cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transmission dynamics of two strains of Schistosoma mansoni utilizing novel intermediate and definitive hosts

The intimate host–parasite relationship mandates adaptation to the genetic and phenotypic variability of their counterparts. Here, inbred and outcrossed strains of Schistosoma mansoni were challenged with “local” and “novel” intermediate and definitive hosts to examine effects of genetic variability and novelty on infection success and dynamics. Genetically distinct lines of Biomphalaria glabrata intermediate hosts exposed to inbred and outcrossed S. mansoni larvae were assessed for differences in both snail and parasite life-history parameters. Cercariae from each parasite–snail treatment were used to infect “local” and “novel” Mus musculus definitive hosts to assess parasite infectivity and fitness. Outcrossed parasites significantly reduced snail growth, were more productive, and induced greater host mortality than inbred parasites. Mouse strain did not influence parasite infectivity or reproduction, but parasite and snail host genetic background did, affecting both sex-specific infectivity and parasite productivity. Overall, genetic background of S. mansoni and its intermediate snail host altered life history traits and transmission dynamics of the parasite throughout its life cycle.
Bivariant Intersection Theory

Our basic intersection construction has assigned to a regular imbedding (or 1.c.i. morphism) f: X → Y of codimension d a collection of homomorphisms $$ {{f}^{!}}:{{A}_{k}}Y' \to {{A}_{{k - d}}}X' $$ for all Y’ → Y, X’ = X x y Y’, all k. In this chapter we formalize the study of such operations. For any morphism f: X → Y, a bivariant class c in \( {A^p}\left( {X\xrightarrow{f}Y} \right) \) is a collection of homomorphisms from A k Y’ to A k-P X’, for all Y’ → Y, all k, compatible with push-forward, pull-back, and intersection products.
Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics

The human genome is far more complex than most of us could have imagined; thus, phenotyping assays remain superior to DNA genotyping assays in assessing most pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic disorders. DNA variants showing statistical significance in a large cohort almost always have an effect size too small to predict in the individual patient. Genes can be categorized into three types – those associated with monogenic traits, high-penetrance predominantly monogenic (hPpM) disorders, and complex diseases. The hPpM genes are principally responsible for changes in urine or plasma drug or metabolite levels as well as therapeutic failure. Drug efficacy and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent multiplex phenotypes that are conceptually not different from complex diseases.
Studies on the nutrition of Endamoeba histolytica. I. Amino acid buffers.

Abstract 1. 1. It has been shown that E. histolytica will grow in media buffered by systems other than phosphate. 2. 2. E. histolytica , under the conditions described, obtains sufficient phosphate for growth from coagulated whole egg, accompanying flora, rice powder, or a combination of any of these. 3. 3. In the amino acid buffer systems used, regardless of the pH at the start of growth, there is a change in pH at 48 to 72 hours, which appears characteristic of the accompanying bacterial flora. 4. 4. A system has been demonstrated in whch amebae in a monobacterial culture show better growth than a culture of amebae containing mixed bacterial flora.
Conformational analysis of [Met5]-enkephalin: solvation and ionization considerations.

[Met5]-Enkephalin has the sequence Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met. Only the extended conformation of the peptide has been observed by X-ray crystallography. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy supports the presence of a turn at Gly 3 and Phe 4 in dimethyl sulfoxide. In this study, the peptide conformational states and thermodynamic properties are understood in terms of ionization state and solvent environment. In the calculation, final conformations obtained from multiple independent Monte Carlo simulated annealing conformational searches are starting points for molecular dynamics simulations. In an aqueous environment given by the use of solvation free energy and the zwitterionic state, dominant structural motifs computed are G-P Type II′ bend, G-G Type II′ bend, and G-G Type I′ bend motifs, in order of increasing free energy. In the calculation of the peptide with neutral N- and C-termini and solvation free energy, the extended conformer dominates (by at least a factor of 2.5), and the conformation of another low free energy conformer superimposes well on the pharmacophoric groups of morphine. Neutralization of charge and solvation induce and stabilize the extended conformation, respectively. A mechanism of inter-conversion between the extended conformer and three bent conformers is supported by φ/ψ-scatter plots, and by the conformer relative free energies. An estimate of the entropy change of receptor unbinding is 8.3 cal K-1 mol-1, which gives rise to a -2.5 kcal/mol entropy contribution to the free energy of unbinding at 25 °C. The conformational analysis methodology described here should be useful in studies on short peptides and flexible protein surface loops that have important biological implications.
Polymeric drugs by direct copolymerization: Polymer of β-adrenergic antagonist alprenolol and its binding to receptors and antibodies

Alprenolol (1-(o-allylphenoxy)-3-isopropylamino-2-propanol), a drug which is used in the management of cardiovascular diseases, was copolymerized with acrylamide. The incorporation of alprenolol into the copolymer decreased its potency for binding to beta-adrenergic receptors located on membranes of frog erythrocytes a thousand times. However, this incorporation decreased the potency of alprenolol for binding to antibodies specific for catecholamines and alprenolol-related drugs only about three times. The incorporation of the drug into the polymer apparently results in steric strains preventing the approach of the drug residues to sterically constrained receptor binding sites, but allowing its approach to the accessible antibody binding sites. Copolymerization with acrylamide was used to prepare the polymer bound form of another drug which contains an allyl group, an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, azapetine (6-allyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenz[c,e]azepine).
Overview of Glutathione Function and Metabolism

Glutathione is a key player in reduction processes in the cell. It is responsible for maintaining thiol groups of intracellular proteins by providing reducing power for cysteine, dihydolipoate, CoA, ascorbate, and vitamin E. It also plays a role in reduction of NTPs to dNTPs. Glutathione is also involved in detoxification of endogenous and exogenous compounds, participates in the synthesis of leukotrienes and prostaglandins, serves as a cofactor for various enzymes, stores and transports cysteine, and may be involved in cell cycle regulation and thermotolerance.
gcr2, a new mutation affecting glycolytic gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract Screening of a mutagenized strain carrying a multicopy ENO1-'lacZ fusion plasmid revealed a new mutation affecting most glycolytic enzyme activities in a pattern resembling that caused by gcr1: levels in the range of 10% of wild-type levels on glycerol plus lactate but somewhat higher on glucose. The recessive single nuclear gene mutation, named gcr2-1, was unlinked to gcr1, and GCR1 in multiple copies did not restore enzyme levels. GCR2 was obtained by complementation from a YCp50 genomic library; the complemented strain had normal enzyme levels, as did a strain with GCR2 in multiple copies. GCR2 in multiple copies did not suppress gcr1. A chromosomal gcr2 null mutant was constructed; its pattern of enzyme activities resembled that of the gcr2-1 mutant and, like the gcr2-1 mutant, its growth defect on glucose was only partial (in contrast to the glucose negativity of the gcr1 mutant). Northern (RNA) analysis showed that gcr2 and gcr1 affect ENO1 mRNA levels.
ADEA Executive Director's report.

The year 2011 was a banner year for the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). A decade into the twenty-first century, the core features that define our Association in the current era are coming of age. Building on the inclusivity that drove our Open Membership campaign, ADEA has become more
Effects of duration of gonadectomy, sex and age on adrenal steroid 5α-reductase activity in the rat

Within 6–8 weeks, gonadectomy in male and female rats leads to an increase in adrenal 5α-steroid reductase activity. However, long-term post-orchiectomy enzyme activity decreases to the control level and this effect is not related to the age of animals.
Quantum supports and modal logic

LetA be a quasi-manual with finite operations. Associate to each E = {e 1 ,..., en} eA the set ΓE of modal formulas: □(e 1 ⋁ ··· ⋁ en), ◊ei → ∼□(e 1 ⋁ ··· ⋁ ei−1 ⋁ ei+1 ⋁ ··· ⋁ en), i=1,..., n. Set Γ A = ώ{ΓE|E eA}. We show that supports ofA are in one-to-one correspondence with certain Kripke models of Γ A where the supports are given by {x e |A ‖ ◊ x is true}.
THE STABILITY AND EQUIVALENCE RELIABILITY OF THE FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE MEASURE FOR CHILDREN (WEEFIM)

The reliability of the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) was examined in 37 non-disabled children and 30 children with disabilities, from 12 to 76 months of age. The WeeFIM is derived from the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and includes 18 items involving six functional subscales. Stability was assessed by administering the WeeFIM instrument to each child's caregiver on two occasions separated by 7 to 14 days. Intraclass correlation co-efficients (ICCs) for individual items ranged from 0.90 to 0.99. The ICC for the six WeeFIM subscales ranged from 0.94 for social cognition to 0.99 for transfers and locomotion. The ICC value for total WeeFIM test-retest reliability was 0.98 for children with disabilities and 0.99 for children without disabilities. Equivalence reliability was examined by comparing ratings obtained when using personal assessment with ratings collected during a telephone interview. No statistically significant differences were found for individual items, subscale scores or total WeeFIM values.
Role of invariant natural killer T cells in immune regulation and as potential therapeutic targets in autoimmune disease.

Autoimmune diseases are caused by pathogenic antibody and/or T-cell responses that are left unchecked by regulatory immune mechanisms. Recent studies in immunology have focused on subsets of regulatory T cells (Tregs) that can suppress autoimmune responses. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a subset of Tregs that recognize glycolipid antigens in the context of CD1d proteins. iNKT cells play a suppressive role in several autoimmune diseases and, therefore, are attractive targets for development of immunotherapies for these diseases. While preclinical studies with reagents, such as the sea sponge-derived iNKT-cell antigen α-galactosylceramide, have been promising, there are substantial concerns about treating humans with autoimmunity, or at risk of developing autoimmunity, with these reagents.
Fossil Fuels Without CO2 Emissions

Recent work in carbon management (CM)--the separation and sequestration of carbon from fossil-fuel combustion to reduce atmospheric COemissions--has raised estimates of sequestration capacities and lowered estimates of costs, so that CM may offer substantial abatement possibilities more cheaply than nonfossil energy. CM9s seeming technological and economic attractiveness has major implications for the political economy of abatement and the design of abatement policies. CM also carries novel environmental risks and raises serious intergenerational equity issues, which urgently require assessment.
In situ investigation of acetonitrile adsorption on Al2O3-coated CaF2 using sum-frequency spectroscopy.

Sum-frequency spectroscopy (SFS) has been used to probe the interface between a model catalyst support (Al2O3-coated CaF2) and liquid consisting of neat acetonitrile and acetonitrile in ethanol. Vibrational features associated with both C⋮N stretching (∼2242 and 2281) and CH stretching (∼2942 and 2989) are observed for adsorbed nitrile. The peak positions are only slightly shifted from the bulk values, indicating weak adsorption to the model support. In the case of the neat liquid, the C−H stretching vibrations have also been probed using various polarization combinations of the sum frequency, visible and infrared beams in order to determine the orientation of the nitrile with respect to the surface. The average molecular angle calculated (∼39°) shows the off-normal alignment of acetonitrile on the surface of the model support. Finally, an attempt has been made to obtain qualitative information about the adsorption isotherm of acetonitrile on Al2O3/CaF2. The lack of curvature in the isotherm indicates the...
Objective structured clinical examinations in doctor of pharmacy programs in the United States.

Objectives. To describe current objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) practices in doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) programs in the United States. Methods. Structured interviews were conducted with PharmD faculty members between September 2008 and May 2010 to collect information about awareness of and interest in OSCE, current OSCE practices, and barriers to OSCEs. Results. Of 108 US colleges and schools of pharmacy identified, interviews were completed for a representative sample of 88 programs (81.5% participation rate). Thirty-two pharmacy programs reported using OSCEs; however, practices within these programs varied. Eleven of the programs consistently administered examinations of 3 or more stations, required all students to complete the same scenario(s), and had processes in place to ensure consistency of standardized patients' role portrayal. Of the 55 programs not using OSCEs, approximately half were interested in using the technique. Common barriers to OSCE implementation or expansion were c...
Chern-Simons current and local parity violation in hot QCD matter

Abstract Non-Abelian gauge theories “live” in a space-time with non-trivial topology that can be characterized by an odd-dimensional Chern-Simons form. In QCD, Chern-Simons form is induced by the chiral anomaly and the presence of topological solutions; it opens a possibility for the breaking of P and CP invariances in strong interactions (“the strong CP problem”). While there is apparently no global P and CP violation in QCD, here I argue that topological fluctuations in hot quark-gluon matter can become directly observable in the presence of a very intense external magnetic field by inducing local P- and CP- odd effects. These phenomena can be described by using the Maxwell-Chern-Simons electrodynamics as an effective theory. Local P and CP violation in hot QCD matter can be observed in experiment through the “hiral magnetic effect” – the separation of electric charge along the axis of magnetic field that is created by the colliding relativistic ions. There is a recent evidence for the electric charge separation relative to the reaction plane of heavy ion collisions from the STAR Collaboration at RHIC.
Evidence for strong surface magnetoelastic anisotropy in epitaxial Cu/Ni/Cu(001) sandwiches.

Measurements of effective magnetic anisotropy energy of epitaxial Cu/Ni/Cu(001) sandwiches are analyzed as a function of Ni film thickness $h$. The magnetization easy axis is perpendicular to the films for $20lhl140$ \AA{}. The magnetic anisotropy is best described by inclusion in the effective anisotropy energy of the strain-dependent magnetic surface anisotropy term, predicted by the strain-dependent N\'eel model, along with the usual magnetostatic, magnetocrystalline, and bulk magnetoelastic energies. The surface magnetocrystalline and surface magnetoelastic anisotropy energies of the Ni/Cu(001) interface are determined to be +0.9 erg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ and -52 erg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, respectively. The effective magnetoelastic coupling coefficient (bulk plus surface) of Cu/Ni/Cu(001) is predicted to change sign at $h=80$ \AA{}. The two observed magnetization easy-axis reversals are also well described by this model.
Integrin Connections Map: To Infinity and Beyond

Integrins are transmembrane proteins that serve as primary sensors of the extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. In response to interactions with the ECM, integrins initiate signaling pathways that regulate cell migration, growth, and survival. Advances in imaging have contributed to the understanding of the dynamic nature of these cell-ECM interactions and the complexes that form at these sites and have provided insights into their regulation and signal organizing functions.
Probabilistic method for estimating remaining fatigue life in steel bridges using measured strain data

Transportation officials face the difficult task of maintaining the nation’s inventory of bridges under the pressure of reduced budgets and an aging infrastructure. To prioritize the inspection, rehabilitation, or replacement schedules for each bridge, quantitative data are often needed to distinguish between bridges in an inventory. Measured strain data can be used to estimate the remaining fatigue life of fatigue-sensitive connections and provide quantitative data to bridge owners. Deterministic approaches have previously been developed and presented in design codes. However, due to the inherent scatter of fatigue data, a probabilistic approach may be more appropriate means of calculation. The probabilistic method allows a bridge owner to weigh the risk of maintaining a bridge past its design service life. A probabilistic approach to calculating the remaining fatigue life is discussed in this paper and applied to a fracture-critical bridge.
Synthesis of carbon‐14 labelled xenalipin ‐ a potential hypolipidemic agent

Xenalipin 1 (4′-trifluoromethyl-2-biphenylcarboxylic acid) was synthesized in the [14C]-labelled form with specific activity 21.0 mCi/mmol suitable for metabolism and distribution studies in animals. The synthetic sequence involved conversion of [14C]- benzoic acid to the 4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline derivative, formation of an organozinc compound, palladium-catalyzed coupling of the arylzinc-oxazoline with 4-trifluoromethyliodobenzene, and acid hydrolysis. The radiochemical purity was 99.4%.
Direct evidence for the generation of an active site in the plasminogen moiety of the streptokinase-human plasminogen activator complex

Summary A plasmin active site titrant, p-nitrophenyl p -(amidinothiomethyl)benzoate (AmSMeBzoNph), has been prepared with a radioactive label in the acid moiety and utilized to directly demonstrate the generation of an active site in plasminogen upon incubation with streptokinase to form the human plasminogen activator complex. When a 1:1 stoichiometric complex of streptokinase and human plasminogen are incubated for 2 minutes in the presence of a 10 fold excess of [ 14 C]-AmSMeBzoNph, 0.7–0.8 moles of p-nitrophenol are released per mole of plasminogen added and 0.7–0.8 moles of the [ 14 C]-substrate are covalently incorporated into the complex. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that only streptokinase and human plasminogen were present and all the radioactivity was found in the plasminogen band. When a 1:1 stoichiometric complex of streptokinase and human plasminogen are incubated for 2 minutes in the presence of a 10 fold excess of unlabeled p-nitrophenyl-p′-guanidino benzoate (GdnBzoNph), followed by the same amount of [ 14 C]-AmSMeBzoNph, no label is incorporated into the complex. This evidence supports the contention that an active site is developed in human plasminogen upon complex formation with streptokinase.
Low voltage sigma-delta modulators

Sigma delta modulators are nice solutions to achieve high resolution with relatively simple analog circuits,Sigma delta are based on the oversampling technique, If the sampling frequency is higher than the Nyquist limit only a fraction of the quantization noise power falls in the signal band,A digital filter which rejects the out-of-band noise is required to increase the effective number of bits, Modern technologies allow higher and higher frequency of operation either in digital and in analog sections + For signals with a relatively small band it is possible to trade speed with resolution,Oversampling ratio + OSR
Prescribing Physical Activity for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health

More than half of all Americans do not engage in regular physical activity of even moderate intensity, with nearly 1 in 4 reporting no leisure-time physical activity. Despite the well-known benefits of regular exercise, fewer than half of physicians counsel their patients on increasing physical activity. Aerobic exercise of a minimum intensity of only 30% to 40% of heart rate reserve is sufficient to improve cardiovascular fitness in most individuals, with a goal of gradually progressing to 60% to 80% heart rate reserve. Exercise duration and frequency are also gradually increased to maximize cardiovascular stimulus. The goal is a minimum weekly energy expenditure of 1000 kcal per week, and 2000 kcal per week or more may be needed for weight loss and/or management. Strength training 2 to 3 days per week is recommended as an adjunct to regular aerobic exercise, especially for those with impaired glucose/insulin metabolism. It is safe for most elderly individuals to follow these guidelines, including streng...
Volatiles lost during coalification

Abstract Losses of CO, H2O, and CH4 during coalification are modeled by calculating possible combinations of the quantities of these volatiles that must be released to account for the changes in the atomic H/C and O/C ratios that occur during the transition from the beginning to the end of each of the following coal ranks: high-volatile bituminous; (combined) medium- and low-volatile bituminous; semi-anthracite; and anthracite. Lower coal ranks were not modeled because plots of atomic H/C and O/C vs. % volatile matter (dry, mineral matter free) reveal a lack of equilibration of coal with more than 31% volatile matter (dmmf). The model uses atomic H/C and O/C ratios, and % volatile matter (dmmf) values calculated for 2693 coal samples contained in the US Geological Survey Coal Quality Database. The greatest losses of volatiles occur during the transition from the beginning to the end of the high-volatile bituminous rank. During this transition some CO must be lost. During the transition from the beginning to the end of each of the higher ranks some CH4 must be lost. The increase in the quantity of CH4 evolved may help to explain the presence of catagenic methane found at depth.
Unsolved Problems on Distance in Graphs

Abstract The distance between a pair of nodes of a graph G is the length of a shortest path connecting them. The eccentricity of a node v is the greatest distance between v and another node. The radius and diameter of a graph are, respectively, the smallest and largest eccentricities among its nodes. The status of v is the sum of the distances from v to all other nodes. We shall discuss various conjectures and unsolved problems concerning distance concepts in graphs. These problems involve radius, diameter, and status, as well as other distance concepts such as distance sequences, domination, distance in digraphs, and convexity.
Reaching Confidence in Photon Collider Technology

The technology for a photon collider experiment will ultimately be judged by its ability to deliver sustained luminosity. Attaining high luminosity requires the production of large amounts of laser power and tightly focusing it onto the oncoming electron beam. This paper describes the development and testing program required to have confidence that the laser and optics technology designed for the warm X-band machine will be able to deliver its design luminosity.
Reduction of Composite Panel Initial Curvature by Tool Compensation

Integrally forming stiffeners in a panel provides an economically favorable means of manufacturing stiffened composite panels for use in aerospace structures. How ever, the initial curvature that is introduced into the flat panel region between the stiffeners can significantly reduce the panel's resistance to buckling. The influence of initial curva ture on buckling due to uniaxial compression and to uniform shear is investigated. Finite element analysis is used to predict the initial curvature, and analytical results are used in compensation of the forming tool to reduce the initial curvature. Predictions are compared with experimental buckling results for panels fabricated using the compensated tool.
Dissecting non-canonical interactions in frameshift-stimulating mRNA pseudoknots

A variety of powerful NMR experiments have been introduced over the last few years that allow for the direct identification of different combinations of donor and acceptor atoms involved in hydrogen bonds in biomolecules. This ability to directly observe tertiary structural hydrogen bonds in solution tremendously facilitates structural studies of nucleic acids. We show here that an adiabatic HNN-COSY pulse scheme permits observation and measurement of J(N,N) couplings for nitrogen sites that are separated by up to 140 ppm in a single experiment at a proton resonance frequency of 500 MHz. Crucial hydrogen bond acceptor sites in nucleic acids, such as cytidine N3 nitrogens, can be unambiguously identified even in the absence of detectable H41 and H42 amino protons using a novel triple-resonance two-dimensional experiment, denoted H5(C5C4)N3. The unambiguous identification of amino nitrogen donor and aromatic nitrogen acceptor sites associated with both major groove as well as minor groove triple base pairs reveal the details of hydrogen bonding networks that stabilize the complex architecture of frameshift-stimulating mRNA pseudoknots. Another key tertiary interaction involving a 2′-OH hydroxyl proton that donates a hydrogen bond to an aromatic nitrogen acceptor in a cis Watson–Crick/sugar edge interaction can also be directly detected using a quantitative J(H,N) 1H,15N-HSQC experiment.
Remote rendering for ultrascale data.

The mission of the SciDAC Institute for Ultrascale Visualization is to address the upcoming petascale visualization challenges. As we move to petascale computation, we are seeing a trend not only in the growth but also in the consolidation of computing resources. As the distances between user and petascale visualization resources grow, the expected performance of the network degrades, especially with respect to latency. In this paper we will explore a technique for remote visualization that leverages unstructured lumigraph rendering. This technique will provide an interactive rendering experience regardless of the network performance to the remote visualization resource. The unstructured lumigraph rendering can also replace many of the other level-of-detail techniques currently used that have problems that are exasperated by petascale data.
Some Effects of Model Resolution on Simulated Gravity Waves Generated by Deep, Mesoscale Convection.

Abstract Over the past decade, numerous numerical modeling studies have shown that deep convective clouds can produce gravity waves that induce a significant vertical flux of horizontal momentum. Such studies used models with horizontal grid spacings of O(1 km) and produced strong gravity waves with horizontal wavelengths greater than about 20 km. This paper is an examination of how simulated gravity waves and their momentum flux are sensitive to model resolution. It is shown that increases in horizontal resolution produce more power in waves with shorter horizontal wavelengths. This change in the gravity waves’ spectra influences their vertical propagation. In some cases, gravity waves that were vertically propagating in coarse simulations become vertically trapped in fine simulations, which strongly influences the vertical flux of horizontal momentum.
Is there a Relationship between Honor Codes and Academic Dishonesty

This investigation compared “character building” colleges recognized by the John Templeton Foundation for their character development programs and with honor codes with those that did not have formalized character development programs (traditional colleges) or honor codes. The researcher administered a researcher-designed questionnaire (Academic Honesty Questionnaire) to 695 students representing six colleges and universities randomly selected. Of the six institutions, three colleges and universities of differing population sizes were selected that had incorporated honor code systems The three remaining institutions of differing sizes were considered traditional colleges and did not utilize honor code systems. The level of academic dishonesty was correlated to the presence of an honor code system to determine if possible relationships existed. In addition, the size of the institution and the gender of the student were also considered to determine if differences existed among the construct variables. Signi...
Assessment of Multiple Task Activation and Reproducibility in Patients with Benign and Low-grade Neoplasms:

Twenty-four patients with proven benign and low-grade brain neoplasms each performed two iterations of four fMRI paradigms: language (word generation), primary and association auditory (text listening), upper limb fine motor control (alternating-limb bilateral finger tapping), and primary visual perception (reversing checkerboard). Activation clusters with varying thresholds were generated for each scan and used to calculate reproducibility parameters: Difference in the Center of Mass (COM) location, R(size), and R(overlap). The average difference in the COM, R(size), and R(overlap) values ranged from 1.70 +/- 0.53 mm -10.60 +/- 3.21 mm, 0.6 +/- 0.04-0.90 +/- 0.05 and 0.23 +/- 0.12 -1 +/- 0.16 respectively for all tasks. These values are within the range of, or higher than, previously published reports on fMRI test-retest precision. FMRI is indicated to be a noninvasive tool with acceptable reproducibility measures for assessing the localizations of multiple language and sensorimotor functions in patients scheduled for radiotherapy treatment.
Dimer of Diruthenium Compound Bridged by 1,1′-Diethynylferrocene: Ferrocene as a Weak Mediator for Electronic Coupling

The reaction between Ru2(ap)4Cl (ap = 2-anilinopyridinate) and lithiated 1,1′-diethynylferrocene resulted in the expected product 1,1′-[Ru2(ap)4(C≡C)]2Fc (1) and 1-(Me3SiC≡C),1′-[Ru2(ap)4(C≡C)]Fc (2) as a byproduct. X-ray diffraction study of compound 1 revealed an anti arrangement of two Ru2(ap)4(σ-C≡C) fragments around the Fc unit. Cyclic and differential pulse volatmmetric (CV and DPV) measurements indicated that two Ru2 termini in 1 are weakly coupled in the reduced form. Also reported is the MO analysis of coupling mechanism based on the extended Huckel calculation of 1.
Ethics of fetal surgery

This article provides a comprehensive approach to the ethics of clinical investigation of fetal surgery. Investigators should address the initiation and assessment of clinical trials to determine whether they establish a standard of care and use an appropriate informed consent process to recruit and enroll subjects, consider whether selection criteria should include the abortion preferences of the pregnant woman, and consider whether physicians have an obligation to offer referral to such investigation. This approach is comprehensive because it takes account of the physician's obligations to the fetal patient, the pregnant woman, and future fetal and pregnant patients. The comprehensive approach to the ethics of fetal surgery is applied to the example of in utero surgical management of spina bifida.
Data types as values: polymorphism, type-checking, encapsulation

This paper describes a novel approach to the treatment of data types in programming languages, which allows a simple interpretation of "polymorphic" or "generic" procedures, makes a simple set of type-checking rules semantically justifiable and provides a straightforward treatment of encapsulation.
Miller–Urey Revisited: When Lightning Strikes the Earth

A discharge is arced to different solutions containing the simple molecular species water, methanol, and ammonia. We show that the impact of the discharge at the discharge-solution interface produces a range of organic molecules, including amino acids and polymers containing carboxylate, amine, imine, and cyano groups. The classic Miller-Urey experiment, of which there are hundreds of variations, changing parameters such as gas composition, pressures, and voltage have been tested, involves the production of simple amino acids and other species in the gas phase in an arc discharge. This work’s emphasis is the production of various chemical species at a discharge-liquid interface. The analysis of the product is conducted by IR, UV–VIS, LC–MS and MALDI–MS. As a laboratory exercise or a demonstration, this simple derivation of the Miller-Urey experiment can be used in a variety of teaching settings, from high school through advanced undergraduate research classes to demonstrate the basic hypothesis of how life on Earth may have started.
A low-power oxygen inductively coupled plasma for spectrochemical analysis—IV. Analytical features

Abstract The detection limits for 38 elements in a low-power (2 kW) oxygen inductively coupled plasma (ICP) are found to be a factor of 10 inferior to those in an argon ICP as reported by winge et al. [ Appl. Spectrosc. 33 , 206 (1979)], but better than in an air or nitrogen ICP. A 14-times improvement of the signal-to-background ratio has been achieved in the determination of barium in a CaO powder sample in the oxygen ICP compared to that in the argon ICP.
Postmenopausal hypertrophy of neurons expressing the estrogen receptor gene in the human hypothalamus.

Computer microscopy and in situ hybridization were used to investigate neuronal hypertrophy in the infundibular nucleus of postmenopausal women. In the first experiment, hypothalami from premenopausal (n = 3) and postmenopausal (n = 3) women were formalin fixed, paraffin embedded, serially sectioned, and stained with cresyl violet. Soma areas of more than 3500 neurons were digitized using an image-combining computer microscope. The mean cross-sectional area of infun-dibular neurons in the postmenopausal women was 30% greater than that in premenopausal women, with no change in cell density. The mean cross-sectional area of mammillary neurons was unchanged, indicating that the infundibular neuronal hypertrophy was not an artifact of tissue processing. In the second experiment, hypothalami from premenopausal (n = 3) and postmenopausal (n = 2) women were frozen, serially sectioned, and incubated with a 48-base synthetic cDNA probe complementary to estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA. Adjacent sections were incubated ...
A SELF‐CARE PRACTICE THEORY OF NURSING THE ELDERLY

This paper describes a practice theory of nursing for the elderly which focuses on maintaining the maximum amount of independence of elderly patients through a nursing focus on the full range of human functional abilities. Derived from the general self‐care nursing theory, the practice theory interrelates the varied health related characteristics and numerous health care requirements of the elderly with theoretical components of self‐care nursing theory. The resulting framework is a population specific nursing practice theory which guides nurses and their patients in meeting desired, age‐appropriate health care goals.
Infrared studies of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) and its alloys (a-C:H,N,F)

We have used infrared (IR) absorption spectra to characterize a-C:H and its alloys (a-C:H,N,F). The samples were deposited in an rf plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition system with various mixtures of ${\mathrm{CH}}_{4}$, ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, and ${\mathrm{NF}}_{3}$ gases. IR spectra are analyzed in detail and the peak position assignments are based on the data published in the literature and calculation of the normal mode vibrational frequencies by assuming a simple force field and linear-molecular model. From IR analysis, we found that as the concentration of nitrogen and fluorine increases, the ratio of ${\mathrm{sp}}^{2}$/${\mathrm{sp}}^{3}$ increases, while the hydrogen content decreases. The role of nitrogen is to break the symmetry and activate the olefinic C=C stretching mode. The role of fluorine is to replace hydrogen and to form stronger C--F bond. This explained the improvement of the thermal stability of electrical conductivity of a-C:H,N,F samples.
Quetiapine for the treatment of cocaine use disorder.

Abstract Background Cocaine addiction continues to be a significant healthcare issue, yet there are no FDA approved medications for the treatment of cocaine use disorder within the United States. Methods This 12-week, prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study examined the effectiveness of quetiapine (Seroquel XR™) versus matched placebo for the treatment of DSM-IV cocaine dependence in non-psychotic individuals. Subjects randomized to quetiapine ( N = 29) were titrated up to a target dose of 400 mg/day of quetiapine, while those in the placebo arm ( N = 31) were given a matched placebo. All subjects had weekly clinic visits and a cognitive-behavioral therapy group session. Outcome measures included self-report of cocaine use and money spent on cocaine as well as urine drug screens (UDS). Results The drop-out rate was substantial at 68%. Logistic regression analysis did not find significant differences between groups in predicting end-of trial abstinence, defined as three consecutive weekly negative UDS (13.7% in the quetiapine group versus 12.9% in the placebo group; p = .92). Based upon a repeated measures analysis of variance, subjects in this study, as a whole, demonstrated reductions in their self-reported use of cocaine, self-reported money spent on cocaine, and number of days per week using cocaine. However, the quetiapine group did not differ significantly from the placebo group. Conclusions This study did not find group differences between the quetiapine and placebo arms, suggesting that quetiapine is not an efficacious treatment for DSM-IV cocaine dependence.
Mass flux measurements and correlations in the back flow region of a nozzle plume.

A series of tests were conducted to measure the mass flux in the far field of a nozzle plume in a high vacuum with emphasis on the back flow region. The measurements presented in this report provide fairly accurate data for off-axis angles as large as 140 deg (i.e., the back flow region). The tests utilized five different nozzles. Parameters such as expansion ratio, throat diameter, nozzle lip shape, and plenum (chamber) pressure were varied. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases were passed through, and mass flux measurements were taken using quartz crystal microbalances in as many as nine different locations relative to the test nozzle. The tests resulted in a large matrix of data that were correlated and compared to existing prediction theories. Several conclusions with respect to the effect of nozzle and gas parameters on the amount of back flow mass flux are offered, and it was demonstrated that gaseous mass fluxes, which are not predictable by present theories, are encountered in the region behind the nozzle exit plane.
Nuclear magnetic resonances of tri-n-butyl phosphate-diluent mixtures

Abstract Hydrogen and phosphorus magnetic resonance measurements have been obtained for mixtures of tri- n -butyl phosphate (TBP) + chloroform, TBP + benzene, TBP + water, and TBP + 1-butanol at 295.15 K, and phosphorus magnetic resonance measurements for the binary mixture of TBP + n -heptane at 293.15 K. These results suggest that both solvation and aggregation occur in TBP mixtures.
The electrode effect in reduced semiconducting Nb-doped SrTiO3 ceramics

Complex-plane impedance analysis was used to study the electrode effect in reduced semiconducting SrTiO3 ceramics. The electrodes investigated were In, In-Ga, Ag and Ni. A real-axis intercept and a semicircular arc were observed for the In, In-Ga and Ag electrodes. But only a real-axis intercept was observed for the Ni electrode. Based on the observations, the electrode effect was modelled, and an equivalent circuit was proposed.
Projection Operator for the Rarita-Schwinger Equation

An operator which removes the spin one-half states from an arbitrary Rarita-Schwinger type state function has been constructed. This procedure avoids the explicit construction of spin three-halves state functions and makes possible the use of the Casimir spur technique for handling sums over spin three-halves states.
Reinventing Student Teaching

Innovative student teaching programs have proliferated during the last decade. The author distinguishes among reinvented student teaching programs by examining their underlying as sumptions about knowledge, power, and language in teaching and the various ways these are played out in school-university relationships and explores three contrasting school-university relationships—consonance, critical dissonance, and collaborative resonance—identifying the underlying assumptions of each and examining how problems are defined, goals established, and social and organizational structures for student teaching created. It is argued that collaborative resonance has unique potential to provide students with rich opportunities to learn to teach. This argument is illustrated with a description of the structures and effects of one innovative pro gram, Project START, based on resonance and designed to foster intellectual growth and com mitment to reform in both students and cooperating teachers.
E-011 TICI Quantified: Automated Cerebral Revascularization Grading in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction Cerebral angiographic revascularization grading is the primary method for measuring the angiographic success of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) endovascular therapy and is one of the strongest predictors for clinical outcome. Of the many reported scales, the modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) scale is the preferred grading scale for assessment of revascularization. Currently, mTICI grading is based on visual crude estimations by the operator, which may introduce error and bias in to the evaluation. Here, we present an update on our on-going study to automatize mTICI and provide a more accurate and precise grading tool: Quantified TICI (qTICI). Methods Phase one of the project is to develop a database of 15–30 patients with an aplastic/hypoplastic anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in order to establish the standard average and predicted 100% qTICI for the isolated middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. To map the MCA territory, a retrospective review of patients between the ages of 18–85 was performed from our Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) database at the Medical College of Wisconsin. All consecutive cases with aplastic/hypoplastic ACA (to minimise contaminating blood flow from the ACA territory) are included in this study. Existing Siemens software is currently in use to estimate the territory of normal capillary blush and establish normal blood flow values in this database. Results We have identified 19 consecutive patients with aplastic/hypoplastic ACA between the ages of 18–85, from our DSA database of over 3000 cases. Nine patients had aplastic A1 and 10 had hypoplastic A1 segments of the ACA. Once normal capillary blush of the MCA territory has been established and automatized, we will use those normalised values per age to compare the capillary blush and blood flow of the pathological cases- a cohort of 20–25 patients who have stroke secondary to MCA occlusion. Values of qTICI will be compared and validated using standard visual estimation of mTICI. Clinical correlation of qTICI with outcome will also be performed. The goal is to establish software that will accurately grade mTICI on a continuous scale rather than using the current crude visual estimation with wide range 4 strata, which will eliminate the operator dependent bias and increase the precision and accuracy of the revascularization grading. Conclusion The qTICI Grading Software once developed will have the potential to revolutionise the way clinicians and interventionalists grade revascularization post AIS endovascular therapy. The clinical implications of establishing automatized and quantified revascularization scale is critical in improving treatment safety and efficacy. Disclosures A. Sattar: None. K. Asif: None. M. Teleb: None. A. Castonguay: None. M. Issa: None. O. Zaidat: None.
High-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell rescue in children with recurrent medulloblastoma and supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors: The impact of prior radiotherapy on outcome

BACKGROUND: The role of myeloablative chemotherapy in children with recurrent medulloblastoma and supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (MB/ST-PNET) is controversial, in particular in patients who develop recurrent disease after craniospinal radiotherapy. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, the authors investigated the outcome of children with recurrent MB/ST-PNET who were referred for myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell rescue at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. RESULTS: Thirty-three children were referred for myeloablative chemotherapy: Fourteen of those children were never transplanted because of pre-transplant adverse events, and 19, including 6 without and 13 with previous irradiation, underwent transplant. Conditioning regimens included a backbone of thiotepa, which was given either in a single cycle or in multiple sequential cycles. The 3-year post-transplant event-free survival rate in unirradiated versus previously irradiated children was 83% ± 15% versus 20% ± 12%, respectively (P = .04). One child who had never been exposed to radiotherapy died of toxicity; the other children received post-transplant radiotherapy and remained disease free. Nine previously irradiated children experienced 4 toxic deaths and 6 tumor recurrences (1 patient had both): An interval of <1 year between initial radiotherapy and myeloablative chemotherapy predicted a greater risk of toxic death (P = .02), whereas a history of meningeal metastases at diagnosis and a poor response to the initial rescue therapy predicted a greater risk of post-transplant recurrence (P = .03 and P = .08, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Myeloablative doses of thiotepa-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy were able to cure most children who had radiotherapy-naive, chemoresponsive recurrences. Children who developed recurrences after craniospinal radiotherapy had poorer outcomes; however, cure was possible in those who had good prognostic features at presentation, chemoresponsive recurrences, and a long interval between initial radiotherapy and myeloablative chemotherapy. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Simulation of the electromagnetic scattering from complex scattering targets

With the goal of developing a dynamic, time-domain, simulation tool, different techniques for predicting the complex scattered electromagnetic fields are examined. Emphasis is placed upon evaluating the ability of certain RCS prediction methods to produce a high fidelity model of the static phase relationships of scattering mechanisms of a complex scattering body. Future exploration will focus on the phase effects of dynamic movement of these mechanisms within a radar measurement.