cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diet, exercise, neurogenesis and cognition (1025.4)

Aging is associated with a decline in cognition in humans and rodents. Recently, these changes have been linked with decreased hippocampal neurogenesis. Physical exercise increases neurogenesis and reverses some of the cognitive deficits in elderly subjects, but the extent to which dietary supplementation may interact with physical exercise is unknown. Green tea contains high levels of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that reduces age-related cognitive decline. Similarly, β-alanine (β-Ala) may be beneficial against cognitive aging. We tested the hypothesis that exercise (voluntary wheel running) and dietary supplementation with EGCG (1.5mg/g) and β-Ala (3.4 mg/g) would interact to improve cognition of aged mice. Balb/c mice (17 mo) served as sedentary controls or were provided access to running wheels for 4 weeks with or without EGCG + β-Ala. The Morris water maze (MWM) and contextual fear conditioning (CFC) were used to assess learning and memory. Hippocampal neurogenesis was assessed by labeling new neur...
Expression and functional analysis of Tgif during mouse midline development

The Tgif gene encodes a homeodomain protein that functions as a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) repressor by binding to Smad2. Mutations in the TGIF gene are associated with human holoprosencephaly, a common birth defect caused by the failure of anterior ventral midline formation. However, Smad2-mediated TGF-β signaling in the axial mesendoderm has been demonstrated to be essential for ventral midline formation, and loss of a Smad2 antagonist should in principle promote rather than inhibit ventral midline formation. This suggests a more complex mechanism for the function of TGIF in controlling ventral midline formation. To explore the role of TGIF in ventral forebrain formation and patterning, we investigated Tgif expression and function during mouse development by in situ hybridization and gene targeting. We found that Tgif is highly expressed in the anterior neural plate, consistent with the proposed neural differentiation model in which TGF-β suppression is required for normal neural differentiation. This result suggests a possible role for Tgif in anterior neural differentiation and patterning. However, targeted disruption of the Tgif gene during mouse development does not cause any detectable defects in development and growth. Both histological examination and gene expression analysis showed that Tgif−/− embryos have a normal ventral specification in the central nervous system, including the forebrain region. One interpretation of these results is that the loss of TGIF function is compensated by other TGF-β antagonists such as c-Ski and SnoN during vertebrate anterior neural development. Developmental Dynamics 235:547–553, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Central thalamic deep brain stimulation to promote recovery from chronic posttraumatic minimally conscious state: challenges and opportunities

Background: Central thalamic deep brain stimulation (CT-DBS) may have therapeutic potential to improve behavioral functioning in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), but its use remains experimental. Current research suggests that the central thalamus plays a critical role in modulating arousal during tasks requiring sustained attention, working memory, and motor function. The aim of the current article is to review the methodology used in the CT-DBS protocol developed by our group, outline the challenges we encountered and offer suggestions for future DBS trials in this population. Rational for CT-DBS in TBI: CT-DBS may therefore be able to stimulate these functions by eliciting action potentials that excite thalamocortical and thalamostriatal pathways. Because patients in chronic minimally conscious state (MCS) have a very low probability of regaining functional independence, yet often have significant sparing of cortical connectivity, they may represent a particularly appropriate target group for CT-DBS. Pilot Study Results: We have conducted a series of single-subject studies of CT-DBS in patients with chronic posttraumatic MCS, with 24-month follow-up. Outcomes were measured using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised as well as a battery of secondary outcome measures to capture more granular changes. Findings from our index case suggest that CT-DBS can significantly increase functional communication, motor performance, feeding, and object naming in the DBS on state, with performance in some domains remaining above baseline even after DBS was turned off. Conclusions: The use of CT-DBS in patients in MCS, however, presents challenges at almost every step, including during surgical planning, outcome measurement, and postoperative care. Additionally, given the difficulties of obtaining informed consent from patients in MCS and the experimental nature of the treatment, a robust, scientifically rooted ethical framework is resented for pursuing this line of work.
Induction of gp70-specific suppressor t-cells in mice inoculated with virus-producing tumor cells.

Inoculation of BALB/c mice with syngeneic, murine leukemia virus (MuLV)-producing (murine sarcoma virus-transformed) Balb/3T3 tumor cells resulted in diminution of alloreactivity as measured in the mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) reaction. Cells that suppressed this response were identified in the spleens of tumor-bearing mice 10--14 days after inoculation. The suppressor cells were adherent, radiosensitive T-lymphocytes of the Lyt 1-, 2, 3+ phenotype. Mice inoculated with Gross MuLV (G-MuLV)-producing tumor cells, but not those inoculated with a nonproducing subclone of the same tumor cells, developed suppressor T-cells. The T-cell-mediated suppression of the MLC could be augmented by the admixture of G-MuLV antigen, similar to that replicated by the tumor cell, but not by the admixture of a Rauscher-type MuLV antigen which lacked the cross-reactive, type-specific antigens of the G-MuLV. Furthermore, this augmented suppression could be abrogated by the addition of monoclonal anti-gp70 antibody. These findings indicated that antigen-specific suppressor T-cells were induced in response to leukemia virus antigen shed from and/or expressed on tumor cells and that the suppressive activity involved the specific recognition of the gp70 portion of the virus.
Geospatial Ontology Development and Semantic Analytics

Geospatial ontology development and semantic knowledge discovery addresses the need for modeling, analyzing and visualizing multimodal information, and is unique in offering integrated analytics that encompasses spatial, temporal and thematic dimensions of information and knowledge. The comprehensive ability to provide integrated analysis from multiple forms of information and use of explicit knowledge make this approach unique. This also involves specification of spatiotemporal thematic ontologies and populating such ontologies with high quality knowledge. Such ontologies form the basis for defining the meaning of important relations terms, such as near or surrounded by, and enable computation of spatiotemporal thematic proximity measures we define. SWETO (Semantic Web Technology Evaluation Ontology) and geospatial extension SWETO-GS are examples of these ontologies. The Geospatial Semantics Analytics (GSA) framework incorporates: (1) the ability to automatically and semi-automatically tract metadata from syntactically (including unstructured, semi-structured and structured data) and semantically heterogeneous and multimodal data from diverse sources; and (2) analytical processing that exploits these ontologies and associated knowledge bases, with integral support for what we term spatiotemporal thematic proximity (STTP) reasoning and interactive visualization capabilities. This paper discusses the results of our geospatial ontology development efforts as well as some new semantic analytics methods on this ontology such as STTP.
Estimating the hypothetical dual health impact and cost-effectiveness of the Woman’s Condom in selected sub-Saharan African countries

Background: Female condoms are the only currently available woman-initiated option that offers dual protection from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The Woman’s Condom is a new female condom designed to provide dual protection and to be highly pleasurable and acceptable. Objective: We sought to estimate the potential dual health impact and cost-effectiveness of a Woman’s Condom distribution program in 13 sub-Saharan African countries with HIV prevalence rates .4% among adults aged 15–49 years. We used two separate, publicly available models for this analysis, the Impact 2 model developed by Marie Stopes International and the Population Services International disability-adjusted life years (DALY) calculator program. We estimated the potential numbers of pregnancies and DALYs averted when the Woman’s Condom is used as a family planning method and the HIV infections and DALYs averted when it is used as an HIV prevention method. Results: Programming 100,000 Woman’s Condoms in each of 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa during a 1-year period could potentially prevent 194 pregnancies and an average of 21 HIV infections in each country. When using the World Health Organization CHOosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective (WHO-CHOICE) criteria as a threshold to infer the potential cost-effectiveness of the Woman’s Condom, we found that the Woman’s Condom would be considered cost-effective. Conclusion: This was a first and successful attempt to estimate the impact of dual protection of female condoms. The health impact is greater for the use of the Woman’s Condom as an HIV prevention method than for contraception. Dual use of the Woman’s Condom increases the overall health impact. The Woman’s Condom was found to be very cost-effective in all 13 countries in our sample.
Campaign Learning and Vote Determinants

How campaigns shape voters' decisions is central to the study of political behavior. The basic conclusion is simple: campaigns matter. While we know who campaigns influence, there is no clear empirical evidence of why or how campaigns matter. This comes from two things. First, despite different theories about campaigns, the existing studies measure the campaign as a function of time. Second, these studies ignore the individual-level psychological mediators of these effects. We know that there are differences across time during a campaign, but we do not know how or why. In this article I suggest that campaigns work by altering voters' uncertainty about the candidates and combine aggregate and individual-level data using a hierarchical logit estimated via Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. I find that voters change how they weigh their attitudes during the campaign because of changes in their uncertainty about the candidates.
Sample introduction in gas chromatography using a coiled wire filament

A simple device for field sampling and concentration of analytes for subsequent introduction into an injection port for gas chromatographic (GC) analysis has been developed. It consists of a tiny, coiled platinum wire filament (CWF) that is attached to a retractable plunger wire, which fits inside a syringe needle housing. Sampling is accomplished by dipping the end of the CWF in a liquid sample, which is drawn into the wire coil by capillary action, and introducing it into the injection port either before or after allowing the solvent to evaporate. The CWF can be used with or without a nonvolatile chemical coating. A major advantage of this sampling device is that nonvolatile sample matrix components remain on the wire coil, reducing the required injection port and liner cleaning frequency and contamination of the head of the chromatographic column. The coil itself can be easily cleaned between analyses by rinsing and/or burning off residual material in a small flame. The sampling coil facilitates specifically designed chemical reactions in the injection port, such as thermochemolysis and methylation. Applications demonstrated in this work include: (1) direct introduction of samples with little or no pre-treatment, (2) simultaneous thermochemolysis and methylation of lipid-containing samples such as bacteria and bacterial endospores for analysis of biomarkers, and (3) solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) using temporary wire coatings. The CWF allowed for significant reduction in sample preparation time, in most cases to less than a few minutes. The peak shapes examined for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon analytes (PAHs) were significantly better (asymmetry factors 1.3). Extraction efficiencies for SPME (especially for high boiling point components such as PAHs) improved by an average of 2.5 times when using the CWF compared to the performance of commercially available SPME fibers. Coiled wire filaments and GC injection port liners were used for more than 100 Bacillus endospore thermochemolysis methylation analyses without the need for cleaning or replacement.
Ground-based measurements of the methane distribution on Titan

Abstract Using spectra taken with NIRSPEC (Near Infrared Spectrometer) and adaptive optics on the Keck II telescope, we resolved the latitudinal variation of the 3 ν 2 band of CH 3 D at 1.56 μm. As CH 3 D is less abundant than CH 4 by a factor of 50 ± 10 × 10 - 5 , these CH 3 D lines do not saturate in Titan’s atmosphere, and are well characterized by laboratory measurements. Thus they do not suffer from the large uncertainties of the CH 4 lines that are weak enough to be unsaturated in Titan. Our measurements of the methane abundance are confined to the latitude range of 32°S–18°N and longitudes sampled by a 0.04″ slit centered at ∼195°W. The methane abundance below 10 km is constant to within 20% in the tropical atmosphere sampled by our observations, consistent with the low surface insolation and lack of surface methane [Griffith, C.A., McKay, C.P., Ferri, F., 2008. Astrophys. J. 687, L41–L44].
Non-TB mycobacterial infections in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis

Abstract Background Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous environmental organisms. Data about NTM in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis are limited. Methods In a retrospective study, data was collected on patients with bronchiectasis and patients who were diagnosed with NTM were identified. All patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis (code 494) using the International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9), between 1999 and 2006, were identified. Clinical data including radiology findings, lung function, progression of disease, and the presence of NTM in sputum were collected for those who met the study criteria. Results 300 patients with ICD code for bronchiectasis were found in the data. Of these, 182 patients were enrolled in the study after confirmation of the radiology findings of bronchiectasis by CT scanning. Patients were divided into two groups: bronchiectasis with NTM isolates ( n = 68) and bronchiectasis without NTM isolates ( n = 114). The clinical data was reviewed to define the clinical characteristics of these patients; 12% of the patients were found to have NTM from their sputum or BAL. Of the total patients, 55 (30%) of these met the American Thoracic Society criteria for the diagnosis of NTM disease. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was the most common isolate. It was found that the probability of NTM isolation was significantly higher in elderly female patients ( p = 0.04) with a low body mass index (BMI) ( p = 0.002). Additionally, it was found that gram-negative rods were frequently isolated in these patients, and the frequency of exacerbations was significantly higher in patients with NTM infections. Conclusions NTM infections are common in non-CF bronchiectasis. MAC is the most frequently isolated NTM in these patients. Elderly female patients with a low BMI are a high-risk group for NTM infection in non-CF bronchiectasis. Furthermore, these patients are prone to secondary infections and frequent exacerbations. This study suggests a strong correlation between non-CF bronchiectasis and NTM. Thus, these patients should be routinely screened for NTM infections.
The reduced detailed configuration accounting (RDCA) model for NLTE plasma spectral calculations

The purpose of this work is to continue development of a model to provide a fast and accurate in-line NLTE capability for calculating plasma spectral properties in large-scale radiation-transport hydrodynamic simulations. A method has recently been developed to transform the large detailed atomic models into very small models that can be used for fast in-line calculations. The reduced model is more accurate than the average-atom models conventionally used in such simulations. In the present work, spectra calculated with the reduced model are compared to the original detailed model and the average-atom model. The spectra of iron and gold plasmas under various plasma conditions are compared.
Efficient points-to analysis for whole-program analysis

To function on programs written in languages such as C that make extensive use of pointers, automated software engineering tools require safe alias information. Existing alias-analysis techniques that are sufficiently efficient for analysis on large software systems may provide alias information that is too imprecise for tools that use it: the imprecision of the alias information may (1) reduce the precision of the information provided by the tools and (2) increase the cost of the tools. This paper presents a flow-insensitive, context-sensitive points-to analysis algorithm that computes alias information that is almost as precise as that computed by Andersen's algorithm — the most precise flow- and context-insensitive algorithm — and almost as efficient as Steensgaard's algorithm — the most efficient flow- and context-insensitive algorithm. Our empirical studies show that our algorithm scales to large programs better than Andersen's algorithm and show that flow-insensitive alias analysis algorithms, such as our algorithm and Andersen's algorithm, can compute alias information that is close in precision to that computed by the more expensive flow- and context-sensitive alias analysis algorithms.
Superdistribution: Testability, security and management of digital applications

Application frameworks have transitioned from isolated computing units to mobile, distributed and connected cyber infrastructure. To meet the needs of mobility and distributive storage and execution application frameworks need to support application distribution and updated mechanisms that can be managed effectively and securely. An application distribution update and execution schemes for consumers such that each and every consumer gets the similar application experience is termed as superdistribution. Superdistribution classically was accomplished by using digital media which required special hardware and software for consumption. Digital content in today's cyber infrastructure have transitioned from basic consume only content to interactive updatable content. Hence controlling superdistribution to guarantee security requirements of application infrastructure is critical for the success of the application content framework. Also important is the ability of the framework to provide a testing framework for application development. With increased mobility and perpetual connectivity the problems of distribution and management digital content in a secure way for different cyber architectures are significant. In this paper we show how the constructs of X509 certificate can be used to manage superdistribution frameworks. We also show the usage of X509 certificate constructs to allow local distribution for application development and its limitations.
Tonic GABAA receptor conductance in medial subnucleus of the tractus solitarius neurons is inhibited by activation of μ-opioid receptors.

Our laboratory previously reported that gastric activity is controlled by a robust GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition in the medial nucleus of the tractus solitarius (mNTS) (Herman et al. 2009), an...
SU-E-T-195: Experience in Implementing Intraoperative Radiation Therapy for Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Using Low-Energy X-Ray Source.

Purpose: To present our preliminary experience and quality‐assurance (QA) procedures in implementing intraoperative‐radiation therapy (IORT) for accelerated‐partial‐breast irradiation (APBI) using the Axxent‐system controller (Xoft Inc.) Methods: IORT was implemented in our institution utilizing a 50‐keV x‐ray source. APBI allows breast conserving in patients with early‐stage‐breast cancer by delivering radiation to the lumpectomy bed via an applicator balloon filled with water, to which a prescribed dose of 20 Gy was applied to its surface. In‐situ anesthesiology, breast‐surgery and radiation‐oncology teams were required to achieve this procedure. Calibration of the source, including temperature and pressure corrections, was performed by the controller resulting in a calibration factor, which was manually introduced by a physicist into an in‐house program providing the corrected dwell times. Evaluation of exposure measurements determined that personnel standing behind glass‐rolling shields during irradiation were sufficient protection. Results: We have successfully treated four patients to date. Surgical times averaged about two hours, QA and setup of controller took about 30 minutes, while radiation‐treatment times ranged 7.8–10.4 minutes. Exposure to personnel showed a negligible dose compared to background based on the in‐vivo measurements. Our measurements have shown that placement of a shielding layer (FlexiShield) on top of the drape‐protected breast reduced radiation exposure to in‐room personnel. In one case, treatment was automatically stopped by the controller due to a sudden undetected cooling water flow; due to the pre‐treatment training, treatment was successfully resumed within a minute after manual adjustment of the flow sensor. Conclusions: Implementation of IORT to treat patients with APBI using low‐energy x‐ray source should follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding to the acceptance and personnel training. Our experience indicates that two physicists are necessary at least at the implementation stage. Appropriate training to deal with potential problems is crucial before clinical treatment can be ready.
P53 nuclear overexpression and disease progression in ta-bladder carcinoma.

This study investigates the prevalence and clinical relevance of nuclear overexpression of the p53 protein, as detected by antibody PAb1801, in 54 patients with pathologically confirmed Ta bladder carcinomas obtained by transurethral resection at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between 1972 and 1980. No patient received any prior adjuvant therapy. Clinical and histopathological prognostic variables such as age, sex and tumor grade were also analyzed. The median follow-up was 110 months. Patients were stratified into two groups according to the percent of tumor cells with nuclear overexpression of the p53 protein. Group A included carcinomas with less than 20% (n=42) and Group B with 20% or more (n=12) of tumor cells with positive nuclear immunoreactivity. Five patients of Group A (12%) developed tumor progression as did 7 (58%) patients of Group B (p=0.002). Three (7%) patients of Group A and 3 (25%) patients of Group B died of bladder cancer (p=0.12). This study demonstrates a relatively low prevalence of altered p53 expression in this early stage of bladder cancer (22%). Nuclear overexpression of the p53 protein in greater-than-or-equal-to 20% tumor cells,was highly associated with tumor grade (p=0.01), but the former was the only independent marker of tumor progression (p=0.0008) on the basis of the multivariate analysis performed. It was also the only independent variable . associated with death due to bladder cancer (p=0.04). We conclude that p53 nuclear overexpression is a prognostic indicator in this disease, and may be useful for selection of therapy for patients with non-invasive papillary superficial bladder carcinoma.
Uniaxial draw of poly(4-methyl-pentene-1) by solid-state coextrusion

Abstract By using solid-state coextrusion, poly(4-methyl-pentene-1) has been successfully drawn uniaxially to more than 30 times at 150°C. Wide-angle X-ray and infra-red dichroism reveal a highly oriented structure. The maximum tensile modulus obtained is 3.6 GPa comparable with that of the perfect crystal of this polymer of 6.7 GPa. Thermal analysis was used to follow the changes in morphology on draw, including the development of multiple melting points in the poly(4-methyl-pentene-1).
Novel di-aryl-substituted isoxazoles act as noncompetitive inhibitors of the system xc- cystine/glutamate exchanger

The system xc(-) antiporter is a plasma membrane transporter that mediates the exchange of extracellular l-cystine with intracellular l-glutamate. This exchange is significant within the context of the CNS because the import of l-cystine is required for the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione, while the efflux of l-glutamate has the potential to contribute to either excitatory signaling or excitotoxic pathology. Changes in the activity of the transport system have been linked to the underlying pathological mechanisms of a variety of CNS disorders, one of the most prominent of which is its highly enriched expression in glial brain tumors. In an effort to produce more potent system xc(-) blockers, we have been using amino-3-carboxy-5-methylisoxazole propionic acid (ACPA) as a scaffold for inhibitor development. We previously demonstrated that the addition of lipophilic aryl groups to either the #4 or #5 position on the isoxazole ring markedly increased the inhibitory activity at system xc(-). In the present work a novel series of analogues has been prepared in which aryl groups have been introduced at both the #4 and #5 positions. In contrast to the competitive action of the mono-substituted analogues, kinetic analyses indicate that the di-substituted isoxazoles block system xc(-)-mediated uptake of (3)H-l-glutamate into SNB-19 cells by a noncompetitive mechanism. These new analogues appear to be the first noncompetitive inhibitors identified for this transport system, as well as being among the most potent blockers identified to date. These diaryl-isoxazoles should be of value in assessing the physiological roles and molecular pharmacology of system xc(-).
Phosphorescence studies of folate

Abstract A room temperature phosphorescence analysis of folate was developed, resulting in the construction of a linear calibration curve within the range of 60–1000 ng. Relative standard deviations were approximately 2% for triplicate measurements. The phosphorescence properties of analytically pure folic acid were evaluated at 77 and 298 K on a sodium acetate-impregnated paper support and on other media. Evidence is presented to support the existence of an intricate intramolecular energy transfer scheme within the folate molecule. Our results indicate that only the pterin ring system within folate appears to yield phosphorescence when studied on a sodium acetate-impregnated paper support or in aqueous alcoholic rigid glasses. The specific phosphorescent properties of a series of folate constituents are also described. Some of the results presented within this paper are in contrast to earlier reports on the phosphorescence properties of folate, and explanations for these discrepancies are provided.
Thermal analysis of plates with circular inclusions

Abstract A least square boundary point matching method is employed to determine the temperature distributions and deformations of rectangular plates with circular elastic inclusions. Solutions for two problems have been obtained. The first problem is concerned with the determination of the temperature distribution in a finite rectangular plate having a circular inclusion and subjected to prescribed temperature distribution and thermal conditions along the edges. The plate is heated uniformly through the thickness. The second problem is concerned with the deflection and moment distribution in the same plate model with simply supported edges and prescribed temperature variation across the thickness but no temperature variation over the plate surface. Numerical results are presented.
Site-Specific Protein Transamination Using N-Methylpyridinium-4-carboxaldehyde

The controlled attachment of synthetic groups to proteins is important for a number of fields, including therapeutics, where antibody–drug conjugates are an emerging area of biologic medicines. We have previously reported a site-specific protein modification method using a transamination reaction that chemoselectively oxidizes the N-terminal amine of a polypeptide chain to a ketone or an aldehyde group. The newly introduced carbonyl can be used for conjugation to a synthetic group in one location through the formation of an oxime or a hydrazone linkage. To expand the scope of this reaction, we have used a combinatorial peptide library screening platform as a method to explore new transamination reagents while simultaneously identifying their optimal N-terminal sequences. N-Methylpyridinium-4-carboxaldehyde benzenesulfonate salt (Rapoport’s salt, RS) was identified as a highly effective transamination reagent when paired with glutamate-terminal peptides and proteins. This finding establishes RS as a transa...
Diagnostic study of four-wave-mixing-based electric-field measurements in high-pressure nitrogen plasmas

We present the results of a diagnostic study of the use of coherent four wave mixing for in situ measurement of an electric field in air or in nitrogen-containing plasmas. Static electric fields in air at a nominal pressure of 625 Torr and temperature of 300 K are detected using vibrational CARS of nitrogen. It is shown that the ratio of the infrared signal to the vibrational N(2) CARS signal is equal to approximately 10(-8) at 8.33 kV/cm, a factor of approximately 50 less than that predicted assuming equal third-order nonlinear susceptibilities. It is also shown that the spatial resolution of a typical collinear geometry measurement is approximately 1 cm. Finally, it is shown that achieving sensitivities of the order of 1 kV/cm requires that the coherent Raman pumping be performed in the highly saturated and Stark broadened regime.
Distribution of Submersed Macrophytes in the St. Clair-Detroit River System, 1978

ABSTRACT An extensive survey was conducted in fall 1978 to determine the distribution and abundance of submersed macrophytes through the St. Clair-Detroit River system from Lake Huron to Lake Erie. Submersed macrophytes, representing 19 taxa, were widely distributed in the system, being found on 358 km2 (30%) of the total 1185 km2 of substrate surveyed. Of the 19 taxa identified, 8 common taxa were found on 20 to 121 km2 of substrate. These commonly found taxa, in decreasing order of substrate coverage were Characeae, Vallisneria americana, Najas flexilis, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Potamogeton richardsonii, Potamogeton spp. (narrow-leaf forms), and Heteranthera dubia. In general, macrophyte beds of low, medium, and high biomass covered much less area but a higher proportion of the available substrate in the St. Clair and Detroit rivers than in Lake St. Clair.
Antibacterial action of boric acid in lacrima (tears).

Boric acid in concentrations of from 0.5 to 2 per cent exerted bacteriostatic action on broth cultures of typical pyogenic organisms often found in the eye. This action was not inhibited by lacrimal secretions. Results indicate that tears may increase slightly the bacteriostatic action of boric acid.
Investigation of crack tunneling in ductile materials

Abstract Crack tunneling has been commonly observed in crack growth experiments on specimens made of ductile materials such as steel and aluminum alloys. The objective of this study is to investigate the crack tunneling phenomenon and study the effects of crack tunneling on the distribution of several mechanics parameters controlling ductile fracture. Three-dimensional (3D) elastic–plastic finite element analyses of stable tearing experiments involving tunneling fracture are carried out. Two model problems based on stable tearing experiments are considered. The first model problem involves a plate specimen containing a stationary, single-edge crack with a straight or tunneled crack front, under remote mode I loading. In the numerical analyses, the crack tip opening displacement, the von Mises effective stress, the mean stress, the stress constraint and the effective plastic strain around straight and tunneled crack fronts are obtained and compared. It is found that crack tunneling produces significant changes in the stress and deformation fields around the crack front. The second model problem involves a specimen containing a stably growing single-edge crack with a straight or tunneled crack front, under remote mode I loading. Crack growth events with a straight or tunneled crack front are simulated using the finite element method, and the effect of crack tunneling on the prediction of the load-crack-extension response based on a CTOD fracture criterion is investigated.
Improved diffusion imaging through SNR-enhancing joint reconstruction

Quantitative diffusion imaging is a powerful technique for the characterization of complex tissue microarchitecture. However, long acquisition times and limited signal-to-noise ratio represent significant hurdles for many in vivo applications. This article presents a new approach to reduce noise while largely maintaining resolution in diffusion weighted images, using a statistical reconstruction method that takes advantage of the high level of structural correlation observed in typical datasets. Compared to existing denoising methods, the proposed method performs reconstruction directly from the measured complex k-space data, allowing for gaussian noise modeling and theoretical characterizations of the resolution and signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed images. In addition, the proposed method is compatible with many different models of the diffusion signal (e.g., diffusion tensor modeling and q-space modeling). The joint reconstruction method can provide significant improvements in signal-to-noise ratio relative to conventional reconstruction techniques, with a relatively minor corresponding loss in image resolution. Results are shown in the context of diffusion spectrum imaging tractography and diffusion tensor imaging, illustrating the potential of this signal-to-noise ratio-enhancing joint reconstruction approach for a range of different diffusion imaging experiments.
The effect of neomycin on cholesterol metabolism

Oral neomycin lowers serum cholesterol in man, whereas intramuscular doses are ineffective. Probably it exerts its effect in the gastrointestinal tract. It has been suggested that neomycin specifically involves alteration of the intestinal flora. An increased excretion of bile acids and the failure of the conversion of cholic acid to deoxycholic acid has been demonstrated, which supports this hypothesis. It has also been suggested that the decrease in serum cholesterol is related to a malabsorption syndrome. Although large doses of neomycin do cause a malabsorption syndrome there is no agreement as to the occurrence or severity of a malabsorption syndrome related to therapeutic doses of neomycin.
Deliberately Designed Materials for Optoelectronics Applications

A novel class of semiconductors is introduced, based on computational design, to solve the long-standing problem of lattice and polarity mismatch in heteroepitaxial growth of III--V alloys on silicon substrates. Ab initio total-energy calculations and quasiparticle $\mathrm{GW}$ calculations are used to investigate the physical properties of these new semiconductors. One particular configuration is designed to match lattice constant and polarity with the Si(100) surface and to possess a direct band gap of $1.59\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$, which is close to the canonical frequency used by the optoelectronics industry. These results could pave the way for eventual monolithic integration of optical materials on silicon.
Oxidation kinetics of YBa2Cu3O7-γ thin films in different oxidizing ambients

Abstract The effectiveness of different oxidizer gases (O, O 2 , N 2 O and NO 2 ) for the post-growth oxidation of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-γ (YBCO) thin films is investigated. In particular, the oxidation process in the presence of atomic and molecular oxygen is analyzed based on a simple kinetic model involving oxygen adsorption, desorption, and interface transfer steps. It is argued that the high oxidation capability of atomic O is a result of its direct adsorption with very high sticking probability. As a result, the thermodynamic stability range of YBCO at a particular temperature is shifted to significantly lower pressures in an atomic O plasma. On the basis of the known surface decomposition characteristics of N 2 O and NO 2 , the possible oxidation behavior of YBCO films in the presence of these gases is also discussed.
The X-ray emission mechanism of large scale powerful quasar jets: Fermi rules out IC/CMB for 3C 273.

The process responsible for the Chandra-detected X-ray emission from the large-scale jets of pow- erful quasars is not clear yet. The two main models are inverse Compton scattering o the cosmic microwave background photons (IC/CMB) and synchrotron emission from a population of electrons separate from those producing the radio-IR emission. These two models imply radically di erent conditions in the large scale jet in terms of jet speed, kinetic power, and maximum energy of the particle acceleration mechanism, with important implications for the impact of the jet on the larger-scale environment. Georganopoulos et al. (2006) proposed a diagnostic based on a fundamental di erence between these two models: the production of synchrotron X-rays requires multi-TeV electrons, while the EC/CMB model requires a cuto in the electron energy distribution be- low TeV energies. This has significant implications for the -ray emission predicted by these two models. Here we present new Fermi observations that put an upper limit on the gamma-ray flux from the large-scale jet of 3C 273 that clearly violates the flux expected from the IC/CMB X-ray interpretation found by extrapolation of the UV to X-ray spectrum of knot A, thus ruling out the IC/CMB interpretation entirely for this source. Further, the upper limit from Fermi puts a limit on the Doppler beaming factor of at least < 9, assuming equipartition fields, and possibly as low as < 5 assuming no major deceleration of the jet from knots A through D1.
Engaging Diversity in First-Year College Classrooms

The increasing calls for diversity research signal a need to explore strategies through which we attempt to interact with and respond to diversity intentionally in courses and curricula. This case study of a first-year inquiry course in a college of education fills a gap in the literature by documenting and analyzing instances of educators actively working with multiple dimensions of diversity in the classroom so as to support students’ development of diversity-related competencies. The guiding research question for this study was to explore what curricular and/or pedagogical activities students in a first-year experience course identified as facilitating their engagement with diversity in an intentional, purposeful manner.
After-School Literacy Engagements With Struggling Readers

Parental incarceration, poverty, urban violence, and drug use can be underlying factors of academic achievement gaps between Black urban males and their counterparts. These risk factors have the potential to position low-income urban students as struggling readers. Two qualitative case studies obtained from a larger mixed methods study illustrate exemplary after-school literacy engagements with Black urban adolescent males, each with an incarcerated parent. Two researchers, a counseling psychologist and a teacher educator, collaborated to create a strengths-based after-school program with culturally relevant literacy instruction as their primary objective. The 2 case study findings reveal the complexities of choosing culturally relevant texts, the need for motivation and engagement in order to build skills, and the fact that relationships are essential in the delivery of culturally responsive literacy instruction. The article concludes with recommendations for teachers working with at-risk Black adolescen...
Effects of pH on β-hydroxybutyrate transport in rat erythrocytes and thymocytes

Entry of beta-hydroxybutyrate into erythrocytes and thymocytes is facilitated by a carrier (C), as judged from temperature dependence, saturation kinetics, stereospecificity, competition with lactate and pyruvate, and inhibition by moderate concentrations of methylisobutylxanthine, phloretin, or alpha-cyanocinnamate. We studied the dependence of influx and efflux on internal and external pH and [beta-hydroxybutyrate]. Lowering external pH from 8.0 to 7.3 to 6.6 enhanced influx into erythrocytes by lowering entry Km from 29 to 16 to 10 mM, entry V being independent of external pH. Lowering external pH inhibited efflux. At low external pH, external beta-hydroxybutyrate enhanced efflux slightly. At high external pH, external beta-hydroxybutyrate inhibited efflux. Internal acidification inhibited influx and internal alkalization enhanced influx. Internal beta-hydroxybutyrate (betaHB) enhanced influx more in acidified than alkalized cells. These data are compatible with coupled betaHB-/OH- exchange, betaHB- and OH- competing for influx, C:OH- moving faster than C: betaHB-, empty C being immobile. They are also compatible with coupled betaHB-/H+ copermeation, empty C moving inward faster than H+:C:betaHB-, H+:C being immobile, and C:betaHB- (without H+) being so unstable as not to be formed in significant amounts (relative to C, H+:C, and H+:C:betaHB-).
Bursal Development in Normal and Testosterone-Treated Chick Embryos

Abstract The development of the bursa of Fabricius was studied in normal and testosterone-treated embryos. The bursal anlage appears on the 5th day of incubation as an outgrowth of the dorso-caudal wall of the cloaca. By Day 7, the bursal lumen is present and separated from the anal invagination by a thin epithelial membrane. Shortly after this developmental state, the epithelial membrane disappears and the bursal lumen freely communicates with the amniotic cavity. The remnant of the bursal anlage forms the ventral wall of the anal invagination that is actually the bursal duct. Disappearance of the remnant of the bursal anlage, which takes place after the 16th day of incubation, allows the bursa to join the cloaca. Bursal folds appear on the 10th day of incubation. Mesenchymal cells then differentiate into dark and light cells. The dark cells, between 11 and 14 days of incubation, mobilize in the mesenchymal network and assemble in small groups under the epithelial rudiment of the folds. They, then, enter the epithelium where they induce bud formation. During the assemblage of dark cells beneath the epithelium and their emigration into the epithelium, they acquire cytoplasmic granules that resemble avian secretory cells. The light cells do not associate with the epithelium. They may be the precursors of cortical reticular cells. The differentiation of dark cells is inhibited in the presence of testosterone. Therefore, the failure of bud formation and subsequent follicular formation in the bursa of testosterone-treated embryos may be attributed to the elimination of an induction signal supplied by the differentiated dark cells of the mesenchyme.
Visualizing student activity in a wiki-mediated co-blogging exercise

Students benefit from jointly reasoning, explaining or "arguing" about the course material. There are significant advantages for moving the discussion online e.g. where students co-blog vis-a-vis a wiki. For the teacher, keeping track of who is participating and the degree to which they participate is not straightforward. This paper presents visualization mechanisms we are developing that address these issues.
Impact of the war on science

The retiring director of the National Bureau of Standards here reverses the trend of recent public statements and considers the impact of war on science, including resultant implications and obligations for research in the interests of keeping the peace.
Evolution of the salivary apyrases of blood-feeding arthropods

Abstract Phylogenetic analyses of three families of arthropod apyrases were used to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships of salivary-expressed apyrases, which have an anti-coagulant function in blood-feeding arthropods. Members of the 5′nucleotidase family were recruited for salivary expression in blood-feeding species at least five separate times in the history of arthropods, while members of the Cimex -type apyrase family have been recruited at least twice. In spite of these independent events of recruitment for salivary function, neither of these families showed evidence of convergent amino acid sequence evolution in salivary-expressed members. On the contrary, in the 5′-nucleotide family, salivary-expressed proteins conserved ancestral amino acid residues to a significantly greater extent than related proteins without salivary function, implying parallel evolution by conservation of ancestral characters. This unusual pattern of sequence evolution suggests the hypothesis that purifying selection favoring conservation of ancestral residues is particularly strong in salivary-expressed members of the 5′-nucleotidase family of arthropods because of constraints arising from expression within the vertebrate host.
Use of phase imaging in atomic force microscopy for measurement of viscoelastic contrast in polymer nanocomposites and molecularly thick lubricant films.

Abstract Phase contrast microscopy, using an atomic force microscope, is used to detect and quantify changes in composition across polymer nanocomposites and molecularly thick lubricated surfaces. The technique takes advantage of the contrast in viscoelastic (viscous energy dissipation) properties of the different materials across the surface. Some materials, especially polymers, are found to display viscoelastic behavior. For such materials, the strain response lags the stress by a phase angle that is characteristic of the material. In tapping (or intermittent contact) mode, phase angle contrast is found to be highly dependent on vibration amplitude and mean tip-to-sample distance (setpoint). Phase angle contrast seems to be a stronger function of viscoelastic properties at relatively high vibration amplitude and low mean tip-to-sample distance. In this regime the effects of sample deformation, and thus viscoelastic properties, are dominant. In these contrast images, low phase angle corresponds to materials with low viscoelastic properties. This technique was used to find fairly reproducible phase angle contrast for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films with embedded ceramic particles, metal particle (MP) magnetic tape, and Si(1 0 0) with a nonuniform Z-15 lubricant film. Very little correlation is found between phase angle images and friction force images for PET films with embedded ceramic particles and MP tape; phase angle images give information that cannot be obtained from topography or friction images. A numerical vibration model verifies that viscoelastic properties are dominant for high vibration amplitude and low mean tip-to-sample distance. For these conditions, the model also verifies that low phase angle corresponds to low viscoelastic properties.