cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
General Baptist Origins and Original Sin

Whether John Smyth and the General Baptists emerged out of the Anabaptist or English Separatist movement remains a subject of debate. One understudied point in this debate is Smyth’s developing tho...
Potential regulation of histone acetylation and DNA methylation by p12CDK2-AP1 through MBD3/NuRD complex

1164 Epigenetic regulation elicited by histone acetylation and DNA methylation through nucleosome remodeling (NuRD) complex has been implicated in cell proliferation, differentiation, development, and also in the pathogenesis of many cancers. p12CDK2-AP1 (p12), whose reduced or deleted expression is significantly correlated with oral/head and neck cancer, has recently been identified as a core subunit of MBD/NuRD complex (Guezennec et al., MCB 26:843-851, 2006). Furthermore, targeted disruption of p12 in murine embryonic stem (mES) cells has demonstrated alteration in the differentiation competency of mES cells and resulted in the early embryonic lethality of the knockout mice (manuscript submitted). We now demonstrate that p12 interacted with the methyl binding domain protein MBD3, a core subunit of NuRD complex, in vitro by using recombinant GST-MBD3 and p12-His proteins. In vivo interaction of these proteins was further confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation assay. The p12 interacting region of MBD3 has been mapped by employing deletion mutants of GST-MBD3 and p12-His proteins. To see if p12 plays any role in the epigenetic regulation through NuRD, we examined the effect of the disrupted expression of p12 on histone H3 acetylation and genomic DNA methylation in mES cells. The targeted disruption of p12 in mES cells resulted in an elevated acetylation of histone H3 compared to WT cells, indicating the downregulation of HDAC activity. Interestingly, the p12-/- mES cells showed an increased level of Dnmt3 expression along with an elevated level of genomic DNA methylation assessed by SssI methyl-accepting assay. These findings confirm p12 as a subunit of NuRD through interacting with MBD3 and suggest its role in the regulation of histone acetylation and DNA methylation. [Supported by PHS grant T32 DE 007296-08 to Y.K. and R01 DE 14857 to D.T.W.]
Integrated Cross-Species Analysis Identifies a Conserved Transitional Dendritic Cell Population.

Summary Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are sensor cells with diverse immune functions, from type I interferon (IFN-I) production to antigen presentation, T cell activation, and tolerance. Regulation of these functions remains poorly understood but could be mediated by functionally specialized pDC subpopulations. We address pDC diversity using a high-dimensional single-cell approach: mass cytometry (CyTOF). Our analysis uncovers a murine pDC-like population that specializes in antigen presentation with limited capacity for IFN-I production. Using a multifaceted cross-species comparison, we show that this pDC-like population is the definitive murine equivalent of the recently described human AXL+ DCs, which we unify under the name transitional DCs (tDCs) given their continuum of pDC and cDC2 characteristics. tDCs share developmental traits with pDCs, as well as recruitment dynamics during viral infection. Altogether, we provide a framework for deciphering the function of pDCs and tDCs during diseases, which has the potential to open new avenues for therapeutic design.
Assessment of Rapid Hepatic Glycogen Synthesis in Humans Using Dynamic 13C Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Carbon-13 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) following oral intake of 13C-labeled glucose is the gold standard for imaging glycogen metabolism in humans. However, the temporal resolution of previous studies has been >13 minutes. Here, we describe a high-sensitivity 13C MRS method for imaging hepatic glycogen synthesis with a temporal resolution of 1 minute or less. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were acquired from the liver of 3 healthy volunteers, using a 13C clamshell radiofrequency transmit and paddle-shaped array receive coils in a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system. Following a 15-minute baseline 13C MRS scan of the liver, [1-13C]-glucose was ingested and 13C MRS data were acquired for an additional 1-3 hours. Dynamic change of the hepatic glycogen synthesis level was analyzed by reconstructing the acquired MRS data with temporal resolutions of 30 seconds to 15 minutes. Plasma levels of 13C-labeled glucose and lactate were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. While not detected at baseline 13C MRS, [1-13C]-labeled α-glucose and β-glucose and glycogen peaks accumulated rapidly, beginning as early as ~2 minutes after oral administration of [1-13C]-glucose. The [1-13C]-glucose signals peaked at ~5 minutes, whereas [1-13C]-glycogen peaked at ~25 minutes after [1-13C]-glucose ingestion; both signals declined toward baseline levels over the next 1-3 hours. Plasma levels of 13C-glucose and 13C-lactate rose gradually, and approximately 20% of all plasma glucose and 5% of plasma lactate were 13C-labeled by 2 hours after ingestion. Conclusion: We observed rapid accumulation of hepatic [1-13C]-glycogen following orally administered [1-13C]-glucose, using a dynamic 13C MRS method with a temporal resolution of 1 minute or less. Commercially available technology allows high temporal resolution studies of glycogen metabolism in the human liver.
Leptospiral shedding and seropositivity in shelter dogs in the Cumberland Gap Region of Southeastern Appalachia.

BACKGROUND Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp., is a zoonotic infection that affects humans, dogs and many other mammalian species. Virtually any mammalian species can act as asymptomatic reservoir, characterized by chronic renal carriage and shedding of a host-adapted leptospiral serovar. Environmental contamination by chronic shedders results in acquisition of infection by humans and susceptible animals. METHODS In this study, we investigated if clinically normal shelter dogs and cats harbor leptospires in their kidneys by screening urine samples for the presence of leptospiral DNA by a TaqMan based-quantitative PCR (qPCR) that targets pathogen-associated lipl32 gene. To identify the infecting leptospiral species, a fragment of leptospiral rpoB gene was PCR amplified and sequenced. Additionally, we measured Leptospira-specific serum antibodies using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), a gold standard in leptospiral serology. RESULTS A total of 269 shelter animals (219 dogs and 50 cats) from seven shelters located in the tri-state area of western Virginia, eastern Tennessee, and southeastern Kentucky were included in this study. All cats tested negative by both qPCR and MAT. Of the 219 dogs tested in the study, 26/198 (13.1%, 95% CI: 8.4-17.8%) were positive for leptospiral DNA in urine by qPCR and 38/211 (18.0%, 95% CI: 12.8-23.2%) were seropositive by MAT. Twelve dogs were positive for both qPCR and MAT. Fourteen dogs were positive by qPCR but not by MAT. Additionally, leptospiral rpoB gene sequencing from a sub-set of qPCR-positive urine samples (n = 21) revealed L. interrogans to be the leptospiral species shed by dogs. CONCLUSIONS These findings have significant implications regarding animal and public health in the Cumberland Gap Region and possibly outside where these animals may be adopted.
Alumina and tricalcium phosphate added CoCr alloy for load-bearing implants.

Abstract Cobalt-chromium (CoCr) alloys are used in load-bearing implants due to their excellent wear resistance. However, poor tissue-material interactions can originate due to the release of wear and corrosion-induced Co and Cr ions, motivating the use of surface modification to reduce such phenomena. Premixed feedstock powders of CoCrMo + 2 wt.% tricalcium phosphate (TCP, CoCrTCP) and CoCrMo + 2 wt.% tricalcium phosphate + 4 wt.% Al2O3 (CoCrTCP+Al) were used to surface coat CoCr alloy via Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS™) with the objective of increasing CoCr alloy’s wear resistance. Electron micrographs of the microstructure revealed the dissociation of intergranular globular carbide phases and reprecipitation into a finer network-like microstructure with homogeneous distribution of Co and Cr. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra revealed texturing or preferential crystallographic orientation amongst the LENS™ processed materials, with the TCP added CoCr displaying some e-phase stabilization. Tribological testing resulted in an 82.3 % and 71.6 % decrease in wear rate and wear coefficient, respectively, for CoCrTCP when compared to commercially available CoCr alloy. Additionally, in situ tribofilm development was observed for the fabricated samples via an increase in contact resistance. The current study resulted in not only a decrease in wear volume but also a decrease in the overall degradation of the coated CoCr alloy.
The Clinical Characteristics of Multiple Myeloma in the Acute Care Setting: Case Presentation and Clinical Recommendations.

The acute complications of multiple myeloma can be varied and devastating, including electrolyte derangements, renal failure, and infections amongst others. The varying pathological mechanisms behind these complications make the management of patients presenting with multiple myeloma a complicated and sometimes tenuous process. The patient compliance can further exacerbate these difficulties. The patient discussed in this case initially presented with newly developed altered mental status, fatigue, epistaxis, and an ecchymotic rash. Laboratory testing and imaging would conclude a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, but unfortunately treatment was cut short. Admission at a later date would show rapidly deteriorating condition with new lung consolidations and worsening laboratory findings. Herein the authors discuss the clinical findings of patients with acute manifestations of multiple myeloma, their prognostic value, and the implications of patient compliance and early intervention in the setting of multiple myeloma.
Challenges and strategies delivering group drama therapy via telemental health: Action research using inductive thematic analysis

When ‘shelter in place’ orders in Massachusetts went into effect during the COVID-19 pandemic, a dramatic increase occurred in the utilization of telemental health services, forcing clinicians to have to adapt their work online. This participatory action research (PAR) using inductive thematic analysis (ITA) explored challenges and recommendations in conducting group drama therapy via telehealth. Results included three broad themes: (1) technology literacy, (2) unique social justice dynamics and (3) translating drama therapy processes successfully online. Additionally, an overarching theme emerged that indicated drama therapy may be well suited to online group telemental health. © 2020 Intellect Ltd Article. English language.
Old Law, New Tech, and Citizen-Created Hashtags: #BlackLivesMatter and the Case for Provisional Hashtag Marks:

Using #BlackLivesMatter as a case study, this research documents the tensions and harms associated with trademarking online social movement hashtags. Grounded in the work of critical race theory an...
Integrating Climate Change, the Environment, and Sustainability Themes Into Professional Health Sciences Courses: A Case Study Across a University System

The changing environment is creating unprecedented impacts on human health and the systems we rely upon to care for society and the most vulnerable. The healthcare workforce will face new challenges in meeting the needs of populations impacted by climate change and environmental degradation. These challenges will require new pedagogies that can both teach new information and integrate new knowledge into existing teaching paradigms. At the same time, health professionals will need to examine their role in contributing to climate change and ecosystem degradation through outdated healthcare practices that unnecessarily increase carbon emissions and produce excessive waste. Integrating climate change, sustainability, and environmental themes into professional health sciences curriculum is one way to both educate faculty and reach the next generation of the healthcare workforce, while establishing cross-disciplinary tools necessary to care for patients and communities impacted by climate change. This chapter provides an overview of our process at a public research university system with six health science campuses, to inspire and build a core group of health sciences faculty who could motivate and inform other faculty how to integrate climate change, sustainability, and environmental themes into their existing teaching and reach a critical mass of health science students prepared to meet the challenges of environmental changes. Our mission was to keep core faculty engaged, to support ongoing dialogue among faculty, and to share educational best practices and resources on climate change, ecosystem alteration, healthcare sustainability, and health. This program development effort has implications for all health science training schools in the United States and internationally and if widely adopted could increase the readiness of the healthcare workforce to meet the needs of populations affected by climate change and environmental degradation.
Police Reform through a Power Lens

Scholars and reformers have in recent years begun to imagine new and different configurations for how the state can design policing institutions. These conversations have increased in volume and urgency in response to the 2020 national uprising against police violence, when radical demands born within social movements have gained steam—demands to defund the police, to institute “people’s budgets,” and to give communities control over the state provision of security. In recent years, within this time of foment and possibility, social movements have been proposing, creating, and sometimes establishing new governance arrangements that shift power over policing to those who have been most harmed by mass criminalization and mass incarceration. These recent pushes by social movements for power-shifting surface a fundamental set of questions about the very purpose of police reform, adding a new way for scholars and reformers to think about the contours and objectives of the state’s provision of safety and security—what this Article terms the power lens. This Article examines the movement focus on power-shifting in the governance of the police at both the local and national levels. It fleshes out a three-part theoretical account of why the power lens is an important and necessary addition to how scholars and reformers view the regulation of policing. First, shifting power to policed populations is reparative, in the sense that it shifts power downward toward populations who have been denied political power directly as a result of the history of policing policies and practices in their neighborhoods. Second, power-shifting is a means of promoting anti-subordination, based on the idea that it is wrong for the state to engage in practices that enforce the inferior social status of historically oppressed groups. Third, a power lens on police reform promotes a particular view of contestatory democracy, one in which democratic policing has as one of its objectives the facilitation of countervailing power for those subject to the domination of the state. Taken together, the power lens brings a critical eye to the ways in which the construction of the notion of “expertise” often denies agency to the people who most often interact with police in the streets and on the roads. More broadly, the power lens opens up discussions of reform to first-order questions about how the state should go about providing safety and security in our time, with or without the police as we know it.
Illustrated formalisms for total scattering data: a guide for new practitioners

The total scattering method is the simultaneous study of both the real- and reciprocal-space representations of diffraction data. While conventional Bragg-scattering analysis (employing methods such as Rietveld refinement) provides insight into the average structure of the material, pair distribution function (PDF) analysis allows for a more focused study of the local atomic arrangement of a material. Generically speaking, a PDF is generated by Fourier transforming the total measured reciprocal-space diffraction data (Bragg and diffuse) into a real-space representation. However, the details of the transformation employed and, by consequence, the resultant appearance and weighting of the real-space representation of the system can vary between different research communities. As the worldwide total scattering community continues to grow, these subtle differences in nomenclature and data representation have led to conflicting and confusing descriptions of how the PDF is defined and calculated. This paper provides a consistent derivation of many of these different forms of the PDF and the transformations required to bridge between them. Some general considerations and advice for total scattering practitioners in selecting and defining the appropriate choice of PDF in their own research are presented. This contribution aims to benefit people starting in the field or trying to compare their results with those of other researchers.
Enhanced Fast Causal Network Inference over Event Streams

This paper addresses causal inference and modeling over event streams where data have high throughput, are unbounded, and may arrive out of order. The availability of large amount of data with these characteristics presents several new challenges related to causal modeling, such as the need for fast causal inference operations while ensuring consistent and valid results. There is no existing work specifically for such a streaming environment. We meet the challenges by introducing a time-centric causal inference strategy which leverages temporal precedence information to decrease the number of conditional independence tests required to establish the causalities between variables in a causal network. (Dependency and temporal precedence of cause over effect are the two properties of a causal relationship.) Moreover, we employ change-driven causal network inference to safely reduce the running time further. In this paper we present the Order-Aware Temporal Network Inference algorithm to model the temporal precedence relationships into a temporal network and then propose the Enhanced Fast Causal Network Inference algorithm for learning a causal network faster using the temporal network. Experiments using synthetic and real datasets demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithms.
Post-diagnostic coffee and tea consumption and risk of prostate cancer progression by smoking history

Post-diagnostic coffee and tea consumption and prostate cancer progression is understudied. We examined 1,557 men from the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor who completed a food frequency questionnaire a median of 28 months post-diagnosis. We estimated associations between post-diagnostic coffee (total, caffeinated, decaffeinated) and tea (total, non-herbal, herbal) and risk of prostate cancer progression (recurrence, secondary treatment, bone metastases, or prostate cancer death) using Cox proportional hazards regression. We also examined whether smoking (current, former, never) modified these associations. We observed 167 progression events (median follow-up 9 years). Higher coffee intake was associated with higher risk of progression among current smokers (n = 95). The hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for 5 vs 0 cups/day of coffee was 0.5 (CI 0.2, 1.7) among never smokers, but 4.5 (CI 1.1, 19.4) among current smokers (p-interaction: 0.001). There was no association between total coffee intake and prostate cancer progression among never and former smokers. However, we observed an inverse association between decaffeinated coffee (cups/days) and risk of prostate cancer progression in these men (HR > 0 to < 1 vs 0: 1.1 (CI 0.7, 1.8); HR1 to <2 vs 0: 0.7 (CI 0.3, 1.4); HR≥2 vs 0: 0.6 (CI 0.3, 1.1); p-trend = 0.03). There was no association between tea and prostate cancer progression, overall or by smoking status. Among non-smoking men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer, moderate coffee and tea consumption was not associated with risk of cancer progression. However, post-diagnostic coffee intake was associated with increased risk of progression among current smokers.
Editing of Rice Endosperm Plastidial Phosphorylase Gene OsPho1 Advances Its Function in Starch Synthesis

Abstract OsPho1 in Zhonghua 11 (ZH11) was edited using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats- associated endonuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system. Two homozygous T1 mutants (cr-pho1-34 and cr-pho1-37) displayed a chalky endosperm with a white core, which significantly decreased 1000-grain weight. In addition, many rounded starch granules and abnormal amyloplasts were present in the central region of mutant endosperm cells with increased amylose and lipid contents, decreased total protein content, and altered physicochemical properties of starch. The OsPho1 protein is localized in chloroplasts, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and β-glucuronidase (GUS) staining indicated that OsPho1 was highly expressed in seeds at 5 d after fertilization (DAF). OsPho1 mutations displayed close relationships with plastidial phosphoglucomutase and ADP- Glc pyrophosphorylase based on α-D-glucose-1P at different temperatures. Moreover, the expressions of starch metabolism- related genes were also altered in the mutant, and the over- expression of OsPho1 may cause grain chalkiness.
Eisenstein in Fergana: from avant-garde to national form

Sergei Eisenstein’s work on The Great Fergana Canal in 1939 and his subsequent wartime evacuation to Kazakhstan gave him the opportunity to reflect on Stalin’s famous definition of proletarian cult...
Self-Rectified Memristor with Bimodal Functionality and Forming Polarity Responses in Crossbar Array Applications

The development of emerging memory technology with high density crossbar memory array is widely investigated for fulfilling the high demand on future applications, e.g. artificial intelligence, internet-of-things (IoT), edge computing, sensing with storage etc [1] – [3] . In the array, the sneak path current is a fatal problem subverting the read/write margin with the crossbar configuration, where the leakage current from neighboring cells results in operation errors. The 1T-1R or 1S-1M configuration with good sneak path current suppressing ability is utilized, while with high cost and fabrication complexity. The self-rectified memristor with simple stacking fabrication process is presented as the highly scalable non-volatile memory for storage and computing configurations ( Fig. 1 ).
Symptom profiles of women at risk of mood disorders: A latent class analysis.

Abstract Background Depression is the leading cause of disease burden among women worldwide. However, an understanding of symptom profiles among women at risk of mood disorders is limited. We determined distinct profiles of affective symptoms among high risk women, along with their distinguishing characteristics. Methods Women were recruited from 17 clinical sites affiliated with the National Network of Depression Centers. They completed measures of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire – 9) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder – 7) as well as questions regarding demographics, reproductive status, behavioral/mental health history, and life stress/adversity. Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were used to identify and characterize symptom profiles. Results 5792 women participated, ages 18 to 90 (M = 38). Three latent classes were identified: generally asymptomatic (48%), elevated symptoms of comorbid anxiety and depression (16%), and somatic symptoms (36%). Financial security and greater social support were protective factors that distinguished asymptomatic women. The profile of the class with elevated anxiety/depressive symptoms constituted a complex mix of adverse social determinants and potentially heritable clinical features, including a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. Women in the 3rd latent class were characterized by menstrual irregularity and a stronger expression of neurovegetative symptoms, especially sleep disturbance and fatigue. Limitations Limitations included less than optimal racial diversity of our sample and reliance on self-report. Conclusions Different symptom profiles may reflect distinct subtypes of women at risk of mood disorders. Understanding the etiology and mechanisms underlying clinical and psychosocial features of these profiles can inform more precisely targeted interventions to address women's diverse needs.
Cantor–Bendixson Analysis of Countable Closed Sets

We devote this chapter to the Cantor, G. Bendixson, I. O.Cantor–Bendixson analysis of countable closed sets. We first prove the effective Cantor–Bendixson theorem which decomposes a closed set into an effectively countable set and a perfect set. We then obtain a full topological classification for the class of countable closed bounded subsets of R: The Cantor–Bendixson rank is shown to be a complete invariant for the relation of homeomorphism between these sets, and the countable ordinals ω ν n + 1 (ν < ω 1, n ∈ N) are shown to form an exhaustive enumeration, up to homeomorphism, of the countable closed bounded sets into ℵ 1 many pairwise non-homeomorphic representative sets.
Memory design to improve testability

A design-for-testability technique for enhancing the testability of read-write memories is proposed. Parallel testing reduces the test complexity by an order of magnitude. The design does not require additional pins. When the column decoder is inactive in the test mode, control inputs can be activated using the existing pins to exercise various test algorithms. The design is versatile, and several well-known test algorithms can be used. >
Calcium-Induced Alteration of Cellular Morphology Affecting the Resistance of Lactobacillus acidophilus to Freezing.

Examination of factors affecting the resistance of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM culture concentrates to freeze injury induced during frozen storage at -20°C revealed that calcium supplementation of the growth medium contributed to the storage stability of cells prepared in static culture. Culture concentrates of L. acidophilus NCFM were prepared from cells propagated in MRS broth or MRS broth supplemented with 0.1% calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, or calcium phosphate. After 28 days of frozen storage at -20°C, concentrated cells (3.2 × 10 9 colony-forming units per ml) prepared from MRS broth cultures showed an 84% reduction in viable cells. Of the remaining viable cells, 88% were sublethally injured and unable to form colonies on MRS agar supplemented with 0.15% bile. Cells prepared in calcium-supplemented MRS broths demonstrated more resistance to frozen storage. Viability and injury losses in the frozen concentrates were limited to 10 to 39% and 3 to 23%, respectively. It was observed that calcium supplementation of MRS medium resulted in a morphological transition of L. acidophilus NCFM from filamentous to bacilloid rods, and the bacilloid cells were more resistant to freezing and storage at conventional freezer temperatures. The results suggest that the morphology of the L. acidophilus cell may be an important consideration in the preparation of freeze-stable culture concentrates. Images
On the Use of Loose Monitoring and Lavish Pay in Agency

In this paper, we study a setting where a firm (principal) is privately informed of the firm's potential and contracts with an agent to supply unobservable effort. We show it can be optimal for the firm to have loose monitoring in the sense that the monitoring system is less perfect than what is implied by a standard agency model a la Holmstrom (1979) and to provide lavish pay in the sense that the optimal contract provides the agent with higher expected utility than his reservation level. These two tools are used to achieve separation among different types of firms such that firms with low potential do not have incentives to mimic contracts offered by high potential firms. Our findings imply that although loose monitoring and lavish compensation offered to employees may be symptoms of firms squandering scarce resources provided by investors, they can also arise as an optimal contracting arrangement.
The Inuit Imagination

The Inuit Imagination: Arctic Myth and Sculpture. Harold Seidelman and James Turner. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1994. 224 pp. 173 color illustrations, bibliography, index. $45.00 (cloth).
CASTLE: Crowd-Assisted System for Text Labeling and Extraction

The amount of text data has been growing exponentially and with it the demand for improved information extraction (IE) efforts to analyze and query such data. While automatic IE systems have proven useful in controlled experiments, in practice the gap between machine learning extraction and human extraction is still quite large. In this paper, we propose a system that uses crowdsourcing techniques to help close this gap. One of the fundamental issues inherent in using a largescale human workforce is deciding the optimal questions to pose to the crowd. We demonstrate novel solutions using mutual information and token clustering techniques in the domain of bibliographic citation extraction. Our experiments show promising results in using crowd assistance as a costeffective way to close up the ”last mile” between extraction systems and a human annotator.
Physical Coupling Schemes and QCD Exclusive Processes

One of the most important problems in making reliable predictions in perturbative QCD is dealing with the dependence of the truncated perturbative series on the choice of renormalization scale μ and scheme s for the QCD coupling α s (μ). Consider a physical quantity \(\mathcal{O}\), computed in perturbation theory and truncated at next-to-leading order (NLO) in α s: $$ O = {a_s}(\mu )[1 + ({A_1} + {B_1}{n_f}\frac{{{a_s}(\mu )}} {\pi }) + \cdots ] $$ (1) , where n f is the effective number of quark flavors. The finite-order expression depends on both μ and the choice of scheme used to define the coupling. In fact, Eq. (1) can be made to take on essentially any value by varying μ and the renor-malization scheme, which are a priori completely arbitrary. The scale/scheme problem is that of choosing μ and the scheme s in an “optimal” way, so that an unambiguous theoretical prediction, ideally including some plausible estimate of theoretical uncertainties, can be made.(1)
The Camptothecin Experience: From Chinese Medicinal Plants to Potent Anti-Cancer Drugs

Camptothecin is a potent natural product based anticancer agent isolated from an organic extract of the bark of a Chinese tree, Camptotheca acuminata, Decaisne (Nyssaceae). The chemical identification of camptothecin was first reported in 1966 by Wall et al (1) as a plant alkaloid which showed strong potency against a number of cancer cells derived from leukemia, small cell lung cancer, and colon and rectal cancer. This communication describes the drug discovery and development process of camptothecin from Camptotheca acuminata at the NCI in collaboration with Monroe E. Wall’s group of the Research Triangle Institute and other laboratories facilitated by NCI support. This led to the eventual development of several potent camptothecin analogs, 9-aminocamptothecin, topotecan, irinotecan, and rubitecan, which have been approved for cancer therapy against diverse cancer types including different leukemias and lymphoma, small cell lung carcinoma, colon and rectal cancer, cancer of the central nervous system, renal cell carcinoma, ovarian and breast cancer in humans. Topotecan and irinotecan are also currently used in a wide spectrum of clinical trials in patients with metastatic cancers. The resolution of camptothecin action mechanism targeting topoisomerase I provided vital information in cancer drug action, and stimulated novel and rational cancer drug design and development.
Counterflow nonpremixed flame DC displacement under AC electric field

Abstract The impact of an AC electric field of sub-breakdown voltage and fast frequency on a counterflow nonpremixed flame, with the electric field applied orthogonal to the flame, is studied using a semi-empirical analytical model based on an oscillating porous disk. The range of applicability of the model expands the well-known effects at low frequency and DC fields to frequencies for which the flame modification is still due to an ion-driven wind but the ion oscillation is fully contained between the two electrodes. The model predicts that a symmetric oscillation of the flame ions leads to a reduction of the local strain rate that displaces the flame towards a new equilibrium position that is closer to the oxidizer side. If asymmetries in the oscillation of the charge are accounted for the stagnation plane between the two jets can also be displaced, the directionality of this displacement depends on the ion parameters at either side. Within the model’s assumptions the displacement presents a maximum with the applied voltage amplitude and has a smaller dependency on the excitation frequency. The model is based on experimental observations using sub-breakdown voltage and frequencies between 500 Hz and 35 kHz, that are also presented.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate suppresses proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines induced by Toll-like receptor 9 agonists in prostate cancer cells

Chronic inflammation of the prostate contributes to the increased risk of prostate cancer. Microbial pathogens in the prostate cause inflammation that leads to prostatitis and proliferative inflammatory atrophy frequently associated with the development of prostate cancer. Bacterial lipopolysaccharides and DNA mediate immune responses by engaging Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and 9, respectively. Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG-ODN) mimic bacterial DNA and signal through TLR9 to initiate innate immune responses. Here, we show that stimulation of DU145, PC3, or LnCap prostate cancer cells by the TLR9 agonists, CpG-ODN, induces mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, IP-10, CCL5, and TGFβ. In addition, activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and -2 and cell migration increased on CpG-ODN treatment. Induction of cytokines and chemokines was mediated by NF-κB activation and translocation to the nucleus. Treatment with epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major constituent of green tea, prior to CpG-ODN stimulation, inhibits cytokine and chemokine gene induction, activity of MMP-9 and -2, and cell migration. EGCG treatment sequesters the p65 subunit of transcription factor NF-κB in the cytoplasm and inhibits transcriptional activity of the NF-κB-driven promoter in response to CpG-ODN. Our results suggest that the ability of the TLR9 agonists, CpG-ODN, to induce cytokines, chemokines, and MMP activity, as well as suppression by EGCG are independent of the androgen receptor and p53 status of the cells. EGCG may provide protective effects against inflammation in the prostate and benefit prostate cancer treatment.
Interaction of buoyant plumes with two-layer stably stratified media

Abstract A buoyant plume originating in the lower layer of a two-layer, density-stratified stable medium and its interaction with the density interface are discussed. As the buoyant plume reaches the density interface, it penetrates through or spreads under the interface, or does both, depending on the flow parameters. The subsequent natural circulation and mixing of fluids will be largely limited to the upper layer if the plume penetrates completely at the interface, or to the lower layer if the plume is stopped at the interface from rising further, or it will spread in both layers throughout the enclosure if the plume penetrates partially. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate by means of salt water analog experiments whether the latter phenomenon can be observed under controlled flow conditions and, if so, what flow parameters govern the plume behavior. The actual experiment involves injection of high-concentration salt water from the top of a two-layer flow field (having a fresh water layer on top of a low-concentration salt water layer), allowing flow visualization of an “upside-down” analog of a rising hot gas plume. Partial plume penetration behavior was indeed observed on videotaped flow patterns. The ratio of mass penetrating the layer interface to the mass introduced in the plume source was estimated and correlated to variables representing the buoyant plume and the stratified medium.
Predicting Biopsy Outcome After Mammography: What Is the Likelihood the Patient Has Invasive or In Situ Breast Cancer?

Background As many as 1,000,000 breast biopsies are performed annually in the United States. Although substantial effort has been devoted to estimating breast cancer risk, there have been no studies to predict outcome in women undergoing breast biopsy.
The contractile proteins of smooth muscle. Properties and components of a Ca2+-sensitive actomyosin from chicken gizzard.

Abstract The preparation and characterization of a Ca 2+ -sensitive actomyosin from chicken gizzard is described. The pH curve of the Mg 2+ ATPase activity of the actomyosin was dominated by the activity of the myosin component, and this gave rise to the acid and alkaline optima. Skeletal muscle myosin showed a similar curve. Both the activation of myosin ATPase by actin, and the Ca 2+ sensitivity were confined to the neutral pH region. The subunit composition of the Ca 2+ -sensitive actomyosin was interesting in that no components corresponding to skeletal muscle troponin were obvious. It is suggested that the activity of gizzard actomyosin is regulated by a protein on the thin filaments with a subunit weight of ~130,000.
Sterility Testing of Insulin by Membrane Filtration: A Collaborative Study

A membrane filtration procedure was devised for testing the sterility of insulin zinc suspensions solubilized in ascorbic acid diluting fluid. A collaborative study showed that the filtration procedure afforded significant improvements over the direct method of sterility testing.
Frequency discrimination in the goldfish (Carassius auratus): effects of roving intensity, sensation level, and the direction of frequency change.

The ability of goldfish to detect a change in the frequency of 400‐Hz pure‐tone bursts was studied using classical respiratory conditioning. The frequency discrimination threshold was measured at 15‐, 35‐, and 55‐dB sensation level (SL), under conditions of (1) constant intensity, (2) roving intensity (plus and minus 6‐dB burst‐to‐burst variation in intensity), (3) upward frequency change, and (4) downward frequency change. There was no overall effect of SL on frequency discrimination, but roving the intensity elevated thresholds by about 6 Hz (33%) and increased variability. Upward shifts in frequency elevated thresholds slightly (by 2 Hz or 10%) relative to downward shifts. These relatively small and statistically insignificant effects suggest that earlier measures of frequency discrimination in the goldfish are not due to the detection of simple changes in spike rate within individual peripheral channels.
Sex differences in single vehicle fatal crashes: a research note

Abstract Single vehicle traffic fatality data spanning the years 1982–1991 appear to support the convergence hypothesis : that women are becoming more like men in their behaviors. However, diminishing differences between male and female fatalities do not support a risk-taking model of convergence. Male drivers killed in single vehicle crashes have reduced risk-taking as measured by driving at night, driving on weekends, prior traffic convictions and crashes, and drunken driving. Female single vehicle fatalities have not risen because of increased risk-taking; rather, a greater proportion of women are now licensed to drive and they are driving more miles per year, which supports an exposure model over a risk-taking one.
Variants in Deleted in AZoospermia-Like ( DAZL ) are correlated with reproductive parameters in men and women

Qualitative and quantitative defects in human germ cell production that result in infertility are common and determined at least in part by genetic factors [Matzuk and Lamb, Nat Cell Biol 4(Suppl):s41–s49, 2002]. Yet, very few genes that are associated with germ cell defects in humans have been identified. In this study, we examined whether variants of the Deleted in AZoospermia-Like (DAZL) gene are associated with measures of germ cell production in three distinct populations of men and women. We identified 95 sequence variants in DAZL and further analyzed twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were present across ethnicities. We found that seven of the twelve SNPs were associated with at least one of the parameters studied (age at premature ovarian failure or menopause, total sperm count, or total motile sperm count). Surprisingly, many alleles exhibited opposing effects in men and women, which may be a result of different genetic requirements in male and female germ cells. Single SNP and haplotype analysis suggested that SNPs in the DAZL gene may act jointly to affect common reproductive characteristics in the human population.
Growth and composition of alfalfa fertilized in greenhouse trials with deproteinized juice from low and high saponin alfalfa and from oat herbage

Abstract Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) must be fertilized adequately to maintain high herbage yields. The deproteinized alfalfa juice (DAJ) remaining after the protein is extracted from green alfalfa has been used to fertilize alfalfa and other crops, but plant damage has occurred at application depths greater than 1.25 cm. The objective of the current greenhouse studies was to determine the response of alfalfa to fertilization with low and high saponin DAJ, and fertilization with DAJ compared with deproteinized oat (Avena sativa L.) juice (DOJ). The deproteinized plant juices were applied to alfalfa stubble after herbage harvest, and the alfalfa herbage was cut three times each time it reached first flower stage. Alfalfa plants were grown in Piano silt loam (Typic Argiudoll) or in Dodge silt loam (Typic Hapludalf) soil. Yields of alfalfa herbage were not significantly different when low and high saponin DAJ was applied in a single application at the same rate (0.625 cm to 3.75 cm). This also was the case ...
Computational methods using a Bayesian hierarchical generalized linear model

Abstract Suppose we observe Y 1, …, YN , where Yi has the exponential density f(yi |θi ) = exp{ϕi ([yiθi – b(θi )]}c(yi, ϕi ). The parameters of interest are not the canonical parameters θi but the means μi = b′(θi ). In the usual generalized linear model (GLM) setup, suppose the means μ1, …, μN are believed to satisfy a specific p-dimensional GLM g(μi ) = xT iβ, where the link function g and the regression coefficients {xi } are known and the regression vector β is unknown. Two problems of interest are the assessment of the goodness of fit of the GLM and the estimation of the means μi . The approach to these problems is by the use of a Bayesian two-stage prior distribution, a generalization of a model used by Lindley and Smith (1972) in the normal mean-estimation problem. At the first stage of the model, we assign independent conjugate distributions to θ1, …, θN , where the prior means of the μi satisfy the GLM. There are p + 1 unknown hyperparameters in this specification, the elements of the regression...
Quantitative amplification of surface enhanced Raman scattering through plasmonic coupling in controlled nanoparticle assemblies

Metal nanoparticle assemblies of well-defined structure are investigated as substrates for quantitative surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The ~100 nm structures are formed from oligonucleotide-functionalized gold core and satellite particles. Raman scattering from Cy5 incorporated on the core particles is detected before and after formation of the coupled plasmonic structures. The amplification of Raman scattering observed upon formation of the coupled structures matches quantitatively the increase in the fourth power of the surface E-field associated with coupling between particles. Raman scattering per core-satellite structure is determined by calibrating measured intensities using methanol as an intensity standard. The number of molecules that contribute significantly to the Raman signal and the mean cross section per adsorbed molecule is determined by analysis of the spatial non-uniformity of the core surface field distribution. Comparison of the wavelength dependence of the near field and the scattering spectrum using simulation reveals that the wavelengths of the maxima in near and far fields are more closely aligned for the coupled structures than for isolated cores.
Jupiter: Its Red Spot and Other Features in 1969-1970

Abstract Photographic observations of Jupiter and its Red Spot between 13 November 1969 and 21 September 1970 are reported. The Red Spot continues its 90-day oscillation in longitude with considerable regularity. An outstanding event of the apparition was the appearance of a new disturbance in the South Tropical Zone. A bright spot at zenographic latitude 23°.8 N displayed the shortest rotation period ever recorded on Jupiter, 9 h 47 m 3 s .
Friction, slip and structural inhomogeneity of the buried interface

An atomistic model of metallic contacts using realistic interatomic potentials is used to study the connection between friction, slip and the structure of the buried interface. Incommensurability induced by misalignment and lattice mismatch is modeled with contact sizes that are large enough to observe superstructures formed by the relative orientations of the surfaces. The periodicity of the superstructures is quantitatively related to inhomogeneous shear stress distributions in the contact area, and a reduced order model is used to clarify the connection between friction and structural inhomogeneity. Finally, the movement of atoms is evaluated before, during and after slip in both aligned and misaligned contacts to understand how the interfacial structure affects the mechanisms of slip and the corresponding frictional behavior.
How Will the Introduction of Primary Certificate Training Programs Change Vascular Surgery Training Programs

New requirements for vascular surgery training allow several routes to Board eligibility in the specialty. Individuals can enter vascular residency directly from medical school, after 3 years of surgical residency, or after completion of the traditional 5 years of surgery training. Vascular surgery program directors will be faced with the challenges of obtaining institutional support, designing an acceptable educational program, and working closely with the general surgery program director to ensure both programs are successful. Faculty in the vascular program may find working with residents right out of medical school or after only 3 years of surgery training to be a challenge, especially in terms of developing the requisite technical skills. Residents must be able to demonstrate mastery of the six competencies in addition to the skills of vascular surgery. Because, in some ways, this new vascular training scheme is an experiment in redesigning all surgical education, the vascular community will need to carefully evaluate the results by monitoring the practices of those who graduate from these programs.