cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deep Space Habitation: Establishing a Sustainable Human Presence on the Moon and Beyond

NASA has been tasked with implementing a bold vision of the future for human spaceflight including expanding the commercial market and operations in low-Earth orbit (LEO); launching the world's most powerful rocket and deep space crew spacecraft; incrementally establishing a sustainable presence on and around the Moon, starting by landing the first woman and the next man on the surface in 2024 while, in parallel, constructing an orbital Gateway in cislunar space. The key piece of establishing a sustainable presence in deep space is the development of habitation systems that will not only extend mission operations, but provide for living quarters that will keep the crew happy and healthy throughout their expeditions. Beyond the Gateway habitation needs, these capabilities will need to be defined and advanced to support the initial lunar surface missions and to prepare for human missions to the Mars system. The Foundation Surface Habitat (FSH) is the current concept in consideration to serve as this initial surface habitat that will extend the crew mission durations. It will provide 30–60 day habitability for a crew of four allowing for the astronauts to explore farther and longer on each visit to the lunar surface. The Transit Habitat is the current concept under study that would be capable of supporting long-duration missions. These missions could include extended operations at the Gateway or as a free-flyer facility in low-Earth orbit but ultimately, the Transit Habitat is envisioned as the crew habitat that would transport humans on long-duration deep space missions. The Transit Habitat integrated with an advanced propulsion system would serve as the in-space transportation system tasked with safely ferrying humans to and from Mars. Each of these habitation concepts is currently under study internal to NASA, but the agency is also working closely with U.S. industry through the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) activity to understand their concepts for a commercially-provided FSH and Transit Habitat as well as close coordination with our international partners to understand their desires for in-space and surface habitation. This paper will provide a status of these concepts and partnership activities as well as potential future development paths and architecture plans.
Why a Journal of International Law at Regent University

This short article announces the launch of Regent Law School’s new Journal of International Law. The article describes the new journal and why it fits so well with Regent’s Christian mission. The journal’s Judeo-Christian approach invites both an historic analysis of the influence of Christian theology on the development of international law as well as a consideration of the role transcendent principles of justice should play in modern enforcement and development of international law.
Efficient Inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Replication and cccDNA Formation by HBV Ribonuclease H Inhibitors during Infection.

The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) ribonuclease H (RNase H) is an attractive but unexploited drug target. Here, we addressed three limitations to the current state of RNase H inhibitor development: i) Efficacy has been assessed only in transfected cell lines; ii) Cytotoxicity data are from transformed cell lines rather than primary cells; and iii) It is unknown how the compounds work against nucleos(t)ide analog resistant HBV strains. Three RNase H inhibitors from different chemotypes, 110 (α-hydroxytropolone), 1133 (N-hydroxypyridinedione), and 1073 (N-hydroxynapthyridinone), were tested in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells for inhibition of cccDNA accumulation and HBV product formation. 50% effective concentrations (EC50s) were 0.049-0.078 μM in the infection studies compared to 0.29-1.6 μM in transfected cells. All compounds suppressed cccDNA formation by >98% at 5 μM when added shortly after infection. HBV RNA, intracellular and extracellular DNA, and HBsAg secretion were all robustly suppressed. The greater efficacy of the inhibitors when added shortly after infection is presumably due to blocking amplification of the HBV cccDNA, which suppresses events downstream of cccDNA formation. The compounds had 50% cytotoxic concentrations (CC50s) of 16-100 μM in HepG2-derived cell lines but were non-toxic in primary human hepatocytes, possibly due to the quiescent state of the hepatocytes. The compounds had similar EC50s against replication of wild-type, Lamivudine-resistant and Adefovir/Lamivudine-resistant HBV, as expected because the RNase H inhibitors do not target the viral reverse transcriptase active site. These studies expand confidence in inhibiting the HBV RNase H as a drug strategy and support inclusion of RNase H inhibitors in novel curative drug combinations for HBV.
Assessment of the Utility of Physiologically-based Pharmacokinetic Model for prediction of Pharmacokinetics in Chinese and Japanese Populations

The objective for the present analyses was to evaluate the utility of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling for prediction of the pharmacokinetics (PK) in Chinese and Japanese populations with a panel of Pfizer internal compounds. Twelve compounds from Pfizer internal development pipeline with available Westerner PK data and available PK data in at least one of the subpopulations of Japanese and Chinese populations were identified and included in the current analysis. These selected compounds represent various elimination pathways across different therapeutic areas. The Simcyp® PBPK simulator was used to develop and verify the PBPK models of individual compounds. The developed models for these compounds were verified by using the clinical PK data in Westerners. The verified PBPK models were further used to predict the PK of these compounds in Chinese and Japanese populations and the predicted PK parameters were compared with the observed PK parameters. Ten of the 12 compounds had PK data in Chinese, and all the 12 compounds had PK data in Japanese. In general, the PBPK models performed well in predicting PK in Chinese and Japanese, with 8 of 10 drugs in Chinese and 7 of 12 drugs in Japanese has AAFE values less than 1.25-fold. PBPK-guided predictions of the relative PK difference were successful for 75% and 50%, respectively, between Chinese and Western and between Japanese and Western of the tested drugs using 0.8-1.25 as criteria. In conclusion, well verified PBPK models developed using data from Westerners can be used to predict the PK in Chinese and Japanese populations.
Cloning and characterization of molecular isoforms of the catalytic subunit of calcineurin using nonisotopic methods.

The cloning and characterization of cDNAs for the catalytic subunit of calcineurin (CN) from murine and human brain libraries were carried out using nonisotopic methods. A murine cDNA clone encoding a protein of 521 amino acids (Mr approximately 58,650) was isolated; overlapping clones established a 3'-untranslated region of 554 base pairs preceding the poly(A) tail. Homologous cDNAs from human brain showed greater than 92% nucleotide sequence identity in both coding and non-coding regions with greater than 99% conservation of amino acid sequence. A second class of cDNAs lacking a specific 30-base pair region following the calmodulin-binding domain was found in four murine and human libraries. Oligonucleotide probes for both cDNA isoforms hybridized to mRNA from several brain regions indicating the existence of transcripts in vivo. The nucleotide sequences of the two forms were identical except for the inserted sequence, and Southern blot analysis of mouse and rat DNA was consistent with their having originated from the same gene; these data suggest that alternative splicing may give rise to molecular isoforms of the catalytic subunit in brain. Northern blots showed a predominant mRNA for CN in most tissues of approximately 4.0 kilobases (kb) with lower amounts of a 3.6-kb species. Brain showed 10 times more of these mRNAs than skeletal muscle while other tissues had less than or equal to 5% that in brain. In testis, multiple mRNAs were observed, with the major forms being approximately 2.8 and 1.6 kb; the total amount of CN message was about 15% that in brain. The presence of mRNA isoforms of the catalytic subunit may provide for isoenzymes of this phosphatase having distinct phosphoprotein substrate specificities or regulatory properties. The structural relatedness of CN to other mammalian serine/threonine protein phosphatases was highest over a region of approximately 240 amino acids near the amino terminus of this subunit, with greater similarity to protein phosphatase 2A than protein phosphatase 1. The conservation of many regions found in lambda phage phosphatase (Cohen, P.T.W., and Cohen, P. (1989) Biochem. J. 260, 931-934) indicates a common origin for the catalytic domain of this enzyme.
Abstract 3774: Hyperthermia treatment overcomes temozolomide resistance in glioma cells by downregulatingMGMTexpression and increasing temozolomide uptake

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant brain tumor. Current standard treatment for GBM following maximum safe resection includes temozolomide (TMZ) with concurrent radiotherapy. Despite the improvement of survival by TMZ and radiation, the overall prognosis remains poor for GBM patients. This is partially attributed to drug resistance. Expression of DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) in gliomas confers TMZ resistance and a worse prognosis. Therefore, development of novel therapy to suppress MGMT expression and overcome TMZ resistance is highly desired. Hyperthermia has been shown to increase TMZ sensitivity in melanoma and this provides a good rationale to evaluate whether hyperthermia overcomes TMZ resistance in glioblastoma cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of hyperthermia treatment (43 °C) on TMZ sensitivity of four human glioblastoma cell lines using clonogenic assays. Our results showed that hyperthermia treatment increased TMZ-induced cell death in TMZ-resistant glioma cells, but had no additional beneficial effect in the TMZ-sensitive cells. Hyperthermia in combination with radiation further overcame TMZ resistance. To study the molecular targets, we found that hyperthermia downregulated MGMT expression through increasing proteasome-mediated MGMT degradation, which can be reversed by the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. Hyperthermia had no effects on p53 expression and MGMT promoter methylation which was responsible for MGMT gene silencing. In addition, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis showed an increase of TMZ and its downstream product 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AIC) in hyperthermia-treated cells, indicating an increase of TMZ drug uptake and breakdown. In conclusion, these results suggest that hyperthermia overcomes MGMT-mediated resistance of glioblastoma cell lines to TMZ and increases TMZ drug uptake. This study suggests a potential benefit of using hyperthermia in the treatment of GBM, particularly those with more adverse prognosis. This work was supported by Debrule Research Fund. Citation Format: Chen-Ting Lee, Aaron Blackley, Chelsea Landon, Ivan Spasojevic, John P. Kirkpatrick, Mark W. Dewhirst. Hyperthermia treatment overcomes temozolomide resistance in glioma cells by downregulating MGMT expression and increasing temozolomide uptake. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3774. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3774
University facilities and safety considerations for LPCVD and ion implantation

The development of a comprehensive safety policy connected with the introduction of low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) and ion implantation at the Center for Microelectronics Engineering at RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) is described. The scope of this safety policy includes equipment and facilities requirements, operational procedures, and personnel training. Such a plan must be coordinated with local emergency response teams and the RIT Office of Campus Safety. In addition, it must also meet the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Environmental Protection Agency, and state and local authorities. >
Helminthosporoside, a Host-specific Toxin from Helminthosporium sacchari

Abstract Helminthosporoside has been isolated from the sugar cane fungus pathogen Helminthosporium sacchari. This compound is the first host-specific plant toxin to have a structure proposed for it. The toxin produces symptoms only on those clones of sugar cane that are susceptible to the fungus. Based on its spectral and chemical properties, the proposed structure of helminthosporoside is 2-hydroxycyclopropyl-α-d-galactopyranoside. A biological assay for its quantification based on the degree of symptom expression on sugar cane leaves is described. Helminthosporoside-14C can be isolated from cultures of H. sacchari that have been incubated with galactose-1-14C.
Insulin Receptor Tyrosine Kinase

The sections in this article are: 1 Insulin Receptor Structure 1.1 Insulin Binding 1.2 Receptor Endocytosis Motifs 1.3 Tyrosine Kinase Characteristics 2 Insulin Receptor Substrates 2.1 Pleckstrin Homology Domains 2.2 Phosphotyrosine-Binding Domains 2.3 Src Homology 2 Domains
Heterocyclic amino sugar derivatives

Abstract Benzyl 2-deoxy-α- d -gulopyranosido[2,3:4′,5′]-2′-oxazolidinone ( 10 ) was synthesized from benzyl 3- O -acetyl-2-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino]-2-deoxy-α- d -glucopyranoside ( 1 ) via the 4- O -methylsulfonyl-6- O -trityl derivative and 3,4-anhydro-α- d -galactopyranoside derivatives. Compound 10 and its 6- O -trityl and 4,6- O -benzylidene derivatives were permethylated with methyl iodide-barium oxide in N,N -dimethylformamide, the protective groups split off, and the resulting compounds acetylated to give the benzyl glycosides as well characterized, stable compounds that could be hydrolysed to give the title compounds.
New Jersey Institute of Technology Online Shopping Experience: A Conceptualization

The Internet has impacted how we shop. This article investigates consumer experience in an online retailing environment. Based in consumer behavior research, this article proposes a model of the on-line shopping experience (OSE). Shopping experience defined as the episodes of interaction between a customer and shops forms the center of our model. Applying shopping experience to online environments, OSE is the interactions between customers and commercial web sites. OSE can be examined from different angles. The following attributes describe OSE: duration, breadth, depth, and intensity. Shopping is dynamic, ongoing, and situated. A lot happens when a shopper walks through aisles, touches products, thinks, and makes decision. Thus, a shopping experience consists of a range of activities, including: • Physical activities (navigating, orientating, browsing, consulting helpers, viewing products, making a purchase, and managing accounts); • Cognitive activities (product information comprehension, product evaluation, product comparison, decision making, environmental cue perception and environmental cue evaluation); • Affective activities such as emotional attribution,); and • In-progress responses (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intentions). This conceptualization of OSE addresses the dynamic and situated nature of shopping by using both processes (activities) and states (in-process responses). Flow is a special shopping experience. Csikszentmihalyi (1988) defines flow as an optimal and intrinsically engrossing and enjoyable experience, which is so inwardly rewarding that people want to repeat it. People experience flow in a range of activities, including computer use and online activities. Flow is not a particular activity, but rather a state of mind a shopper goes through. High concentration, low self-awareness, high involvement, time distortion, and telepresence describe flow. Flow is an optimal experience that retailers, including e-tailers, strive to create for their customers. What factors lead to a flow in shopping? What are the physical/cognitive/affective characteristics of shoppers in flow compared to those who are not? Several factors influence shopping including: store/site characteristics, shopper characteristics, and product/task. A shopping experience produces the following outcomes: actual spending, goal fulfillment, and return intention. These past experiences affect shoppers’ future behavior. Studying OSE and flow will help build better online shopping environments and help realize the Internet’s potential as a major and routine shopping source. Investigating OSE and flow requires multiple methodological approaches. Qualitative techniques such as protocol analysis will provide rich contextual data to detail the processes and internal states of a customer when interacting with commercial web sites. Experiments will test relationships between influential factors and OSE components and between influential factors and flow.
Psychological aspects of chronic musculoskeletal pain

Chronic musculoskeletal pain, by its very nature, is associated with negative emotions and psychological distress. There are individual differences in personality, coping skills, behavioral adaptation, and social support that dramatically alter the psychological outcomes of patients with chronic pain. Patients who have an aspect of central pain amplification associated with mechanical or inflammatory pain and patients with fibromyalgia (FM) are likely to exhibit higher levels of psychological distress and illness behaviors. This manuscript discusses several different constructs for the association between chronic pain, central pain amplification, and psychological distress. The first key question addresses mechanisms shared in common between chronic pain and mood disorders, including the individual factors that influence psychological comorbidity, and the second addresses how pain affects mood and vice versa. Finally, the utility of cognitive behavioral approaches in the management of chronic pain symptoms is discussed.
Can instrumental neutron activation analysis keep pacewith the needs of the high purity materials industry

The University of Missouri Research Reactor Center (MURR) has been one of the premier providers of neutron activation analysis (NAA) to the high purity materials industry for the past 20 years. Over the last two decades, significant advances in contamination control in the manufacturing process and the development of alternate analytical techniques have challenged the NAA community to keep pace. This paper presents an overview of the High Purity Materials Analysis Program at MURR. Specifically we present trends in the trace element concentrations that we have observed in our laboratory over the past 10 years and compare our experience with the relevant literature. The prospects for the future success of NAA and the methodological changes required for satisfying the industry's need will be discussed.
An all-digital phase-measurement techniques using clipped-quadrature correlation

An all-digital method is presented for determining the phase of a noise-contaminated tone signal relative to an internal reference after the signal has been bandpass-filtered and hardlimited. The process involves the cross correlation of the input signal with a pair of quadrature-related one-bit binary reference phase signals, followed by an algorithm which computes the phase from these clipped-quadrature correlation coefficients. After a description of the signal processing, performance predictions are made for a practical hardware implementation. Finally, performance data from a working model is presented. The data validates the predictions and establishes the viability of the phase-measurement technique.
The climate change consensus extends beyond climate scientists

The existence of anthropogenic climate change remains a public controversy despite the consensus among climate scientists. The controversy may be fed by the existence of scientists from other disciplines publicly casting doubt on the validity of climate science. The extent to which non-climate scientists are skeptical of climate science has not been studied via direct survey. Here we report on a survey of biophysical scientists across disciplines at universities in the Big 10 Conference. Most respondents (93.6%) believe that mean temperatures have risen and most (91.9%) believe in an anthropogenic contribution to rising temperatures. Respondents strongly believe that climate science is credible (mean credibility score 6.67/7). Those who disagree about climate change disagree over basic facts (e.g., the effects of CO2 on climate) and have different cultural and political values. These results suggest that scientists who are climate change skeptics are outliers and that the majority of scientists surveyed believe in anthropogenic climate change and that climate science is credible and mature.
Effect of short-term diphenhydramine administration on aqueous tear production in normal dogs.

Objective To perform a randomized, placebo-controlled, masked clinical trial using a cross-over design to determine the effect of oral diphenhydramine on aqueous tear production in normal dogs. Animals studied Seventeen dogs with normal ophthalmic examinations. Procedures Baseline tear production was established for each dog by performing Schirmer tear test I (STT I). Dogs received 20-day treatment courses of both oral diphenhydramine and placebo solutions with a 10-day washout period between treatment periods. Each dog was randomly assigned to receive diphenhydramine or placebo at the outset of the study. Measurements of STT I values were measured at regular intervals during the study and were conducted at the same time of day throughout the study to control for diurnal variations in tear production. The significance of the impact of diphenhydramine treatment on the quantity of aqueous tear production, as determine by STT results over time, was evaluated using regression analysis with appropriate transformation. Results Statistical comparisons at each measurement time, including baseline measurements between control and treatment groups, revealed no significant differences. Mean STT I levels also did not differ significantly at any measurement time compared to baseline for treatment or control groups. Conclusions Short-term administration of oral diphenhydramine does not result in a significant decrease in aqueous tear production in normal dogs.
Pill Count Adherence to Prenatal Multivitamin/Mineral Supplement Use among Low-Income Women

In the United States, the prevalence of third trimester anemia among low-income pregnant women is 29% and has not improved since the 1980s. Although low adherence has been linked to the ineffectiveness of iron supplementation programs, data regarding adherence to supplementation in low-income women are currently lacking. Hence this study was conducted to better understand the factors associated with adherence to the use of iron-containing prenatal multivitamin/mineral supplements among low-income pregnant women. Adherence to supplement use was assessed by pill counts among 244 pregnant women of 867 women who were initially randomized to receive 1 of 3 prenatal supplements. All women received care at a public prenatal clinic. Maternal characteristics associated with adherence were identified using predictive modeling. Women took 74% of supplements as prescribed. Adherence was higher among non-Hispanic white women than among non-Hispanic black women (79% vs. 72%, P </= 0.01). Interactions of ethnicity with age group, smoking status, and prior supplement use were significant. Multivariate regression analysis stratified by ethnicity revealed that among the white women education beyond high school, unmarried status, nulligravidity, and smoking were positively associated with adherence. In contrast, among the black women, supplement use 3 mo prior to current pregnancy and no loss of appetite were positively associated with adherence. Further research investigating the influence of cultural factors is necessary to better understand adherence to supplement use and the differences in adherence among ethnic groups.
Singlet oxygen kinetics in a double microwave discharge

Chemical lasers offer the highest powers necessary for many weapons applications, but require significant logistical support in the delivery of specialized fuels to the battlefield. In the Chemical Oxygen-Iodine Laser (COIL), which is the weapon aboard the Airborne Laser (ABL), gaseous chlorine and liquid basic hydrogen peroxide are used to generate the singlet oxygen energy reservoir. The goal of the current multi-university research program is to demonstrate an oxygen-iodine laser with electrical discharge production of singlet oxygen. Typically, oxygen discharges are limited to about 15% yield for singlet oxygen. The electron excitation cross-sections as a function of E/N are well established. However, the kinetics for electron and singlet oxygen interactions is considerably more difficult to study. Optical diagnostics for O2(a, b), and O, have been applied to a double microwave discharge flow tube. By examining the difference in singlet oxygen kinetics between the two discharges in series, considerable information regarding the excited-state, excited-state interactions is obtained. Under certain discharge conditions, the O2(a) concentration significantly increases outside of the discharge, even after thermal effects are accounted.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Loss and recycling of amino acids and protein from smooth cordgrass ( Spartina alterniflora ) litter

We investigated the source and composition of free and protein-bound amino acids during the decomposition ofSpartina alterniflora Loisel in laboratory percolators and in a field experiment in the Great Sippewissett Marsh (Falmouth, Massachusetts). In the percolator experiment, 50% of the nitrogen (N) could be extracted fromS. alterniflora litter in 16 d. This extract consisted of dissolved free amino acid N (28%), suspended protein amino acid N (16%), inorganic N (12%), and nitrogen from unidentified compounds (44%). Much of the free amino acid nitrogen was utilized by detrital microorganisms, resulting in a greater loss of suspended protein amino acid (SPAA) nitrogen from the biologically active percolator due to microbials biomass. Suspended microbial mass accounted for at least 50% of the SPAA washed out of the biologically active percolator. In the field study, 38% of the original litter nitrogen was leached fromS. alterniflora litter in litterbags during the first 13 d. After this initial leaching period, the concentration (41% to 69% of total nitrogen) and composition of most amino acids bound in the litter did not change over the 23-month period of the experiment. Increases in microbial protein did not account for increases in total nitrogen which occurred during the decomposition of the litter. Similarly, adsorbed ammonium did not appear to be responsible for this increase.
Modeling international cooperation in human space exploration for the twenty-first century.

Abstract The policy process of international cooperation in space exploration, including optimistic and pessimistic scenarios for the twenty-first century, is modeled and examined in this study. In the optimistic scenario, international cooperation involves a balanced and interdependent distribution of capabilities between states, their respective national space agencies and communities of space scientists and space engineers. Cooperation is characterized by interstate participation in critical path components and joint research and development. In the pessimistic scenario, international cooperation is structured and dominated politically and economically by powerful states vis-a-vis weaker states. Cooperation is limited to coordination of separate nationally approved projects and augmentation of capabilities in noncritical path components. On the basis of these two scenarios, policy predictions and implications relevant to exploration missions in the twenty-first century, such as a human-tended lunar base and human missions to Mars, are presented and discussed.
The ribosome-structure and functional ligand-binding experiments using cryo-electron microscopy.

Cryo-electron microscopy has greatly advanced our understanding of the basic steps of protein synthesis in the bacterial ribosome. This article gives an overview of what has been achieved so far. Through three-dimensional visualization of complexes that represent the ribosome in defined binding states, locations were derived for the tRNA in A, P, and E sites, as well as the elongation factors. In addition, the pathways of messenger RNA and the exiting polypeptide chain could be inferred.
The natural history of trisomy 12p

Trisomy of the short arm of chromosome 12 is a rare chromosomal anomaly, with an estimated incidence of 1/50,000 births. It may present as a pure trisomy (complete or incomplete), as mosaic trisomy, or with other chromosomal abnormalities. Little is known from prior reports about the natural history and life expectancy of these individuals. In this study we describe the long-term outcome and the differences between patients with mosaic trisomy 12p compared to patients with complete trisomy. We present a series of 16 patients with trisomy 12p; 6 of them are older than 10 years. Most patients were born at term with normal or above normal birth weight. Seven were born with congenital anomalies, but no single anomaly was present in more than one individual. A clear and consistent dysmorphic facial pattern was apparent in all of the subjects. Most patients over 7 years old had a seizure disorder. All individuals exhibited developmental delay with speech affected more severely than motor skills. Six patients were described as "being social." Six had severe behavioral problems, and seven had significant sleep disturbances. Facial features of the three adult patients were different than the younger individuals. We show here that the outcome for patients with mosaic trisomy 12p is better than the outcome in complete trisomy 12p or in trisomy 12p with other chromosomal anomalies. We also provide recommendations for the long-term follow-up of patients with trisomy 12p.
Angiogenic effects of Norplant contraception on endometrial histology and uterine bleeding.

Norplant, a sc contraceptive device, releases levonorgestrel in a sustained fashion. Its effectiveness is offset by irregular bleeding patterns. Because vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is stimulated by synthetic progestogens in vitro and in vivo, we postulated that correlations between this angiogenic factor and uterine bleeding patterns might exist. Twenty-eight women who were exposed to Norplant and 13 control women were prospectively followed for 6-8 months. Bleeding diaries were collected, hysteroscopies were performed, endometrial biopsies were obtained for standardized histological evaluation, and VEGF histochemical immunostaining (H)-scores were assigned. Cluster determination-34 (CD34) staining was also performed to quantify the number of endometrial blood vessels per high-power field. Irregular uterine bleeding was common among women using Norplant devices. Endometrial VEGF H-scores were greater in women using Norplant than in control women. New findings of this study show that vessel density did not correlate with epithelial VEGF H-scores but was highly associated with the intensity of stromal and perivascular VEGF. VEGF expression in the latter regions correlated significantly with hysteroscopic abnormalities and irregular bleeding. The expression of this angiogenic protein, particularly in the stromal and perivascular compartments, correlated with microvascular density, hysteroscopically documented hypervascularity, and uterine bleeding profiles. Irregular bleeding with Norplant use appears to reflect paracrine-mediated effects on vascular function by angiogenic factors, such as VEGF.
Using self-assembly for the fabrication of nano-scale electronic and photonic devices

Challenges facing the scaling of microelectronics to sub-50 nm dimensions and the demanding material and structural requirements of integrated photonic and microelectromechanical systems suggest that alternative fabrication technologies are needed to produce nano-scale devices. Inspired by complex, functional, self-assembled structures and systems found in Nature we suggest that self-assembly can be employed as an effective tool for nanofabrication. We define a self-assembling system as one in which the elements of the system interact in pre-defined ways to spontaneously generate a higher order structure. Self-assembly is a parallel fabrication process that, at the molecular level, can generate three-dimensional structures with sub-nanometer precision. Guiding the process of self-assembly by external forces and geometrical constraints can reconfigure a system dynamically on demand. We survey some of the recent applications of self-assembly for nanofabrication of electronic and photonic devices. Five self-assembling systems are discussed: 1) self-assembled molecular monolayers; 2) self-assembly in supramolecular chemistry; 3) self-assembly of nanocrystals and nanowires; 4) self-assembly of phase-separated block copolymers; 5) colloidal self-assembly. These techniques can generate features ranging in size from a few angstroms to a few microns. We conclude with a discussion of the limitations and challenges facing self-assembly and some potential directions along which the development of self-assembly as a nanofabrication technology may proceed.
Reply to “To Differentiate Taenia Eggs”

We appreciate the interest in this photo quiz, which showed a Taenia egg with an intact primary membrane ([4][1]). It would be useful to distinguish between eggs of Taenia solium and Taenia saginata, because T. solium can cause both cysticercosis and gastrointestinal infection in humans, while T.
Performance Potential and Research Needs of a Hypersonic, Airbreathing, Lifting Missile Concept

This paper reports the results of a conceptual study to define the performance potential, scaling relationships, and research needs of a hypersonic missile concept formulated about an airframe-integrated propulsion system. A baseline missile design is developed and the rationale for selecting a heat-sink structural approach is described. Modifications to a NASA-Langley-developed fixed-geometry, modular scramjet are presented that may be required to achieve the dual-mode, "hydrocarbon-fueled" engine operational characteristics utilized in predicting missile performance potential. A heat-sink structure is shown to be a viable concept for Mach 6 missiles for ranges of up to 200 n.mi. A heat-sink structure protected by multiwall heat shields is suggested as a potentially attractive system for long-range cruise missiles. Airframe-integrated propulsion systems are shown to offer potentially large benefits for missiles that require high maneuverability. The use of the missile forebody for generating inlet precompression as well as lift and use of the afterbody as a high-expansion ratio, low-drag nozzle also offer improved missile cruise performance. It is concluded that technologies being developed for hypersonic aircraft, with appropriate modifications, also can be useful for hypersonic, airbreathing, lifting missiles.
Measurements of intensity fluctuations in a laser with a saturable absorber

Fluctuations of light intensity in a laser with an intracavity nonlinear absorber are studied experimentally. Measurements are made close to the tricritical point by varying the operating parameters of the laser. Experimental results are in agreement with the theoretical predictions based on the nonlinear oscillator model of the laser in which both the third- and fifth-order nonlinearities in the field amplitude are retained.
629 MECHANISM OF HYPOCHLOREMIC METABOLIC ALKALOSIS(HMA) IN DOGS FED A CHLORIDE-DEFICIENT FORMULA(CDF)

HMA, failure to thrive(FTT), deceleration of head growth and a Bartter-like syndrome was observed in 200 infants in the USA unintentionally fed a CDF([Na+,K+,Cl-] of 17,25,<2mEq/L). HMA was corrected by adding chloride to the CDF. Suggested causes for the metabolic abnormalities include chloride depletion, alkali excess ([citrate-]25mEq/L) and/or increased PGE2. To better define pathophysiologic mechanisms, metabolic balance studies were performed in 3 mongrel puppies(A,B,C) fed the CDF(150ml/kg/day) for 11 wks. During 3 additional weeks, A was fed CDF, B received CDF+chloride ([Cl-]14.4mEq/L) and C was fed another soy formula([C1-]11mEq/L). Mean laboratory values obtained before CDF(I-A,B,C), after 11 wks of CDF(II-A,B,C) and after 3 final weeks (III) were: (ang/ml/hr);(bng/ml);(cml/kg);(dng/kg/24hr);(U=urinary excretion) Each puppy exhibited FTT. These findings support the hypothesis that CDF and not chloride loss, alkali administration or increased PGE2 resulted in hypochloremia, ECFV depletion with increased PRA and PA, increased renal conservation of NaHCO3 and increased urinary potassium excretion.
The use of OCM reactors for ignition enhancement of natural gas combustion for practical applications: Reactor design aspects

Abstract The major goal of the study is the improvement of the ignition characteristics of lean, premixed natural gas (NG) combustion under engine-like conditions. A new process is investigated involving the oxidative coupling of methane reaction (OCM) for the in situ production of C2 hydrocarbons to be used as ignition enhancers during lean combustion of methane in internal combustion (IC) engines. Addition of the OCM product mixture enhances the ignition characteristics of lean methane/air mixtures, the beneficial effect resulting from the C2H4/C2H6 components. OCM in both conventional plug flow and packed-bed membrane reactors is modelled and optimised with respect to reactor conditions and ignition characteristics. An additional ignition technique that includes flowing a jet of a fuel/air stream against a hot inert surface has been implemented for quantifying the effect of the proposed ignition enhancers.
A Radioisotopic Method of Measuring Food Evacuation Time in Fish

Abstract Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) were fed cerium-144 labeled food to determine if movement of the label could be used to estimate food evacuation time. Radioactivity was retained by the fish until their gastrointestinal tracts were empty. Replicate measurements showed that individual fish may have significantly different evacuation rates. Cerium evacuation and serial slaughter methods provided similar estimates of evacuation time; for the same precision fewer fish are needed for the cerium method. From these experiments, it appears that 144Ce can be used as a tag to measure food evacuation time.
Learning Emergent Strategies Through Design Thinking

Analyzing a new business opportunity with traditional business tools, which are based on the logic of predictability, can handicap a new project before it even begins. That's why Babson educators teach emergent strategy, and they do it using design thinking. When the variables are unknown, predicting outcomes a priori with traditional business analytics is often a losing proposition. At Babson College, educators teach emergent strategy, which uses ideation, prototyping, and iteration—tools more familiar to entrepreneurs and design thinkers.
Experimental Investigation of Magnetic Field Dependence of Supercurrent in Multiply Connected Superconducting Films

Measurements of supercurrent density in thin films of tin have been made as a function of externally applied magnetic fields. Following the suggestion of Fulde and Ferrell, multiply connected sandwich-type samples of low self-inductance were prepared in order to observe the theoretically predicted gradual decrease of supercurrent due to depairing of superconducting pairs as the magnetic field is increased. Samples of low self-inductance are necessary to modify the normally observed first-order superconducting transition to a second-order one. Using samples of a suitable geometry, we have observed both total disappearance of supercurrent due to complete electron depairing in tin films and also the change from first to second order of the superconducting transition induced by an external magnetic field. Various experimental checks were made to verify that the decrease in supercurrent with increasing magnetic field was due to depairing and not spurious effects. The data have been analyzed to deduce supercurrent density versus the vector potential, the critical vector potential at which complete depairing takes place, the maximum current density, and their temperature dependences. The quantitative agreement between the experimental results and the predictions of the Ginzburg---Landau theory and its microscopic extensions is reasonably good.
Single-molecule fluorescence studies from a bioinorganic perspective

Abstract In recent years, single-molecule methods have enabled many innovative studies in the life sciences, which generated unprecedented insights into the workings of many macromolecular machineries. Single-molecule studies of bioinorganic systems have been limited, however, even though bioinorganic chemistry represents one of the frontiers in the life sciences. With the hope to stimulate more interest in applying existing and developing new single-molecule methods to address compelling bioinorganic problems, this review discusses a few single-molecule fluorescence approaches that have been or can be employed to study the functions and dynamics of metalloproteins. We focus on their principles, features and generality, possible further bioinorganic applications, and experimental challenges. The fluorescence quenching via energy transfer approach has been used to study the O 2 -binding of hemocyanin, the redox states of azurin, and the folding dynamics of cytochrome c at the single-molecule level. Possible future applications of this approach to single-molecule studies of metalloenzyme catalysis and metalloprotein folding are discussed. The fluorescence quenching via electron transfer approach can probe the subtle conformational dynamics of proteins, and its possible application to probe metalloprotein structural dynamics is discussed. More examples are presented in using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer to probe metallochaperone protein interactions and metalloregulator–DNA interactions on a single-molecule basis.
Studies on main group metal-transition-metal bonded compounds.6. The structure of η5C5H5(CO)3MoHgCl

The crystal structure of η 5 -C 5 H 5 (CO) 3 MoHgCl has been determined from single crystal X-ray data collected by counter methods. The compound crystallizes in space group P42 1 c with 8 molecules per unit cell and lattice constants of a  12.014(4), c  15.322(7). Full-matrix least squares refinement gave discrepancy factors R 1  0.058 and R 2  0.062 for 854 data with 1 3σ (1). The critical bond lengths and angles are MoHg  2.673(3)A, HgCl  2.437(8)A, and MoHgCl  160.0(2)°. Crystals of η 5 C 5 H 5 (CO) 3 WHgBr were shown to be isomorphous with lattice constants of a  12.068(4)A and c  15.643(7)A.
Single treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers using a pulsed-dye laser with stacked pulses†

Background and Objective: Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common cause of cancer worldwide. Within this grouping, the most common skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma (BCC) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Recent evidence has shown that BCCs can be cleared by a pulsed-dye laser after multiple treatments using a single pass setting. Given the necessity for multiple treatments in the prior studies, we sought to determine whether tumor clearance could instead be achieved using a single treatment of the pulsed-dye laser in a stacked pulse setting. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with 23 biopsy-proven BCCs and SCCIS that measured 0.4–3 cm in size and located on the trunk and extremities were recruited for this study. The lesions were randomized into three study arms: a control group (no treatment), first treatment group (S1), and second treatment group (S2). The S1 group was treated using a 595 nM pulsed-dye laser (PDL) at pulse energy of 15 J/ cm 2 , 3-millisecond pulse length, with no dynamic cooling, using a 7-mm spot size with 10% overlap of pulses and two passes. The S2 group was treated using the same 595 nM PDL at 7.5 J/cm 2 , 3-millisecond pulse length, with no dynamic cooling, using a 10-mm spot size with 10% overlap of pulses and double stacked pulses. All the treated lesions were treated with a 4 mm margin of clinically normal skin. The lesions were subsequently surgically excised and examined by histopathology. Results: There was no significant difference in the dimensions of the tumors between the three study arms, with a mean area of 94 mm 2 [SEM 15.2] for the control group, 88 mm 2 [SEM 12.1] for the S1 treatment group, and 105 mm 2 [SEM 23.6] for the S2 treatment group. In the control group, there were two out seven lesions with no residual tumors, representing a background tumor clearance rate of approximately 28%. The S1 treatment group had two out of eight lesions with no residual lesion representing a clearance rate of 25%, similar to the background clearance rate. The S2 treatment group had a clearance rate of five out seven lesions, representing a clearance rate of 71%. The two lesions with residual tumors were noted to be beyond the central treatment zone by histopathology and if excluded, results in a clearance rate of 100%. By the Fisher’s exact test with a Bonferroni correction, there is a trend towards significance between the S2 treatment group and the control group with a P-value of 0.028. Conclusions: The results of our pilot study suggest that BCCs and SCCIS can be cleared in a single treatment using a pulsed-laser in a stacked pulse setting. However, given the small sample size of this pilot study, further larger scale studies will be needed to determine statistical significance and long-term recurrence rate and to further validate these findings. Lasers Surg. Med. 44:459–467, 2012. 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biochemical and biological variation of Cydia pomonella (codling Moth) granulosis virus

Cydia pomonella granulosis viruses (CpGV) from three different sources were compared biochemically and biologically. Restriction enzyme profiles of a CpGV isolated in Mexico and propagated for 9 years in a laboratory in Darmstadt, Germany (CpGV-MD) were compared with those of the same isolate propagated for 9 years at a Berkeley, California, laboratory (CpGV-MB). Only one of six enzymatic digests revealed a difference in the DNAs, which were subsequently calculated to be 99.94% homologous. No differences were found in molecular weights of enveloped virion polypeptides with SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In contrast, the restriction profiles of a CpGV isolated in Russia (CpGV-R) differed from that of CpGV-MB and CpGV-MD in five of six enzymatic digests due to what appeared to be a deleted fragment of DNA of about 1 x 10(6) in the CpGV-R genome. SDS-PAGE indicated a small difference in mobility of a high-molecular-weight protein in CpGV-R as compared to CpGV-MB and CpGV-MD. Two low-molecular weight proteins present in both CpGV-MD and CpGV-MB were missing completely in CpGV-R. Southern blot hybridization of restriction endonuclease gels using (32)P-labeled CpGV-MB DNA showed homology for all three isolates. A radioimmune protein blot assay revealed no differences in serological reactivity among the three CpGVs. LD(50) values for first and fifth instar larvae showed CpGV-MB and CpGV-MD to have similar virulence, while CpGV-R had significantly less.