cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The interaction between environmental triggers and epigenetics in autoimmunity.

Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus flares when genetically predisposed people encounter environmental agents that cause oxidative stress, such as infections and sunlight. How these modify the immune system to initiate flares is unclear. Drug induced lupus models demonstrate that CD4+ T cells epigenetically altered with DNA methylation inhibitors cause lupus in animal models, and similar T cells are found in patients with active lupus. How infections and sun exposure inhibit T cell DNA methylation is unclear. DNA methylation patterns are replicated each time a cell divides in a process that requires DNA methyltransferase one (Dnmt1), which is upregulated as cells enter mitosis, as well as the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine, created from dietary sources. Reactive oxygen species that inhibit Dnmt1 upregulation, and a diet poor in methyl donors, combine to cause lupus in animal models. Similar changes are found in patients with active lupus, indicating a mechanism contributing to lupus flares.
Electron scattering from a deeply bound nucleon on the light-front

We calculate the cross section of the electron scattering from a bound nucleon within light-front approximation. The advantage of this approximation is the possibility of systematic account for the off-shell effects, which become essential in high-energy electronuclear processes aimed at probing the nuclear structure at small distances. We derive a new dynamical parameter, which allows us to control the extent of the off-shellness of electron--bound-nucleon electromagnetic current for different regions of momentum transfer and initial light-cone momenta of the bound nucleon. The derived cross section is compared with the results of other approaches in treating the off-shell effects in electron-nucleon scattering.
Pulmonary Embolic Disorders

Deaths due to pulmonary thromboemboli are frequently encountered by the forensic pathologist and account for a significant percentage of sudden, unexpected deaths. Diagnosing these straightforward cases is often not a challenge, but unfortunately some cases in which a thromboembolism is expected can become complicated. Occasionally, a postmortem clot may mimic a thromboembolism and lead to a mistaken diagnosis, and in other situations it may become paramount to attempt to age a thrombus as part of a medicolegal lawsuit. Additionally, many individuals use the less specific term, “pulmonary emboli”, when referring to these cases in which a portion of a thrombus, usually originating in the deep veins of the lower extremities, breaks off and travels to the pulmonary vasculature bed where it occludes vessels and leads to a rapid demise. One must remember, though, that several other materials and tissues including fat, amniotic fluid, air, tumors, solid organs, synthetic materials, and parasites may be displace...
Local search for optimal global map generation using mid-decadal landsat images

NASA and the US Geological Survey (USGS) are generating image maps of the entire Earth using Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat 7 (L7) Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) sensor data from the period of 2004 through 2007. The map is comprised of thousands of scene locations and, for each location, there are tens of different images of varying quality to chose from. Constraints and preferences on map quality make it desirable to develop an automated solution to the map generation problem. This paper formulates a Global Map Generator problem as a Constraint Optimization Problem (GMG-COP) and describes an approach to solving It usmg local search. The paper also describes the integration of a GMG solver into a user interface for visualizing and comparing solutions.
Regionalizing Knowledge: The Ecological Approach of the USDA Office of Dryland Agriculture on the Great Plains

This chapter examines the environmental region as a middle level of knowledge production between local and universal, focusing on the US Department of Agriculture’s Office of Dryland Agriculture in the early twentieth century, under E. C. Chilcott. The office supported branch field stations dispersed across the Great Plains—a region experiencing a tremendous influx of farming immigrants during this period—and these stations undertook coordinated agronomic experiments and measurements of ecological variables throughout the region. Such a regionalized ecological approach to agricultural research was not only similar in many respects to research in the emerging field of ecology but also produced knowledge claims contrasting markedly with the contemporaneous “scientific soil culture” movement led by promoters such as Hardy Webster Campbell. At the same time, the practice of agricultural research involving systematic coordination of research design and uniform collection of ecological variables generated some tensions between federal and state scientists.
Hippocampal transection for stereo-electroencephalography–proven dominant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy in a child: a detailed case report and critical review

Resection of the hippocampus ipsilateral to the verbal memory-dominant hemisphere frequently results in severe memory deficits. In adults with epilepsy, multiple hippocampal transections (MHTs) have resulted in excellent seizure outcome with preservation of verbal memory. The authors report the first detailed case of a child undergoing MHTs for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. A 13-year-old right-handed boy had intractable seizures characterized by epigastric discomfort evolving to unresponsiveness and chewing automatisms, lasting 1 minute and occurring 2-3 times weekly, sometimes ending in a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. He had no seizure risk factors and nonfocal examination results. Interictal electroencephalography (EEG) showed frequent left temporal epileptiform discharges (maximum FT9) and intermittent slowing. Video EEG, FDG-PET, and 1.5-T MRI were nonlocalizing. Neuropsychological evaluation suggested left temporal lobe dysfunction. A stereo-EEG investigation using 8 electrodes localized the seizure onset zone to the anterior mesial temporal region, immediately involving the hippocampus. The temporal pole and amygdala were resected en bloc with 3 MHTs. Comparison of neuropsychological tests 4 months before and 6 months after the surgery showed a significant decline only in confrontational naming and no significant change in verbal memory. Six and a half years later, the patient remains seizure free with no antiepileptic drugs. In children with established hemispheric dominance suffering from mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, MHTs may be an option.
TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE MUTANTS OF ANACYSTIS NIDULANS.

One hundred forty-two temperature-sensitive mutants of Anacystis nidulans were isolated. None are supplementable at the non-permissive temperature, suggesting the possibility that mutations resulting in auxotrophy are lethal in this organism.
The Role of Intra-Tumoral Heterogeneity and Its Clinical Relevance in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer, due in large part to recurrent tumors. Recurrences tend to have metastasized, mainly in the peritoneal cavity and developed resistance to the first line chemotherapy. Key to the progression and ultimate lethality of ovarian cancer is the existence of extensive intra-tumoral heterogeneity (ITH). In this review, we describe the genetic and epigenetic changes that have been reported to give rise to different cell populations in ovarian cancer. We also describe at length the contributions made to heterogeneity by both linear and parallel models of clonal evolution and the existence of cancer stem cells. We dissect the key biological signals from the tumor microenvironment, both directly from other cell types in the vicinity and soluble or circulating factors. Finally, we discuss the impact of tumor heterogeneity on the choice of therapeutic approaches in the clinic. Variability in ovarian tumors remains a major barrier to effective therapy, but by leveraging future research into tumor heterogeneity, we may be able to overcome this barrier and provide more effective, personalized therapy to patients.
How to build an online class

ABSTRACTAccording to a recent article published by Inside Higher Ed (2018), one-third of all students are taking at least one online class and without that option available, many colleges and unive...
Scalable In-hospital Decontamination of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator with a Peracetic Acid Room Disinfection System

Abstract Background Critical shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) especially N95 respirators during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to be a source of great concern among health care workers (HCWs). Novel methods of N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) decontamination that can be scaled-up for in-hospital use can help address this concern and keep HCWs safe. Methods A multidisciplinary pragmatic study was conducted to evaluate the use of an ultrasonic room high-level disinfection system (HLDS) that generates aerosolized peracetic acid (PAA) and hydrogen peroxide for decontamination of large numbers of N95 respirators. A cycle duration that consistently achieved disinfection of N95 respirators (defined as ≥6 log10 reductions in bacteriophage MS2 and Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores inoculated onto respirators) was identified. The treated masks were then assessed for changes to their hydrophobicity, material structure, strap elasticity, and filtration efficiency (FE). Assessment of PAA and hydrogen peroxide off-gassing from a treated mask was also performed. Results The PAA room disinfection system was effective for the decontamination of N95 respirators in a 2447 cubic feet room with deploy and dwell times of 16 and 32 minutes respectively, and a total cycle time of 1 hour and 16 minutes. After 5 treatment cycles, no adverse effects were detected on filtration efficiency, structural integrity, or strap elasticity. There was no detectable off-gassing of PAA and hydrogen peroxide from the treated masks 20 and 60 minutes after the disinfection cycle respectively. Conclusion The PAA room disinfection system provides a rapidly scalable solution for in-hospital decontamination of large numbers of N95 respirators to meet the needs of HCWs during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Common Extensor Tendon/Common Flexor Tendon

Common extensor tendon (CET) tendinopathy and common flexor-pronator tendon (CFPT) tendinopathy are tendon injuries commonly encountered by clinicians and consist of overuse tendon injuries and rarely tendon rupture. These tendinopathies are most common in the middle-aged population with insidious onset and pain localized to the humeral epicondyle on which the forearm muscles originate. Pain is provoked by resisted activation of the forearm muscles. Diagnosis is usually made clinically, but MRI and ultrasound can be helpful. Treatment is initially conservative, consisting of rest, ice, physical therapy, and bracing. Physical therapy modalities, kinesiotaping, and oral and topical NSAIDs can also be tried. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and prolotherapy are common injections used to treat CET and CFPT tendinopathy, as corticosteroids are falling out of favor in the literature. Office-based mechanical procedures include percutaneous needle tenotomy and percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy can also be used to treat CET and CFPT. Surgery is typically reserved for those who fail other treatments for at least 6–12 months.
Investigations of Polymethacrylate Tribochemical Films Using X-Ray Spectroscopy and Optical Profilometry

This study investigates the elemental composition and surface morphology of solid tribochemical films formed on steel surfaces. The reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) method was used to synthesize nine different metal-free polymers, which were blended into commercial base oils. The polymers were either homopolymers of dodecyl methacrylate and ethylhexyl methacrylate or were co-polymers of these monomers with six polar monomers. After tribological testing at 100 °C using the ball-on-flat geometry, the resulting tribochemical films were imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. The resulting tribochemical films have thicknesses around 50–100 nm. Two of the films corresponding to small (P1—imidazole-containing copolymer) and large (P3—less polar homopolymer) wear were cross-sectioned using focused ion beam (FIB) and analyzed for elemental composition using energy-dispersive X-Ray (EDX) mapping. Oxygen and nitrogen enrichment was observed, consistent with the relative chemical composition of the precursor polymers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) evidence suggests that at the worn surface, some organic elements penetrate or are mixed into the steel substrate giving an interlocking appearance. The two samples examined with TEM showed that P1 tribofilm is diffused or mixed with the steel substrate more so than P3, suggesting a stronger affinity and contact during tribofilm formation.
Obliquity forcing of organic matter accumulation during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2

[1] An analysis of orbitally influenced climate-sensitive sedimentation is conducted across a meridional transect of the proto-North Atlantic, to reconstruct the behavior of the carbon cycle and climate during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2; ∼94 Ma). Midlatitude to near equatorial sites spanning deep-ocean to shelf environments are evaluated using a new inverse method for the identification and calibration of orbital influence in ancient strata. The results yield consistent independent astrochronologies at each location—compatible with the recently published radioisotopic/astrochronologic time scale at the Cenomanian-Turonian GSSP—and thus provide a unified high-resolution temporal context for evaluation of the event. The proto-North Atlantic astrochronologies document an amplification of obliquity power during OAE 2, indicating that obliquity was the dominant pacemaker of organic matter accumulation by the latter portion of the event. The strong obliquity signal suggests an influence of high-latitude climate processes across midlatitude deep-ocean to tropical shelf environments. Changes in oceanic circulation during OAE 2 represent a likely mechanism for the propagation of a high latitude signal, and proxy data from Demerara Rise reveal the development of a new intermediate water mass source synchronous with the record of obliquity amplification. We hypothesize that a dense high-latitude water mass displaced a pre-existing nutrient-rich anoxic deep-water layer in the proto-North Atlantic (augmented by enhanced volcanism), driving an episode of high productivity that lasted 700–800 ka. The development and intensification of the new intermediate/deep water source was potentially driven by eustatic sea level rise, which created expansive seaways in mid to high latitudes.
JML: A Notation for Detailed Design

JML is a behavioral interface specification language tailored to Java. It is designed to be written and read by working software engineers, and should require only modest mathematical training. It uses Eiffel-style syntax combined with model-based semantics, as in VDM and Larch. JML supports quantifiers, specification-only variables, and other enhancements that make it more expressive for specification than Eiffel and easier to use than VDM and Larch.
Pattern Recognition of Coherent Eddies

Within the past couple of decades, considerable effort has been devoted towards describing turbulent flow fields as a random distribution of coherent eddies (i.e., patterns). The motivation for this approach is to explain the experimental observation of definite flow patterns and to obtain a more tractable analytical formulation of the flow field. Simultaneously the field of mathematical pattern recognition has been developed from earlier work in communication and detection theory. Although it most often finds application in analyzing photographs, written alphabetic characters and other two-dimensional figures, the mathematical tools are much more universal and can be utilized to study transducer outputs and other electronic signals. A brief introduction to pattern recognition is given and its application to the detection of coherent eddies in turbulent flow fields is outlined.
The basolateral amygdala is a cofactor in memory enhancement produced by intrahippocampal glutamate injections

In the present experiments, the modulatory influence of the basolateral amygdala on hippocampal-dependent memory processes was examined. Adult male Long-Evans rats were trained in a daily session in a win-shift radial maze task to obtain food from four randomly selected maze arms. After a delay period, they were returned to the maze with all the arms accessible and allowed to obtain four pellets from those arms that were not previously visited. Following criterion training with 5- and 15-min delay periods, the rats were given a drug test in which they received a posttraining intracerebral drug treatment immediately following the first four food-rewarded choices, In Experiment 1, the treatment consisted of an intrahippocampal or intra-amygdala injection (0.5 µl) of either a 2% solution of the local anesthetic lidocaine or saline. Four hours after injection, the rats were returned to the maze for a retention test. Posttraining intrahippocampal, but not intra-amygdala, injections of lidocaine impaired retention test choice accuracy. In Experiment 2, the rats unilaterally cannulated in two brain regions (the hippocampus and the basolateral amygdala) received posttraining intrahippocampal injections of glutamate or saline and concurrent intra-amygdala injections of lidocaine or saline. Intrahippocampal injection of glutamate (2.0 µg/0.5 µl) enhanced memory in the win-shift task when an 18-h delay was used. Concurrent posttraining intra-amygdala injections of lidocaine blocked the memory-enhancing effects of intrahippocampal glutamate administration. The findings suggest that, although a functional basolateral amygdala is not essential for normal memory in a hippocampal-dependent win-shift radial maze task, the basolateral amygdala is a necessary cofactor in the memory-enhancing effects of post-training intrahippocampal injections of glutamate.
Effects of ethanol on parietal cell membrane phospholipids and proton pump function

The effects of ethanol on membrane phospholipids of isolated rabbit parietal cells (PC) and fundic glands (FG) were evaluated by using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The most conspicuous resonance bands in PC and FG spectra at 3.2 and 0.9 ppm were due to the protons of +N(CH3)3 groups of phosphatidylcholine and, to a lesser degree, other phospholipid derivatives and terminal -CH3 groups for all phospholipids, respectively. Ethanol treatment (1 min) of PC and FG at 37 degrees C significantly increased the peak intensity of -CH3 groups in a dose-dependent manner, while no intensity change in PC and a lesser change in FG were observed for the +N(CH3)3 groups, suggesting a greater disorganizing effect of ethanol in the inner hydrophobic (-CH3) compared with the outer hydrophilic [+N(CH3)3] membrane moieties of phospholipids. Ethanol at concentrations greater than 5% (vol/vol) inhibited K+-stimulated paranitrophenyl phosphatase activity of intact PC, which correlated with inhibition of basal and histamine-stimulated aminopyrine uptake ratio by PC and FG. NMR is a sensitive, noninvasive probe to show ethanol-induced changes in intact PC lipid membrane organization without altering ultrastructural morphology.
Tzvetan Todorov, the ‘Responsible Intellectual’, and the new world disorder

This article assesses Tzvetan Todorov's intellectual evolution from structuralist literary critic to ‘responsible intellectual’. It contrasts his notion of the responsibility of the intellectual with traditional definitions of commitment, and analyses why for Todorov figures such as Camus, Aron, and Tillion are exemplary, whereas Communist intellectuals are not. The article examines Todorov's positions vis‐a‐vis current crises and controversies, including the bombing of Kosovo, the validity of the ICT, and America's war in Iraq. Finally, it discusses Todorov's ideas for a stronger and more independent Europe as articulated in his most recent book, Le Nouveau Desordre mondial.
Extended Algebraic Structure of N=1 Conformal Superalgebra

It is shown that the usual algebraic structure of the commutation and anticommutation relations of the N=1 conformal superalgebra can be extended to include additional terms. These terms transform as parity odd under the discrete symmetry operation associated with parity. The constraints resulting from the Jacobi identities required for the consistency of the extended algebraic structure are also given. One limiting case of the algebra is shown to reduce to the algebra of Kaku, van Nieuwenhuizen and Townsend.
Mobile Resource Use in a Distance Learning Population: What Are They Really Doing on Those Devices?

Mobile device use has been soaring in recent years in all user groups. Mobile learning is no longer an optional activity for academic institutions, but a necessary endeavor. Developing a curriculum around mobile learning is essential, particularly for distance-based, non-traditional students. Understanding how students use their mobile devices is important to supporting mobile learning initiatives. Student survey responses were examined to determine how students use mobile devices in education. Librarians must stay on the forefront of mobile technology by using their skills in curating and teaching to support this important educational initiative and to become leaders in this area.
Seizure Suppression by shakB2, a Gap Junction Mutation in Drosophila

Gap junction proteins mediate electrical synaptic transmission. In Drosophila, flies carrying null mutations in the shakB locus, such as shakB2, have behavioral and electrophysiological defects in ...
Evaluating Mesenteric Ischemia with Multidetector-Row CT Angiography

Multidetector-row computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography is an established non-invasive imaging modality to evaluate the mesenteric vasculature. It has an important role in diagnostic algorithms for assessment of suspected acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia. Clinical success for synchronizing a MDCT volumetric acquisition with a bolus of contrast medium and also for depicting vascular pathology with high accuracy relies on implementing several key principles. This can be more challenging with advanced generation MDCT scanners. This article reviews the technical principles fundamental to evaluating the mesenteric vasculature with MDCT angiography. An overview of clinical application is also presented.
A decision support system for discrete multiple-criteria problems: certainty, uncertainty, and hierarchical

Abstract In this paper, we present a Decision Support System (DSS) framework for solving discrete Multiple Criteria Making (MCDM) problems. This is the first description of an integrated fourth generation MCDM DSS. Different Decision Maker (DMs) think, learn, behave, and make decisions differently. Hence, one type of questioning/answering, procedure, or assumptions about the DM's behavior may not sufficiently support DMs to learn about their preferences and make appropriate decisions. To provide a variety of flexible and applicable tools for the DM, a set of approaches are described that use different types and numbers of questions, different procedures to solve the problem, and different assumptions regarding the behavior of the DM. Emphasis is placed on providing simple mechanisms within the DSS that the DM can understand and can manipulate the DSS to obtain the desirable outcomes. These include mechanisms for the if , then type of questions. The DSS MCDM consists of six different modules: a) Data entry, assessment, and statistics; b) Screening methods, using various types of efficiency definitions and partial information; c) Complete ranking methods, using simple, additive, and concave/convex quadratic forms; d) interactive methods for finding the best alternative, including quasiconcave and quasiconvex, and any nonlinear forms; e) Extensions to problems under uncertainty for payoff matrices; and f) Extensions to hierarchical multiple criteria problems, including decomposition, assessment, and aggregation for large numbers of criteria. Each category provides several subroutines/procedures to accomplish the given task. Several examples, features of the developed software package, and some experiments with it are discussed.
A derivative-free bracketing scheme for univariate minimization

Abstract A derivative-free scheme for univariate minimization is developed. This scheme has a quadratic convergence rate and requires two function evaluations each iteration.
Accuracy in identification of patients with 22q11.2 deletion by likely care providers using facial photographs.

Numerous facial characteristics are associated with velocardiofacial syndrome. Care providers may use these facial characteristics to identify patients who may benefit from fluorescence in situ hybridization genetic testing to determine the presence of the 22q11.2 deletion. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that experienced care providers were able to correctly diagnose the 22q11.2 deletion on the basis of studying frontal facial photographs. After approval was obtained from the human studies committee, patients who had undergone fluorescence in situ hybridization genetics testing for the presence of a 22q11.2 deletion were asked to submit two frontal photographs: one at infancy and one beyond the second birthday. These photographs were randomized, made anonymous, and then placed on a secure Web site. Specialists in the fields of plastic surgery, otolaryngology, genetics, and speech pathology were asked to evaluate their experience and confidence levels in diagnosing a 22q11.2 deletion and were then asked to rate the photographs by likelihood of deletion using a five-point Likert scale. Thirty-two specialists (10 surgeons, nine geneticists, and 13 speech pathologists) participated in the study. On the basis of clear responses, respondents predicted the presence (sensitivity) and absence (specificity) of the 22q11.2 deletion at chance levels. Of the remaining responses, 20 to 25 percentwere unsure and 20 to 25 percent were clearly wrong. When an unsure response was treated as a weak positive, the results favored sensitivity slightly, with a sensitivity of 70 percent and a specificity of 50 percent. Sensitivity improved somewhat with experience, as measured by the number of patients seen per year. The prediction of the presence or absence of the 22q112 deletion at chance levels suggests that the ability to diagnose on the basis of appearance alone is not a sufficient diagnostic tool. Although the ability does increase with experience, it is of statistical but not clinical significance.
Structures of unidentified lipids in Acholeplasma laidlawii, strain A-EF 22

Abstract The structures of three unidentified lipids in Acholeplasma laidlawii , strain A-EF 22 were determined. One is a glycolipid with the structure 3-O- acyl -α- d - glucopyranosyl -(1 → 1)-2,3- diacylglycerol . Pulse-chase and biosynthetic experiments suggest that it is formed by acylation of monoglucosyldiacylglycerol when the organisms are growing in the presence of excess exogenous fatty acids. Two are phosphoglycolipids, one being 6-O- glycerophosphoryl -α- d - glucopyranosyl -(1 → 2)-α- d - glucopyranosyl -(1 → 1)-2,3- diacylglycerol . The other is its lyso derivative and appears to be a natural lipid component of the cell, not a breakdown product arising through processing of the lipids.
Effect of silica nanoparticle size on toughening mechanisms of filled epoxy

Abstract The addition of silica nanoparticles (23 nm, 74 nm, and 170 nm) to a lightly crosslinked, model epoxy resin, was studied. The effect of silica nanoparticle content and particle size on glass transition temperature (T g ), coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), Young's modulus ( E ), yield stress ( σ ), fracture energy ( G IC ) and fracture toughness ( K IC ), were investigated. The toughening mechanisms were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and transmission optical microscopy (TOM). The experimental results revealed that the addition of silica nanoparticles did not have a significant effect on T g or the yield stress of epoxy resin, i.e. the yield stress and T g remained constant regardless of silica nanoparticle size. As expected, the addition of silica nanoparticles had a significant impact on CTE, modulus and fracture toughness. The CTE values of nanosilica-filled epoxies were found to decrease with increasing silica nanoparticle content, which can be attributed to the much lower CTE of the silica nanoparticles. Interestingly, the decreases in CTE showed strong particle size dependence. The Young's modulus was also found to significantly improve with addition of silica nanoparticles and increase with increasing filler content. However, the particle size did not exhibit any effect on the Young's modulus. Finally, the fracture toughness and fracture energy showed significant improvements with the addition of silica nanoparticles, and increased with increasing filler content. The effect of particle size on fracture toughness was negligible. Observation of the fracture surfaces using SEM and TOM showed evidence of debonding of silica nanoparticles, matrix void growth, and matrix shear banding, which are credited for the increases in toughness for nanosilica-filled epoxy systems. Shear banding mechanism was the dominant mechanism while the particle debonding and plastic void growth were the minor mechanisms.
Estimation of Folic Acid with a Thermophilic Bacillus.

SummaryBacillus coagulans No. 3084, growing optimally at 55°C, has a nutritional requirement which is satisfied by PAB, PGA, folinic, N10-formyl PGA, pteroyltriglutamic acid, PGA conjugate, but not by p-aminoben-zoylglutamic acid or p-aminohippuric acid. This organism is unique in its ability to interchange its requirement for PAB with that for PGA. The utilization of PGA conjugates without pretreatment with conjugase renders it valuable for clinical assay. Its nutritional pattern appears well suited for the studies of the folic acid series of metabolites, an expectation corroborated by the results of clearance tests upon human subjects given PGA orally.
Application of Bradford's protein assay to chick brain subcellular fractions.

Abstract Protein content of different subcellular fractions from chick brain is compared by using Lowry, TCA—Lowry and Bradford assay methods. Caution is urged in application of Bradford's method to general assay for protein concentration in subcellular fractions.
Are child-, adolescent-, and adult-onset depression one and the same disorder?

This paper reviews prior research studies examining neurobiological correlates and treatment response of depression in children, adolescents, and adults. Although there are some similarities in research findings observed across the life cycle, both children and adolescents have been found to differ from depressed adults on measures of basal cortisol secretion, corticotropin stimulation post-corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) infusion, response to several serotonergic probes, immunity indices, and efficacy of tricyclic medications. These differences are proposed to be due to 1) developmental factors, 2) stage of illness factors (e.g., number of episodes, total duration of illness), or 3) heterogeneity in clinical outcome (e.g., recurrent unipolar course vs. new-onset bipolar disorder). Relevant clinical and preclinical studies that provide support for these alternate explanations of the discrepant findings are reviewed, and directions for future research are discussed. To determine whether child-, adolescent-, and adult-onset depression represent the same condition, it is recommended that researchers 1) use the same neuroimaging paradigms in child, adolescent, and adult depressed cohorts; 2) carefully characterize subjects' stage of illness; and 3) conduct longitudinal clinical and repeat neurobiological assessments of patients of different ages at various stages of illness. In addition, careful attention to familial subtypes (e.g., depressive spectrum disorders vs. familial pure depressive disorders) and environmental factors (e.g., trauma history) are suggested for future investigations.
Imaging of long-term retinal damage after resolved cotton wool spots.

Purpose Patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) develop noninfectious retinopathy characterized by retinal cotton wool spots (CWS) and microvascular abnormalities. Ophthalmoscopically, CWS fade with time. We hypothesized that structural changes should be permanent and possibly visible well after ophthalmoscopic resolution. We used simultaneous spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)/scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) to allow colocalization of the lesions and determine the extent and location of residual damage after ophthalmoscopic resolution of the lesions. Design Retrospective, noninterventional case series. Participants Eight eyes of 7 HIV patients with 19 resolved retinal CWS. Methods Nineteen retinal CWS were imaged between 2 and 16 years (median, 7.84) after the acute lesions using simultaneous SD-OCT and SLO examinations. The areas of the previous CWS were scanned by overlaying the color retinal image over the SLO image and scanning at high resolution in the horizontal plane through the resolved lesion. Each CWS lesion had a control area taken from the same eye within 2 disc diameters of the lesion. The thickness of each of the retinal layers was compared between lesions and control areas using a paired t -test with multitest correction. Main Outcome Measures Thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), and outer nuclear layer (ONL). Results The greatest loss of thickness was seen in the retinal GCL with a 43% reduction in thickness. There was a statistically significant thinning of the RNFL, GCL, IPL, INL, and OPL. The median thickness differences ranged from 5 to 7 microns. This difference was highly significant. Another striking finding was the displacement of the ONL toward the retinal surface resulting in an apparent increase in thickness of the ONL by >15% (median difference, 12 microns). Conclusions Our data, using ultrahigh resolution and high-speed SD-OCT/SLO, show and quantify the presence of permanent retinal destruction associated with retinal CWS in HIV disease. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.
Cross‐reactivity with myelin basic protein and human herpesvirus‐6 in multiple sclerosis

Viral infections are though to play an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) potentially through molecular mimicry. An identical sequence was found in both myelin basic protein (MBP, residues 96–102), a candidate autoantigen for MS, and human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6 U24, residues 4–10) that is a suspected viral agent associated with MS. In this study, we showed that greater than 50% of T cells recognizing MBP93-105 cross-reacted with and could be activated by a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 1 to 13 of HHV-6 U24 in MS patients. The estimated precursor frequency of these cross-reactive T cells recognizing both peptides, MBP93-105 and HHV-6 (U24)1-13, was significantly elevated in MS patients compared with that in healthy controls. These cross-reactive CD4+ T cells represented the same Th1 phenotype as that of monospecific T cells recognizing MBP93-105. There were increased antibody titers for both peptide HHV-6 (U24)1-13 and peptide MBP93-105 in the same patients with MS compared with those in healthy controls, suggesting B-cell sensitization to the antigens in MS patients. The study provides important evidence in the understanding of the potential role of HHV-6 infection/reactivation in the activation of autoimmune reactivity to MBP and its implication in the pathogenesis of MS. Ann Neurol 2003
Decarbonization at crossroads: the cessation of the positive historical trend or a temporary detour?

Available statistical data indicate that during the last two to three decades, the positive historical trends in decarbonization of primary energy has markedly slowed down and practically ceased. In this article, the current status of the decarbonization of the global economy and constraints and challenges of near-to-mid term carbon mitigation options are analyzed using the Kaya Identity modeling tool. Dramatic reductions in both energy and carbon intensities of the world economy would be necessary to stop and reverse the worrisome re-carbonizing trends, however, for the majority of promising low-carbon technologies, the competition with fossil incumbents is currently an uphill battle. The pivotal role of the three-way energy system comprising methane, non-carbon electricity and hydrogen (hence, dubbed Decarbonization Triangle) in catalyzing the decarbonization process is examined in this paper. The analysis of current tendencies shows that despite recent drastic increases in carbon emissions, there are signs of emerging positive decarbonizing trends fueled by a recent surge in supply of natural gas, booming renewables market and significant gains in energy efficiency. If further strengthened, these trends may put decarbonization back on its positive historical path.
"No-hair" theorems for the Abelian Higgs and Goldstone models

We examine the question of whether black holes can have associated external massive vector and/or scalar fields, when the masses are produced by spontaneous symmetry breaking. Working throughout in the spherically symmetric case, we show that "no-hair" theorems can be proved for the vector field in the Abelian Higgs model, for an arbitrary $\ensuremath{\xi}R{|\ensuremath{\varphi}|}^{2}$ term in the Higgs Lagrangian, and for the Goldstone scalar field model with $\ensuremath{\xi}=0$. We also show that a Minkowski-space analog problem does have nontrivial screened charge solutions, indicating that the "no-hair" theorems which we prove are consequences of the stringent conditions at the assumed horizon in the general-relativistic case, not of the interacting field or spontaneous-symmetry-breaking aspects of the problem.
Well depths of XeF− and XeCl− from ion transport data

Mobility and diffusion data for F− and Cl− ions in Xe gas at 300 K are used to test the well depths and the “width” of the XeF− well previously obtained by a fit to differential scattering cross sections.
Morphogenesis and pattern formation in the retina of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii

Pattern formation and ommatidial differentiation in the crayfish retina were analyzed using confocal, light and electron microscopy. Optic primordia first appear in the embryo as round elevations covered by a surface epithelial layer. Retinal differentiation begins with a wave of mitotic activity that moves across this epithelium from lateral to medial. Ommatidial cell clusters are visible at the surface along a transition zone, which lies at the interface of the medial undifferentiated retina and the lateral patterned retina. This zone is 8–10 cells wide and composed of small uniform cell profiles. Lateral to the transition zone the initial ommatidial cell clusters form staggered rows across the surface. Each first row cluster contains eight retinula cells surrounded by four cone, two corneagenous and two distal pigment cells. Ommatidial clusters in the first nine rows show significant changes in their organization, which are visible at the surface of the retina. In row 10 the retinula cells recede from the surface and the cone cells close in above them creating a constant cell pattern at the surface. Rhabdome development begins distally and extends downward as the retinula cluster recedes from the surface. Movement of the retinula cells inward and enlargement of the cone and corneagenous cells at the surface creates a two-tiered organization characteristic of each ommatidium. Comparison of retinal pattern formation and differentiation in the crayfish with retinal morphogenesis in Drosophila and other insects show several similarities between the two arthropod groups.
Age-related increases in the effects of automatic semantic activation.

Automatic semantic activation was assessed in a version of the flanker task, in which nominally irrelevant words were presented above and below a target word. The category membership of the flanking word was consistent, inconsistent, or neutral with respect to the target word. Older adults showed greater inhibition and equivalent facilitation in the time taken to classify the target words than did younger adults in 2 of 3 experiments, in contrast to previous findings. The present results are generally consistent with 3 dominant perspectives in cognitive aging: the complexity hypothesis, environmental support, and the inhibition-deficit view. Manipulation of the overall magnitude of the flanker effect produced results most consistent with the inhibition-deficit view that older adults are less able to inhibit automatic processes than are younger adults. Some problems with the inhibition-deficit view are also discussed. In a review of the literature on distraction and aging, Layton (1975) suggested that older adults are more distractible than younger adults because they are unable to suppress perceptual noise, that is, they cannot avoid processing irrelevant stimuli. In a stringent test of this hypothesis, Wright and Elias (1979) tested younger and older adults on Eriksen and Eriksen's (1974) flanker paradigm. The flanker task, a visual choice-reactiontime task, presents participants with a display consisting of (at least) three letters, side by side. Participants are asked to categorize the central target letter and to press a key to indicate in which of two artificially defined categories it is a member. The nontarget letters are members of the same response category, members of the other response category, or neutral letters from neither category. In this task, the target location is known in advance; therefore, there is no reason to process the distractor items consciously. However, both of these sets of researchers demonstrated that the nontarget letters are processed nonetheless. From Laytonls hypothesis, Wright and Elias predicted that the older adults would show a greater effect of the distractor, or
Work disability among two cohorts of women with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis: A survival analysis

Objective To analyze factors associated with leaving employment among women with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Women with RA were recruited from a national sample of rheumatologists in 1987 and 1998. Inclusion criteria were RA diagnosis <18 months earlier, age ≥18 years, and no other disabling health condition. The 1987 and 1998 cohorts comprised 48 and 91 women, respectively. Data were collected by telephone for 4 years. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier curves and a proportional hazards generalized linear model to assess whether the time to stopping work differed between the cohorts and to identify baseline predictors and time-varying covariates of leaving work. Results Most patients were age 12 years of education, and were white. Fifteen patients (31%) in the 1987 cohort and 24 patients (26%) in the 1998 cohort stopped working in the observation periods. Kaplan-Meier survival curves for each cohort were not significantly different. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that married women (P = 0.03) and those with joint deformities (P = 0.00) were more likely to stop working. A significant flares by cohort interaction (P = 0.01) indicated that, in comparison with patients in the 1998 cohort, those in the 1987 cohort with <2 disease flares had the lowest risk of stopping work and those with ≥2 flares had the greatest risk. Conclusion Unexpectedly, the cumulative rate of stopping work among women in the 1998 study did not differ from that among women diagnosed >16 years earlier. However, disease flares greatly affected employment in the 1987 but not the 1998 cohort, possibly indicating that newer medications were effective in maintaining functional status among those with more severe disease activity, measured by number of flares, in the 1998 group.
Size-Selective Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from a Microemulsion System Using Cyclodextrins

Abstract A procedure for the size-selective extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from an oil-in-water microemulsion system is reported. This extraction is achieved through a precipitation/extraction process involving cyclodextrins (CDs) and select PAHs in the microemulsion. Results are confirmed by fluorescence analysis of supernatant and precipitate. The size relationship between the PAH and CD cavity appears to be a major factor in the selectivity of the process. For example, after extraction with β-CD, the fluorescence intensity of naphthalene in the microemulsion is reduced to 3.7% of its original value, whereas with α- or γ-CD the intensity remains unchanged. In studies of a model system, the microemulsion involves a three-component mixture of PAHs; α-, β-, and γ-CD are investigated for their extraction capabilities for these three PAHs.
Nuclear and chromatin structure in rat spermatozoa

The nuclei of mature mammalian spermatozoa contain a highly ordered, lamellar substructure, presumably constituting the nucleoprotein of the haploid chromosomal complement. With a view toward constructing a plausible model of chromatin packing in sperm, we have determined some of the quantitative parameters associated with these “nuclear lamellae” in rat spermatozoa. Epididymal sperm from white, Sprague-Dawley rats were examined by conventional sectioning methods, freeze fracture of fixed and unfixed specimens, and by whole mount replica techniques. Fixation and glycerolation did not significantly alter nuclear structure as seen by freeze fracture. Numerical data obtained from cross fractures of sperm heads indicate that the number of lamellae are quite constant at 10.4 ± 1.8 and that the linear measure of the lamellae is 7.2 ± 2.3 μm per cross fracture. The total area of cross fracture, assuming an elliptical profile is 2.3 k 0.7 μm2 and the thickness of the lamellae is 18.2 ± 3.5 nm with a range of 13.5 to 25.5 nm. An estimate of the total surface area of the nuclear lamellae could be made from measurements of projected nuclear area (from replicas and sections) as 173 ± 15 μm2. From these data and the known amount of DNA in the rat sperm nucleus, a model can be proposed for the organization of the nucleoprotein in these lamellar sheets. It is suggested that the chromatin is arranged in a coiled-coil configuration closely associated together in a side-by-side fashion and continuous in extent. Approximate calculations based on this simple model are within a factor of 2 or 3 of predicting the correct amount of DNA in the sperm nucleus.