cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Hypothetical Case in the Classroom

This article suggests a novel teaching method in which the instructor creates a case out of whole cloth. A number of examples found in casebooks are discussed, and the author presents a case that can be used to introduce performance issues in the Contracts class. The hypothetical case can be particularly useful to present different theories in concurring and dissenting opinions so the student sees how the same topic can be looked at through a variety of lenses.
Novel PAMs Targeting NMDAR GluN2A Subunit

In this issue of Neuron, Hackos et al. (2016) report the discovery of novel positive allosteric modulators that are highly selective for GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors. This novel class of PAMs shows distinct effects on synaptic plasticity.
Graphite Intercalation Compounds

Graphite intercalation compounds are a type of graphite compounds. They are interstitial compounds in which the foreign species (the intercalate) is included in the interplanar sites of the graphite crystal. They are classified into ionic compounds (e.g., graphite–lithium and graphite–bromine) and covalent compounds (e.g., graphite oxide). Intercalation can only occur in carbon materials that are strongly graphitic. Thus, carbon fibers that are not graphitic cannot be intercalated. Upon heating, an intercalation compound expands along the c -axis, resulting in exfoliated graphite, which has a cellular structure. Upon compression, exfoliated graphite forms flexible graphite, due to the mechanical interlocking among the worms.
Correlation analysis in multidimensional multivariate time-varying datasets

One of the most vital challenges for weather forecasters is the correlation between two geographical phenomena that are distributed continuously in multidimensional multivariate time-varying datasets. In this research, we have visualized the correlation between Pressure and Temperature in the climate datasets. Pearson correlation is used in this study to measure the major linear relationship between two variables in the dataset. Using glyphs in the spatial location, we highlighted the significant association between variables. Based on the positive or negative slope of correlation lines, we can conclude how much they are correlated. The principal of this research is visualizing the local trend of variables versus each other in multidimensional multivariate time-varying datasets, which needs to be visualized with their spatial locations in meteorological datasets. Using glyphs, not only can we visualize the correlation between two variables in the coordinate system, but we can also discern whether any of these variables is separately increasing or decreasing. Moreover, we can visualize the background color as another variable and see the correlation lines around of a particular zone such as storm area.
Clinical Engineering Education and Careers: Overview at the University of Connecticut

The American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE) defines clinical engineering as follows: “A Clinical Engineer is a professional who supports and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology.”
Influence of Electronarcosis on Secretory Activity of the Pituitary Gland.

ConclusionsExperimental evidence indicates that a series of electronarcoses in animals results in hypertrophy of the thyroid, adrenals, and gonads. Since in the blood of electronarcotized dogs an increase in thyrotropic substance is found, it is believed that the mechanism by which this thyroid hypertrophy is obtained is by way of an increased secretion of the pituitary hormones. It might be conceivable that the general cortical and subcortical stimulation which results from passage of current through the brain could produce a direct nervous stimulation of the respective endocrine organs. However, whereas direct stimulation of certain endocrine glands is possible,6 the response to such nervous stimulation is of a much smaller order than that resulting from activation of the organ by the specific hypophyseal “trophic” hormone. That direct stimulation of the thyroid is most likely not involved in the hypertrophic response to electronarcosis is shown by the increased thyrotropic activity imparted to dog seru...
Immigration, Sex Ratio, and Local Movement of the Potato Leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) in a Pennsylvania Alfalfa Field

The distribution and immigration trends of Empoasca fabae (Harris) in a managed alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., field were studied over a 3-yr period. In the second alfalfa growth cycle, E. fabae immigration into the field usually began after the alfalfa reached a height of 5 em. The rate of immigration into the field was constant until halfway into the crop growth cycle, after which it usually decreased. Sex ratios of adult E. fabae were 80% female in the second growth cycle and 50% female in the third growth cycle. In two of the three years, the sex ratios were 44% female at the end of the third growth cycle. This may have been due to a greater tendency for female than for male E. fabae to leave the field at this time of the year. During the second and third growth cycles of 1980, E. fabae density was about 76% higher in exterior plots than in interior plots. This difference in density did not change appreciably during the second or third growth cycles. Aggregations of adult E. fabae in the exterior plots were probably caused by an accumulation of immigrants from other locations outside of the field.
Problems in the Occupational Hazards Evaluation in the Construction Projects in Dandong

The occupational hazards evaluation in the construction projects is a fundamental measure for the prevention,control and elimination of occupational diseases and for the guarantee of the laborers' health.To strengthen the propaganda work,draw the leaders' attention,coordinate between different departments and improve the capacity of the occupational health service are the basic conditions for the guarantee of the occupational hazards evaluation work.
Religious Conscience and Civil Authority: The Meaning of Toleration

Much controversy surrounds the requirement under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that employers who provide health insurance to their employees include contraceptive coverage in their policies. Until recently, the bulk of discussion has focused either on religious employers such as churches, or on nonprofit groups affiliated with but not owned or controlled by religious organizations, such as hospitals, universities, or charities. The ACA exempts houses of worship entirely from this requirement. As of June of 2013, religiously affiliated nonprofits must simply certify to their insurers that they object to contraceptive coverage, and the insurer will then notify the employees that it will arrange separately for free contraceptive services. This disposition, the fourth attempt to address objections, still fails to satisfy some religious organizations, however (Pear 2013, A13).
Daily spontaneous running alters behavioral and neurochemical indexes of nigrostriatal function

Behavioral and neurochemical indexes of nigrostriatal dopaminergic function were compared between sedentary control rats (n = 12) and daily spontaneous running (DSR) male rats (n = 10). Nine weeks of DSR did not significantly alter body, heart, pituitary, or testes weights. DSR and control animals did differ in performance on a sensorimotor beam walking task, with DSR rats showing significantly shorter times required to cross the beam (60 +/- 17 vs. 119 +/- 14s; P < 0.02) as well as fewer slips off the beam (3.0 +/- 0.8 vs 6.2 +/- 1.1; P < 0.05). DSR animals also engaged in significantly greater durations of social investigation than control rats (43 +/- 5 vs 25 +/- 3 s; P < 0.01) when tested in a social investigation memory-recognition test. Basal dopamine release rates from superfused corpus striatal tissue fragments of DSR rats were about one-half those obtained from control animals (18 +/- 5 vs. 34 +/- 6 pg.mg-1.min-1; P < 0.05), whereas responses of these striatal tissue fragments to a depolarizing concentration of potassium were virtually identical (45 +/- 10 vs. 47 +/- 8 pg.mg-1.min-1). These data indicate that a relatively limited intensity of DSR insufficient to alter cardiovascular function can exert substantial effects on behavioral and neurochemical indicators of nigrostriatal dopaminergic activity.
Human SR-BII mediates SAA uptake and contributes to SAA pro-inflammatory signaling in vitro and in vivo.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase protein with cytokine-like and chemotactic properties, that is markedly up-regulated during various inflammatory conditions. Several receptors, including FPRL-1, TLR2, TLR4, RAGE, class B scavenger receptors, SR-BI and CD36, have been identified as SAA receptors. This study provides new evidence that SR-BII, splice variant of SR-BI, could function as an SAA receptor mediating its uptake and pro-inflammatory signaling. The uptake of Alexa Fluor488 SAA was markedly (~3 fold) increased in hSR-BII-expressing HeLa cells when compared with mock-transfected cells. The levels of SAA-induced interleukin-8 secretion by hSR-BII-expressing HEK293 cells were also significantly (~3–3.5 fold) higher than those detected in control cells. Moderately enhanced levels of phosphorylation of all three mitogen-activated protein kinases, ERK1/2, and p38 and JNK, were observed in hSR-BII-expressing cells following SAA stimulation when compared with control wild type cells. Transgenic mice with pLiv-11-directed liver/kidney overexpression of hSR-BI or hSR-BII were used to assess the in vivo role of each receptor in SAA-induced pro-inflammatory response in these organs. Six hours after intraperitoneal SAA injection both groups of transgenic mice demonstrated markedly higher (~2-5-fold) expression levels of inflammatory mediators in the liver and kidney compared to wild type mice. Histological examinations of hepatic and renal tissue from SAA-treated mice revealed moderate level of damage in the liver of both transgenic but not in the wild type mice. Activities of plasma transaminases, biomarkers of liver injury, were also moderately higher in hSR-B transgenic mice when compared to wild type mice. Our findings identify hSR-BII as a functional SAA receptor that mediates SAA uptake and contributes to its pro-inflammatory signaling via the MAPKs-mediated signaling pathways.
Bent Fingers’ Angles Calculation

Hands play an important role in the execution of many important tasks in the daily lives of humans as well for a number of other special purposes. The shape of the human hand is such that it is able to easily perform a number of otherwise tedious tasks. It can bend its fingers to different angles to pick up or to hold objects and to apply force via fingers or the palm area. In a number of scenarios, a human hand can perform the tasks much more efficiently than a machine shaft. This is due to the ability of a human hand to operate over a number of degrees of freedom and its ability to bend fingers at different angles.
Spectral decomposition for resolving partial volume effects in MRSI

PURPOSE Estimation of brain metabolite concentrations by MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) is complicated by partial volume contributions from different tissues. This study evaluates a method for increasing tissue specificity that incorporates prior knowledge of tissue distributions. METHODS A spectral decomposition (sDec) technique was evaluated for separation of spectra from white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM), and for measurements in small brain regions using whole-brain MRSI. Simulation and in vivo studies compare results of metabolite quantifications obtained with the sDec technique to those obtained by spectral fitting of individual voxels using mean values and linear regression against tissue fractions and spectral fitting of regionally integrated spectra. RESULTS Simulation studies showed that, for GM and the putamen, the sDec method offers < 2% and 3.5% error, respectively, in metabolite estimates. These errors are considerably reduced in comparison to methods that do not account for partial volume effects or use regressions against tissue fractions. In an analysis of data from 197 studies, significant differences in mean metabolite values and changes with age were found. Spectral decomposition resulted in significantly better linewidth, signal-to-noise ratio, and spectral fitting quality as compared to individual spectral analysis. Moreover, significant partial volume effects were seen on correlations of neurometabolite estimates with age. CONCLUSION The sDec analysis approach is of considerable value in studies of pathologies that may preferentially affect WM or GM, as well as smaller brain regions significantly affected by partial volume effects. Magn Reson Med 79:2886-2895, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Interleukin-1β Signaling in Dendritic Cells Induces Antiviral Interferon Responses

Induction of interferon beta (IFN-β), IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), and inflammatory responses is critical for control of viral infection. We recently identified an essential linkage of stimulation of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and induction of ISGs that function as host restriction pathways against the emerging flavivirus West Nile virus (WNV) in vivo Here we utilized ex vivo global transcriptome analysis of primary dendritic cells, known targets of WNV replication, to define gene signatures required for this IL-1β-driven antiviral response. Dendritic cells that were deficient in IL-1 receptor signaling showed dysregulation of cell-intrinsic defense genes and loss of viral control during WNV infection. Surprisingly, we found that in wild-type cells, IL-1β treatment, in the absence of infection, drove the transcription of IFN-β and ISGs at late times following treatment. Expression of these antiviral innate immune genes was dependent on the transcription factor IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and appears to reflect a general shift in IL-1β signaling from an early inflammatory response to a late IFN-mediated response. These data demonstrate that inflammatory and antiviral signals integrate to control viral infection in myeloid cells through a process of IL-1β-to-IRF3 signaling crosstalk. Strategies to exploit these cytokines in the activation of host defense programs should be investigated as novel therapeutic approaches against individual pathogens.IMPORTANCE West Nile virus is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus that can result in serious illness, neuropathology, and death in infected individuals. Currently, there are no vaccines or therapies for human use against West Nile virus. Immune control of West Nile virus infection requires inflammatory and antiviral responses, though the effect that each arm of this response has on the other is unclear. The significance of our research is in defining how virus-induced inflammatory responses regulate critical antiviral immune programs for effective control of West Nile virus infection. These data identify essential mechanisms of immune control that can inform therapeutic efforts against West Nile virus, with potential efficacy against other neuroinvasive viruses.
Rediscovering the Formative Power of Scripture Reading for the Church

Central to Christianity is the belief is that the Bible is inspired and authoritative for Christian faith and practice. Even though Christians affirm the authority of the Bible, there is a decline ...
Stimulation of estrogen and luteinizing hormone secretion in postpartum beef cows.

Three experiments were conducted to determine whether and how weaning, quanti ty of milk produced, suckling intensity, age of dam, or a combination of these factors influence ovarian and/or pituitary response to pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMS), synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), or ovariectomy in postpartum beef cows. Ovarian and pituitary responses, as determined by plasma estrogen, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations, were evoked in both 3-year-old and mature anestrous, suckled cows (experiment 1) at 42 days postpartum with either PMS, Gn-RH, or cessat ion of lactation. All three dosages of PMS (750, 1,500, or 2,250 IU) st imulated estrogen secretion and a subsequent LH surge in anestrous suckled and nonsuckled cows; whereas, PMS only stimulated estrogen secretion in the cows already cyclic at 42 days postpartum. Cows given Gn-RH (75, 150, or 300 ug) had a dose related, biphasic increase in peripheral plasma LH concentration. A comparison between 2-year-old suckled Brown Swiss and Angus heifers at 42 days postpartum (experiment 2) indicated that Brown Swiss produced
Interregional migration in socialist countries: the case of China.

"This paper analyzes changing interregional migration in China and reveals that the recent eastward migration reverses patterns of migration under Mao. It finds that investment variables are more important than the conventional variables of income and job opportunities in determining China's recent interregional migration. It suggests that both state policy and the global force influence interregional migration, challenging the popular view that the socialist state is the only critical determinant. This paper also criticizes Mao's approach to interregional migration and discusses the impact of migration on development."
Fluorescence Probes for Biochemical Systems

In the past several years we have witnessed a significant upsurge in the use of fluorescence in biochemical systems. Until recently, fluorescence spectroscopy was mainly a research tool in biochemistry and biophysics. Today, we see fluorescence being used to determine the DNA sequence of genomes, discover new drugs at unprecedented speed by high throughput screening (HTS) and simultaneously watch thousands of genes turn on and off using DNA arrays or gene chips. Because of the sensitivity of fluorescence detection, and the expense and difficulties of handling radioactive substances, there is a continuing trend towards fluorescencebased measurements and tests. As an example, in the medical field, enzymelinked immunoassays (ELISA) and fluorescence polarization immunoassays have become standard diagnostic tests. In cell biology, the movement and localization of intracellular substances are monitored by fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, cell identification and sorting is accomplished by flow cytometry.
Palladium-catalyzed reductive N-heterocyclization of alkenyl-substituted nitroarenes as a viable method for the preparation of bicyclic pyrrolo-fused heteroaromatic compounds

Abstract Palladium-catalyzed, carbon monoxide-mediated reductive N-heterocyclization of nitro-heteroaromatic compounds having an alkene adjacent to the nitro-group affords bicyclic pyrrolo-fused heteroaromatic molecules. This type of reaction was used to prepare the fused bicyclo[3.3.0] ring-system: thieno[3,2- b ]pyrrole, thieno[2,3- b ]pyrrole, furo[2,3- b ]pyrrole, pyrrolo[3,2- d ]thiazole, and pyrrolo[2,3- d ]imidazole and the bicyclo[4.3.0] ring-systems: pyrrolo[3,2- b ]pyridine, pyrrolo[2,3- b ]pyridine, pyrrolo[3,2- c ]pyridine, pyrrolo[2,3- c ]pyridine, pyrrolo[3,2- c ]pyridazine, and pyrrolo[3,2- d ]pyrimidine in 32–94% yield.
Creating customized oral stents for head and neck radiotherapy using 3D scanning and printing.

To evaluate and establish a digital workflow for the custom designing and 3D printing of mouth opening tongue-depressing (MOTD) stents for patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. We retrospectively identified 3 patients who received radiation therapy (RT) for primary head and neck cancers with MOTD stents. We compared two methods for obtaining the digital impressions of patients’ teeth. The first method involved segmentation from computed tomography (CT) scans, as previously established by our group, and the second method used 3D scanning of the patients’ articulated stone models that were made during the conventional stent fabrication process. Three independent observers repeated the process to obtain digital impressions which provided data to design customized MOTD stents. For each method, we evaluated the time efficiency, dice similarity coefficient (DSC) for reproducibility, and the 3D printed stents’ accuracy. For the 3D scanning method, we evaluated the registration process using manual and automatic approaches. For all patients, the 3D scanning method demonstrated a significant advantage over the CT scanning method in terms of time efficiency with over 60% reduction in time consumed (p < 0.0001) and reproducibility with significantly higher DSC (p < 0.001). The printed stents were tested over the articulated dental stone models, and the trueness of fit and accuracy of dental anatomy was found to be significantly better for MOTD stents made using the 3D scanning method. The automated registration showed higher accuracy with errors < 0.001 mm compared to manual registration. We developed an efficient workflow for custom designing and 3D-printing MOTD radiation stents. This workflow represents a considerable improvement over the CT-derived segmentation method. The application of this rapid and efficient digital workflow into radiation oncology practices can expand the use of these toxicity sparing devices to practices that do not currently have the support to make them.
Recency effects and participation at the extensive and intensive margins in the U.S. Federal Crop Insurance Program

Participation in the U.S. Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) has increased over time at both extensive (insured acres) and intensive (coverage level) margins, but there are clear spatio-temporal variations in these trends. Farmers’ decisions are likely influenced by recent indemnity or weather experiences (i.e., recency effects). We develop a model to identify two channels through which recent adverse weather experiences may affect participation, one where the weather shocks directly affect participation and the other where they affect participation through indemnity payouts. With historic FCIP data over the period 2001–2017, we use parametric and non-parametric methods to estimate these effects. At both extensive and intensive margins, higher past indemnities are found to encourage participation. This provides evidence that prior adverse weather shocks work indirectly. Less evidence is found in favour of direct weather effects. We also find that the increase in participation due to indemnities peaks in the year following a loss.
DOWN state in the anterior cingulate and prelimbic areas in rats during immobility

Background: UP-DOWN state is considering as a dominant electrographic pattern during immobility and slow wave sleep. This study is focused on the analysis of spatial distribution and neuronal correlates of the DOWN state in rats. Methods: Local field potentials and multiunit discharges were recorded bilaterally in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus of non-anesthetized, tethered rats (Sprague Dawley, males, weight 350-400g) with 256 channel, 4 shank silicon probes. We have focused our study on the analysis of the positive wave of slow oscillations (SOs), which is considered as the DOWN (silent) state of the UP-DOWN state in the anterior cingulate (AC), prelimbic (PL) areas of PFC and hippocampus during immobility. Results: Our experiments showed that SOs occurred intermittently with a mean interval 1.4 SD 0.8 seconds. The SOs began with the DOWN state, and they were generated locally within AC or PL areas, or simultaneously in AC, PL and hippocampus bilaterally (generalized SOs). The DOWN state of local SOs in the AC was associated with a decreased rate of multiunit discharges. Similar waves in the PL area were associated with increased multiunit discharges. We observed high speed propagation of generalized SOs that occurred with 3-6ms delay within left and right PFC and less than 10ms delay between the PFC and CA1 area of hippocampus. All generalized SOs were associated with decreased multiunit discharges. Conclusion: Our data support the hypothesis that neocortical networks are sufficient to generate focal SOs but the participation of external input is needed for occurrence of generalized SOs.
Readmission and reoperation for hydrocephalus: a population-based analysis across the spectrum of age

Objective Hydrocephalus is a common, chronic illness that generally requires lifelong, longitudinal, neurosurgical care. Except at select research centers, surgical outcomes in the United States have not been well documented. Comparative outcomes across the spectrum of age have not been studied. Methods Data were derived for the year 2015 from the Nationwide Readmissions Database, a product of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. In this data set patients are assigned state-specific codes that link repeated discharges through the calendar year. Discharges with diagnostic codes for hydrocephalus were extracted, and for each patient the first discharge defined the index admission. The study event was readmission. Observations were censored at the end of the year. In a similar fashion the first definitive surgical procedure for hydrocephalus was defined as the index operation, and the study event was reoperation for hydrocephalus or complications. Survival without readmission and survival without reoperation were analyzed using life tables and Kaplan-Meier plots. Results Readmission rates at 30 days ranged between 15.6% and 16.8% by age group without significant differences. After the index admission the first readmission alone generated estimated hospital charges of $2.25 billion nationwide. Reoperation rates at 30 days were 34.9% for infants, 39.2% for children, 47.4% for adults, and 32.4% for elders. These differences were highly significant. More than 3 times as many index operations were captured for adults and elders as for infants and children. Estimated 1-year reoperation rates were 74.2% for shunt insertion, 63.9% for shunt revision, but only 34.5% for endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Univariate associations with survival without readmission and survival without reoperation are presented. Conclusions In the United States hydrocephalus is predominantly a disease of adults. Surgical outcomes in this population-based study were substantially worse than outcomes reported from research centers. High reoperation rates after CSF shunt surgery accounted for this discrepancy.
Effects of ultraviolet-filters on Daphnia magna development and endocrine-related gene expression.

Abstract Ultraviolet (UV) filters are emerging contaminants of concern that are widely spread throughout the aquatic environment. Many organic UV filters are endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in vertebrates. However, few studies have assessed their effects on invertebrates. Molting, or the shedding of the exoskeleton, may be affected by exposure to these compounds in Arthropods (the largest phylum of invertebrates). Molting is necessary for growth and development and is regulated by an arthropod specific endocrine system, the ecdysteroid pathway. Alterations of this process by EDCs can result in improper development, reduced growth, and even death. We investigated the sublethal effects of chronic exposure to three organic UV filters (4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4MBC), octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC), and benzophenone-3 (BP3) in a crustacean, Daphnia magna, with particular emphasis on molting and development. We demonstrate that 4MBC, OMC, and BP3 affect development and long-term health in neonates of exposed parents at concentrations of 130 µg/L, 75 µg/L, and 166 µg/L, respectively. Additionally, the expression of endocrine-related genes (including ultraspiracle protein, usp) are significantly altered by 4MBC and BP3 exposure, which may relate to their developmental toxicity.
An Evolutionary Model of Platform Organizations

Despite recent increasing interest in platforms and platform ecosystems, we still know relatively little about the evolution of platform organizations. Conducting a grounded theory-building study o...
Lateral Line Ablation by Toxins Results in Distinct Rheotaxis Profiles in Fish

Zebrafish lateral line is an established model for hair cell organ damage, yet few studies link mechanistic disruptions to changes in biologically relevant behavior. We used larval zebrafish to determine how damage via ototoxic chemicals impact rheotaxis. Larvae were treated with CuSO4 or neomycin to disrupt lateral line function then exposed to water flow stimuli. Their swimming behavior was recorded, and DeepLabCut and SimBA software were used to track movements and classify rheotaxis behavior. Lateral line-disrupted fish performed rheotaxis, but they swam greater distances, for shorter durations, and with greater angular variance than controls. Further, spectral decomposition analyses demonstrated that lesioned fish exhibited toxin-specific behavioral profiles with distinct fluctuations in the magnitude, timing, and cross-correlation between changes in linear and angular movements. Our observations support that lateral-line input is needed for fish to perform rheotaxis efficiently in flow and reveals commonly used lesion methods have unique effects on behavior.
The Structure of Axoplasm

Publisher Summary The chapter examines the extent to which information obtained about the structure, chemistry, and physiology of axoplasm from the squid giant axon is applicable to smaller axons in animals other than the squid. The squid giant axon provides a powerful model for understanding the structure and functions of axons generally. The most significant difference between the giant axon and other axons is its large size. However, the giant axon is really a collection of smaller axons. Each giant axon is a syncytium that can be traced back to a collection of cell bodies in the stellate ganglion. Apparently, the giant axon is formed from a fascicle of ordinary-sized axons that course together in the stellate nerves of the developing squid. These axons fuse with each other laterally to produce one common axoplasmic mass that is surrounded by a single plasma membrane.In addition, the development of the giant axon from ordinary-sized neurons working cooperatively explains the way the giant axon is similar to the basic structure and physiology of other axons.
Jejunal diverticulosis: A heterogenous disorder caused by a variety of abnormalities of smooth muscle or myenteric plexus

We analyzed the clinical, radiographic, esophageal manometric, and pathological features of 10 patients referred with jejunal diverticulosis. Nine patients were over age 59 yr and had symptoms of intestinal pseudoobstruction of 5-43 yr duration. Seven had surgery for mechanical obstruction, although none was found. Eight had diarrhea, steatorrhea, and weight loss. Five had Raynaud's phenomenon and heartburn, and 2 had dysphagia. At radiography, 9 had jejunal diverticula with or without duodenal or ileal diverticula, or both. Two each had abnormal structure or motility of the esophagus or stomach. At manometry, 3 of 7 had a nonspecific motor abnormality, and 1 other had low amplitude peristaltic waves. Light microscopy of small intestinal tissue in 7 patients showed that 4 had fibrosis and decreased numbers of normal-appearing muscle cells, findings consistent with progressive systemic sclerosis. Two others had fibrosis associated with degenerated smooth muscle cells, findings consistent with a visceral myopathy. The seventh patient had neuronal and axonal degeneration and neuronal intranuclear inclusions, findings consistent with a visceral neuropathy. We conclude that (a) intestinal pseudoobstruction is a major clinical manifestation of jejunal diverticulosis, (b) jejunal diverticulosis is a heterogenous disorder associated with at least three abnormalities of the smooth muscle or myenteric plexus, (c) in contrast to intestinal pseudoobstruction without diverticulosis, the esophagus, stomach, and colon are less frequently involved in jejunal diverticulosis, and (d) some patients with jejunal diverticulosis probably have clinically inapparent progressive systemic sclerosis.
Shell-Model Analyses of Weak and Electromagnetic Data: The Interplay of Many-Body and Single-Nucleonic Features

Our understanding of nuclear structure suggests that the values of electromagnetic and weak observables measured in nuclear physics experiments reflect an interplay between “universal” properties of neutrons and protons as they exist in finite nuclei and highly state-specific coherent features of the many-body wave functions which describe how these neutrons and protons are combined into individual nuclear eigenstates. Only for the “single-particle” and “single-hole” nuclei adjacent to doubly-magic nuclei can the many-body aspects of such observables be approximately factored out in a trivial fashion. For the great majority of nuclei, the implications of experimental data about the general features of nuclear structure can emerge only after the idiosyncrasies of the different many-body aspects of the measured matrix elements are understood and extracted. Since we do not have, a priori, quantitatively accurate theories for many-body nuclear structure, confidence in the factorisation of the many-body features of nuclear matrix elements from the single-nucleonic elements is obtained only by internally consistent analyses of extensive sets of data.
Work Function of Cathode Emitter Materials Obtained by Ab-initio Quantum Mechanical Modeling

The work function of a material is a very important figure of merit in determining the material's applicability as an efficient electron emitter. Consequently, the work function of a variety of materials utilized in both thermionic and field-assisted cathodes for electron emission was investigated computationally using ab-initio quantum mechanical modeling methods based on the density functional theory (DFT) approach (Hohenberg and Kohm, 1964). This approach enables the detailed and self-consistent treatment of a system utilizing quantum mechanical principles and yields accurate information pertaining to its electronic properties. Of particular interest are cesium-iodide (CsI) coated carbon-based cathodes (Shiffler et al., 2004), which comprise a very promising class of cold field emitters capable of operating at low global electric fields. However, the exact origin of their enhanced emission properties is not clear, and a better understanding is necessary for further improvement and optimization of this technology. We apply ab-initio quantum mechanical modeling for understanding the origin of the fundamental emission mechanisms of this material system
Combinatorial aspects of covering arrays

Covering arrays generalize orthogonal arrays by requiring that t -tuples be covered, but not requiring that the appearance of t -tuples be balanced. Their uses in screening experiments has found application in software testing, hardware testing, and a variety of fields in which interactions among factors are to be identified. Here a combinatorial view of covering arrays is adopted, encompassing basic bounds, direct constructions, recursive constructions, algorithmic methods, and applications.
Studies on the mechanism of action of glucagon on gluconeogenesis.

Abstract The mechanism by which glucagon stimulates gluconeogenesis was studied in livers perfused with 1 mm lactate, 0.1 mm pyruvate, and several different 14C-labeled substrates. In livers perfused for 2½ min with [14C]lactate plus [14C]-pyruvate, glucagon increased [14C]glucose synthesis 3-fold, increased the labeling of tissue P-pyruvate, aspartate, alanine, and glycogen, and decreased the labeling of pyruvate, oxalacetate, malate, citrate, α-ketoglutarate, and glutamate. The hormone also decreased the tissue levels of pyruvate, malate, citrate, α-ketoglutarate, and glutamate and increased those of aspartate and P-pyruvate. These changes are interpreted as indicating that glucagon stimulated the conversion of oxalacetate to aspartate and P-pyruvate. Tryptophan produced changes in livers perfused with [14C]lactate plus [14C]pyruvate which were consistent with inhibition of gluconeogenesis at P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase. It blocked completely the effects of glucagon on the labeling of glucose and P-pyruvate at 2½ or 20 min, and caused the hormone to induce accumulation of malate and aspartate. The extra malate and aspartate which accumulated under these circumstances were derived from unlabeled sources (e.g. endogenous protein) and not from pyruvate as indicated by their decreased or unchanged radioactivity. In livers perfused with H14CO3 for 1 min, glucagon decreased the radioactivities of oxalacetate, malate, citrate, and α-ketoglutarate and increased those of aspartate, P-pyruvate, succinate, and fumarate. The specific radioactivities of intermediates were consistent with fixation of CO2 predominately into malate, aspartate, and citrate. The changes induced by glucagon indicated stimulation of aspartate and P-pyruvate formation from oxalacetate and of succinate formation from α-ketoglutarate. Further evidence for an effect of glucagon at a site between oxalacetate and P-pyruvate was provided by perfusions with [14C]aspartate. These showed that glucagon decreased the radioactivities of aspartate, malate, oxalacetate, and citrate and increased the radioactivity of P-pyruvate at both 2½ and 8½ min, despite the fact that the specific radioactivities of P-pyruvate precursors were reduced. Although the interpretation of these data is subject to reservation because of the existence of multiple pools of metabolic intermediates, they provide consistent support for the view that P-pyruvate synthesis from oxalacetate is a major site of action of glucagon on gluconeogenesis in the liver.
Parallel evolution of virulence in pathogenic Escherichia coli

The mechanisms underlying the evolution and emergence of new bacterial pathogens are not well understood. To elucidate the evolution of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, here we sequenced seven housekeeping genes to build a phylogenetic tree and trace the history of the acquisition of virulence genes. Compatibility analysis indicates that more than 70% of the informative sites agree with a single phylogeny, suggesting that recombination has not completely obscured the remnants of ancestral chromosomes1,2,3. On the basis of the rate of synonymous substitution for E. coli and Salmonella enterica (4.7 × 10-9 per site per year3), the radiation of clones began about 9 million years ago and the highly virulent pathogen responsible for epidemics of food poisoning, E. coli O157:H7, separated from a common ancestor of E. coli K-12 as long as 4.5 million years ago. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that old lineages of E. coli have acquired the same virulence factors in parallel, including a pathogenicity island involved in intestinal adhesion, a plasmid-borne haemolysin, and phage-encoded Shiga toxins. Such parallel evolution indicates that natural selection has favoured an ordered acquisition of genes and the progressive build-up of molecular mechanisms that increase virulence.
Abstract P141: Dairy Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: 3 Cohorts of US Adults and An Updated Meta-Analysis

Introduction: The relation between consumption of different types of dairy foods and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains uncertain. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that total dairy intake is not associated with incident T2D but some specific types of dairy foods may be associated with reduced risk of T2D in US adults. Methods: We followed 41,705 men in Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986-2010), 67,812 women in Nurses’ Health Study (1980-2010), and 86,158 women in the Nurses’ Health Study II (1991-2009). Diet was assessed by validated food-frequency questionnaires, and data were updated every 4 yrs. Incident T2D was confirmed by a validated supplementary questionnaire. Analyses were performed by using Cox regression models and fixed-effect meta-analyses were conducted to summarize the estimates of association if no significant heterogeneities were shown otherwise random-effect models were used. Results: During 4,054,783 person-years of follow-up, we documented 14,372 incident T2D cases. After adjustme...
514 CYSTIC FIBROSIS FIBROBLASTS SHOW ENHANCED DEXAMETHA-SONE RESISTANCE

We have shown previously that fibroblasts from cystic fibrosis patients are more resistant to ouabain (OB) cytotoxicity than fibroblasts from normal individuals. Although OB is generally assumed to act on the cell membrane and to cause killing of cells by inhibiting ion transport, the OB resistance of CF cells was seen only in K+ deficient medium and was not associated with a diminished ability of the drug to inhibit ion transport. These findings suggested that OB may act in human diploid fibroblasts by a mechanism other than ion transport inhibition. We therefore examined the ability of normal and CF cells to survive exposure to ethacrynic acid, another inhibitor of ion transport, and to colchicine and aminopterin, resistance to which has been associated with membrane alterations in other cells. After exposure to these drugs, there were no differences in survival between normal and CF fibroblasts. This suggests that normal and CF cells do not differ in terms of a generalized resistance to ion transport inhibitors or to drugs which must pass through the membrane to be active. In further survival studies with structural analogues of OB, the effects of dexamethasone (DEX), which has a sterol nucleus similar to that of OB but is thought to have a different site of cellular action, was also tested. CF cells survived exposure to DEX significantly better than did normal cells in both K+ deficient and K+ containing medium. These results raise the possibility that CF cells have an enhanced resistance to drugs which have the sterol molecular structure found in OB and DFX.
3He MR imaging of porcine paranasal sinuses.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of laser-hyperpolarized helium 3 (3He) as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of porcine paranasal sinuses. Materials and Methods Imaging experiments were conducted on the heads of four 50-kg Yorkshire pigs after open sinus surgery was performed. Paranasal sinus MR images were obtained with laser-polarized 3He gas produced through the spin-exchange method. The gas was delivered into the sinuses through two 14-gauge plastic catheters inserted in the nostrils. The 3He MR images were then compared with spatially correlated proton MR images. Results The porcine paranasal sinuses were adequately depicted by MR imaging with hyperpolarized 3He. The signal intensity of the paranasal sinuses on the 3He MR images was related to the size of the opening joining the sinuses to the nasal cavity and was clearly time dependent. Conclusion Hyperpolarized 3He MR imaging may be particularly useful for identifying the anatomic configuration of the paranasal sinuses, as well as for assessing sinus aeration. Further study of the time-dependence of 3He signal intensity may help increase understanding of gas exchange in the sinuses.
State-dependent dissociation of food consumption and maze running in rats

For 45 days, rats were given 30 min to consume wet mash immediately after they regained their righting reflexes following an IP injection of 25 mg/kg of sodium pentobarbital. Then they were trained to traverse a maze for a food reward while drugged, while not drugged, or 2 h before receiving the drug. After 28 days, the maze training continued but drug conditions were switched. The running latencies showed that running for a food reward was state-dependent. Food consumption also showed dissociation when the drugged condition was discontinued either at the start of maze training or during the drug reversal. Food consumption was not changed when the drugged condition was continued or reinstituted. Additional rats that received equal amounts of drug, but were not fed while drugged, showed that the effects on food consumption were related to the drugged-feeding experience and not to drug experience per se. A possible reorganization of sensory-motor integration associated with drugged feeding was discussed.
Interpersonal influences on patients’ surgical decision making: the role of close others

Patients make medical decisions in consultation with their partner, family, and friends. However, little is known about the ways in which these close others influence their decisions, particularly with respect to discrete decisions such as those related to medical treatments. This cross-sectional study investigated their influence on the surgical decisions of inflammatory bowel disease patients referred for surgery to remove their colon (N = 91). Guided by research on social control and classic research on power and influence in close relationships, we identified four types of close other decision influence: persuasion, assistance with understanding, indirect influence, and negative influence. Linear logistic and regression analyses showed that patients were more likely to have surgery when their close other used persuasion, and they reported lower decisional conflict when their close other helped them understand the decision. Patients were less likely to have surgery and reported greater decisional conflict when their close other used negative influence tactics. Findings demonstrate the importance of considering social context when investigating patient decision making.
A 6–20 GHz Adaptive SiGe Image Reject Mixer for a Self-Healing Receiver

A wideband (6-20 GHz) Silicon-Germanium (SiGe) adaptive image-reject mixer with an intermediate frequency (IF) of 1.8 GHz is presented. The mixer can be “self-healed” to deliver consistent performance by nullifying the effects of process variations, environmental changes, or aging. Various performance metrics of the mixer can also be adapted to different specifications across multiple frequency bands. A conversion gain greater than 15 dB, an image rejection ratio (IRR) exceeding 35 dB, and an output 1-dB compression point greater than 10 dBm, were obtained in measurement. An automated self-healing procedure is developed and shown to be effective for improving the measured performance of the mixer. The mixer was fabricated in a 150 GHz peak fT, 200 nm SiGe BiCMOS process technology and consumes 215 mA of current operating off a 4 V rail.
SERUM ANDROGENS AS A CONTINUING INDEX OF ADEQUACY OF TREATMENT OF CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA

Longitudinal studies in 19 girls and 17 boys with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were carried out to correlate the degree of control with serum concentrations of testosterone (T), Δ4 androstenedione (Δ4) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). All serum values were compared to those of normal children in the same pubertal stage. Good or poor control was judged by growth rate, bone age advancement, signs of virilization and urinary 17-KS excretion. DHEA was suppressed in all treated patients whether in good or poor control. Serum T and Δ4 were within the normal range for boys in good control. Serum T and Δ4 were within normal limits for pubertal girls in good control but were below normal for prepubertal girls. Serum T and Δ4 in girls in poor control were elevated in all pubertal stages. In prepubertal boys in poor control, serum T was elevated. However, in pubertal and postpubertal boys in poor control serum T was in the lower range of normal. Δ4 was the single androgen elevated in all boys in poor control. Therefore, an elevated testosterone concentration was indicative of poor control in all girls but in boys only before puberty, in pubertal boys serum T was normal and did not discriminate between good and poor control. However, elevated Δ4 concentration indicated poor control in both boys and girls at all stages of puberty. In conclusion, we have studied the serum androgen in children with CAH as a means of evaluating treatment. The single androgen that best reflected control was Δ4.
A Remarkable Hailstorm

I HEREWITH enclose you prints, from untouched negatives, of hailstones which fell at Northampton on Friday, July 20.