cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
General LC-MS/MS Method Approach to Quantify Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies Using a Common Whole Antibody Internal Standard with Application to Preclinical Studies

Ligand binding assays (LBAs) are widely used for therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) quantification in biological samples. Major limitations are long method development times, reagent procurement, and matrix effects. LC-MS/MS methods using signature peptides are emerging as an alternative approach, which typically use a stable isotope labeled signature peptide as the internal standard (IS). However, a new IS has to be generated for every candidate, and the IS may not correct for variations at all processing steps. We have developed a general LC-MS/MS method approach employing a uniformly heavy-isotope labeled common whole mAb IS and a common immunocapture for sample processing. The method was streamlined with automation for consistency and throughput. Method qualification of four IgG2 and four IgG1 mAbs showed sensitivity of 0.1 μg/mL and linearity of 0.1–15 μg/mL. Quality control (QC) data of these eight mAbs were accurate and precise. The QC performance of the whole molecule labeled IS was better than...
ESD: A Formal Consciousness Model for International Negotiation

We develop the Evolutionary Systems Design (ESD) formal consciousness model for international negotiation extending the usual cognitive rationality of formal models to right rationality validated subjectively by cognition, affection, conation, holistically, and spiritually. Two subjective validation tests for right rationality are described. The purpose is to attain right negotiation agreements in international negotiation. Practice and computer implementation are discussed and applications presented. Though the ESD general formal mathematical model is an evolving difference game, in applying it to specific problems mathematical symbols are not normally used, relations between generally familiar sets of elements being expressed by tables (matrices). We believe that ESD can help close the gap between formal modeling and practice of international negotiation.
Bacterial film growth in adsorbent surfaces

Simultaneous biological and activated-carbon treatment of organic wastewaters appears promising. The effects of bacterial film growth on adsorbent particles is investigated by laboratory work and mathematical modelling. Regeneration of the adsorbent due to film growth does occur, but faster than predicted. The discrepancy reflects uncertainty about the structure of bacterial films.
A NOTE: A MODEL OF STEAM INJECTOR PERFORMANCE

A simple, mathematical model of the steady state performance of a condensing steam injector is developed based on one-dimensional conservation equations. The model involves two distinct flow regions–a stratified annular flow and a downstream dispersed flow. The former regime is modeled using a two fluid, non-equilibrium formulation while the latter is described by a homogeneous non-equilibrium model. The flow regime transition point is not calculated from first principles but must be described empirically. The model is applied to the simulation of experimental data. Good accuracy is achieved especially in cases where a significant condensation potential exists. The major modeling deficiencies are the lack of a predictive flow transition and the need for empirical closure relations for interphasial exchanges and shock calculations. More fundamental experiments are required before qualitative analytical model improvements are possible.
Rapid inhibition of hypocotyl growth by blue light in Sinapis alba L.

Abstract The short-term response of etiolated Sinapis alba to blue irradiation was compared with red and far-red responses. The rate of hypocotyl elongation was measured with displacement transducers and recorded with a microcomputer based data acquisition and control system. Blue light (11 W m −1 ) inhibited the growth rate after a lag of only 40–60 s, while red (8 W m −1 ) and far-red (7 W m −1 ) light had a much slower and weaker effect. These results show that a specific blue-light photoreceptor controls hypocotyl elongation in Sinapis . A possible accessory role for phytochrome in the rapid blue-light response was tested by dichromatic irradiations. The rapid blue response was unaffected by simultaneous far-red irradiation of equal quantum flux, indicating that phytochrome cycling is not involved in the rapid growth suppression by blue light. These results show that elongation of Sinapis hypocotyls is regulated by two distinct photoreceptors.
ATP requirement for in vitro DNA synthesis in permeable cells of Bacillus brevis

DNA synthesis in permeable cells of Bacillus brevis is almost completely dependent on the presence of ATP. Nevertheless, DNA synthesis in this system reflects primarily DNA repair rather than replication, as shown by the response to replication inhibitors, density shift experiments, and product size analysis. The apparent dependence of DNA synthesis on ATP was due to the stabilization of the deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate pools against degradation. These observations indicate that dependence of DNA synthesis on ATP is not a sufficient criterion for semiconservative DNA replication.
Widespread transient Hoogsteen base pairs in canonical duplex DNA with variable energetics.

Hoogsteen (HG) base pairs occur transiently within DNA and exhibit altered non Watson–Crick (WC)-pairing geometries with the potential to govern sequence-dependent DNA processes. Here, Alvey et al. show that HG base pairing occurs within diverse sequence contexts and define the energetic landscapes that favour WC-to-HG transitions.
Transculturating Politics, Realism, and Experimentation in 1960s Buenos Aires Theatre

Three auspicious premieres attested to an international “sixties” presence in the Argentinean capital. The Sala Planeta produced Jean-Claude Van Itallie's America Hurrah! under the direction of Carlos Gandolfo, an influential leader of the 1950s Buenos Aires independent theatre movement. Premiering as well at the Planeta was Joe Orton's Entertaining Mr. Sloan, directed by Alberto Ure, soon to travel to the United States to study the work of the Open Theatre, the Performance Group, and the Theatre of the Ridiculous. Shortly after his return to Buenos Aires, Ure would become known for his own psychodramatic performance techniques. The cast of Entertaining Mr. Sloan included Eduardo Pavlovsky, an actor who was rapidly establishing himself as one of Buenos Aires's important “absurdist” playwrights. A third production launched the Equipo Teatro Payro; their staging of Megan Terry's Viet Rock would run for three years and 409 performances. The production's director and Payro cofounder, Jaime Kogan, soon became one of Buenos Aires's most respected independent theatre directors, and its principal actors went on to successful independent and commercial theatre, television, and film careers. The legendary Argentine rock band Manal performed the production's music.
GENERALIZATION EFFECTS OF VERBAL CONDITIONING: AN EVALUATION

definition of "similarity*' which is applicable in explaining some divergent results in the literarure. It was noted that the similarity between the conditioning and transfer tasks is important to the degree chat the latter situation provides an opportunity for specif:ed, strengthened rms to be elicited and affect behavior. Reviews of generalization effects of verbal conditioning by Greenspoon ( 1962 ) and Drennen (1963) have noted a pauciry of investigations, and have found that almost half (4 of 10) have reported negative results. Furthermore, there have been few attempts at theorizing or explanation of either success or failure. Both Greenspoon and Dre~en consider generalization or transfer to be a function of the similarity of cues in the learning and transfer task situations, but as an explanation of success or failure, mere "similarity," as used, proves both superficial and inadequate, and needs operational definition. For example, Ss in a study by Timmons (Greenspoon, p. 532), were reinforced on a random schedule for emitting verbal responses related to buildings. They were then asked to draw a picture of the first thing that occurred to them. This seems, at first glance, a transfer task situation which has few cues in common with his conditioning task. Ss who were reinforced for building responses drew pictures of buildings on their first drawing much more frequently than Ss who were not so reinforced. On the other hand, Rogers (1960) conducted a series of free interviews with individual Ss in which "self-reference" verbalizations were reinforced. A battery of four personalicy tests included two specifically designed to elicit self-references, the Taylor Scale and a Q-Sort of Emotional Adjustment Test. Successful conditioning of self-references was obtained but no changes were noted on any of the personality tests. Some light, in our attempt to specify and operationally define "similarity," was provided by Staats (1961). Verbal conditioning, he feels, consists of strengthening certain response meanings (rms) and the very process itself, a generalization phenomenon within verbal habit-family hierarchies. Extending his analysis, it seems clear that for generalization to take place, the transfer situation must be one which can elicit "meaning response components" (rms) previously strengthened by verbal reinforcement. Consequently, it is not "similarity," as such, but the degree to which a later situation provides opportunity for strengthened rms to b: elicited. Returning to Timmons' study, the reinforcement of verbal responses related
Intraflagellar Transport Powers Flagellar Surface Motility in Chlamydomonas

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular biflagellate alga that exhibits whole-cell gliding motility and directed transport of flagellar membrane glycoproteins (FMG) on the flagellar membrane. There are indications that gliding motility and FMG movement are manifestations of intraflagellar transport (IFT), in which kinesin-2 and dynein-1b move large arrays of proteinaceous particles to and from the distal end of the flagellum. It is of much interest to determine whether IFT plays a role in dynamic flagellar turnover and whole cell motility. We have studied all three types of motility in live Chlamydomonas cells by a combination of advanced single-molecule fluorescence and force microscopy techniques. We have observed that FMGs rapidly associate and dissociate from IFT cargos and are transported by IFT machinery back and forth along the flagella. Individual retrograde IFT trains transiently pause, presumably due to adhesion of FMGs to a glass surface. Forces generated by dynein-1b motors attached to the paused IFT trains pull the whole cell in the opposite direction relative to the substrate. A single IFT train is transported by at least 4–5 motors on average in each direction, and opposite polarity motors do not interfere with each other along the length of the flagellum. The results have suggested that IFT is a highly regulated bidirectional transport, which also generates force for flagellar surface motility in Chlamydomonas.
Regulation and Supervision of Islamic Banks

This paper aims at developing a better understanding of Islamic banking (IB) and providing policy recommendations to enhance the supervision of Islamic banks (IBs). It points out and discusses similarities and differences of IBs with conventional banks (CBs) and reviews whether the IBs are more stable than CBs. Given the risks faced by IBs, the paper concludes that they need a legal, corporate and regulatory framework as much as CB does. The paper also argues that it is important to ensure operational independence of the supervisory agency, which has to be supported by adequate resources, a sound legal framework, a well designed governance structure, and robust accountability practices.
The design and performance results of simple flat plate low solidity vaned diffusers

AbstractVaned diffusers for centrifugal compressors have decades of development history, but most of it is of a proprietary and empirical nature. Centrifugal compressor designers are continuously s...
Phosphorylated AKT Expression is Associated with PIK3CA Mutation, Low Stage and Favorable Outcome in 717 Colorectal Cancers

BACKGROUND: AKT (AKT1, AKT2, and AKT3) was a downstream effector of phosphatidylinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and played crucial roles in protein synthesis, cellular metabolism, survival, and proliferation. The PI3K/AKT pathway was commonly activated in human cancers and was recognized as a potential target for anticancer therapy. Nonetheless, clinical, molecular, or prognostic features of AKT-activated colon cancer remained uncertain. METHODS: Using a database of 717 colon and rectal cancers in the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, Ser473 phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) expression was detected in 448 (62%) tumors by immunohistochemistry. Cox proportional hazards model was used to compute mortality hazards ratio (HR), adjusting for clinical and tumoral features, including PIK3CA, KRAS,BRAF, microsatellite instability (MSI), CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), LINE-1 methylation, TP53 (p53), and FASN (fatty acid synthase). RESULTS: Tumor p-AKT expression was associated with PIK3CA mutation (odds ratio [OR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-2.80; P = .015). p-AKT expression was significantly associated with longer colorectal cancer-specific survival in Kaplan-Meier analysis (log-rank P = .0005), univariate Cox regression (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.47-0.82; P = .0006) and multivariate analysis (adjusted HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.56-0.99; P = .048) adjusting for clinical and molecular variables including PIK3CA, MSI, CIMP and LINE-1 hypomethylation. p-AKT expression was inversely associated with high stage (III-IV) (adjusted OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.45-0.88, P = .0071). CONCLUSIONS: p-AKT expression in colorectal cancer is associated with low stage and good prognosis. p-AKT may serve as a tissue biomarker to identify patients with superior prognosis and a possible therapeutic target (analogous to estrogen receptor ESR1 in breast cancer). Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Health-Impairing Food Phobias in Children

Abstract Three case reports describe assessment and treatment of three boys (ages 6 to 8 years) hospitalized because of weight loss and malnutrition, caused by severe dietary restriction and/or refusal to eat solid food. Psychological, behavioral, and medical assessments indicated that the boys were of average intelligence, without other significant psychological or medical disorders. Their eating disturbances were conceptualized as phobic disorders maintained by family factors reinforcing the children's avoidant behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral treatment consisted of an individualized combination of contingency management, shaping, desensitization, relaxation training, education, and cognitive restructuring. Generalization and maintenance were promoted by training parents to implement treatment at home before discharge. Treatment positively affected overall caloric intake, weight gain, number of solid foods accepted, and incidence of emesis.
Sam Fisher and the “war on terror”: an analysis of Splinter Cell in a post-9/11 context

This article examines the values and attitudes present within the 2002 video game Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, and the methods employed to convey them. It compares the game’s message with the rhetoric contained in the Bush administration’s post-9/11 “war on terror” narrative. A qualitative content analysis of a Splinter Cell “game movie” and gameplay sessions is undertaken to examine the messages communicated through elements of simulation and representation. This article finds that Splinter Cell and the “war on terror” narrative express similar perspectives of terrorism and counterterrorism. First, both exaggerate the physical and normative threat of terrorism, and portray it as overwhelmingly powerful. Second, both sources justify violent counterterrorism action through claims of necessity, urgency and self-defence. Third, violence is consistently portrayed as effective for achieving the desired objective. Finally, violence and military action are represented as simple solutions that ultimately lead to v...
Computational study of the singlet cyclopropenyl and triplet cyclopropynyl cations aromatic stabilization with Petersson's complete basis set ab initio approach

Abstract An extensive computational study of three-carbon hydrocarbon neutral and carbocation isomers were investigated with Petersson's complete basis set ab initio methods with the aim being to evaluate stabilization through conjugation, as well as through aromatization. Several approaches were used, varying from comparison of the MP2/6-31G(d′) computed structural properties to computing aromatization energies. Where ever possible, the computed energies are compared to experimental data to demonstrate the high reliability of the chosen computational approach. The aromatic character of the cyclopropenyl cation and the triplet cyclopropynyl cation was demonstrated through their bond order uniformity, hydride ion affinities, frontier molecular orbital energy gaps, electron affinities, relative hydrogenation energies, and through newly computed aromatization energies. New thermodynamic values, such as the enthalpy of formation for all the three-carbon carbocations are computed with a computational error of ±2–3 kcal/mol.
Kinetics of leaching chalcopyrite-bearing waste rock with thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria

Abstract The leaching characteristics and kinetics of a thermophilic, chemolithotrophic microorganism were studied and compared with those of mesophilic T. ferrooxidans. Chalcopyrite waste rock was used for laboratory scale shake flask leaching systems. The optimum (leaching) temperatures were determined to be between 30 and 40°C for Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and between 50 and 60°C for the thermophiles. The thermophilic microorganisms were observed to function as a kind of take-over organism with increasing temperature. Viable cell counts (most probable number measurements) for both microorganisms were observed to be highly correlated with total copper in solution after 6 weeks of leaching, and over a range of temperatures (20–70°C). Observations by scanning electron microscopy showed the bulk of precipitates formed during leaching were comprised of gypsum crystals, and that thermophilic organisms were attached in profusion to some mineral surfaces seen by X-ray energy dispersive analysis to be somewhat uniformly coated with a thin sulfur layer. The propensity for attachment of the thermophiles as compared with T. ferrooxidans was consistent with observations of other thermophilic microbes. The reaction order for T. ferrooxidans was 0.92, compared with 1.29 for the thermophilic microorganisms. Correspondingly, the activation energy for the thermophiles was 26.77 kcal mole− compared with 22.22 kcal mole−1 and 7.11 kcal mole−1 for the T. ferrooxidans and sterile control reactions, respectively. The rate of reaction increased by 1.93 for each 10°C temperature increase for the thermophiles, compared with 1.83 for T. ferrooxidans.
Clinicians' self-reported reactions to psychiatric emergency patients: Effect on treatment decisions

Masters-level social work clinicians at two urban psychiatric emergency services self-rated their cognitive reactions and conscious feelings toward a total of 783 patients. Negative self-reported affect toward patients was related to their displaying overt psychotic symptoms, having a final diagnosis of substance abuse, being impulsive, unemployed, or having a history of criminal behavior. However, clinicians' reactions did not enter into the model predicting hospitalization, which included opinion of family and friends, degree of psychopathology, suicidal ideation and lack of social supports as the major predictors of whether or not a patient would be hospitalized.
Serological response to measles revaccination in a highly immunized military dependent adolescent population.

Abstract In the spring of 1986, there was a measles outbreak in the city of El Paso, Texas, with 92 cases reported to the City-County Health Department. Of those 92 cases, 31 (32%) occurred within a public high school's student population of 2524. A mass measles vaccination program was undertaken at that high school in order to limit the outbreak. The student enrollment included a military dependent population of 368 students. Despite documented histories of prior measles immunizations in this military dependent subgroup, three individuals contracted the disease. Since this subgroup of students represented a highly immunized adolescent population, it was of interest to serologically determine their immune status prior to and following reimmunization with the expectation that such a study would provide information relating to the level of "protective" immunity. Prevaccination and postvaccination sera were obtained from 95 students. Results of measuring anti-measles antibody activity by ELISA indicate that 13 (14%) students responded to revaccination and experienced a fourfold or greater rise in IgG antibody levels. There were no detectable IgM responses, All of the students who responded to revaccination produced an anamnestic response (IgG boost only). Since most of these individuals had received first immunizations at 15 months of age or older, these findings suggest that secondary vaccine failure (waning immunity) was responsible for the putative "lowered" immunity in these individuals, instead of primary vaccine failure (maternal antibody suppression). These findings support current recommendations for measles booster revaccination of school-age children and adolescents.
Protective Effect of Cephalothin Against Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Abstract The possibility that the nephrotoxicity of gentamicin may be potentiated by the concomitant administration of cephalothin was examined in a rat model. Cephalothin given once daily in dosages up to 800 mg/kg per day for 10 days produced no renal damage. Gentamicin, at 6 to 50 mg/kg per day, caused pathological changes which were dosage related and affected primarily the proximal tubular cells. Administration of the two drugs simultaneously resulted in a significant protective effect of cephalothin against gentamicin-related nephrotoxicity (P < 0.01). When the daily injections of the two agents were separated by an interval of 6 h, the protective effect was lost, and the resultant damage was the same as that due to gentamicin alone. The protective effect of cephalothin was reproduced by the administration of equiosmolar amounts of sulfate (sodium sulfate), suggesting that the phenomenon might be related to the presence of nonresorbable anion in the urine. These studies indicate that, in the rat, cephalothin does not potentiate, but, in fact, may prevent the nephrotoxic effects of gentamicin.
Design considerations, modeling, and analysis for the multispectral thermal imager

The design of remote sensing systems is driven by the need to provide cost-effective, substantive answers to questions posed by our customers. This is especially important for space-based systems, which tend to be expensive, and which generally cannot be changed after they are launched. We report here on the approach we employed in developing the desired attributes of a satellite mission, namely the Multispectral Thermal Imager. After an initial scoping study, we applied a procedure which we call: "End-to-end modeling and analysis (EEM)." We began with target attributes, translated to observable signatures and then propagated the signatures through the atmosphere to the sensor location. We modeled the sensor attributes to yield a simulated data stream, which was then analyzed to retrieve information about the original target. The retrieved signature was then compared to the original to obtain a figure of merit: hence the term "end-to-end modeling and analysis." We base the EEM in physics to ensure high fidelity and to permit scaling. As the actual design of the payload evolves, and as real hardware is tested, we can update the EEM to facilitate trade studies, and to judge, for example, whether components that deviate from specifications are acceptable.
Impact of failed intracranial epilepsy surgery on the effectiveness of subsequent vagus nerve stimulation.

BACKGROUND Using the Cyberonics registry, Amar and colleagues reported poorer efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients who failed intracranial epilepsy surgery (IES). OBJECTIVE To study the impact of failed IES and other surrogate marker of severe epilepsy on VNS effectiveness in a large cohort with treatment-resistant epilepsy (TRE). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 376 patients (188 female patients; 265 adults; mean age, 29.4 years at implantation) with TRE who underwent VNS implantation between 1997 and 2008 and had at least 1 year of follow-up. One hundred ten patients (29.3%) had failed ≥ 1 prior craniotomies for TRE, and 266 (70.7%) had no history of IES. RESULTS The mean duration of VNS therapy was 5.1 years. Patients with prior IES were more commonly male and adult, had a greater number of seizure types, and more commonly had focal or multifocal vs generalized seizures (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the mean percentage seizure reduction between patients with and without a history of IES (59.1% vs 56.5%; P = .42). There was no correlation between type of failed IES (callosotomy vs resection) and seizure reduction with VNS therapy. CONCLUSION Failed IES did not affect the response to VNS therapy. Unlike prior reports, patients with callosotomy did not respond better than those who had resective surgery. Nearly 50% of patients experienced at least 50% reduction in seizure frequency. For patients with TRE, including patients who failed cranial epilepsy surgeries, VNS should be considered a palliative treatment option.
Abstract SY25-01: Functional genomics, transformation, and resistance

Recent advances in genomics now make it possible to consider enumerating all of the genetic lesions in specific cancers. While these approaches will yield critical information regarding the identify, number, and types of alterations found in human tumors, a complementary approach to decipher the molecular basis of malignant transformation depends upon the application of genome scale tools to annotate the function of genes involved in cancer initiation and progression. Over the past several years, we have developed genome scale RNAi libraries and open reading frame expression libraries that permit a systematic evaluation of genes involved in cancer initiation and maintenance. Using these libraries, we have now performed screens in a panel of human cancer cell lines to systematically identify cancer vulnerabilities. By combining these functional approaches with information derived from mapping the structural abnormalities present in cancer genomes, we have identified several new oncogenes that contribute to cancer development. In addition, many commonly occurring and well-validated oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes remain refractory to molecularly targeted therapies. An alternative strategy for targeting such cancer drivers is to identify gene products that, when suppressed or inhibited, result in cell death only in the presence of an oncogenic allele. Through the use of systematic RNAi screens, we have identified several genes that act as synthetic lethal partners to known oncogenes. Taken together, these studies suggest that combining forward and reverse genetic approaches with information derived from the cancer genome characterization projects will yield a comprehensive list of cancer vulnerabilities and establish a general approach for the rational identification of oncogenic and co-dependent pathways in cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr SY25-01. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-SY25-01
A dislocation model for the delayed yielding phenomenon

Abstract The delayed yielding phenomenon in annealed low carbon steel is investigated experimentally and theoretically. Experimental results are obtained by measuring the strain-time history at several positions along a specimen which is dynamically loaded in a Hopkinson-type impact apparatus. In the theoretical analysis, the delayed yielding time is assumed to be the time interval between the initiation of loading and the pile-up of dislocations at grain boundaries sufficient for macroscopic yielding, subsequent to the generation of dislocations by Frank-Read sources. The dislocation generation rate and the critical pile-up time for macroscopic yielding are assumed to be governed by the applied stress, stress relaxation in the yielded grain due to the motion of dislocations on other slip planes, grain boundary strength, and the back stress exerted by the piled-up dislocations. The theoretical predictions compare favorably with experimental results for this material.
Fibre gyro experiment using fibre laser source

Fibre lasers using Nd:glass fibre as the lasing medium have been shown earlier to be capable of broad emission bandwidth together with good temperature stability and high output power, which makes them attractive alternative sources for fibre gyros. The authors describe initial experiments on an Nd:glass fibre laser source coupled to a fibre gyro. They find that the laser has high sensitivity to modulated optical feedback from the gyro, resulting in large rotation rate errors, and it is shown that low-frequency phase modulation within the laser cavity is a promising approach to suppression of this effect.
Hematein chelates of unusual metal ions for tinctorial histochemistry

Hematoxylin is oxidized easily to hematein, an excellent stain for metal ions. If it already is bound to a substrate, the metal ion becomes a mordant linking the dye to the substrate. Metal ions added to hematein in solution are chelated by the hematein to form a lake. Most of these chelates stain animal tissues. They usually are bound to the tissue by a combination of hydrogen bonding of the hematein and ionic bonding of the metal ion. When binding of the lake to the tissue occurs by way of the metal ion, the metal ion is a mordant. Mordant staining often is specific. Chromium hematoxylin binds to strong acids; it can be made selective for protein-bound sulfonic acids. Zirconyl hematoxylin is selective for acidic mucins. Mucihematein can be made selective for all acidic mucins or for sulfomucins alone. Bismuth hematoxylin appears to be selective for the guanido group of arginine and there is some evidence that the bonding is covalent. Although it is not a histochemical stain, copper-chrome hematoxylin is an excellent stain for organelles with double membranes, i.e., mitochondria and nuclei.
Ants under crowded conditions consume more energy

Social insects live in colonies consisting of many workers, where worker interactions play an important role in regulating colony activities. Workers interact within the social space of the nest; therefore, constraints on nest space may alter worker behaviour and affect colony activities and energetics. Here we show in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus that changes in nest space have a significant effect on colony energetics. Colonies with restricted nest space showed a 14.2 per cent increase in metabolic rate when compared with the same colonies in large uncrowded nests. Our study highlights the importance of social space and shows that constraints on social space can significantly affect colony behaviour and energy use in ants. We discuss the implications of our findings regarding social insects in general.
Cloning, Expression, and Purification of a Thermostable Nonhomodimeric Restriction Enzyme,BslI

BslI is a thermostable type II restriction endonuclease with interrupted recognition sequence CCNNNNN/NNGG (/, cleavage position). The BslI restriction-modification system from Bacillus species was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The system is encoded by three genes: the 2,739-bp BslI methylase gene (bslIM), the bslIRalpha gene, and the bslIRbeta gene. The alpha and beta subunits of BslI can be expressed independently in E. coli in the absence of BslI methylase (M.BslI) protection. BslI endonuclease activity can be reconstituted in vitro by mixing the two subunits together. Gel filtration chromatography and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that BslI forms heterodimers (alphabeta), heterotetramers (alpha(2)beta(2)), and possibly oligomers in solution. Two beta subunits can be cross-linked by a chemical cross-linking agent, indicating formation of heterotetramer BslI complex (alpha(2)beta(2)). In DNA mobility shift assays, neither subunit alone can bind DNA. DNA mobility shift activity was detected after mixing the two subunits together. Because of the symmetric recognition sequence of the BslI endonuclease, we propose that its active form is alpha(2)beta(2). M.BslI contains nine conserved motifs of N-4 cytosine DNA methylases within the beta group of aminomethyltransferase. Synthetic duplex deoxyoligonucleotides containing cytosine hemimethylated or fully methylated at N-4 in BslI sites in the first or second cytosine are resistant to BslI digestion. C-5 methylation of the second cytosine on both strands within the recognition sequence also renders the site refractory to BslI digestion. Two putative zinc fingers are found in the alpha subunit of BslI endonuclease.
Random walks in peer-to-peer networks

We quantify the effectiveness of random walks for searching and construction of unstructured peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. We have identified two cases where the use of random walks for searching achieves better results than flooding: a) when the overlay topology is clustered, and h) when a client re-issues the same query while its horizon does not change much. For construction, we argue that an expander can he maintained dynamically with constant operations per addition. The key technical ingredient of our approach is a deep result of stochastic processes indicating that samples taken from consecutive steps of a random walk can achieve statistical properties similar to independent sampling (if the second eigenvalue of the transition matrix is hounded away from 1, which translates to good expansion of the network; such connectivity is desired, and believed to hold, in every reasonable network and network model). This property has been previously used in complexity theory for construction of pseudorandom number generators. We reveal another facet of this theory and translate savings in random bits to savings in processing overhead.
Spectral analysis of heart rate variability: an emerging tool for assessing stability during transition to extrauterine life.

Transition from fetal to neonatal life is likely the most physiologically demanding time of life. Complex changes in major organ system functioning and reorganization of metabolic processes must occur rapidly to achieve postnatal homeostasis. Identifying the neonate with subtle signs of unsuccessful transition is a challenge to the perinatal health care provider. Alterations in fetal or neonatal heart rate and heart rate variability may serve as an indicator of the neural control influencing cardiac function and a sensitive indicator of compromised health. Evaluation of the neural control of the heart can be done noninvasively and provides a discriminating measure of the level of stress vulnerability the fetus or newborn may be experiencing. This article reviews the origins of physiological variability of the fetal and neonatal heart rate in the transition to extrauterine life. The technique of spectral analysis as a new tool for surveillance of the at‐risk fetus and neonate is then introduced, and implications for clinical practice and future research avenues are discussed.
Construction of wavelets and prewavelets over triangulations

Constructions of wavelets and prewavelets over triangulations with an emphasis of the continuous piecewise polynomial setting are discussed. Some recent results on piecewise linear prewavelets and orthogonal wavelets are presented.
Type 1 Capsule Genes of Staphylococcus aureus Are Carried in a Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Genetic Element

The cap1 genes are required for the synthesis of type 1 capsular polysaccharide (CP1) in Staphylococcus aureus. We previously showed that the cap1 locus was associated with a discrete genetic element in S. aureus M. In this report, we defined the boundaries of the cap1 element by comparing its restriction pattern to that of a corresponding region from the CP1-negative strain Becker. The element was located in the SmaI-G chromosomal fragment of the standard mapping strain NCTC8325. The sequences of the entire cap1 element and the flanking regions were determined. We found that there were two additional cap1 genes not previously identified. The cap1 operon was located in a staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) element similar to the resistance island SCCmec recently described for methicillin resistance in S. aureus. Notably, the SCCcap1 element was located at the same insertion site as all the SCCmec elements in the staphylococcal chromosome. The excision of SCCcap1 could be demonstrated only in the presence of the recombinase genes from an SCCmec element, verifying that SCCcap1 is a genuine SCC element but defective in mobilization. A novel enterotoxin gene, whose transcript was detected by Northern blotting, was found next to the SCCcap1 locus. We propose that the enterotoxin gene and SCCcap1 were inserted into this locus at the juxtaposition by independent events. Sequence comparison revealed numerous DNA rearrangements and mutations in SCCcap1 and the left flanking region, suggesting that the SCCcap1 had been inserted at the SCC attC site a long time ago. In addition, most genes in this region were incomplete, with the exception of the 15 cap1 genes, implying that the cap1 genes confer a survival advantage on strain M.
Web Surveillance for CKD

We all carry a few numbers around regarding the epidemiology of kidney disease. The US Renal Data System (USRDS) remains a treasure chest of robust information about secular trends in ESRD.[1][1] Notably, annual adjusted incidence rates for new cases of ESRD have flattened, whereas absolute
Consequences of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus in liver transplant recipients: a matched control study

: Background: Liver transplant recipients are at high risk for multi-drug resistant infections because of broad-spectrum antibiotic and immunosuppression. This study evaluates the clinical and financial impact of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in liver transplant recipients. Methods: Liver transplant recipients with VRE from 1995 to 2002 were identified and matched (age, gender, UNOS status, liver disease and transplant date) to controls. Demographics, clinical factors, co-infections, antibiotic use, length of stay, abdominal surgeries, biliary complications, survival and resource utilization were compared with matched controls. Results: Nineteen patients were found to have 28 VRE infections via evaluation of microbiologic culture results of all liver transplant patients in the transplant registry. Thirty-eight non-VRE patients served as matched controls. The four most common sites VRE was cultured from included blood (35%), peritoneal fluid (35%), bile (20%), and urine (12%). Median time from transplant to infection was 48 d (range of 4–348). No significant differences in demographics were observed. The VRE group had a higher incidence of prior antibiotic use than the non-VRE group (95% vs. 34%; p < 0.05). The VRE group also experienced more abdominal surgery (20/19 vs. 3/38; p = 0.029), biliary complications (9/19 vs. 9/38; p = 0.018) and a longer length of stay (42.5 vs. 21.7 d; p = .005). Survival in the VRE group was lower (52% vs. 82%; p = 0.048). Six of the 19 VRE patients were treated with linezolid for eight infection episodes, and four of six patients survived. Eight patients were treated with quinupristin/dalfopristin for nine infections, and two of eight survived. Increased cost of care was observed in the VRE group. Laboratory costs were higher in the VRE group ($6500 vs. 1750; p = 0.02) as well. Conclusion: VRE was associated with prior antibiotic use, multiple abdominal surgeries, biliary complications and resulted in decreased survival compared to non-VRE control patients. VRE patients also utilized more hospital resources. Linezolid showed a trend toward improved survival.
Distributed tracking in a cluttered environment

A distributed target tracking structure is presented. In this technique, a set of geographically distributed sensors supplies their local observations of the state of a target in clutter to nearby local processors for local processing. Each processor communicates the results of its estimation algorithm to a coordinator which updates the target's track based on all the sensors' observation histories without having access to these observations. For local processing the local processor assumes local models which may be different from the coordinator's models of the distributed observations dynamics. To account for the uncertainties in the origin of the sensors' returns, the probabilistic data association technique is used. >
Experimental studies on the onset of thermohaline convection

Measurements of the heat flux and temperature gradient in a layer of saline solution stably stratified by Soret diffusion and heated from below exhibit the onset of convection by the growth of very small oscillations which eventually trigger finite amplitude convection. The critical Rayleigh numbers and periods of oscillation are consistent with published theoretical calculations. Several non-linear modes are observed, even for the same heat flux, near the point of onset.
Between Enemies and Friends: Carl Schmitt, Melanie Klein and the Passion(s) of the Political

Carl Schmitt’s claim to have demonstrated an unbreakable connection between sovereignty and the opposition between friends and enemies stands as an enduring challenge to the possibility of a politics that is free from in-group idealization and out-group demonization and the inevitably pernicious consequences that follow from this political-psychological split. In this paper I take up this challenge by relying on, and extending, the psychoanalytic assumptions of Melanie Klein to identify the common yet contingent psychological preconditions of this “Schmittian” connection, and thus to begin to clarify the conditions under which it could be broken. In locating what might be called the “relative truth” of Schmitt’s position, Klein turns out to be neither entirely an enemy nor entirely a friend of Carl Schmitt.
Transcriptional Regulation of the Albumin Gene Depends on the Removal of Histone Methylation Marks by the FAD-Dependent Monoamine Oxidase Lysine-Specific Demethylase 1 in HepG2 Human Hepatocarcinoma Cells

Lysine-specific demethylase (LSD) 1 is an FAD-dependent demethylase that catalyzes the removal of methyl groups from lysine-4 in histone H3, thereby mediating gene repression. Here we tested the hypothesis that riboflavin deficiency causes a loss of LSD1 activity in HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells, leading to an accumulation of lysine-4-dimethylated histone H3 (H3K4me2) marks in the albumin promoter and aberrant upregulation of albumin expression. Cells were cultured in riboflavin-defined media providing riboflavin at concentrations representing moderately deficient (3.1 nmol/L), sufficient (12.6 nmol/L), and supplemented (301 nmol/L) cells in humans for 7 d. The efficacy of treatment was confirmed by assessing glutathione reductase activity and concentrations of reduced glutathione as markers of riboflavin status. LSD activity was 21% greater in riboflavin-supplemented cells compared with riboflavin-deficient and -sufficient cells. The loss of LSD activity was associated with a gain in the abundance of H3K4me2 marks in the albumin promoter; the abundance of H3K4me2 marks was ∼170% higher in riboflavin-deficient cells compared with sufficient and supplemented cells. The abundance of the repression mark, K9-trimethylated histone H3, was 38% lower in the albumin promoter of riboflavin-deficient cells compared with the other treatment groups. The expression of albumin mRNA was aberrantly increased by 200% in riboflavin-deficient cells compared with sufficient and supplemented cells. In conclusion, riboflavin deficiency impairs gene regulation by epigenetic mechanisms, mediated by a loss of LSD1 activity.
Faster-Better-Cheaper Projects: Too Much Risk or Overreaction to Perceived Failure?

From 1992 until 1999, NASA adopted a Faster-Better-Cheaper (FBC) paradigm—i.e., smaller low-cost spacecraft—for its unmanned missions. When many early missions met their objectives at much lower cost than traditional flagship missions, the FBC approach seemed successful. However, after the failures of two Mars spacecraft in 1999, the FBC paradigm was viewed as a failed experiment. We reflect on the legacy of FBC. In particular, we focus on the organizational learning literature to explore whether FBC, a stretch goal, was a good step for NASA. Previous examinations of FBC have focused on failure rates rather than on cost effectiveness. We revisit the question of FBC by examining all unmanned NASA missions launched between 1974 and 2007. We find that FBC missions resulted in more scientific publications per dollar of mission cost than other types of missions. From our analysis, we perceive lasting benefits to current projects from the adoption of the stretch goals, and perceive that NASA suffers from a bias against learning from the FBC experiment because of the stigma of the high-profile failed projects. We conclude with the recommendation that NASA should challenge itself with stretch goals, but with science goals rather than human exploration goals.
More Properties of Migma Orbits

FEC is supporting a continuing investigation of the properties of high momentum, single particle orbits in an azimuthally symmetric 'mirror' magnetic field. Results have been obtained in several areas. Here we report calculations leading to a Hill's equation describing stable perturbations on midplane orbits in a field dominated as to shape by its quadratic terms. The results of some numerical tests are also presented, indicating that the equation may be of useful accuracy over an interesting range of parameters.
Comparing Individual- and Area-based Socioeconomic Measures for the Surveillance of Health Disparities: A Multilevel Analysis of Massachusetts Births, 1989–1991

The absence of individual-level socioeconomic information in most US health surveillance data necessitates using area-based socioeconomic measures (ABSMs) to monitor health inequalities. Using the 1989-1991 birth weight data from Massachusetts, the authors compared estimates of health disparities detected with census tract- and block group-level ABSMs pertaining to poverty and education, as well as parental education, both independently and together. In separate models, adjusted for infant's sex, mother's age, and parents' race/ethnicity, worst-off categories of census tract ABSMs and parental education had a comparable birth weight deficit of approximately 70 g. Similar results were observed for low birth weight (<2,500 g), with worst-off categories of census tract ABSMs and parental education having an odds ratio of approximately 1.37 (p < 0.001). In mutually adjusted models for birth weight and low birth weight, census tract ABSMs still detected an effect estimate nearly 50% of that detected by parental education. Additionally, census tract ABSMs detected socioeconomic gradients in birth weight among births to mothers aged less than 25 years, an age group in which educational attainment is unlikely to be completed. These results suggest that aptly chosen ABSMs can be used to monitor socioeconomic inequalities in health. The risk, if any, in the absence of individual-level socioeconomic information is a conservative estimate of socioeconomic inequalities in health.