cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel FEM Models of Intermodulation Effects in BAW and SAW Devices

The nonlinear intermodulation effect in piezoelectric devices was studied By using the three-dimensional equations of nonlinear piezoelectricity and the method of harmonic balance, we have formulated and derived coupled sets of nonlinear piezoelectric equations in the frequency domain for intermodulation effects. The coupled sets of equations could be embedded in COMSOL FEM models. In order to check the validity and accuracy of the FEM models we studied the third order intermodulation effects in AT-cut quartz resonators. Our three-dimensional FEM model results compared well with the analytical one-dimensional results by Tiersten and with the experimental results by Smythe. The FEM models could be used for simulating intermodulation effects in BAW and SAW piezoelectric devices provided that the nonlinear material constants are available and are accurate.
Safety and efficacy of splenic artery embolization for portal hyperperfusion in liver transplant recipients: a 5-year experience

Severe portal hyperperfusion (PHP) after liver transplantation has been shown to cause intrahepatic arterial vasoconstriction secondary to increased adenosine washout (hepatic artery buffer response). Clinically, posttransplant PHP can cause severe cases of refractory ascites and hydrothorax. In the past, we reported our preliminary experience with the use of splenic artery embolization (SAE) as a way to reduce PHP. Here we present our 5-year experience with SAE in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Between January 2007 and December 2011, 681 patients underwent OLT at our institution, and 54 of these patients underwent SAE for increased hepatic arterial resistance and PHP (n=42) or refractory ascites/hepatic hydrothorax (n=12). Patients undergoing SAE were compared to a control group matched by year of embolization, calculated Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and liver weight. SAE resulted in improvements in hepatic artery resistive indices (0.92±0.14 and 0.76±0.10 before and after SAE, respectively; P<0.001) and improved hepatic arterial blood flow (HAF; 15.6±9.69 and 28.7±14.83, respectively; P<0.001). Calculated splenic volumes and spleen/liver volume ratios were correlated with patients requiring SAE versus matched controls (P=0.002 and P=0.001, respectively). Among the 54 patients undergoing SAE, there was 1 case of postsplenectomy syndrome. No abscesses, significant infections, or bleeding was noted. We thus conclude that SAE is a safe and effective technique able to improve HAF parameters in patients with elevated portal venous flow and its sequelae.
Closed loop performance of a brushless dc motor powered electromechanical actuator for flight control applications

A comprehensive digital model for the analysis and possible optimization of the closed loop dynamic (instantaneous) performance of a power conditioner fed, brushless dc motor powered, electromechanical actuator system (EMA) is presented. This model was developed for the simulation of the dynamic performance of an actual prototype EMA built for NASA-JSC as a possible alternative to hydraulic actuators for consideration in Space Shuttle Orbiter applications. Excellent correlation was achieved between numerical model simulation and experimental test results obtained from the actual hardware. These results include: various current and voltage waveforms in the machine-power conditioner (MPC) unit, flap position as well as other control loop variables in response to step commands of change of flap position. These results with consequent conclusions are detailed in the paper.
A Streamlined CyTOF Workflow To Facilitate Standardized Multi-Site Immune Profiling of COVID-19 Patients

Mass cytometry (CyTOF) represents one of the most powerful tools in immune phenotyping, allowing high throughput quantification of over 40 single parameters at single-cell resolution. However, wide deployment of CyTOF-based immune phenotyping studies are limited by complex experimental workflows and the need for specialized CyTOF equipment and technical expertise. Furthermore, differences in cell isolation and enrichment protocols, antibody reagent preparation, sample staining and data acquisition protocols can all introduce technical variation that can potentially confound integrative analyses of large data-sets of samples processed across multiple labs. Here, we present a streamlined whole blood CyTOF workflow which addresses many of these sources of experimental variation and facilitates wider adoption of CyTOF immune monitoring across sites with limited technical expertise or sample-processing resources or equipment. Our workflow utilizes commercially available reagents including the Fluidigm MaxPar Direct Immune Profiling Assay (MDIPA), a dry tube 30-marker immunophenotyping panel, and SmartTube Proteomic Stabilizer, which allows for simple and reliable fixation and cryopreservation of whole blood samples. We validate a workflow that allows for streamlined staining of whole blood samples with minimal processing requirements or expertise at the site of sample collection, followed by shipment to a central CyTOF core facility for batched downstream processing and data acquisition. We further demonstrate the application of this workflow to characterize immune responses in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, highlighting key disease-associated changes in immune cell frequency and phenotype.
The Impact of Palliative Care Dose Intensity on Outcomes for Patients with Cancer

This commentary discusses evidence supporting the importance of full palliative care dose intensity in outcomes for patients with cancer.
Information acquisition and voting with heterogeneous experts

A social planner selects heterogeneously biased experts to (either sequentially or simultaneously) acquire costly signals, and then agents vote between two alternatives. To maximize social welfare, the social planner adopts an alternating mechanism—choosing extremely biased experts whose preferences oppose the pivotal voter's current preference—in the optimal sequential mechanism, whereas she chooses mildly biased experts in the optimal simultaneous mechanism. Despite the flexibility of a sequential mechanism, the optimal simultaneous mechanism can achieve strictly higher social welfare when information cost is low. Supermajority rules can dominate simple majority rule in terms of both information acquisition and social welfare.
Factors influencing patients' willingness-to-pay for disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background High and ever-increasing costs of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) have impaired patient access to DMTs in the US. Patients’ willingness-to-pay (WTPs) for DMTs were recently examined, but their influencers were not determined. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine factors influencing patients’ WTPs for DMTs for multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods Data were obtained from a previous survey of 1,200 US patients with MS on their preferences and WTPs for DMTs. Patients’ characteristics (i.e., age, gender, race, marital status, education, employment status, comorbidity, health status, and health insurance) and their MS experiences (i.e., number of years with MS, MS type, number of relapses, fatigue, mood-change, MS symptom, and DMTs experience) were investigated as influencing factors. Patient's WTP for a DMT was obtained from a direct question in the survey. A two-part model was estimated using logistic regression and generalized linear regression. Results Responses from 480 patients were analyzed. Their average age was 53 years old. Most of them were female (79%), white (97%), and married (71%). Approximately 61% of them had a four-year college degree or lower, 54% were either unemployed, retired, or students, 59% were enrolled in private insurance, 81% had at least one comorbid condition, and 73% considered themselves having good or better health status. Approximately 44% had at least one relapse in two years, 89% experienced fatigue, 37% experienced mood-change, and on average had MS for more than 13 years. The majority of them had relapsing-remitting MS (66%), considered themselves to have some levels of disability for MS (78%), and had used or were currently using DMTs (97%). The average WTP for a DMT was $579 per month. Patients with professional degrees, or with one or more comorbid conditions were more likely willing to pay for a DMT. Patients who were white, had a professional degree, or were in fair or better health status were willing to pay a significantly higher amount for a DMT. Patients, who were female, were employed, did not have private insurance, had a higher number of MS experience years, or who experienced mood change were willing to pay significantly less amount for a DMT. Conclusion Various patients’ characteristics and MS experiences, including gender, race, education, employment, health insurance, comorbidity, health status, DMT experience, and mood change influenced patients’ WTPs for a DMT.
Genre instruction, textual borrowing, and foreign language writing: Graduate teaching assistant perspectives and practices:

Although writing plays a significant role in communication, 21st century literacies and academic foreign language learning, little research has investigated approaches to and instructional practice...
Use of Exam Wrapper Metacognitive Strategy to Promote Student Self-assessment of Learning: An Integrative Review.

Background Metacognitive knowledge and regulation are critical to nursing students who must apply knowledge to rapidly changing and complex conditions. Exam wrappers assist learners to consider past study habits with the goal of improving future exam preparation. However, little is known about use of exam wrappers in nursing education. Purpose The purpose of this integrative review was to describe the disciplines, populations, courses, specific strategies, and outcomes of the exam wrapper strategy. Methods A systematic literature search of peer-reviewed publications was completed in any discipline using exam wrappers. Results Ten academic disciplines of primarily introductory students completed exam wrappers with positive effects on course and exam grades, as well as metacognition, and noted changes in future study habits. Conclusions The exam wrapper strategy has been successfully implemented with improvements in course and exam grades, levels of metacognition, and changes in future study habits.
Abstract 13100: Rescue Myocardial Aging Caused a Progressive Decline in Cardiac Function and β-Adrenergic Reserve With a Selective Beta3-Adrenergic Receptor Antagonist, but Not Beta1-Adrenergic Receptor Blocker in a Murine Model

Background: Cardiac aging (CA) leads to the progressive decline in cardiac function- increasing risk for heart failure (HF) and cardiac mortality. Both down-regulation of β1-adrenergic receptors (A...
A novel dual agonist of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors and neuropeptide Y2 receptors attenuates fentanyl taking and seeking in male rats

Abstract There has been a dramatic increase in illicit fentanyl use in the United States over the last decade. In 2018, more than 31,000 overdose deaths involved fentanyl or fentanyl analogs, highlighting an urgent need to identify effective treatments for fentanyl use disorder. An emerging literature shows that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists attenuate the reinforcing efficacy of drugs of abuse. However, the effects of GLP-1R agonists on fentanyl-mediated behaviors are unknown. The first goal of this study was to determine if the GLP-1R agonist exendin-4 reduced fentanyl self-administration and the reinstatement of fentanyl-seeking behavior, an animal model of relapse, in rats. We found that systemic exendin-4 attenuated fentanyl taking and seeking at doses that also produced malaise-like effects in rats. To overcome these adverse effects and enhance the clinical potential of GLP-1R agonists, we recently developed a novel dual agonist of GLP-1Rs and neuropeptide Y2 receptors (Y2Rs), GEP44, that does not produce nausea-like behavior in drug-naive rats or emesis in drug-naive shrews. The second goal of this study was to determine if GEP44 reduced fentanyl self-administration and reinstatement with fewer adverse effects compared to exendin-4 alone. In contrast to exendin-4, GEP44 attenuated opioid taking and seeking at a dose that did not suppress food intake or produce adverse malaise-like effects in fentanyl-experienced rats. Taken together, these findings indicate a novel role for GLP-1Rs and Y2Rs in fentanyl reinforcement and highlight a potential new therapeutic approach to treating opioid use disorders.
Interpreting the Korean Conflict (1945–1953)

This chapter presents an overview of interpreting during the Korean War by examining shifts in the positionality of interpreters during the preparatory, engagement, and conclusionary stages of the conflict. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s field theory and Moira Inghilleri’s (The Translator 11 (1): 69–85, 2005) influential argument that interpreting takes place in a “zone of uncertainty,” this chapter explores how new interpreting habitus emerged as the communicational purposes and power dynamics within the military field were oriented, disoriented, and reoriented with the progression of the conflict. The variation in who was allowed to act as an interpreter, the tasks interpreters were assigned, and the norms that dictated how interpreters should act and react during interpreted events indicate a need to reconsider traditional notions of interpreting.
Landuse Landcover Change Detection in the Mediterranean Region Using a Siamese Neural Network and Image Processing

Land cover changes in the Mediterranean region have caused phenomenal shifts in weather patterns in areas of Europe and North Africa over the past years. Complicated short-term and gradual land cover changes in this region are caused by natural and human factors. Remote sensing and GIS techniques are widely used to detect the changes in land use land cover (LULC). Additionally, statistical analysis, data mining, and machine learning models are implemented in literature studies. In this study, a Siamese Neural Network, an extension of Convolution Neural Networks (CNN), is used to detect the landcover type changes that occurred in the Mediterranean region from 2009 to 2018 using MCD12Q1.006 data. Similarity scores are generated in Siamese Neural Network using 2009 and 2018 landcover classified images. Based on the similarity scores change of landcover classes are identified. Finally, base models such as Nearest Neighbor model and a Confusion matrix which is generated from image histograms are used to compare the performance of the Siamese Neural Network.
Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) in Pulverized Coal Flames

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) is a diagnostic technique involving the use of high powered lasers to determine the temperature and concentration of the various major species found in combustion processes. This laser diagnostic technique allows in situ temperature and species concentration measurements to be obtained without disturbing the flame, as would most traditional thermocouples and sampling devices. Furthermore, there is no temperature limit associated with CARS because it is purely an optical technique.
Genetic structure of a montane perennial plant: the influence of landscape and flowering phenology

The way that genetic variation is distributed geographically has important conservation and evolutionary implications. Here, we examined the distribution of genetic variation within and among populations of the montane perennial Ipomopsis aggregata. We sampled plants in western Colorado and examined (1) population genetic structure over a geographic area that spanned 130 km, including genetic variation within disturbed and undisturbed sites; (2) the relationship between genetic differentiation and geographic distance; and (3) the relationship between flowering time and genetic differentiation among plants within and among geographic areas. F IS was significantly higher (t test, P = 0.006), expected heterozygosity was significantly lower (t test, P = 0.04), and allelic richness was marginally significantly lower (t test, P = 0.078) among anthropogenically-disturbed sites compared to undisturbed sites. We found moderate genetic differentiation over the area sampled (average pairwise F ST = 0.04; average pairwise $$F^{\prime}_{ST} = 0.19$$ ), but no association of genetic and geographic distance (Mantel test P values 0.44 for F ST and 0.36 for $$F^{\prime}_{ST}$$ ). We found a strong association of flowering time and genetic differentiation over small and large spatial scales. Genetic differentiation between early and late flowering plants within a focal site was statistically significant (genic test for population differentiation combined P value <0.001; F ST = 0.05). There was a significant correlation between genetic distance ( $$F^{\prime}_{ST}$$ ) and distance in flowering time, when controlling for geographic distance, over the whole geographic area (Partial Mantel test R xy = 0.32, P = 0.013). A multiple regression with randomization further supported the inference that flowering time, but not geographic distance or elevation, predicted $$F^{\prime}_{ST}$$ (geographic distance: β = −0.03, P = 0.89; elevation: β = 0.01, P = 0.96; phenological distance: β = 0.30, P = 0.05), but not F st (geographic distance: β = −0.02, P = 0.92; elevation: β = 0.14, P = 0.38; phenological distance: β = 0.25, P = 0.11), unless elevation was left out of the model (geographic distance: β = −0.03, P = 0.9; phenological distance: β = 0.29, P = 0.03). The association of flowering time and genetic distance despite the lack of isolation by distance provides further evidence for the usefulness of incorporating this variable into plant landscape genetic studies when possible.
Impacts of scholarship and publication on entry-level hiring: Public services applicants in academic libraries in the United States

This study examines the impact of a single knowledge, skill, and ability (KSA), specifically research and publication experience, on the hiring decisions of selection committees for entry-level public services academic librarian positions in the United States. Current library and information science literature contains few studies focusing on a single KSA factor. For this study, respondents (n=141) from a selective sample of 382 institutions of higher education completed an online survey in January and February 2015. The results show that research and publication experience had a greater impact on hiring decisions at urban research universities with large full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollments, and very large FTE library staff. Forty-five percent of respondents who hired an entry-level public services librarian in the previous 5-year period encouraged research and publication as a primary or secondary duty, and 21% felt its impact on hiring decisions had increased over the previous 10-year period. However, only 14% of respondents categorized research and publication experience as extremely or very important when making hiring decisions. A future investigation of the exact sub-skills associated with research and publication could illustrate how this KSA is currently utilized in the practice of academic librarianship.
Rape Law and the Judicial Process

When we hear that someone has been raped, the commonsense understanding of that expression is that a person, usually a woman, has been forced to have intercourse. But what is the legal definition of rape? Are there different degrees of rape? What about sodomy, fellatio, cunnilingus? If a woman is forced to commit these acts, is that “rape” as well? What is indecent assault and battery? Does the age of the victim or the rapist make any difference? At law, can males be raped as well? In order to answer these questions, it is necessary to explain briefly the evolutionary process of Anglo-American law.
Diphtheria toxin and related proteins. I. Isolation and properties of mutant proteins serologically related to diphtheria toxin.

The kinetics of diphtheria toxin production by a mutant of the C7(β) strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae has been studied. This strain, C7-262(β), produces unusually low yields of toxin, although its β-prophage carries a normal tox gene. The isolation of five strains of β-phage, each carrying a different mutation of its tox gene, is described. Lysogens carrying these mutants as prophages produce altered extracellular proteins (cross-reacting materials), serologically related to toxin, each of which has been isolated in purified form. Two of them, cross-reacting materials 30 and 45, are of lower molecular weight than toxin. Although Fragment A, which contains the enzymically active NH2-terminal region of the molecule, isolated from these mutant proteins could not be distinguished from Fragment A derived from toxin itself, cross-reacting materials 30 and 45 are nontoxic for susceptible animals. The other three mutant proteins are serologically indistinguishable from wild type toxin. Cross-reactive materials 197 and 228 are nontoxic because of amino acid substitutions in the Fragment A portion of the molecule causing loss of enzymic activity. Cross-reacting material 176 contains an altered Fragment A which retains about 8 to 10% of the enzymic activity of the wild type. In vivo, however, cross-reacting material 176 is only 0.2 to 0.4% as toxic as intact toxin.
Analysis of Problems Found in User Testing Using an Approximate Model of User Action

This paper describes an analysis of user testing using an approximate model that separates user action into Goal Formation, Action Specification, and Action Execution. It was found that the majority of the problems found in user testing, as reported within 30 usability reports, were within the Action Specification phase of user action. In particular, problems in finding an action or object and in understanding names used were most prevalent. The implication is that user testing as carried out in an industrial setting might be beneficial to easing Action Specification whilst neglecting potential problems in other phases of user action.
An efficient and effective tool for image segmentation, total variations and regularization

One of the classical optimization models for image segmentation is the well known Markov Random Fields (MRF) model. MRF formulates many total variation and other optimization criteria used in image segmentation. In spite of the presence of MRF in the literature, the dominant perception has been that the model is not effective for image segmentation. We show here that the reason for the non-effectiveness is not due to the power of the model. Rather it is due to the lack of access to the optimal solution. Instead of solving optimally, heuristics have been engaged. Those heuristic methods cannot guarantee the quality of the solution nor the running time of the algorithm. We describe here an implementation of a very efficient polynomial time algorithm, which is provably fastest possible, delivering the optimal solution to the MRF problem, Hochbaum (2001). It is demonstrated here that many continuous models, common in image segmentation, have a discrete analogs to various special cases of MRF. As such they are solved optimally and efficiently, rather than with the use of continuous techniques such as PDE methods that can only guarantee convergence to a local minimum. The MRF algorithm is enhanced here demonstrating that the set of labels can be any discrete set. Other enhancements include dynamic features that permit adjustments to the input parameters and solves optimally for these changes with minimal computation time. Modifications in the set of labels (colors), for instance, are executed instantaneously. Several theoretical results on the properties of the algorithm are proved here and are demonstrated for examples in the context of medical and biological imaging.
Developmental expression of Manduca sexta hemolin.

Hemolin is hemolymph protein that is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Its induced expression after bacterial infection suggests that it functions in the immune response. In this paper, we describe the expression of the Manduca sexta hemolin gene at certain developmental stages in the absence of microbial challenge. Hemolin was present at a very low level in hemolymph of naive larvae until the beginning of the wandering stage prior to pupation, when its concentration in hemolymph increased dramatically. At the same time, hemolin could be found in the fluid contained in the midgut lumen. The appearance of hemolin mRNA in fat body and midgut at the beginning of the wandering stage correlated with the presence of hemolin in the hemolymph and midgut lumen. Hemolin was present in hemolymph through the pupal and adult stages. Hemolin was also present in newly deposited eggs, and persisted in eggs throughout embryonic development. A hemolin cDNA isolated from an adult fat body library had the same sequence as those previously obtained from larval libraries. Hemolin purified from hemolymph of bacteria-injected larvae, from hemolymph of naive wandering stage larvae and adult moths, and from midgut fluid of wandering stage larvae had the same apparent mass, which was consistent with the mass predicted from the hemolin cDNA sequence. Hemolin from hemolymph of wandering stage larvae did not contain any detectable carbohydrate, but hemolin from the hemolymph of bacteria-injected larvae and from naive adult moths was associated with carbohydrate, although of different amounts and composition. These results suggest that a single hemolin gene is developmentally regulated and is also induced when insects are exposed to microbial infection. M. sexta hemolin apparently lacks post-translational covalent glycosylation, but instead is associated under some conditions with non-covalently bound carbohydrates. Arch.
Simulation of multiple cropping systems with CropSys

While the development of sustainable agriculture in the tropics often involves improvement of intercropping or double cropping systems, most decision support aids are designed for single crops. A simulation model, called CropSys, was therefore developed to evaluate management decisions for multiple cropping. CropSys builds on the work of the International Benchmark Sites Network for Agrotechnology Transfer (IBSNAT) and includes their CERES models for upland rice, maize, wheat, barley, sorghum and millet, SOYGRO and SOYNIT (which includes a model of nitrogen fixation) for soybean, and a preliminary version of SUBSTOR-Aroid for Colocasia and Xanthosoma spp. Sequential cropping capabilities were created by reprogramming the crop models within a systems hierarchical framework, using a central soil model to provide continuity in the water and nitrogen budgets across different crop cycles. Process-level submodels of competition for water, soil N and light (with hedge and solar geometry) were added for intercrops. CropSys allows simulation of any sequence of the sole crops, two-species intercrops, and fallow. These systems, and their management permutations (i.e. different planting dates, plant spacings, cultivars, irrigation and N rates), can be evaluated over the range of expected weather conditions using the stochastic strategy analysis in IBSNAT’s Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer.
Taranis Protects Regenerating Tissue from Fate Changes Induced by the Wound Response in Drosophila.

Summary Regenerating tissue must replace lost structures with cells of the proper identity and function. How regenerating tissue establishes or maintains correct cell fates during regrowth is an open question. We have identified a gene, taranis , that is essential for maintaining proper cell fate in damaged and regenerating Drosophila wing imaginal discs but that is dispensable for these fates in normal wing development. In regenerating tissue with reduced levels of Taranis, expression of the posterior selector gene engrailed is silenced through an autoregulatory silencing mechanism that requires the PRC1 component polyhomeotic , resulting in a transformation of posterior tissue into anterior tissue late in regeneration. An essential component of the wound response, JNK signaling, induces this misregulation of engrailed expression. Taranis can suppress these JNK-induced cell fate changes without interfering with JNK signaling activity. Thus, taranis protects regenerating tissue from deleterious side effects of wound healing and regeneration.
LabHEART: an interactive computer model of rabbit ventricular myocyte ion channels and Ca transport

An interactive computer program, LabHEART, was developed to simulate the action potential (AP), ionic currents, and Ca handling mechanisms in a rabbit ventricular myocyte. User-oriented, its design allows switching between voltage and current clamp and easy on-line manipulation of key parameters to change the original formulation. The model reproduces normal rabbit ventricular myocyte currents, Ca transients, and APs. We also changed parameters to simulate data from heart failure (HF) myocytes, including reduced transient outward (I(to)) and inward rectifying K currents (I(K1)), enhanced Na/Ca exchange expression, and reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase function, but unaltered Ca current density. These changes caused reduced Ca transient amplitude and increased AP duration (especially at lower frequency) as observed experimentally. The model shows that the increased Na/Ca exchange current (I(NaCa)) in HF lowers the intracellular [Ca] threshold for a triggered AP from 800 to 540 nM. Similarly, the decrease in I(K1) reduces the threshold to 600 nM. Changes in I(to) have no effect. Combining enhanced Na/Ca exchange with reduced I(K1) (as in HF) lowers the threshold to trigger an AP to 380 nM. These changes reproduce experimental results in HF, where the contributions of different factors are not readily distinguishable. We conclude that the triggered APs that contribute to nonreentrant ventricular tachycardia in HF are due approximately equally (and nearly additively) to alterations in I(NaCa) and I(K1). A free copy of this software can be obtained at http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/DeptWebs/physio/bers.html.
Expression and function of the Drosophila gene runt in early stages of neural development

The Drosophila gene runt was initially identified on the basis of its role during segmentation. Recent molecular and genetic studies have demonstrated that the runt gene encodes a novel nuclear protein whose developmental importance is not exclusive to segmentation. This report addresses the functional relevance of runt expression in the developmental pathway of neurogenesis. Antibodies against the runt protein reveal that it is expressed in a subset of neuroblasts, ganglion-mother cells and neurons. A subset of these neurons also co-express the segmentation gene even-skipped (eve). Using eve as a marker, we show that runt is required for the normal development of these neurons. A runt P-transposon that lacks neural cis-regulatory elements is used to show that these neurons require runt activity independent of its activity during segmentation. These results are confirmed using a temperature-sensitive runt allele. Further temperature-shift experiments indicate that the requirement for runt is during an early stage of neurogenesis. Based on its pattern of expression and its temporal requirements, runt is distinguished as one of the earliest acting genes involved in the generation of diverse cell fates in the developing Drosophila nervous system.
Adrenal hormonal indices of stress in laboratory rats.

Abstract When individual rats were exposed to different intensities of a stressor, foot shock, plasma catecholamines were found to be sensitive and reliable indices of the stress. Plasma corticosterone did not perform as well. Similarly, levels of both plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine correlated highly significantly with a behavioral measure of the degree of stress—namely, the amount of movement about the cage seen during the 30 sec shock period. Importantly, this behavioral measure was as sensitive and reliable an index of stress as the catecholamines. However, use of either the catecholamines or this behavioral measure as a clinically useful measure of the level of stress was limited by the fact that their responses to the stressor were extremely short-lived. Nonetheless, because the catecholamines reliably and sensitively track the intensity of a stressor, they appear to be a good visceral measure of stress, perhaps the best currently available. But the behavioral concomitants of stress are quickly and easily quantifiable and present a wide range to study, starting with alerting, through a progression of more aroused motor activity, and ending with fight-flight. Because the behavioral concomitants of stress have not been as intensively studied as the endocrine ones, we believe that future efforts to find a clinically useful index of stress will be rewarded by a refocussing of attention away from the visceral respondent to the overt behavioral one.
Influence of cation concentration on the sialidase activity of neuronal synaptic membranes.

Summary Low Na + (5×10 −5 M) and higher K + or divalent cation concentration (5×10 −4 M) fully activate synaptic membrane sialidase towards exogenous gangliosides. As the concentration of Ca ++ or Zn ++ is increased above 510 −4 M, exogenous sialidase activity is inhibited. Increased Na + or K + concentrations do not give this effect. Activity towards endogenous gangliosides is not controlled by external cations. Both endogenous and exogenous activities are optimum over a narrow pH range, 3.9 to 4.5, and activity is low above 6 or below 2. These results suggest that pH and ionic flux may regulate the density of fixed negative charge due to bound sialic acid in the synapse, and influence synaptic transmission, by controlling the separate actions of synaptic membrane sialidase.
Zoniporide: a potent and highly selective inhibitor of human Na(+)/H(+) exchanger-1.

We evaluated the in vitro pharmacological profile of a novel, potent and highly selective Na(+)/H(+) exchanger-1 (NHE-1) inhibitor, [1-(Quinolin-5-yl)-5-cyclopropyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl]guanidine hydrochloride monohydrate (zoniporide or CP-597,396). The potency and selectivity of zoniporide were determined via inhibition of 22Na(+) uptake by PS-120 fibroblast cell lines overexpressing human NHE-1, -2 or rat NHE-3. Additionally, potency for endogenous NHE-1 was confirmed via ex vivo human platelet swelling assay (PSA), in which platelet swelling was induced by exposure to sodium propionate. The pharmacological profile of zoniporide was compared with that of eniporide and cariporide. Zoniporide inhibited 22Na(+) uptake in fibroblasts expressing human NHE-1 in a concentration-dependent manner (IC(50) = 14 nM) and was highly selective (157-fold and 15,700-fold vs. human NHE-2 and rat NHE-3, respectively). Zoniporide was 1.64- to 2.6-fold more potent at human NHE-1 than either eniporide or cariporide (IC(50) = 23 and 36 nM, respectively). Zoniporide was also more selective at inhibiting human NHE-1 vs. human NHE-2 than either eniporide or cariporide (157-fold selective compared with 27- and 49-fold, respectively). All three compounds inhibited human platelet swelling with IC(50) values in low nanomolar range. From these results, we conclude that zoniporide represents a novel, potent and highly selective NHE-1 inhibitor.
SU-E-T-193: FMEA Severity Scores - Do We Really Know?

Purpose: Mycosis fungoides is a common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma which generally affects the skin. A typical course of treatment may include fractionated total skin electron beam therapy. Given the difficulties in uniformly irradiating some regions of the body and the need for frequent visits within the context of a fractionated protocol, this study investigated the feasibility of delivering the dose using form-fitting cloth which contained phosphorous-32 as a source for beta particle irradiation. Methods: A piece of fabric (0.97 g) consisting of a blend of spandex and flame retardant material impregnated with phosphorus-31 (2000 ppm) was bombarded with neutrons to produce phosphorus-32. The cloth was then laid flat and a stack of radiochromic film placed on top. Sheets of film and tissue equivalent plastic were layered to form a stack measuring a total of 1 cm thickness and remained sandwiched for 77.3 hr. Results: The initial activity of the activated cloth was 44 μCi of P-32. The absorbed dose was uniform within planes parallel to the cloth and exponentially dependent on depth, delivering 560cGy at 0.3mm and falling to 20cGy at 3mm. Conclusion: The total dose prescribed for a typical course of TSET for mycosis fungoides is 36Gy delivered over 9 weeks and is expected to treat to at least 5mm depth. Therefore, the P-32 impregnated cloth may not be clinically indicated to treat this disease given the unfavorable depth-dose characteristics. However, a major advantage of using form-fitting cloth is the uniformity with which the dose could be delivered over the skin in areas which are not flat. Increasing the distance between cloth and skin could improve the depth-dose characteristics.
Optical Clearing for Improved Contrast in Second Harmonic Generation Imaging of Skeletal Muscle

Using second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging microscopy, we have examined the effect of optical clearing with glycerol to achieve greater penetration into specimens of skeletal muscle tissue. We find that treatment with 50% glycerol results in a 2.5-fold increase in achievable SHG imaging depth. Signal processing analyses using fast Fourier transform and continuous wavelet transforms show quantitatively that the periodicity of the sarcomere structure is unaltered by the clearing process and that image quality deep in the tissue is improved with clearing. Comparison of the SHG angular polarization dependence also shows no change in the supramolecular organization of acto-myosin complexes. By contrast, identical treatment of mouse tendon (collagen based) resulted in a strong decrease in SHG response. We suggest that the primary mechanism of optical clearing in muscle with glycerol treatment results from the reduction of cytoplasmic protein concentration and concomitant decrease in the secondary inner filter effect on the SHG signal. The lack of glycerol concentration dependence on the imaging depth indicates that refractive index matching plays only a minor role in the optical clearing of muscle. SHG and optical clearing may provide an ideal mechanism to study physiology in highly scattering skeletal or cardiac muscle tissue with significantly improved depth of penetration and achievable imaging depth.
A Meta-Analysis on the Relationship Between Intake of Nutrients and Body Weight with Milk Volume and Milk Protein Yield in Dairy Cows

Previously observed strong relationships between dry matter (DM) intake and milk yield in dairy cows were the basis for this meta-analysis aimed to determine the influence of intake of specific dietary nutrients on milk yield and milk protein yield in Holstein dairy cows. Diets (563) from feeding trials published in the Journal of Dairy Science were evaluated for nutrient composition using 2 diet evaluation programs. Intake of nutrients was estimated based on DM intake and program-derived diet composition. Data were analyzed with and without the effect of stage of lactation. Models based on intake of nutrients improved prediction of milk yield and milk protein yield compared with DM intake alone. Intake of net energy of lactation was the dominant variable in milk yield prediction models derived from both diet evaluation models. Milk protein yield models also improved prediction over the DM intake model. These models were dominated by ruminally undegradable protein intake and included a number of energy-related intake variables. In most models, incorporating stage of lactation improved the model fit.
Functional LCAT deficiency in human apolipoprotein A-I transgenic, SR-BI knockout mice.

Reduction of plasma LCAT activity has been observed in several conditions in which the size of HDL particles is increased; however, the mechanism of this reduction remains elusive. We investigated the plasma activity, mass, and in vivo catabolism of LCAT and its association with HDL particles in human apolipoprotein A-I transgenic, scavenger receptor class B type I knockout (hA-I Tg SR-BI−/−) mice. Compared with hA-I Tg mice, hA-I Tg SR-BI−/− mice had a 4-fold higher total plasma cholesterol concentration, which occurred predominantly in 13–18 nm diameter HDL particles, a significant reduction in plasma esterified cholesterol-total cholesterol (EC/TC) ratio, and significantly lower plasma LCAT activity, suggesting a decrease in LCAT protein. However, LCAT protein in plasma, hepatic mRNA for LCAT, and in vivo turnover of 35S-radiolabeled LCAT were similar in both genotypes of mice. HDL from hA-I Tg SR-BI−/− mice was enriched in sphingomyelin (SM), relative to phosphatidylcholine, and had less associated [35S]LCAT radiolabel and endogenous LCAT activity compared with HDL from hA-I Tg mice. We conclude that the decreased EC/TC ratio in the plasma of hA-I Tg SR-BI−/− mice is attributed to a reduction in LCAT reactivity with SM-enriched HDL particles.
Neurochemical evidence that 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurons tonically inhibit noradrenergic neurons terminating in the hypothalamus

The medial zona incerta (MZI) and dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (DMN), which contain cell bodies and terminals of incertohypothalamic dopaminergic (DA) neurons, are densely innervated by both noradrenergic (NE) and 5-hydroxytryptaminergic (5-HT) neurons. In view of emerging anatomical and pharmacological evidence suggesting possible interactions between 5-HT and catecholaminergic neurons, the effects of experimental procedures that inhibit or disrupt 5-HT neurons on the activities of catecholaminergic neurons terminating in these regions were examined in the present study. Catecholaminergic neuronal activity was estimated by measuring catecholamine synthesis (accumulation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine [DOPA] after administration of a decar☐ylase inhibitor) and metabolism (concentrations of the dopamine metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and the norepinephrine metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyleneglycol (MHPG) in the MZI and DMN of both male and female rats. Inhibition of 5-HT neurons following administration of the 5-HT1A autoreceptor agonist8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) increasedthe accumulation of DOPA in the DMN and the concentrations of DOPAC in the MZI and DMN, indicating an activation of catecholaminergic neurons in these regions. Concentrations of MHPG were increased in the MZI and DMN by 8-OH-DPAT or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-induced lesions of 5-HT neurons, revealing that NE neurons terminating in these regions were activated following procedures that decrease 5-HT neuronal function. Following destruction of NE neurons projecting to the MZI and DMN, 8-OH-DPAT no longer increased DOPAC concentrations in these brain regions. Taken together, these results reveal that 5-HT neurons tonically inhibit the activity of NE neurons terminating in the MZI and DMN, but do not influence the activity of incertohypothalamic DA neurons.
The excess thermal conductivity and viscosity of hard-sphere mixtures

The excess thermal conductivity and viscosity of fluid mixtures are examined on the basis of Thorne's extension of Enskog's dense hard-sphere gas transport theory. The results show good correspondence between theory and experiment for thermal conductivity for which the majority of systems exhibit a negative excess conductivity. Agreement of experiment with theory in the case of viscosity is not as complete.
A bit of history about Edwin A. Link.

I was interested to read the News Focus discussion regarding the fiscal and educational challenges being undertaken by many U.S. marine laboratories, including the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) (“Saving Scripps,” D. Malakoff, 9 July, p. [166][1]). It is important that the contributions of the pioneering engineers and scientists who helped found these institutions not be overlooked, though. For example, the photo caption accompanying the sidebar on p. [167][2] notes that the Harbor Branch submersibles were named after Seward Johnson Sr., but neglects to mention that they were also named after the late Edwin A. Link (1904–81), the engineer and inventor who designed the Johnson-Sea-Link (JSL) submersibles, as well as many other novel marine engineering devices (e.g., the submersible decompression chamber and the first pressurized diver lockout small submersible). Link and Johnson worked hand in hand from their respective engineering and financial backgrounds during the founding and initial operation of HBOI, and the name of the submersibles reflects the importance of their dual contributions. The Link Foundation, established by Ed Link and his wife, Marion, continues to provide vital financial support to Harbor Branch, including sponsorship of their Summer Internship program, which this year celebrates its 30th year of launching the careers of future marine scientists and ocean engineers. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.305.5681.166 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.305.5681.167
The biochemical response to biomechanical tissue loading on the low back during physical work exposure.

Abstract Background Our understanding of low back disorder causality is limited in that how biomechanical loading acting on various spinal tissues initiates the pain pathway is not clear. Previous studies suggest that cytokines may be important in mediating the inflammatory responses in patients with back pain. This study quantified the acute biochemical responses to physical work stressing the low back and assessed the relationships between these systemic responses and specific lumbar spine tissue loads. Methods Twelve healthy males were tested under control and two weight-lifting conditions (light and heavy). Venous blood was sampled at various time points before and after the physical work and analyzed for cytokine, granulocyte, and creatine kinase levels. Biomechanical data were collected during the tasks and a biologically-assisted lumbar spine model was used to calculate spinal loads at various lumbar spine levels and trunk muscle forces. Findings Levels of interleukin-6, granulocytes, and creatine kinase all increased after both weight-lifting tasks, with the greatest changes observed with the heavier lifting task. Similarly, plasma levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α both increased following the heavier lifting task. These inflammatory responses were significantly correlated with specific spinal tissue loads. Interpretation This study suggests that it may be possible to use inflammatory cytokines as biomarkers to monitor the physiological responses of the human body to biomechanical loading. Identifying the possible sources of cytokine up-regulation using an advanced biomechanical model may help a more effective understanding of the causal pathways that lead to low back disorders.
The genetic control of the immune response to murine histocompatibility antigens - I. The response to H-4 alloantigens

The genetic control of the immune response to H-4 histocompatibility alloantigens is described. The rejection of H-4.2-incompatible skin grafts is regulated by anH-2-linkedIr gene. Fast responsiveness is determined by a dominant allele at theIrH-4.2 locus. TheH-2b,H-2d, andH-2s haplotypes share the fast response allele;H-2a has the slow response allele. Through the use of intra-H-2 recombinants, we have mapped theIrH-4.2 locus to theI-B subregion of theH-2 complex; theH-2h4,H-215, andH-2t4 haplotypes are fast responder haplotypes. These observations suggest that the strength of non-H-2 histocompatibility antigens is ultimately determined by the antigen-specific recipient responsiveness.