cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single cell RNA sequencing detects persistent cell type- and methylmercury exposure paradigm-specific effects in a human cortical neurodevelopmental model.

Abstract The developing human brain is uniquely vulnerable to methylmercury (MeHg) resulting in lasting effects especially in developing cortical structures. Here we assess by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) persistent effects of developmental MeHg exposure in a differentiating cortical human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) model which we exposed to in vivo relevant and non-cytotoxic MeHg (0.1 and 1.0 μM) concentrations. The cultures were exposed continuously for 6 days either once only during days 4–10, a stage representative of neural epithelial- and radial glia cells, or twice on days 4–10 and days 14–20, a somewhat later stage which includes intermediate precursors and early postmitotic neurons. After the completion of MeHg exposure the cultures were differentiated further until day 38 and then assessed for persistent MeHg-induced effects by scRNAseq. We report subtle, but significant changes in the population size of different cortical cell types/stages and cell cycle. We also observe MeHg-dependent differential gene expression and altered biological processes as determined by Gene Ontology analysis. Our data demonstrate that MeHg results in changes in gene expression in human developing cortical neurons that manifest well after cessation of exposure and that these changes are cell type-, developmental stage-, and exposure paradigm-specific.
Happiness and Well-Being

This Element provides an opinionated introduction to the debate in moral philosophy over identifying the basic elements of well-being and to the related debate over the nature of happiness. The question of the nature of happiness is simply the question of what happiness is (as opposed to what causes it or how to get it), and the central philosophical question about well-being is the question of what things are in themselves of ultimate benefit or harm to a person, or directly make them better or worse off.
Osteopenia is associated with wasting in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and predicts survival after surgery.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the deadliest of all common malignancies. Treatment is difficult and often complicated by the presence of cachexia. The clinical portrait of cachexia contributes to the poor prognosis experienced by PDAC patients and worsens therapeutic outcomes. We propose that low bone mineral density is a component of cachexia, which we explore herein through a retrospective review of all patients at our facility that underwent surgery for PDAC between 2011 and 2018 and compared to sex-, age- and comorbidity-matched control individuals. Data were abstracted from the medical record and pre-operative computed tomography scans. Muscle mass and quality were measured at the L3 level and bone mineral density was measured as the radiation attenuation of the lumbar vertebral bodies. Patients with PDAC displayed typical signs of cachexia such as weight loss and radiologically appreciable deterioration of skeletal muscle. Critically, PDAC patients had significantly lower bone mineral density than controls, with 61.2% of PDAC patients categorized as osteopenic compared to 36.8% of controls. PDAC patients classified as osteopenic had significantly reduced survival (1.01 years) compared to patients without osteopenia (2.77 years). The presence of osteopenia was the strongest clinical predictor of 1- and 2-year disease-specific mortality, increasing the risk of death by 107% and 80%, respectively. Osteopenia serves as a test of 2-year mortality with sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 58%. These data therefore identify impaired bone mineral density as a key component of cachexia and predictor of postoperative survival in patients with PDAC. The mechanisms that lead to bone wasting in tumor-bearing hosts deserve further study.
On the Ternary Ohta-Kawasaki Free Energy and Its One Dimensional Global Minimizers.

We study the ternary Ohta-Kawasaki free energy that has been used to model triblock copolymer systems. Its one-dimensional global minimizers are conjectured to have cyclic patterns. However, some physical experiments and computer simulations found triblock copolymers forming noncyclic lamellar patterns. In this work, by comparing the free energies of the cyclic pattern and some noncyclic candidates, we show that the conjecture does not hold for some choices of parameters. Our results suggest that even in one dimension, the global minimizers may take on very different patterns in different parameter regimes. To unify the existing choices of the long range coefficient matrix, we present a reformulation of the long range term using a generalized charge interpretation, and thereby propose conditions on the matrix in order for the global minimizers to reproduce physically relevant nanostructures of block copolymers.
Analysis of Rice Genes in Transgenic Plants

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the information on molecular analyses of rice genes by in vivo and in vitro methods and in transgenic plants. It selected examples of several important types of rice genes, particularly those about which ones have first-hand information. Another consideration in choosing specific genes for discussion involves selection of those genes that are unique to plants: for example, genes related to seed storage proteins in rice and other monocotyledonous plants, such as wheat and barley. The response of rice phytochrome genes to light is another such example of gene regulation unique to plants. However, the development of specific applications, such as attempts to produce insectresistant transgenic rice plants, is a unique and important application of plant biotechnology. Moreover, in plant research, work on dicotyledonous plants such as tobacco and Arabidopsis is more advanced than that on monocotyledonous plants, such as rice and wheat because these dicots are easier to transform and regenerate more plants than monocots.
Modularity and design in reactive intelligence

Software design is the hardest part of creating intelligent agents. Therefore agent architectures should be optimized as design tools. This paper presents an architectural synthesis between the three-layer architectures which dominate autonomous robotics and virtual reality, and a more agent-oriented approach to viewing behavior modules. We provide an approach, Behavior Oriented Design (BOD), for rapid, maintainable development. We demonstrate our approach by modeling primate learning.
Police Use of Force

Traditionally, the hallmarks of policing involve officers responding to criminal and noncriminal calls for police service, detecting and preventing criminal activity, investigating past crimes, and enforcing laws. To carry out these activities, the police have institutional authority to use force. Such authority, power, or legal right comes from rules of law, which recognize that the police must sometimes use coercive action against law-violating citizens to accomplish legal objectives. Whenever the police invoke their legal right to use force against citizens, courts in the United States generally apply three major legal decisions that clarify standards surrounding the appropriateness of police use of force: West v. Atkins, Graham v. Connor, and Tennessee v. Garner. Under the umbrella of West v. Atkins, the police must act under color of law to be liable for use-of-force actions against citizens that amount to violations of police authority. Police must make objectively reasonable use-of-force choices under the Graham rules, which include a balancing test, subjective, objective, hindsight, and totality of circumstances tests. If the police decide to use deadly force against law-violators, then the Garner rules highlight three conditions in which deadly force may be reasonable: deadly force is necessary, suspects are dangerous, and police are able to warn suspects. Expert testimony by other experienced law enforcement officials is often required to determine and express an opinion on whether the officers acted reasonably in a particular case. In other accusatory system jurisdictions as in civil law jurisdictions, the use of force by the police is regulated primarily by legislative acts, rules, and custom. The use of expert witnesses has somewhat less importance in those jurisdictions. Keywords: police use of force; police defensive tactics; police deadly force; police nondeadly force; police weapons; police search and seizures; Fourth Amendment; Graham v. Connor; Tennessee v. Garner; West v. Atkins
Do Social Ties Encourage Immigrant Voters to Participate in Other Campaign Activities

Objective How do immigrants become politically active? While this process has been extensively studied, the role of ties to formal and informal institutions of society has been understudied. We test whether informal (political discussion) and formal (connections to community organizations) ties encourage immigrant voters to participate in other campaign activities. Methods Data were collected through a 2008 exit poll of Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA voters. Along with assessing the bivariate relationship between social ties and campaign participation, we use a Poisson event count regression model to control for alternative explanations. Results The positive relationship between social ties and campaign participation among immigrant voters disappears once we control for alternative explanations. There is, however, a positive relationship among the native born (including second-generation immigrants). Conclusion Voters need to acquire personal resources, and become assimilated into American political culture, before social ties have an effect on campaign participation.
Codon usage in the A/T-rich bacterium Campylobacter jejuni.

Campylobacter jejuni is a Gram negative, microaerophilic pathogen that causes gastroenteritis in humans. The genome of C. jejuni is AT-rich, with a mol% G + C. of 30.4. This high AT content was hypothesized to result in unique codon usage. In the present study, we analyzed the codon usage of sixty-seven C. jejuni genes and generated a codon frequency table. As predicted, the codon usage of C. jejuni revealed a strong bias towards codons ending in A or U. In addition to determining codon usage frequencies, the relative synonymous codon usage values were calculated to identify rare and optimal codons. Seventeen codons were identified as optimal and twelve codons as rare. Thirty-two codons exhibited little or no bias. A plot of the effective number of codons versus the third position %G + C. values for the sixty-seven genes revealed that C. jejuni uses an average of 39 of the 61 codons to encode proteins. These data will be useful for various molecular analyses including selection of degenerate primers to screen C. jejuni-genomic DNA libraries.
Gemcitabine modulation of alkylator therapy: a phase I trial of escalating gemcitabine added to fixed doses of ifosfamide and doxorubicin.

BACKGROUND The authors investigated the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose limiting toxicity (DLT) associated with the addition of a biomodulating dose of gemcitabine to an established regimen of ifosfamide and doxorubicin as part of a program to explore the potential of low-dose gemcitabine to modulate the activity of alkylating agents. METHODS A Phase I trial was carried out in a population of patients with bladder or pelvic carcinoma for whom no standard therapy was available. Doses of ifosfamide and doxorubicin were held fixed at 2 g/m2 for 4 days and 20 mg/m2 for 3 days, respectively. Gemcitabine was given on Day 2 and Day 4 at doses of 90 mg/m2, 150 mg/m2, and 200 mg/m2 per dose. RESULTS A total of 18 patients received 53 courses of therapy. Myelosuppression was dose limiting. Nonhematologic toxicity also was significant, with 10 of 18 patients experiencing toxicity of Grade 3 or greater. For previously untreated patients with an intact performance status, the MTD for gemcitabine in this context was at least 150 mg/m2 per dose. According to an intent-to-treat analysis, 11 of 18 patients demonstrated a clinically significant response to this regimen. CONCLUSIONS The regimen of ifosfamide and doxorubicin with the addition of gemcitabine was significantly toxic but has promising activity. Based on the observed activity and the generally reversible nature of the toxicity, the authors have initiated a Phase II trial of this regimen in patients with untreated, metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Cancer 2001;92:194–9. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Challenges and opportunities of the Internet for medical oncology.

PURPOSEThe internet, and in particular the world wide web (www), has a rapidly increasing potential to provide information for oncologists and their patients about cancer biology and treatment. A brief overview of this environment is given along with examples of how easily the information is accessed as a means of introducing the web page of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), ASCO OnLine.METHODSOncology information sources on the www were accessed from the author's home using a 14.4 kbs modem, Netscape browser (Netscape communications Corp, Mountain View, CA), and the locations recorded for tabulation and discussion.RESULTSOverwhelming amounts of oncology-related information are now available via the Internet.CONCLUSIONOncology as a subspecialty is ideally suited to apply the newest information technology to traditional needs in areas of education, research, and patient care. Oncologists will increasingly act as information guides rather than information resources for patients and their fam...
Seasonal and spatial changes in primary production and nutrients in Lake Michigan

Samples were collected from a railroad ferry between Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan, from 27 May, 1970, to 20 October, 1971, to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of primary production and several physical and chemical variables. Conductivity, silica, total P, soluble reactive P, plant pigments, and C uptake exhibited inshore-offshore differences, and all but silica were highest at the Wisconsin inshore station, thus suggesting nutrient enrichment of Lake Michigan by Milwaukee. Temperature, pH, phenolphthalein alkalinity, nitrate, silica, plant pigments, and C uptake showed varying degrees of seasonal change. A bimodal seasonal abundance of phytoplankton was revealed.
Profiling of human cytokines in healthy individuals with vitamin E supplementation by antibody array

Previously, we demonstrated that vitamin E supplementation decreases autoantibodies to oxidized lipid-protein complexes (J. Med. Food 1 (2000) 247). Utilizing an in vitro modeling system, we also demonstrated that vitamin E blocks the tumor promotion process in liver epithelial cells (Carcinogenesis 20 (1999) 485 and Mol. Carcinog. 30 (2001) 209). To investigate the molecular mechanisms of vitamin E function, we developed a human cytokine array system that is capable of detecting the expression of 35 cytokines simultaneously. Using this new technology, we analyzed the potential vitamin E-regulated cytokines in vitamin E supplementation individuals. The cytokine arrays showed that expression of several cytokines, particularly monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), was profoundly reduced in vitamin E supplementation individuals. Moreover, addition of vitamin E to several cultured cells significantly down-regulated the expression of MCP-1. Our results suggested that MCP-1 may be one of the most important targets of antioxidant vitamin E. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the down-regulation of MCP-1 in vitamin E supplementation in vivo.
Cyclohexane Dehydrogenation and H2 Adsorption on Pt Particles on ZnO(0001)−O

The dehydrogenation of cyclohexane on Pt/ZnO(0001)-O model catalysts was studied with temperature programmed desorption (TPD), low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Vapor-deposited Pt grows on this O-terminated ZnO face as 2-dimensional (2D) islands at low coverage, and later as 3D particles. The reactivity of these Pt nanoparticles toward H 2 and c-C 6 D 1 2 was studied versus Pt coverage, which controls their lateral dimension and then their thickness. Dissociatively adsorbed H 2 gives an H 2 TPD peak at ∼330 K from Pt particles, nearly independent of their size or thickness. The initial sticking probability for c-C 6 D 1 2 at 170 K is higher on Pt particles than on ZnO. Adsorbed c-C 6 D 1 2 on this ZnO surface desorbs intact at ∼220 K. When c-C 6 D 1 2 is adsorbed on Pt islands, some of it desorbs molecularly at ∼250 K, but most of it (>60%) dehydrogenates. The dehydrogenation pathway produces two main D 2 TPD regions: ∼300-400 K, peaking at ∼370 K, and 450-750 K, peaking at ∼580 K. This is similar to the dominant H 2 peaks seen from low-index faces of Pt crystals because of dehydrogenation of adsorbed c-C 6 H 1 2 to adsorbed benzene plus H (370 K) and further dehydrogenation of benzene to adsorbed C 2 H (∼560 K) and finally graphitic carbon (600-750 K). The ∼580 K peak is broadened considerably on particles compared to low-index faces. The probability for c-C 6 D 1 2 dehydrogenation is much higher on Pt particles than on Pt( 111), especially when the particles are 2D. The probability for loss of product D (or H) into the bulk of the ZnO is high at lower temperature, which decreases the apparent intensity ratio of the two main D 2 TPD peak regions (370 K: 580 K and above) relative to the stoichiometric 1:1 ratio seen for Pt( 111).
Angular Distributions of Products in the Photodissociation of Diatomic Molecules

The issue of angular distributions of the products of photodissociation of diatomic molecules is reexamined on two aspects: (1) the nature of the state that is prepared by excitation from a bound level into a continuum, and (2) a demonstration that a semiclassical connection between the J-derivative of the scattering phase shift and the classical deflection function leads to a recovery of the classical expression for correction of the angular distribution owing to finite rotation of the molecule during photodissociation. Higher-order quantum contributions to this correction also result from these observations.
Monitoring Quality Control: Can We Get Better Data?

Quality control is important in many fields, especially industrial production. Major research has been developed with regard to industrial quality control to ensure reliable and consistent products. We adapt and develop methodology in quality control to monitor data collection in epidemiologic studies. There are no procedures currently used by epidemiologists to evaluate quality control during the actual process of data collection; methods are implemented only after the data have been collected. We focus on procedures that can be used during data collection: instrument calibration and population sampling. For the first, we propose methods utilizing Shewhart control charts and Westgard stopping rules. For evaluating population sampling, we present methods utilizing regression analysis. We provide a motivating example to highlight the utility of these methods. The proposed methodology may help investigators to identify data quality problems that can be corrected while data are still being collected, and also to identify biases in data collection that might be adjusted later.
Interferon β induces mature dendritic cell apoptosis through caspase-11/caspase-3 activation

Although interferon β (IFNβ) decreases relapse rate and disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS), the mechanisms involved have not been elucidated. The present study is the first report on the apoptotic effect of IFNβ in mature, but not immature, myeloid dendritic cells (DCs). Both exogenous IFNβ added to DCs matured through exposure to proinflammatory cytokines and endogenous IFNβ secreted after lipopolysaccharide stimulation induced DC cell death. Apoptosis of mature DCs required both NF-κB and STAT-1 activation, and was mediated through the induction of caspase-11 expression and activation of caspase-3. In vivo, we observed increased caspase-11 expression and a significant decrease in the number of splenic DCs after lipopolysaccharide administration in wt but not in STAT-1–deficient mice. Since mature DCs are major contributors to the inflammatory response and essential partners in the induction of adaptive immunity, IFNβ-dependent elimination of activated DCs could play an essential role in re-establishing homeostasis, and might represent a new molecular mechanism for the therapeutic effect of IFNβ in MS.
A Novel Oxytocin-Like and Vasotocin-Like Peptide in Human Plasma after Administration of Estrogen

Using three antisera to oxytocin (OT Pitt Ab-1, OT Pitt Ab-2, and TOR OT Ab), we found comparable levels of OT in response to infant suckling and during infusion of synthetic OT, and identical standard curves with biological and synthetic standards of OT. Pitt Ab-1, but not Pitt Ab-2 or TOR OT Ab, measured increased OT in response to estrogen. Using an arginine vasotocin RIA (TOR AVT Ab), we found an increase in AVT immunoreactivity after estrogen treatment. Mean basal OT levels measured with OT Pitt Ab-2 in plasma of men [0.75 ± 0.06 (±SEM) μU/ml] and women (0.8 ± 0.09 n]J/ ml) were lower than OT measured with Pitt Ab-1 (1.7 ± 0.09 μU/ml in men and 1.7 ± 0.07 μU/ml in women; P < 0.001). Mean OT measured with Pitt Ab-2 in the plasma of women given estrogen chronically (0.8 ± 0.04 μU/ml) and acutely (0.6 ± 0.15 μU/ml) were not significantly different from basal levels. OT levels measured with Pitt Ab-1 in the same samples were 4.6 ± 0.5 and 4.3 ± 0.5 / μU/ml, respectively, both significantly increased from...
Serum immunoglobulin levels in patients with sickle cell disease.

Abstract The serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM were determined in thirty Negro patients with sickle cell disease and in thirty healthy Negro subjects. A statistically significant elevation of the mean serum IgG and IgA levels was found in the patients with sickle cell disease. No significant difference was noted in the mean IgM level. The reasons for these changes are not fully understood and may be related in part to liver damage, chronic infection and genetic factors.
Structuring Systems for Formal Verification

High levels of assurance for a secure system are obtained, in part, by the description of its trusted computing base in terms of a formal top-level specification. Nevertheless, the use of a single-level specification can result in an inability to link the behavior of the trusted computing base with the security policy of the system as a whole. This paper discusses some of the resulting problems and preaents an approach to structuring sys terns that will support their verification. Such structuring is shown to be effective in bridging the gap between the trusted computing base itself and the system seen as a whole.
Applications of infrared absorption spectroscopy in the analysis of lipids

The uses of infrared spectroscopy in lipid chemistry are discussed, with main emphasis on quantitative analytical methods. In reviewing the infrared technique from an overall perspective, attention is also given to instrumental developments, sampling techniques and qualitative applications. Some features are brought out in the context of examples cited. These include some significant established methods as well as recent developments, such as the use of integrated band intensities and the involvement of computers and computer techniques in infrared analysis. Current trends and future directions are indicated, and some unrealized potentialities are suggested.
Differing influences of dopamine agonists and antagonists on Fos expression in identified populations of globus pallidus neurons.

Abstract Dopamine agonists increase the activity of globus pallidus neurons, as shown electrophysiologically and with Fos expression. More recently it has been shown that decreased D 2 receptor activity also causes pallidal Fos expression. Similar responses occur in the striatum, where both dopamine agonists and D 2 blockade induce Fos, although in separate neuronal populations (i.e. striatonigral and -pallidal). The present experiments investigate the possible differential dopaminergic regulation of Fos within pallidal neuronal populations, which were classified as parvalbumin-positive or -negative (with parvalbumin immunostaining), or as projecting to various target nuclei (with retrograde transport of FluoroGold iontophoresed into these nuclei). Rats with prior nigrostriatal lesions received saline, D 1 agonist, or D 2 agonist. Rats with no lesions received saline, combined D 1 /D 2 agonists, or the D 2 antagonist eticlopride. Two hours after drug injection, rats were perfused and their brains processed for double-labeling: either Fos staining with parvalbumin staining, or Fos or parvalbumin staining in FluoroGold-labeled sections. Overall, dopamine drug treatments induced more Fos in parvalbumin-negative than -positive cells. However, unlike dopamine agonists, eticlopride induced significant Fos only in the parvalbumin-negative cells. Dopamine agonist-induced Fos was found in pallidal neurons projecting to each of the target nuclei examined, in both normal and nigrostriatal-lesioned rats. Eticlopride-induced Fos occurred only in pallidal neurons projecting to the striatum, providing functional evidence for pallidostriatal cells without axon collaterals to other nuclei. It was also found that pallidostriatal neurons were distinguished from other projection populations by a relative lack of parvalbumin immunoreactivity. Pallidal cells respond heterogeneously to dopaminergic treatments based on their projection target and expression of parvalbumin. The smaller Fos responses in parvalbumin-containing cells may be due largely to the calcium buffering by the parvalbumin itself. Also, the pattern of Fos expression in pallidostriatal neurons suggests that dopamine regulates activity in these cells differently than in other projection populations.
Cytotoxicity and mode of action of vanada- and niobatricarbadecaboranyl monohalide complexes in human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Abstract Vanada- and niobatricarbadecaboranyl monohalide complexes proved to be potent cytotoxic agents against murine and human leukemia and lymphoma growth as well as HeLa suspended uterine carcinoma. The vanada complex reduced the growth of KB nasopharynx, Hepe liver, HCT-8 ileum and 1-A9 ovary solid carcinomas. A mode of action study in human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells showed that DNA and purine de novo syntheses were significantly inhibited with suppression of the regulatory enzymes activities of DNA polymerase α and PRPP-amido transferase. There was moderate inhibition of RNA synthesis and m-RNA polymerase activity. These complexes did not inhibit human topoisomerase I or II activity, although the niobium complex nicked the DNA. The complexes did activate caspases 3, 6 and 9 which are linked to apoptosis programmed cell death. These vanada- and niobatricarbadecaboranyl monohalide complexes appear to be more specific in their effects on leukemia cell metabolism than other sandwich complexes which have broad effects on multiple enzymes.
Magnetic fabric of sheared till: A strain indicator for evaluating the bed deformation model of glacier flow

Wet-based portions of ice sheets may move primarily by shearing their till beds, resulting in high sediment fluxes and the development of subglacial landforms. This model of glacier movement, which requires high bed shear strains, can be tested using till microstructural characteristics that evolve during till deformation. Here we examine the development of magnetic fabric using a ring shear device to deform two Wisconsin-age basal tills to shear strains as high as 70. Hysteresis experiments and the dependence of magnetic susceptibility of these tills on temperature demonstrate that anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) develops during shear due to the rotation of primarily magnetite particles that are silt sized or smaller. At moderate shear strains ($6–25), principal axes of maximum magnetic susceptibility develop a strong fabric (S 1 eignevalues of 0.83–0.96), without further strengthening at higher strains. During deformation, directions of maximum susceptibility cluster strongly in the direction of shear and plunge ''up-glacier,'' consistent with the behavior of pebbles and sand particles studied in earlier experiments. In contrast, the magnitude of AMS does not vary systematically with strain and is small relative to its variability among samples; this is because most magnetite grains are contained as inclusions in larger particles and hence do not align during shear. Although processes other than pervasive bed deformation may result in strong flow parallel fabrics, AMS fabrics provide a rapid and objective means of identifying basal tills that have not been sheared sufficiently to be compatible with the bed deformation model.
Hamiltonian decompositions of Cayley graphs on abelian groups of even order

Alspach conjectured that any 2k-regular connected Cayley graph cay(A,S) on a finite abelian group A can be decomposed into k hamiltonian cycles. In 1992, the author proved that the conjecture holds if S = {s1, s2, ..., sk} is a minimal generating set of an abelian group A of odd order. Here we prove an analogous result for abelian group of even order: If A is a finite abelian group of even order at least 4 and S = {s1, s2, ..., sk} is a strongly minimal generating set (i.e., 2si ∉ 〈S - {si}〉 for each 1≤i≤k) of A, then cay(A,S) can be decomposed into hamiltonian cycles.
Novel insight into the role of heterotrophic dinoflagellates in the fate of crude oil in the sea

Although planktonic protozoans are likely to interact with dispersed crude oil after a spill, protozoan-mediated processes affecting crude oil pollution in the sea are still not well known. Here, we present the first evidence of ingestion and defecation of physically or chemically dispersed crude oil droplets (1–86 μm in diameter) by heterotrophic dinoflagellates, major components of marine planktonic food webs. At a crude oil concentration commonly found after an oil spill (1 μL L−1), the heterotrophic dinoflagellates Noctiluca scintillans and Gyrodinium spirale grew and ingested ~0.37 μg-oil μg-Cdino−1 d−1, which could represent ~17% to 100% of dispersed oil in surface waters when heterotrophic dinoflagellates are abundant or bloom. Egestion of faecal pellets containing crude oil by heterotrophic dinoflagellates could contribute to the sinking and flux of toxic petroleum hydrocarbons in coastal waters. Our study indicates that crude oil ingestion by heterotrophic dinoflagellates is a noteworthy route by which petroleum enters marine food webs and a previously overlooked biological process influencing the fate of crude oil in the sea after spills.
Relationship of sex, race, age, education, and level of intelligence to the frequency of occurrence of a WAIS‐R marker for dementia of the Alzheimer's type

The frequency of occurrence of a Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐Revised marker for Alzheimer's disease (Fuld, 1982) was calculated for a sample of normal persons 75 years and older. Means for age and education were 80.79 (SD = 5.18) and 10.88 (SD = 2.94), respectively. The prevalence of the marker by age, sex, race, years of education, and intellectual level was examined. Overall, only 8% (18/225) of the sample manifested the Fuld pattern. Although pattern prevalence did not differ by sex, race, and level of intelligence, it varied according to age and educational level. Incidence of the marker was essentially the same for all age groups with ≤11 years of education. However, for persons with ≥12 years of schooling, the prevalence of the profile was greatest for individuals older than 84. It was concluded that for persons ≥85 with 12 or more years of education the Fuld pattern is relatively common and lacks diagnostic significance.
Locus of Control among Children in Various Educational Environments.

The Stephens-Delys Reinforcement Contingency Interview was administered to 78 subjects, 6 yr., 6 mo. to 7 yr., 6 mo., who were enrolled in “traditional” or “open” educational programs. Scores were categorized by sex, race, economic level, and educational program, and treated by analysis of variance. Scores of boys were somewhat more internal than scores of girls and significant was the interaction of sex, economic level, and educational program. Boys in the average to above average economic level enrolled in the traditional educational program had significantly more internal scores.
Sexual dysfunction: Immediate penile prosthesis for acute ischemic priapism

Ischemic priapism can result in erectile dysfunction if unresponsive to treatment. A recent study advocates immediate penile prosthesis implantation in patients with treatment-refractory ischemic priapism to avoid loss of penile length and to facilitate insertion of the prosthesis. Such a protocol may well become the standard of care in future.
Evidence for spontaneous axon degeneration during peripheral nerve maturation.

Ultrastructural examination of sciatic nerves from postnatal mice and rats revealed myelinated and nonmyelinated fibers with structural characteristics similar to those seen in Wallerian degeneration. Such fibers are more commonly found between 7 and 14 days and are believed to represent spontaneous axon degenerations during development.
Lessons learned from developing a mission-critical expert system with multiple experts through rapid prototyping

Abstract The expert systems technology is ubiquitous among the mission-critical tasks in the defense area. Knowledge compiled through the military applications can serve as a remarkable source of learning opportunities for those in the civilian sector. In this paper, we describe the process of developing one such mission-critical military application, which contains an embedded expert system. A large number of experts simultaneously participated in numerous knowledge acquisition sessions to provide their expertise in air combat planning. The rapid prototyping methodology was employed as a vehicle to facilitate the knowledge acquisition process. By recounting the development process, we intend to share the lessons learned from this experience. These lessons are presented from three different perspectives, i.e. the knowledge engineers, the experts, and regarding the rapid prototyping methodology.
Inhibition of heterosensory thalamocortical evoked potentials by Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

The effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on sensory activity in the thalamic intralaminar nuclei, centralis lateralis and the mesencephalic reticular formation were compared with the effects on cortical association or heterosensory systems in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized cats. The drug depressed the anterior marginal responses to multiple-modality sensory stimulation 30 min after administration of 2 mg/kg. Posterior suprasylvian responses were not significantly depressed except during 15 min postadministration. The drug did not depress sensory responses at the centralis lateralis or the mesencephalic reticular formation. Cortical responses evoked by stimulation of the latter were globally depressed by the drug. In contrast, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol depressed the anterior marginal response to centralis lateralis stimulation and not the posterior suprasylvian response similarly to the responses to sensory stimulation. The drug was without effect on caudate nucleus responses to stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation or centralis lateralis. These data demonstrate that, unlike pentobarbital, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol maintains heterosensory afferent activity to mesencephalic and thalamic sites and that its unique properties appear to be due, in part, to the selective disruption of heterosensory thalamocortical function.
Identification and characterization of an intervening sequence within the 23S ribosomal RNA genes of Campylobacter jejuni.

Summary Campylobacter jejuni is a significant cause of bacterial enteritis in humans. Three of seven C. jejuni isolates examined were found to contain fragmented 23S rRNA. The occurrence of fragmented 23S rRNA correlated with the presence of an intervening sequence (IVS) within the 23S rRNA genes. The IVS is 157 nucleotides in length and replaces an eight nucleotide sequence in the 23S rRNA genes of C. jejuni isolates that contain intact 23S rRNA. The two ends of the IVS share 31 bases of complementarity that could form a stem-loop structure. Fragmentation of the 23S ribosomal RNA results from the excision of the IVS from the transcribed RNA; the 3’ cleavage site maps within the putative stem-loop formed by the IVS. Southern hybridization analysis revealed that the IVS is not present in the genomes of isolates that contain intact 23S rRNA, suggesting that the IVS is not derived from Campylobacter chromosomal sequences. The C. jejuni IVS is located at a position analogous to that of the IVSs found in both Salmonella and Yersinia spp.
Topical Hemostatic Agents in Surgery: A Surgeon's Perspective

Good hemostasis in surgery can provide multiple advantages to the patient, surgical team, and health care facility. Active and passive hemostatic agents have been widely used for many years and have extensive history supporting effective and safe use in a wide variety of surgical procedures. The type of surgical procedure, type of bleeding, hemostatic agent availability, and patient characteristics will influence the choice of topical hemostatic agent that is used by the surgeon. By actively participating in the coagulation cascade, active topical hemostatic agents are more able to meet the criteria of an ideal hemostatic agent in cases of oozing blood and minor bleeding during surgical procedures. Active agents can be used alone or in combination with passive agents. Familiarity with the products used to achieve hemostasis and their preparation can facilitate optimal use by surgical teams.
Transductive Malware Label Propagation: Find Your Lineage From Your Neighbors

The numerous malware variants existing in the cyberspace have posed severe threats to its security. Supervised learning techniques have been applied to automate the process of classifying malware variants. Supervised learning, however, suffers in situations where we have only scarce labeled malware samples. In this work, we propose a transductive malware classification framework, which propagates label information from labeled instances to unlabeled ones. We improve the existing Harmonic function approach based on the maximum confidence principle. We apply this framework on the structural information collected from malware programs, and propose a PageRank-like algorithm to evaluate the distance between two malware programs. We evaluate the performance of our method against the standard Harmonic function method as well as two popular supervised learning techniques. Experimental results suggest that our method outperforms these existing approaches in classifying malware variants when only a small number of labeled samples are available.
Effects of acute high dose and chronic low dose estrogen on plasma somatomedin-C and growth in patients with Turner's syndrome

Previously reported data with regard to the effects of estrogen on plasma somatomedin-C (Sm-C) concentrations are contradictory. This study was designed to evaluate, in the same subjects with Turner's syndrome, the effects of both acute high dose and chronic low dose estrogen treatment on plasma Sm-C concentrations. Eight girls with Turner's syndrome, aged 10 8/12 to 14 9/12 yr, were admitted to the Clinical Research Center for 3 days. Each received an iv infusion of conjugated estrogens (1.25 or 2.5 mg) in 12 h. Plasma Sm-C and serum GH and estrone levels were measured before, during, and after the infusion. The mean serum concentrations in the girls who received 1.25 mg conjugated estrogen increased from less than 222 pmol/L to 1905 +/- 240 (+/- SE), 825 +/- 166, and 296 +/- 74 pmol/L immediately after, 12 h after, and 24 h after completion of the infusion, respectively. Serum GH concentrations were undetectable (less than 1 microgram/L) before, during, and after the infusion. The mean plasma Sm-C concentrations decreased significantly (P = 0.02) after the infusion was terminated, falling from a mean basal value of 1.3 +/- 0.2 (+/- SE) to a nadir of 0.6 +/- 0.1 U/mL 12 h after completion of the infusion. The same girls then were treated with low dose (5 micrograms ethinyl estradiol) estrogen therapy for 9-14 months. Seven of the eight girls had an increase in growth rate. The mean growth rate increased from 2.0 +/- 0.5 to 5.4 +/- 0.8 and 3.8 +/- 0.4 cm/yr from 3 to 6 (P less than 0.05) and from 9 to 14 months of treatment, respectively. Individual variability was great, however, and two of the eight girls never grew at a rate faster than 4.0 cm/yr during therapy. No consistent alteration in bone age relative to chronological age was found, and the growth response was not predicted by the bone age at the beginning of treatment. Mean plasma Sm-C concentrations did not change. These studies demonstrated a growth spurt in girls with Turner's syndrome during chronic low dose estrogen therapy, which was not associated with any change in plasma Sm-C concentrations. Acute high dose iv estrogen infusion resulted in a significant decline in plasma Sm-C concentrations. These results support the concept that in girls with Turner's syndrome the plasma Sm-C response to estrogen is influenced by multiple, as yet undefined, factors.
The action of x-rays on fibrinogen solutions.

Abstract Irradiation of fibrinogen solutions leads to fragmentation as well as polymerization of the original fibrinogen molecule. The irradiated solutions exhibit increased viscosity and at doses greater than 300 kr gel spontaneously. The magnitude of the changes can be decreased by the addition of protecting agents. The kinetics of the irradiation reactions are in accord with the hypothesis that the action of the x-rays involves free radicals resulting from the ionization of water molecules. Despite the marked changes in the structure of fibrinogen produced by x-rays, practically all of the material is recoverable as fibrin upon addition of thrombin, at least for doses up to 130 kr and possibly higher. It seems evident, therefore, that the split fragments resulting from the x-irradiation contain the groups necessary for the clotting reaction and that these are probably not those easily oxidized by OH radicals.
Effect of Methotrexate on Cell Cycle and DNA Synthesis of Astrocytes in Primary Culture: Flow Cytometric Studies

Relatively pure population of astrocytes in primary culture were examined by flow cytometry at various time intervals after exposure to 1, 10 and 100 microM of methotrexate (MTX). The percentage population of cells in different phases of the cell cycle was determined using propidium iodide (PI) to measure cellular DNA content. DNA synthesis was assessed by measuring the fluorescence intensity of FITC-conjugated antibody to bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd). The two parameters were correlated to determine the location of BrdUrd-incorporating cells within the cell cycle. Exposure of astrocytes to MTX caused a consistent increase in number of cells in S-phase which correlated with the increase in BrdUrd incorporation. These studies provide supportive evidence that the astrogliosis seen in MTX encephalopathy may be due to a primary involvement of astrocytes.
The elastic Green's function for the pinned flux-line lattice in a type II superconductor

The elastic Green's function for the pinned flux-line lattice in the critical state is defined and evaluated in the coherent potential approximation. The presence of pinning sites contributes an additional restoring force, which must be calculated within a complete theory of the critical state, but which can be measured. Results are given for the dependence of the Green's function on the density of strong flux-line pins, and a criterion is derived for the applicability of the dilute-limit approximation. This criterion is never satisfied near the upper and lower critical fields. Assuming that the pins all interact sufficiently strongly with the flux-line lattice to exceed the threshold criterion, we find that the Green's function decreases (the flux-line lattice becomes more rigid) with increasing pin density.
EXAMINATION OF CRYSTALLURIA IN FRESHLY VOIDED URINES OF RECURRENT CALCIUM STONE FORMERS AND NORMAL INDIVIDUALS USING A NEW FILTER TECHNIQUE

AbstractPurpose: We evaluated calcium oxalate (CaOx) and calcium phosphate (CaP) crystalluria in freshly voided urines of normal individuals (controls) and recurrent calcium stone formers (RSF) using a new filter technique.Materials and Methods: Chemical analysis of urinary sediment retained by a 0.45 micro m. Millipore filter was used to quantitate crystalluria. A CaOx and CaP crystal suspension initially confirmed the reliability of the filter technique. Freshly voided urine samples from 11 controls and 15 RSF were then evaluated. Sediment calcium (S-Ca), oxalate (S-Ox) and phosphate (S-PO4) were compared with routine light microscopy for crystal detection.Results: The recoveries of calcium (Ca) and oxalate (Ox) from the CaOx crystal suspension were 83.8% and 87.5%, respectively. The recoveries of Ca and phosphate (PO4) from the CaP crystal suspension were 97.7% and 89.7%, respectively. The CaOx and CaP crystal volumes (S-Ox and S-PO4) were similar between controls and RSF. However, the sediment to urin...
Approach for Assessing Dormant Reliability in Dual Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) Systems in High-pressure, High-temperature (HPHT) Environments

Dual electric submersible pump (ESP) systems are an attractive option for costly high-intervention wells because they provide greater assurance for uninterrupted operations. In dual ESP systems, a second ESP serves as a backup in the event that the active ESP fails. The backup ESP, however, can spend a significant amount of its lifetime in a dormant state, making the assessment of its reliability more difficult. Newer ESP systems used in deepwater, high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) environments are more sophisticated and must have longer service lives. However, these systems do not receive preventive maintenance and are not inspected for component deterioration after deployment, further complicating dormant reliability estimates. Even though its operating failure rate may be substantially greater than its nonoperating failure rate under the same well conditions, the amount of time that the backup ESP remains dormant could be longer than five years, making dormancy a major factor to consider when estimating a mature dual ESP system’s reliability and service life. Because of their complexity and potential for prolonged dormancy throughout operations, dual ESP systems have an inherent need for higher dormant reliability. Developing an approach for assessing dormant reliability as part of the testing and evaluation process would help to meet this requirement. This approach should accurately estimate the effects of dormancy on operational effectiveness. Operational testing analyses must identify the failures that directly affect operational capability. In this paper we present the framework for developing a methodology to estimate dormancy effects on the reliability of deepwater dual ESP systems, and models to predict dormancy effects. Actual measurement of dormant reliability is a long-term process that includes expensive real-life operational testing. Methodologies for projecting system operational reliability at the component level are applied to dormant reliability analyses, and experiences from the field are iteratively applied toward improving the process.