemetics.
Sharp-edged vs. diffuse illusory circles: The effects of varying luminance

As had been found previously, one experiment demonstrated that reducing the luminance of a pattern that induced an abrupt-edged illusory figure increased mean ratings of that illusory effect. More importantly, the same result had not been found for a pattern that induced a diffuse illusory figure; in fact, a second experiment with such patterns produced a reliable tendency in the opposite direction. These results are at variance with the suggestion that an abrupt-edged illusory effect involves merely a minor variation in the boundary definition of a diffuse illusory lightness effect.
Iterative characterizations of Boolean algebras

Abstract We provide two characterizations of bounded lattices which can be embedded into Boolean algebras based on the iterative properties of algebraic functions over lattices. Such properties are significant from a technical point of view, being related to the synthesis of cascades of switching elements ([2], [3]).
Clinical validation of a novel speckle-tracking-based ejection fraction assessment method.

Background The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility, accuracy, and reproducibility of a novel tracking-based echocardiographic ejection fraction (EF) assessment method in comparison with traditional methods based on magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography. Methods In a prospective assessment, apical echocardiographic grayscale image loops from 81 patients were read in random order by four experienced readers, blinded to any data of the cases. In three separate sessions, EFs were estimated using biplane tracking-based assessment and according to the modified Simpson's rule, as well as by visual interpretation in three apical views. Data were compared with a reference EF derived from echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Results On average, no significant difference was found between EF estimates of the different methods. Tracking-based EF assessments were possible in 90% of the patients. Tracking-based EF assessments showed slightly higher deviations from the reference EF than the modified Simpson's rule, while interobserver and intraobserver variability of tracking-based assessment were significantly better. Visual interpretation allowed the fastest EF assessment. Tracking-based EF assessment was approximately twice as fast as the modified Simpson's rule. Conclusions Tracking-based EF assessment is feasible, has lower interobserver and intraobserver variability, and is faster than traditional echocardiographic EF quantification. Its minimal demand on user interaction makes it a favorable alternative to traditional echocardiographic approaches, with a particular clinical advantage when reliable follow-up measurements are needed.
Robust increases in severe thunderstorm environments in response to greenhouse forcing

Although severe thunderstorms are one of the primary causes of catastrophic loss in the United States, their response to elevated greenhouse forcing has remained a prominent source of uncertainty for climate change impacts assessment. We find that the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, Phase 5, global climate model ensemble indicates robust increases in the occurrence of severe thunderstorm environments over the eastern United States in response to further global warming. For spring and autumn, these robust increases emerge before mean global warming of 2 °C above the preindustrial baseline. We also find that days with high convective available potential energy (CAPE) and strong low-level wind shear increase in occurrence, suggesting an increasing likelihood of atmospheric conditions that contribute to the most severe events, including tornadoes. In contrast, whereas expected decreases in mean wind shear have been used to argue for a negative influence of global warming on severe thunderstorms, we find that decreases in shear are in fact concentrated in days with low CAPE and therefore do not decrease the total occurrence of severe environments. Further, we find that the shift toward high CAPE is most concentrated in days with low convective inhibition, increasing the occurrence of high-CAPE/low-convective inhibition days. The fact that the projected increases in severe environments are robust across a suite of climate models, emerge in response to relatively moderate global warming, and result from robust physical changes suggests that continued increases in greenhouse forcing are likely to increase severe thunderstorm occurrence, thereby increasing the risk of thunderstorm-related damage.
Protein mobility within the nucleus--what are the right moves?

The ultimate goal of this newly emerging field is to be able to understand nuclear functions by what chemical engineers would call a systems approach, in which the known concentrations (ideally the chemical potentials), the kinetic behavior, and the binding equilibria of all the reacting molecules can be used to describe the biology at the mesoscopic scale. This is an epistemological center around which we should all rally, for the truth is that we cell biologists exist in a perpetual state of intellectual frustration when pondering molecular dynamics operating inside living cells. The recent studies on the movement of proteins and RNA in the nucleus constitute a valued core of initial information in this overall scientific shift, one in which the sciences of chemistry and biophysics will increasingly be at play. In 1938, a Rockefeller Foundation officer, Warren Weaver, coined “molecular biology” long before the term came into general use. Today we might think of the term “chemical and physical cell biology” to describe a field that is so obviously coming, indeed is already here.Kruhlak Lever Fischle Verdin Bazett-Jones Hendzel 2000xKruhlak, M.J., Lever, M.A., Fischle, W., Verdin, E., Bazett-Jones, D.P., and Hendzel, M.J. J. Cell Biol. 2000; 150: 41–51Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (132)See all ReferencesKruhlak Lever Fischle Verdin Bazett-Jones Hendzel 2000
Role of lys100 in human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase: mutagenesis studies and chemical rescue by external amines.

Chemical modification, mutagenesis, chemical rescue, and isotope effect studies are used to identify and probe the roles of several conserved amino acid groups in catalysis by human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. Time- and pH-dependent inactivation of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase by trinitrobenzenesulfonate implicates at least one critical lysyl residue in catalysis. Of four highly conserved lysines, only the cognate of Lys255 was previously suggested to have catalytic functionality. We now show that replacement of either Lys184 or Lys186 by mutagenesis does not impact, whereas substitution of Lys100 abolishes, enzymatic activity. However, activity is partially restored to K100C (or K100A) by inclusion of exogenous primary amines in reaction mixtures. This rescued activity saturates with respect to numerous amines and exhibits a steric discrimination reflected in Kd,(amine) values. For all amines, rescued kcat values were only ∼10% of wild type and independent of amine basicity. KM values for dihydro...
Inhibitors of slit protein interactions with the heparan sulphate proteoglycan glypican-1: Potential agents for the treatment of spinal cord injury

Summary 1. The heparan sulphate proteoglycan glypican-1 is a major high-affinity ligand of the Slit proteins. 2. Messenger RNA for both Slit-2 and glypican-1 is strongly upregulated and coexpressed in the reactive astrocytes of injured adult brain, suggesting a possible function of Slit proteins and glypican-1 in the adult central nervous system as significant components of the inhibitory environment that prevents axonal regeneration after injury. 3. Based on the hypothesis that adverse effects on axonal regeneration may be due to a glypican–Slit complex or the retention of glypican-binding C-terminal proteolytic processing fragments of Slit at the injury site, we used ELISA to examine a number of small molecules and low molecular weight heparin analogues for their ability to inhibit glypican–Slit interactions. 4. Our studies have led to the identification of several potent inhibitors with a favourable therapeutic profile that can now be tested in a spinal cord injury model. Among the most promising of these are a low molecular weight heparin produced by periodate oxidation and having no significant anticoagulant activity, the chemically sulphonated yeast-derived phosphomannan PI-88 and a number of randomly derivatized water-soluble sulphated dextrans.
Central auditory processes and test measures: ASHA 1996 revisited.

The theoretical issues surrounding central auditory processing disorders (CAPD) are reviewed here, especially with reference to the central auditory behavioral processes and the auditory test measures as prescribed in the ASHA (1996, American Journal of Audiology, 5(2), 41–54) statement on CAPD. A simplified nomenclature is recommended that directly relates process and test measure to facilitate the diagnostic process in CAPD. This new terminology closely follows the ASHA (1996, American Journal of Audiology, 5(2), 41–54) document, but provides some refinement based on recent research in CAPD. To support this recommendation, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to the findings of Domitz and Schow (2000, American Journal of Audiology who proposed use of a battery of CAPD tests, the Multiple Auditory Processing Assessment (MAPA) for testing school children. The CFA was found to reinforce the four-factor model, which clearly emerged in the exploratory factor analysis of Domitz and Schow. The mode...
The interaction of oligodeoxynucleotides with denatured DNA.

Abstract The stability and specificity of the interaction of oligodeoxynucleotides with denatured DNA was studied by incubating the mixture and exposing the reaction product to increasing temperatures. Oligomers of known chain length were prepared by partial depurination of labeled DNA, chromatographic fractionation of the resulting mixture and assay of terminal phosphate with alkaline phosphatase. As the size of the oligomers is increased, the extent of reaction with homologous DNA and the stability of the products increase. With chain lengths of 14 or less the interaction is not specific for homologous DNA. Clear specificity is demonstrable with larger fragments and the interaction with homologous DNA is much more stable to increasing temperature. Intermediate levels of partial homology are also apparent in the reaction between oligonucleotides and the DNA of a related organism.
Groundwater Quality and Farm Income: What Have We Learned?

In response to public concerns, economists and other scientists have conducted research on agricultural chemicals and groundwater quality since the 1980s. The results of twenty-one studies conducted in various regions of the U.S. that examine the relationships between agrichemical treatments on crops, farm income, and groundwater quality both at the farm level and at the aggregate level are reviewed. Analysis of these studies indicates that across most regions, chemicals, and types of farms there is a trade-off between farm income and increased groundwater quality. In some situations, marginal improvements in groundwater quality can be achieved with limited reductions or even modest increases in farm income. However, most studies indicate that as reductions in agricultural chemical leaching to groundwater increase, reductions in farm income increase as well. Some issues for consideration in future research and extension projects in this arena are presented.
Engaging adaptive immunity with biomaterials

Adaptive immune responses, characterized by T cells and B cells engaging and responding to specific antigens, can be raised by biomaterials containing proteins, peptides, and other biomolecules. How does one avoid, control, or exploit such responses? This review will discuss major properties and processes that influence biomaterials-directed adaptive immunity, including the physical dimensions of a material, its epitope content, and its multivalency. Selected strategies involving novel biomaterials designs will be discussed to illustrate these points of control. Specific immunological processes that biomaterials are being developed to direct will be highlighted, including minimally inflammatory scaffolds for tissue repair and immunotherapies eliciting desired B cell (antibody) responses, T cell responses, or tolerance. The continuing development of a knowledge base for specifying the strength and phenotype of biomaterials-mediated adaptive immune responses is important, not only for the engineering of better vaccines and immunotherapies, but also for managing immune responses against newer generations of increasingly biological and biomolecular materials in contexts such as tissue repair, tissue engineering, or cell delivery.
Persuasive mobile exercise companion for teenagers with weight management issues

Obesity is a grave problem in our society. A significant increase in prevalence within the last 20 years has resulted in greater mortality, increased stress on our healthcare system, and a decreased quality of life for people dealing with obesity and overweight issues. My dissertation concerns a mobile application that assists teenagers in leading physically active lifestyles to try and combat the risk of becoming obese or overweight as adults. I hope this research will prove to be a viable option to prevent or reduce the risk of obesity for teens so that they lead healthy lives. By reducing the risks of obesity and overweight problems, we also reduce the risk of these individuals developing debilitating diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Production of low molecular weight cadmium-binding proteins in rabbit lung following exposure to cadmium chloride.

Low molecular weight cadmium-binding proteins were studied in lung tissue from rabbits exposed to aerosols of CdCl2. Lungs obtained from animals exposed by inhalation to aerosols of 800 or 1600 μ/m3 CdCl2 for 2-hr periods/day, every other day for a 5-day period, were found to contain at least three low molecular weight cadmium-binding proteins, two of which were similar electrophoretically and spectrally to rabbit liver metallothionein. The third protein(s), which accounted for the majority of the cadmium in the soluble fraction of the tissue, did not bind to an anionic exchange gel and did not appear to be a polymerized form of metallothionein. Translocation studies of lung cadmium suggest a long half-life for cadmium in lung tissue following inhalation exposure, due perhaps to the high affinity of cadmium for specific lung cadmium-binding proteins. A small but significant redistribution of lung cadmium did occur to both kidney and liver tissue with time.
SOIL FERTILITY AND MANAGEMENT OF ACID COASTAL PLAIN SOILS FOR CROP PRODUCTION

Soil acidity and fertility management are critical for crop production on Coastal Plain soils of the southern and southeastern USA. Grasses and legumes are the primary crops grown on these soils. Hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) are the major warm-season grasses while annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is the dominant cool-season grass. Bahiagrass tolerates acidity and low soil fertility. Bermudagrasses tolerate moderate soil acidity levels and readily respond to N, P, and K fertilization. Annual ryegrasses are highly responsive to limestone, N, and P. High rates of ammonium N applied for grass production rapidly increase acidity due to nitrification in these low-buffer-capacity soils. Liming these soils to increase pH improves P use efficiency and forage production. Fertilizer P increased soil test P 38% as soil pH was raised from 4.5 to 6.2 in a Lilbert loamy fine sand (thermic Arenic Plinthic Paleudult). Forage legume crops respond favorably to ...
‘To Persistently not Know Something Important’ Feminist Science and the Poetry of Wislawa Szymborska

This essay examines the poetry of Wislawa Szymborska as sharing key similarities with modern feminist practice in science. Szymborska’s poetry invites such an analysis because of its interest in anthropology and the natural sciences, and because of its preoccupation with the creation, limitations, and effects of knowledge. I argue that Szymborska’s privileging of uncertainty, of the personal, the particular, and the ‘insignificant’, as well as her process- and question-oriented method of creating meaning aligns her with feminist science. Szymborska’s poetry explores such key feminist ideals as contextualization of all knowledge, relationship of equality and unity of scientist and subject (expert and non-expert), coexistence of contradictions, and an emphasis on process and questioning rather than on knowledge and findings. Wislawa Szymborska practises in poetry the very same decentring of the patriarchal standards of expertise, objectivity, and absolute truth that is taking place in feminist science.
Effects of anthropogenic shoreline hardening and invasion by Phragmites australis on habitat quality for juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus)

Abstract Unvegetated, shallow water habitats adjacent to marshes are an important nursery for juvenile blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus , in Chesapeake Bay. Alteration of the shoreline, either through the replacement of marshes with anthropogenic structures, such as riprap and bulkheads, or through the replacement of the native marsh grass Spartina sp. ( Spartina ) with the invasive Phragmites australis ( Phragmites ), may affect the value of this habitat as a nursery. In this study, we compared the effects of four common shoreline types, bulkheads, riprap, Phragmites marshes, and Spartina marshes, on food availability, feeding, growth, and survival of juvenile blue crabs in adjacent subtidal areas, as well as on the abundance and size of predators in the South River, Maryland. Sites with each shoreline type were randomly selected. We used benthic cores to sample macrobenthic prey and performed gut content analysis on caged crabs to examine food availability and feeding. Growth was estimated using caged crabs. Survival was assayed with a tethering experiment and predators were sampled with a seine net. Riprap had a lower abundance of macrofaunal prey, and the macrofaunal community differed from both marsh types in that it had it had smaller an more opportunistic species such as nematodes and small polychaetes compared to more bivalves and larger polychaetes at the marsh sites; however, gut contents and growth did not vary among shoreline types. Predation pressure on juvenile blue crabs was highest at bulkhead sites and lowest at riprap. Predator abundance did not vary among the shoreline types, though piscine predators were smaller in size near Spartina marshes compared to the other shorelines. We conclude that shoreline hardening substantially reduced the value of shoreline habitats for juvenile blue crabs, but that Spartina and Phragmites are functionally equivalent.
The effect of bile salts on tissue ATP levels of everted sacs of rat and hamster ileum.

The results of this investigation indicate that with a progressive increase in the initial bile salt concentration within the mucosal and serosal compartments of everted sacs of rat and hamster ileum, a decrease in tissue ATP levels is observed.
Limits to Lubrication Theory in Microsystems

Lubrication theory has been one of the most successful and widely used theories in all of engineering and applied science. Therefore, researchers from tribology’s ‘traditional’ wing would be surprised to know that lubrication theory is not at all treated as a given by large group of nontraditional users. In a wide range of conditions applicable to many researchers in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), experimental results seem to indicate that forces separating surfaces vary according to film thickness to the power minus one, rather than minus three, as lubrication theory requires — a large fundamental discrepancy indeed. Hydrodynamic forces are not generally used to separate surfaces, but arise incidentally, and are usually the largest source of parasitic losses. Clearly, they must be accounted for in the design process.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Transport of naphthalene in the oyster Ostrea edulis

In small oysters (Ostrea edulis), transport of naphthalene between tissues is primarily by diffusion and not via the circulatory system. In intact oysters, accumulation in the adductor muscle and body followed accumulation in the gills after a large lag-time. In isolated tissues with no shell to impede water flux over the body and adductor muscle, there was no lag-time. The molecular diffusivity (D) of naphthalene in oyster tissue, estimated by Fick's second law of diffusion is D=8x10-8 cm2 s-1, a value similar to D determined for lateral diffusion of lipophilic compounds in lipid membrane systems.
Ending the prolonged life of cancer cells.

The fate of cells depends on a delicate balance of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. Small-molecule inhibitors of anti-apoptotic protein-protein interactions promote apoptosis in cancer cells.
The law of sociocultural demoralization

Research in psychiatric epidemiology has consistently revealed that the mere exposure of a community to sociocultural change cannot be invariably associated with an increase in the prevalence of demoralization in that community. Rather, at a given rate of sociocultural change, the prevalence of demoralization is inversely associated with the sociocultural integration. This fundamental law of social psychiatry has important implications for health planning.
A 2.5D Computational Method to Simulate Cylindrical Fluidized Beds

Abstract In this paper, the limitations of axisymmetric and Cartesian two-dimensional (2D) simulations of cylindrical gas–solid fluidized beds are discussed. A new method has been proposed to carry out pseudo-two-dimensional (2.5D) simulations of a cylindrical fluidized bed by appropriately combining the benefits of Cartesian 2D and axisymmetric assumptions. This is done by constructing a computational domain consisting of a central thin plate and two wedges. The proposed method was implemented in the open-source code MFIX and applied to the simulation of a lab-scale bubbling fluidized bed with necessary sensitivity study. After a careful grid study to ensure the numerical results are grid independent, detailed comparisons of the flow hydrodynamics were presented against axisymmetric and Cartesian 2D simulations. Furthermore, the 2.5D simulation results have been compared to the three-dimensional (3D) simulation for evaluation. This new approach yields better agreement with the 3D simulation results than with axisymmetric and Cartesian 2D simulations.
Toward the Routine Analysis of Diverse Data Types

This article describes a variety of data analysis problems. The types of data across these problems included free text, parallel text, an image collection, remote sensing imagery, and network packets. A strategy for approaching the analysis of these diverse types of data is described. A key part of the challenge is mapping the analytic results back into the original domain and data setting. Additionally, a common computational bottleneck encountered in each of these problems is diagnosed as analysis tools and algorithms with unbounded memory characteristics. This experience and the analysis suggest a research and development path that could greatly extend the scale of problems that can be addressed with routine data analysis tools. In particular, there are opportunities associated with developing theory and functioning algorithms with favorable memory-usage characteristics, and there are opportunities associated with developing methods and theory for describing the outcomes of analyses for the various typ...
Pseudo-Dirac solar neutrinos?

The compatibility of a recent possible explanation of the solar-neutrino puzzle and the result of Boris et al. on limits on neutrino mass is discussed. It is shown that if the electron and muon Majorana neutrinos combine to form a pseudo-Dirac particle of mass --35 eV, then the radiative corrections will generate a mass-square difference 3 x 10/sup -5/ eV, which explains why Davis and his collaborators find fewer solar neutrinos than predicted. This idea can be naturally embedded in superstring theories.
THE AUGMENTATION OF USUAL CARDIAC REHABILITATION WITH AN ONLINE AND SMARTPHONE-BASED PROGRAM IMPROVES CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AND REDUCES REHOSPITALIZATIONS

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity/mortality in the US. Despite being an evidence-based recommendation, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is vastly underused. We have developed an online/ smartphone-based application (OSPA) delivering
The influence of virtual leaks on the pressure in high and ultra-high vacuum systems

It is found that the least upper bound to the pressure in a vacuum system with a virtual leak is o /(et/(et o SS), Where o (to (torr .I) is the quantity of gas trapped at e = 2.718 = 2.718, o (s)(s) is the time from the start of the pumpdown and S (I/s) is the real pumping speed.
Statistical properties, fixed points, and decomposition with WMMR filters

WMMRm filters weight the m ordered values in the window with minimum range. If m is not specified, it is assumed to be N + 1 for a window of length 2N + 1. Previous work has demonstrated a subclass of these filters that may be optimized for edge enhancement in that their output converges to the closest perfect edge. In this work it is shown that normalized WMMRm filters, whose weights sum to unity, are affine equivariant. The concept of the breakpoint of a filter is discussed, and the optimality of median and WMMR filters under the breakpoint concept is demonstrated. The optimality of a WMMRm filter and of a similar generalized-order-statistic (GOS) filter is demonstrated for various non-Lp criterion, which we call closeness measures. Fixed-point results similar to those derived by Gallagher and Wise (see N.C. Gallagher and G.L. Wise, IEEE Trans. Acoust.,Speech, Signal Process., vol. ASSP-29, 1981, pp. 1136-1141) for the median filter are derived for order-statistic (OS) and WMMR filters with convex weights (weights that sum to unity and are nonnegative), i.e., we completely classify the fixed points under the assumption of a finite-length signal with constant boundaries. These fixed points are shown to be almost always the class of piecewise-constant (PICO) signals. The use of WMMR filters for signal decomposition and filtering based on the Haar basis is discussed. WMMR filters with window width 2N + 1 are shown to be linear over the PICO(N + 1) signals (minimum constant length N + 1). Concepts similar to lowpass, highpass, and bandpass for filtering PICO signals are introduced. Application of the filters to 1-dimensional biological data (non-PICO) and images of printed-circuit boards is then demonstrated, as is application to images in general.
Counting Clusters Using R-NN Curves

Clustering is a common task in the field of cheminformatics. A key parameter that needs to be set for nonhierarchical clustering methods, such as k-means, is the number of clusters, k. Traditionally, the value of k is obtained by performing the clustering with different values of k and selecting that value that leads to the optimal clustering. In this study, we describe an approach to selecting k, a priori, based on the R-NN curve algorithm described by Guha et al. (J. Chem. Inf. Model., 2006, 46, 1713−722), which uses a nearest-neighbor technique to characterize the spatial location of compounds in arbitrary descriptor spaces. The algorithm generates a set of curves for the data set which are then analyzed to estimate the natural number of clusters. We then performed k-means clustering with the predicted value of k as well as with similar values to check that the correct number of clusters was obtained. In addition, we compared the predicted value to the number indicated by the average silhouette width a...
Bayes WESML Posterior inference from choice-based samples

Abstract In this paper I show that the Weighted Exogenous Sampling Likelihood (WESML) estimator for choice-based samples due to Manski and Lerman (1977) can be given a Bayesian interpretation under a multinomial model for the data with improper Dirichlet priors. Bayesian posterior distributions of choice model parameters are computed to study the gains from choice-based sampling and the effect of knowledge of population marginal choice probabilities.
Contributions to IT: A View from Ames Research Center

Learn how NASA Ames Research Center has been contributing to IT over the decades and about its recent contributions in supercomputing, modeling, and simulation; next-generation air-traffic management; intelligent systems; and complex data analysis.