cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-elicited effects on bile acid homeostasis: Alterations in biosynthesis, enterohepatic circulation, and microbial metabolism.

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a persistent environmental contaminant which elicits hepatotoxicity through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Male C57BL/6 mice orally gavaged with TCDD (0.01–30 µg/kg) every 4 days for 28 days exhibited bile duct proliferation and pericholangitis. Mass spectrometry analysis detected a 4.6-fold increase in total hepatic bile acid levels, despite the coordinated repression of genes involved in cholesterol and primary bile acid biosynthesis including Cyp7a1. Specifically, TCDD elicited a >200-fold increase in taurolithocholic acid (TLCA), a potent G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1) agonist associated with bile duct proliferation. Increased levels of microbial bile acid metabolism loci (bsh, baiCD) are consistent with accumulation of TLCA and other secondary bile acids. Fecal bile acids decreased 2.8-fold, suggesting enhanced intestinal reabsorption due to induction of ileal transporters (Slc10a2, Slc51a) and increases in whole gut transit time and intestinal permeability. Moreover, serum bile acids were increased 45.4-fold, consistent with blood-to-hepatocyte transporter repression (Slco1a1, Slc10a1, Slco2b1, Slco1b2, Slco1a4) and hepatocyte-to-blood transporter induction (Abcc4, Abcc3). These results suggest that systemic alterations in enterohepatic circulation, as well as host and microbiota bile acid metabolism, favor bile acid accumulation that contributes to AhR-mediated hepatotoxicity.
Innervation of extraocular pulley smooth muscle in monkeys and humans.

PURPOSE Soft pulleys stabilize paths and determine pulling directions of the extraocular muscles (EOMs). This study was conducted to characterize innervation of smooth muscles (SMs) supporting these pulleys. METHODS Cadaveric human and monkey orbits were step and serially sectioned for histochemical and immunohistochemical staining. Before perfusion, the superior cervical ganglia of one monkey had been injected with the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin (PHA-L). Immunoperoxidase staining to human SM alpha-actin confirmed pulley SM. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies were used to demonstrate PHA-L, tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine beta-hydroxylase, phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and synaptophysin. The NADPH-diaphorase reaction was also used as a marker for NOS and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reaction for acetylcholine. RESULTS Pulleys, consisting of collagen and elastin sleeves supported by connective tissue containing SM, were observed around rectus muscles of humans and monkeys. The human and monkey SM was richly innervated. Axons terminating in motor end plates within SM bundles were immunoreactive to PHA-L, tyrosine hydroxylase, and dopamine beta-hydroxylase, but not phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase, indicating innervation of pulley SM from the superior cervical ganglion by projections using norepinephrine. Smaller axons and motor end plates were also demonstrated in SM, using NADPH-diaphorase and NOS immunoreactivity, indicating nitroxidergic innervation, and using AchE, indicating cholinergic parasympathetic innervation. The pterygopalatine and, to a lesser extent, the ciliary ganglia, but not the Edinger-Westphal nucleus, contained cells immunoreactive to NOS, suggesting that nitroxidergic innervation to pulley SM is mainly from the pterygopalatine ganglion. CONCLUSIONS The SM suspensions of human and monkey EOM pulleys are similar and receive rich innervation involving multiple neurotransmitters. These complex projections suggest excitatory and inhibitory control of EOM pulley SM, and support their dynamic role in ocular motility.
The origin and evolution of species differences in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium

Since diverging from a common ancestor some 120 million years, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium have accumulated numerous phenotypic characteristics which have traditionally beeen used to distinguish these enteric species. While most of the genetic differences between these species are due to the accumulation of point mutations, the majority of the observed variation in phenotypic characters is attributable to segments of the genome confined to only one of the species. We have analyzed the map positions, G + C contents, nucleotide sequences and functions of regions unique to the Salmonella chromosome in an attempt to determine the ancestry of species-specific sequences. Some of the Salmonella -specific regions had uncharacteristically low base compositions and contained open reading frames of atypical codon usage patterns suggesting that portions of the genome were acquired by horizontal transfer from distantly-related bacterial species. The role of these species-specific sequences was assayed by constructing mutant strains harboring deletions in the corresponding regions of the genome. Several functions were ascribed to these unique portions of the Salmonella chromosome, including one encoding proteins involved in virulence and invasion of host epithelial cells.
Consequences of Management Practices on Coastal Wetlands in the East and West Indies

Coastal wetlands in Southeast Asia and The Caribbean have undergone tremendous cultural alterations. Case studies from the West Indies (Jamaica and Trinidad) and East Indies (Indonesia and Philippines) are used to describe the impacts of management activities. In general, initial management implementation resulted in habitat change, if not degradation, of the wetland environment as exemplified by the Negril Morass in Jamaica and the Caroni Swamp in Trinidad. Subsequent management plans emphasized multiple cultural uses, which incorporate rehabilitation to a semi-natural condition. Indonesia has a model to demonstrate the implementation of this management approach.
Deterministic Epidemic Models

We begin by looking at a sequence of three increasingly complicated mathematical models for the development of an epidemic of a contagious disease. The first model is so simple as to be almost entirely unrealistic; however, its shortcomings suggest how it can be improved. The second model, which results from modifying the first model, is considerably better, but still leads to unacceptable results. The third model is likewise an outgrowth of the previous models. Although still imperfect, the third model manifests a property which was not built into the formulation explicitly, but which is in fact observable in an actual epidemic of a contagious disease.
Spoilage of Fresh and Processed Meats, Poultry, and Seafood

Meats are the most perishable of all important foods; the reasons are shown in Table 9-1, which lists the chemical composition of a typical adult mammalian muscle postmortem. Meats contain an abundance of all nutrients required for the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds, and an adequate quantity of these constituents exist in fresh meats in available form. The general chemical composition of a variety of meats is presented in Table 9-2.
Design Patterns for Cloud Services

The transition to cloud computing is a disruptive trend that poses huge challenges to the software and service architecture. There are dramatic differences between delivering software as services in the cloud for millions to use through their occasionally disconnected clients, versus distributing software as bits for millions to run on their PCs. In particular, cloud services need new design patterns and programming models for their partitioned data set with many copies that are independently changed. This is a huge software challenge and a major barrier to the adoption of cloud computing. For instance, big websites spend 70% of their efforts on the undifferentiated heavy lifting (e.g., partitioning, replication and scaling) versus 30% on the differentiated value (feature) creation. This chapter will review the challenges for cloud services and some of the emerging solutions to address those challenges, based on our experience in building cloud service platforms as well as the industry best practices.
Myth and Everyday Life

This chapter deals with myth and its role in our everyday lives. It defines myth and offers a “myth model” which suggests how myth informs many different aspects of our lives, even though we are not aware that this is the case. It discusses the work of Mircea Eliade on myth and takes two myths—the myth of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and of Oedipus—and shows how they are reflected in psychoanalytic theory, history, elite art forms, popular culture, and everyday life. It suggests that Sisyphus is the paradigmatic mythic hero of everyday life.
Condition State–Based Civil Infrastructure Deterioration Model on a Structure System Level

AbstractThe successful prediction of civil infrastructure’s deterioration process is crucial for making optimal maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement (MR&R) decisions under financial constra...
Physical Education for Children with Visual Impairment or Blindness

There are over 61,000 school-age children with visual impairments in public schools today. Research has shown that they are often behind their peers in physical activity participation and in motor ...
The ecology of prelinguistic vocal learning: parents simplify the structure of their speech in response to babbling.

What is the function of babbling in language learning? We examined the structure of parental speech as a function of contingency on infants’ non-cry prelinguistic vocalizations. We analyzed several acoustic and linguistic measures of caregivers’ speech. Contingent speech was less lexically diverse and shorter in utterance length than non-contingent speech. We also found that the lexical diversity of contingent parental speech only predicted infant vocal maturity. These findings illustrate a new form of influence infants have over their ambient language in everyday learning environments. By vocalizing, infants catalyze the production of simplified, more easily learnable language from caregivers.
Deducing the Role of Virus Genome-Derived PIWI-Associated RNAs in the Mosquito-Arbovirus Arms Race

The P-element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-associated RNA (piRNA) pathway is known for its role in the protection of genome integrity in the germline of Drosophila melanogaster by silencing transposable elements. The piRNAs that target transposons originate from piRNA clusters in transposon-rich regions of the Drosophila genome and are processed by three PIWI family proteins. In Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which are two of the most important vectors of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), the number of PIWI family genes has expanded and some are expressed in somatic, as well as germline, tissues. These discoveries have led to active research to explore the possible expanded functional roles of the piRNA pathway in vector mosquitoes. Virus genome-derived piRNAs (which will be referred to as (virus name) vpiRNAs) have been demonstrated in Aedes spp. cultured cells and mosquitoes after infection by arthropod-borne alpha-, bunya-, and flaviviruses. However, although Culex quinquefasciatus also is an important arbovirus vector and has an expansion of PIWI family genes, vpiRNAs have seldom been documented in this genus after arbovirus infection. Generation of complementary DNA (cDNA) fragments from RNA genomes of alpha-, bunya-, and flaviviruses (viral-derived cDNAs, vDNAs) has been demonstrated in cultured Aedes spp. cells and mosquitoes, and endogenous viral elements (EVEs), cDNA fragments of non-retroviral RNA virus genomes, are found more abundantly in genomes of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus than other vector mosquitoes. These observations have led to speculation that vDNAs are integrated into vector genomes to form EVEs, which serve as templates for the transcription of antiviral vpiRNA precursors. However, no EVEs derived from alphavirus genomes have been demonstrated in genomes of any vector mosquito. In addition, although EVEs have been shown to be a source of piRNAs, the preponderance of EVEs described in Aedes spp. vectors are more closely related to the genomes of persistently infecting insect-specific viruses than to acutely infecting arboviruses. Furthermore, the signature patterns of the "ping-pong" amplification cycle that maintains transposon-targeting piRNAs in Drosophila are also evident in alphavirus and bunyavirus vpiRNAs, but not in vpiRNAs of flaviviruses. These divergent observations have rendered deciphering the mechanism(s) of biogenesis and potential role of vpiRNAs in the mosquito-arbovirus arms race difficult, and the focus of this review will be to assemble major findings regarding vpiRNAs and antiviral immunity in the important arbovirus vectors from Aedes and Culex genera.
Deflated GMRES with multigrid for lattice QCD

Abstract Lattice QCD solvers encounter critical slowing down for fine lattice spacings and small quark mass. Traditional matrix eigenvalue deflation is one approach to mitigating this problem. However, to improve scaling we study the effects of deflating on the coarse grid in a hierarchy of three grids for adaptive multigrid applications of the two dimensional Schwinger model. We compare deflation at the fine and coarse levels with other non deflated methods. We find the inclusion of a partial solve on the intermediate grid allows for a low tolerance deflated solve on the coarse grid. We find very good scaling in lattice size near critical mass when we deflate at the coarse level using the GMRES-DR and GMRES-Proj algorithms.
Nanoparticles from the Vapor Phase: Synthesis and Characterization of Si, Ge, MoO3, and WO3Nanocrystals

In this paper, we present two studies of nanocrystals prepared by the pulsed laser vaporization–controlled condensation (LVCC) technique. In the first study, we present a comparison between the surface oxidation, morphology and the photoluminescence (PL) properties of Si and Ge nanocrystals. In the second study, we compare the photochromic properties of Mo and W oxides nanoparticles with the properties of the corresponding bulk materials. We also present evidence for a novel photoreduction of the white WO3 nanoparticles into the blue W2O5 following the irradiation of the particles with the second harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser in air. These studies illustrate the novel properties of the nanoscale particles, which could lead to significant practical and technological applications.
Does Low-Cost Sexual Gratification Make Men Less Eager to Marry? Pornography Use, Masturbation, Hookup Sex, and Desire to Be Married Among Single Men.

Coinciding with declining rates of marriage and coupled sex in the U.S., some scholars have proposed that the growing availability of “low-cost sexual gratification” or “cheap sex”—sexual activities such as hookups, pornography use, and masturbation that demand little effort or investment—will lead men to find marital commitment less appealing. Using data from two nationally representative surveys of American adults (2012 New Family Structures Study, N = 349; 2014 Relationships in America Survey, N = 1402), the current study tested the thesis that unmarried men’s pornography use, masturbation habits, or frequency of recent hookup sex would be associated with a lower likelihood of them finding marriage desirable. This thesis was unsupported. In both surveys, masturbation and hookup sex were not associated with unmarried men wishing to be married, while pornography use was robustly and linearly associated with a higher likelihood of wanting to be married. This association was apparent at both the bivariate level and after taking into account sexual satisfaction, relationship status, beliefs about marriage, and a host of other potential confounds. Findings suggest that, rather than making marriage less desirable, some forms of “low-cost sexual gratification” such as pornography use to predict a comparatively higher desire for marriage. The implications of these findings are considered in light of sex-exchange theories of marital commitment and the large body of previous research connecting pornography use to more liberal, non-monogamous sexual attitudes.
Distribution of the two-point product of complex amplitudes in the fully saturated scattering regime

This Letter considers probability density functions (pdfs) involving products of the complex amplitudes observed at two points (which may, in general, involve separations in space, time, or frequency) in conditions of fully saturated scattering. First, the pdf is derived for the product of the complex amplitude at one point with the conjugate of the complex amplitude at another point. It is shown that the real and imaginary parts of this product each have a variance gamma pdf. Second, expressions are derived for several joint pdfs involving complex amplitude products and powers at two points.
Distractions and Defractions: Using Parental Rights to Fight Against the Educational Rights of Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse Students:

In recent years, conservative advocates have obscured their transphobia by framing their concerns as religiously-based parental rights claims. They have advocated for limitations on youth rights to...
Toward a Mechanistic Understanding of Bacterial Rod Shape Formation and Regulation.

One of the most common bacterial shapes is a rod, yet we have a limited understanding of how this simple shape is constructed. While only six proteins are required for rod shape, we are just beginning to understand how they self-organize to build the micron-sized enveloping structures that define bacterial shape out of nanometer-sized glycan strains. Here, we detail and summarize the insights gained over the last 20 years into this complex problem that have been achieved with a wide variety of different approaches. We also explain and compare both current and past models of rod shape formation and maintenance and then highlight recent insights into how the Rod complex might be regulated. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
A GPU-based Approach for Path Planning Optimization via Travel Length Reduction

Abstract Typically, before constructing an object with an additive manufacturing system, the 3D object must be sent through a process called slicing. Slicing converts a 3D object commonly in the form of an STL file into a set of layers by horizontally intersecting a plane with the object at various heights. At each height, called a layer, multiple 2D polygons can be generated. Each polygon represents a boundary for solid geometry and is called an island. Each island is then comprised of multiple path types in an attempt to optimally fill the polygon. To move between each island and each islands’ paths, travels are inserted. Travels are simply motion by the system to move from one area of construction to another. Travels do not contribute to the construction of the object, and so, are considered wasted motion. In large-scale additive manufacturing, objects can be quite large and the distance between islands can be large as well. As a result, these travels can waste a significant amount of time. Ideally, travels would be as short as possible, however, computing global minimal travel paths is computationally expensive. To combat this problem, researchers at Oak Ridge National Lab developed a GPU-based approach to travel insertion based on a unique factoradic representation. This representation was then utilized by the GPU to solve the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). This algorithm was able to compute global minimal travel paths quickly resulting in faster object construction. A general investigation was also carried out to determine when a GPU vs CPU implementation would be beneficial.
B Home or You Are In Trouble: B Cell Integrin-Mediated Recruitment Attenuates Skin Inflammation.

B cells were long presumed to be a minor and functionally unimportant component of cutaneous immunobiology. However, it is now clear that these lymphocytes are present in healthy skin and accumulate during inflammatory disease. Aira and Debes (2021) identify ⍺4ꞵ1 integrin–mediated recruitment of IL-10+ B cells as a key pathway in attenuating skin inflammation. Their work provides valuable insight into the potential for B cells to regulate skin pathology.
Céli Dé in Ireland: Monastic Writing and Identity in the Early Middle Ages

A detailed investigation into the mysterious group of monks, the Celi De, who flourished in early medieval Ireland. The Celi De (`clients of God'), sometimes referred to as the Culdees, comprise the group of monks who first appeared in Ireland in the eighth century in association with St Mael Ruain of Tallaght. Although influential and important in the development of the monastic tradition in Ireland, they have been neglected in general histories. This book offers an investigation into the movement. Proceeding from an examination of ascetic practice and theory in early medieval Ireland, followed by a fresh look at the evidence most often cited in support of the prevailing theory of celi De identity, the author challenges the orthodox opinion that they were an order or movement intent upon monastic reform at a time of declining religious discipline. At the heart of the book is a manuscript-centred critical evaluation of the large corpus of putative celi De texts, offered as a means for establishing a more comprehensive assessment of who and what celi De were. Dr Follett argues that they are properly understood as the self-identified members of the personal retinue of God, in whose service they distinguished themselves from other monks and monastic communities in their personal devotion, pastoral care, Sunday observance, and other matters. A catalogue of celi De texts with manuscript references is provided in an appendix. WESTLEY FOLLETT is Assistant Professor of History at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Teacher Educators Wrestling with Issues of Diversity in Online Courses

This manuscript provides an overview of the findings of an ongoing qualitative exploratory study that examined how preservice and inservice teachers in two different online education courses (ED 600 and ED 500) developed an understanding of the multifaceted issues that affect diverse learners. The study also investigated the instructors’ reflections about their courses through their individual journals. An analysis of the study participants' Discussion Board posts and interactions online revealed how the Discussion Board forum was used as a critical, reflective space for participants' to engage in self-reflection and to exchange and challenge one another's ideas. The journals also revealed the instructors' overall aspirations for the course, and their role in cultivating an online community in their courses.
A Monte Carlo Comparison of Tests for Cointegration in Panel Data

This paper surveys recent developments and provides Monte Carlo comparison on various tests proposed forcointegration in panel data. In particular, tests for two panel models, varying intercepts and varying slopes, and varying intercepts and common slopes are presented from the literature with a total of seven tests being simulated. In all cases, results on empirical size and size-adjusted power are given.
A linear matrix inequality approach to the discrete time mixed l/sub 1///spl Hscr//sub /spl infin// control problem

This paper presents a solution method to the general mixed l/sub 1///spl Hscr//sub /spl infin// problem for discrete time linear time invariant systems. The problem formulation involves finding a stabilizing feedback controller that minimizes the l/sub 1/ norm of a closed-loop transfer matrix subject to an /spl Hscr//sub /spl infin// norm constraint on another closed-loop transfer matrix. It is shown that for one-block problem the optimal solution can be approximated arbitrarily closely, in terms of the closed-loop l/sub 1/ norm, by solving a sequence of finite dimensional convex optimization problems over linear matrix inequalities. For multi-block problem we have also obtained superoptimal and suboptimal solutions which give lower bounds and upper bounds convergent to the optimal closed-loop l/sub 1/ norm. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
Counter-Streaming Mass Flow and Transient Brightening in Active Region Loops

An active region loop system was observed in a decaying active region for three hours by TRACE and BBSO in a joint campaign on September 27, 1998. Continuous mass motion was seen in Hα offhand filtergrams throughout the three hours, and some UV loops were exhibited transient brightenings. We find that: (1) cool material was flowing along the loops at a speed of at least 20 km s−1. Further, in Hα red and blue wings, we see mass motion along different loops in opposite directions. This is the first report of a counter-streaming pattern of mass motion in an Hα loop system. (2) Transient brightenings of different UV loops at different times were observed at C iv 1550 A. These brightened UV loops were located in the same region and at the same altitudes as the Ha loops. The observations show a clear correlation between the transient brightenings of UV loops and mass motion in Hα loops. (3) Both footpoints of the loop system were located in regions of mixed magnetic polarities. Frequent micro-flares at one footpoint of the loops with small-scale brightenings spreading along the loop leg were observed before the brightening and rising of one C iv loop. Similar to the case of a filament, the continuous mass motion along the loops seems important for maintaining the cool Hα loop system at coronal height. There may be an indication that the mass motion in cool Hα loops and the correlated transient brightening of the active region loops were due to the small-scale chromospheric magnetic reconnection at the footpoint regions of the loop system.
Orientation—dependent effects in Oort's theory of comet origin: I. Evolution of the orbital orientations and perihelion distances of long-period comets

Abstract The orbital orientations and perihelion distances of long-period comets undergo appreciable systematic evolution due to planetary perturbations over many perihelion passages, and such evolution should have a significant bearing upon Oort's theory of comet origin. Once a comet has been captured into a long-period orbit, the effects of stellar perturbations upon its orbital orientation are generally small and random, so that the orientation is well defined from one perihelion passage to the next. The direct perturbation of Jupiter dominates the planetary perturbations; the indirect perturbations are small and random, while the principal effect of the combined direct perturbations of the other planets is to increase the rate of evolution by a factor of about 1.6. A method has been developed to calculate the mean evolution of a long-period orbit over many perihelion passages; the method is applicable to orbits with perihelion distances less than or on the order of 1 a.u. This technique has been applied to the numerical calculation of the evolution of 100 orbits with initially isotropic orientations and initial perihelion distances of 0.1 a.u. The results of these calculations are summarized in Table II. In this table, n is the number of perihelion passages since the injection of each hypothetical comet into a long-period orbit; A , B , and C are direction cosines which fix the orientation of the cometary orbit with respect to the plane of Jupiter's orbit (as defined in Section III); q is the perihelion distance; and Δ m a 0 is the minimum possible distance of approach of the comet to Jupiter, in units of Jupiter's semi-major axis. The more common orbital parameters are expressed in terms of the direction cosines in Eqs. (26), (27), and (28). In these calculations, the typical time scale of evolution was on the order of 100 perihelion passages. Long-period comets with larger perihelion distances will undergo similar evolution, but the mean evolution rate will be slower by a factor of about q −1 2 . The existence of an anamalously high correlation between the observed inclinations and latitudes of perihelion of the long-period comets can be explained at least qualitatively by this evolution.
Paranoid Personality Disorder

Most people recognize the term paranoid as unwarranted suspiciousness or mistrust of others' actions or intentions due to belief that others are seeking harm or harboring ill will toward them. Anyone can have such concerns for a time, but when it becomes a pervasive and enduring feature of one's way of dealing with the world, then this can constitute a paranoid personality disorder. Among mental health disciplines, there is consensual agreement reflected in the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM; the gold standard for diagnosis of psychiatric disorders) that a personality disorder is an enduring, inflexible pattern of behavior across a broad range of functional contexts that produces either clinically significant personal distress or disruption and impairment in a person's social, occupational, or “other important areas of functioning” (APA, 2000). The prevalence of paranoid personality disorder (PPD) has been estimated to range from 0.5–2.5% in the general population, to be four times more prevalent in outpatient psychiatric settings, and to occur 10–30% in inpatient psychiatric facilities (APA, 2000). It is also thought to be more prevalent among males. Though it is a comparatively uncommon condition, its impact can be pervasive. Many would agree that dramatic examples in history of paranoid personalities include Joseph Stalin and perhaps Saddam Hussein.
Market Efficiency and March Madness: Empirical Tests of Point Spread Betting

This paper presents the first empirical documentation of the entertainment value of gambling in national point spread gambling markets and the first axiomatically sound, efficient, and rational model of point spread gambling markets. I use asset classes to test National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament point spread betting market efficiency via latent class analysis and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions. In sample, I document efficiency except for lower seeded favorites, which may suggest additional pricing factors like entertainment value. The point spread's explanatory power has increased from the early years, but diminishes as the tournament progresses. The point spread has more explanatory power than seeding dummy variables over both margin of victory and win incidence. I find a structural break in the OLS coefficients. Higher seeded teams' ability is more homogeneous.
COMPARING EXPERIMENTAL DATA TO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY FINITE ELEMENT MODELS

Validating a traumatic brain injury finite element model is often limited by a lack of extensive animal injury data that may be used to examine the conditions under which the model is accurate. Given that most published reports specify only general descriptions of injury, this study examined potential evaluation strategies and assessed the ability of a finite element model to simulate the general descriptions of injury in an animal model. The results of this study showed that 1) the results from a simplified finite element model to simulate the general descriptions of injury patterns observed in a set of animal experiments, 2) a parameter (Z parameter), which quantified the comparison process between computational and animal data, estimated trends that would help in the model evaluation process, and 3) a more complete evaluation process would occur if multiple testing methods were included in the evaluation procedure.
A General Method for Identifying Recessive Diploid-Specific Mutations in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Its Application to the Isolation of Mutants Blocked at Intermediate Stages of Meiotic Prophase and Characterization of a New Gene Sae2

We describe a general new approach for identifying recessive mutations that affect diploid strains of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the application of this method to the identification of mutations that confer an intermediate block in meiotic prophase chromosome metabolism. The method uses a temperature-sensitive conjugation mutation ste7-1 in combination with homothallism. The mutations of interest confer a defect in spore formation that is dependent upon a gene required for initiation of meiotic recombination and development of meiosis-specific chromosome structure (SPO11). Identified in this screen were null mutations of the DMC1 gene, nonnull mutations of RAD50 (rad50S), and mutations in three new genes designed SAE1, SAE2 and SAE3 (Sporulation in the Absence of Spo Eleven). Molecular characterization of the SAE2 gene and characterization of meiotic and mitotic phenotypes of sae2 mutants are also presented. The phenotypes conferred by a sae2 null mutation are virtually indistinguishable from those conferred by the previously identified nonnull mutations of RAD50 (rad50S). Most notably, both mutations confer only weak sensitivity to the radiomimetic agent methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) but completely block resection and turnover of meiosis-specific double-strand breaks. These observations provide further evidence that this constellation of phenotypes identifies a specific molecular function.
Xenon Fluorosilicate and Related Compounds.

The reaction product of Xe, F2, and SiF4 in a glow discharge has been shown to have a composition approximating Xe2SiF6. It and a similar hexafluorophosphate are unstable at room temperature. A stable hexafluoro-antimonate is formed from Xe, F2, and SbF5 at 250°C.
Visual and auditory priming influences the production of low-frequency spellings

Three experiments investigated whether production of low-frequency spellings could be influenced by other words containing those spellings. Participants saw visually-presented primes (Experiment 1) or heard primes presented auditorily and produced their spelling (Experiments 2 and 3). Primes either shared both orthography and phonology (e.g., chapl ai n) or only orthography (e.g., ord ai n) with the target word (e.g., porcel ai n). Following the primes, participants attempted to produce the correct spellings of auditorily-presented target words containing low-frequency spellings, such as the ai in porcelain. Participants correctly spelled the targets’ low-frequency spelling more often when preceded by either type of prime, relative to unprimed targets. Furthermore, priming only occurred when the prime’s spelling was produced correctly; primes spelled incorrectly reduced the correct production of target spellings. These results suggest that unlike the priming of nonwords, the basis of lexical priming of real words is orthographic, resulting from the priming of specific graphemes that increases the probability of reactivating the same spelling pattern in the target.
Psychometric Properties of the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale

Background: This study introduces the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), which has been used in several clinical trials at the University of Pennsylvania's Treatment Research Center. The PACS is a five-item, self-report measure that includes questions about the frequency, intensity, and duration of craving, the ability to resist drinking, and asks for an overall rating of craving for alcohol for the previous week. Each question is scaled from 0 to 6. Methods: To examine the questionnaire's psychometric properties, we sampled responses from 147 individuals participating in a 9-month combined natrexone (100 mg/day)/psychotherapy trial. The psychotherapy consisted of weekly sessions of nurse-administered medication compliance and supportive treatment. Results: The PACS proved to have excellent internal consistency. Predictive validity was demonstrated via a logistic regression analysis of craving during the 2nd week of the study on alcohol relapse during weeks 3-12 of the trial. Construct validity of the PACS was demonstrated via its convergence with two commonly used measures for assessing craving, the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale and the Alcohol Urge Questionnaire. Lack of correlation between PACS scores and several other noncraving, self-report measures indicates that the PACS also had good discriminant validity. Additional analyses revealed that there were significant differences in craving scores during the initial 3 weeks of the trial among those who did and those who did not relapse during weeks 3-12. Conclusion: The PACS is a reliable and valid measure of alcohol craving and can predict which individuals are at risk for subsequent relapse.
A block organized model builder

A new language has been developed for defining simulation models for biomedical science and implemented as a preprocessor for SCoP^1 (Simulation Control Program) written by the National Biomedical Simulation Resource. The preprocessor creates a C program by translation of statements in a model definition file. The language defines variables and equations in labelled blocks of statements which are either mathematical equations or English phrases. The availability of several kinds of equation definition blocks simplifies the description of the corresponding classes of equations. Sub-blocks are provided for some special operations, such as logical tests. Algebraic logical operators are included. Special statements called directives instruct the preprocessor to create specific variables or generate code to call specific numerical methods routines from SCoP's library. Models may be decomposed into sub-models stored on separate model definition files and automatically assembled by the preprocessor in hierarchical fashion. The model description language has been implemented in the C language by generating machine independent code with the Unix lex and yacc programs. An example of the use of the model description language, including hierarchical assembly, is illustrated by a model of the human ovulatory cycle.
Dosimetry and dose distribution in cesium-137 irradiation unit used at the Eastern Regional Research Center

Abstract A self-contained, cesium-137 Research Irradiator with the strength of approximately 147, 000 Ci is located at the Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC). When the irradiator was installed, the absorbed dose in a reference position of the irradiation field was calibrated and the absorbed doses in other locations of the irradiation field relative to the calibrated positions were measured to map its irradiation field. Self-read pocket dosimeters for gamma-ray were calibrated with a 120 M Ci Calibration Cs-137 source which delivered about 50 mR exposure during a 20-min irradiation at 50 cm from the source. A ferrous sulfate/cupric sulfate solution was used to calibrate the dosimetry of the irradiation chamber which holds three number 10 cans (16 cm inside diameter X 17.5 cm height each). At 20-min exposure, Dmax:Dmin = 1.35, except at the top and bottom 1 3 portions of the cans, all positions received a more or less uniform dose (about 0.13 kGy/min) during irradiation. A straight line of total dose (kGy) vs time (min) was constructed following the equation y = 0.127 + 0.137 with r = 0.99, where y is the total dose, and x is time. Radiochromic films and PVC strips were also used to monitor the irradiation operation after comparing results obtained from the chemical dosimeter. Two equations were constructed, respectively, as follows: y = 0.0091x + 0.0015 with r = 0.99, where y = absorbance and x = time (min), and y' = 0.0041x' + 0.0185 with r = 0.99, where y' = absorbance and x' = time (min). Controlled environment is important when such chemical and solid state dosimeters are used during irradiation at subfreezing, refrigerated, or ambient temperature conditions; the equipment has this capability.
Morphometric analysis of endometrial adenocarcinoma: 1. Does architectural dedifferentiation accompany deep invasion by endometrial adenocarcinoma?

Important prognostic factors for endometrial adenocarcinoma include histologic differentiation, depth of myometrial invasion, and clinical stage. Deep myometrial penetration is more commonly observed with poorly differentiated carcinomas, but it is unknown if these tumors are poorly differentiated de novo, or if selection toward more aggressive, less differentiated cells occurs during invasion. To study this question, we performed a morphometric analysis to quantitate the amount of glandular differentiation in superficial portions of 22 endometrial carcinomas for comparison with deep portions of the same neoplasm. Point counting of randomly selected fields was performed on histologic sections of hysterectomy specimens of 22 women with stage I endometrial adenocarcinoma. The components enumerated were tumor cells participating in gland formation (DI), non-gland-forming tumor cells (UI), tumor gland lumens (LUM), inflammatory cells (IC), and stroma (endometrium or myometrium) (ST). Slides of tumors were divided into superficial, middle, and deep thirds. No statistically significant differences were seen between superficial and deep thirds (UI: 45% vs. 43%; DI: 33% vs. 32%; LUM: 22% vs. 24%; IC: 3% vs. 3% of points counted, p greater than .1, paired t-test). The density of tumor cells relative to stroma was greater in the superficial region (55% vs. 41%, p less than .001, paired t-test). Additionally, field-to-field heterogeneity was examined by four methods. No relationship between increased heterogeneity and poor prognosis was identified. These findings do not support the concept that invasion by endometrial adenocarcinoma is accompanied by architectural dedifferentiation.
Low levels of HIV-1 infection in cutaneous dendritic cells promote extensive viral replication upon binding to memory CD4+ T cells.

Earlier work has identified a cell population that replicates HIV-1 in the absence of standard T cell stimuli. The system consists of dendritic cells and memory T lymphocytes that emigrate from organ cultures of human skin and together support a productive infection with HIV-1. These emigrants resemble cells that can be found in mucous membranes and that normally traffic in afferent lymph. Here, we report that a low level of infection in the dendritic cell can initiate extensive HIV-1 replication in cocultures with T cells. First we extended our earlier work to larger skin specimens from cadavers. As long as the organ cultures were set up within 36 h of death, the emigrant leukocytes were comparable to cells from fresh surgical specimens in number, phenotype, and function. These mixtures of dendritic cells and T cells provided the milieu for a productive infection with several virus isolates. When purified dendritic cells were separately pulsed with virus and then mixed with T cells that had not been pulsed with HIV-1, active infection ensued. The infectivity of HIV-pulsed dendritic cells persisted for at least 1.5 d in culture, but was blocked if AZT was added during that time to block reverse transcription in the dendritic cells. The number of copies of proviral DNA in the dendritic cells corresponded to 10(4) copies were found 5-7 d later. By contacting syngeneic T cells, extralymphoid depots of dendritic cells--even with a low viral burden as has been reported in vivo--may contribute to chronic HIV-1 replication in infected individuals.
Influence of Defects and Band Offsets on Carrier Transport Mechanisms in Amorphous Silicon/Crystalline Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells

Abstract We have investigated the carrier transport mechanisms in undoped a -Si:H/p-type c-Si heterojunctions with and without a μc-Si buffer layer, as well as their effects on the photovoltaic properties of the junction. The conduction behavior of the junction is strongly affected by the defect state distribution and band offset at the hetero-interface. The recombination process involving the interface states on the thin film silicon (a-Si:H/μc-Si) side dominates at low forward bias ( V V V >0.55 V). The MTCE process seems to be more closely related to the bulk defects in the thin film silicon than the interface states. In addition, the position of a trapping level, where the tunneling process occurs, seems to be determined by the hole energy at the edge of the c-Si and the trap distribution in the thin film silicon. Despite the domination of MTCE in the indicated voltage range, the reduced band offset at the interface increases current levels by the enhanced diffusion and/or emission processes. The insertion of a 200 A thick μc-Si buffer layer between the a-Si:H (700 A)/c-Si increases the solar cell efficiency to 10%, without an antireflective coating, by improving both the carrier transport and the red response of the cell.
Transgenesis in mice by cytoplasmic injection of polylysine/DNA mixtures

Pronuclear injection is currently the most often used method to make transgenic animals, but in some animal species it is temporally restrictive due to difficulty in visualizing pronuclei. However, the injection of construct DNA into the cytoplasm does not result in transgenesis. The production of transgenic mice by a cytoplasmic microinjection technique of polylysine complexed DNA into pronuclear stage zygotes is described. Transgenic mice were produced from cytoplasmic microinjection of mixtures of a 5.3 kb linearized DNA and poly-L-lysine (degree of polymerization = 51). Effects on transgenic frequency of both the lysine to phosphate ratio of polylysine to DNA and DNA concentration were studied. About 12.8% of the pups born from zygotes cytoplasmically microinjected with a polylysine/DNA mixture having a lysine to phosphate ratio (L:P) of 1:1 at a DNA concentration of 50 micrograms ml-1 were transgenic. The transgenic frequency for the pronuclear microinjection positive control of DNA alone was 21.7%. No transgenic pups were born from microinjection of DNA alone into the cytoplasm. Complexes of polylysine/DNA were detected using agarose gel electrophoresis at the conditions which produced transgenic mice. The presence of polylysine with construct DNA altered the in vitro activities of restriction endonuclease and DNA ligase on the construct DNA. The production of transgenic animals using DNA and polylysine in the absence of any other signal protein suggests that a DNA/polylysine complex but not DNA alone can act as a substrate for transgenesis from the cytoplasm.