cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic landscape of the blastema niche in regenerating adult axolotl limbs at single-cell resolution

Regeneration of complex multi-tissue structures, such as limbs, requires the coordinated effort of multiple cell types. In axolotl limb regeneration, the wound epidermis and blastema have been extensively studied via histology, grafting, and bulk-tissue RNA-sequencing. However, defining the contributions of these tissues is hindered due to limited information regarding the molecular identity of the cell types in regenerating limbs. Here we report unbiased single-cell RNA-sequencing on over 25,000 cells from axolotl limbs and identify a plethora of cellular diversity within epidermal, mesenchymal, and hematopoietic lineages in homeostatic and regenerating limbs. We identify regeneration-induced genes, develop putative trajectories for blastema cell differentiation, and propose the molecular identity of fibroblast-like blastema progenitor cells. This work will enable application of molecular techniques to assess the contribution of these populations to limb regeneration. Overall, these data allow for establishment of a putative framework for adult axolotl limb regeneration.
Deep Q-Learning for Dry Stacking Irregular Objects

We propose a reinforcement learning approach for automatically building dry stacked (i.e. no mortar) structures with irregular objects. Stacking irregular objects is a challenging problem since each assembly action can be drawn from a continuous space of poses for an object, and several local geometric and physical considerations strongly affect the stability. To tackle this challenge, we concentrate on a simplified 2D version of the problem. We present a reinforcement learning algorithm based on deep $Q$ -learning, where the learned $Q$ -function, which maps state-action pairs into expected long-term rewards, is represented by a deep neural network. As the action space is continuous the $Q$ -network is trained by sampling a finite number of actions that consider both geometric and physical constraints to approximate the target $Q$ -values, Experiments show that the proposed method outperforms previous heuristics-based planning, leading to super construction with objects containing a significant amount of variations. We validate the generated stacking plans by executing them using a robot arm and manufactured, irregular objects.
Nonfatal Pediatric Injuries Associated With Consumer Products and Sports and Recreational Activities in the United States.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of nonfatal consumer product- and sports and recreational activity-related injuries among US children. METHODS National Electronic Injury Surveillance System data regarding children younger than 18 years who were treated in US emergency departments (EDs) for nonfatal consumer product- or sports and recreational activity-related injuries were analyzed. RESULTS From 1990 through 2012, an estimated 121,489,024 (95% confidence interval, 104,226,323-138,751,726) children younger than 18 years were treated in US EDs for nonfatal injuries meeting study criteria, yielding an average of 5,282,131 children annually, or 74.12 injuries per 1000 children. During 1990 to 2005, the overall annual injury rate decreased by 14.0% (P < 0.001), followed by an increase of 7.3% (P = 0.157) during 2005 to 2012. The concussion/closed head injury rate increased by 199.3% (P < 0.001) from 1996 to 2012. Injury rates were highest among children 0 to 4 years old and lowest among children 5 to 9 years old. Sports and recreational activities accounted for 46.5% of all injuries. Falls (40.2%) and "struck-by" (22.6%) were the leading mechanisms of injury, and 62.3% of all injuries were among boys. Injuries often occurred to the head/neck (37.8%) or upper extremities (31.9%), were frequently diagnosed as lacerations (29.0%) or soft tissue injuries (21.0%), and 2.7% were admitted to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS On average, a child was treated in a US ED for a nonfatal consumer product- or sports and recreational activity-related injury every 6 seconds. Although injury rates decreased early in the study period, there was a nonsignificant increasing trend from 2005 to 2012. Multilevel injury prevention efforts are recommended.
Osmotic Delivery and Release of Lipid-Encapsulated Molecules via Sequential Solution Exchange

Passive targeted drug delivery to solid tumors is driven by the permeation of drug carriers into a tumor's interstitial matrix, which is slow and ineffective. This study suggests an $a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}v\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e$ delivery strategy to enhance the permeation of therapeutic molecules into the interstitium. The authors show that, by gradually changing the solutes of the interstitial fluid, liposomes can respond to the change in the chemistry of the surrounding fluid, leading to enhanced transport and controlled release.
Optimized Microwave Multiport Beam-forming Circuit Design for Wideband Applications

This paper presents a practical modeling methodology for wide-band microwave applications on curved surfaces that focuses on the design of the beam-forming network playing a role similar to that of multiport power combiners/splitters. The beam-forming network was developed to provide equal electrical paths from the radiators to the common power receiver. While multiport Wilkinson-like power combiner design methodology are not available for those applications, phase shifting technique and symmetric power splitting devices are utilized to achieve flatter response compared to conventional techniques. Along with the effect of band-widening technique based on curved geometries, the significant flatness improvements of our newly designed microwave beam-forming network. Before that, some fundamentals about power combining and splitting are also given.
Bacterial Aggregation Leads to Collective Elimination

Faster growing bacteria tend to be killed faster by antibiotics. In a complex environment exposed to antibiotics, however, the fate of a bacterial population depends on diverse factors. In a new study, Schlomann et al. describes how sublethal antibiotics can trigger the purging of bacteria by the zebrafish.
Effective Field Theory for the Heteronuclear Efimov Effect

I discuss recent results describing heteronuclear systems using effective field theory. I will focus on three-body systems with two identical particles that interact resonantly with a third particle. Specifically, I will consider recent calculations of universal scaling function that can be used to compute the temperature dependent recombination rate for positive scattering length and the inclusion of a finite effective range at zero temperature.
Preface: philosophy of science for philosophers, scientists, and everyone else

For better and for worse, in ways both obvious and subtle, the work of scientists has helped to shape the world around us. The obvious impacts of science on our lives include the technologies that depend on scientific research. Our approaches to communicating, eating, becoming or staying healthy, moving from one place to another, reproducing, entertaining ourselves – all of these have been changed by the findings of scientific research. Perhaps less obvious, but not less important, are changes in how we think about ourselves and our world. The concepts and ways of thinking that scientists employ as they engage in research and seek to explain the phenomena they uncover tend to migrate out of the specialist settings in which they originate. Though they tend to be transformed in the process, these concepts and methods turn up in the broader culture as themes we draw upon to describe and explain the world. Clearly, science is a big deal. This book is not just about science, though, it is about the philosophy of science. Even if you agree that one should care about science, you might wonder whether you should care about the philosophy of science. The point of this preface is to begin to persuade you that you should care about it.
Real-world incidence of grade III/IV side effects, emergency room visits, and hospital admissions after treatment with adjuvant durvalumab in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

e19276Background: Durvalumab is a selective human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-L1 binding to PD-1 and CD80, allowing T cells to recognize and kill tumor cells. Durvalumab is FDA approved...
Gradual syntactic triggering: The gradient parameter hypothesis

In this article, we propose a reconceptualization of the principles and parameters (P&P) framework. We argue that in lieu of discrete parameter values, a parameter value exists on a gradient plane ...
Development of a Fuzzy Logic Controller for Real-time Energy Optimization of a Hybrid vehicle

The ability to combine positive features of an internal combustion engine with those of an electric motor has been fundamental to the advancement of the high-performance energy-optimized hybrid vehicles. However, due to a lack of reliable and realistic hybrid vehicle models, much of the hybrid vehicle controller research has been limited to computer simulations. To overcome this shortcoming, this paper utilizes a highly reliable vehicle model (Autonomie) for simulation. A state-of-the-art fuzzy logic controller was developed that considers the battery state of charge, wheel torque demand and vehicle speed as the input variables. An ARM Cortex M3 microcontroller-based control hardware prototype was developed and the processor in loop simulation was performed to verify the feasibility of the developed controller in an embedded real-time application. The results of this study indicate that the developed fuzzy logic controller significantly improved the performance (up to 48%) of the hybrid vehicle in a real-time application compared to Autonomie's built-in controller. The processor in loop test results provide evidence of the effectiveness of the developed control algorithm in the embedded real-time form
Your Own Worst Enemy: Implications of the Customization, and Destruction, of Non-Player Characters

Customization interfaces allow players to tailor character appearance to represent desired self-concepts, increasing character identification and contributing towards enjoyment. Yet, despite their ubiquity, such interfaces seldom allow modification of non-player characters (e.g., in-game enemies). A between-subjects experiment (N=34) examined affective/cognitive responses to customizing and destroying enemies in a custom-built game. Participants created characters representing either a positive (confidence) or negative (anxiety) self-concept, and subsequently destroyed it during gameplay. Players reported greater identification, attitudes, enjoyment, and reduction in negative affect (anxiety) when customizing characters representing confidence, whereas anxiety characters increased negative affect. Affective responses to destruction varied based on self-concept. Destroying confidence characters increased negative affect, whereas negative affect was slightly reduced after destroying anxiety characters. Both groups evaluated the game favorably and exhibited similar purchase intentions. Results suggest that players prefer creating enemies in their (ideal) image like they do their own avatars. Avenues for future research are discussed.
Mechanistic Implications of 18O Exchange during ATP Synthesis in Oxidative Phosphorylation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses mechanistic implications of 18O exchange during ATP synthesis in oxidative phosphorylation by demonstrating that (ATP synthesis by submitochondrial particles is nonheterogeneous. The chapter presents the results of an experiment in which ATP was synthesized from highly 18O-labeled Piby submitochondrial particles driven by succinate oxidation. The ATP was trapped during the reaction as glucose 6-phosphate and subsequently converted to 6-phosphogluconate . The lack of heterogeneity observed with ATP synthesis by submitochondrial particles agrees with the similar homogeneity observed in ATP synthesis in photophosphorylation and ATP hydrolysis by submitochondrial particles and chloroplasts. These results extend the evidence in favor of an alternating site scheme as they allow the elimination of a number of other reasonable explanations for the unusual modulation of the extent of the exchange by the substrate level. The chapter also discusses the influence of uncouplers, oligomycin, and the significance of influence of modifiers on 18O exchange. Both uncouplers and oligomycin inhibit coupled ATP synthesis by submitochondrial particles, but these agents have strikingly different effects on the extent of 18O exchange. Uncouplers stimulate the extent of exchange even at saturating ADP and Pilevels while oligomycin inhibits the exchange.
Donor Characteristics and Regional Differences in the Utilization of HCV-Positive Donors in Liver Transplantation.

Importance Increased utilization of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive liver allografts for liver transplant (LT) has been endorsed as one of several ways to combat national organ shortages. However, HCV-positive donors remain poorly characterized, and Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network regional differences in the utilization of HCV-positive liver allografts are unclear. Objective To characterize HCV-positive donors and the allografts that come from them. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study, the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database was queried for all donors who underwent HCV testing from June 2015 to December 2018. Clinical and allograft characteristics were evaluated, and utilization across the United States was studied. Patients with positive or negative results for HCV antibody (Ab) and HCV nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) were included in this study. Donors utilized for living donor transplant and pediatric (age <18 years) recipients were excluded. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary comparison was between donors who were HCV Ab positive and those who were HCV Ab negative. Regional variations in the utilization of HCV-positive and HCV-negative donors were analyzed. Results Of 24 500 donors utilized for LT, 1887 (7.7%) were HCV Ab positive; 64.4% of HCV Ab-positive donors were HCV NAT positive. HCV Ab-positive donors were younger (median [interquartile range] age, 35 [29-46] years vs 40 [27-54] years) and had fewer comorbidities, such as diabetes (8.3% vs 12.0%) and hypertension (25.9% vs 35.2%), compared with HCV Ab-negative donors. These findings were even more pronounced in HCV Ab-positive /NAT-positive compared with HCV Ab-positive/NAT-negative donors. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network regions 2, 3, 10, and 11 had the highest absolute utilization of HCV Ab-positive donors, accounting for 64.4% of all HCV Ab-positive donors used in the United States. Region 1 had the highest relative utilization of HCV Ab-positive donors (18.7%). The use of HCV Ab-positive donors in some regions was associated with the rate of drug overdose, but this was not always the case. Similar utilization results were found with HCV NAT-positive donors. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study, HCV-positive donors were younger and healthier than utilized HCV-negative donors. Significant differences exist in the utilization of HCV-positive donors across the 11 Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network regions, which is not entirely explained by organ demand or by higher availability of HCV-positive livers as per the distribution of the opioid epidemic. Initiatives to increase the use of HCV-positive donors, particularly in regions of high organ demand, should be implemented.
Probing ultradiffuse galaxies out to the virial radius of the Coma cluster with XMM–Newton

We probe the formation scenarios and the active galactic nuclei (AGN) occupation fraction of ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in the nearby Coma cluster by utilizing XMM-Newton observations of 779 out of 854 UDG candidates identified by Subaru survey. Their origin is probed by measuring the dark matter halo mass of the stacked sample of UDGs and the population of low-mass X-ray binaries residing in globular clusters. Our measurements suggest that the average UDG population does not have a substantial amount of hot gas or a large number of globular clusters. This supports the formation scenario, in which UDGs are puffed-up dwarf galaxies, agreeing with that obtained for 404 Coma cluster UDGs using Chandra. We also determine AGN occupation fraction of UDGs by cross-correlating the position of UDGs with the detected point sources in Coma. We detect three X-ray sources with detection significance $\sigma \geq 5$ that could be off-centre AGN within 5 arcsec from the centre of the UDG 317, UDG 432, and UDG 535. We identify an optical counterpart for the X-ray source associated with the UDG 317, suggesting that this source is more likely an off-centre AGN. Based on the current data, however, we cannot conclusively constrain whether the detected AGN is residing in the Coma cluster or not.
Application of the Milan System for Reporting Pediatric Salivary Gland Cytopathology: Analysis of histologic follow-up, risk of malignancy, and diagnostic accuracy.

BACKGROUND The diagnosis and management of salivary gland tumors in pediatric patients can be challenging. The utility of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytopathology and the performance of the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) in this age group have not been systematically assessed. The paucity of data has contributed to the controversial role of FNA cytopathology in the presurgical management of these patients. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed 104 pediatric salivary gland FNAs (2000-2020). A correlation with the available histopathologic follow-up (n = 54) was performed. The distribution percentages, the risk of neoplasm (RON), and the risk of malignancy (ROM) were assessed for each category of the MSRSGC. RESULTS The overall sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of pediatric salivary gland FNAs were 80%, 97%, and 92%, respectively. The RON values for the nondiagnostic, nonneoplastic, atypia of undetermined significance, benign neoplasm, salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential, suspicious for malignancy, and malignant categories were 60%, 11%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, whereas the ROM values were 0%, 11%, 100%, 6%, 67%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The percentage of nonneoplastic FNAs was greater in comparison with the adult population (52% vs 8%). All neoplasms in patients aged 0 to 10 years were malignant, whereas benign neoplasms occurred only in patients aged ≥11 years; this supported an inverse correlation between age and malignancy rate in salivary gland neoplasms. CONCLUSIONS FNA cytopathology demonstrates excellent diagnostic performance in differentiating malignant and benign pediatric salivary gland lesions. The MSRSGC is a valuable tool for standardization of the reporting and preoperative risk stratification of these lesions.
Telemedicine in Neurology: A Scoping Review of Key Outcomes in Movement Disorders.

Background: Telemedicine for neurological care has been researched and practiced in various ways over the past three decades, but the recent COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly expanded its use and highlighted the need for a synthesis of the existing literature. We aimed to review the methodology and outcomes of previous studies that have evaluated the use of telemedicine in movement disorders. Methods: This scoping review was performed by searching PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and CINAHL databases from 1946 to November 2020. Studies that assessed the application of telemedicine for delivering care to patients with a movement disorder were included. We reported the aims and employed methodologies and categorized the outcomes from each study. Results: The search retrieved 228 articles, and 41 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review. The majority of telemedicine studies were case series or randomized controlled pilot trials, investigating feasibility and acceptability in Parkinson's disease. Even with heterogeneity among outcome measures, they can be categorized into themes, such as feasibility, satisfaction, and efficacy. Conclusions: Telemedicine use has grown rapidly, due to the demands of providing care during a global pandemic. This application of telemedicine has been considered a promising way to expand care in Neurology, although research evaluating the dissemination of its use is dilatory. This review highlights the number of studies that have found telemedicine to be an acceptable and feasible way to deliver care for movement disorders. Further research is needed to expand on harmonization of outcomes, reach, adoption, and long-term use of telemedicine.
Same-day discharge after robotic hysterectomy for gynecologic malignancy: a study of cost analysis and resource utilization

Objectives: To determine impact and cost savings of a quality intervention involving enhanced patient, provider, and staff education focused on same day discharge after robotic assisted total hysterectomy, and/or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with sentinel and/or additional lymph node dissection. Methods: A quality project was undertaken at our institution to improve the rate of same day discharge after robotic assisted hysterectomy and to assess the resource utilization savings of such an intervention. Literature supports feasibility and safety of same day discharge for robotic assisted hysterectomies alone or with other procedures for benign and malignant indications. Complex robotic assisted hysterectomies include bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy plus sentinel or additional lymph node resection. We collected historical data via chart review for the 12 months of 2018 (Group A) to determine our baseline same day discharge rate for complex robotic hysterectomies. Faculty, outpatient clinic and perioperative clinic staff were provided with education regarding the same day discharge goal for complex robotic assisted hysterectomies for patients from a single institution in our gynecologic oncology practice. We then prospectively collected the outcome data on patients undergoing complex robotic hysterectomies for the subsequent 12 months in 2019 (Group B). We compared demographic, clinical factors, and factors of resource utilization such as time in surgery and recovery and length of admission. Descriptive statistics and t-test were utilized to compare the groups. Results: One hundred three patients underwent complex robotic assisted hysterectomy in 2018, and 5% (5 patients) were discharged home on the day of surgery (Group A). One hundred twelve patients underwent complex robotic assisted hysterectomy in 2019 (Group B), and 32% (36 patients) were discharged home on the day of surgery. There was no significant difference between mean age (62 vs 64) or BMI (37 vs 36) in the two cohorts, respectively. Median length of stay was 21 hours for patients that were not discharged on day of surgery and 3.5 hours for patients discharged day of surgery. Of the 41 total patients undergoing same day discharge (Group A + Group B), there was one urgent care visit, one ER visit and and no readmissions in 30 days post procedure. A savings of approximately $1975 per case when patient discharged day of surgery. By promoting same day discharge after robotic assisted hysterectomy, 648 in-patient care hours were saved during the 12 months post intervention. Conclusions: A low cost patient and provider education initiative to increase same day discharge after robotic hysterectomy in gynecologic oncology patients positively impacted cost and resource utilization without negatively impacting readmission rates and ER utilization. In 12 months, the same day discharge rate in one facility was increased from 5% to 32% of robotic hysterectomy cases.
On the relationship between Rugosa and Scleractinia (summary)

Mesozoic-Cenozoic scleractinian corals were not derived by descent from late Paleozoic rugose corals. Rather, they probably originated from a group of Paleozoic sea anemones that survived into the Mesozoic after the extinction of the Rugosa at the end of the Paleozoic. This conclusion is based on three arguments: 1. all scleractinians have cyclic septal insertion in contrast to the serial insertion of rugosans; there are no intermediates; 2. scleractinians have aragonite skeletons; those of rugosans are calcite; 3. there are no Lower Triassic corals. It is unlikely that two important characters (points 1 and 2) would change so drastically during the only stage in the history of the corals in which no corals are known (point 3).
High Glucose Disrupts Mitochondrial Morphology in Retinal Endothelial Cells : Implications for Diabetic Retinopathy

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in diabetic complications; however, it is unknown whether hyperglycemia affects mitochondrial morphology and metabolic capacity during development of diabetic retinopathy. We investigated high glucose (HG) effects on mitochondrial morphology, membrane potential heterogeneity, cellular oxygen consumption, extracellular acidification, cytochrome c release, and apoptosis in retinal endothelial cells. Rat retinal endothelial cells grown in normal (5 mmol/L) or HG (30 mmol/L) medium and double-stained with MitoTracker Green and tetramethylrhodamine-ethyl-ester-perchlorate were examined live with confocal microscopy. Images were analyzed for mitochondrial shape change using Form Factor and Aspect Ratio values, and membrane potential heterogeneity, using deviation of fluorescence intensity values. Rat retinal endothelial cells grown in normal or HG medium were analyzed for transient changes in oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification using an XF-24 flux analyzer, cytochrome c release by Western blot, and apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay. Rat retinal endothelial cells grown in HG medium exhibited increased mitochondrial fragmentation concurrent with membrane potential heterogeneity. Metabolic analysis showed increased extracellular acidification in HG with reduced steady state/maximal oxygen consumption. Cytochrome c and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells were also increased in HG. Thus, HG-induced mitochondrial fragmentation with concomitant increase in membrane potential heterogeneity, reduced oxygen consumption, and cytochrome c release may underlie apoptosis of retinal endothelial cells as seen in diabetic retinopathy.
The Tone of Spanish-Language Presidential News Coverage†

Objectives I explore whether the tendency of English-language news broadcasts to favor negative coverage of the president contrasts with Spanish-language news coverage of the president, especially because a Latino news audience should prefer more positive stories of a Democratic president. I also examine whether presidential speeches and the political environment influence the tone of presidential news coverage. Methods I describe the tone of presidential news coverage and use ordinary least squares regression to explain influences on the tone of Spanish- and English-language presidential news coverage for 85 broadcast days and over 50 stories each in early 2011. Results NBC Nightly News is more negative than Noticiero Telemundo is in its coverage of the U.S. president. Although higher presidential approval ratings offer the president more positive news coverage on both networks, Latino support for President Obama does not encourage mostly positive coverage of immigration coverage on Spanish-language news. Conclusion Presidents can expect less negative coverage on Spanish-language news, but not necessarily on immigration policy, an issue of central importance to the Latino community.
The plasmas of rocket flight

The plasmas attending a rocket in flight vary widely in charge density and size depending upon the source of the plasma and the altitude of operation. Such a plasma, i.e., a medium containing equal numbers of positive and negative charge so that it is electrically neutral in its totality, interacts with electromagnetic signals causing reflection, refraction and absorption. The solution of problems encountered in communicating through such a plasma depend upon a knowledge of its electrical properties. The complexity of the interaction requires that approximate solutions be used. A judicious application of the results of laboratory, flight and theoretical studies are required to enable the successful design of communication links. Extended theoretical and experimental studies are required to enable designs of communication systems for the space ship of the future.
Feasibility of using C-reactive protein for point-of-care testing

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein CRP point-of-care testing POCT can be a valuable tool for decision making in primary care. Very few studies have illustrated the utilization of CRP POCT.OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review on the use of CRP POCT in primary care settings and to examine its feasibility and acceptability in an outpatient primary care setting.METHODS: The search was conducted via PubMed. Final articles in the systematic review met inclusion and exclusion criteria. For the feasibility and acceptability analysis, a convenience sample of 20 adult subjects was enrolled and CRP POCT was conducted.RESULTS: Antibiotic prescription was the most predominant outcome assessed, and antibiotic prescription reduction was the most common finding of CRP POCT effectiveness testing.CONCLUSION: CRP POCT can be used to detect inflammation and can reduce antibiotic prescription in primary care. It is a satisfactory procedure that should be available in the primary care setting.
Modifying matrix remodeling to prevent heart failure

Abstract: In the USA, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for approximately 40% of all deaths. Myocardial infarction or its sequelae is the primary cause of cardiovascular disease death. Despite advances in novel therapeutic strategies over the past 30 years, heart failure morbidity and mortality remain high for the post-myocardial infarction patient. Extracellular matrix remodeling and its role in heart failure are explored in this chapter: the key players involved, current therapeutic options and future trends are discussed.
Social Capital and Segregation: Race, Connections, and Inequality in America

The metropolitan areas in which most Americans live remain deeply segregated along race lines, and according to this study, that spatial separateness has strong effects on the social connections that shape access to opportunity and democratic participation in our society. Persistent residential segregation - along race, socio-economic status, and other dimensions - has long been associated in direct ways with social inequality, for example by denying racial minorities and the poor equal access to quality schooling, jobs, and other resources. But segregation also shapes inequality through a subtle and pervasive structuring of social relationships. Social capital - the varied bundle of resources obtainable through these relationships - is vital and at risk in the divided metropolis. This paper presents conceptual models that integrate research in various disciplines on the causes of segregation, and it proposes an integrated way of thinking about the power of place to affect inequality. Using a unique datafile that combines a multi-region survey of social ties and civic participation with the 2000 U.S. census, the paper then tests effects of residential segregation on the presence of inter-racial social ties, net of household traits, civic involvement, education, and other factors. Higher residential segregation by race is strongly associated with a lower incidence of interracial friendships (or "race bridges") in metro areas across the nation. The absence of such bridges holds urgent implications for economic success, inter-group understanding, and democracy in America. Given the persistence of neighborhood segregation and the power of other mechanisms, though, it may be that remedies aimed at race mixing in schools, workplaces, and civic institutions deserve renewed attention. In an era of official retrenchment on race issues, it is unclear to what degree such remedies should rely on government action alone.
Fourier Series for Periodic Functions

This chapter introduces a few features of Fourier series. In contrast to the Discrete Fourier Transform, which pertains to finite-dimensional spaces, Fourier series provide an approach to the concept of approximation of functions in linear spaces that do not admit finite bases, in a context simpler than that of Daubechies wavelets.
Equations for predicting the energy requirements of healthy adults aged 18–81 y

Background: Recent studies have questioned the accuracy of using the current recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) to predict usual energy requirements in adults. Objective: We developed equations to predict adult energy requirements from simple anthropometric and laboratory measures by using the doubly labeled water method to determine each subject's total energy expenditure (TEE), which is equal to usual energy requirements in weight-stable individuals. Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 93 healthy, free-living adults [44 men and 49 women; body mass index range (in kg/m 2 ): 18.4-31.8] aged 18-81 y. Body fat and fat-free mass were measured by underwater weighing, physical activity was estimated by using activity monitors, and resting energy expenditure was determined by indirect calorimetry. Information on anthropometric variables and reported strenuous activity was also collected. Results: Three regression equations were developed and verified for accuracy by using bootstrap analysis and doubly labeled water data published by other research groups. The first equation used information on only age, weight, height, and sex and had an SEE for prediction of TEE of 1.80 MJ/d. The second and third equations used different combinations of basic and laboratory data and had SEEs of 1.55 and 1.65 MJ/d, respectively. With use of the same analytic approaches, the RDAs for energy were shown to significantly underestimate usual energy needs by 10%; the extent of underestimation was significantly greater for subjects with high TEEs than for subjects with low TEEs. Conclusion: Regression equations based on doubly labeled water measurements of TEE appear to be more accurate than the current RDAs for predicting energy requirements in healthy, nonobese adults living in affluent countries.
Nanopatterned Contacts to GaN

The effect of nanoscale patterning using a self-organized porous anodic alumina (PAA) mask on the electrical properties of ohmic and Schottky contacts to n-GaN was investigated with the aim of evaluating this approach as a method for reducing the specific contact resistance of ohmic contacts to GaN. The electrical characteristics of contacts to these nanopatterned GaN samples were compared with contacts to planar, chemically prepared (“as-grown”) GaN samples and reactive ion etched (RIE) GaN films without any patterning. The specific contact resistivities to unintentionally doped n-GaN using a Ti/Al bilayer metallization were determined to be 7.4 × 10−3 Ω cm2 for the RIE sample and 7.0 × 10−4 Ω cm2 for the PAA patterned sample. Schottky metal contacts with Pt and Ni were prepared on the three samples to validate the effects of RIE and nanopatterning on electrical behavior. The effective barrier height was decreased and the reverse current was increased significantly in the PAA patterned sample. The radius of curvature of the nanoscale corrugation in the patterned interface was smaller than the depletion width. The reduction of the depletion width at sharp corners enhanced the local tunneling current, reducing the specific contact resistivity and decreasing the effective barrier height. These results suggest that nanopatterning with PAA on GaN can significantly lower the contact resistance.
Prototype vein contrast enhancer

A proof-of-principle prototype Vein Contrast Enhancer (VCE) has been designed and constructed. The VCE is an instrument that makes vein access easier by capturing an infrared image of peripheral veins, enhancing the vein-contrast using software image processing, and projecting the enhanced vein-image back onto the skin using a modified commercial projector. The prototype uses software alignment to achieve alignment accuracy between the captured infrared image and the projected visible image of better than 0.06 mm. Figure 1 shows the prototype demonstrated in our laboratory.
The use of deuterated camphor as a substrate in 1H ENDOR studies of hydroxylation by cryoreduced oxy P450cam provides new evidence of the involvement of compound i

Electron paramagnetic resonance and 1H electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopies have been used to analyze intermediate states formed during the hydroxylation of (1R)-camphor (H2-camphor) and (1R)-5,5-dideuterocamphor (D2-camphor) as induced by cryoreduction (77 K) and annealing of the ternary ferrous cytochrome P450cam–O2–substrate complex. Hydroxylation of H2-camphor produced a primary product state in which 5-exo-hydroxycamphor is coordinated with Fe(III). ENDOR spectra contained signals derived from two protons [Fe(III)-bound C5-OHexo and C5-Hendo] from camphor. When D2-camphor was hydroxylated under the same condition in H2O or D2O buffer, both ENDOR Hexo and Hendo signals are absent. For D2-camphor in H2O buffer, H/D exchange causes the C5-OHexo signal to reappear during relaxation upon annealing to 230 K; for H2-camphor in D2O, the magnitude of the C5-OHexo signal decreases via H/D exchange. These observations clearly show that Compound I is the reactive species in the hydroxylation ...
A microcomputer-based shell activity monitor for oysters

Abstract A sensitive microcomputer-based shell activity monitor is described. The components of the system consist of a Zenith-100 microcomputer, a 12-volt lantern battery, a voltage control box, a linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT), an analog-to-digital convertor, and appropriate software. The background variability of the system was small (±0.08 mm) compared to the maximum shell gape measured (7.57 mm).
State Sales Tax Policy in a Changing Economy: Balancing Political and Economic Logic Against Revenue Needs

Soon after implementation in the 1930s, the general sales taxes emerged as the largest state tax source. In 1990, income taxes produced nearly as much state revenue as did sales taxes. Although income tax revenue have increased significantly, the sales tax is not in jeopardy of being replaced in the immediate future. The sales tax still remains a vital state fiscal concern, particularly to those states without a broad individual income tax.
Kinetic studies of proteolytic enzyme activity of arctic soils under varying toluene concentrations

Abstract The original focus of this study was an analysis of proteolytic enzyme activity of Alaskan arctic tundra soils, however initial results raised questions regarding the method ( Watanabe and Hayano, 1995 ). Thus, the goals of the study changed to 1) an investigation of the method, and 2) a comparison of enzyme activities of two different soil layers from the arctic tundra. Methodological examination included the impact of toluene, used to prevent immobilization of the product, and blank correction on enzyme activity, and a search for a true 6-h linear rate of activity during a 48-h incubation. We measured native and potential, using casein as an artificial substrate, activities as net amino acid production in mineral and organic soil layer samples. Varying toluene concentration had no clear effect on activity; omitting toluene resulted in zero native activity and reduced potential for the organic samples, but not for the mineral. Comparison of activities with and without blank correction indicated, particularly for potential activity of samples with low native rates, that correction was required for accuracy. Native and potential activity of the organic samples, and native of the mineral were linear during the first 6 h of incubation; linearity was found during the 6–24 h incubation for potential activity of the mineral. Soil layer activity data indicated that native activity was higher in organic soils as compared with mineral. The organic layer potential activity was ten-fold greater than the native, suggesting substrate limitation; potential and native activities did not differ in the mineral layer, indicating substrate sufficiency. Casein addition changed the kinetic pattern for both layers from hyperbolic to sigmoidal for the mineral and linear for the organic, implying different enzyme pools or behavioral changes of existing pools. Native activity based on total soluble protein was higher for the mineral samples relative to the organic, reiterating substrate capacity differences and variations in enzyme/substrate interactions.
Investigation of the use of MOSFET for clinical IMRT dosimetric verification

(Received 22 October 2001; accepted for publication 26 March 2002; published 22 May 2002) With advanced conformal radiotherapy using intensity modulated beams, it is important to have radiation dose verification measurements prior to treatment. Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET) have the advantage of a faster and simpler reading procedure compared to thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD), and with the commercial MOSFET system, multiple detectors can be used simultaneously. In addition, the small size of the detector could be advantageous, especially for point dose measurements in small homogeneous dose regions. To evaluate the feasibility of MOSFET for routine IMRT dosimetry, a comprehensive set of experiments has been conducted, to investigate the stability, linearity, energy, and angular dependence. For a period of two weeks, under a standard measurement setup, the measured dose standard deviation using the MOSFETs was +/- 0.015 Gy with the mean dose being 1.00 Gy. For a measured dose range of 0.3 Gy to 4.2 Gy, the MOSFETs present a linear response, with a linearity coefficient of 0.998. Under a 10 x 10 cm2 square field, the dose variations measured by the MOSFETs for every 10 degrees from 0 to 180 degrees is +/- 2.5%. The percent depth dose (PDD) measurements were used to verify the energy dependence. The measured PDD using the MOSFETs from 0.5 cm to 34 cm depth agreed to within +/- 3% when compared to that of the ionization chamber. For IMRT dose verification, two special phantoms were designed. One is a solid water slab with 81 possible MOSFET placement holes, and another is a cylindrical phantom with 48 placement holes. For each IMRT phantom verification, an ionization chamber and 3 to 5 MOSFETs were used to measure multiple point doses at different locations. Preliminary results show that the agreement between dose measured by MOSFET and that calculated by Corvus is within 5% error, while the agreement between ionization chamber measurement and the calculation is within 3% error. In conclusion, MOSFET detectors are suitable for routine IMRT dose verification.
Pituitary regulation of human growth hormone binding sites in rat liver membranes.

Abstract We have studied the binding of 125 I-human growth hormone (hGH) to crude 100,000 × g membrane preparations from rat liver, and have studied factors which might regulate the capacity and affinity of hGH binding sites. Membrane preparations from livers of pregnant rats bound between 8% and 18% of the 125 I-hGH initially added, and 70%–80% of that bound was displaced by 1 μg of unlabeled labeled hGH. Human prolactin (hPrl) displaced 125 I-hGH in a manner parallel to hGH itself but with about one-third the potency. Ovine, porcine, and rat Prl, and rat and bovine GH were much less effective. Scatchard analysis of specific hGH binding by a variety of different rat liver membrane preparations revealed a single order of binding site in each case with a binding affinity of 0.93–1.62 × 10 9 M −1 . Membranes from pregnant rats had twice the binding capacity of membranes from nonpregnant female rats, and about six times the capacity of sites present in preparations from normal adult male rats and hypophysectomized (Hx) male or female rats. Female or male rats with extremely high circulating GH and Prl levels, due to the presence of transplantable GHPrl secreting creting pituitary tumors showed a significantly greater binding capacity than did the pregnant rats. Estradiol (E 2 ) treatment (25 μg/day for 10–12 days) of normal male rats led to an increase in specific hGH binding. Treatment of hypophysectomized male rats with bovine GH (100 or 500 μg/day) ± E 2 (25μg/day) for 5–10 days stimulated both body weight gain and the incorporation of sulfate by cartilage from the treated rats, but no significant increase was observed in the characteristics of 125 I-hGH binding. These results indicate that high levels of E 2 , GH, and/or Prl play an important role in the regulation of hGH binding sites in rat liver membranes. The restoration of binding sites in liver from hypophysectomized rats, however, apparently requires additional factors which are as yet unidentified. The role of the hGH binding sites in the physiologic actions of GH also remains to be determined.
Renal cell carcinoma marker reliably discriminates central nervous system haemangioblastoma from brain metastases of renal cell carcinoma.

Aims: The distinction between central nervous system (CNS) metastases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and CNS haemangioblastoma still poses a challenge to the pathologist. Since both entities occur in von Hippel–Lindau disease, this aggravates the issue. The antibody renal cell carcinoma marker (RCC-ma) has been suggested to identify primary RCCs specifically, but its value for diagnosing metastases of RCC is controversial. The aim was to assess two distinct clones of the RCC-ma for their potential to: (i) identify primary RCCs and (ii) differentiate between CNS metastases of clear cell RCC and CNS haemangioblastomas. Methods and results: Using tissue microarrays, 77% (n = 363; PN-15) and 66% (n = 355; 66.4C2) of clear cell RCCs, and 93% (PN-15) and 74% (66.4C2) of papillary RCCs (n = 46) were immunopositive for RCC-ma, whereas none of the investigated chromophobe RCCs (n = 22) or any of the oncocytomas (n = 15) showed immunoreactivity. Importantly, 50.9% of CNS metastases of clear cell RCCs (n = 55) exhibited RCC-ma expression, whereas all CNS haemangioblastomas (71) were negative. Conclusions: Both RCC-ma clones, despite some variation in their sensitivity to detect clear cell and papillary RCCs, are of value in differentiating subtypes of primary RCC and are excellent markers for discriminating clear cell lesions in the brain.