cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subject-specific prediction using nonlinear population modeling: application to early brain maturation from DTI.

The term prediction implies expected outcome in the future, often based on a model and statistical inference. Longitudinal imaging studies offer the possibility to model temporal change trajectories of anatomy across populations of subjects. In the spirit of subject-specific analysis, such normative models can then be used to compare data from new subjects to the norm and to study progression of disease or to predict outcome. This paper follows a statistical inference approach and presents a framework for prediction of future observations based on past measurements and population statistics. We describe prediction in the context of nonlinear mixed effects modeling (NLME) where the full reference population’s statistics (estimated fixed effects, variance-covariance of random effects, variance of noise) is used along with the individual’s available observations to predict its trajectory. The proposed methodology is generic in regard to application domains. Here, we demonstrate analysis of early infant brain maturation from longitudinal DTI with up to three time points. Growth as observed in DTI-derived scalar invariants is modeled with a parametric function, its parameters being input to NLME population modeling. Trajectories of new subject’s data are estimated when using no observation, only the first or the first two time points. Leave-one-out experiments result in statistics on differences between actual and predicted observations. We also simulate a clinical scenario of prediction on multiple categories, where trajectories predicted from multiple models are classified based on maximum likelihood criteria.
Traumatic hyphema. Pathogenesis and management.

Abstract Traumatic hyphema is a potentially serious problem, but the overall prognosis is good unless associated injuries are severe. Medical treatment is of little value for hyphema itself but is useful for complications. Surgical treatment is hazardous and should be resorted to only in select circumstances. Severity of injury is more important than is treatment in determining the outcome. Practitioners should not feel obliged to use ritualistic therapy that they consider to be of uncertain value.
Proteolysis of Human Growth Hormone by Rat Thyroid Gland in Vitro: Application of Electrospray Mass Spectrometry and N-Terminal Sequencing to Elucidate a Metabolic Pathway

The present studies were designed to provide structural characterization of peptide metabolites of biosynthetic human growth hormone (hGH) formed by rat thyroid gland proteases in vitro. Electro-spray ionization mass/spectrometry (ESI-MS) and N-terminal sequencing were used to characterize the peptide metabolites. The predominant enzyme in the thyroid gland preparations was a chymotrypsin-like serine protease which was biochemically similar to rat mast cell protease-I. Metabolic intermediates were formed by cleavage of hGH exclusively at Tyr/Phe/Leu-Xaa bonds. After a 5- or 45-min incubation of hGH with thyroid gland S9 pellet fraction, the majority of metabolites formed were two-chain variants of hGH having masses ranging from 16,002 to 22,143 Da. These metabolites were formed as a result of proteolysis in the large disulfide loop region of hGH in combination with processing at Tyr42–Ser43. Based upon the time-related appearance and structural characterization of these intermediates, a sequence of metabolic events is proposed. The initial event appears to be cleavage by the chymotrypsin-like protease between Tyr143–Ser144 to form a two-chain hGH. This intermediate is then cleaved between Tyr42–Ser43, liberating the N-terminal peptide, Phe1–Tyr42. Two other metabolites were generated as a result of the deletion of the peptides Lys140–Tyr143 and Ser144–Phe146 from the large loop region. The identification of similar metabolites truncated by a single amino acid at the carboxyl terminus indicated the action of a carboxypeptidase on these metabolic products. After a 4.5-hr incubation, the protease isolated from the S9 pellet fraction degraded hGH to >20 small peptides, having masses ≤2300 Da. The data illustrate the utility of combining ESI-MS and N-terminal sequencing in the study of protein metabolism and the enzymatic pathways involved.
Antibody-based Tracers for PET/SPECT Imaging of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

Chronic inflammatory diseases are often progressive, resulting not only in physical damage to patients but also social and economic burdens, making early diagnosis of them critical. Nuclear medicine techniques can enhance the detection of inflammation by providing functional as well as anatomical information when combined with other modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography or ultrasonography. Although small molecules and peptides were mainly used for the treatment and imaging of chronic inflammatory diseases in the past, antibodies and their fragments have also been emerging for chronic inflammatory diseases as they show high specificity to their targets and can have various biological half-lives depending on how they are engineered. In addition, imaging with antibodies or their fragments can visualize the in vivo biodistribution of the probes or help monitor therapeutic responses, thereby providing physicians with a greater understanding of drug behavior in vivo and another means of monitoring their patients. In this review, we introduce various targets and radiolabeled antibody-based probes for the molecular imaging of chronic inflammatory diseases in preclinical and clinical studies. Targets can be classified into three different categories: 1) cell-adhesion molecules, 2) surface markers on immune cells, and 3) cytokines or enzymes. The limitations and future directions of using radiolabeled antibodies for imaging inflammatory diseases are also discussed.
Analytical method for measuring cosmogenic 35S in natural waters.

Cosmogenic sulfur-35 in water as dissolved sulfate ((35)SO4) has successfully been used as an intrinsic hydrologic tracer in low-SO4, high-elevation basins. Its application in environmental waters containing high SO4 concentrations has been limited because only small amounts of SO4 can be analyzed using current liquid scintillation counting (LSC) techniques. We present a new analytical method for analyzing large amounts of BaSO4 for (35)S. We quantify efficiency gains when suspending BaSO4 precipitate in Inta-Gel Plus cocktail, purify BaSO4 precipitate to remove dissolved organic matter, mitigate interference of radium-226 and its daughter products by selection of high purity barium chloride, and optimize LSC counting parameters for (35)S determination in larger masses of BaSO4. Using this improved procedure, we achieved counting efficiencies that are comparable to published LSC techniques despite a 10-fold increase in the SO4 sample load. (35)SO4 was successfully measured in high SO4 surface waters and groundwaters containing low ratios of (35)S activity to SO4 mass demonstrating that this new analytical method expands the analytical range of (35)SO4 and broadens the utility of (35)SO4 as an intrinsic tracer in hydrologic settings.
Case 3: Hypermetabolic State in an Infant

A 2,340-g male infant is born vaginally at 34 weeks of gestation to a mother with a history of asthma and hyperthyroidism. The pregnancy is overall uncomplicated except for preterm labor, and the delivery is notable for meconium-stained amniotic fluid and unknown group B Streptococcus status treated with 2 doses of penicillin. The infant does well initially with Apgar scores of 8 and 9, but soon develops tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypoxemia; radiography demonstrates respiratory distress syndrome with a small pneumothorax. Nasal cannula is needed to maintain normal oxygen saturations, and septic evaluation result is negative. Examination is notable for the vital signs described before, a barrel-shaped chest, and hyperreflexia. He is started on gavage feeds and treated with phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia. On day 7 after birth, he suddenly develops worsening tachycardia to the 200s, tachypnea with respiratory distress, and decreased perfusion with mottling. Echocardiography reveals severe cardiac dysfunction, prompting transfer to the cardiac intensive …
A digital imaging method for evaluating the kinetics of vapochromic response

Abstract This work describes the novel use of a cell phone camera and the L*a*b method (color space defined by the International Commission on Illumination) to characterize the color change in different vapochromic platinum(II) complexes in order to get quantitative and more reliable data. In this study, we have developed a semi-automatic CCA software that digitally analyzes images (e.g., video frames) collected while a vapochromic material is absorbing vapor and changing its color. The advantages of using this method, compared to reflectance or transmission spectroscopy through a thin film, include its low cost, convenience, portability, ease of sample preparation, the lack of need for specialized equipment, and the possibility of simultaneously collecting data on different samples under identical conditions. The results show that this strategy is effective in producing quantitative information about the kinetics of processes.
Grammatical pragmatics: Language, power and liberty in Ghanaian political discourse:

This study demonstrates the interconnectedness between language, power and liberty. Using two of Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah’s letters written to President Nkrumah (Ghana) and working within the frame...
Bleed-through elimination method in a dual-channel fluorescence microscopy system

Bleed-through is a common problem in multi-channel fluorescence microscopy when simultaneously imaging multiple organelles tagged with different fluorophores. This is majorly due to the large emission spectra of fluorophores. The correction of bleed-through in a multi-channel fluorescence microscopy system is essential to accurately identify or track the location of multiple fluorophores simultaneously. This paper presents a method for eliminating the bleed-through in a dual-channel fluorescence microscopy system using highly sensitive photomultiplier tubes. Fluorescein and Alexa fluor 594 dyes that were diluted in phosphate buffer solution at different dilution ratios were used to establish the relationship between the intensities of both channels. The bleed-through intensity in the red channel was quantified using a nonlinear polynomial model. Bleed-through correction was performed using the derived polynomial coefficients and the detected intensity in the green channel. The approach was experimentally validated on a mixed solution of fluorescein and Alexa fluor 594 using the scanning mode dual-channel fluorescence microscopy system.
3D Characterization of the Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in Additively Manufactured Inconel 718

Additive manufacturing (AM) provides enormous processing flexibility, enabling novel part geometries and optimized designs. Access to a local heat source further permits the potential for local microstructure control on the scale of individual melt pools, which can enable local control of part properties. In order to design tailored processing strategies for target microstructures, models predicting the columnar-to-equiaxed transition must be extended to the high solidification velocities and complex thermal histories present in AM. Here, we combine 3D characterization with advanced modeling techniques to develop a more complete understanding of the solidification process and evolution of microstructure during electron beam melting (EBM) of Inconel 718. Full calibration of existing microstructure prediction models demonstrates the differences between AM processes and more conventional welding techniques, underlying the need for accurate determination of key parameters that can only be measured directly in 3D. The ability to combine multisensor data in a consistent 3D framework via data fusion algorithms is essential to fully leverage these advanced characterization approaches. Thermal modeling provides insight on microstructure development within isolated solidification events and demonstrates the role of Marangoni effects on controlling solidification behavior.
Changes in Diffuse Optical Tomography Images During Early Stages of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Correlate with Tumor Response in Different Breast Cancer Subtypes.

Purpose: This study9s primary objective was to evaluate the changes in optically derived parameters acquired with a diffuse optical tomography breast imaging system (DOTBIS) in the tumor volume of patients with breast carcinoma receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Experimental Design: In this analysis of 105 patients with stage II–III breast cancer, normalized mean values of total hemoglobin (\( ctTH{b_N}$ \)), oxyhemoglobin (\( ct{O_2}H{b_N}$ \)), deoxy-hemoglobin concentration (\( ctHH{b_N}$ \)), water, and oxygen saturation (\( St{O_2}_N$ \)) percentages were collected at different timepoints during NAC and compared with baseline measurements. This report compared changes in these optical biomarkers measured in patients who did not achieve a pathologic complete response (non-pCR) and those with a pCR. Differences regarding molecular subtypes were included for hormone receptor–positive and HER2-negative, HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer. Results: At baseline, \( ctHH{b_N}$ \) was higher for pCR tumors (3.97 ± 2.29) compared with non-pCR tumors (3.00 ± 1.72; P = 0.031). At the earliest imaging point after starting therapy, the mean change of \( ctHH{b_N}$ \) compared with baseline (\( {\Delta _{TP1}}ctHH{b_N}$ \)) was statistically significantly higher in non-pCR (1.23 ± 0.67) than in those with a pCR (0.87 ± 0.61; P Conclusions: This study demonstrates that DOTBIS measured features change over time according to tumor pCR status and may predict early in the NAC treatment course whether a patient is responding to NAC.
Genome Sequence of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DmPark25_157, a Bacterial Strain Isolated from Drosophila melanogaster

We present the genome sequence of a bacterial strain isolated from park25 mutants of Drosophila melanogaster as part of efforts to better understand the microbial communities in D. melanogaster We isolated and sequenced a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain. We present a preliminary comparative analysis with a closely related strain.
A Marginal Analysis Framework to Incorporate the Externality Effect of Ordering Perishables

Finding the optimal policy for multi-period perishable inventory systems requires solving computationally-expensive stochastic dynamic programs (DP). To avoid the difficulty of solving DP models, we propose a framework that uses an externality term to capture the long-term impact of ordering decisions on the average cost over an infinite horizon. By approximating the externality term, we yield a tractable approximate optimality condition, which is solved through standard marginal analysis. The resulted policy is near-optimal in long-run average cost and ordering decisions.
TLDR: Deep Learning-Based Automated Privacy Policy Annotation with Key Policy Highlights

Privacy policies are the primary channel where service providers inform users about their data collection and use practices. However, privacy policies are often long and lack any specific structure. The average user struggles to understand their contents and usually skips them, regardless of their importance. Moreover, privacy policies may lack information on critical practices used by the service providers, such as data collection, use disclosure, tracking, and access. We tackle these challenges by introducing TLDR, a machine learning-based automated ensemble of privacy policy classifiers, for (i) categorizing the content into nine privacy policy categories with high performance and (ii) detecting missing information in the privacy policies. Towards addressing the length of the privacy policies, TLDR labels each paragraph in a policy by its content class, which enables users to focus on paragraphs of interest, such as paragraphs with information regarding data collection or tracking practices used by the service operators. TLDR reduces the average reading time by 39.14% by reducing the presented information to users. This process results in an increased understanding of the privacy policies by 18.84%. TLDR reduces the number of paragraphs and words required to be read by the user. This, in turn, reduces the required efforts to understand the service operator's practices.
The Purpose of Punishment: Capital Punishment

I am an advocate for the death penalty when heinous crimes are committed; however, through research and analyzed data the guarantee of due process is seriously missing from the Criminal Justice System. In Illinois during January of 2000, Governor George Ryan declared a moratorium on executions due to the fact that in one year 13 inmates had been wrongfully convicted, while 12 others who may have been innocent had died. All of the guarantees to a fair and impartial trial was missing; a right to adequate counsel, suppressed or misapplication of evidence, false eyewitness identification, false confessions, false testimony, false or fabricated evidence, racial bias, politics and misconduct on the behalf of prosecutors, law enforcement and judges made a mockery of our system. Like Governor Ryan, I cannot support a system that has so many deliberate errors. (AIUSA, 2010)
Differential effects of arachidonoyl trifluoromethyl ketone on arachidonic acid release and lipid mediator biosynthesis by human neutrophils. Evidence for different arachidonate pools.

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of a putative specific cytosolic phospholipase A2 inhibitor, arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3), on arachidonic acid (AA) release and lipid mediator biosynthesis by ionophore-stimulated human neutrophils. Initial studies indicated that AACOCF3 at concentrations 0–10 µm did not affect AA release from neutrophils. In contrast, AACOCF3 potently inhibited leukotriene B4 formation by ionophore-stimulated neutrophils (IC50 ≈ 2.5 µm). Likewise, AACOCF3 significantly inhibited the biosynthesis of platelet activating factor. In cell-free assay systems, 10 µm AACOCF3 inhibited 5-lipoxygenase and CoA-independent transacylase activities. [3H]AA labeling studies indicated thatthe specific activities of cell-associated AA mimicked that of leukotriene B4 and PtdCho/PtdIns, while the specific activities of AA released into the supernatant fluid closely mimicked that of PtdEtn. Taken together, these data argue for the existence of segregated pools of arachidonate in human neutrophils. One pool of AA is linked to lipid mediator biosynthesis while another pool provides free AA that is released from cells. Additionally, the data suggest that AACOCF3 is also an inhibitor of CoA-independent transacylase and 5-lipoxygenase. Thus, caution should be exercised in using AACOCF3 as an inhibitor of cytosolic phospholipase A2 in whole cell assays because of the complexity of AA metabolism.
Surface Waves on Passive Surfaces of Finite Extent

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Model The Infinite Array Case The Finite Array Case Excited by Generators The Element Currents on a Finite Array Excited by an Incident Wave How the Surface Waves are Excited on a Finite Array How to Obtain the Actual Current Components The Bistatic Scattered Field from a Finite Array Parametric Study How to Control Surface Waves Fine Tuning the Load Resistors at a Single Frequency Variation with Angle of Incidence The Bistatic Scattered Field Previous Work On Scattering from Faceted Radomes Effects of Discontinuities in the Panels Scanning in the E Plane Effect of a Groundplane Common Misconceptions Concerning Element Currents on Finite Arrays Conclusion Problems
Delay discounting by adolescents experimenting with cigarette smoking

Aims To evaluate delay discounting and self-reported impulsive behavior in a sample of adolescents experimenting with cigarette smoking compared with adolescents who had never smoked or were daily smokers.
Phacoemulsification combined with a new ab interno gel stent to treat open-angle glaucoma: Pilot study.

Purpose To study the effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) of implanting a new gelatin stent at the time of cataract surgery in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Setting Multicenter university and private-practice settings. Design Nonrandomized prospective clinical trial. Methods The implantation of 2 models of a gelatin stent (Xen140 and Xen63) was performed at the time of cataract surgery without mitomycin-C. Complete success was defined as a postoperative IOP of less than 18 mm Hg and more than a 20% reduction in IOP at 12 months without glaucoma medication. Failure was defined as loss of light perception vision or worse, a need for additional glaucoma surgery, or less than a 20% reduction in the IOP from baseline. Results The study included 37 eyes of 37 patients. The mean preoperative IOP was 22.4 mm Hg ± 4.2 (SD) on 2.5 ± 1.4 medication classes. Twelve months postoperatively, the mean IOP was reduced to 15.4 ± 3.0 mm Hg on 0.9 ± 1.0 medication classes ( P Conclusion Cataract surgery combined with implantation of the gelatin stent resulted in a significant reduction in IOP in eyes with OAG. Financial Disclosure Dr. Sheybani has received travel reimbursement from Aquesys, Inc. Dr. Ahmed is a paid consultant to Aquesys, Inc. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
P2X7 receptors in neurohypophysial terminals: evidence for their role in arginine-vasopressin secretion.

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) plays a major role in maintaining cardiovascular function and related pathologies. The mechanism involved in its release into the circulation is complex and highly regulated. Recent work has implicated the purinergic receptor, P2X7R, in a role for catecholamine-enhanced AVP release in the rat hypothalamic-neurohypophysial (NH) system. However, the site of P2X7R action in this endocrine system and whether or not it directly mediates release in secretory neurons have not been determined. We hypothesized that the P2X7R is expressed and mediates AVP release in NH terminals. P2X7R function was first examined by patch-clamp recordings in isolated NH terminals. Results revealed that subpopulations of isolated terminals displayed either high ATP-sensitivity or low ATP-sensitivity, the latter of which was characteristic of the rat P2X7R. Additional recordings showed that terminals showing sensitivity to the P2X7R-selective agonist, BzATP, were further inhibited by P2X7R selective antagonists, AZ10606120 and brilliant blue-G. In confocal micrographs from isolated terminals of the NH showed that P2X7R-immunoreactivity was localized in the plasma membranes. Lastly, the role of P2X7R on AVP release was tested. Our results showed that BzATP evoked sustained AVP release in NH terminals, which was inhibited by AZ10606120. Taken together, our data lead us to conclude that the P2X7R is expressed in NH terminals and corroborates its role in AVP secretion.
High-efficiency holographic volume index gratings in DR1-dye-doped poly(methyl methacrylate)

Holographic volume index gratings with high diffraction efficiency (greater than 80%) are recorded in a thick sample of Disperse Red 1-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) with red light (647 nm), which is far away from the absorption peak (488 nm) of the material. Measurements of photoinduced birefringence and polarization holography recording confirm that the azo-dye reorientation mechanism is responsible for the grating formation. Energy coupling between the two writing beams is observed even when the incident beams have equal intensity.
Novel Antioxidants, Cassumunarin A, B, and C, from Zingiber cassumunar

Abstract The most active antioxidant fraction from the organic extract of Zingiber cassumunar rhizomes was found to contain three potent antioxidants, cassumunarin A, B, and C, which were shown by spectral methods to represent a new type of complex curcumin.
On the concept of survivability, with application to spacecraft and space-based networks

Abstract Survivability is an important attribute and requirement for military systems. Recently, survivability has become increasingly important for public infrastructure systems as well. In this work, we bring considerations of survivability to bear on space systems. We develop a conceptual framework and quantitative analyses based on stochastic Petri nets (SPN) to characterize and compare the survivability of different space architectures. The architectures here considered are a monolith spacecraft and a space-based network. To build the stochastic Petri net models for the degradations and failures of these two architectures, we conducted statistical analyses of historical multi-state failure data of spacecraft subsystems, and we assembled these subsystems, and their SPN models, in ways to create our monolith and networked systems. Preliminary results indicate, and quantify the extent to which, a space-based network is more survivable than the monolith spacecraft with respect to on-orbit anomalies and failures. For space systems, during the design and acquisition process, different architectures are benchmarked against several metrics; we argue that if survivability is not accounted for, then the evaluation process is likely to be biased in favor of the traditional dominant design, namely the monolith spacecraft. If however in a given context, survivability is a critical requirement for a customer, the survivability framework here proposed, and the stochastic modeling capability developed, can demonstrate the extent to which a networked space architecture may better satisfy this requirement than a monolith spacecraft. These results should be of interest to operators whose space assets require high levels of survivability, especially in the light of emerging threats.
Poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanofiber networks for enhancing the morphology stability of polymer solar cells

Abstract A stable morphology in the photoactive layer is a prerequisite for increasing the lifetime of organic solar cells. Intense research efforts focusing on this research topic have typically resorted to complicated synthetic methods to reach this goal. Herein, the authors present a facile approach to directly achieve efficient polymer solar cells with a remarkably enhanced thermally stable morphology by constructing densely distributed poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanofibers in the pristine composite films with PCBM ([6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) from solution without any post treatments. Controlled experiments reveal that the presence of numerous preformed P3HT nanofibers in the pristine films, with much larger size than P3HT and PCBM molecules, provides a fixed and rigid network to spatially confine the diffusion of PCBM molecules during thermal annealing, thus preventing the formation of large-scale PCBM crystals. This simple method represents a “one-step” way to prepare high performance photovoltaic devices with thermally stable morphologies and no necessary post treatments.
Understanding Health Care as a Complex System The Foundation for Unintended Consequences

As the United States Embarks on health care reform, policy makers speak of using a variety of levers to control the health care system and its accelerating costs. These levers include a variety of regulations that are enforced through surveys, certifications, payments, and penalties. However, these mechanical approaches often lead to unintended consequences. This is due to the enormous complexity of the health care system—both in lay terms by its complicated design and in scientific terms by its nonlinear, dynamic, and unpredictable nature. To help guide future policies and avoid the unanticipated consequences of regulation, policy makers and physicians need to understand health care as a complex system and apply the principles of complexity science to achieve its goals. In contrast to mechanical systems in which component parts interact linearly to produce a predictable output, the components of complex systems interact nonlinearly over multiple scales and produce unexpected results. The output of a mechanical system can be controlled by manipulating each of its parts, while the output of a complex system is dynamic, behaving differently according to its initial conditions and feedback. For example, the health care system comprises networks of components (hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation units, patient homes, families, and patients) that interact nonlinearly on different scales (the patient, family, medical center, and government), and often produce unintended consequences (adverse drug reactions, nosocomial infections, rehospitalizations, and functional decline). As more regulations are created to control the behavior of a complex system, the more the system may deviate from a desired outcome.1 Commenting on the complexity of the Australian health care system, Sturmberg et al2 wrote that the prevailing trends to use disease protocols, financial levers, and siloed programs to manage the health care system are fatally flawed and will lead to unintended consequences. For example, pay-for-performance and value-based payment models that aim to improve hospital care at lower cost may encourage overly aggressive treatment without concern for life expectancy or adverse effects. Contrary to expectation, these models have had no effect on mortality3 or Medicare spending.4 Similarly, clinical practice guidelines intended to improve quality of care and reduce health care variations have not reduced socioeconomic disparities in the treatment of diabetes5 and could increase the medication costs of patients with multiple chronic conditions.6 If health care is viewed as a complex rather than a mechanical system, several of its intrinsic properties can be exploited to influence its dynamic behavior and guide it in a more favorable direction. These properties include nonlinear interactions of component parts, emergent, self-organized behavior, and the dependence on simple rules.
MetJ-mediated regulation of the Salmonella typhimurium metE and metR genes occurs through a common operator region

In Salmonella typhimurium the metE and metR promoters overlap and are divergently transcribed. Three tandem repeats of an 8 bp sequence defined previously as the metE operator site for MetJ-mediated repression also overlap the −35 region of the metR promoter. Starting with a metE-lacZ · metR-galK double gene fusion, site-directed mutagenesis was used to change nucleotides in each of the repeat units from the consensus sequence. Each mutation, along with the wild-type metE-lacZ · metR-galK gene fusion, was cloned into phage λgt2. Regulation of the metE and metR genes was examined by measuring β-galactosidase and galactokinase levels in Escherichia coli strains lysogenized with phage carrying the wild-type and mutant fusions. Mutations in each of the 8 bp repeat units disrupt MetJ-mediated repression for both the metE-lacZ and metR-galK gene fusions, suggesting that the metE and metR genes share a common operator site for the MetJ repressor.
On the role of bicarbonate in peroxidations catalyzed by Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase.

The interaction of Cu,ZnSOD with H2O2 generates an oxidant at the active site that can then cause either the inactivation of this enzyme or the oxidation of a variety of exogenous substrates. We show that the rate of inactivation, imposed by 10-mM H2O2 at 25°C and pH 7.2, is not influenced by 10-mM HCO3−; whereas the oxidation of 2,2′-azino-bis-[3-ethylbenzothiazoline sulfonate] (ABTS=) is virtually completely dependent upon HCO3−. The reduction of the active site Cu(II) by H2O2, which precedes inactivation of the enzyme, occurred at the same rate in phosphate buffer with or without bicarbonate added. These results indicate that HCO3− does not play a role in facilitating the interaction of H2O2 with the active site copper, but they can be accommodated by the proposal that HCO3− is oxidized to HCO3·, which then diffuses from that site and causes the oxidation of substrates, such as ABTS=, that are too large to traverse the solvent access channel to the Cu(II).
Effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine antibodies on pigment migration in the erythrophores of the fiddler crab,Uca pugilator: Further evidence for 5-hydroxytryptamine as a neurotransmitter that stimulates release of red pigment-dispersing hormone

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) antibodies inhibit red pigment dispersion in the fiddler crab,Uca pugilator. This observation supports the hypothesis that 5-HT stimulates release of red pigment-dispersing hormone.
Robust stability conditions for SISO model predictive control algorithms

Abstract This paper presents a new method for deriving robust stability conditions for single-input/single-output (SISO) model predictive control algorithms, based on an application of Jury's dominant coefficient lemma. Model uncertainty is parameterized by a range of possible plant impulse responses. The method is illustrated by deriving robust stability conditions for the extended-horizon predictive control algorithms EHPC1 and EHPC2, as well as for a prototypical model predictive controller presented originally by Garcia and Morari. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.
Gamma Radiation from Interaction of 3.2-Mev Neutrons with Various Materials

Gamma radiation arising from 3.2-Mev neutron bombardment of 30 elements has been observed and calculations made of the gamma-ray production cross section for 15 of these elements.
The case of Mike: Synthesis of responses

We conclude this case conference by describing the similarities and differences between the respondents' comments. Regarding similarities, we highlight the focus on the contextual approaches to assessment and treatment of the referral concerns, the limited reliance on psychodiagnostic information for treatment development, the minimal attention paid to Mike's potential history of sexual abuse, and the scientist-practitioner nature of the recommendations. Differences noted are more limited and include the attention paid to the use of standardized assessment approaches, and the importance of social anxiety as a response pattern of concern.
Repeatability and reproducibility of numerical rating scales and visual analogue scales for canine pruritus severity scoring

Although they are used frequently in veterinary dermatology, the reliability of canine pruritus severity scales has not been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of pruritus severity numerical rating scales (NRS) and pruritus severity visual analogue scales (VAS). Videos of 16 dogs were evaluated for pruritus severity by 24 observers utilizing three NRS and three VAS. Intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility were evaluated with Cohen's kappa and Kendall's rank correlation statistics, respectively. The repeatability of pruritus severity NRS was fair, with mean Cohen's weighted kappa (kappa(w)) values ranging from 0.49 to 0.60. The mean Kendall's rank correlation coefficient (t) for the three VAS ranged from 0.62 to 0.73. The reproducibility of mid-range pruritus severity ranks was poor with both scale types. Scales describing overall pruritus severity were found to be reliable most consistently. Neither NRS nor VAS displayed the degree of reliability desired in a health measurement scale. Interpretation of research results evaluating canine pruritus severity with NRS and VAS scales should account for suboptimal reliability.
Growth and characterization of epitaxial cubic boron nitride films on silicon.

We report the growth of boron nitride films on (001) faces of silicon using the method of pulsed-excimer-laser ablation. The structure of the deposited films is cubic zinc blende with a lattice constant of 3.619 \AA{}. The films were found to be heteroepitaxial with the cubic BN〈100〉 axes parallel to Si〈100〉, as characterized by x-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. We find evidence for an unusual 3:2 commensurate lattice matching.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cell dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity in volunteers with and without diabetes mellitus

It has been reported that cancer patients with diabetes mellitus receiving a continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) have more toxicity and higher plasma 5-FU levels than patients without diabetes mellitus. Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is the initial and rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of 5-FU. DPD activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells has been reported to correlate inversely with 5-FU plasma levels in patients. We therefore undertook a study to compare the activity of DPD in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of human subjects with and without diabetes mellitus. The study groups comprised 43 volunteers with and 39 without diabetes mellitus, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell DPD activity was assayed on samples obtained between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. DPD activity was not decreased in diabetic subjects. There was no relationship between DPD activity and gender, body mass index, or race. There was a modest correlation between DPD activity and age (r=0.19, P=0.08). We conclude that increases in 5-FU-related toxicities in diabetics must be related to factors other than peripheral blood mononuclear cell DPD activity.
Focal Asymmetric Longus Colli Uptake on FDG PET/CT

Abstract:Muscular uptake on F18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) examinations is commonly seen and the typical patterns are well described. Muscular uptake is usually easily differentiated from pathology by its symmetry and location or by fusion with C
Hematology: Setting the standard for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

The treatment of multiple myeloma has evolved rapidly with the use of the immunomodulatory agents thalidomide and lenalidomide as well as the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. Cavo and colleagues recently reported results of a landmark phase III study comparing thalidomide–dexamethasone with bortezomib–thalidomide–dexamethasone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
Immunological quantification of hemoglobins F and A2

Abstract Radial immunodiffusion techniques for hemoglobins F and A2 are described. Both techniques compare favorably with results obtained by alkali denaturation and cellulose acetate electrophoresis, respectively. Comparable results are obtained by immunoassay of hemoglobin solutions or lysed whole blood, obviating expensive equipment or washing red cells.
Abyssal Atlantic circulation during the Last Glacial Maximum: Constraining the ratio between transport and vertical mixing

transport to vertical diffusivity in the deep Atlantic. Our calculations suggest that the ratio was at least twice as large at the LGM. We speculate that the primary cause was reduced mixing between northern and southern component waters, associated with movement of this water mass boundary away from the zone of intense mixing near the seafloor. The shallower water mass boundary yields an order of magnitude increase in the volume of southern component water, suggesting its residence time may have increased substantially. Our analysis supports the idea that an expanded volume of Antarctic Bottom Water and limited vertical mixing enhanced the abyssal ocean’s ability to trap carbon during glacial times.
Adaptive beam shaping by controlled thermal lensing in optical elements

We describe an adaptive optical system for use as a tunable focusing element. The system provides adaptive beam shaping via controlled thermal lensing in the optical elements. The system is agile, remotely controllable, touch free, and vacuum compatible; it offers a wide dynamic range, aberration-free focal length tuning, and can provide both positive and negative lensing effects. Focusing is obtained through dynamic heating of an optical element by an external pump beam. The system is especially suitable for use in interferometric gravitational wave interferometers employing high laser power, allowing for in situ control of the laser modal properties and compensation for thermal lensing of the primary laser. Using CO2 laser heating of fused-silica substrates, we demonstrate a focal length variable from infinity to 4.0 m, with a slope of 0.082 diopter/W of absorbed heat. For on-axis operation, no higher-order modes are introduced by the adaptive optical element. Theoretical modeling of the induced optical path change and predicted thermal lens agrees well with measurement.
Scaling Delinquent Careers Over Time

Guttman scales, especially those produced from data collected over time, and the properties of Guttman scales–unidimensionality and cumulativeness–have been underutilized in the description and analysis of certain constructs in sociology that are dynamic, and of certain processes that are reversible. The Guttman scale reported here was produced from delinquency self report data gathered on 581 students at two different points in time. Two purposes are served by the scale: first, it illuminates the construct delinquent career by presenting delinquent acts over time, along a unidimensional normative gradient marked by increasing severity; and second, it operationalizes change in a student's delinquent commitment as change in that student's scale type (or scale location).
Agonist-induced muscarinic acetylcholine receptor down-regulation in intact rat brain cells.

Abstract Intact brain cells were prepared by dissociating whole adult rat brains without the cerebellum using a sieving technique. It has been found that preincubation of these cells with the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, carbamylcholine, results in a significant reduction in the specific binding of [3H]N-methylscopolamine to the receptors after the agonist was washed away. This agonist-mediated receptor down-regulation increased with prolongation of the exposure period to the agonist, and a steady state was achieved after 3 h at 37°C. This effect of agonist was concentration-dependent, reaching a 30–35% decline in subsequent ligand binding upon preincubation with 1 mM carbamylcholine for 3 h. Carbamylcholine-induced receptor down-regulation was not apparent when exposure to the agonist was performed at 15°C. In addition, it was abolished when the receptors were blocked by atropine. The decline in [3H]N-methylscopolamine binding induced by agonist was reflected as a significant reduction in the receptor density with no change in receptor affinity, suggesting that ‘true’ receptor down-regulation takes place. Moreover, when the receptors were labeled with the lipophilic antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate instead of the hydrophilic ligand [3H]N-methylscopolamine, the magnitude of the observed receptor down-regulation was significantly lower in case of the former than the latter. This suggests that exposure of intact brain cells to muscarinic agonists might induce a slight degree of accumulation of receptors in intracellular sites before the receptors are actually degraded. These results are discussed in relation to previous findings regarding muscarinic receptor regulation in clonal cell lines.
(C3) The oral epithelial cell and first encounters with HIV-1.

The oral epithelium is the site of first exposure of HIV-1 to host tissues during oral sex with an infected partner or through breast-feeding by an infected mother. Although the oral epithelium is distinguishable by its apparent resistance, the mucosal surfaces represent a primary target of HIV-1. After oral exposure and swallowing, infection is detected prominently in the gastrointestinal tract, which becomes depleted of CD4+ T-cells. The oral cavity and palatine tonsils appear to resist infection and transfer to susceptible lymphoid cells in the lamina propria by local anti-HIV-1 mechanisms. In some cases, expression of these antiviral mechanisms increases after exposure to HIV-1. During primary exposure and before seroconversion, based on limited in vitro and primate data, a window of opportunity for capture of HIV-1 by the oral epithelium may exist. After seroconversion, the risk of infectious HIV-1 appearing in saliva is negligible. This report considers evidence that oral epithelium has the potentia...
Monitoring the cure of an epoxy‐anhydride resin

The cure of an epoxy-anhydride resin system used in pultrusion was characterized to develop an understanding of the cure behavior and to determine potential process controls parameters. Isothermal cures of neat resin formulations were monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), torsional braid analysis (TBA), and microdielectrometry (MDE). The processing conditions define a time/ temperature region in which monitoring would be applicable. Both DSC and MDE were found to yield useful information in this region, however, the events typically monitored by TBA either did not occur or occurred too quickly to be monitored. Significant ionic conductivity was observed in the fully cured resins at temperatures above the glass transition temperature and could possibly be used as a control parameter. This study revealed an apparent change in reaction mechanism with increasing cure temperature. DSC showed a change in activation energy with extent of reaction and a decrease in heat of reaction at the higher isothermal cure temperatures. The formation of a different network structure was indicated by a decreasing glass transition temperature of the cured resin with increasing cure temperature by both DSC and TBA.
The Serbs in Austria-Hungary

That there is as yet no good history of the Serbs in Austria-Hungary is not surprising. Such a work would have to treat not one but several separate Serbian communities. A number of Serbs had lived on imperial lands from the time they colonized the Balkans, but most of them settled in Austria-Hungary after the Ottoman invasion of the Balkan Peninsula in the fourteenth century.2 Some Serbian communities in Austria-Hungary were more oppressed than others and had less opportunity for social advancement. Certain of them were blessed with rich lands that yielded abundant crops, while others were settled on starved lands from which they could barely earn a living. A few made their homes astride important trade routes and near major centers of civilization and others in relatively isolated communities. A small minority became successful merchants and artisans and some of them amassed fair-sized fortunes. There were among the Serbs well-to-do landowners (including the Serbian Church) and a handful of Serbs who had titles. Eventually a number of Serbs became distinguished as high ranking officers in the emperor's army and as scholars and professional men.3 But most Serbs in Austria-Hungary were peasants and remained so.