cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a Performance-Related Framework for Asphalt Mixture Design for the Illinois Tollway:

Various agencies have begun to research and introduce performance-related specifications (PRS) for the design of modern asphalt paving mixtures. The focus of most recent studies has been directed t...
A Church-Turing Thesis for Randomness?

We discuss the difficulties in stating an analogue of the Church-Turing thesis for algorithmic randomness. We present one possibility and argue that it cannot occupy the same position in the study of algorithmic randomness that the Church-Turing thesis does in computability theory. We begin by observing that some evidence comparable to that for the Church-Turing thesis does exist for this statement: in particular, there are other reasonable formalizations of the intuitive concept of randomness that lead to the same class of random sequences (the Martin-Lof random sequences). However, we consider three properties that we would like a random sequence to satisfy and find that the Martin-Lof random sequences do not necessarily possess these properties to a greater degree than other types of random sequences, and we further argue that there is no more appropriate version of the Church-Turing thesis for algorithmic randomness. This suggests that consensus around a version of the Church-Turing thesis in this context is unlikely.
Monitoring and Evaluation of the Surgical Potts Shunt Physiology Using 4D-Flow MRI

ABSTRACT Objective The reversed Potts shunt is an increasingly applied mode of surgical palliation of severe pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the long-term flow hemodynamic effect of the Potts shunt physiology and desirable long-term hemodynamic end-points are not defined. The purpose of this descriptive study was to analyze a series of pediatric patients who underwent surgical Potts shunt as a part of end-stage PH palliation using 4D-Flow MRI to 1) quantitate the flow through the anastomosis, 2) correlate the shunting pattern with phases of cardiac cycle and PH comorbidities, and 3) describe chronologic changes in shunting pattern. Methods This was a two-center study evaluating four patients seen by the Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic at Children’s Hospital Colorado who were evaluated and selected to undergo surgical reverse Potts shunt at Washington University School of Medicine and were serially followed using comprehensive imaging including cardiac MRI and 4D-Flow MRI. Results Post procedure each child underwent two 4D-Flow MRI evaluations. Pulmonary pressure offload was evident in all patients as demonstrated by positive systolic right-to-left flow across the Potts shunt. All patients experienced some degree of the flow reversal which occurs primarily in diastole. Interventricular dyssynchrony further contributed to flow reversal across the Potts shunt. Lastly, systemic and pulmonary blood mixing in the descending aorta results in secondary helical flow persisting throughout the diastole. Conclusions 4D-Flow MRI demonstrates that children who have undergone a Potts shunt for severe PH can experience shunt flow reversal. Cumulatively this left-to-right pulmonary shunt adds to RV volume overload. We speculate that a valved conduit may decrease the left to right shunting and improve overall cardiac output.
SU-E-T-531: Large--Scale DVH Quality Study: Correlated Aims Lead Relaxations

Purpose: Intensity modulated radiation therapy plans are designed to optimally target a tumor while sparing surrounding tissue. Desired dose distributions are iteratively approached via inverse planning. This leads to tradeoffs between clinical objectives for the planning target volume (PTV), organs at risk, and normal tissues. Dose volume histogram (DVHs) related aims are followed that are either institutional or internationally recommended. We analyze common goals and identify potential reasons that often lead to tradeoffs. Methods: 524 IMRT plans for various tumor sites were analyzed based on the main institutional DVH goal for PTV (D95) and the recommendations by ICRU-83 (D2, D50, and D98). Robust statistical tools are developed and applied to ensure that the results are immune to data uncertainties. The probability of violation was measured for each of the DVH goals based on the frequency of not meeting recommended doses. Conditional probabilities for satisfying and/or violating DVH aims were computed to test the hypothesized pair-wise relations between DVH aims. For example, for plans that satisfied D50, the probability of violating D98 was computed via P(D98 < 95% | 98% ≤ D50 ≤ 102%). The equality constraint D50 = 100% was relaxed to encompass the range [98,102]%. Results: A large majority of cases (88%) satisfied the institutional goal for PTV of D95 ≤ 95%. Similar consensus existed for D98. 51% of cases satisfied D2 ≥ 107%. However, only 18% of cases satisfied D50. The conditional probability showed correlations amongst the studied DVH goals. In fact, a negative correlation was revealed between D50 and D95 (and D98), suggesting that these competing goals cannot be satisfied concurrently. Conclusion: The majority of plans followed the institutional guidelines. The reason for their deviation from international recommendations seems to be that the latter goals are competing and cannot be satisfied concurrently in clinical practice.
Gynogenetic haploids of Citrus after in vitro pollination with triploid pollen grains

This study reports haploid plantlet regeneration through gynogenesis in Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan., cv. Nules, induced by in vitro pollination with pollen grains of Oroblanco, a triploid cultivar of grapefruit. It indicates that parthenogenesis induced in vitro by triploid pollen can be an alternative method to obtain haploids in monoembryonic cultivars of Citrus. Actually, despite considerable efforts, androgenesis has not been yet successful in many genotypes of Citrus. Pollination and mature stage of pistils was necessary for gynogenic embryo regeneration. Fourteen haploid gynogenic embryos of Nules clementine were obtained. Embryo conversion was high (85.7%) and embryos vigorously germinated producing twelve plantlets. Chromosome counting, performed in the roots of obtained embryos, showed the haploid level (n=x=9). Isozyme analyses confirmed the expected homozygous state of embryos and plantlets.
How electronic portfolios add coherence to educational programs

CSU Bakersfield has been implementing electronic portfolios into several of its programs. This paper shows applications in online Educational Technology Master's program and in a technology proficiency certification program for K-12 and university instructors. The Master's program was begun in fall, 2001 and is being developed in partnership with Connected University. Selected classes include a digital exhibit that addresses the program theme. A capstone class assists students in assembling the exhibits and creating a portfolio demonstrating program objectives, which is given a public presentation much like a doctoral defense. The certification program has been in place for three years using hard copy portfolios, resulting in dramatic changes in the teaching learning process in local schools. At this time more than 3000 educators have been certified. An electronic version was developed and is demonstrated. Copies of the instruments used are available online.
Temperature-Dependent Inhibition of Fusion from Without

Fusion from without by Newcastle disease virus is inhibited by incubation at 23 C. The inhibitory effect is exerted at a step after viral attachment and is not reversed by subsequent incubation at higher temperatures.
An infinitely generated intersection of geometrically finite hyperbolic groups

Two discrete, geometrically finite subgroups of the isometrics of hyperbolic n-space (n > 4) are defined whose intersection is infinitely generated. This settles, in dimensions 4 and above, a long-standing question in Kleinian and hyperbolic groups reiterated at a problem session chaired by Bernard Maskit at the AMS meeting 898, March 3-5, 1995, a conference in honor of Bernard Maskit's 60th birthday.
Comparing Role-Specific Terrorist Profiles

While research on who and why individuals engage in terrorism has moved a long way since psychopathological and psychoanalytical approaches dominated, there remain gaps and shortcomings in our knowledge and approaches to understanding who is likely to engage in this form of political violence. Conventional wisdom posits that terrorists are typically male, uneducated, impoverished and between the ages of 18 and 23. Studies and emerging patterns over the past decade have refuted many of these stereotypes. Of the existing empirical research in the literature, single-case studies dominate. Although highly informative, they are also context-specific and thus their findings may not easily translate to other conflict areas. To address these shortcomings, the socio-demographic and role profiles of 219 Palestinian suicide bombers are compared with 510 terrorists indicted within the United States. These cases allow us to simultaneously compare the profiles of two very different contexts. More importantly, we are able to evaluate and compare the profiles of suicide bombers with more conventional terrorists.
Soil History as a Primary Control on Plant Invasion in Abandoned Agricultural Fields

Summary 1 Abandoned agricultural (AA) fields are often invaded by exotic plants. This observation has been difficult to explain because agricultural practices change nearly every aspect of an ecosystem. Restoring native plants to AA fields is likely to require a prioritized understanding of the many mechanisms through which agriculture encourages exotic and discourages native plant growth. 2 Using 660 experimental plots in three sites in Methow Valley, Washington, USA, we determined the relative role of neighbour removal, propagule addition, plant–soil feedback, soil disturbance and fungal restriction to explain why exotics cover 38% of the ground in AA fields and 3% of the ground in non-agricultural (NA) fields. 3 After three growing seasons, neighbour removal improved exotic growth from 3% to 11% cover in NA fields but had no effect in AA fields. Propagule addition did not increase exotic growth above natural recruitment. Differences in soil history, a proxy for plant–soil feedback, explained an increase in exotic growth from 9% in NA fields to 39% in AA fields. Soil disturbance improved exotic growth from 9% to 16% cover in NA fields but had no effect in AA fields. Fungicide reduced exotic growth from 39% to 28% cover in AA soils but had no effect on exotic growth in NA soils. Native plant growth never differed by more than 5% cover among treatments. 4 Soil carbon, nitrogen (organic, inorganic and mineralization), phosphorus concentrations and fungal biomass were better associated with plant type (exotic or native) than agricultural history, suggesting that exotics facilitated their own growth by maintaining small beneficial fungal populations and fast nutrient cycling rates. 5 Synthesis and application. Soil history was more important than neighbour removal in determining exotic and native plant distributions. Where exotics rely on plant–soil feedback or legacies of agricultural disturbance, native plant restoration may require soil-based management. In these cases, changing mycorrhizal fungal abundance, increasing soil pathogen loading and slowing nutrient cycling rates may help restore native plants to invaded fields.
Characterization of Bacteria from a Swine Manure Digester

One-hundred thirty bacteria isolated from a swine manure digester were predominately gram-positive anaerobes which were tentatively classified into the following genera: Peptostreptococcus, Eubacterium, Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Peptococcus, Clostridium, and Streptococcus plus two unidentified groups. The major fermentation products formed by these organisms included acetate, propionate, succinate, lactate, and ethanol, singly or in various combinations. Acetate was the sole end product of several groups. Few of the isolates (14%) reduced the pH below 6.0. The predominate bacteria appear to differ from the predominate organisms isolated from other anaerobic ecosystems.
Trademarks for the Cure: Why Nonprofits Need Their Own Set of Trademark Rules

When the Lanham Trademark Act was originally drafted in 1946, it is unlikely that Congress contemplated that trademarks would be used not only by commercial businesses but also by large nonprofits with a national reach. Today, several nonprofits have grown into highly recognizable brands that wish to protect their valuable trademarks, both to ensure that donations reach their intended recipients and to preserve their good reputation in the eyes of the public. Nonprofit charities, though, undoubtedly have very different goals than for-profit enterprises and yet they are subject to the exact same set of trademark laws. This Note argues that, in light of the fundamental differences between commercial businesses and charitable organizations, amendments to the Lanham Trademark Act are necessary. By carving out special rules for nonprofits within the Lanham Act, these charitable entities will receive the trademark protection they need and can focus on their charitable endeavors.
Compatibility and Interoperability of GPS and Galileo: A Continuum of Time, Geodesy, and Signal Structure Options for Civil GNSS Services

The European Union (EU), through the European Commission (EC), and the United States (US) have engaged in a dialogue on the possibility of developing the proposed future Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) known as Galileo in a manner that is at least compatible, if not fully interoperable, with the Global Positioning System (GPS). This paper discusses GPS and Galileo co-existence within a hierarchical framework ranging from simple compatibility (independent but non-interfering operation), to truly seamless global interoperability. Currently known system design parameters in the areas of timing, geodesy, and signal structure are addressed within this framework, and the US perspective on the importance of compatibility and interoperability between the two systems will be discussed.
Purification of active myrosinase from plants by aqueous two-phase counter-current chromatography.

Introduction Myrosinase (thioglucoside glucohydrolase; E.C. 3.2.1.147), is a plant enzyme of increasing interest and importance to the biomedical community. Myrosinase catalyses the formation of isothiocyanates such as sulforaphane (from broccoli) and 4-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate (from moringa), which are potent inducers of the cytoprotective phase-2 response in humans, by hydrolysis of their abundant glucosinolate (β-thioglucoside N-hydroxysulphate) precursors. Objective To develop an aqueous two-phase counter-current chromatography (CCC) system for the rapid, three-step purification of catalytically active myrosinase. Methods A high-concentration potassium phosphate and polyethylene glycol biphasic aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is used with a newly developed CCC configuration that utilises spiral-wound, flat-twisted tubing (with an ovoid cross-section). Results Making the initial crude plant extract directly in the ATPS and injecting only the lower phase permitted highly selective partitioning of the myrosinase complex before a short chromatography on a spiral disk CCC. Optimum phase retention and separation of myrosinase from other plant proteins afforded a 60-fold purification. Conclusion Catalytically active myrosinase is purified from 3-day broccoli sprouts, 7-day daikon sprouts, mustard seeds and the leaves of field-grown moringa trees, in a CCC system that is predictably scalable. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Post‐formal design conversation: designing just and caring educational systemsa

In the USA, efforts to improve education continue to be poorly designed and disregard the necessity of centering these efforts on paradigms of justice and caring. Change efforts, such as vouchers, standards, rebuilding educational infrastructure, funding and privatization, are systematic at best, and are promoted by ideological and economic special interests who have no concern for the establishment of egalitarian systems. Because of the lack of design and critical concern, the change efforts invariably fail in their attempt to improve the quality of education, and merely sustain existing inequitable situations. Currently, outside of the academic arena, design theory and critical theory have little impact on the contentious debates about the purpose, form, and function of education. Therefore, how can the process of design and the promotion of justice and caring be included in the actual planning and practice of educational change? The argument will be made that processes of design and criticality can become part of the practice of education, and that the quality of education can be equitably improved through the synthesis of idealized systems design and post-formal thinking. This synthesis, post-formal design conversation, will be explored by first identifying the aspects of systems design and post-formal thinking that are related to this synthesis. A discussion of the similarities and differences of post-formal design conversation and design conversation will further explicate the nature of post-formal design conversation. Finally, the potential of Opportunity-Initiated Systems design to become an interventionist strategy, which will promote the inclusion of post-formal design conversation in educational change initiatives, will by explored. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incubation of a passive avoidance response after frontal lesions in the rat

Rats with lesions of prefrontal cortex were compared with sham operates and cortical controls on a one-trial stepdown passive-avoidance task. At training-test intervals of 5 sec, 10 sec, or 24 h, one-trial learning effects were observed. All groups showed an incubation effect, i.e., stepdown latencies increased after longer retest intervals. There were no differences between animals with prefrontal lesions and the sham controls, suggesting that frontais have normal short-term timing behavior.
Integrating power devices into silicon roadmaps

Although silicon roadmaps have had a major impact on the progress of semiconductor technology, roadmap emphasis has largely been in the digital arena. Integration of high-voltage and high-current devices into chip designs has tended to follow the original roadmap with a delay of a year or more owing to both economic and technological factors. The resulting 'mixed-signal' roadmaps tend to be less structured company-to-company, since more opportunities exist for a variety of approaches. To aid in the understanding of mixed-signal roadmaps, this paper summarises some of the requirements for including power devices into an existing BiCMOS technology. Some of the principles that determine the integration process are described.
Victimization history as a risk factor for conduct disorder behaviors: exploring connections in a national sample of youth

This longitudinal secondary analysis examined the relationship between victimization exposure and conduct disorder behavior in youth. Using the Ecological Model, it was hypothesized that victimization exposure in youth, age 11, would be associated with self-reported conduct disorder behavior at that same age, and that both would be predictive of conduct disorder behavior at age 18. Participants (N = 197) were youth, age 11, who were part of a national probability panel study—The National Youth Survey (NYS). Data from Wave I (1976) and Wave VI (1983) from the NYS were used to identify youth with conduct disorder (CD) behavior and victimization experiences. The data were analyzed with multiple regression using the independent variables: conduct disorder behavior, victimization, ethnicity, gender, and family income. The results showed that victimization in the prior year was a significant factor in predicting conduct disorder behavior in 11-year-old youth, by explaining 26% of the variance of CD behavior. Mo...
Seizures and brain regulatory systems: consciousness, sleep, and autonomic systems.

Summary:Research into the physiologic underpinnings of epilepsy has revealed reciprocal relationships between seizures and the activity of several regulatory systems in the brain. This review highlights recent progress in understanding and using the relationships between seizures and the arousal or
A case study of a system-level approach to power-aware computing

This paper introduces a systematic approach to power awareness in mobile, handheld computers. It describes experimental evaluations of several techniques for improving the energy efficiency of a system, ranging from the network level down to the physical level of the battery. At the network level, a new routing method based upon the power consumed by the network subsystem is shown to improve power consumption by 15p on average and to reduce latency by 75p over methods that consider only the transmitted power. At the boundary between the network and the processor levels, the paper presents the problem of local versus remote processing and derives a figure of merit for determining whether a computation should be completed locally or remotely, one that involves the relative performance of the local and remote system, the transmission bandwidth and power consumption, and the network congestion. At the processor level, the main memory bandwidth is shown to have a significant effect on the relationship between performance and CPU frequency, which in turn determines the energy savings of dynamic CPU speed-setting. The results show that accounting for the main memory bandwidth using Amdahl's law permits the performance speed-up and peak power versus the CPU frequency to be estimated to within 5p. The paper concludes with a technique for mitigating the loss of battery energy capacity with large peak currents, showing an improvement of up to 10p in battery life, albeit at some cost to the size and weight of the system.
Block Copolymer Micelles for Nucleation of Microcellular Thermoplastic Foams

The use of block copolymer micelles as novel nucleating agents for foaming thermoplastics is explored. Diblock copolymers can self-assemble into a large number of spherical micelles, making them promising nucleants for the production of microcellular foams with >10 9 cells/cm 3 . Different types of A-B diblock copolymers were added to a polystyrene matrix in low concentrations, and the resulting blends were foamed in a batch process using carbon dioxide as the blowing agent. Polystyrene-b-poly- (ethylene propylene) and polystyrene-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) diblocks were not effective as nucleants. Diblocks containing poly(dimethylsiloxane) as the core block showed a bimodal cell size distribution and a small increase in cell concentration. The increased solubility of carbon dioxide in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), and the reduced surface tension of PDMS, lowered the minimum work of bubble formation and increased the cell concentration. None of the foams showed an increase in cell concentration proportional to the large number of potential nucleants present. Block copolymer micelles as nucleants were not able to sufficiently lower the work of formation for cell nucleation. They are too small in size, can still agglomerate into larger, nonequilibrium structures, and have large contact angles due to the high surface tension of most polymers.
Gas-phase acidities of cysteine-polyglycine peptides: the effect of the cysteine position.

The sequence and conformational effects on the gas-phase acidities of peptides have been studied by using two pairs of isomeric cysteine-polyglycine peptides, CysGly3,4NH2 and Gly3,4CysNH2. The extended Cooks kinetic method was employed to determine the gas-phase acidities using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization source. The ion activation was achieved via collision-induced dissociation experiments. The deprotonation enthalpies (ΔacidH) were determined to be 323.9 ± 2.5 kcal/mol (CysGly3NH2), 319.2 ± 2.3 kcal/mol (CysGly4NH2), 333.8 ± 2.1 kcal/mol (Gly3CysNH2), and 321.9 ± 2.8 kcal/mol (Gly4CysNH2), respectively. The corresponding deprotonation entropies (ΔacidS) of the peptides were estimated. The gas-phase acidities (ΔacidG) were derived to be 318.4 ± 2.5 kcal/mol (CysGly3NH2), 314.9 ± 2.3 kcal/mol (CysGly4NH2), 327.5 ± 2.1 kcal/mol (Gly3CysNH2), and 317.4 ± 2.8 kcal/mol (Gly4CysNH2), respectively. Conformations and energetic information of the neutral and anionic peptides were calculated through simulated annealing (Tripos), geometry optimization (AM1), and single point energy calculations (B3LYP/6-31+G(d)), respectively. Both neutral and deprotonated peptides adopt many possible conformations of similar energies. All neutral peptides are mainly random coils. The two C-cysteine anionic peptides, Gly3,4(Cys-H)−NH2, are also random coils. The two N-cysteine anionic peptides, (Cys-H)−Gly3,4NH2, may exist in both random coils and stretched helices. The two N-cysteine peptides, CysGly3NH2 and CysGly4NH2, are significantly more acidic than the corresponding C-terminal cysteine ones, Gly3CysNH2 and Gly4CysNH2. The stronger acidities of the former may come from the greater stability of the thiolate anion resulting from the interaction with the helix-macrodipole, in addition to the hydrogen bonding interactions.
Low pH preempts bloom development of a toxic haptophyte.

Abstract Harmful blooms of Prymnesium parvum in inland waters continue to expand, in part, due to anthropogenic influences and climate change. Several studies have identified the importance of elevated pH on increasing ambient toxicity associated with P. parvum in inland, coastal and marine systems. Influence of pH on P. parvum bloom dynamics, however, is less understood. Here, we evaluate whether pH influences P. parvum bloom development and ambient toxicity. We manipulated pH levels (7, 7.5, 8.5) of in situ experimental enclosures during 21 d pre-bloom and bloom development experiments in Lake Granbury, TX, USA, an impoundment consistently impacted by P. parvum blooms. Neutral pH levels preempted P. parvum bloom development. Population densities never reached bloom proportions and no ambient toxicity to fish or cladocerans resulted. However, higher pH (8.5) allowed bloom formation to occur and resulted in ambient toxicity. During both experiments, reducing pH to 7 and 7.5 did not adversely affect phytoplankton or zooplankton biomass. Observations from this study provide initial evidence that pH appears to be a major factor governing P. parvum bloom formation and associated ambient toxicity in inland waters. This research further highlights the importance of developing an understanding of interactions among harmful blooms of P. parvum and pH responses in inland waters to anthropogenic activities and climatic changes.
Determination of urban volatile organic compound emission ratios and comparison with an emissions database

[1] During the NEAQS-ITCT2k4 campaign in New England, anthropogenic VOCs and CO were measured downwind from New York City and Boston. The emission ratios of VOCs relative to CO and acetylene were calculated using a method in which the ratio of a VOC with acetylene is plotted versus the photochemical age. The intercept at the photochemical age of zero gives the emission ratio. The so determined emission ratios were compared to other measurement sets, including data from the same location in 2002, canister samples collected inside New York City and Boston, aircraft measurements from Los Angeles in 2002, and the average urban composition of 39 U.S. cities. All the measurements generally agree within a factor of two. The measured emission ratios also agree for most compounds within a factor of two with vehicle exhaust data indicating that a major source of VOCs in urban areas is automobiles. A comparison with an anthropogenic emission database shows less agreement. Especially large discrepancies were found for the C2-C4 alkanes and most oxygenated species. As an example, the database overestimated toluene by almost a factor of three, which caused an air quality forecast model (WRF-CHEM) using this database to overpredict the toluene mixing ratio by a factor of 2.5 as well. On the other hand, the overall reactivity of the measured species and the reactivity of the same compounds in the emission database were found to agree within 30%.
Functional properties of the novel PA-X endonuclease of human influenza virus

The PA subunit of the RNA dependent RNA polymerase of influenza virus is an endonuclease required for the cap-snatching mechanism leading to the synthesis of viral mRNA. Recently, the PA-X protein has been discovered in human influenza, which is translated from an alternative open reading frame within the PA gene coding sequence, resulting from a ribosomal frameshifting. The PA-X retains the N-terminal endonucleolytic domain of PA, but has a different and shorter C-terminal part. Two isoforms of PA-X are present in circulating human infuenza A strains. It has been proposed that PA-X degrades cellular mRNA, contributing to the attenuation of viral pathogenesis in the host. Here we express the diferent recombinant PA-X proteins from human seasonal influenza virus and show that their endonucleolytic activities have distinct substrate specificities, which depend on the structure of the RNA to be cleaved. Collectively, our results support distinct roles of PA and PA-X in the viral life cycle.
Gendered Policies and Practices that Increase Older Men's Risk of Elder Mistreatment

SUMMARY We aim to detail some of the ways that social policy and gendered practices put older men at risk of elder mistreatment. Research on the abuse and neglect that older adults experience has often focused on the characteristics of the victims and the dynamics within families, emphasizing factors such as the likelihood of an intergenerational cycle of violence, substance abuse and dependency, and older men's financial status as key risks in elder abuse. The effect on men from this type of analysis is that elder mistreatment remains an individual or family problem rather than being viewed as a larger societal concern. This article challenges the individualistic focus by outlining the importance of societal forces affecting older men's risk of mistreatment.
Development of Rabbit Monoclonal Antibodies for Detection of Alpha-Dystroglycan in Normal and Dystrophic Tissue

Alpha-dystroglycan requires a rare O-mannose glycan modification to form its binding epitope for extracellular matrix proteins such as laminin. This functional glycan is disrupted in a cohort of muscular dystrophies, the secondary dystroglycanopathies, and is abnormal in some metastatic cancers. The most commonly used reagent for detection of alpha-dystroglycan is mouse monoclonal antibody IIH6, but it requires the functional O-mannose structure for recognition. Therefore, the ability to detect alpha-dystroglycan protein in disease states where it lacks the full O-mannose glycan has been limited. To overcome this hurdle, rabbit monoclonal antibodies against the alpha-dystroglycan C-terminus were generated. The new antibodies, named 5–2, 29–5, and 45–3, detect alpha-dystroglycan from mouse, rat and pig skeletal muscle by Western blot and immunofluorescence. In a mouse model of fukutin-deficient dystroglycanopathy, all antibodies detected low molecular weight alpha-dystroglycan in disease samples demonstrating a loss of functional glycosylation. Alternately, in a porcine model of Becker muscular dystrophy, relative abundance of alpha-dystroglycan was decreased, consistent with a reduction in expression of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex in affected muscle. Therefore, these new rabbit monoclonal antibodies are suitable reagents for alpha-dystroglycan core protein detection and will enhance dystroglycan-related studies.
Evaluation of an ecological land type classification system, Natchez Trace State Forest, western Tennessee, USA

In an effort to aid future research and forest management decisions, we incorporated data on forest type, soils and topography into a geographic information systems (GIS)-based ecological land classification system for Natchez Trace State Forest (NTSF) in western Tennessee. The area is still recovering from the effects of cultivation, logging, forest clearing and grazing during the 1800s and early 1900s, but the data indicated that most stands now contain sawtimber-sized trees after more than 50 years of secondary succession. Our analyses showed that forest types were not randomly associated with soil characteristics or topography. For example, the most heavily gullied lands were strongly associated with pine forests while hardwoods were more associated with upland soils and certain types of sideslopes. Mature hardwood stands, which were deemed to be of the greatest conservation value, were classified into eight ecological land types based on soil type, aspect, orientation and topographic setting for further study. When these land types were evaluated with respect to data on forest composition and environmental conditions collected in the field, we found that the variables used to derive the eight classes were important in influencing floristic patterns. It was, however, clear that the classes themselves imperfectly captured patterns of overstory community composition for a number of reasons. Thus, while land types provide a potentially valuable management tool, their utility and successful implementation are dependent upon a recognition of their inherent limitations.
Disordered eating in adulthood is associated with reported weight loss attempts in childhood.

Objective: To determine whether history of attempted weight loss in childhood (age ≤12 years) is associated with binge eating disorder (BED) and unhealthy weight loss behaviors in adults. Method: Cross-sectional analysis from baseline visit data of 588 participants of a clinical trial. Data were collected from survey answers on health status, nutritional status, weight loss history, and weight loss behaviors. Results: History of childhood weight loss attempts was associated with high odds of BED in adults (odds ratio [OR] 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8–6.3) and high odds of unhealthy weight loss behaviors (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.2, 2.6). A linear trend was observed in which young age at first attempted weight loss was associated with increased odds of both BED and unhealthy weight loss behaviors. Discussion: Weight loss attempts in childhood may be a risk factor for the development of unhealthy eating behaviors and BED in adults. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2010;)
Molecular polarizability estimates for vibrational spectral interpretation

A scheme is outlined for obtaining estimates of molecular polarizabilities, quadrupole moments, and their derivatives from restricted Hartree-Fock calculations. Results are presented for the test cases H2, F2 and Cl2, and the compared with experiment. This results are found to be lower limits to these quantities, and they are expected to be of use in the interpretation of Raman and of collision-induced infrared absorption spectra.
Human Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells Produce Matrix Metalloproteinases in Response to Angiogenic Factors and Migration

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of inducible enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix components, allowing cells to traverse connective tissue structures efficiently. Specific tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) function as physiologic inhibitors of MMP activity. Because neovascularization may require various proteinases, we characterized the profile of metalloenzyme production by microvascular endothelial cells (MEC) and the modulation of expression by phorbol esters (PMA) and by the physiologically relevant cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), basic fibroblast growth factor, and interferon-γ. MMP expression by MEC and large-vessel human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoprecipitation, Northern hybridization, and transfection assays. Constitutive expression of MMPs by endothelial cells was low. PMA stimulated the production of collagenase, stromelysin, 92-kDa gelatinase, and TIMP-1 in both endothelial cell types. TIMP-2 was constitutively expressed by MEC and HUVEC, but was down-regulated by PMA. TNF-α induced an endothelial-cell-specific up-regulation of collagenase with a concomitant inhibition of PMA-induced TIMP-1 up-regulation, a response that is distinct from that of fibroblasts. Interferon-γ up-regulated TIMP-1 production by MEC and blocked PMA and TNT-induced up-regulation of collagenase. Northern hybridization assays showed pretranslational control of PMA-, basic fibroblast growth factor-, and TNF-α–induced MM.P expression. Collagenase-promoter CAT constructs containing 2.28 kb of the 5' region of the collagenase gene demonstrated transcriptional regulation. The potential physiologic relevance of such regulation was shown in an in vitro migration assay. MEC were stimulated to migrate by wounding and exposure to TNF-α. Collagenase mRNA was prominently expressed by the migrating cells, as shown by in situ hybridization. In sum, MEC have a unique profile of MMP expression and regulation compared with other cell types, which may be important for wound healing and angiogenesis, particularly during the early phase of migration.
Needle thoracostomy may not be indicated in the trauma patient

Objectie: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of needle thoracostomy catheter (NTC) placement in trauma. Methods: A consecutive case series was conducted from November 1996 to September 1997. All patients admitted to a level I trauma centre who had NTCs placed prior to arrival in the Emergency Department were included. No patients were excluded or omitted. During the course of the study 2801 patients were admitted to our trauma centre. Nineteen patients (0.68%) had NTCs placed prior to arrival in the emergency department. Results: Twenty-five needle thoracostomies were performed in 19 patients. This group represented 0.68% of the trauma admissions. Four patients were found to have evidence of a pneumothorax with an air leak (28%). The NTC failed to decompress the chest in one of two patients who had physiologic evidence of a tension pneumothorax. Eleven patients (58%) were endotracheally intubated prior to NTC. Conclusions: This study suggests that field NTC placements are often ineffective and may be over-used. Further study on the usefulness of NTC is required. © 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
SU‐GG‐J‐62: Correlation of White Blood Cell Count with Radiation Therapy Outcome for Cervical Cancer

Purpose: To assess the impact of circulating white blood cell (WBC) counts during the treatment course for local tumorcontrol in patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) for cervical cancer.Method and Materials: Forty‐two advanced cervical cancer patients (FIGO stage IB2‐IVA) were studied as a part of IRB‐approved protocol. The standard RT for cervical cancer included ∼5 weeks of external beam RT, followed by brachytherapy within 3 weeks. Blood tests, including white blood cell counts, were collected approximately once per week longitudinally during the two month RT course. For each patient, the mean (mWBC) and median of white blood cell counts were evaluated across the RT course. The outcome endpoints, local (pelvic) tumor recurrence (LR) and death of disease (DOD), were determined by long term patients follow‐up 3.9 ∼9 years (median 7.5 years). Cox proportional hazards model was applied to correlate of WBC parameters with RT outcome. Survival analysis was carried out with Kaplan‐Meier method. Results: The parameter mWBC correlated with RT outcome including LR (p= 0.004) and DOD (p= 0.032). The median of mWBC in patient subgroup with LR (13 patients, median= 6.2×109/ l) was higher than that in the subgroup with local tumorcontrol (29 patients, median= 5.5×109/ l). Kaplan‐Meier analysis confirmed higher LR rate of 47% for mWBC >5.4×109/ l versus LR rate of 7% for mWBC < 5.4×109/ l (p= 0.017). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of high mWBC to predict LR were 85%, 48%, and 60%, respectively. Correlation of high mWBC with higher DOD rate was marginally (p= 0.059). Conclusions: Our preliminary results suggest that higher white blood cell counts during the course of radiation therapy correlate with higher local tumor recurrence rate. The etiology is unknown, however, may be related to inflammatory changes and tumor necrosis, and requires further investigation e.g. imaging assessment.
Calorimetrically measured enthalpies for the reaction of H2(D2) (g) with Ti and Ti-Ni alloys at 323 K

Reaction enthalpies have been measured calorimetrically at 323 K for the reaction 1/2H[sub 2] (g) + Ti ([alpha], hcp) [yields] TiH[sup 1.5] and for the partial molar solution of H[sub 2] in the [delta] phase. The magnitude of the enthalpy decreases from 68 at H/Ti = 0 to 65 kJ/mol H at H/Ti = 1.5. The enthalpy continues to slowly fall in magnitude with the increase of H content, and then, for (H/Ti) > 1.9, it falls more precipitously. [Delta]H[sub f][sup 0](TiH[sup 1.5]) = [minus]98.4 kJ and [Delta]H[sub f][sup 0](TiH[sub 2]) = [minus]130.3 kJ evaluated at 323 K. No differences in enthalpies were found between H and D. The results are discussed in terms of the existing solvus data for this system, which are important for the quantitative understanding of hydride-induced fracture. Enthalpies of reaction with H[sub 2] have been determined for several Ti-Ni alloys which lie in the (Ti([alpha]) + Ti[sub 2]Ni) two-phase field. The reaction with H[sub 2] initially occurs with the Ti phase and then with the Ti[sub 2]Ni phase. The enthalpies are similar for the Ti phase as for pure Ti, indicating that this phase is relatively pure Ti. Reaction with the Ti[sub 2]Ni phase showsmore » a plateau region with an enthalpy of reaction with 1/2H[sub 2] of about [minus]30 kJ/mol H.« less
Intramolecular folding in human ILPR fragment with three C-rich repeats.

Enrichment of four tandem repeats of guanine (G) rich and cytosine (C) rich sequences in functionally important regions of human genome forebodes the biological implications of four-stranded DNA structures, such as G-quadruplex and i-motif, that can form in these sequences. However, there have been few reports on the intramolecular formation of non-B DNA structures in less than four tandem repeats of G or C rich sequences. Here, using mechanical unfolding at the single-molecule level, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), circular dichroism (CD), and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, we report an intramolecularly folded non-B DNA structure in three tandem cytosine rich repeats, 5'-TGTC4ACAC4TGTC4ACA (ILPR-I3), in the human insulin linked polymorphic region (ILPR). The thermal denaturation analyses of the sequences with systematic C to T mutations have suggested that the structure is linchpinned by a stack of hemiprotonated cytosine pairs between two terminal C4 tracts. Mechanical unfolding and Br2 footprinting experiments on a mixture of the ILPR-I3 and a 5′-C4TGT fragment have further indicated that the structure serves as a building block for intermolecular i-motif formation. The existence of such a conformation under acidic or neutral pH complies with the strand-by-strand folding pathway of ILPR i-motif structures.
Regulation of class IA PI3Ks

Class IA PI3Ks (phosphoinositide 3-kinases) regulate a wide range of cellular responses through the production of PI(3,4,5) P 3 (phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate) in cellular membranes. They are activated by receptor tyrosine kinases, by Ras and Rho family GTPases, and in some cases by Gβγ subunits from trimeric G-proteins. Crystallographic studies on the related class IB PI3Kγ, and biochemical and structural studies on the class IA PI3Ks, have led to new insights into how these critical enzymes are regulated in normal cells and how mutations can lead to their constitutive activation in transformed cells. The present paper will discuss recent studies on the regulation of class I (p85/p110) PI3Ks, with a focus on the role of SH2 domains (Src homology 2 domains) in the p85 regulatory subunit in modulating PI3K activity. Abbreviations: ABD, adaptor-binding domain; BCR, Breakpoint Cluster Region; PI3K, phosphoinositide 3-kinase; PI(3,4,5)P3, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate; SH2 domain, Src homology 2 domain
The efficacy and safety of tissue plasminogen activator in acute ischemic strokes.

Abstract Over the past decade there has been an increasing use of thrombolytic agents in the treatment of coronary artery disease, pulmonary embolism, and thromboembolic strokes. The use of thrombolytic agents has been most successful in treating acute myocardial infraction. When treatment with intravenous streptokinase or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is initiated within the first 3 to 4 hours from the onset of symptoms, the rate of reperfusion ranges from 60% to 90%, as compared to a rate of 13% to 21% for placebo control. Both streptokinase and tPA have been extensively studied as therapies for acute myocardial infarction, and in general, a higher initial rate of reperfusion is achieved in tPA-treated patients than in streptokinase-treated patients, although the final arterial patency rate may not be different in the two groups due to a higher rate of reocclusion in the tPA-treated population. Furthermore, time dependency for efficacy from the onset of symptoms to the initiation of treatment is less for tPA than for streptokinase. However, the role of thrombolytic agents in the treatment of thromboembolic strokes is more experimental than clinical at the present time. Of all agents, tPA is the most promising and the most extensively studied. This paper will review the experimental data on the use of tPA in acute thromboembolic strokes as well as the existing clinical data on stroke reperfusion.
Localized Aspergillus Infestation in Primary Lung Carcinoma: Clinical and Pathological Contrasts with Post-Tuberculous Intracavitary Aspergilloma

Saprophytic infestation with Aspergillus was observed in pathologic specimens of primary squamous cell lung carcinoma. In one case, the fungus grew in cystic scarred parenchyma and bronchi distal to an obstructing carcinoma of a segment bronchus. In the other, fungi colonized the inner surface of a peripheral cavitary carcinoma. Neither patient had roentgenographic evidence of aspergilloma and neither experienced severe pulmonary hemorrhage or other complications attributable to the presence of fungus. Although both specimens showed colonizing growth within the abnormal air spaces, in neither had the colonies detached to form a separate intracavitary fungus ball. These patients, and eight patients with similar lesions reported in the literature, demonstrate that Aspergillus colonization of a lung neoplasm frequently lacks one or both of the features characteristic of post-inflammatory intracavitary aspergilloma, a loose fungus ball and antifungal serum antibodies. No patient, to date, has developed massive hemorrhage as a complication of this lesion. (Chest 1991; 100:554-56)
Synthesis and properties of Cd1−xMnxS diluted magnetic semiconductor ultrafine particles

Abstract Cd 1− x Mn x S diluted magnetic semiconductor ultrafine particles with sizes in the range 20 to ∼ 1200 A and 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.5 have been synthesized by using aqueous solution precipitation. We find that size has a significant effect on the magnetic spin-glass (SG) properties of these systems. The SG freezing temperature T f decreases with size, and there is a minimum size below which the SG does not form. The field dependence of T f and the relaxation of the isothermal remanent magnetization are also significantly different than in the bulk.