cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PO-146 Knockout validation of antibodies to components of the NF-kB signalling pathway

Introduction Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a pivotal role in inflammation and innate immunity and aberrant regulation of NF-κB can influence cancer development and progression (Ref 1). As a result, a great deal of research is now focused on targeting this signalling pathway therapeutically. In order to accurately and reproducibly examine the NF-kB signalling cascade there is a need for highly specific antibodies. We, at Abcam, have developed knockout (KO)-validated antibodies targeted to distinct elements of the NF-κB signalling pathway to maximise experimental accuracy and reproducibility. Material and methods Our KO validation program uses the extensive library of KO cell lines available from Horizon Discovery. Target genes are mutated via CRISPR-Cas9 within a haploid cell line, resulting in a frameshift and complete loss of gene expression. Target specificity is then confirmed via western blot, flow cytometry or immunocytochemistry. These KO cell lines function as true negative controls that can be used at a large scale to confirm antibody specificity to target proteins. Results and discussions We present antibody validation data for seven targets in the NF-κB signalling pathway. Of the 30 Abcam products tested, we demonstrate that 22 antibodies are specific. The remaining 8 have since been removed from our catalogue due to specificity concerns. We have now validated over 1000 antibodies using this KO method, including many that are relevant to immunology and immuno-oncology research. Conclusion Following validation with KO cell lines as a negative controls, we can recommend 22 highly specific antibodies to proteins in the NF-κB signalling pathway. KO validation is one of many strategies that we use to ensure the specificity of our antibodies. By providing robust and specific antibodies which work the first time, we hope to help researchers to improve the experimental reproducibility and accuracy of their studies. Reference 1. Bastian Hoesel and Johannes A Schmid; Mol Cancer. 2013 12: 86. doi:10.1186/1476-4598-12-86
Tear Protein Composition and the Effects of Stimulus

Tear protein profiles are significantly affected by stimulus and by the use of invasive tear collection techniques. The importance of stimulus control has been largely overlooked until recent times. This is most likely due to the fact that the main three tear proteins, lactoferrin, tear specific prealbumin (TSP) and lysozyme, show very little change over a wide range of stimulus conditions (Fullard and Snyder, 1990; Fullard and Tucker, 1991). Comparing non-stimulated tears collected under carefully controlled conditions with high flow-rate stimulated tears collected after discarding the initial 20 µl reveals very large differences for many tear proteins. Secretory IgA (both subclasses), IgM and IgG all show a more than 5-fold decrease in stimulated tears (Fullard and Snyder, 1990). Transferrin and albumin show a smaller, but still significant, decrease in stimulated tears. The three main lacrimal gland proteins and peroxidase undergo minimal change. Levels of the enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have also been shown to be significantly lower in stimulated tears (Van Haeringen and Glasius, 1974; Fullard and Carney, 1984).
Fibroid Embolization: Anatomy and Technical Considerations

Fibroids are classified by their position in the uterus. Serosal fibroids are found in the outer layer of the uterus and expand outward. They usually do not affect bleeding during the menstrual period, but may cause symptoms due to their size and pressure on other pelvic organs such as the bladder and bowel. Intramural fibroids develop within the substance of the uterus. They enlarge the uterus and can cause both bleeding and pressure symptoms. Submucosal fibroids involve the inner layer of the uterus, and cause the most problems with heavy and prolonged periods and sometimes gushing bleeding also described as flooding. Submucosal and serosal fibroids may be pedunculated, protruding from the uterine wall, sometimes with long stalks. The size, position, and number of fibroids in the uterus have a bearing on the success of the embolization procedure. The vascular anatomy also has a major impact on the success and complications of the embolization procedure.
Practical Aspects of Monitoring Cranial Motor Nerves

Cranial motor nerves are at risk of being injured during many different kinds of neurosurgical operations of the skull base, such as operations to remove different kinds of tumors. (Regarding the anatomy and function of cranial nerves, see Appendix B.) Cranial motor nerves can also be at risk during operations on the vascular system of the brain. The risk of postoperative impairment or loss of function of cranial motor nerves as a result of surgical manipulations can be reduced by appropriate use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. Methods are available for monitoring the motor function of CN III, CN IV, CN V, CN VI, CN IX, CN X, CN XI, and CN XII.
High Step-Up Transformerless Inverter for AC Module Applications With Active Power Decoupling

This paper explores a power-conversion system for single-phase transformerless ac module application. A nonisolated high-gain dc–dc stage is coupled with a doubly grounded dynamic dc-link inverter to implement the microinverter topology. The front-end boost stage steps up the single-module voltage to a higher dc voltage, typically to 200 or 400 V as required for the following inverter stage. It is a hybrid of an interleaved boost and switched capacitor concept capable of achieving high gain while simultaneously maintaining reduced voltage and current stress, and thus lowering switching and conduction loss for most of the switches. By directly connecting the grid neutral to the photovoltaic (PV) negative, the doubly grounded voltage swing inverter has the advantage of zero capacitive-coupled common-mode ground currents, critical for transformerless PV inverters. The two dc links of the inverter stage share the double-line frequency power decoupling with a combination of higher value of mean voltage and relatively large 120-Hz ripple component–the dynamic dc-link approach. Through an optimization algorithm, the decoupling capacitance is minimized enabling an all-film capacitor implementation while satisfying the converter's operating constraints over a wide range of power factors. The simulation as well as experimental results from a GaN-based hardware prototype validate the converter's performance.
A Transfer Learning Approach for the 2018 FEMH Voice Data Challenge

Human voice could be significantly affected by neoplasm, vocal palsy, and phono-trauma diseases. Computer aided diagnosis by analyzing human voice can be a remote and cost-effective tool for patients around the world. In this paper, we propose a deep transfer learning approach to differentiate pathological voice samples from normal ones. We utilize voice samples recorded from 200 patients at the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital (FEMH) to develop the deep transfer learning model. We extract prosodic, vocal tract and excitation features as new representations from the voice samples for diagnosis. To address the small data set challenge, we utilize the TIMIT dataset and develop a transfer learning approach in which a deep belief network (DBN) is first trained with the TIMIT data set. The trained model is then applied to the FEMH data set as a feature extractor. Finally, we train a support vector machine (SVM) classifier with the extracted features for diagnosis. We evaluate our approach using the leave one out cross validation (LOOCV) strategy on the 200 training patients, and achieve 94.90% sensitivity with 59.77% un-weighted average recall (UAR) for the 400 FEMH testing patients. Our results prove that the proposed method may be used effectively for pathological voice detection.
Acceptance of Wider Oblique Angle of Incidence in Fabry-Perot Optical Filter/Modulator Structures via Index Compensation in InGaAs-GaAs (980 nm) and InGaAsP-InP (1.55 μm) Multiple Quantum Well Cavities

Fabry-Perot optical filters/modulators, consisting of an InGaAs-GaAs multiple quantum well (MQW) cavity, are shown to accept wider angle of incidence (∼12°) when the cavity index of refraction is compensated by an external electric field via the quantum confined Stark effect. Preliminary experimental data and simulation results on InGaAsP-InP MQW devices operating around 1.55 μn are also discussed. This provides design flexibility over conventional high finesse Fabry-Perot cavities which do not accept an angle of incidence deviation of more than 2-5° from the normal.
Low Cycle Fatigue of Single Crystal γ ' -containing Co-based Superalloys at 750 ∘ C

A new class of $$\gamma ^{\prime }$$-containing Co-based superalloys that are promising for high temperature applications has been investigated under cyclic loading conditions. A series of single crystal variants of these Co-based superalloys have been cyclically loaded above their elastic limit at $$750\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$ in air to study their behavior in the low cycle regime. Interrupted testing was performed to observe the early stages of fatigue failure. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize post-mortem specimens. Fatigue failure occurred due to surface cracks that developed during the early stages of cycling in the aluminide-coated sample gauge sections. Growth of these surface cracks into the substrate was associated with extensive oxidation and intermetallic phase precipitation, which accelerated crack propagation as compared to Ni-based superalloys. These observations suggest that improvements in the oxidation resistance and high temperature strength of $$\gamma ^{\prime }$$-containing Co-based superalloys will enhance their fatigue behavior.
Silicon carbide and ceramics metal composite

Abstract The third and the last concept for ATF fuel cladding is the use of silicon carbide (SiC) composite materials. The implementation of SiC for cladding is further down the road than the other two most near-term concepts, namely coated zirconium alloys, and FeCrAl alloys (Chapter 4, Accident tolerant fuel cladding concept: coatings for zirconium alloys, and Chapter 5, FeCrAl—iron–chromium–aluminum monolithic alloys). The main reason SiC is considered for nuclear application is because of its high transparency to neutrons, its resistance to attack by air and steam at temperatures as high as 1700°C, and its high mechanical strength at the high temperatures. One of the handicaps for SiC is their high solubility in condensed water at approximately 300°C typical of light water reactor operation conditions. Another challenge is related to the fabrication of the rod to produce a reliable hermeticity to avoid the release of toxic compounds into the coolant. Other issues that may need to get resolved are the need for a consistent production route with controlled stoichiometry of the SiC compound and containing low impurities, which may harm not only their resistance to oxidation but also their resistance to neutron irradiation. Other unknown for nuclear applications is the SiC cladding response to pellet cladding interaction. Since hermeticity and fabrication issues need to be resolved before SiC is used for cladding application, it may be used earlier as channel material for BWR reactors which does not need the hermeticity of the fuel rods. The more near term application for channels will provide familiarity on the use of ceramics in a nuclear environment which could be a facilitation path for later use in fuel rods. For channel boxes, the issue of SiC high dissolution rate in water may be solved by coating it with a thin layer of chromium like for the zirconium cladding.
Imaging Methods for Differentiating Pediatric Papilledema from Pseudopapilledema: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Purpose To review the published literature on the accuracy of ophthalmic imaging methods to differentiate between papilledema and pseudopapilledema in children. Methods Literature searches were conducted in January 2020 in the PubMed database for English-language studies with no date restrictions and in the Cochrane Library database without any restrictions. The combined searches yielded 354 abstracts, of which 17 were reviewed in full text. Six of these were considered appropriate for inclusion in this assessment and were assigned a level of evidence rating by the panel methodologist. All 6 included studies were rated as level III evidence. Results Fluorescein angiography, a combination of 2 OCT protocols, and multicolor confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (Spectralis SD-OCT; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) demonstrated the highest positive percent agreement (92%–100%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 69%–100%) and negative percent agreement (92%–100%; 95% CI, 70%–100%) with a clinical diagnosis of papilledema in children. However, results must be interpreted with caution owing to methodologic limitations, including a small sample size leading to wide CIs and an overall lack of data (there was only 1 study each for the above methods and protocols). Ultrasonographic measures showed either a high positive percent agreement (up to 95%) with low negative percent agreement (as low as 58%) or vice versa. Autofluorescence and fundus photography showed a lower positive (40%–60%) and negative (57%) percent agreement. Conclusions Although several imaging methods demonstrated high positive and negative percent agreement with clinical diagnosis, no ophthalmic imaging method conclusively differentiated papilledema from pseudopapilledema in children because of the lack of high-quality evidence. Clinicians must continue to conduct thorough history-taking and examination and make judicious use of ancillary testing to determine which children warrant further workup for papilledema.
Machete: Easy, Efficient, and Precise Continuous Custom Gesture Segmentation

We present Machete, a straightforward segmenter one can use to isolate custom gestures in continuous input. Machete uses traditional continuous dynamic programming with a novel dissimilarity measure to align incoming data with gesture class templates in real time. Advantages of Machete over alternative techniques is that our segmenter is computationally efficient, accurate, device-agnostic, and works with a single training sample. We demonstrate Machete’s effectiveness through an extensive evaluation using four new high-activity datasets that combine puppeteering, direct manipulation, and gestures. We find that Machete outperforms three alternative techniques in segmentation accuracy and latency, making Machete the most performant segmenter. We further show that when combined with a custom gesture recognizer, Machete is the only option that achieves both high recognition accuracy and low latency in a video game application.
The Effect of Scattering on Spatial Resolution of Raman Spectroscopy in Tissue

We present a study to determine the minimum spatial sampling resolution required to detect cancer cells. We compare results from Monte Carlo simulations and experiments using beads embedded in tissue phantoms with varying scattering properties.
Oral and Parenteral Corticosteroid Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis

Over the past 50 years, the widespread use of corticosteroids in the management of active ulcerative colitis (UC) has resulted in a dramatic mortality reduction. In the 1930s, mortality from UC was estimated to be up to 75 %, and this has decreased to less than 1 % in the twenty-first century. Similarly to other drugs used to treat autoimmune inflammatory disorders, corticosteroids were first used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and then applied to inflammatory bowel disease.
Making “Sense” of Identity Ethnicity, Nationalism, and the Sensory Experience of German Traditions in Brazil

This article expands the recent sensorial turn in identity studies. It illustrates how individuals embody and link together multiple identities through the multivocality of a particular sensory experience as well as the various meanings encapsulated within the sensory experiences of a particular event. Through a case study of King and Queen celebrations in Santa Catarina, Brazil, this article investigates the social meanings associated with the aesthetics of one of the oldest German traditions in the country. While on the surface the King and Queen celebration appears to be solely a celebration of German roots, a focus on the multivocality of the sensory experiences reveals a more complicated situation where the hosts are claiming not just a German ethnic identity but a Brazilian national identity by drawing upon the multiple social meanings associated with certain sensory experiences and foregrounding particular aesthetics.
Losses of the tumor suppressor BIN1 in breast carcinoma are frequent and reflect deficits in programmed cell death capacity.

Oncogenic activation of MYC occurs often in breast carcinoma and is associated with poor prognosis. Loss or inactivation of mechanisms that restrain MYC may therefore be involved in tumor progression. In this study, we show that the MYC-interacting adaptor protein BIN1 is frequently missing in malignant breast cells and that this loss is functionally significant. BIN1 was expressed in normal and benign cells and tissues but was undetectable in 6/6 estrogen receptor–positive or estrogen receptor–negative carcinoma cell lines examined. Similarly, complete or partial losses of BIN1 were documented in 30/50 (60%) cases of malignant breast tissue analyzed by immuno-histochemistry or RT-PCR. Abnormalities in the organization of the BIN1 gene were apparent in only a minority of these cases, suggesting that most losses were due to epigenetic causes. Nevertheless, they were functionally significant because ectopic BIN1 induced programmed cell death in malignant cells lacking endogenous BIN1 but had no effect on the viability of benign cells. We propose that loss of BIN1 may contribute to breast cancer progression by eliminating a mechanism that restrains the ability of activated MYC to drive cell division inappropriately. Int. J. Cancer 85:376–383, 2000. ©2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Microevolution and virulence of dengue viruses.

The evolution of dengue viruses has had a major impact on their virulence for humans and on the epidemiology of dengue disease around the world. Although antigenic and genetic differences in virus strains had become evident, it is mainly due to the lack of animal models of disease that has made it difficult to detect differences in virulence of dengue viruses. However, phylogenetic studies of many different dengue virus samples have led to the association between specific genotypes (within serotypes) and the presentation of more or less severe disease. Currently, dengue viruses can be classified as being of epidemiologically low, medium, or high impact; i.e., some viruses may remain in sylvatic cycles of little or low transmissibility to humans, others produce dengue fever (DF) only, and some genotypes have been associated with the potential to cause the more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) in addition to DF. Although the factors that contribute to dengue virus epidemiology are complex, studies have suggested that specific viral structures may contribute to increased replication in human target cells and to increased transmission by the mosquito vector; however, the immune status and possibly the genetic background of the host are also determinants of virulence or disease presentation. As to the question of whether dengue viruses are evolving toward virulence as they continue to spread throughout the world, phylogenetic and epidemiological analyses suggest that the more virulent genotypes are now displacing those that have lower epidemiological impact; there is no evidence for the transmission of antigenically aberrant, new strains.
HEPATITIS ANTIGEN: Correlation with Disease and Infectivity of Blood-Donors

Abstract A specific acute-phase antigen has been demonstrated in the sera of patients with viral hepatitis. In addition, this antigen was found in some blood-donors and correlated with development of hepatitis in recipients of their blood. The antigen was detected with a two-dimensional immunodiffusion system, employing sera from patients who had received multiple transfusions as antisera. 77 patients with acute viral hepatitis were studied. Of 49 tested in the first 12 days after the onset of symptoms, 39 (80%) were positive. No difference in incidence of this factor in the infectious and serum forms of viral hepatitis could be detected. The presence of this hepatitis antigen has been correlated closely with the course of acute viral hepatitis. Peak titres were found before clinical evidence of hepatitic injury reached a maximum, and the antigen disappeared before resolution of the illness. The antigen disappeared from 6 to 34 days after the onset of symptoms, with an average of 18 to 19 days. This factor was not present in patients with other types of liver disease or in patients with various other conditions. Hepatitis antigen was found in 8 of 1726 apparently healthy blood-donors. Of the 8 recipients of blood from these donors, 2 died of their underlying disease shortly after transfusion. Of the remaining 6, 4 developed a positive test for hepatitis antigen and 3 of these exhibited clinical evidence of hepatitis. The other 2 remain well at 2 and 4 months after transfusion. None of 30 recipients of 238 units of negative donor blood developed hepatitis after transfusion.
Simulated performance of SiC based OP-AMP at high temperature

Silicon carbide (SiC) is significantly superior to silicon for high power and high temperature applications. However, currently SiC devices are suffering from some imperfect material properties, such as low channel mobility which will result the low transconductance from the circuit design point of view. The possibility of a SiC analog integrated circuit is investigated by comparing analog circuit design parameters between the SiC and Si FET two-stage Op-Amps with temperature variation.
Next-Generation Sequencing for Infectious Disease Diagnosis and Management: A Report of the Association for Molecular Pathology

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are increasingly being used for diagnosis and monitoring of infectious diseases. Herein, we review the application of NGS in clinical microbiology, focusing on genotypic resistance testing, direct detection of unknown disease-associated pathogens in clinical specimens, investigation of microbial population diversity in the human host, and strain typing. We have organized the review into three main sections: i) applications in clinical virology, ii) applications in clinical bacteriology, mycobacteriology, and mycology, and iii) validation, quality control, and maintenance of proficiency. Although NGS holds enormous promise for clinical infectious disease testing, many challenges remain, including automation, standardizing technical protocols and bioinformatics pipelines, improving reference databases, establishing proficiency testing and quality control measures, and reducing cost and turnaround time, all of which would be necessary for widespread adoption of NGS in clinical microbiology laboratories.
Optical kinetic method for calibration of spectrophotometer temperature: demonstration with the Cobas-Bio analyzer.

The pseudo-first-order rate constant for the Jaffe reaction with creatinine varies logarithmically with temperature and was calibrated in the range 25 to 37 degrees C to measure the temperature of the liquid in the lightpath of spectrophotometric instrumentation. The reagent concentrations can be adjusted to permit rate-constant measurements in time intervals from a few seconds to several minutes. The temperature increment that can be resolved is limited only by the analytical imprecision of the instrumentation used to measure the rate constant and the calibration temperature. In this investigation, a temperature SD of 0.03 degrees C could be measured. Two Cobas-Bio centrifugal analyzers, used to demonstrate the utility of this technique, were found to have temperature errors from -1.0 to -1.7 degrees C in the 30 to 37 degrees C range and overall temperature SD of 0.19 and 0.36 degree C, respectively, at 37 degrees C. Analysis of variance gave between-rotor SD of 0.14 and 0.34 degrees C and within-rotor SD of 0.13 and 0.11 degree C, respectively. We found temperature differences of 0.3 degree C between cuvets in a rotor, and gradients of 0.3 and 0.4 degree C, respectively, from the top to bottom of an individual cuvet in the two instruments.
3D position of radiation sources using an automated gamma camera and ML algorithm with energy-dependent response functions

In this work, the 3D position information of a radiation source is determined by a compact gamma ray imaging system. 2D gamma ray images were obtained from different positions by the gamma camera and the third dimension, the distance between the detector and the radiation source, was calculated using triangulation. Additionally, a CCD camera is attached to the top of the gamma camera and provides coincident 2D visual information. The inferred distances from the center of the two measurement points and a radiation source had less than a 5% error within a range of 3m. From the measured distances and camera intrinsic efficiencies /spl epsiv/(/spl theta/,/spl phi/) from MCNP simulations, the activity of the source was normally determined within 80% of the true value depending upon source position. The parallax between the two visual images was corrected using the inferred distance between the detector and the radiation source. The radiation image from gamma camera and the visual image from CCD camera are superimposed into one combined image using a maximum-likelihood (ML) algorithm to make the image alignment more precise. Energy dependent response functions were found to be better than a fixed energy response function for ML image processing.
A novel chemotherapeutic regimen (interferon alfa, zidovudine, and etretinate) for adult T-cell lymphoma resulting in rapid tumor destruction

We report a case of adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL), which was unresponsive to conventional systemic chemotherapy. Combination therapy with interferon alfa and zidovudine was initiated because recent evidence has suggested efficacy of such treatment in ATLL.1,2 However, A novel chemotherapeutic regimen (interferon alfa, zidovudine, and etretinate) for adult T-cell lymphoma resulting in rapid tumor destruction
Nitrogen metabolism in the american cockroach—II. An examination of negative nitrogen balance with respect to mobilization of uric acid stores

Abstract 1. 1. Young adult American cockroaches ( Periplaneta americana L.) were allowed to accumulate nitrogen stores by maintenance on a highly positive nitrogen balance diet. Upon removal to one of three negative nitrogen balance diets, dietary nitrogen intake, body nitrogen uptake, body uric acid content and nitrogen elimination were monitored. 2. 2. Changes in body nitrogen, uric acid nitrogen and body weight were observed when cockroaches were placed on negative nitrogen balance regimes. The rate of uric acid mobilization was related to the amount of carbohydrate and nitrogen present in the diet. Insects maintained on dextrin for 17 weeks mobilized urate stores most rapidly. 3. 3. Females mobilized urate stores more rapidly than males. Oothecal production accounted for a considerable portion of the nitrogen lost. Comparisons of the nitrogen balance values suggest that a portion of the uric acid nitrogen is utilized during egg production and may be incorporated into the ootheca. 4. 4. The mobilization of urate stores may involve the mycetocyte symbionts as well as the metabolic processes of the insect. Mobilization and utilization of nitrogen contained in stored urates is briefly discussed.
Measuring and Applying Service Request Effort Data in Application Management Services

In Application Management Services (AMS), high resource utilization, effective resource planning and optimal assignment of service requests to resources are critical to success. Meeting these objectives requires a systematic and repeatable approach for determining the best way of measuring resource utilization, assessing workload and assigning service requests. In this paper, we present a two-step approach to help achieve the above objectives. We first measure the actual amount of effort that each resource spends on handling each service request (SR) based on a metadata model and a set of SR handling priority rules. Then, we proceed to measure resource utilization and assess SR assignment process based on the effort data calculated in step one.
Influence of contractility and heart rate on pressure drop coefficient and fractional flow reserve for epicardial stenosis

Influence of contractility and heart rate on pressure drop coefficient and fractional flow reserve for epicardial stenosis Kranthi K. Kolli , Tarek Helmy, Mohamed Effat , Arif Imran, Massoud Leesar , Eric W. Schneeberger , Dwight Hand , WilliamGottliebson, Paul Succop, SrikaraV.Peelukhana, RupakK.Banerjee University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
Metabolic radiolabeling: experimental tool or Trojan horse? (35)S-Methionine induces DNA fragmentation and p53-dependent ROS production.

Despite the general assumption that widely used radiolabeled metabolites such as [35S]methionine and 3H-thymidine do not adversely affect or perturb cell function, we and others have shown that such low-energy β-emitters can cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of proliferating cells. The goal of the present study was to elucidate the targets and mechanisms of [35S]methionine-induced cellular toxicity. Comet analyses (single-cell electrophoresis) demonstrated dose-dependent DNA fragmentation in rabbit smooth muscle cells within a time frame (1–4 h) well within that of most radiolabeling protocols, whereas fluorescence analyses using a peroxide/hydroperoxide-sensitive dye revealed production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although ROS generation was inhibitable by antioxidants, DNA fragmentation was not inhibited and was in fact observed even under hypoxic conditions, suggesting that β-radiation-induced DNA damage can occur independently of ROS formation. Studies with p53+/+ and p53−/− human colorectal...
Vacuum ultraviolet circular dichroism of keratan sulfate.

Abstract The vacuum ultraviolet CD of keratan sulfate reveals an intense negative CD band at 171 nm. Its intensity can be rationalized with a recently proposed quadrant rule in terms of the acetamido group being slightly tilted toward the hexosaminidic linkage oxygen. The same structural feature accounts for the particularly intense negative n-π ∗ CD band near 210 nm.
Extraction of chlorophyll a from biological soil crusts: A comparison of solvents for spectrophotometric determination

We tested the ef! cacy of four different commonly used solvents (acetone, ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, methanol) for the extraction of chla from biological soil crusts of three different successional stages (dark, intermediate, and light). Our results indicate that a double extraction technique is necessary in order to achieve chla recovery in the range of 76e87 percent. For all crust types, ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide extracted the greatest amount of chla using a two-extraction ef! ciency calculation.
The nitrogen fixation system of photosynthetic bacteria II. Chromatium nitrogenase activity linked to photochemically generated assimilatory power

Abstract The nitrogenase activity (measured by N 2 or acetylene reduction) of cell-free extracts of the photosynthetic bacterium Chromatium was coupled to photochemically generated ATP and reductant. The ATP was formed through cyclic photophosphorylation by bacterial chromatophores. The reductant (reduced ferredoxin) was generated by a heated preparation (incapable of O 2 and ATP production) of spinach chloroplasts. The nitrogenase activity of Chromatium extracts was supported by reduced Chromatium or Clostridium pasteurianum ferredoxin but not by that of spinach chloroplasts.
Enhancing parent-child interaction with a prenatal couple intervention.

Purpose To determine the effect of a prenatal couple group intervention on parent-child interaction postbirth. Design Quasiexperimental study. Method A nonrandomized convenience sample of treatment group (TG) couples (n = 35) who attended an additional prenatal three-class series was compared to a control group (CG) from childbirth education classes on measures of videotaped parent-child interaction using the NCATS tool. The intervention class series was based on individual and couple changes in meaning/identity, roles, and relationship/interaction during the transition to parenthood. It addressed mother/father roles, infant communication abilities, and patterns of the first 3 months of life in a mutually enjoyable, possibility-focused way. Results T-tests and ANCOVA on NCATS scores between groups showed higher TG scores for mothers in sensitivity to cues, for fathers in social-emotional growth fostering, and for couple mean scores in social-emotional growth fostering, couple mean response to child distress, caregiver total, and caregiver-child total. Higher contingency scores were also found in the TG group. Fewer TG mothers and fathers fell below NCATS lower cutoff scores. Clinical implications Interventions that enhance mutual parent-child interaction through increased sensitivity to cues and responsiveness to infant needs or signals are important avenues for facilitating secure attachment, father and mother involvement, optimal development, and prevention of child abuse and neglect. The positive approach to this intervention invites couples to see themselves as developing with their infants over time, and to view their infants in new ways that will help develop satisfying, self-reinforcing patterns of interaction.
Transthyretin: the servant of many masters

Transthyretin (TTR) (formerly, thyroxine binding prealbumin) is an evolutionarily conserved serum and cerebrospinal fluid protein that transports holo-retinol-binding protein and thyroxine. Its serum concentration has been widely used to assess clinical nutritional status. It is also well known that wild-type transthyretin and approximately 100 different mutants give rise to a variety of forms of systemic amyloid deposition. It has been suspected and recently established that TTR can suppress the Alzheimer’s disease phenotype in transgenic animal models of cerebral Aβ deposition. Thus, while TTR is a systemic amyloid precursor, in the brain it seems to have an anti-amyloidogenic effect. TTR is found in other organs as a result of local synthesis or transport, suggesting that it may have other, as yet undiscovered, functions. It is possible that its capacity to bind many classes of compounds allows it to serve as an endogenous detoxifier of molecules with potential pathologic effects.
Pathologic stage I and II Hodgkin's disease, 1968-1975. Relapses and results of retreatment

Sixty-seven previously untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease, pathologic stages I and II, seen during a 7-year period were evaluated with respect to initial staging and treatment, as well as relapse and retreatment results. The initial treatment consisted of radiation therapy (RT) to an involved field (IF) or an extended field (EF) for patients with stages IA and IIA, or RT and, in recent cases, combination chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, Oncovin, procarbazine, and prednisone (COPP)) for patients with stages IB and IIB. Nineteen of the 67 patients relapsed (28%), including 11 of 56 patients with stages IA and IIA (20%) and 8 of 11 patients with stages IB and IIB (73%). Seventeen of the 19 relapses occurred within 24 months after completion of the initial therapy (89%). The relapse-free survival at 5 years was 75% for the A patients and 25% for the B patients. The actuarial survival of stage IA and IIA patients at 5 years was 91%; there was no significant difference between patients treated initially with either IF or EF. The actuarial survival at 5 years for the patients with stages IB and IIB was 88%, as most responded to a second program of induction therapy. No correlation could bemore » found between the pattern of relapse and the initial pathologic stage or the mode of treatment.« less
Crossover Interference Is Abolished in the Absence of a Synaptonemal Complex Protein

In the zip1 mutant, meiotic chromosomes fail to synapse, owing to the absence of a structural component of the synaptonemal complex (SC). This mutant has been analyzed for the ability to carry out several functions that have been proposed for the SC. The data presented show that the zip1 mutation does not affect chiasma function and confers only modest defects in meiotic recombination and sister chromatid cohesion. In contrast, crossover interference is completely abolished in the absence of Zip1. These data are the first to establish a molecular link between cytological observations of the SC and the genetic phenomenon of interference.
Melanesian Seasonal Migration as a Potential Contribution to Security

The Pacific Region has justifiably become increasingly concerned about insecurity in the Pacific island countries. In the longer term, the solution to this insecurity lies not in the military intervention of Regional Assistance Missions, or the external imposition of good governance programmes, but in economic development that specifically gives young people a stake in their country rather than a motivation for unrest or permanent emigration. The paper discusses the potential for seasonal migration from Melanesia, as contrasted with permanent emigration from Polynesia, to make a contribution both to island economies and to regional security. Kiribati's and Tuvalu's experiences with the temporary migration of seafarers are examined for possible lessons. The recently implemented New Zealand seasonal migration programme for the Pacific is set out as a possible model for further development.
Direct assessment of P-glycoprotein efflux to determine tumor response to chemotherapy.

Multidrug resistance is a major impediment to the success of cancer chemotherapy. The overproduced P-glycoprotein that extrudes anticancer drugs from cells, is the most common mechanism detected in multidrug-resistant cancers. Direct measurement of cellular efflux of tumors in vivo, rather than estimation of MDR1 mRNA and P-glycoprotein levels in samples stored or embedded, can functionally characterize the mechanism of drug resistance and determine the choice of anticancer drugs for cancer patients. Herewith, we introduce a new approach to directly determine P-glycoprotein efflux of tumors. Employing Flutax-2 (Oregon green-488 paclitaxel) and fluorescence spectrophotometry, this method has successfully measured cellular transportability including efflux and accumulation in diverse cancer cell lines, tumors and other tissues with high reproducibility. With this method, we have quantitatively determined cellular efflux that is correlated with P-glycoprotein levels and the reversal effects of agents in cell lines of breast, ovarian, cervical and colon cancers, and in tumor-bearing mice. It has sensitively detected these alterations of P-glycoprotein efflux in approximately 5 mg tumor or other tissues with high confidence. This direct and quick functional assessment has a potential to determine drug resistance in different types of cancers after surgical resection. Further validation of this method in clinic settings for the diagnosis of drug resistance purpose is needed.
Fibrin microthreads support mesenchymal stem cell growth while maintaining differentiation potential

We developed a method to produce discrete fibrin microthreads, which can be seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and used as a suture to enhance the efficiency and localization of cell delivery. To assess the efficacy of fibrin microthreads to support hMSC attachment, proliferation, and survival, microthreads (100 μm diameter per microthread) were bundled together, seeded with 50,000 hMSCs for 2 h, and cultured for 5 days. Cell density on microthread bundles increased over time in culture to a maximum average density of 731 ± 101 cells/mm2 after 5 days. A LIVE/DEAD assay confirmed that the cells were viable, and Ki-67 staining verified hMSC proliferation. In addition, functional differentiation assays demonstrated that hMSCs cultured on microthreads retained their ability to differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes. The results of this study demonstrate that fibrin microthreads support hMSC viability and proliferation, while maintaining their multipotency. We anticipate that these cell-seeded fibrin microthreads will serve as a platform technology to improve localized delivery and engraftment of viable cells to damaged tissue. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
A transition-probability model for the study of chronic diseases

Abstract Presented in this paper is a modification of the general illness-death model for the study of chronic diseases. Coronary heart diseases (CHD) are used as an example. The model contains two illness (transient) states: S 1 , the “healthy” state; S 2 , state of having CHD; R 1 , state of death from other causes; R 2 , death from CHD. Transitions between states are governed by intensity functions. The study population consists of two groups of people: a group of n 1 people who are initially healthy (in S 1 ), and a group of n 2 people who are affected with CHD (in S 2 ) at the time of entering the study. The n 1 + n 2 people are subject to various lengths of time of observation. The time of first symptom of having CHD and the time of death are treated as random variables. Likelihood function of these random variables has been derived and maximum likelihood estimators of the intensity functions have been obtained. Formulas for the varianves-covariances of the ML estimators have been obtained by using the information matrix. Application to the model to an empirical data set is also discussed.
A virtual terminal program for data transfer between a data general MicroNOVA laboratory computer and a DECsystem-10 timesharing system

A program for transferring data files between a small lab computer and a large timesharing system is described. The program is based on the concept of having the lab computer simulate a timesharing terminal. General features of the approach and the major implementation problems are discussed.
REASSIGNMENT OF ASPIDIUM HETEROPHYLLUM TO A NEW GENUS IN THE FAMILY M ATONI ACE AE

A fossil fern described originally by W. Fontaine as Aspidium heterophyllum has been reexamined. Based upon characteristics of the sorus, indusium, sporangium, and spores the plant belongs to the family Matoniaceae. There is no genus within the family to which the fossil can be assigned; thus, a new genus (Delosorus) is proposed. This report increases the number of plants within the Lower Cretaceous Potomac Group that belong in the Matoniaceae.
Correlation of pseudo relative velocity spectra with site intensity, local soil classification and depth of sediments

Abstract Empirical regression equations are presented for scaling Pseudo Relative Velocity Spectra, PSV(T) , in terms of the Modified Mercalli Intensity M.M.I. , local soil classification at the recording site (‘rock’, stiff or deep soil), and local geological condition (depth of sediments). It is shown that both the local soil classification and the local geological depth of sediments should be used simultaneously in the evaluation of site specific response spectra.
Reduction in the Ca2(+)-induced Ca2+ release from canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum following endotoxin administration.

Effects of endotoxin administration on the Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release from canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were studied. Results show that the Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release from either passively or actively loaded SR vesicles was decreased by 28 to 46% (p<0.05) 4 h after endotoxin administration. Kinetic analysis reveals that the Vmax for Ca2+ was decreased significantly without changing the S0.5 and the Hill coefficient values. The binding of [3H] ryanodine to cardiac SR was reduced by 25.3% (p<0.01) following endotoxin administration. These data demonstrate that the Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release via the ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ channel in canine cardiac SR was reduced during endotoxin shock. A reduction in the SR Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release may have a pathophysiological significance in contributing to the development of myocardial depression during endotoxin shock.
COVARIANT DESCRIPTION OF SPIN

The most general, finite, proper Lorentz transformation is generated in terms of an infinitesimal transformation. This generator is interpreted as a relativistic spin operator which is capable of describing in a relativistically covariant way the spin and electromagnetic properties of particles with spin 1/2 and 1 and finite mass. Extensions of the method to particles with vanishing rest mass are indicated.
Fire history of oak­pine forests in the Lower Boston Mountains, Arkansas, USA

Perspective on present day issues associated with wildland fire can be gained by studying the long-term interactions among humans, landscape, and fire. Fire frequency and extent over the last 320 years document these interactions north of the Arkansas River on the southern edge of the Lower Boston Mountains. Dendrochronological methods were used to construct three fire chronologies from 309 dated fire scars that were identified on 45 shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) remnants. Fire frequency increased with human population density from a depopulated period (the late 1600s and early 1700s) to a peak in fire frequency circa 1880. Fire frequency then decreased as human population continued to increase. Fire frequency and human population density were positively correlated during an early period (1680–1880) with low levels of population, but negatively correlated during a later period (1881–1910) with high levels of population. We hypothesized that this difference is due to limits on fire propagation and ignition caused by land use and culture, as well as human population density. Relatively high human population densities (>5 humans/km 2 ) were associated with a peak in the maximum number of fires per decade in this highly dissected, ‘bluff and bench’ landscape compared to less dissected regions of the Ozarks. # 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Trustees’ Level of Satisfaction and Strategies for Improving Satisfaction: a comparative analysis of higher education sectors

Abstract In the United States trustees play important roles in the affairs of higher education institutions. The role of trusteeship demands personal sacrifice and commitment. But trusteeship is voluntary with no direct material reward. Satisfactory performance of trusteeship, therefore, hinges upon individual motivation and persuasion. In other words, trustees would perform to the extent that they are satisfied with their functions. Consequently, improving trustee performance would entail better understanding of factors associated with their satisfaction. This study, which is part of a larger study, focuses on trustees’ level of satisfaction and explores perceived strategies for improving their satisfaction. Responses obtained from almost 500 trustees indicated sectoral differences on a number of items presented to the participants. A few gender differences in satisfaction were observed and no difference in satisfaction was found by differences in educational levels. Also, sectoral and gender differences...