cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mate choice in the yellow-shouldered widowbird: correlates of male attractiveness

Recent investigations of male ornaments in sexual selection have used experimental manipulation of tail length in three widowbird species, but only for one of these have correlates of male reproductive success been reported. I examined correlates of male attractiveness to nesting females over two breeding seasons for the polygynous yellow-shouldered widowbird, Euplectes macrourus, in order to discover which cues females may be using to select mates. The black, long-tailed (≈ 10 cm) males defend large territories and build nest frames, or cock's nests, which females then line and use for nesting. I examined various aspects of male morphology, five behavioral displays, territory characteristics, and the number of cock's nests that males built. Few correlates of mating success were found. The best predictor was the number of cock's nests that a male builds, though one courtship display also correlated with male mating success in 1 year, as did average grass height. Tail length did not correlate with male mating success. A partial correlation analysis confirmed that cock's nests and, in 1 year, grass height, were the primary contributers to male success. Females may choose where to nest primarily on the availability of suitable nesting sites. Long tails may be used by females seeking extra-pair copulations or in male-male competition for territories.
Compressive creep of CuO

Diffusional and mechanical properties of CuO have assumed recent importance with the widespread use of CuO as a precursor for synthesis of high-temperature superconductors. Reaction rates to form the superconductors have been correlated with CuO particle size and oxidation state. It is difficult to establish the causes of these effects because so little is known about the basic properties of CuO. Compressive creep experiments can elucidate much about diffusion of rate-controlling defects in stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric oxides. In this work, CuO polycrystals were compressed over the ranges of temperature, PO[sub 2], and strain rate that were experimentally accessible. Data, fit to standard equations for steady-state creep of oxides, were combined with electron microscopy observations to identify the operative creep mechanism.
QUANTUM THEORY OF SPACE-TIMES WITH ONE KILLING FIELD

We describe the canonical quantization of Einstein gravity for space-times with one killing vector field. We use the new canonical variables introduced by Ashtekar. Both the connection and loop space representations for the quantum theory are considered. We find that the physical state space has a characterization in terms of equivalence classes of Eulerian graphs.
Caffeine intensifies taste of certain sweeteners: role of adenosine receptor.

Abstract Caffeine, a potent antagonist of adenosine receptors. potentiates the taste of some but not all sweeteners. It is significantly enhances the taste of acesulfam-K, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, d-tryptophan, thaumatin, stevioside, and sodium saccharin. Adenosine reverses the enhancement. Caffeine has no effect on aspartame, sucrose, fructose, and calcium cyclamate. These results suggest that the inhibitory A 1 adenosine receptor plays an important local role in modulating the taste intensity of certain sweeteners and that several transduction mechanisms mediate sweet taste.
Automatic generation of the coefficient matrix of finite difference equations

A unified procedure is presented for the automatic generation of the coefficient matrix of finite difference equations. The method is applicable to the solution of both initial and boundary value problems, to any order of difference equation, and may be used with any arbitrary initial or boundary conditions.
What are the contributing factors for insomnia in the general population

Lack of a systematic assessment of insomnia has led to large variations in its reported prevalence in the general population. This study aims to provide new guidelines to assess insomnia prevalence. A cross-sectional telephone survey using the Sleep-EVAL system was done with 24,600 general population-based subjects 15 years and older representative of general populations (France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) consisting of 251,405,391 inhabitants. The overall participation rate was 81.0%. Within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) symptomatology for insomnia, 27.2% (95% confidence interval: 26.6-27.8%) of the sample reported difficulty initiating sleep (DIS) (10.1%) or maintaining sleep (DMS) (disrupted sleep (DS): 18.0%; early morning awakening (EMA): 10.9%) or nonrestorative sleep (NRS) (8.9%) at least three times per week; 48.5% of them were concomitantly suffering of a DSM-IV sleep/mental disorder. A factor analysis identified several variables strongly related to each of the major factors of insomnia allowing: (1) The narrowing of the definition of insomnia: the prevalence of insomnia decreased to 16.8% with 64.5% of insomnia subjects having a DSM-IV sleep/mental disorder; (2) The identification of a sleep-deprived (voluntary or not) group without insomnia symptoms, representing 2.1% (1.9-2.3%) of the sample. Interestingly, the latter group closely matched the definition of insufficient sleep syndrome as described by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD). Using more delineated criteria to assess insomnia increases the recognition of subjects complaining about sleep. Classifications should be amended to improve the correct identification of insomnia. Sleep-deprived subjects should also not be neglected.
Detection of occult breast cancer micrometastases in axillary lymph nodes using a multimarker reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction panel ☆

Abstract Background: Axillary lymph node status in breast cancer patients remains the single most important predictor of outcomes. Current methods of histopathologic analysis may be inadequate because 30% of node-negative patients recur. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a multigene reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) panel provides a more sensitive method to detect axillary lymph node metastases than routine pathologic examination. Study Design: Sixty-one consecutive breast cancer patients were evaluated, with nine normal control patients. Nodes > 1 cm were bisected for histopathologic and RT-PCR analysis. Nodal tissue was homogenized, and total RNA was converted into cDNA with reverse transcriptase. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed with primers specific for keratin-19, c-myc , prolactin inducible protein (PIP), and β-actin using ethidium bromide gel electrophoresis. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction positive/pathology negative axillary lymph nodes were reevaluated using step sectioning and immunohistochemical staining. Results: Thirty-seven patients had pathologically negative axillary lymph nodes, of which 15 (40%) were positive by RT-PCR analysis. Two RT-PCR negative results (one probably from tissue processing error and the other secondary to sampling error) among the 24 histologically positive specimens were detected (8%). The number of patients in each pathologic stage was 26 patients in stage I; 18, stage IIA; 7, stage IIB; 7, stage IIIA; 3, stage IIIB; and 0 patients in stage IV. By RT-PCR staging, 8 of 26 patients went from stage I to IIA (30%), and 7 of 18 from stage IIA to IIB (39%). Of the RT-PCR positive individuals who were stage I by pathologic analysis, 100% were found to be c-myc positive, 0% keratin-19 positive, and 0% PIP positive; for stage IIIB patients these markers were 50%, 100%, and 100% respectively. Additionally, an increasing number of positive markers per specimen appeared to correlate with larger primary tumor size (p Conclusions: Multimarker RT-PCR analysis appears to be a readily available and highly sensitive method for the detection of axillary lymph node micrometastases. Longterm followup of RT-PCR positive patients will be required to determine its clinical relevance. If validated as a predictor of disease recurrence, this method would provide a powerful complement to routine histopathologic analysis of axillary lymph nodes.
SU‐FF‐J‐60: Effectiveness of MVCBCT for Patients with Implanted High‐Z Material

Purpose: To exploit the penetrability of high‐energy photons of Megavoltage ConeBeam CT system (MVCBCT) to obtain 3D images of the anatomy in presence of “Non‐compatible CT” objects made of high‐Z material. Methods and Material: A new MVCBCT system integrated onto a clinical Linac was used to acquire 3D images of different phantoms and patients. The grey levels of different electron density inserts (lung to dense bone) in a CT phantom were measured with and without the presence of a small Cerrobend rod (10×15mm) on a regular CT and with the MVCBCT. MVCBCT of a Rando phantom with implanted gold markers and tooth fillings as well as patients with dental implants or with gold markers implanted in prostate were also obtained. Results: The presence of the Cerrobend object in the CT phantom scanned with a regular CT creates strong artifacts around the object and disturbs the quality of the entire image, modifying the Hounsfield numbers by an average of 10%, even 15 cm away from the rod. The grey levels of the density inserts in the CT phantom remain unchanged within 3% in presence of the Cerrobend rod for MVCBCT. Similarly, gold markers appear with the typical star pattern artifact on CTimages where a well‐defined dot is seen on MVCBCT. The tooth fillings in the MVCBCT Rando phantom do not disturb the soft tissue information around the teeth. Conclusion: Compared to the kV energy range, the presence of high‐Z material has relatively little impact on image quality of MVCBCT. Therefore, MVCBCT can complement missing information for planning or patient position verification purposes when high‐Z materials such as gold markers, tooth fillings, dental implants or hip prostheses are present. Clinical examples of each of these items will be presented. Conflict of Interest: Siemens supports this Research.
Active review sessions can advance student learning

Traditional review sessions are intended to help students learn and prepare for upcoming exams. Most sessions are passive question and answer sessions that look backward at content deficits rather than advancing student learning. By incorporating active and cooperative learning approaches during a review session, students are able to recognize critical concepts and better prepare for physiological problem solving. Active review sessions help students prioritize the knowledge and develop the thinking skills will be required of them on the exam.
Reducing bus transition activity by limited weight coding with codeword slimming

Transitions on high capacitance busses in VLSI systems result in considerable power dissipation. Various coding schemes have been proposed in literature to encode the input signal in order to reduce the number of transitions. Number of transitions can be reduced by introducing redundancy in data transferred over the busses. For a given amount of redundancy there exists a lower bound on the average number of transitions. In this paper we derive a new coding scheme which leads to extremely practical techniques for bus transmission that reduce bus transitions to within 3.96-8.42% of the lower bound depending on the redundancy employed. There is also a net reduction in power dissipation ranging from 8.53-21.88% over an uncoded bus transmission scheme. This savings in power dissipation is identical to that for bus-invert coding per word transmitted the higher efficiency brought about by codeword slimming, however, results in shorter codewords than bus-invert coding which in turn results in higher energy efficiency in word transmission. Applications suitable for this new technique include systems relying on bit-serial implementation and systems with bit-parallel implementations where the cost of extra parallel-to-serial and serial-to-parallel data-format converters is marginal compared to the power savings obtained.
Utilization of cellulosic waste from tequila bagasse and production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics by Saccharophagus degradans

Utilization of wastes from agriculture is becoming increasingly important due to concerns of environmental impact. The goals of this work were to evaluate the ability of an unusual organism, Saccharophagus degradans (ATCC 43961), to degrade the major components of plant cell walls and to evaluate the ability of S. degradans to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs, also known as bioplastics). S. degradans can readily attach to cellulosic fibers, degrade the cellulose, and utilize this as the primary carbon source. The growth of S. degradans was assessed in minimal media (MM) containing glucose, cellobiose, avicel, and bagasse with all able to support growth. Cells were able to attach to avicel and bagasse fibers; however, growth on these insoluble fibers was much slower and led to a lower maximal biomass production than observed with simple sugars. Lignin in MM alone did not support growth, but did support growth upon addition of glucose, although with an increased adaptation phase. When culture conditions were switched to a nitrogen depleted status, PHA production commences and extends for at least 48 h. At early stationary phase, stained inclusion bodies were visible and two chronologically increasing infrared light absorbance peaks at 1,725 and 1,741 cm(-1) confirmed the presence of PHAs. This work demonstrates for what we believe to be the first time, that a single organism can degrade insoluble cellulose and under similar conditions can produce and accumulate PHA. Additional work is necessary to more fully characterize these capabilities and to optimize the PHA production and purification.
Concentration Effects on Separation Selectivity in Foam Fractionation

Abstract Removal of cadmium, copper, and nickel ions from aqueous solution by foam fractionation has been studied using a chelating surfactant, 4-dodecyl-diethylenetriamine. The rate of removal is a function of concentration of both metallic ions and surfactant. In the low concentration range for the metallic ions compared to that of the surfactant, the order of removal was found to be Cd2+ > Ni2+ > Cu2+. However, at higher concentrations of ions, the order becomes inverse, Cu2+ > Ni2+ > Cd2+. A selectivity coefficient for the separation of a specified ion from one or more ions using a chelating surfactant is shown to be dependent on the surface tension of the complex and the chelation constants. The relationship between separation selectivity of the removal of the metallic ions and concentration of both surfactant and metallic ions is discussed
Experimental studies on a beam waveguide for millimeter waves

The beam waveguide utilizes reiterative wave beams which are guided by resetting the cross-sectional phase distributions at periodic intervals. The major purpose of the measurements was to obtain data concerning the inherent losses of the guide, including the diffraction loss, caused by energy by-passing the phase transformers, and the dielectric and reflection losses of the transformers. Resonance measurements with an "open cavity," consisting of a section of a beam waveguide terminated by plane reflector walls, yielded the over-all losses of the phase transformers. In order to isolate the diffraction loss, pulse measurements were made between two reflectors, slightly curved to reset the phase distribution in the reflected beam. These measurements also gave information on the build-up of the reiterative wave beam. The experimental data support the theory which predicts that the diffraction losses of reiterative beams can be made extremely small.
Identifying atypical preeclampsia: A diagnostic challenge

Preeclampsia is a multi-systemic syndrome of variable severity, pregnancy specific, consequence of an abnormal vascular response to placentation, with increase in peripheral vascular resistance and endothelial dysfunction. In the majority of cases, it will present with gestational hypertension and proteinuria, after 20 weeks. Nevertheless, in other cases, it has presented as an atypical form (with absence of hypertension and/or proteinuria) behaving like preeclampsia with severe features. We present a 35 year old G3P2002 at 36 weeks 3 days gestation, with normotensive to mild range blood pressures, absent proteinuria, and acute kidney injury (AKI). We will discuss her management with a trial of furosemide and subsequent delivery based upon the current criteria for diagnosis and management of preeclampsia.
A Radical Humanist Perspective of Interorganizational Relationships

A radical humanist perspective frames a case describing the formation of an interorganizational service delivery system for psychiatric emergencies. Critical incidents exemplify dialogue as a method of inquiry and change in the interorganizational context and as a metaphor for understanding such contexts. Implications for organizational theory and development are discussed.
The X-ray Structure of the PurR-Guanine-purF Operator Complex Reveals the Contributions of Complementary Electrostatic Surfaces and a Water-mediated Hydrogen Bond to Corepressor Specificity and Binding Affinity

Abstract The purine repressor, PurR, is the master regulatory protein of de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. This dimeric transcription factor is activated to bind to cognate DNA operator sites by initially binding either of its physiologically relevant, high affinity corepressors, hypoxanthine (K d = 9.3 μm) or guanine (K d = 1.5 μm). Here, we report the 2.5-A crystal structure of the PurR-guanine-purF operator ternary complex and complete the atomic description of 6-oxopurine-induced repression by PurR. As anticipated, the structure of the PurR-guanine-purFoperator complex is isomorphous to the PurR-hypoxanthine-purF operator complex, and their protein-DNA and protein-corepressor interactions are nearly identical. The former finding confirms the use of an identical allosteric DNA-binding mechanism whereby corepressor binding 40 A from the DNA-binding domain juxtaposes the hinge regions of each monomer, thus favoring the formation and insertion of the critical minor groove-binding hinge helices. Strikingly, the higher binding affinity of guanine for PurR and the ability of PurR to discriminate against 2-oxopurines do not result from direct protein-ligand interactions, but rather from a water-mediated contact with the exocyclic N-2 of guanine, which dictates the presence of a donor group on the corepressor, and the better electrostatic complementarity of the guanine base and the corepressor-binding pocket.
Renibaeterium salmoninarum in Spring–Summer Chinook Salmon Smolts at Dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers

Abstract We evaluated Renibaeterium salmoninarum infection in smolts of hatchery and wild spring-summer Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha sampled during most of the outmigration at Little Goose (1988) and Lower Granite dams (1988–1991) on the Snake River and at Priest Rapids and McNary dams on the Columbia River (1988–1990). We sampled 860–2,178 fish per dam each year. Homogenates of kidney–spleen tissue from all fish were tested for the presence of R. salmoninarum antigens by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and homogenates from 10% of the fish were examined by the fluorescent antibody technique (FAT). Although only 1–11% of fish sampled at a given dam during any l year exhibited lesions characteristic of bacterial kidney disease, 86–100% of the fish tested positive for R. salmoninarum antigen by ELISA, whereas 4–17% of the fish tested positive by the FAT. During most years, a majority (68–87%) of fish testing positive by the ELISA had low R. salmoninarum antigen levels, but in 1989, ...
The Bell Curve: Too Smooth to be True

The best-selling book The Bell Curve has been presented to the American public as a balanced, scholarly review on the influence of IQ on the lives of individuals, in which some incidental comments on the relationship between IQ and race are included. However, a closer examination of the text, footnotes, and references contained in the book reveal a pattern of selectivity, bias, deceptive phrasing, and blatant distortion that leads me to conclude that The Bell Curve can be best described as a fraud. It is a popular book disguised as a scholarly one, a one-sided presentation disguised as a balanced review, and a book about race disguised as a book about IQ. Among its conspicuous omissions is any reference to a large body of cross-cultural research that has demonstrated the culture-bound nature of cognitive achievement.
Approaches to allele frequency determination.

Hundreds of thousands of candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are being identified as part of the human genome project. For these markers to be useful in any study their allele frequencies in the study population must be known, or much effort will be wasted when markers with the wrong characteristics are selected for studies involving large-scale genotyping of SNP markers. Because allele frequency estimations by genotyping a representative sample of a population is a costly endeavour, an obvious strategy to reduce the cost is to identify accurate and efficient approaches to allele frequency estimation using DNA pools. There are several allele frequency estimation approaches currently in use, including PCR-RFLP analysis, DNA sequencing, the Taqman assay and kinetic PCR. All these approaches give reasonably good allele frequency estimates. Accurate and efficient allele frequency estimation in DNA pools will reduce the cost and effort needed in genetic and association studies and opens up ways to...
Salivary Alpha-Amylase and Cortisol in Toddlers: Differential Relations to Affective Behavior

This study applies a minimally invasive and multi-system measurement approach (using salivary analytes) to examine associations between the psychobiology of the stress response and affective behavior in toddlers. Eighty-seven 2-year-olds (48 females) participated in laboratory tasks designed to elicit emotions and behavior ranging from pleasure/approach to fear/withdrawal. Saliva samples were collected pretask and immediately posttask, and assayed for markers of sympathetic nervous system (alpha-amylase or sAA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (cortisol) activity. Individual differences in sAA were positively associated with approach behavior and positive affect; whereas, cortisol was positively associated with negative affect and withdrawal behavior. The findings suggest that individual differences in sAA may covary specifically with positive affect and approach behaviors or the predominant emotional state across a series of tasks. The results are discussed with respect to advancing biosocial models of the concomitants and correlates of young children's affective behaviors.
Effects of Glucose and Insulin on HepG2-C3A Cell Metabolism

HepG2, hepatocellular carcinoma cells, are used in drug toxicity studies and have also been explored for bioartificial livers. For these applications, the cells are under variable levels of nutrients and hormones, the effects of which on metabolism are poorly understood. In this study, HepG2-C3A cells were cultured under varying levels of glucose (high, low, and glucose-free) and insulin (without and with physiological levels of insulin) for 5 days. Cell growth was found to be comparable between high and low glucose media and lowest for glucose-free medium. Several features of central metabolism were affected profoundly by the medium glucose levels. Glucose consumption was greater for low glucose medium compared to high glucose medium, consistent with known glucose feedback regulation mechanisms. Urea productivity was highest in glucose-free medium. Further, it was seen that lactate acted as an alternative carbon source in the absence of glucose, whereas it acted as a sink for the high and low glucose media. Using a metabolic network flexibility analysis (MNFA) framework with stoichiometric and thermodynamic constraints, intracellular fluxes under varying levels of glucose and insulin were evaluated. The analysis indicates that urea production in HepG2-C3A cells arises via the arginase II pathway rather than from ammonia detoxification. Further, involvement of the putrescine metabolism with glutamine metabolism caused higher urea production in glucose-free medium consistent with higher glutamine uptake. MNFA indicated that in high and low glucose media, glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation were the main sources of energy (NADH, NADPH, and ATP). In the glucose-free medium, due to very low glycolytic flux, higher malate to pyruvate glutaminolytic flux and TCA cycle contributed more significantly to energy metabolism. The presence of insulin lowered glycerol uptake and corresponding fluxes involved in lipid metabolism for all glucose levels but otherwise exerted negligible effect on metabolism. HepG2-C3A cells thus show distinct differences from primary hepatocytes in terms of energy metabolism and urea production. This knowledge can be used to design media supplements and metabolically engineer cells to restore necessary hepatic functions to HepG2-C3A cells for a range of applications.
Cosmological Models and the Large Numbers Hypothesis

The Large Numbers hypothesis asserts that all the large dimensionless numbers occurring in Nature are connected with the present epoch, expressed in atomic units, and thus vary with time. It requires that the gravitational constant G shall vary, and also that there shall be continuous creation of matter. The consistent following out of the hypothesis leads to the possibility of only two cosmological models. One of them, which occurs if one assumes that the continuous creation is a multiplication of existing matter, is Einstein’s cylindrical closed Universe. The other, which occurs if one assumes the continuous creation takes place uniformly through the whole of space, involves an approximately flat Minkowski space with a point of origin where the Big Bang occurred.
A Brief Inventory of Values

The authors present a brief inventory derived from Schwartz's 56-item instrument measuring the structure and content of human values. The inventory's four 3-item scales, measuring the major clusters called Self-Transcendence, Self-Enhancement, Openness to Change, and Conservation (or Traditional) values, all produce scores with acceptable reliability in two studies of pro-environmental attitudes and actions, and the brief inventory predicts those indicators nearly as well as much longer ones. The authors also present subscales of biospheric and altruistic values that can be used to assess whether Self-Transcendence values are differentiated in this way in special samples such as environmental activists. The brief inventory is suitable for use in survey research and other settings in which the longer instrument might be impractical.
Optimal channel detection for nonbinary coded partial response channels

We derive a recursive algorithm to compute the joint maximum a posteriori probabilities of p consecutive bits on partial response channels. This channel detector is optimal for nonbinary soft-iterative decoding with multiple channel iterations. It is validated on a nonbinary low-density parity-check coded perpendicular magnetic recording channel.
Association of coronary risk factors with progression of valvular aortic stenosis in older persons.

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2015 RSNA Outstanding Researcher.

Radiology: Volume 277: Number 3—December 2015 n radiology.rsna.org 625 The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Outstanding Researcher for 2015, G. Scott Gazelle, MD, MPH, PhD, earned his reputation as one of radiology’s most important—and prolific—researchers for his pioneering work in radiofrequency ablation, laying the foundation for techniques used today and helping to establish the field of interventional oncology. Currently a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School (Boston, Mass) and professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard School of Public Health, Dr Gazelle is also renowned for his work in technology assessment, most notably developing and applying techniques for cost-effectiveness analysis of new medical technologies and procedures. “I am truly humbled by this recognition from the RSNA,” Dr Gazelle said. “It has been my great fortune to work with so many talented colleagues Ronald L. Arenson, MD 2015 RSNA Outstanding Researcher1
A new radioisotopic technic for the measurement of gastric emptying time of solid meal

The suitability of a radiopharmaceutical for measuring gastric emptying time of solid meal is described. The gastric emptying T1/2 value of solid meal in normal individuals has been established. Both animal and human experiments indicate 99mTc-DTPA to be an ideal nonabsorbable marker for determing gastric emptying rate and for other gastrointestinal studies as well. Studies are now underway to determine gastric emptying time in patients with gastrectomy and gastrojejunostomy, vagotomy, pyloroplasty, etc.
Comparison of Various Preparations of Nuclear Antigens by Hemagglutination Inhibition (Hai)

A clinical laboratory carrying out tests for antinuclear antibodies requires an efficient, reliable preparation method to produce a high yield of nuclear antigens at low cost and a very sensitive, specific assay method for antigen activity. Various tissues were employed for preparation of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) and Sm antigens for these purposes. Fresh calf thymus cells and nuclei, commercially available calf and rabbit thymus acetone powders. fresh rat kidney and liver cells were used as sources of antigens prepared similarly by methods published previously. Preparations of antigens from whole calf thymus cell extracts were prepared with and without inhibitors to protease and RNase. snRNP and Sm antigens were assayed at each preparation step by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI). Using HAI it was possible to routinely assay snRNP and Sm at nanogram/ml quantities which was 10 fold more sensitive than Ouchterlony immunodiffusion. Results were expressed as relative specific activity as compa...
Identification and characterization of the physiological gene targets of the essential lytic replicative Epstein-Barr virus SM protein

ABSTRACT Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) SM protein is an essential lytic cycle protein with multiple posttranscriptional mechanisms of action. SM binds RNA and increases accumulation of specific EBV transcripts. Previous studies using microarrays and PCR have shown that SM-null mutants fail to accumulate several lytic cycle mRNAs and proteins at wild-type levels. However, the complete effect of SM on the EBV transcriptome has been incompletely characterized. Here we precisely identify the effects of SM on all EBV transcripts by high-throughput RNA sequencing, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and Northern blotting. The effect of SM on EBV mRNAs was highly skewed and was most evident on 13 late genes, demonstrating why SM is essential for infectious EBV production. EBV DNA replication was also partially impaired in SM mutants, suggesting additional roles for SM in EBV DNA replication. While it has been suggested that SM specificity is based on recognition of either RNA sequence motifs or other sequence properties, no such unifying property of SM-responsive targets was discernible. The binding affinity of mRNAs for SM also did not correlate with SM responsiveness. These data suggest that while target RNA binding by SM may be required for its effect, specific activation by SM is due to differences in inherent properties of individual transcripts. We therefore propose a new model for the mechanism of action and specificity of SM and its homologs in other herpesviruses: that they bind many RNAs but only enhance accumulation of those that are intrinsically unstable and poorly expressed. IMPORTANCE This study examines the mechanism of action of EBV SM protein, which is essential for EBV replication and infectious virus production. Since SM protein is not similar to any cellular protein and has homologs in all other human herpesviruses, it has potential importance as a therapeutic target. Here we establish which EBV RNAs are most highly upregulated by SM, allowing us to understand why it is essential for EBV replication. By comparing and characterizing these RNA transcripts, we conclude that the mechanism of specific activity is unlikely to be based simply on preferential recognition of a target motif. Rather, SM binding to its target RNA may be necessary but not sufficient for enhancing accumulation of the RNA. Preferential effects of SM on its most responsive RNA targets may depend on other inherent characteristics of these specific mRNAs that require SM for efficient expression, such as RNA stability.
Semiochemicals from ex Situ Abiotically Stressed Cactus Tissue: A Contributing Role of Fungal Spores?

Semiochemicals play a central role in communication between plants and insects, such as signaling the location of a suitable host. Fungi on host plants can also play an influential role in communicating certain plant vulnerabilities to an insect. The spiroketal conophthorin is an important semiochemical produced by developing fungal spores. Spiroketals are also used as signals for scolytid communication. Plants and fungi are known to emit varying volatile profiles under biotic and abiotic stress. This paper reports distinctive temporal-volatile profiles from three abiotic treatments, room temperature (control), −15 °C (cold), and −15 °C to room temperature (shock), of cactus tissue plugs. Volatiles from the three treatments included monoterpenes from control plugs, compounds of varying classes and origin at later stages for cold plugs, and known semiochemicals, including spiroketals, at later stages for shock plugs. The results highlight several important findings: a unique tissue source of the spiroketal...
FINDING FAULTS USING HIGH-RESOLUTION AEROMAGNETIC DATA IN GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND VICINITY, SAN LUIS VALLEY, COLORADO

High-resolution aeromagnetic data reveal faults near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GRSA) and vicinity that offset both bedrock and sediments, even under the dunes themselves. Complicated fault patterns evident in the aeromagnetic data over the exposed range front may represent multiple-age events. The range-front and parallel faults to the west together suggest that basement steps down along high-angle faults. A prominent linear feature parallels the range front from the dunes southward (“the parallel fault”). Preliminary analysis suggests that the top of the parallel fault is about 50-70 m deep, with near-vertical dip, and offsets sediments with differing magnetic properties as well as basement rocks at greater depths. In places, it is paralleled by less prominent aeromagnetic features, which may also be faults. TEM soundings across the parallel fault indicate that sediments juxtaposed there contain abundant clay to the west and mostly sand to the east. The clay-rich sediments are underlain by eastward-shallowing sand at depth. This result suggests that the eastern limit of the confining clay in this area is fault-bounded at shallow depths and may be interfingered with sand at greater depths. These relations have implications for groundwater modeling, geologic studies, and seismic hazards.
Ability of an Extract of Pig Corpus Luteum to Inhibit Binding of 125l-Labeled Human Chorionic Gonadotropin to Porcine Granulosa Cells

SummaryPorcine corpus luteum tissue contains an inhibitor of binding of iodinated human chorionic gonadotropin to porcine granulosa cells. The inhibitor was present in the 1000, 30,000, and 105,000g supernatants of the corpus luteum but not in those of nonluteal ovarian tissue, granulosa cells, lung, or heart tissue. The inhibitor appeared only after storage in the freezer for from 1.5 to 11 weeks. Freezing heart, lung, or nonluteal tissue for a comparable time period did not lead to an increase in inhibitory activity.
Static aeroelastic effects upon wing span loads

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of first principles of static aeroelasticity as they influence the interaction of structural deformations upon wing span loadings. It may be shown that fairly simple lifting surface and structure models can realistically illustrate a significant amount of aerodynamic concepts for the engineering student. Insights gained by this outlook lead to an awareness of the limitations of physical modeling as well as provide a recognition that more advanced solution methods are needed to accommodate configuration specific influences such as low aspect and taper ratios, and highly swept wings (slender deltas) when mounted upon realistic configuration shapes. Study results illustrate the influence of subsonic Mach number, sweepback and elastic axis location upon wing aerodynamic behavior. In addition, an analysis for identifying the optimum spanwise position for a lateral control device is illustrated. For the student equipped with a personal computer, the methods described here may be used to modify stability derivatives when evaluating both static and dynamic stability traits of a representative elastic airframe.
Prognostic Importance of Diastolic Dysfunction in Relation to Post Procedural Aortic Insufficiency in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objectives We sought to examine whether baseline diastolic dysfunction (DD) is associated with increased mortality in patients who develop aortic insufficiency (AI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Background: Significant post-TAVR AI is associated with increased mortality, likely secondary to adverse hemodynamics secondary to volume overload and decreased LV compliance from chronic pressure overload. However, the effect of baseline DD on outcomes of patients with post-TAVR AI has not been studied. Methods: A total of 195 patients undergoing TAVR were included in the study. Patients with moderate-to-severe mitral stenosis, prior mitral valve replacement or atrial fibrillation were excluded. DD was classified at baseline by a 2-step approach as recommended by the American Society of Echocardiography while AI was evaluated 30 days post-TAVR. Follow up data up to 2 years post-TAVR was used in survival analysis. Results: Patients with severe baseline DD who developed ≥mild post-TAVR AI had increased mortality compared to all other patients (HR = 3.89, CI: 1.76–8.6, P = 0.001), which remained significant after adjusting for post-TAVR AI, pre-TAVR AI, baseline mitral regurgitation, ejection fraction, pulmonary artery pressure, creatinine clearance and history of stroke. Conclusions: Even mild post-TAVR AI may have a negative impact on outcomes of patients with underlying severe DD. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EMS under siege: a tale of four cities.

This article depicts the escalating violence throughout the United States and the increased danger of working on the front lines of medicine. Find out what four U.S. cities are presently doing to combat such dangers.
THE C-MYB GENE: A RATIONAL TARGET FOR TREATMENT OF HUMAN DISEASES

c-Myb is a nuclear transcription factor that plays a key role in regulating cell survival, differentiation, and proliferation. Aberrant expression or mutated forms of c-myb have been associated with human leukaemia as well as with a number of solid tumours, and non-malignant human diseases. Recognition of this association has led to the development of therapeutic strategies focused on inhibiting c-myb gene expression at the transcriptional, translational, and protein levels. With regard to the latter, endogenous Myb activity has been abrogated in malignant haemopoietic cells with anti-Myb intracellular single- chain antibodies, as well as by the use of dominant negative c-myb expression constructs. To disrupt c-myb gene expression, we have developed an approach that utilises reverse complementary, or 'antisense' oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN). Using this therapeutic strategy, we conducted clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of c-myb targetted ODNs as marrow purging agents. We have also examined the toxicity of systemically administered c-myb antisense ODNs. The results from these trials are encouraging, as are models of Myb-targetted therapy in colon cancer, melanoma, and cardiovascular disease.
Planets, Life, and Intelligence

Molecular Biology continues to give powerful insight into the nature of life. Complex DNA (deoxyribose nucleic acid) molecules in the heart of every cell encode all the information required to determine how that cell develops and functions. All the rich diversity of life on Earth is coded in strands of DNA, which have evolved from primitive forms that apparently arose through a series of chemical reactions in our corner of the Universe. Studying the myriads of stars in the Universe, we wonder what other genetic systems might exist.
Reduced nicotine content cigarette advertising: How false beliefs and subjective ratings affect smoking behavior.

Abstract Introduction Tobacco advertising can create false beliefs about health harms that are reinforced by product design features. Reduced nicotine content (RNC) cigarettes may reduce harm, but research has not addressed advertising influences. This study examined RNC cigarette advertising effects on false harm beliefs, and how these beliefs – along with initial subjective ratings of RNC cigarettes – affect subsequent smoking behaviors. We further explored whether subjective ratings moderate associations between false beliefs and behavior. Methods Seventy-seven daily, non-treatment-seeking smokers (66.2% male) participated in the first 15 days of a randomized, controlled, open-label RNC cigarette trial. Participants viewed an RNC cigarette advertisement at baseline before completing a 5-day period of preferred brand cigarette use, followed by a 10-day period of RNC cigarette use (0.6 mg nicotine yield). Participants provided pre- and post-advertisement beliefs, and subjective ratings and smoking behaviors for cigarettes smoked during laboratory visits. Results Viewing the advertisement increased beliefs that RNC cigarettes contain less nicotine and are healthier than regular cigarettes (p’s Conclusions Smokers may misconstrue RNC cigarettes as less harmful than regular cigarettes. These beliefs, in conjunction with favorable subjective ratings, may increase product use.
Broad macrophage infiltration leads to a proinflammatory state in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice (HUM3P.261)

Our studies demonstrate significantly enhanced neutrophil (PMN) recruitment during zymosan-induced peritonitis in mice with strepotozocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Cross-leukocyte adoptive transfer further reveals that, while the PMN response is potentiated under diabetes, the existence of a proinflammatory state in the peritoneum of diabetic mice, which is reflected by more than two-fold increases in peritoneal macrophages and significant elevations of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and the PMN-driven chemokine CXCL1 (KC/IL-8) upon zymosan challenge, plays a dominant role in exaggerating the peritonitis. Insulin treatment not only alleviates hyperglycemia, but also reduces macrophage infiltration in the peritoneum and eliminates the enhanced PMN recruitment during the peritonitis, confirming that such proinflammatory state is associated with hyperglycemia but not STZ. Strikingly, dissections of various tissues from diabetic mice reveal increased macrophages infiltration in additional essential organs including the liver and kidneys. Exposing diabetic mice to a sub-effective dose of adriamycin, a potential renal damage drug, leads to acute nephritis and proteinuria toward which insulin treatment precludes. To address how diabetes induces broad macrophage infiltration, we analyzed peripheral leukocytes and observed a significant increase in the circulating proinflammatory F4/80 + Gr-1 + monocytes, which infiltrate tissues and trigger exaggerated responses upon inflammatory challenges.
Continuation of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone Inhibitors Does Not Impact Renal Function Among Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

Abstract Objective: In the perioperative period, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors may result in cardiovascular and renal functional changes. We sought to determine the acute and chronic renal functional and blood pressure effects of continuing or withdrawing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of all patients undergoing PCNL at our institution from 2002 to 2013. Patients on either an ACE-I and/or ARB who received an ACE-I and/or ARB during their surgical hospitalization were matched based on sex, age, and body mass index to patients who had their medication withheld during the postoperative period. The two groups were compared. Results: A total of 2784 patients underwent PCNL during the study period. At the time of PCNL, 15.2% (423/2784) of patients and 6.5% (181/2784) were prescribed an ACE-I and an ARB, respectively. Fifty-nine perc...
Strong Λπ phase shifts for CP violation in weak Ξ → Λπ decay

Abstract Strong interaction Λπ phase shifts relevant for the weak nonleptonic decay Ξ → Λπ are calculated using baryon chiral perturbation theory. We find in leading order that the S-wave phase shift vanishes and the J = 1 2 P-wave phase shift is −1.7°. The small phase shifts imply that CP violation in this decay will be difficult to observe. Our results follow from chiral SU(2)L × SU(2)R symmetry.
Source identification and method for drastic reduction of Fe contamination on wet transferred graphene

Abstract Graphene is a 2D material with extraordinary electronic and mechanical properties and has a wide range of applications. Among existing synthesis methods, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) onto Cu foil is the most prominent because it allows large area high quality graphene to be prepared at relatively low costs and then subsequently wet transferred to arbitrary substrates. Typically, PMMA and FeCl 3 are used as a polymeric support layer and a metal etchant respectively during wet transfer. Unfortunately, this method leaves graphene susceptible to contamination, degrading transferred graphene's extraordinary properties. In this paper, contamination in the form of black particulates is identified to be Fe wrapped in graphene and a model of how it originates was developed. Then, a procedure to reduce this contamination during wet transfer was developed and its effectiveness was systematically studied. Transfers were characterized using Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy with image segmentation. Experimental data obtained indicates that this simple and economic method is very effective in reducing Fe contamination on transferred CVD graphene, offering a way to improve the wet transfer process.