cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Future of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the MGH

The Department has a 40-year commitment to improving the outcome of cancer patients. As radiation oncologists, we strive to explore physical and biological means to improve local tumor control while minimizing normal tissue complications. The exploration of proton therapy, IORT, IMRT, and brachytherapy are great examples of the physical attempts to improve the therapeutic ratio for our patients. The translational work in the Steele Laboratory is investigating ways to overcome hypoxia and increased interstitial tumor pressure as methods to improve outcome for our patients. We are optimistic that our Department will continue the fundamentally important work moving forward.
Bimetallic mixed-metal complexes of the salen(tBu) ligands

Abstract The Salen ( t Bu ) ligands, Salen ( t Bu ) , (N,N′-ethylenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneimine) and Salpen ( t Bu ) , (N,N′-propylenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneimine) can be combined with GaEt3 to prepare the ‘open’ monometallic compounds, Salen ( t Bu)H(GaEt 2 ) (1) and Salpen ( t Bu)(GaEt 2 ) (2) . These, in turn, can be converted to the bimetallic derivatives, Salen ( t Bu)(GaEt 2 ) 2 (3) and Salpen ( t Bu)(GaEt 2 ) 2 (4) by addition of GaEt3. Alternatively, 3 and 4 can be made by the addition of two moles of GaEt3 to the appropriate ligand. This was the method used to prepare Salben ( t Bu)(GaEt 2 ) 2 (5) Salben ( t Bu ) = N,N ′- butylenebis (3,5- di-tert-butylsalicylideneimine) and Salhen( t Bu)(GaEt 2 ) 0 (6) [ Salhen ( t Bu ) = N,N ′- hexylenebis (3,5- di-tert-butylsalicylideneimine] . Compounds 1 and 2 can be utilized to form the unique mixed-metal derivatives L(GaEt2) (MR2) (where L = Salen ( t Bu ), M:R = Al, Me (7); Al, Et (9); and L = Salpen ( t Bu ), M:R = Al, Me (8) ; Al, Et (10). At ambient temperatures in non-polar solvents, 7–12 do not undergo exchange of either the alkyl or MR2 groups. All of the compounds were characterized by Mp, analyses, 1H NMR, IR and, in the case of 1 and 3–6, by X-ray crystallography.
Maternal supplementation and postnatal physical growth : a review

Five maternal supplementation trials are compared in which mothers, but not their infants, were given food supplements and infant growth was measured as the outcome. In contrast to studies wherein children were supplemented, in addition to or exclusive of mothers, the trials under review generally failed to demonstrate any effect on physical growth.
Characterization of neuropeptides by reversed-phase, ion-pair liquid chromatography with post-column detection by radioimmunoassay. Application to thyrotropin-releasing hormone, substance P, and vasopressin.

Abstract Neuropeptide contents of rat brain samples were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) after fractionation of tissue extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Solvent systems were composed of acetic acid, acetonitrile and short-chain (5–8 carbons) alkylsulfonic acids. Separate solvent systems were developed for thyrotropin-releasing hormone, substance P, arginine vasopressin and biologic analogs, and the enkephalins. All separation systems tested gave 80–90% recovery of picogram quantities of peptides. When lyophilized, the HPLC solvents did not interfere significantly with the RIAs, allowing quantitation of tissue concentrations of isolated neuropeptides using the lyophilized eluent from the HPLC. The combination of liquid chromatography with RIA should allow for very accurate identification and quantification of peptides in biologic samples containing large numbers of potentially cross-reacting species of molecules.
Chapter 25 - NMR characterization of functionalized polysiloxanes

Polysiloxanes are polymeric materials prepared by the condensation of suitably substituted silanes. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) proved useful in elucidating the structures of functionalized polysiloxanes. The NMR approaches that have been employed include natural-abundance; high-resolution solid-state 13 C, 15 N, 29 Si, and 31 P NMR with cross polarization and magic-angle spinning (CP-MAS) and 1 H NMR with combined rotation and multiple-pulse spectroscopy (CRAMPS). The 13 C NMR is useful in establishing the primary structures of the pendant groups of some functionalized polysiloxanes and in confirming these structures in other cases. The results of 15 N can also play a role in establishing the presence and nature of proton transfer and/or hydrogen bonding, for example in amino-functionalized polysiloxanes. In addition, 29 Si CP-MAS NMR experiments are valuable for assessing the nature of the polysiloxane framework and the local siloxane structures in the region of the pendant group attachments. Relaxation studies, including measurement of 1 H spin-lattice relaxation times via X-detected 1 H→X cross-polarization techniques are useful for both assessing the general degree of atomic-level mobility and establishing domain-based homogeneity/heterogeneity.
Selective DNA Damage Slowed Histone Turnover

DNA repair requires remodeling of the histones bound to DNA in eukaryotic cells. The remodeling of histone proteins to allow DNA repair enzymes access to the damaged DNA requires histone post-trans...
An analog VLSI velocity sensor

An integrated circuit that computes the velocity vector of a visual stimulus in one dimension is presented. The circuit combines optical sensors and associated electronics on a single silicon chip, processed with standard CMOS technology. The velocity is inferred from the time delay of the appearance of an image feature at two fixed locations on the chip. The circuit operates quite robustly for high-contrast stimuli over considerable irradiance and velocity ranges. With lower-contrast stimuli the output signal for a given velocity tends to decrease, while the direction selectivity is still maintained. The individual motion-sensing cells are compact, and they are therefore suited for use in dense 1D or 2D imaging arrays.
Should impulse control disorders and dopamine dysregulation syndrome be indications for deep brain stimulation and intestinal levodopa

Among the most difficult Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients to treat are those with impulse control disorder(s) (ICD’s; compulsive gambling as well as compulsive sexual, buying and eating behaviors) or dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS; compulsive PD medication use, particularly short-acting agents)[1, 2]. Patients are often unaware of the severity and impact of their symptoms, and can be reluctant or unable to make changes in their dopaminergic replacement therapy (DRT), particularly dopamine agonists (DA’s) which are most closely associated with ICD’s. Evidence in support of standard pharmacological treatments and behavioral therapy for management of these symptoms is accruing, including recent preliminary studies testing amantadine[3] and cognitive behavioral therapy[4]. Despite these recent studies, the evidence in support of non-PD pharmacologic or psychosocial treatments is very limited[2]. There has been hope that newer non-pharmacologic therapies (e.g., deep brain stimulation (DBS)) or therapies with a smoother or more constant delivery of dopaminergic therapy (e.g., intestinal levodopa and long-acting DA’s) would offer a definitive treatment for this complex subpopulation of PD patients. However, after initial reports of improvement in ICD symptoms in most patients undergoing DBS[5, 6], recent publications have suggested a more complex association between ICD behaviors and DBS in PD. This viewpoint will review the potential basal ganglia neural mechanisms underlying these behavioral disturbances, the experience with DBS and levodopa infusions in this patient population, and the critical need for methodological rigor in future studies of this topic.
Temperature Structure of Compact Objects

Based on the physical metric proposed by the author, temperature distribution for compact objects, neutron stars and black holes, has been explained. Outside the extended horizon, the temperature is positive and approaches infinity at the extended horizon boundary. Inside the extended horizon, the temperature is negative which implies higher temperature than outside the horizon. This outcome is the result of the repulsive nature of gravity inside the extended horizon in the author’s physical metric. Overall, the physical metric explains temperature structure of compact objects more completely than the Schwarzschild metric, and is supported by the emerging evidence of X-ray data collected from neutron stars and black holes (AGN).
The absorption and metabolism of short and long chain fatty acids in puromycin-treated rats.

Abstract The metabolism of short and long chain fatty acids and triglycerides was compared in control and puromycin-treated rats. The drug had no effect on the absorption of octanoic acid and of trioctanoin, presumably because short chain fatty acids are absorbed directly into the portal stream as albumin-bound free fatty acid. However, long chain fatty acid absorption into the thoracic duct lymph in the form of chylomicron triglycerides was inhibited by puromycin. Nonetheless, oxidation of the administered long chain fatty acid contained in the test meal to CO 2 was equal in puromycin-treated rats and in control animals. In thoracic-duct-cannulated animals treated with puromycin, the amount of expired label CO 2 derived from a test meal of long chain lipids varied inversely to the amount of label in the lymph lipid. Long chain fatty acids therefore can be absorbed directly into the portal venous system. In the human genetic disorder, abetalipoproteinemia, the route of absorption of long chain fatty acids is probably via the portal venous system.
The F2-layer at middle latitudes

Abstract A detailed numerical study is made of the physical and chemical processes which determine the structure of the F2-layer at middle latitudes. Results are compared with observations reported by Evans (1967) for Millstone Hill in April 1964. The theoretical model, with measured values of solar flux, absorption cross-sections, and chemical rate constants for input data, satisfactorily accounts for the observed diurnal variation of the electron density. Motions of the neutral atmosphere exert important influences on the ionosphere, lowering the height of the F2 peak during the day and raising it at night. The evening increase in the peak electron density is attributed to the rapid decay of electron temperatures at sunset. This decay is accompanied by a collapse in the topside ionosphere, as first suggested by Evans. The downward ionization drift induced by neutral winds decreases in the evening and exerts a modifying influence on the formation of an evening maximum by raising the F2 peak. The theoretical model is applied to a study of the seasonal anomaly. It is suggested that the anomaly results from two distinct mechanisms. The shape of the F2-layer depends on the strength of the neutral winds. These winds are stronger in winter than summer and cause the winter daytime F2-layer to be more compact than the summer daytime F2-layer. The observed increase in the peak electron densities during the winter day can be explained by a seasonal variation in neutral composition, relatively more atomic oxygen in the winter thermosphere. This assumption is supported by recent mass spectrometric data (Krankowsky etal., 1968). A seasonal variation in the vibrational temperature of N2, higher in the summer and lower in the winter, can also account for the observed daytime seasonal variation in the peak electron density, since the reaction O+ + N2→ NO+ + N is very sensitive to the N2 vibrational temperature.
Quantification of numerical diffusivity due to TVD schemes in the advection equation

In this study, the numerical diffusivity @n"n"u"m inherent to the Roe-MUSCL scheme has been quantified for the scalar advection equation. The Roe-MUSCL scheme employed is a combination of: (1) the standard extension of the original [email protected]?s formulation to the advection equation, and (2) van [email protected]?s Monotone Upwind Scheme for Conservation Laws (MUSCL) technique that applies a linear variable reconstruction in a cell along with a scaled limiter function. An explicit expression is derived for the numerical diffusivity in terms of the limiter function, the distance between the cell centers on either side of a face, and the face-normal velocity. The numerical diffusivity formulation shows that a scaled limiter function is more appropriate for MUSCL in order to consistently recover the central-differenced flux at the maximum value of the limiter. The significance of the scaling factor is revealed when the Roe-MUSCL scheme, originally developed for 1-D scenarios, is applied to 2-D scalar advection problems. It is seen that without the scaling factor, the MUSCL scheme may not necessarily be monotonic in multi-dimensional scenarios. Numerical diffusivities of the minmod, superbee, van Leer and Barth-Jesperson TVD limiters were quantified for four problems: 1-D advection of a step function profile, and 2-D advection of step, sinusoidal, and double-step profiles. For all the cases, it is shown that the superbee scheme provides the lowest numerical diffusivity that is also most confined to the vicinity of the discontinuity. The minmod scheme is the most diffusive, as well as active in regions away from high gradients. As expected, the grid resolution study demonstrates that the magnitude and the spatial extent of the numerical diffusivity decrease with increasing resolution.
Catalog of Four-Color Photometry of Stars, Galaxies, and QSOs Using SDSS Filters

We present a catalog containing the measurements of 2262 sources, including 334 extended sources, 1915 point sources, and 13 known QSOs, in five SDSS passbands. Of these objects, over 1600 are measured in 15 fields covering 0.5 deg2, with a limiting magnitude of r* < 19.5, similar to the photometric limit of the SDSS spectroscopic survey. Color plots of the data show that stars, galaxies, and quasars are fairly well separated by color alone. The stellar locus populates a ribbon-like subset of color-color-color space. It is shown that stars, galaxies, and QSOs tend toward the same fundamental plane in three-dimensional color space. The stars are compared with synthetic photometry from Kurucz models; the agreement is consistent with the errors in the data. The stellar locus moves in color space by about a tenth of a magnitude from r* = 14 to r* = 19.5. The shift is consistent with a shift in the metallicity from about [Me/H] = -1 to [Me/H] = -2. We compare this with previously measured metallicity gradients as a function of distance from the galactic plane.
What can cognitive neuroscience teach us about anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex illness and highly challenging to treat. One promising approach to significantly advance our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of AN involves developing a cognitive neuroscience model of illness. Cognitive neuroscience uses probes such as neuropsychological tasks and neuroimaging techniques to identify the neural underpinnings of behavior. With this approach, advances have been made in identifying higher-order cognitive processes that likely mediate symptom expression in AN. Identification of related neuropathology is beginning. Such findings led to the development of complex neurobehavioral models that aim to explain the etiology and persistence of AN. Future research will use these advanced tools to test and refine hypotheses about the underlying mechanisms of AN.
Effects of platelet activating factor on mouse oocyte fertilization in vitro

Platelet activating factor is rapidly gaining acceptance as a potent mediator in many reproductive processes. This study presents data that indicate a direct role of platelet activating factor in fertilization. Platelet activating factor was shown to significantly increase ( p −5 and 10 −4 mol/L concentrations.
UVk maps and embeddings

Abstract Let X be the inverse limit of compact n -dimensional polyhedra { X i , f ij } whose bonding maps are UV k -maps. The problem of embedding X into Euclidean (2 n − k )-space R 2 n−k (and more general manifolds) is studied. If the factors, X i , are manifolds,then there is an embedding theorem. In general, under certain dimensional restrictions, X is CE equivalent to a subcontinuum of R 2 n−k . In particular, if k = 0 and n ⩾ 3, then some CE image of X embeds in R 2 n . As a by-product of these results, approximation theorems are obtained.
Metals shortage prompts Europe to seek solutions

[1] Headlines about China's temporary suspension of exports of rare earth elements to Japan last year, due to a territorial dispute, brought into sharp focus the heavy dependence of many industrialized countries on imports of critical metals. Concern about the dependence on imports of rare earth elements and other key metals—including iron ore, copper, nickel, and zinc—was the focus of a “great debate” and news briefing at the European Geosciences Union's (EGU) General Assembly held in Vienna, Austria, last month.
Bacteria and fungi associated with dead boll weevils (Anthonomus grandis) in a natural population

Abstract An unusually large number of dead boll weevils (Anthonomus grandis) were found covered by a pinkish-white external fungus and adhering to unopened cotton bolls in an experimental cotton field in Self Creek Community, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, in October and November 1964. A study was made of the dead weevils, and all bacteria and fungi present internally were isolated. These cultures were identified, and representatives from taxonomic groups were tested for pathogenicity. Cloaca A (Aerobacter cloacae; Enterobacter cloacae) occurred most frequently. Other bacterial isolates with similar characteristics did not fit currently recognized groups of the Enterobacteriaceae but were similar in some respects to Cloaca A, Serratia, and an Intermediate group. Other genera represented were Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Achromobacter, Klebsiella, Lactobacillus, and Bacillus. The most frequently isolated fungi belonged to the genus Fusarium. Other fungi represented were Fusidium sp., Oedocephalum sp., Aspergillus sp., and Penicillium sp. No microorganisms tested were pathogenic. The bacteria were considered normal flora of the weevil intestinal tract, and their frequent occurrence indicated that Cloaca A and the Intermediate group were often either present in the living host or possessed special ability to grow after host death to the exclusion of other bacteria, or both. The frequent occurrence of Fusarium fungi indicated that the fungi possessed certain characteristics which permitted exclusive saprophytic growth.
An evaluation of 10 years' experience with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for Wilms' tumor

Abstract During a 10-year period, periaortic lymph node dissection was performed on 20 consecutive patients with Wilm's tumor who did not have evidence of distant metastases. Six of 7 patients (86 per cent) with positive nodes are still alive with a followup greater than 2 years for 5 of the 6 survivors. The survival rate for the group of bilateral tumors and those with distant metastases was 31 per cent. The overall survival rate for 37 patients admitted to the hospital with Wilm's tumor including those with known metastases or recurrence following previous operation elsewhere was 68 per cent. On the basis of this limited experience, it is suggested that retroperitoneal periaortic lymph node dissection be carried out as a part of the operation for Wilms' tumor when there is no demonstrable distant metastases.
Annotation of long non-coding RNAs expressed in Collaborative Cross founder mice in response to respiratory virus infection reveals a new class of interferon-stimulated transcripts

The outcome of respiratory virus infection is determined by a complex interplay of viral and host factors. Some potentially important host factors for the antiviral response, whose functions remain largely unexplored, are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Here we systematically inferred the regulatory functions of host lncRNAs in response to influenza A virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) based on their similarity in expression with genes of known function. We performed total RNA-Seq on viral-infected lungs from eight mouse strains, yielding a large data set of transcriptional responses. Overall 5,329 lncRNAs were differentially expressed after infection. Most of the lncRNAs were co-expressed with coding genes in modules enriched in genes associated with lung homeostasis pathways or immune response processes. Each lncRNA was further individually annotated using a rank-based method, enabling us to associate 5,295 lncRNAs to at least one gene set and to predict their potential c...
Integrating human health and environmental health into the DPSIR framework: a tool to identify research opportunities for sustainable and healthy communities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently realigned its research enterprise around the concept of sustainability. Scientists from across multiple disciplines have a role to play in contributing the information, methods, and tools needed to more fully understand the long-term impacts of decisions on the social and economic sustainability of communities. Success will depend on a shift in thinking to integrate, organize, and prioritize research within a systems context. We used the Driving forces–Pressures–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework as a basis for integrating social, cultural, and economic aspects of environmental and human health into a single framework. To make the framework broadly applicable to sustainability research planning, we provide a hierarchical system of DPSIR keywords and guidelines for use as a communication tool. The applicability of the integrated framework was first tested on a public health issue (asthma disparities) for purposes of discussion. We then applied the framework at a science planning meeting to identify opportunities for sustainable and healthy communities research. We conclude that an integrated systems framework has many potential roles in science planning, including identifying key issues, visualizing interactions within the system, identifying research gaps, organizing information, developing computational models, and identifying indicators.
Molecular Basis for the Structural Instability of Human DJ-1 Induced by the L166P Mutation Associated with Parkinson’s Disease

DJ-1 is a dimeric protein of unknown function in vivo. A mutation in the human DJ-1 gene causing substitution of proline for leucine at residue 166 (L166P) has been linked to early onset Parkinson's disease. Lack of structural stability has precluded experimental determination of atomic-resolution structures of the L166P DJ-1 polymorph. We have performed multiple molecular dynamics (MD) simulations ( approximately 1/3 mus) of the wild-type and L166P DJ-1 polymorph at physiological temperature to predict specific structural effects of the L166P substitution. L166P disrupted helices alpha1, alpha5, alpha6 and alpha8 with alpha8 undergoing particularly severe disruption. Secondary structural elements critical for protein stability and dimerization were significantly disrupted across the entire dimer interface, as were extended hydrophobic surfaces involved in dimer formation. Relative to wild-type DJ-1, L166P DJ-1 populated a broader ensemble of structures, many of which corresponded to distorted conformations. In a L166P dimer model the substitution significantly destabilized the dimer interface, interrupting >100 intermolecular contacts that are important for dimer formation. The L166P substitution also led to major perturbations in the region of a highly conserved cysteine residue (Cys-106) that participates in dimerization and that is critical for a proposed chaperone function of DJ-1. Cys-106 is located approximately 16 A from the substitution site, demonstrating that structural disruptions propagate throughout the whole protein. Furthermore, L166P DJ-1 showed a significant increase in hydrophobic surface area relative to wild-type protein, possibly explaining the tendency of the mutant protein to aggregate. These simulations provide details about specific structural disturbances throughout L166P DJ-1 that previous studies have not revealed.
Confession cum Deliverance:In/Dividuality of the Subject Among Kinshasa’s Born-Again Christians

The article deals with the social significance of confessions among Kinshasa’s born-again Christians.1 Together with conversion narratives and former witches’ testimonies, confessions represent the main discursive rituals in the religious practices of newborn Christians. The analysis departs from the observation that among Kinshasa’s born-again Christians confessions are usually preceded or followed by deliverance rituals, and, that they are rarely acted out in an intimate and private encounter with the pastor. Rather, these narratives are usually expressed in public, preferably with the sinners’ victims as audience. The public nature of the confessions and their co-occurrence with spiritual cleansing as performed via deliverance rituals allow us to embark on an analysis that foregrounds the uncertainty of the Christian subject and the ways in which the subject can emerge but also be broken down.
A3V5O14 (A = K+, Rb+, or Tl+), new polar oxides with a tetragonal tungsten bronze related structural topology: synthesis, structure, and functional properties.

Three polar noncentrosymmetric (NCS) oxide materials, A3V5O14 (A = K+, Rb+, or Tl+), have been synthesized by hydrothermal and conventional solid state techniques. Their crystal structures and functional properties (second-harmonic generation, piezoelectricity, and polarization) have been determined. The iso-structural materials exhibit a layered structural topology that consists of corner-sharing VO4 tetrahedra and VO5 square pyramids. The layers stack parallel to the c-axis direction and are separated by the K+, Rb+, or Tl+ cations. Powder second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements using 1064 nm radiation indicate the materials exhibit moderate SHG efficiencies of ∼100 × α-SiO2. Additional SHG measurements, that is, particle size versus SHG efficiency, indicate the materials are type-I phase-matchable. Converse piezoelectric measurements for K3V5O14, Rb3V5O14, and Tl3V5O14 revealed d33 values of 28, 22, and 26 pm/V, respectively. Pyroelectric measurements, that is, temperature-dependent polarization ...
Microstructural and electrochemical characterization of hydroxyapatite-coated Ti6Al4V alloy for medical implants

The in vitro behaviors of the etched, electrochemically anodized, and hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated Ti6Al4V alloys were investigated through microstructural analysis, electrochemical measurements, and immersion tests in the Hank’s solution. A nanometer-scale, bonelike porous structure with a layer of TiO2 on top was formed during the anodization process. The surface of the coated substrate was composed of a thin TiO2 layer adjacent to the substrate, a thick monolithic HA on the outside, and a composite layer of TiO2 and HA in the middle. The anodization significantly improved the stability of the Ti6Al4V alloy in Hank’s solution due to a layer of TiO2 formed on the surface. The precoated HA further improved the stability of the Ti6Al4V alloy due to a composite layer of TiO2 and HA. The barrier layer of the composite of TiO2 and HA was suggested by the capacitive behavior of the HA-coated substrate in the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical measurements implied a high tendency for the new formation of HA on the precoated HA and the anodized substrates, which was confirmed through the immersion tests. The newly formed HA on the anodized substrate was scattered over the entire surface. The newly formed HA on the HA-precoated surface mingled with the precoated HA, and gradually a new layer of HA was formed on top. These proved the favorable condition of the anodized surface as a prerequisite step for coating HA and the conductive promotion of new HA formation on the precoated surface. The new formation of HA during the immersion might suggest that artificial joints pretreated through anodization and HA coating could induce strong bonding to the bone due to the easy growth of new HA.
Analysis of early phase ring current recovery mechanisms during geomagnetic storms

A time-dependent kinetic model is used to investigate the relative importance of various mechanisms in the early phase decay rate of the ring current. It is found that, for both the solar maximum storm of June 4–7, 1991 and especially the solar minimum storm of September 24–27, 1998, convective drift loss out the dayside magnetopause is the dominant process in removing ring current particles during the initial recovery. During the 1998 storm, dayside outflow losses outpaced charge exchange losses by a factor of ten.
On order invariant aggregation functionals

This paper deals with aggregation functionals defined on arbitrary sets of ordinal numerical values in the framework of representational measurement theory. Our basic assumption is that such a functional represents a meaningful relation between variables; i.e., it is invariant under actions from an appropriate automorphism group. We prove that an aggregation functional is continuous, idempotent, and invariant if and only if it can be represented in the form of the Choquet integral with respect to a monotonic {0, 1}- valued set function. We also establish a polynomial representation for these functionals.
Enzymes of sphingolipid metabolism: from modular to integrative signaling.

Many enzymes of sphingolipid metabolism are regulated in response to extra- and intracellular stimuli and in turn serve as regulators of levels of bioactive lipids (such as sphingosine, ceramide, sphingosine 1-phosphate, and diacylglycerol), and as such, they serve a prototypical modular function in cell regulation. However, lipid metabolism is also closely interconnected in that a product of one enzyme serves as a substrate for another. Moreover, many cell stimuli regulate more than one of these enzymes, thus adding to the complexity of regulation of lipid metabolism. In this paper, we review the status of enzymes of sphingolipid metabolism in cell regulation and propose a role for these enzymes in integration of cell responses, a role that builds on the modular organization while also taking advantage of the complexity and interconnectedness of lipid metabolism, thus providing for a combinatorial mechanism of generating diversity in cell responses. This may be a general prototype for the involvement of ...
Electronic and sensing properties of diamond

Diamond has attractive properties as an advanced electronic material. Its combination of high mobility, breakdown and thermal conductivity results in the largest Johnson’s and Keyes’ figures of merit by far. For example, the cutoff frequency of diamond transistors, as governed by the semiconductor material, suggests that if diamond devices could be realized, the enhancement in electronic performance would be extensive. Trew’s calculations of the frequency performance of realistically scaled diamond MESFETs noted “performance significantly better than possible with GaAs MESFETs.”
Demographic characteristics and IQ among adults: Analysis of the WAIS—R standardization sample as a function of the stratification variables.

Abstract The goal of the present investigation was to analyze data from the standardization sample of the 1981 Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) to determine the relationships of WAIS-R IQs to the demographic variables upon which the sample was stratified. The sample included 1, 880 adults stratified according to sex and age (equal numbers of males and females within nine groups), race, occupation, urban-rural residence, geographic region, and education. There were 1, 664 whites, 192 blacks, and 24 from other nonwhite groups. Analyses of variance were conducted separately for Verbal (VIQ), Performance (PIQ), and Full Scale IQ (FSIQ). The differences in mean IQs due to sex, urban-rural residence, and geographic regions were nonsignificant. However, there were significant differences that were due to race and education level, and there were also sizeable differences noted for occupational groups. There was a 14 1 2 -point difference in favor of whites over blacks on FSIQ. Differences due to education and occupation were striking: College graduates earned FSIQs that were 32 1 2 points higher than the FSIQs of individuals with 7 years or less of schooling, and professional and technical workers outscored unskilled workers on the WAIS-R Full Scale by 22 points.
Effects of Endothelial Cell Injury on Pulmonary Vascular Reactivity

Using the thiocarbamide model of acute lung injury in rats, we found that α-naphthylthiourea (ANTU) caused lung endothelial cell injury, as evidenced by increased permeability edema and decreased angiotensin I conversion. These effects were associated with enhanced pulmonary vascular reactivity. Recurrent ANTU lung injury caused pulmonary hypertension. The water-soluble thiocarbamide thiourea caused cultured vascular endothelial cells to release neutrophil chemoattractant activity. We speculate that endothelial cell injury may modulate the function of vascular smooth muscle and blood leukocytes.
Student Aptitude and Management Knowledge—The Management Skill Inventory Bridge:

Introductory management courses often are presented as knowledge-based studies. Although students may have limited work experience, they possess considerable life experiences and aptitude that can be used as a starting point for management knowledge. Prior to formal exposure to such issues as planning and leadership, the author asks students to complete self-assessment tests, allowing students to name and quantify their latent abilities and to use the classroom setting to build on this self-discovered knowledge. This article explores the use of this self-assessment technique in the classroom and its implications for learning.
Growth-Mediated Life History Traits of Steelhead Reveal Phenotypic Divergence and Plastic Response to Temperature

AbstractGrowth-mediated early life history traits affect an individual's fitness and reflect both evolutionary adaptations and phenotypic responses to environmental conditions. We tested for phenotypic plasticity of growth-mediated life history traits between and within two depressed populations of steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss from Hood Canal, Washington. We conducted a reciprocal transplant “common garden” experiment at two temperature regimes and measured individual growth rate, condition factor, proportion of age-1 smolts and proportion of age-1 mature males. We found phenotypic plasticity in growth rate, condition factor, and proportion of age-1 smolts in both populations, demonstrating that genotype–temperature interaction plays an important role in determining phenotypic expression of growth and development. Growth rates were highest in the warm temperature treatment for both populations. More Dewatto River individuals smolted in their first year than Duckabush River individuals, which is consisten...
Total Erythrocyte Destruction Time: The New Index for the Hemolytic Performance of Rotary Blood Pumps

To date an index of hemolysis is the only parameter to evaluate in vitro the hemolytic properties of blood pumps. However, this index does not reflect the sublethal conditions of erythrocytes. In this paper, a new concept, the total destruction of erythrocytes, to indicate traumatic features on erythrocytes is proposed. Five paired long duration in vitro hemolysis tests were conducted using the BioMedicus pump; BP80, and the Nikkiso pump, HMS12. The pumps ran until either a sudden change in blood color to dark red was noted or the pumps ran for over 24 h. At a certain point, the plasma-free hemoglobin levels suddenly and dramatically increased in each experiment except one Nikkiso case. At a certain point in time, the destruction of most erythrocytes suddenly and simultaneously occurred. We call this phenomenon total destruction of erythrocytes and define the pumping duration required to raise the level of the plasma-free hemoglobin to 50% of the total hemoglobin as total destruction time. Although there is no statistical difference in the normalized index of hemolysis between the two pumps, the total destruction time of the BioMedicus pump is significantly shorter than that of the Nikkiso pump. It appears that an accumulation of sublethal damage on erythrocytes resulted in the decrease of the hemolytic threshold of the entire erythrocyte and also resulted in a sudden entire destruction of erythrocytes.
A comparison of multi-objective spatial dispersion models for managing critical assets in urban areas

Abstract A diverse array of spatial optimization models dealing with protection, service, coverage, equity, and risk can potentially aid with the effective placement of critical assets. Protection of assets can be enhanced using the p-dispersion model, which locates facilities to maximize the minimum distance between any two. Dispersion, however, is rarely the only objective for a system of facilities, and the p-dispersion model is known to be difficult to solve. Therefore, this paper analyzes the trade-offs and computational times of four multi-objective models that combine the p-dispersion model with other facility location objectives relevant to siting critical assets, such as the p-median, max-cover, p-center, and p-maxian models. The multi-objective models are tested on a case study of Orlando, Florida. The dispersion/center model produced the most gradual trade-off curve, while the dispersion/maxian trade-off curve had the most pronounced “elbow.” The center and median multi-objective models were far more computationally demanding than the models using max cover and p-maxian. These findings may inform decision-makers and researchers in deciding what type of multi-objective models to use for planning dispersed networks of critical assets.
Activated Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors Are Modified by Homogeneous Lys-48- and Lys-63-linked Ubiquitin Chains, but Only Lys-48-linked Chains Are Required for Degradation

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors (IP3Rs) are large, ubiquitously expressed, endoplasmic reticulum membrane proteins that form tetrameric IP3 and Ca2+-gated Ca2+ channels. Endogenous IP3Rs provide very appealing tools for studying the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in intact mammalian cells because, upon activation, they are rapidly ubiquitinated and degraded. Using mass spectrometry, we previously examined the ubiquitination of IP3R1 in αT3-1 pituitary gonadotrophs and found that IP3R1 ubiquitination is highly complex, with receptors being modified at multiple sites by monoubiquitin and polyubiquitin chains formed through both Lys-48 and Lys-63 linkages (Sliter, D. A., Kubota, K., Kirkpatrick, D. S., Alzayady, K. J., Gygi, S. P., and Wojcikiewicz, R. J. H. (2008) J. Biol. Chem. 283, 35319–35328). Here, we have extended these studies to determine whether IP3R2 and IP3R3 are similarly modified and if ubiquitination is cell type-dependent. Using mass spectrometry and linkage-specific ubiquitin antibodies, we found that all IP3R types are subject to ubiquitination at approximately the same locations and that, independent of cell type, IP3Rs are modified by monoubiquitin and Lys-48- and Lys-63-linked ubiquitin chains, although in differing proportions. Remarkably, the attached Lys-48- and Lys-63-linked ubiquitin chains are homogeneous and are segregated to separate IP3R subunits, and Lys-48-linked ubiquitin chains, but not Lys-63-linked chains, are required for IP3R degradation. Together, these data provide unique insight into the complexities of ubiquitination of an endogenous ubiquitin-proteasome pathway substrate in unperturbed mammalian cells. Importantly, although Lys-48-linked ubiquitin chains appear to trigger proteasomal degradation, the presence of Lys-63-linked ubiquitin chains suggests that ubiquitination of IP3Rs may have physiological consequences beyond signaling for degradation.
Correlates of health-related quality of life in African American and Caucasian stroke caregivers.

Objective Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. Family caregivers are susceptible to negative outcomes as a result of their caregiving role. A stress process model was utilized to identify characteristics of stroke caregivers who are at risk for poor physical and mental health-related quality of life (QOL).
Role of Gloves in Reducing Vibration: An Analysis for Pneumatic Chipping Hammer

The effects of vibration isolating gloves in reducing the vibration transmitted to the operator chipping castings were investigated. The actual chipping technique was simulated at the University of Iowa Department of Biomedical Engineering. The resulting accelerations measured during the chipping process were recorded on a four channel FM tape recorder through a set of accelerometers mounted on the back of the operator's hand used for holding/guiding the chisel. The data were digitized with a PDP 11/34 computer, and third octave band rms acceleration levels were obtained. The results indicated that the use of vibration isolating gloves reduced the vibration on the hand holding the chisel significantly in comparison to the bare hand. The average reductions achieved for the leather, Poron padded and Sorbothane padded gloves were 23.5%, 24.2% and 45.5%, respectively. Operators should be encouraged to wear vibration isolating gloves during the chipping process.
Vowel identification by listeners with hearing impairment in response to variation in formant frequencies.

Purpose This study examined the influence of presentation level and mild-to-moderate hearing loss on the identification of a set of vowel tokens systematically varying in the frequency locations of...
Antiviral activity of herbs on Columbia SK in mice, and LSM, vaccinia and adeno type 12 viruses in vitro.

SummaryAbout 130 Chinese herbs have been screened for antiviral effect in vitro or in vivo. Crude water extracts of 6 herbs out of 90 tested in vivo decreased the mortality to three-fourths of that in controls, in mice infected with Columbia SK virus. These antiviral activities were comparable with that of crude propionin which has been extensively studied in this laboratory. It was also found that 24 herbs showed activity against vaccinia virus, one herb against LCM virus, but none against adeno type 12 virus in KB cell cultures.
A Bootstrap Modification of the Alexander-Govern ANOVA Method, Plus Comments on Comparing Trimmed Means

This article reports some results on how the Alexander-Govern heteroscedastic analysis of variance procedure performs under non-normality. It is illustrated that this method can provide poor control over the probability of a Type I error and that there are situations in which power decreases as the the differences among the means get large. Included are some results on how the Alexander-Govern procedure might be improved using a particular form of the bootstrap method advocated by Westfall and Young. For comparative purposes, some new results on comparing trimmed means are reported as well.
Remote quantum mechanical detection of gravitational radiation

The presumed existence of atomic hydrogen in the vicinity of sources of gravitational radiation suggests its use as a radiation detector. Curvature-induced atomic energy level shifts carry a unique signature and could thus provide for remote detection of gravitational radiation. We investigate the shifts induced by space-time curvature arising from gravitational waves. The effect is studied for both low-lying and highly excited states of atomic hydrogen. Numerical results are quoted for radiation from various sources, including binary star systems, binary neutron stars, binary black holes, collapsing stars, and pulsars. In addition, we provide a theoretical upper limit to the magnitude of the effect. For completeness, we examine the shifts induced in a harmonic oscillator as well as a rigid rotator.
An Evaluation of the Wicking Characteristics of Stochastic Open-Cell Nickel Foams

Heat pipes are a very efficient device which can be used for the rapid transfer of thermal energy. Small and microscale heat pipes are used in a variety of applications such as electronics and microprocessor coolers. As the size of the heat pipe devices increase, the volume and rate at which the working fluid is replenished in the evaporator region becomes an important parameter influencing the performance of the heat pipe system. Here, a stochastic open-cell nickel-foam has been evaluated for use as the wick material in heat pipes. The pore size of the open-cell nickel foam was modified via compression in the through thickness direction in order to evaluate its wicking characteristics and fluid flow resistance as a function of pore size. These properties are controlled by the effective pore size (controlled via through thickness compression) of the nickel foam. The equilibrium wicking height was measured by a simple flow experiment. The mass flow rate and the differential pressure of the crushed foams were measured at each thickness to generate a friction factor as a function of pore size. The equilibrium wicking height results were compared to a simple analytical model of a single capillary tube and found to be in reasonable agreement and the friction factor followed the same trend as the equilibrium wicking height. The experiments were used to evaluate the suitability of stochastic open cell nickel foams as wicks for heat pipe systems.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
A 64-Channel Transmitter for Investigating Parallel Transmit MRI

Multiple channel radiofrequency (RF) transmitters are being used in magnetic resonance imaging to investigate a number of active research topics, including transmit SENSE and B1 shimming. Presently, the cost and availability of multiple channel transmitters restricts their use to relatively few sites. This paper describes the development and testing of a relatively inexpensive transmit system that can be easily duplicated by users with a reasonable level of RF hardware design experience. The system described here consists of 64 channels, each with 100 W peak output level. The hardware is modular at the level of four channels, easily accommodating larger or smaller channel counts. Unique aspects of the system include the use of vector modulators to replace more complex IQ direct digital modulators, 100 W MOSFET RF amplifiers with partial microstrip matching networks, and the use of digital potentiometers to replace more complex and costly digital-to-analog converters to control the amplitude and phase of each channel. Although mainly designed for B1 shimming, the system is capable of dynamic modulation necessary for transmit SENSE by replacing the digital potentiometers controlling the vector modulators with commercially available analog output boards. The system design is discussed in detail and bench and imaging data are shown, demonstrating the ability to perform phase and amplitude control for B1 shimming as well as dynamic modulation for transmitting complex RF pulses.