cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sustained microgravity reduces intrinsic wound healing and growth factor responses in the rat

Spaceflight is known to diminish bone mass and reduce immune function, suggesting that repair of connective tissue might be impaired in a microgravity environment. Fisher 344 rats were used to test wound healing responses in the orbiting Space Shuttle Endeavour by preflight implantation of polyvinyl acetal sponge disks in which pellets were placed to release either platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), or placebo. Control groups on the ground included a matched environment group in similar housing modules and temperature control groups in cages at 22 degreesC and 28 degreesC. After 12 days of implantation and 10 days in orbit, the removed sponges were analyzed for histological and biochemical responses. Growth factor responses were histologically evident after release of PDGF-BB and bFGF in ground controls, whereas only immediate-release bFGF and delayed-release PDGF-BB showed significant responses in microgravity. Biochemical data confirmed that cellularity was increased by both factors in ground sponges; however, this response was significantly blunted in flight sponges (P<0.005, ANOVA), irrespective timing of factor release. Collagen content was 62% lower in sponges from animals with 10 days of microgravity exposure (P<0.01, ANOVA) and further reduced by bFGF. These data suggest that orbital exposure retards the capacity of wounds to heal and respond to exogenous stimuli.
Circular compartmentalized microfluidic platform: Study of axon–glia interactions

We describe a compartmentalized circular microfluidic platform that enables directed cell placement within defined microenvironments for the study of axon–glia interactions. The multi-compartment platform consists of independent units of radial microchannel arrays that fluidically isolate somal from axonal compartments. Fluidic access ports punched near the microchannels allow for direct pipetting of cells into the device. Adjacent somal or axonal compartments can be readily merged so that independent groups of neurons or axons can be maintained in either separate or uniform microenvironments. We demonstrate three distinct modes of directed cell placement in this device, to suit varying experimental needs for the study of axon–glia interactions: (1) centrifugation of the circular platform can result in a two-fold increase in axonal throughput in microchannels and provides a new technique to establish axon–glia interactions; (2) microstencils can be utilized to directly place glial cells within areas of interest; and (3) intimate axon–glia co-culture can be attained via standard pipetting techniques. We take advantage of this microfluidic platform to demonstrate a two-fold preferential accumulation of microglia specifically near injured CNS axons, an event implicated in the maintenance and progression of a number of chronic neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
Characteristics of Adults With Substance Use Disorders Expected to Be Eligible for Medicaid Under the ACA

In states that opt to expand Medicaid, individuals with household income less than 138% of the poverty level will gain access to treatment. To assess unmet need for substance abuse treatment among newly eligible adults, researchers analyzed data from two groups of respondents to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: low-income Medicaid enrollees and uninsured individuals who will become Medicaid eligible. The rate of substance use disorders was significantly higher in the latter group. Findings suggest that Medicaid expansion will reduce unmet need for treatment.
Macrocyclic sulfide syntheses: A review

The syntheses of various macrocyclic sulfides are reviewed. Tables containing information on hundreds of compounds are included. The types of cyclic compounds reviewed include: macrocyclic aliphatic dithioethers, macrocyclic mercaptals and mercaptoles, macrocyclic polysulfides, dithiacyclophanes, tris-bridged polythiacyclophanes, dithia[2,6]pyridinophanes, thiophene macrocycles, and macrocyclic polyether sulfides.
Race as an Evolutionary Episode

BY THE middle of the Pleistocene period, we have certain evidence that mankind had spread from the Pacific to the Atlantic in the Old World. The presence of manufactured artifacts, as well as human fossil remains, attests to the existence of our ancestors both in tropical and temperate climatic zones. From the tools, of course, we dare not infer much more than that a toolmaker was present. From the fossil remains, on the other hand, we gain some information concerning the physique and appearance of the toolmaker. For the earliest times, to be sure, our data are woefully meager, but fortunately we have a frame of reference from which to examine them; a frame of reference provided by our knowledge of other species and of living human groups. It is quite clear, for instance, that any species of creature which occupies an extended range will be subject to various forces which will tend to divide it into different segments. The conditions of life are not the same in a tropical savannah as they are in temperate parkland; nor do temperate forests provide the same opportunites and hazards as do tropical jungles. Adaptation to purely local circumstances may well be necessary, so that the pressure of natural selection is likely to promote the retention of certain characteristics in one area, but their alteration in another. Simple geographic distance acts as a check to completely random mating, and consequently to gene-flow. Among animals which live in any sort of social groupings, no matter how naturally and unconsciously these groupings may be organized, social as well as geographical barriers to intermating exist. Mutations occurring in one group do not automatically spread throughout an entire species, even though they be potentially useful. We might well anticipate then, that as a species spreads over a range extending from Peking to Ternifine, and from Heidelberg to Java and Olduvai, it might begin to differentiate. Indeed, under such circumstances most animal species are known to divide, to come apart at the seams, as it were, and evolve into a number of separate species. An examination of living human groups shows that we have not been exempt from the normal processes of local evolutionary change. It would be difficult to mistake a Chinese for a Dane, or a Hottentot for a Sioux. Genetic differences between these groups have accumulated throughout the thousands of generations during which they have shared only a minute portion of their ancestry. Certain constellations of characteristics have become typical of the peoples of East Asia, others have become just as typical of Europeans. It is a matter of interest and importance that evolutionary diversification has not proceeded still further among humans, and that, by all biological criteria, we remain members of a single species.
Influence of nonuniform field distribution on frequency limits of GaAs field-effect transistors

A simple model which describes well the nonequilibrium electron transport in GaAs using the fit to the equilibrium Monte Carlo data is suggested. In the frame of this model, the cutoff-frequency/gate-length curves are calculated for uniform and nonuniform channel field distribution in GaAs f.e.t.s. The results show that the nonhomogeneity of the electric field in the channel can considerably decrease (by 30%) the maximal frequency of GaAs f.e.t.s.
NQR echo envelope modulation in α-N2 due to intramolecular dipolar coupling☆

Abstract The nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) echo envelope has been calculated for solid α nitrogen. It is found that the envelope should be modulated with a beat frequency twice the intramolecular dipole-dipole coupling constant when measured as a function of 2τ where τ is the time between pulses. The results are consistent with experiment. Some general conclusions concerning NQR echoes are given.
Is the movement of single cells within solid tissue masses induced by trypsinization

Abstract Embryonic chick cells, labeled with tritiated thymidine ([ 3 H]TdR), isolated with trypsin and allowed to “recover” or isolated without trypsin were seeded onto the surfaces of solid tissue masses in culture. Autoradiographs revealed extensive migration of single, labeled cells within the tightly packed cell masses. The ability of single cells to infiltrate solid tissue masses in culture does not, therefore, seem to depend upon prior proteolytic treatment.
Standardized illumination for visual acuity testing in clinical research.

We have designed two boxes, one using direct illumination and the other using retroillumination, to light high-contrast visual acuity charts during testing. The evenness of the lighting eliminated one of the variables in visual acuity testing.
2,3,5′,6,6′,7‐Hexamethoxy‐3′H,10H‐spiro[anthracene‐9,1′‐isobenzofuran]‐3′,10‐dione

The title mol­ecule, C27H24O9, was formed via a transannular electrophilic addition of a putative cyclo­triveratrylene tri­ketone and is made up of an anthrone and an isobenzofuran­one ring that are connected via one C atom to form a spiro compound. The anthracene and isobenzofuran­one ring systems of the spiro compound are both essentially planar and perpendicular to each other, with an angle of 89.90 (2)° between them. The rigid mol­ecule crystallizes with large voids of 598.7 A3, or 21.5% of the unit-cell volume, that are partially filled with unmodelled disordered solvent mol­ecules. The voids stretch as infinite channels along the [101] direction. The packing of the structure is partially stabilized by a range of weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and also by C—H⋯π inter­actions. No significant π–π inter­actions are present in the crystal structure.
Thin films and devices of diamond, silicon carbide and gallium nitride

Abstract The extreme properties of diamond, SiC and GaN provide combinations of attributes for high-power, -temperature, -frequency and optoelectronic applications. The methods of deposition, the results of chemical, structural, microstructural and electrical characterization and device development are reviewed for thin films of these three materials. Problems and areas of future research are also noted.
The effects of ethanol ingestion and repeated benzene exposures on benzene pharmacokinetics.

Two groups of C57B16J mice were exposed to 300-ppm benzene vapor, 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 20 exposures. One group received 10% ethanol (EtOH) in the drinking water commencing 20 hr prior to the initial exposure and continuing 5 days/week throughout the study. The second group received tap water. The uptake and clearance of benzene was followed in the blood during and after the 1st and 20th exposures. During the first benzene exposures, the mean steady state benzene concentrations in benzene/EtOH-treated mice and benzene/water-treated mice were 5.2 and 10.7 μg/ml, respectively. The mean elimination rate constants for the benzene/EtOH- and benzene/water-treated groups were 0.124 and 0.042 min−1, respectively. By 20 exposures, the benzene/EtOH group showed no change in mean blood steady state concentration (Css); however, the Css of the benzene/water group was reduced to 7.9 μg/ml. The mean elimination rate constants for the two groups were not different after the 20th exposure. The benzene/water mice exhibited a shift from mono- to biexponential clearance between the 1st and 20th exposures. Monoexponential clearances were observed for the benzene/EtOH group at both time points. These results indicate that 1 day of 10% EtOH consumption causes dramatic effects on benzene kinetics. After 20 days of treatment, the benzene/water and benzene/EtOH animals are kinetically similar. These changes in kinetics can be explained by the ability of ethanol and benzene to alter benzene metabolism.
Transmitochondrial mice: Proof of principle and promises

Since the initial identification of pathogenic mutations in 1988, more than 100 point mutations and numerous large-scale deletions of human mtDNA have been associated with a wide range of clinical phenotypes (1). The development, by King and Attardi, of cells in culture called cybrids (cytoplasmic hybrids) provided an in vitro method to study mtDNA mutations against a uniform nuclear (nDNA) background (2). Although cybrid technology has been very useful in defining some pathogenic effects of mtDNA mutations, until this year, researchers have been hindered by the lack of animal models with mtDNA mutations. By contrast, manipulation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells has already produced a few lines of mice with defects of nDNA-encoded mitochondrial proteins (3, 4).
Sildenafil augments pelvic nerve-mediated female genital sexual arousal in the anesthetized rabbit.

The NO‐cGMP pathway has been implicated in clitoral and vaginal smooth muscle relaxation based on previous immunochemical, biochemical and physiologic studies. There are limited data from in vivo studies demonstrating enhancement of the genital sexual arousal response by pharmacologic agents influencing the NO‐cGMP pathway. The goal of this study was to investigate if sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type‐5 inhibitor, facilitated female genital sexual arousal in an animal model in response to pelvic nerve stimulation (PNS). Using female New Zealand White rabbits, we measured the following parameters before, during and after PNS at 4, 16, and 32 Hz: a) hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation in female genital (vaginal, labial, clitoral) tissues by laser oximetry; b) clitoral blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry; c) vaginal luminal pressure by a balloon catheter pressure transducer; d) vaginal lubrication by tampon. Sildenafil was administered intravenously (0.21 μg/kg, 0.42 μg/kg, 2.1 μg/kg) to achieve a systemic concentration of 5, 10 and 50 nM, respectively. After 20 minutes, physiologic measurements were repeated. Sildenafil (50 nM) caused a significant increase in genital oxyhemoglobin concentration and a significant decrease in genital deoxyhemoglobin concentration. Sildenafil also increased the duration of response following PNS, relative to genital hemoglobin concentration and mean clitoral blood flow. Sildenafil caused a decrease in vaginal luminal pressure and resulted in an increase in vaginal lubrication. These data indicate that the NO‐cGMP pathway is involved in the physiologic mechanism of female genital arousal and that sildenafil facilitates this response in an in vivo animal model.
Ecological erosion of an Afrotropical forest and potential consequences for tree recruitment and forest biomass.

Unprecedented rates of logging and hunting threaten to transform the remaining primary tropical forest into a degraded mosaic, emptied of wildlife. Defaunation is expected to interrupt plant–animal interactions with cascading effects for forest structure, composition, and ecosystem services. In a Central African forest first logged 35 years ago, we evaluated this process of ecological erosion in 30 study sites distributed across forest disturbed by logging and hunting, logging alone, and neither logging nor hunting. Both logging and hunting tended to reduce abundances of large mammals, together shifting the relative abundance of the animal community towards squirrels and small birds. Through a series of experiments, we evaluated the effects of logging and hunting on seed dispersal, seed predation and herbivory. We demonstrate that complete defaunation is not necessary to significantly alter the strength of plant-animal interactions. Hunting reduced the mean dispersal distances of nine mammal-dispersed tree species by 22%. Rates of seed predation were similar among forest types, but hunted forest had significantly lower rates of herbivory that we attribute to the lower abundance of meso-herbivores. Hunted forest also had significantly lower above-ground biomass (301 Mg ha−1) than the logged only (358 Mg ha−1) and undisturbed (455 Mg ha−1) forest types, but similar numbers of tree species and individuals. Lower biomass in hunted forest is likely attributable to significantly lower wood densities at small tree size classes (<40 cm). We hypothesize that over time the human-mediated modification of plant-animal interactions can alter the composition of the forest to have a higher proportion of fast-growing, low wood density tree species, diminishing the long-term potential for carbon storage.
Effects of McN-A-343, a cholinomimetic drug, on endplate currents in the frog

The muscarinic ganglion stimulating agent, McN-A-343 has unusual blocking actions on endplate currents (EPCs) at frog neuromuscular junctions. McN-A-343 caused depolarization by a curaresensitive process, blocked neuromuscular transmission, depressed EPCs and reduced the time for EPC decay. These results are explained best by a nicotinic agonist action of McN-A-343 on the acetylcholine receptor to cause ion flow and the blockade by McN-A-343 of the open ion channels. The actions of McN-A-343 are similar to those of decamethonium (C-10) described by others. Unlike C-10, however, McN-A-343 did not alter the exponential character of the EPC or alter the voltage dependency of the EPC. The prototypical nicotinic agonist, dimethylphenylpiperazinium had no effect on EPC parameters of endplate clamped at-90 mV.
Asymptotic independence and individual ratio limit theorems

Let X n be a discrete parameter Markov process on general state space with transition functions P n (x, A). Individual ratio limit theorems are results about convergence as n→∞ of the ratios $$\frac{{P^{n + k} (x,A)}}{{P^n (y,B)}}$$ (1) where k is a fixed integer, A and B are subsets of state space, and x and y are starting points. This paper investigates the relationship of individual ratio limit theorems to various forms of asymptotic independence. When the state space is denumerable it is shown that, subject to standard auxiliary conditions, the much studied Strong Ratio Limit Property is equivalent to a form of asymptotic independence related to mixing conditions of Rosenblatt and Blum, Hanson, and Koopmans.
Polarimetric Study of MMW Imaging Radars for Indoor Navigation and Mapping

In this communication, the application of sub-millimeter-wave imaging radars for collision avoidance and navigation of autonomous platforms in indoor environments is investigated. The polarimetric backscattering phenomenology of walls and doorways are studied to aid the design and system specifications of such radar systems. Polarimetric backscatter measurements of different wall covers, such as dry-wall, concrete blocks, wood, etc., as a function of incidence angle are carried out using a network analyzer operating at J-band. Also an instrumentation radar operating at 215 GHz is setup to collect backscatter data from corridors in an indoor setting. At each radar position, radar range profiles for both vertical and horizontal polarizations as a function of angle are used to form polar images for obstacle detection. It is shown that horizontally polarized incident wave can generate higher backscatter level and less reflection from smooth walls at steep angles of incidence and thus is the preferred polarization for this application. The polar images at each location are then co-registered in a global coordinate matrix to form a complete map of the interior layout. Feature extraction and image processing methods are then applied to remove multipath and enhance the radar map of building interiors.
Letter to the Editor---Monte Carlo Methods and the PERT Problem

Many planning problems can be represented as a network in which the arcs represent “activities” with lengths equal to the time required for the activities performance and the nodes represent “events,” marking the beginning and ending in time of activities. For fixed activity durations, a very simple algorithm gives the length of time required for the total project as well as indicating the activities which are particularly obstructive, those on the “critical path” “PERT” generalizes the above model to recognize uncertainty in the activity durations by allowing them to be random variables. A relatively crude solution to this problem is obtained by reducing the problem back to the first case, by means of appropriate approximation. In this paper the results of a Monte Carlo simulation of PERT networks are given. First the concept of using Monte Carlo methods to give solutions to PERT problems under less restrictive assumptions is discussed. Results are given for the accuracy obtainable, for the computing time required and devices for reducing computation are developed. Finally a “critically” index is defined for each activity. This index is simply the probability that the activity will be on the critical path. The ramifications and uses of this parameter, which is not available using current techniques, are developed.
Noise from backscattered electrons in the integer and fractional quantized Hall effects.

We report low-temperature experiments on noise (in equilibrium and in the presence of current flow) in Hall bars with 0.5-\ensuremath{\mu}m gates across them. The Hall bars were formed on high-mobility GaAs-${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$As heterostructures, and by using the gate we were able to explore the noise characteristics both in the integer quantized Hall effect and for fractional filling factors. In the integer quantized Hall effect, the noise power exhibits plateaus where the resistance does, and it exhibits plateaus in spite of the lack of clear resistance plateaus when the filling factor is fractional beneath the gate. The excess noise found in the experiments is less than that predicted by the simple shot-noise formula.
Field-Widened Interferometry At Utah State University (USU)

Three generations of field-widened interferometer spectrometers have been developed at Utah State University for use in the visible and near infrared spectral regions. Field compensation for these instruments is accomplished using optical wedges, and an instrument throughput of AQ = 1 cm2sr has been achieved with a resolution of 2 cm-1. Measurement time gains compared with conventional interferometers of more than 100 have been demonstrated. Two of these instruments are cooled to 77° K to reduce instrument background and incorporate helium cooled Si:Bi detectors. The latest is a rocketborne interferometer utilizing CaF2 optics operating in the 2-8 I'm spectral region. The design criteria of critical components of the field-widened interferometer are investigated and techniques to fully utilize the large throughput obtained are discussed. Mea-sured gains are compared with theoretical gains, and future possibilities for this type of field-widening are explored. An airglow atlas of the night sky from 4000-10,000 cm-1 at a resolution of 2.5 cm-1 is presented to demonstrate instrument performance capabilities.
A fast algorithm for determining the complexity of a binary sequence with period 2^n (Corresp.)

The complexity of a periodic sequence (s) is defined to be the least number of stages in a linear feedback shift register that generates (s) .
A Prototypic Lysine Methyltransferase 4 from Archaea with Degenerate Sequence Specificity Methylates Chromatin Proteins Sul7d and Cren7 in Different Patterns

Histone methylation is one of the major epigenetic modifications even in early diverging unicellular eukaryotes. We show that a widespread lysine methyltransferase from Archaea (aKMT4), bears striking structural and functional resemblance to the core of distantly related eukaryotic KMT4/Dot1. aKMT4 methylates a set of various proteins, including the chromatin proteins Sul7d and Cren7, and RNA exosome components. Csl4- and Rrp4-exosome complexes are methylated in different patterns. aKMT4 can self-methylate intramolecularly and compete with other proteins for the methyl group. Automethylation is inhibited by suitable substrates or DNA in a concentration-dependent manner. The automethylated enzyme shows relatively compromised activity. aKMT4-8A mutant with abrogated automethylation shows a more than 150% increase in methylation of substrates, suggesting a possible mechanism to regulate methyltransferase activity. More interestingly, methylation of Sul7d, but not Cren7, by aKMT4 is significantly enhanced by DNA. MS/MS and kinetic analysis further suggest that aKMT4 methylates Sul7d in the chromatin context. These data provide a clue to the possible regulation of aKMT4 activity by the local chromatin environment, albeit as a promiscuous enzyme required for extensive and variegated lysine methylation in Sulfolobus. This study supports the prokaryotic origin model of eukaryotic histone modification enzymes and sheds light on regulation of archaeal chromatin.
Social‐Structural Analysis: Some Notes on Its History and Prospects

(1984). Social-Structural Analysis: Some Notes on Its History and Prospects. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 5-26.
Dynamics of an ensemble of noisy bistable elements with global time delayed coupling.

The dynamics of an ensemble of bistable elements with global time-delayed coupling under the influence of noise is studied analytically and numerically. Depending on the noise level, the system undergoes ordering transitions and demonstrates multistability. That is, for a strong enough positive feedback it exhibits a nonzero stationary mean-field ,and a variety of stable oscillatory mean-field states are accessible for positive and negative feedback. The regularity of the oscillatory states is maximal for a certain noise level; i.e., the system demonstrates coherence resonance. While away from the transition points the system dynamics is well described by a Gaussian approximation, near the bifurcation points a description in terms of a dichotomous theory is more adequate.
The association of consumer cost-sharing and direct-to-consumer advertising with prescription drug use.

Abstract Background Previous research on the impact of various cost-sharing strategies on prescription drug use has not considered the impact of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising. Objective To explore the association of cost-containment strategies with prescription drug use and to determine if the association is moderated by DTC prescription drug advertising. Methods The study population included 288 280 employees and dependents aged 18 to 65 years with employer-sponsored health insurance contributing to the MEDSTAT MarketScan administrative data set. Person-level enrollment and claims data were obtained for beneficiaries enrolled continuously during July 1997 through December 1998. Direct-to-consumer advertising data were obtained from Competitive Media Reporting and linked to the MEDSTAT enrollment files. Localized DTC advertising expenditures for one class of medication were evaluated and matched with prescription claims for eligible MEDSTAT contributors. The association of various types and levels of cost-sharing incentives with incident product use was evaluated, controlling for the level of DTC advertising, health status, and other demographic covariates. Results The relationship of cost-sharing amounts with drug use was modified by the level of DTC advertising in a geographic market. This relationship was dependent on the type of cost-sharing, distinguishing between co-payments for provider visits and co-payments for prescription drugs. Compared with low-advertising markets, individuals residing in markets with high levels of advertising and paying provider co-payments of $10.00 or more were more likely to use the advertised product. In the same markets, higher prescription drug co-payments were associated with a decreased likelihood of using the advertised product. A similar relationship was not observed for the nonadvertised competitor. Conclusions Among insured individuals, response to cost-sharing strategies is moderated by DTC prescription drug advertising. The relative ability of cost-sharing strategies to influence drug use should be interpreted with caution in the presence of DTC advertising.
Evidence acquisition tools for cyber sex crimes investigations

Sexually explicit Internet chat rooms are increasingly used by pedophiles to reach potential victims. Logging and linking suspects to chat room conversations and e-mails exchanged with undercover detectives are crucial to prosecuting travelers, i.e., pedophiles who travel across state lines to engage in sexual acts with minors. This paper describes two tools, a chat room monitor and a remote fingerprinter, for acquiring and preserving evidence. The chat room monitor logs online communications as well as screen images and keystrokes of the undercover detective. stored to allow the chronological reconstruction and replay of the investigation. The remote fingerprinter uses sophisticated scanning techniques to capture and preserve a unique fingerprint of the suspect's computer over the Internet. Once the suspect's computer is seized, it is scanned again; matching this new fingerprint with the remotely acquired fingerprint establishes that the suspect's computer was used to communicate with the detective.
Nonspecific allergic granulomatosis in the lungs of mice infected with large but not small inocula of the canine ascarid, Toxocara canis.

Abstract Infection of CBA/J mice with 250 ova of Toxocara canis results in development of splenic lymphocytes hypergrgic to nonspecific stimuli. These studies were performed to see if the granulomatous response to a nonspecific stimulus was exaggerated. Using eosinophil counts and MBSA ear thickening it was demonstrated that concurrent infection with the parasite and immunization with methylated bovine serum albumin (MBSA) elicit no immunologic cross reactions. Eosinophil counts were proportional to the worm burden and unaffected by concurrent MBSA immunization. Embolization of Sepharose 4B beads conjugated to MBSA into the pulmonary vasculature of MBSA-immune mice, elicited large, florid macrophage-rich granulomata while in MBSA-naive mice infected with 10 T. canis ova, the beads elicited small, foreign body reactions. In MBSA-naive mice infected with 250 T. canis ova MBSA-coated beads elicited eosinophil-rich granulomata that were as large or larger than the granulomata in MBSA-immune mice. In mice immune and infected, lesions contained eosinophils in proportion to larval worm burdens. Because MBSA beads elicited large, eosinophilic granulomata in T. canis infected, MBSA-naive mice it is concluded that the lung is hyperergic and the disease process appears similar to such eosinophilic pneumonidites as bronchial asthma or Loeffler's pneumonia.
Digital imaging, spectroscopy, and liquid crystals in a hand-held, non-invasive device to determine hemoglobin concentration

— Anemia is a significant public-health concern both in the United States and throughout the world. This disorder of low hemoglobin concentration in the blood, which often lurks undetected for long periods, contributes significantly to mortality and morbidity and is a major cause of lost revenues from workforce shortfalls, particularly in developing countries where the incidence of anemia is higher due to malnutrition and parasitic disease. The gold standard for measuring hemoglobin is a blood test requiring phlebotomy and laboratory quantification. Current physical examination techniques and non-invasive adjuncts for detecting anemia are not sensitive and are subject to user variability. There is an urgent need for a hand-held device which can measure hemoglobin concentration accurately, inexpensively, and non-invasively. The evolution of a device from its early inception, which analyzed color decomposition in a digital image of the eyelid, to its final version that is a light, inexpensive, hand-held, non-invasive device utilizing liquid crystals to delineate the spectroscopic characteristics of the reflected light from the palpebral conjunctiva (the inside of the lower eyelid which contains many small blood vessels) and determine hemoglobin concentration in the circulating blood will be discussed. The future refinements required for bringing such a device to the market will also be discussed.
Energetics of oxidized and reduced methane monooxygenase active site clusters in the protein environment.

Using the density functional optimized active site geometries obtained in the accompanying paper (Lovell, T.; Li, J.; Noodleman, L. Inorg. Chem. 2001, 40, 5251), a combined density functional and e...
Susceptibility of clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to antimicrobial agents

One hundred and eighteen isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtained from clinical material were tested for susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Regardless of species of animal from which the isolate was obtained, 75% of the isolates were inhibited by ≤ 4 μg of gentamicin/ml, 100% by ≤ 4 μg of tobramycin/ml, 97% by ≤ 128 μg of carbenicillin/ml, and 2% by ≤ 64 μg of chloramphenicol/ml.
Isolation of 63Ni-labeled nickeloplasmin from rabbit serum

Abstract Radioactive nickel chloride (63NiCl2) was injected iv in rabbits (4.5 μg Ni/kg/day for 14–21 days), and serums which were obtained at 24 hr after the last injection were fractionated by column chromatography. Chromatography on Sephadex G-200 separated serum 63Ni into three distinct components: (1) macroglobulin-bound-63Ni, ⋍1.2% of total serum 63Ni; (2) albumin-bound-63Ni, ⋍92.2% of total serum 63Ni; and (3) ultrafiltrable-63Ni, ⋍6.5% of total serum 63Ni. The fractions containing macroglobulin-bound-63Ni were pooled, concentrated by ultrafiltration, and taken for chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. This procedure resulted in the isolation of a single 63Ni-labeled protein, nickeloplasmin. Purified nickeloplasmin migrated as a single protein band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and yielded a single precipition arc on immunoelec-trophoresis, using polyvalent antiserum against rabbit serum proteins. Immunoelectrophoresis using specific antiserums showed that rabbit serum nickeloplasmin is an α1-macroglobulin.
Structural Characterization of λ-Repressor Folding from All-Atom Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The five-helix bundle λ-repressor fragment is a fast-folding protein. A length of 80 amino acid residues puts it on the large end among all known microsecond folders and its size poses a computational challenge for molecular dynamics (MD) studies. We simulated the folding of a novel λ-repressor fast-folding mutant (λ-HG) in explicit solvent using an all-atom description. By means of a recently developed tempering method, we observed reversible folding and unfolding of λ-repressor in a 10-microsecond trajectory. The folding kinetics was also investigated through a set of MD simulations run at different temperatures that together covered more than 125 microseconds. The protein was seen to fold into a native-like topology at intermediate temperature and a slow-folding pathway was identified. The simulations suggest new experimental observables for better monitoring the folding process, and a novel mutation expected to accelerate λ-repressor folding.
Transient Ischemic Attack and Secondary Stroke.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a clinical syndrome that has been shown to be a major risk factor for stroke. Patients with transient neurologic deficits of sudden onset that last less than 24 hours require prompt medical and neurologic evaluation for identifiable stroke risk factors. The appropriate treatment depends on the cardio-or neurovascular lesion that caused the TIA. Based on this evaluation, the optimal stroke prevention regimen in a person with TIA will vary from surgical repair of a stenotic carotid artery to daily aspirin use.
Prediction of surface temperature and heat flux from an interior temperature response

Abstract In this study consideration is given to the inversion problem for the case of a thick slab using Laplace transformation. The exact solution is obtained from the inverse Laplace transform for any time interval. It is then shown that the present analysis may be approximately applied to the case of the hollow cylinder if the interior temperature response is measured at a location close to the inner wall.
Individual timing of blood counts in G-CSF prophylaxis after myelosuppressive chemotherapy reduces G-CSF injections, blood counts, and costs: a prospective randomized study in children and adolescents.

In children and adolescents, prophylactic application of G-CSF after myelosuppressive chemotherapy reduces the duration of neutropenia, of hospitalization, and of parenteral antibiotic treatment. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and solid tumors, G-CSF support allows dose intensification of chemotherapy. On the other hand, each G-CSF injection causes pain and costs. We set up the hypothesis that besides strategies as restricted indications, delayed start, lower doses, and stringent rules for discontinuation, individualized timing of blood count might optimize G-CSF prophylaxis. We randomized 64 cycles of G-CSF prophylaxis in eight children and adolescents being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia or solid tumors to standard twice a week or to individually timed blood counts. Primary study endpoints were the numbers of G-CSF doses and of blood counts, and the total costs of G-CSF support. Per cycle, individual timing of blood count resulted in a median of one G-CSF injection fewer [estimated population median (EPM) 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57–2.20] and one blood count fewer (EPM 1.00, 95% CI 0.74–1.33). The total costs of G-CSF support and of blood counts were thereby reduced by a median of US $ 152 per cycle (EPM 191, 95% CI 97–318). The results of this study suggest that individual timing of blood counts during prophylactic G-CSF support in children and adolescents undergoing chemotherapy for malignant disease can significantly reduce the number of injections and blood counts performed, thus resulting in less pain and lower costs. These findings need confirmation in a larger randomized trial.
The Kingdom of Character: The Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions, 1886-1926

This work tells the story of the Student Volunteer Movement, which launched modern American Protestant missions. It describes how between 1886 and 1926 the SVM was at the centre of this movement and succeeded in recruiting at least half of the missionaries of the mainland Protestant churches.
MODIFYING FACULTY ROLES TO INSTITUTIONALIZE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

New functions in the university often begin as satellites, marginal to the core of the academic disciplines and the faculty. With success they seek to institutionalize those functions sometimes by incorporating them into the faculty role pattern. This study examined the receptivity across a university faculty to the role changes associated with continuing education for established professionals. Working with mid-career practitioners may offer an unusual degree of intellectual stimulus and affinity to faculty members. Respondents evaluated the importance of a set of role behaviors, some traditional, some new. Application of multiple discriminant analysis to these ratings identified agreement on several basic values along with four subcultural groupings based on views of applied knowledge and the degree of relationship to an established profession.
Engineering RNA endonucleases with customized sequence specificities

Specific cleavage of RNAs is critical for in vitro manipulation of RNA and for in vivo gene silencing. Here we engineer artificial site-specific RNA endonucleases to function analogously to DNA restriction enzymes. We combine a general RNA cleavage domain with a series of Pumilio/fem-3-binding factor domains that specifically recognize different 8-nucleotide RNA sequences. The resulting artificial site-specific RNA endonucleases specifically recognize RNA substrates and efficiently cleave near their binding sites. The artificial site-specific RNA endonucleases can be devised to recognize and cleave various RNA target sequences, providing a useful tool to manipulate RNAs in vitro. In addition, we generate designer artificial site-specific RNA endonucleases to specifically silence an endogenous gene in Escherichia coli, as well as a mitochondrial-encoded gene in human cells, suggesting that artificial site-specific RNA endonucleases can serve as a gene-silencing tool with designed specificity.
Factitious illness: a multidisciplinary consideration of ethical issues.

Abstract Case histories of two women with surreptitious self-induced vomiting were presented to a multidisciplinary conference which included representation from the disciplines of psychiatry, internal medicine, law, nursing, and anthropology. Ethical issues including the topics of confidentiality, responsibility to the patient, and the relationship to third party payers were discussed. The medical and legal viewpoints were frequently at variance, in unexpected ways.
NMR-invisible nucleosides in adducts formed from carcinogenic nitrobenzo[a]pyrenes

Anomalous 1H NMR spectra have been obtained for two related carcinogen-nucleoside adducts in which a 1- or 3-aminobenzo[a]pyrene ring is bound from its C-6 position to the N−2 position of 2′-deoxyguanosine. NOESY and COSY measurements at low temperature in methanol-d4 revealed chemical exchange between at least two forms. Large chemical shift differences exist between subspectra for all corresponding protons of the nucleoside moiety, whereas all such chemical shift differences are small for the protons of the benzo[a]pyrene moiety. Thus, at intermediate rates of exchange, the nucleoside resonances are broadened beyond recognition, whereas the aminobenzo[a]pyrene resonances appear normal. This is linked with the large anisotropic ring-current field from the carcinogen ring system, and restricted internal rotation at the site of attachment of the carcinogen to the nucleic acid base. The possibility of an absence of resonances from a nucleoside moiety can complicate structure elucidation of unknown carcinogen-nucleoside adducts and related compounds, especially in trace analysis.
Automated lesion placement in the rabbit eye

Background and Objective: The objective of this research was to build a prototype feedback control system to precisely place argon laser lesions on the retina for treatment of retinal disorders. Study Design/Materials, and Methods: The prototype feedback control system was tested by placing lesions at specific locations on the retina of pigmented rabbits to simulate the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, retinal breaks or tears, and a pre-programmed, two-dimensional array of lesions was placed at a specific site. Results: Results of feedback-controlled lesion placement performed in vivo on pigmented rabbits are presented. The ability to place lesions with automated feedback control is demonstrated. Conclusion: Automated feedback control placement of argon laser lesions is possible at a reasonable cost and has numerous therapeutic and safety benefits over current ballistic delivery.
Beyond Dusky and Godinez: competency before and after trial.

Scholars have carefully considered all aspects of the incompetency to stand trial process, questions involving incompetency to confess, questions involving incompetency to be executed, and, to a lesser extent, questions related to incompetency to plead guilty or to waive counsel, but little attention has been paid to the relationship between incompetency and the full range of other criminal procedure issues: sentencing, appeals, consent to searches, and others. This article discusses this range of issues, assesses the factors relied upon by courts in deciding these cases and attempts to offer an agenda for future scholarly developments in this area. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optometric education: planning for the future.

Collectively, the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Association of Schools and Colleges (ASCO) have felt a growing need to develop a strategic plan that would ensure that the financial and other resource needs of the educational establishment can and will be met. Only when this is accomplished can the profession of optometry continue to be able to meet the needs of the public. An initial Georgetown Conference-Summit on Optometric Education was held in March 1992. It was followed later in 1992 by a Conference on the Scope of Optometric Practice and a Curriculum Conference. Scheduled for 1993 were four additional conferences which dealt with Optometric Students, Optometric Research, Graduate Education, Residencies and Fellowships, and the Financing of Optometric Education
Gel Diffusion Studies on the Antigens of Isolated Cellular Components of Paramecium

SYNOPSIS. A method for the isolation of trichocysts and cilia from whole paramecia is given. Trichocysts, cilia, mitochondria, and other particulates have been identified in homogenates and their numbers in different centrifugal fractions determined. Four antigens extractable from one strain of Paramecium have been studied by gel-diffusion techniques: Antigen 1, heat-stable, derived from trichocysts; antigen 2, not associated with any cellular particulate in homogenates; antigen 3, obtained in large quantities from the mitochondria; antigen 4, the antigen correlated with serotype, is derived mainly from the cilia and probably from the body wall and having the properties of a protein.
Bootstrap current in TFTR.

Neutral-beam--heated plasmas in TFTR show evidence of substantial non-Ohmically driven toroidal current, even for balanced beam momentum input. The observations are inconsistent with calculations including only Ohmic and beam-driven currents, and presently can only be matched by models including the neoclassical bootstrap current.
Responses of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) phytochemistry and aspen blotch leafminer (Phyllonorycter tremuloidiella) performance to elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 and O3

1 This research was conducted at the Aspen FACE (Free Air CO2 Enrichment) site located in northern Wisconsin, U.S.A. where trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux) trees were exposed to one of four atmospheric treatments: elevated carbon dioxide (CO2; 560 µL/L), elevated ozone (O3; ambient × 1.5), elevated CO2 and O3, or ambient air. We evaluated the effects of these fumigants on aspen foliar quality and the performance of aspen blotch leafminer (Phyllonorycter tremuloidiella Braun). 2 CO2 and O3 each affected foliar quality, with the major changes consisting of an 11% reduction in nitrogen under elevated CO2 and a 20% reduction in tremulacin under elevated O3. In the CO2 + O3 treatment, nitrogen levels were reduced by 15% and CO2 ameliorated the O3-mediated reduction in tremulacin levels. 3 Phyllonorycter tremuloidiella were allowed to colonize trees naturally. Elevated CO2 and O3 reduced colonization rates by 42 and 49% relative to ambient CO2 and O3, respectively. The only effect of fumigation treatments on larval performance occurred under elevated O3, where male development time and larval consumption increased by 8 and 28%, respectively, over insects reared under ambient O3. 4 These data demonstrate that the individual and combined effects of CO2 and O3 can alter aspen foliar chemistry and that these alterations in foliar chemistry produce little to no change in larval performance. However, both CO2 and O3 greatly reduced oviposition. In order to ascertain the full effects of CO2 and O3 on insect performance, future studies should address both population- and individual-level characteristics.
Increasing Incidence of Rectal Cancer in Patients Aged Younger Than 40 Years: An Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database

BACKGROUND The incidence of rectal cancer in the United States in young patients is considered to be low. Under-estimating this incidence may result in a failure to diagnose younger patients with rectal cancer in a timely manner.