cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Replication of human cytomegalovirus in human retinal glial cells.

Purpose. The purpose of these studies was to characterize the replication cycle of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in human retinal glial cells in vitro. Methods. Cultured human retinal glial cells were exposed to HCMV strain AD 169 or lowpassage clinical isolates for a 2-hour adsorption period and then incubated in the appropriate growth medium at 37°C. Cultures were examined by microscopy for cytopathic effect and by immunofluorescence staining using monoclonal antibodies directed against immediate-early, early, and late HCMV proteins. Viral DNA was analyzed by field inversion gel electrophoresis and detected using Southern blot analysis or the polymerase chain reaction. Results. Immunocytochemical staining revealed that the glial cells expressed all three classes of HCMV proteins and that infectious virus could be transferred from the medium of the infected cultures to susceptible MRC-5 cell monolayers. Less than 1% of the glial cells expressed the S-phase enzyme, thymidine kinase, at the time of infection compared to MRC-5 fibroblasts, of which 81% expressed it. Progeny virus was found to be highly cell associated in glial cells (80%) at peak virus titer compared to MRC-5 cells (39% cell associated at peak titer). Four low-passage clinical isolates of HCMV from patients with acquired immune deficiency virus also productively infected cultures of human retinal glial cells. Field inversion gel electrophoresis of HCMV-infected glial cell lysates was performed to identify the replicative forms of DNA. Southern blots probed with HCMV-specific probes showed that HCMV DNA replication proceeds through high molecular weight intermediates before forming the 230kb unit length genome. Conclusions. The full permissive replication of HCMV in human retinal glial cells indicates that glial cells are a likely site of HCMV replication in the retina and thus may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCMV retinitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1996;37:1957-1966. XVetinitis caused by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection occurs in patients with acquired immune deficiency virus (AIDS) at frequencies as high as 40%, as summarized by Jabs and coworkers. 1 It also occurs
TCT-359 Late Outcome of the First-in-Human Study of the Colibri Dry, Pre-mounted, Pre-packaged TAVR Valve

The Colibri heart valve (CHV) is a pre-mounted, pre-packaged, low-profile, ready-for-use dry TAVR valve with conical cusp design mounted upon a balloon-expandable delivery system encapsulated within within a 14 Fr sheath. Though dry at insertion, the membrane leaflets function immediately on
Cerebral microbleeds predict infectious intracranial aneurysm in infective endocarditis.

Background and purpose Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features such as cerebral microbleeds and sulcal susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) or gradient-echo T2* lesions in infective endocarditis (IE) have been associated with the presence of infectious intracranial aneurysm (IIA). Our aim was to validate these MRI predictors for IIA in order to better assist in assessing the appropriate indications for digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Methods The derivation cohort comprised IE patients with neurological evaluation, MRI and DSA at a single tertiary referral center from January 2015 to July 2016. Validation was performed in a cohort of IE patients who underwent MRI and DSA at the same center from 2010 to 2014. Results Of 62 patients in the derivation cohort, 10 (16%) had IIAs. Of 129 in the validation cohort, 19 (15%) IIAs were identified. The MRI predictors for IIA consist of (i) contrast enhancement with microbleeds, (ii) cerebral microbleeds >5 mm or sulcal SWI lesions and (iii) any MRI hemorrhages. The sensitivity for the presence of IIA in each group of the derivation cohort was 90%, 80% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity in the validation cohort was 47%, 68% and 94% respectively. The specificity in the derivation cohort was 87%, 85% and 18%. In the validation cohort, the specificity was similar at 87%, 75% and 27%. Conclusions The absence of MRI hemorrhages may not necessitate the need for DSA.
Rhipicephalus Appendiculatus Ticks Transmit Theileria Parva From Persistently Infected Cattle in the Absence of Detectable Parasitemia: Implications for East Coast Fever Epidemiology

East Coast fever (ECF) is a devastating disease of cattle and a significant constraint to improvement of livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. The protozoan parasite causing ECF, Theileria parva, undergoes obligate sexual stage development in its tick vector Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Tick-borne acquisition and transmission occurs transstadially; larval and nymphal ticks acquire infection while feeding and transmit to cattle when they feed after molting to the next stage. Much of the current knowledge relating to tick-borne acquisition and transmission of T. parva has been derived from studies performed during acute infections where parasitemia is high. In contrast, tick-borne transmission during the low-level persistent infections characteristic of endemic transmission cycles is rarely studied. Cattle were infected with one of two stocks of T. parva (Muguga or Marikebuni). Four months post-infection when parasites were no longer detectable in peripheral blood by PCR, 500 R. appendiculatus nymphs were fed to repletion on each of the cattle. After they molted to the adult stage, 20 or 200 ticks, respectively, were fed on two naive cattle for each of the parasite stocks. After adult ticks fed to repletion, cattle were tested for T. parva infection by nested PCR and dot blot hybridization. Once they had molted to adults the ticks that had fed as nymphs on Muguga and Marikebuni infected cattle successfully transmitted Theileria parva to all naive cattle, even though T. parva infection was not detectable by nested PCR on salivary gland genomic DNA of a sample of individual ticks. However, a salivary gland homogenate from a single Marikebuni infected tick was able to infect primary bovine lymphocytes. Infection was detected by nested p104 PCR in 3 of 4 calves and detected in all 4 calves by T. parva 18S nested PCR/dot blot hybridization. We show that R. appendiculatus ticks are able to acquire T. parva parasites from infected cattle even in the absence of detectable parasitemia. Although infection was undetectable in a sample of individual ticks, cumulatively as few as 20 ticks were able to transmit T. parva to naive cattle. These results have important implications for our understanding of T. parva transmission by R. appendiculatus in ECF endemic regions.
Reliability Analysis of Debonding in Steel Beams Strengthened with Externally Bonded CFRP Composites

AbstractThis paper presents the details of a reliability analysis of the debonding in steel beams strengthened with externally-bonded carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. A comprehens...
Suicide Attempt Trends Leading Up To and Following Gun Lock Changes in the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act

Firearms account for the majority of suicide deaths in the US military and general population. The percentage of suicides resulting from firearms is higher in the military, however, and as such, the ratio of non-lethal to lethal suicide attempts is lower in the military than in the general population. In 2013, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which facilitated a Department of Defense (DoD) shift toward allowing commanding officers and clinicians to inquire about personal firearms with service members perceived as being at risk and also began giving free cable locks to firearm-owning military personnel. The purpose of this paper is to provide a preliminary understanding of the effectiveness of this change, the authors examined trends in firearm suicide attempts within the US military and general population from 2010 to 2015.,Data on non-lethal and lethal suicide attempts overall and within specific methods were extracted from the Department of Defense Suicide Event Report and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (2011–2015).,Contrary to expectations, firearms were not utilized in a smaller proportion of suicide attempts within the military post-law change. Consistent with expectations, however, the ratio of non-lethal to lethal suicide attempts increased, particularly after the change in law, with the ratio in the military converging somewhat with that of the general population.,Overall, results were mixed, with only limited and tangential evidence that the change in law has proven effective. More precise data collection will be required in order to fully evaluate such laws.
Selecting treatment options in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer

Survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has significantly improved in the last decade. Survival gains are not driven by advances in first-line therapy but by incremental additional effects of subsequent treatment lines. To maximize outcomes, patients should receive all active agents. Identification of patient subgroups is increasing individualization of treatment. Novel oral agents, such as regorafenib and TAS-102, as well as promising immunotherapeutic agents have offered salvage treatment options for refractory mCRC. Although most therapeutic developments for mCRC in the chemorefractory setting focuses on new targets and/or more potent agents, reconsideration of established targets has gained importance with the growth of a rational pharmacogenomic approach to drug development, such as HER2. The authors describe treatment options for patients with refractory colon cancer following first- and second-line therapy.
Characterizing the information capacity of volume holograms with the Holevo bound.

We show that Holevo’s inequality upper-bounds the information capacity of a volume hologram without requiring a specification of the implementation of the hologram or the measurements to be made on the field scattered by the hologram. We find that, in the weakly scattering limit, the information capacity is not determined by the number of possible configurations of the holographic medium but only by the specification of the incident fields in the medium volume, which are determined at the volume boundary. By treating a volume hologram as a quantum communication channel, we establish a correspondence between the reconstruction of a hologram with multiple incident and scattered waves and the measurement of a quantum state with an operator-valued measure. We determine a bound on the probability of communications error, which describes the degree to which the incident fields may be distinguished by measurements of the scattered waves or, in other words, the crosstalk between the incident fields.
Assimilation in Online Course Design

As online education continues to grow, instructors from traditional classrooms are being asked to design online courses. In this study, data from interviews with thirty-three public four-year colle...
Clinical and Echocardiographic Predictors of Outcomes in Patients With Moderate (Mean Transvalvular Gradient 20 to 40 mm Hg) Aortic Stenosis

Risk factors for adverse clinical outcomes in patients with moderate aortic stenosis are not well defined. Previous studies have suggested that certain patients with moderate AS may be at an increased risk of heart failure (HF) or death. All patients with moderate AS seen in our institution during the study period (6/1/2014 to 6/30/2017) with a minimum 1-year follow-up were included. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected retrospectively. End points were defined as HF hospitalization, aortic valve replacement (AVR), or death. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models analyses were conducted using composite outcomes of (1) HF hospitalization or AVR and (2) HF hospitalization, AVR, or all-cause death. A total of 151 subjects met the inclusion criteria. The most significant risk factors associated with the composite outcomes were an ejection fraction (EF)
On thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms for stabilizing surface solid solutions

Many processes for energy storage rely on transformations between phases with strong separation tendencies. In these systems, performance limitations can arise from undesirable chemical and mechanical factors associated with the phase separation behavior. Solid solutions represent a desirable alternative, provided the conditions for their formation are known. Here, we invoke linear stability theory and diffuse-interface mesoscopic simulations to demonstrate that solid solutions can be stabilized near surface layers of phase-separating systems. Two factors are found to drive surface solid-solution formation: surface relaxation of solution self-strain energy and anisotropy of diffusion mobility. Using a strongly phase-separating LiXFePO4 particle as a model system, we show that the relaxation of the solution self-strain energy competes against the relaxation of the coherency strain energy to stabilize surface solid solutions. Our theoretical understanding also suggests that highly anisotropic diffusion mobility can provide an alternative kinetic route to achieve the same aim, with stabilizing behavior strongly dependent on the specific alignment of the surface orientation. Our findings provide fundamental guidance for manipulating solid-solution behavior in nanoscale structures, in which surface effects become especially significant. Beyond energy storage materials, our findings have important implications for understanding solid-solution formation in other phase-separating systems from metal alloys to ceramics.
Analysis of Parameters of an Unconfined Aquifer

The relationship between the parameters of a homogeneous, isotropic unconfined aquifer are described by dimensional analysis. A dimensionless form of the nonlinear differential equation governing the flow of groundwater toward a fully penetrating well in an infinite unconfined aquifer is solved numerically. Graphical methods of solution are proposed for the determination of any one of the parameters provided the other parameters are known. A field test is included to illustrate the proposed method.
Overview of Biaxial Test Results for Carbon Fiber Composites

Biaxial tests to determine stiffness and strength properties have been carried out on carbon/epoxy material systems using tubular specimens. The tests have included AS4, IM7, and T800 carbon fibers in a variety of layups that include fibers in [0/ ′60] layups, [0/ ′ 45/ 90] in quasi-isotropic layups, and layups with extra fibers in the loading or off-axis directions, as well as layups in which the loading directions were at an angle with respect to the fiber directions, and specimens with 2-D triaxial braids. Loadings included biaxial tension, biaxial compression, mixed tension and compression, and compression under superposed pressure. The tests show a number of features that can be interpreted on both a macroscopic and a micromechanics level. The results for specific layups and materials show that ultimate laminate failure can be accurately correlated by means of a critical fiber direction strain. However, relating the laminate failure values to the properties of the fiber and matrix requires a more detailed examination at the micromechanics level. Ultimate fiber direction tensile strain values apparently depend on the details of the interaction of matrix cracking and fiber-matrix interphase strength, and thus in situ fiber strength in a laminate differs from that in a tow test.
Differential Roles of Endothelial Cell-Derived and Smooth Muscle Cell-Derived Fibronectin Containing Extra Domain A in Early and Late Atherosclerosis

Objective: The extracellular matrix of atherosclerotic arteries contains abundant deposits of cellular Fn-EDA (fibronectin containing extra domain A), suggesting a functional role in the pathophysi...
Applying concurrent multidisciplinary care to gender affirmation in transgender women: A case series

Gender affirmation surgeries, though important for many transgender persons, can be numerous. Combining surgeries, as presented in this case series, affords many benefits to patients without increasing risk or complications.
Targeting telomerase for cancer therapy

Telomere maintenance via telomerase reactivation is a nearly universal hallmark of cancer cells which enables replicative immortality. In contrast, telomerase activity is silenced in most adult somatic cells. Thus, telomerase represents an attractive target for highly selective cancer therapeutics. However, development of telomerase inhibitors has been challenging and thus far there are no clinically approved strategies exploiting this cancer target. The discovery of prevalent mutations in the TERT promoter region in many cancers and recent advances in telomerase biology has led to a renewed interest in targeting this enzyme. Here we discuss recent efforts targeting telomerase, including immunotherapies and direct telomerase inhibitors, as well as emerging approaches such as targeting TERT gene expression driven by TERT promoter mutations. We also address some of the challenges to telomerase-directed therapies including potential therapeutic resistance and considerations for future therapeutic applications and translation into the clinical setting. Although much work remains to be done, effective strategies targeting telomerase will have a transformative impact for cancer therapy and the prospect of clinically effective drugs is boosted by recent advances in structural models of human telomerase.
“I Am Not a Hijra”: Class, Respectability, and the Emergence of the “New” Transgender Woman in India:

This article examines the mutual imbrication of gender and class that shapes how some transgender women seek incorporation into social hierarchies in postcolonial India. Existing literature demonst...
pyUserCalc: A revised Jupyter notebook calculator for uranium-series disequilibria in basalts

Meaningful analysis of uranium-series isotopic disequilibria in basaltic lavas relies on the use of complex forward numerical models like dynamic melting (McKenzie, 1985) and equilibrium porous flo...
Outcomes following Naloxone Administration by Bystanders and First Responders.

Background: Naloxone is widely available to bystanders and first responders to treat patients with suspected opioid overdose. In these patients, the prognostic factors and potential benefits associ...
Impact of an institutional grant award on early career investigator applicants and peer reviewers.

Background Obtaining research funding support is integral to a successful career in science. Training and practice in grant writing, as well as engagement in peer review of grant applications may help lead to successful research funding. However, there is little evidence on the impact of institutional programs on the career development of early career investigators (ECIs). Objectives Understand the impact of participation in an institutional research award program on the career development of ECIs. Methods The Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont established an Early Career Research (ECR) award program in 2018. ECIs who participated as applicants or reviewers in the first 3 years of the program (2018-2020) were surveyed to understand the impact of the ECR award program on their grant writing and professional development. Results Ninety-four percent of 17 applicants and 90% of 19 reviewers completed the survey. Ninety-two percent of funded and 75% of unfunded applicants, and 87% of reviewers reported that the program was beneficial to their professional development. Similarly, 85% of funded applicants, 75% of unfunded applicants, and 80% of reviewers reported improvement in their grant-writing skills. All respondents reported they would recommend the ECR award program to their peers. Conclusions This single-institution ECR award program had a positive impact on ECI's professional development and grant-writing skills and may lead to further extramural funding opportunities.
Subjective experiences at e-cigarette initiation: Implications for e-cigarette and dual/poly tobacco use among youth.

Abstract Background Subjective experiences (SEs) at initiation of cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco have been established as predictors of continued use. To date, less is known about the relationships between SEs at e-cigarette initiation and subsequent e-cigarette use behaviors. Methods This study used data from Waves 1–6 of the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance (TATAMS) system; a population-based rapid response study of adolescents in major metropolitan areas of Texas. Participants were adolescents who self-reported ever using e-cigarettes across all 6 waves (n = 1,104; N = 460,069). Factor analyses examined structure of SEs at e-cigarette initiation. Weighted, multilevel, multivariate regression models examined role of SEs at e-cigarette initiation on subsequent past 30-day e-cigarette use behaviors. Results Factor analyses identified a positive (i.e., euphoria, relaxation) and a negative (i.e., dizziness, cough, nausea) domain of SEs. Positive SEs at e-cigarette initiation predicted 1.20 (95% CI: 1.02–1.42) greater odds of subsequent past 30-day e-cigarette use. Similarly, positive SEs at e-cigarette initiation predicted greater relative risk of dual/poly e-cigarette use, relative to non-use (RRR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.24–2.10) and exclusive e-cigarette use (RRR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.26–2.24). Conclusion This is the first study to observe longitudinal relationships between SEs at e-cigarette initiation and subsequent e-cigarette use behaviors. Findings highlight the importance of preventing initial e-cigarette use among adolescents.
Toward a Unified Theory of Internal Innovation and Strategic Renewal: Comment on Furr & Eggers and Miller

Toward a Unified Theory of Internal Innovation and Strategic Renewal: Comment on Furr & Eggers and Miller
Short and long-term effect of reproduction on mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy in rats.

Abstract We evaluated mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy by investigating the acute and long-term changes in the liver and skeletal muscle of rats in multiple reproductive stages. A total of 48 rats were used. Rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 16 per group): nonreproductive females; females that became pregnant, gave birth, but had their pups removed at birth, and thus, did not lactate; and females that experienced pregnancy, gave birth, and were allowed to lactate. Each group was further divided into two-time subgroups (n = 8 per subgroup) and data were collected at a time-point corresponding to 1) peak lactation (day 14 of lactation) in the lactating animals (4 months of age) and 2) 15 weeks after parturition (12 weeks post-weaning in lactating animals; 7 months of age). Levels of several proteins involved in mitochondrial dynamics and the autophagy system were measured in the liver and skeletal muscle. Beclin1 protein levels in the liver were higher in non-lactating rats two weeks after parturition, while Beclin1 protein levels were highest in 7-month-old animals that had previously experienced a standard reproductive event that included pregnancy and a full 3 week of lactation. These animals also exhibited higher protein levels of the mitochondrial fusion marker Mfn2 in the liver. In skeletal muscle, we also observed increased protein levels of the mitochondrial fission marker DRP1 in non-lactating animals compared to animals that lactated. In summary, our data provide insightful information on the mechanisms that influence liver and skeletal muscle remodeling in response to the metabolic challenges of reproduction, and lactation in particular. Autophagy remodeling and mitochondrial fusion seem to coincide with liver mass size during the lactation stage of reproduction. Our findings highlight the complex changes that occur in the liver and skeletal muscle during reproduction, and highlights the remarkable plasticity required during this demanding metabolic feat.
Utility and Futility of Skin Testing to Address Concerns Surrounding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Reactions.

Background The mechanism of COVID-19 vaccine hypersensitivity reactions is unknown. COVID19 vaccine excipient skin testing has been used in evaluation of these reactions, but its utility in predicting subsequent COVID-19 vaccine tolerance is also unknown. Objective To evaluate the utility of COVID-19 vaccine and vaccine excipient skin testing in both patients with an allergic reaction to their first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose and patients with a history of polyethylene glycol (PEG) allergy who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine dose. Methods In this multi-center, retrospective review, COVID-19 vaccine and/or vaccine excipient skin testing was performed in patients referred to one of three large tertiary academic institutions. Patient medical records were reviewed after skin testing to determine subsequent COVID-19 vaccine tolerance. Results 129 patients underwent skin testing, which was positive in 12 patients (9.3%). 101 patients received a COVID-19 vaccine after skin testing, which was tolerated in 90 patients (89.1%) with no allergic symptoms, including 5 of the 6 patients with positive skin testing who received a COVID-19 vaccine after skin testing. The remaining 11 patients experienced minor allergic symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination, none of which required treatment beyond antihistamines. Conclusion The low positivity rate of COVID-19 vaccine excipient skin testing and high rate of subsequent COVID-19 vaccine tolerance suggests a low utility of this method in evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine hypersensitivity reactions. Focus should shift to the use of existing vaccine allergy practice parameters, with consideration of graded dosing if necessary. Based on these results, strict avoidance of subsequent COVID-19 vaccination should be discouraged.
Can we Predict the Local/Global Distribution of Dimethylsulfide?

Dimethylsulfide (DMS) appears to be relatively widespread in oceanic waters. Concentrations of DMS in seawater vary significantly in space within specific areas. Detailed analysis failed to provide any simple correlation of DMS in seawater with chlorophyll a or primary production. Shipboard measurements of DMS in air and water, as well as surface chlorophyll, were taken in the North Atlantic in the summer of 1989 during NASA CITE-3’s northern hemisphere missions. Large-scale changes associated with features such as the Gulf Stream can be seen; however, no striking correlations were observed among these parameters over time once the ship remained on a single station. ODAS, a spectro-radiometer mounted and operated from an aircraft, provided relative chlorophyll values derived from the radiances collected. Tropospheric DMS values were simultaneously collected in-flight by E. Saltzman and D. Cooper (RSMAS, Miami). Preliminary results from three missions show a decrease in relative chlorophyll numbers with increasing concentrations of atmospheric DMS. A bloom of the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria seen on the very surface at one station was not accompanied by an equivalent DMS signal in water nor in air. We analyzed the relationships between plant biomass, CITE-3 DMS, and shipboard DMS data for the northern hemisphere missions. Whether the concentrations of in-flight atmospheric DMS observed were the result of the algal communities surveyed by the spectro-radiometer or the meteorological conditions before, and during, each mission will be discussed.
Typology of Analytical and Interpretational Errors in Quantitative and Qualitative Educational Research

The purpose of this paper is to identify and to discuss major analytical and interpretational errors that occur regularly in quantitative and qualitative educational research. A comprehensive review of the literature discussing various problems was conducted. With respect to quantitative data analyses, common analytical and interpretational misconceptions are presented for data-analytic techniques representing each major member of the general linear model, including hierarchical linear modeling. Common errors associated with many of these approaches include (a) no evidence provided that statistical assumptions were checked; (b) no power/sample size considerations discussed; (c) inappropriate treatment of multivariate data; (d) use of stepwise procedures; (e) failure to report reliability indices for either previous or present samples; (f) no control for Type I error rate; and (g) failure to report effect sizes. With respect to qualitative research studies, the most common errors are failure to provide evidence for judging the dependability (i.e., reliability) and credibility (i.e., validity) of findings, generalizing findings beyond the sample, and failure to estimate and to interpret effect sizes.
A model of deception during cyber-attacks on information systems

Deception is a classic technique useful for military operations. With information systems around the world under frequent attack every day, it is appropriate to consider analogies from conventional warfare, and deception has historically been powerful as both a tactic and a strategy. We here systematically enumerate and rank the available deception options for information systems, both offensively and defensively. We then consider how defensive deceptions can be packaged within "generic excuses" that are more convincing to an attacker than isolated refusals to obey commands. We describe how the selection of the best generic excuses and excuse application times can be formulated with probabilities as an optimization problem and solved. Our theory lends itself well to computer implementation and we provide several examples.
Prolipoprotein modification and processing in Escherichia coli. A unique secondary structure in prolipoprotein signal sequence for the recognition by glyceryl transferase.

An Escherichia coli mutant (lpp-14-1), with an alteration of glycine to aspartic acid at the 14th amino acid residue of the prolipoprotein signal sequence, has previously been shown to contain unmodified and unprocessed prolipoprotein in its cell envelope. Both the wild-type and the lpp-14-1 alleles of the lpp gene have been cloned onto a phage λ vector. Two pseudorevertant alleles of lpp-14-1 (14R21 and 6a) have been isolated, cloned and sequenced. Amino acid sequences, deduced from the DNA sequences of the two revertant lipoprotein alleles, and biochemical characterization of the revertant lipoproteins, show that a conversion of the aspartic acid (residue 14) to asparagine completely restores the modification and processing of the 14R21 revertant prolipoprotein, while a change of the threonine-16 to isoleucine-16 partially enhances the modification and processing of the 6a prolipoprotein, which retains the aspartate-14 substitution. Secondary structure analysis of the revertant prolipoprotein signal sequenccs according to the Chou and Fasman rules revealed that the specific coil region in residues 14 and 15, and the β-short structure in residues 16–18 of signal sequence may be important for prolipoprotein modification. These results suggest essential roles of both a unique secondary structure and hydrophobicity in residues 14-18 of prolipoprotein signal sequence for the proper recognition by the glyceryl transferase.
The surgically removed ovary

Abstract The study of 665 cases in which the ovaries were surgically removed has revealed the following facts and permitted certain opinions to be formulated: 1. 1. Although the presence of follicular cysts is usually not considered significant, in this series 45.1 per cent were associated with hypermenorrhea and 64.6 per cent with myomas of the uterus. 2. 2. The benign serous and pseudomucinous cysts occurred about equally in all age groups. 3. 3. The malignant form of the pseudomucinous cyst affects an older age group than the serous type. 4. 4. The large majority of patients having benign cystic teratomas were between the ages of 21 and 40 years. 5. 5. Two-thirds of the patients having fibromas of the ovary were over 45 years of age. 6. 6. The removal of any ovary from a patient under 30 years of age should be done only after a qualified observer has declared that the ovary is abnormal or associated disturbances require oophorectomy. 7. 7. It is urged that normal ovaries should not be removed from women under 45 years of age at the time of hysterectomy for benign lesions. 8. 8. There is no increased incidence of ovarian cysts subsequent to hysterectomy. 9. 9. The advantages experienced from retaining a normal ovary in the women under 45 years of age far outweigh the slim possibility of the development of a primary ovarian malignant tumor. No instance of a primary ovarian malignant tumor occurred in a retained ovary in 71 cases studied. 10. 10. All women in whom ovaries have been retained during a hysterectomy should have pelvic examinations every six months even though the development of pathologic disturbances in such ovaries is rare.
Spectral enhancement of recombinant proteins with tryptophan analogs: The soluble domain of human tissue factor

Publisher Summary Tryptophan (Trp) analogs in proteins have great potential for fluorescence studies, provided they have a unique absorbance compared to Trp, allowing proteins incorporating these analogs to be selectively excited in the presence of other Trp-containing proteins. This chapter discusses attempts to replace the four Trps in the truncated, soluble domain of recombinant human tissue factor (sTF) with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-OHTrp) and 7-azatryptophan (7-ATrp). Among possible Trp analogs, 7-ATrp is an excellent environmental probe, as it can exhibit a large increase in quantum yield, when buried in the protein interior and has approximately 50 nm red-shifted emission spectra compared to Trp, while the analog 5-OHTrp has the advantage of a large shift in the absorbance spectrum, allowing for its selective excitation in the presence of Trp. The chapter describes that cells exposed to 5-OHTrp grow poorly, and express less protein than cells induced in the presence of Trp. To date most of the proteins expressed with 5-OHTrp or 7-ATrp have been prokaryotic, and the prokaryotic DNA-binding proteins discussed have been prepared to provide absorption spectra that can be easily resolved from that of DNA. The other DNA-binding proteins all appear to have wild-type function. However, to date, there is not enough data available to make similar generalizations about eukaryotic proteins.
Further Analysis of Password Authenticated Key Exchange Protocol Based on RSA for Imbalanced Wireless Networks

Password-authenticated key exchange protocols allow two entities who only share a human-memorable password to authenticate each other and agree on a large session key. Such protocols are attractive for their simplicity and convenience and have received much interest in the research community. In ISC’02, Zhu et al. [18] proposed an efficient password-authenticated key exchange protocol which is suitable to the imbalanced wireless network environment where a low-power client communicates with a powerful server. In ISC’03, Bao [1] pointed out that the password protocol of Zhu et al. is subject to off-line dictionary attack if entity’s identity is too short. Bao presented two kinds of dictionary attacks which can exclude two possible passwords in each protocol run. In this paper, we present a more efficient attack on the password protocol of Zhu et al.. In our attack, an adversary can exclude multiple possible passwords in each protocol run, regardless of whether entity’s identity is short or long. To thwart the attack, we provide further improvement on Zhu et al.’s password-authenticated key exchange protocol.
Rapid Pliocene exhumation of the central Greater Caucasus constrained by low‐temperature thermochronometry

[1] Constraining the timing of onset and rates of deformation within the Greater Caucasus mountains is key to understanding their role in accommodating deformation across the Arabia-Eurasia orogen. We present new low-temperature thermochronometric constraints on the Cenozoic thermal evolution of the central Greater Caucasus that elucidate a three-phase cooling history. Between 50 and 30 Ma, cooling within the range was negligible. In Oligocene time, cooling rates throughout the range increased to ∼4°C/Myr. These rates remained constant until the early Pliocene time, when they increased again, reaching ∼25°C/Myr along the axial part of the range. Rates and timing of Oligocene exhumation are consistent with previous results from the western Greater Caucasus and are proposed to result from onset of subduction of the Greater Caucasus back-arc basin. Rapid exhumation of the Greater Caucasus, beginning in Pliocene time, contrasts with previously reported thermal histories for other portions of the range. Pliocene exhumation of the central Greater Caucasus appears to be tectonically driven and coincides with widespread evidence for a major reorganization of the Arabia-Eurasia plate boundary. We hypothesize that this exhumation, and regionally observed plate reorganization, results from the collision of the Lesser Caucasus with Eurasia, completing the subduction of oceanic lithosphere across this segment of the Arabia-Eurasia plate boundary.
A spatiotemporal analysis of Midwest US temperature and precipitation trends during the growing season from 1980 to 2013

Since late 1970s, climate warming has been widely recognized. In the Midwest, farmers cannot rely on the normal calendar anymore, and it has become critically necessary to evaluate the most recent climate trends relative to growing season in order to conduct adaptation efforts for agriculture. Based on the homogenized historical monthly temperature and precipitation records during the period of 1980–2013 from 302 observing stations in the 12 Midwestern US states, we investigate the climate trends on four timescales: monthly, early growing season, late growing season, and the entire growing season. The climate metrics include maximum temperature, minimum temperature, average temperature, diurnal temperature range, and precipitation. Nonparametric Sen's Slope together with the nonparametric Mann–Kendall test is used to estimate the decadal trend and to detect the statistical significance. The results show that growing season average temperature has increased at a rate of 0.15 °C decade−1 over the Midwest United States. Within the growing season, minimum temperature is increasing faster in the early growing season, especially in June, while maximum temperature is increasing faster in the late growing season, especially in September. Spatially, statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) growing season warming is more focused in the southern part of the region in the early growing season but in the northern part of the region in the late growing season. Over the Midwest, dominant trends in diurnal temperature range are decreasing during most months, with the exception of September. The majority of the locations show increasing trends in growing season precipitation, yet few are statistically significant. Furthermore, precipitation has been increasing in the early growing season but decreasing in the late growing season. This within-season reversing trend in precipitation is found in 8 of 12 Corn Belt states: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Expressive Timing in a Debussy Prelude: A Comparison of Student and Expert Pianists

The expressive timing of 10 famous pianists' performances of Debussy's prelude, La fille aux cheveux de lin, was measured from acoustic recordings and compared to the expressive timing of performan...
Correlated Variations of Planetary Albedos and Solar-Interplanetary Parameters

The brightnesses of Titan and Neptune have been monitored photoelectrically at 472 and 551 nm since 1972 at the Lowell Observatory, yielding annual mean magnitudes accurate to 0.3 percent (0.003 mag). Both objects increased steadily in brightness until 1976 and declined thereafter (Lockwood 1977, Lockwood and Thompson 1979). The range of variation was about 0.08 mag for Titan and 0.03 mag for Neptune.
Hybrid lateral mass screw sublaminar wire construct: A salvage technique for posterior cervical fixation in pediatric spine surgery

We present a novel salvage technique for pediatric subaxial cervical spine fusion in which lateral mass screw fixation was not possible due to anatomic constraints. The case presentation details a 4-year-old patient with C5-C6 flexion/distraction injury with bilateral jumped facets. Posterior cervical fixation was attempted; however, lateral mass fracture occurred during placement of screws. Using a wire-screw construct, an attempt was made to provide stable fixation. The patient was followed post-operatively for assessment of outcomes. After the patient had progressive kyphosis following initial closed reduction and external orthosis, internal reduction with fusion/fixation was performed. Lateral mass fracture occurred during placement of lateral mass screws. After placement of a sub-laminar wire-lateral mass screw construct, intra-operative evaluation determined stability. Post-operatively, the procedure resulted in stable fixation with evidence of bony fusion on follow-up. Pediatric subaxial cervical spine instrumentation provides rigid fixation however is technically difficult due to anatomic and instrumentation related constraints. In the presented patient, the wire-screw construct resulted in stable fixation and bony fusion on follow-up. A modified sublaminar wire-lateral mass screw construct is an example of a salvage technique that provides immediate stability in the event of instrumentation related lateral mass fracture.
Dissociation of Lipid Components and Reconstitution at – 75° C of Mg2+ Dependent, Na+ and K+ Stimulated, Adenosine Triphosphatase in Rat Brain

MEMBRANE enzymes, because of their lipid content, are insoluble in water and usually solubilized as micelles in aqueous solution by detergents for biochemical study. Direct study of lipid components by means of organic liquids in which they dissolve leads at once to the denaturation of the enzyme. At temperatures appreciably colder than 0° C, however, organic solvents may leave enzymatic activity intact1–3, making it possible to study enzyme reactions.
A 'smart' catalyst that self-assembles under turnover conditions

VIRTUALLY all synthetic materials with a dynamic function, from catalysts to integrated circuit elements, degrade irreversibly with time. The inevitability of decay is an implicit consideration in the design of materials or molecules that serve these functions, and fabrication methods tend to aim simply at minimizing the rate of decay. Here, by contrast, we describe a molecular catalyst that experiences a thermodynamic and kinetic driving force for its own reassembly and repair under the conditions of catalysis. We show that the multicomponent polyanion cluster α-[(CoII)PW11O39]5− self-assembles from four precursor species, containing a total of 28 molecules, and that as it assembles it starts simultaneously to catalyse the epoxidation of alkenes with high selectivity. This conclusion follows from the observation that the kinetics of self-assembly and those of catalysis are closely correlated as the reactions proceed. Should it be fragmented during operation, this polyanion catalyst will therefore experience a thermodynamic and kinetic driving force for its own repair.
Toward an Artificial Oxidative DNA Photolyase

The design, synthesis, structure, and binding affinity of two dioptic receptors for the selective molecular recognition of the cis,syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer are reported. The design is based on two 2,6-di(acetamino)pyridine recognition units that are covalently linked via triple bonds to an anthraquinone functional spacer unit. The convergent synthesis uses a modified Sonogashira reaction involving a zinc transmetalation as the key step. The crystal structure of one of the receptors reveals a supramolecular 1D polymer with strong interactions mediated by shape self-complementarity, π-stacking, and hydrogen bonding between adjacent molecules. Hydrogen bonding between adjacent strands enforces a parallel orientation, which leads to a noncentrosymmetric crystal structure of the highly polar compound. The receptor has an association constant of Ka = 1.0 × 103 M-1 with the cis,syn pyrimidine dimer, whereas binding of the trans,syn isomer is approximately 1 order of magnitude weaker.
Parallel implementation of the Bi-CGSTAB method with block red-black Gauss-Seidel preconditioner applied to the Hermite collocation discretization of partial differential equations

Abstract We describe herein the parallel implementation of the Bi-CGSTAB method with a block red–black Gauss–Seidel (RBGS) preconditioner applied to the systems of linear algebraic equations that arise from the Hermite collocation discretization of partial differential equations in two spatial dimensions. The method is implemented on the Cray T3E, a parallel processing supercomputer. Speedup results are discussed.
Loblolly Pine Needles Retain Urea Fertilizer that Can Be Lost as Ammonia

Previous work showed that simulated rainfall applied immediately after urea application to a pine forest floor decreased NH 3 losses to negligible levels. The same work also showed that unless rain occurs before urea is dissolved, it might not be effective at leaching urea into the forest floor and decreasing NH 3 losses. This study evaluated the effects of diurnal humidity cycles and rainfall amounts on the proportion of urea leached from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forest floor fractions, and on subsequent ammonia volatilization. New and old pine needles, as well as the partially decomposed (O e ) horizon, were collected from a loblolly pine forest floor in Georgia, USA. Control samples and samples treated with urea at 200 kg N ha - 1 were exposed to zero, two, four, or eight simulated humidity cycles, after which they were leached with nine 20-mm increments of simulated rain. Rainfall (180 mm) applied immediately after urea application (0 humidity cycles) leached >98% of the urea from the three forest fractions. Increasing the number of simulated humidity cycles from zero to eight decreased the percentage of urea leached from new pine needles from 98 to 49%, but did not have a major effect on the amount of urea leached from old needles or partially decomposed fraction. All of the urea not leached from new pine needles by 180 mm of simulated rainfall was extractable by water when the new needles were ground. When new needles treated with urea were leached with 180 mm of simulated rainfall and then incubated at 25°C and 95% relative humidity (RH) for 15 d, NH 3 losses amounted to 8% of the urea applied. These results suggest that urea retained by recently dropped pine needles is found inside the needles, where it can be hydrolyzed and subsequently lost as NH 3 .
Computer Storage and Manipulation of Field Notes and Verbal Protocols: Three Cautions

It has become fashionable to propose, as a solution to some of the technical and mechanical challenges of working with a large volume of qualitative information (for example, field notes from a year of observation and interaction, or transcripts of teachers thinking aloud while planning or during clinical interviews), that a large mainframe computer and special software be used to assist with data analysis. I would like to raise three cautions about this proposed approach, for it seems to me that computer storage and manipulation of such information could cause as many serious problems as it might solve. The three cautions concern labor and expense, access and control, and reductionism.