cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interplay between Endothelial Cell Cytoskeletal Rigidity and Plasma Membrane Fluidity.

The biomechanical properties of endothelial cells are critically important for multiple endothelial cell functions including permeability, extravasation of immune cells, migration, and angiogenesis. From a biomechanical standpoint, the two primary parameters are the deformability of the cell and the fluid properties of its plasma membrane. (The terms “deformability” and “fluid properties” are used extensively in the literature and, as applied to plasma membranes, they have specific meanings. The term “deformability” is typically taken to mean “elastic modulus”, a property that is measured using AFM, with the modulus being extracted from the data using the Hertz model.
Twelve tips for effective body language for medical educators

AbstractBackground: A significant proportion of human communication is nonverbal. Although the fields of business and psychology have significant literature on effectively using body language in a variety of situations, there is limited literature on effective body language for medical educators.Aim: To provide 12 tips to highlight effective body language strategies and techniques for medical educators.Method: The tips provided are based on our experiences and reflections as clinician-educators and the available literature.Results: The 12 tips presented offer specific strategies to engage learners, balance learner participation, and bring energy and passion to teaching.Conclusions: Medical educators seeking to maximize their effectiveness would benefit from an understanding of how body language affects a learning environment and how body language techniques can be used to engage audiences, maintain attention, control challenging learners, and convey passion for a topic. Understanding and using body langua...
Epigenetic Regulation of Cancer Dormancy as a Plasticity Mechanism for Metastasis Initiation

Metastasis is responsible for the vast majority of cancer-related deaths. However, our understanding of this complex process is still vastly limited, as is the ability to prevent metastasis. Paradoxically, while clinical trials are commonly performed in patients with advanced metastatic disease, disseminated residual disease is rarely targeted. This eliminates a critical window of opportunity to prevent metastasis. Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) that seed metastases can remain undetected years to decades after treatment of the primary tumor. Late relapse may be due to the ability of DTCs to survive in a quiescent or dormant state and evade therapies. Quiescence, a reversible growth arrest coupled to robust survival, has emerged as a fitting biological definition for dormancy of single DTCs, but these mechanisms remain as one of the least understood “black boxes” in cancer biology. Because of the reversible nature of dormancy, it has been proposed that epigenetic changes are key in regulating the onset, maintenance and reactivation from this state. This is mediated by the post-translational modification of histones (PTMs), ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, and the incorporation of specialized histone variants into chromatin. Many morphogenetic and micro-environmental cues like retinoic acid, TGFβs, hematopoietic stem cell dormancy regulating cues and BMPs are known to cause chromatin modifications that dictate cell fate; these same cues were linked to the induction of cancer cell dormancy. Despite progress in understanding cancer cell dormancy, key questions remain open regarding its epigenetic nature. In this chapter we attempt to address key questions related to this topic using available data or hypothetical scenarios to build a model to further dissect how cancer cell dormancy can be manipulated epigenetically as a therapeutic strategy.
Subsequent Adenomas of Ileal Pouch and Anorectal Segment after Prophylactic Surgery for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomally dominant disease characterized by the early development of colorectal adenomas and carcinoma in untreated patients. Patients with FAP may develop rectal cancer at their initial presentation (primary) or after prophylactic surgery (secondary). Controversies exist regarding which surgical procedure represents the best first-line treatment. The options for FAP are ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) or a restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with either a handsewn or a stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), with or without mucosectomy. The purpose of these surgeries is to stop progression to an adenoma-cancer sequence by eradicating the colon, a disease prone organ. Unfortunately, these surgical procedures, which excise the entire colon and rectum while maintaining transanal fecal continence, do not guarantee that patients still won't develop adenomas. Based on the available literature, we therefore reviewed reported incidences of pouch-related adenomas that occurred post prophylactic surgery for FAP. The review consists of a collection of case, descriptive, prospective and retrospective reports. Objectives To provide available data on the natural history of subsequent adenomas after prophylactic surgery (by type) for FAP. Methods A review was conducted of existing case, descriptive, prospective and retrospective reports for patients undergoing prophylactic surgery for FAP (1975 - August, 2013). In each case, the adenomas were clearly diagnosed in one of the following: the ileal pouch mucosa (above the ileorectal anastomosis), within the anorectal segment (ARS) below the ileorectal anastomosis, or in the afferent ileal loop. Results A total of 515 (36%) patients with pouch-related adenomas have been reported. Two hundred and eleven (211) patients had adenomas in the ileal pouch mucosa, 295 had them in the ARS and in 9 were in the afferent ileal loop. Patients with pouch adenomas without dysplasia or cancer were either endoscopically polypectomized or were treated with a coagulation modality using either a Nd:Yag laser or argon plasma coagulation (as indicated). Patients with dysplastic pouch adenomas or pouch adenomas with cancer had their pouch excised (pouchectomy). Conclusion In patients with FAP treated with IRA or RPC with IPAA, the formation of adenomas in the pouch-body mucosa or ARS/anastomosis and in the afferent ileal loop is apparent. Because of risks for adenoma recurrence, a life time endoscopic pouch-surveillance is warranted.
The Boys in the Band: Flashpoints of Cinema, History, and Queer Politics

In The Boys in the Band: Flashpoints of Cinema, History, and Queer Politics, Matt Bell has assembled a selection of excellent essays that collectively provide a thorough and complex re-assessment o...
Intuitive Interfaces for Teleoperation of Continuum Robots

This paper presents a novel teleoperation interface for continuous backbone continuum robots. Previous teleoperation interface methods for continuum robots were less intuitive due to a degree-of-freedom mismatch, using non-continuum interface input devices with fewer degrees-of-freedom than the robot that was being operated. The approach introduced in this paper uses a graphical 3D model on screen to directly operate the continuum robot for an easier user experience. This paper details the development of both the model and software. The teleoperation interface was developed specifically for a nine degree-of-freedom pneumatically driven extensible continuum robot, but it can easily be extended to any continuum robot with an arbitrary number of section due to its modular design. Experiments using the aforementioned system on two different continuum robots are reported and areas for future work and improvement are detailed.
Characterization of a tightly centromere-linked gene essential for meiosis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The centromere region in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is characterized by short DNA fragments, less than 1,000 bp in length, that are capable of stabilizing entire chromosomes throughout mitotic and meiotic cell divisions. The CEN fragments are organized in a unique chromatin structure and are surrounded by ordered arrays of nucleosomal subunits. RNA transcripts are found 200–300 bp from the centromere, and lie within this ordered chromatin array. No transcripts have been detected through the centromere itself.
Integrated Modeling to Mitigate Climate Change Risk Due to Sea Level Rise

Climate change is expected to significantly alter low-lying coastal and intertidal areas, which provide significant seasonal habitats for a variety of shoreline-dependent organisms. Many coastal military installations in Florida have significant coastal habitats and shoreline-dependent bird data strongly illustrate their seasonal importance for birds. Potential land use changes and population increases, coupled with uncertain predictions for sea level rise, storm frequency, and intensity have created a significant planning challenge for natural resource managers. This paper provides a framework to integrate multiscale climate, land cover, land use, and ecosystem information into a systematic tool to explore climate variability and change effects on habitat and population dynamics for the state-threatened residential Snowy Plover, and the migratory Piping Plover and Red Knot, on selected coastal Florida military sites in Northwest Florida. A proof-of-concept study is described that includes climate data, species distribution and a coastal wetland land cover model coupled with global sensitivity/uncertainty analysis methods. The results of these integrated models are used to explore habitat dynamics and management options within an uncertain world.
Developments in Electrochemical Oxygen Meter Probes for Use in Liquid Sodium

A program was carried out to develop small less fragile ceramic electrodes for use in measuring oxygen in sodium. To use the electrodes as inserts in existing sampler hardware, composite metal-ceramic tubes were required. Four configurations of composite metal-ceramic probes employing yttria-doped thoria as the solid electrolyte were fabricated and tested. These incorporated both mechanical and brazed seals between the metal and ceramic. The most useful for fast flux test facility applications utilized a brazed seal between the ceramic and an alloy of matching coefficient of thermal expansion. A number of alternate reference systems were also investigated. Reference electrodes tested included Na-Na/sub 2/O, In-In/sub 2/O/sub 3/, Ni-NiO, and Ag-air.
Minor Hematochezia Decreases Use of Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background Despite increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pharmacologic prophylaxis rates remain low. We sought to understand the reasons for this by assessing factors associated with VTE prophylaxis in patients with IBD and the safety of its use. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study conducted among patients hospitalized between January 2013 and August 2018. The primary outcome was VTE prophylaxis, and exposures of interest included acute and chronic bleeding. Medical records were parsed electronically for covariables, and logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with VTE prophylaxis. Results There were 22,499 patients studied, including 474 (2%) with IBD. Patients with IBD were less likely to be placed on VTE prophylaxis (79% with IBD, 87% without IBD), particularly if hematochezia was present (57% with hematochezia, 86% without hematochezia). Among patients with IBD, admission to a medical service and hematochezia (adjusted odds ratio 0.27; 95% CI, 0.16-0.46) were among the strongest independent predictors of decreased VTE prophylaxis use. Neither hematochezia nor VTE prophylaxis was associated with increased blood transfusion rates or with a clinically significant decline in hemoglobin level during hospitalization. Conclusion Hospitalized patients are less likely to be placed on VTE prophylaxis if they have IBD, and hematochezia may drive this. Hematochezia appeared to be minor and was unaffected by VTE prophylaxis. Education related to the safety of VTE prophylaxis in the setting of minor hematochezia may be a high-yield way to increase VTE prophylaxis rates in patients with IBD.
Fish Ecology, Fisheries, and Aquaculture

Abstract Much of the economic impetus behind protecting freshwaters comes from the maintenance of productive sport and commercial fisheries. Fishes dominate many freshwater food webs as the top predator in streams and lakes. Fishes are good indicators of water quality and model organisms for physiological and behavioral research. Knowledge of fish ecology and traits is essential to fish conservation. In this chapter, we discuss the biogeography of fish communities and factors that influence growth, survival, and reproduction of fishes. We briefly describe population dynamics, communities, and production of fishes, as well as harvesting, management, and aquaculture methods. We discuss these topics with specific emphasis on principles of freshwater ecology introduced elsewhere in this book.
Regional Variations of HR-pQCT Morphological and Biomechanical Measurements of the Distal Radius and Tibia and Their Associations with Whole Bone Mechanical Properties

High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) is a promising imaging modality that provides in vivo three-dimensional assessment of bone microstructure by scanning fixed regions of the distal radius and tibia. However, how microstructural parameters and mechanical analysis based on these segment scans correlate to whole distal radius and tibia mechanics is not well-characterized. On 26 sets of cadaveric radius and tibia, HRpQCT scans were performed on the standard scan segment, a segment distal to the standard segment, and a segment proximal to the standard segment. Whole distal bone stiffness was determined through mechanical testing. Segment bone stiffness was estimated using linear finite element (FE) analysis based on segment scans. Standard morphological and Individual Trabecula Segmentation (ITS) analyses were used estimate microstructural properties. Significant variations in microstructural parameters were observed among segments at both sites. Correlation to whole distal bone stiffness was moderate for microstructural parameters at the standard segment, but correlation was significantly increased for FE-predicted segment bone stiffness based on standard segment scans. Similar correlation strengths were found between FE-predicted segment bone stiffness and whole distal bone stiffness. Additionally, microstructural parameters at the distal segment had higher correlation to whole distal bone stiffness than at standard or proximal segments. Our results suggest that FE-predicted segment stiffness is a better predictor of whole distal bone stiffness for clinical HRpQCT analysis, and that microstructural parameters at the distal segment is more highly correlated with whole distal bone stiffness than at the standard or proximal segments.
Proceedings of the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group.

The 2015 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group (FASDSG) meeting was titled “Basic Mechanisms and Translational Implications.” Despite decades of basic science and clinical research, our understanding of the mechanisms by which ethanol affects fetal development is still in its infancy. The first keynote presentation focused on the role of heat shock protein pathways in the actions of ethanol in the developing brain. The second keynote presentation addressed the use of magnetoencephalography to characterize brain function in children with FASD. The conference also included talks by representatives from several government agencies, short presentations by junior and senior investigators that showcased the latest in FASD research, and award presentations. An important part of the meeting was the presentation of the 2015 Henry Rosett award to Dr. Michael Charness in honor of his achievements in research on FASD.
Evaluation of Jackson-Pratt Thoracostomy Drains Compared with Traditional Trocar Type and Guidewire-Inserted Thoracostomy Drains

A restrospective study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of and complications among Jackson-Pratt (JP) drains placed as thoracostomy drains, traditional trocar type (TRO) thoracostomy drains, and guidewire (GW)-inserted thoracostomy drains that were placed in open fashion during thoracotomy. Medical records of 65 canine and feline patients who underwent thoracic surgery were evaluated. Dogs and cats who underwent thoracotomy and had a chest drain placed intraoperatively were included. Data retrieved from medical records included signalment, body weight, diagnosis, surgical approach, surgical procedure, type of thoracostomy drain, postoperative analgesia, duration of thoracostomy drain, and postoperative complications. The incidence of complications and number of medications used in pain protocols were compared among types of thoracostomy drains. JP (n = 31), TRO (n = 25), and GW (n = 9) thoracostomy drains were placed in 65 patients. Ten minor (15.3%) and four major (6.2%) complications occurred. Cases with JP thoracostomy drains were significantly less likely to have complications (2 minor, 1 major) than cases with TRO thoracostomy drains (8 minor, 3 major, P = .009). There were no differences in the number of major complications when comparing all three drains individually (P = .350). JP drains and GW drains can be considered as an alternative to traditional TRO thoracostomy drains.
Chapter 10 – Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (corticotropin; ACTH) is a 39 amino acid peptide hormone produced by cells of the anterior pituitary gland and carried by the peripheral circulation to its effector organ, the adrenal cortex, where it stimulates the synthesis and secretion of glucocorticoids and, to a more modest extent, mineralocorticoids and adrenal androgens. ACTH is secreted in response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the hypothalamus. The actions of CRH on ACTH release are augmented by another hypothalamic hormone, arginine vasopressin. ACTH production and secretion are regulated by glucocorticoid feedback, with ACTH at the center of a homeostatic network involving the hypothalamus and pituitary. Important brain areas influencing ACTH release include the hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. As well, ACTH release is modulated by several other stimulatory and inhibitory factors, including neurotransmitters, peptides, and immune factors. ACTH release can become dysregulated by a number of factors including stressors, psychiatric illnesses, endocrine disorders, and various diseases.
Chapter 4 – Passivity

This chapter introduces passivity fundamentals and factors affecting passive films on metals and the resulting corrosion resistance. It starts by explaining the active-passive behavior of metals and alloys, adsorption theory, passivation thermodynamics and kinetics, passivation criteria, and methods for spontaneous passivation. A full discussion on stainless steel composition and crystalline structure, oxidizer concentration, and alloy evaluation is included. Anodic protection is included to establish a basis for anodic protection systems and designs. By the end of the chapter, case studies, solved, and exercise problems illustrate passivation and anodic protection system design.
Skeletal Muscle Composition and Glucose Levels in Children Who Are Overweight and Obese

BACKGROUND Skeletal muscle is overlooked in the realm of insulin resistance in children who are overweight and obese despite the fact that it accounts for the most glucose disposal. OBJECTIVES Therefore, this study examined fasted glucose levels and muscle cross-sectional area and echo intensity (EI) via ultrasound images of the first dorsal interosseous, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris in children who are normal weight and overweight and obese aged 8-10 years. METHODS In total, 13 males (age = 9.0 [0.7] y) and 7 females (age = 9.0 [0.8] y) volunteered for this study. Independent samples t tests and effect sizes (ESs) were used to examine potential differences in skeletal muscle composition and glucose concentrations. RESULTS There were no significant differences between groups for glucose concentration (P = .07, ES = 0.86); however, the children who were overweight and obese had significantly greater EI (P < .01, ES = 0.98-1.63) for the first dorsal interosseous, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris and lower cross-sectional area when normalized to EI when collapsed across muscles (P < .04, ES = 0.92). Glucose concentrations correlated with EI and cross-sectional area/EI for the vastus lateralis (r = .514 to -.593) and rectus femoris (r = .551 to -.513), but not the first dorsal interosseous. DISCUSSION There is evidence that adiposity-related pathways leading to insulin resistance and skeletal muscle degradation are active in young children who are overweight and obese.
Crises, and the Ethic of Finitude

In his postapocalyptic novel, Those Who Remain, G Michael Hopf (2016) makes an important observation about the effect crises can have on human psychology by noting that “hard times create strong [humans]” (loc 200) While the catastrophic effects of the recent COVID-19 outbreak are incontestable, there are arguments to be made that the situation itself could be materia prima of a more grounded, and authentic generation of humanity, at least in theory In this article, I draw on Heidegger’s early, implicit ethic of finitude as well as his later work surrounding the nature of technology, and place them into dialogue with a global milieu contextualized by worldwide pandemic I approach this discussion from two different angles: in the first part, I explicate the ethic of finitude and use it as a framework to describe the observable behavior of communities worldwide in order to better understand how global crises impact the psychical welfare of individual human beings In the second part, I apply lessons given to us by the later Heidegger, specifically those oriented around the movement away from calculative thinking, in an effort to define a loose, albeit fundamentally ennobling prescriptive aimed at easing the existential strain of the situation we have found ourselves in © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Prophylactic Central Neck Dissection in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: All Risks, No Reward.

Abstract Background Central neck dissection (CND) remains a controversial intervention for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with clinically negative nodes (cN0) in the central compartment. Proponents state that CND in cN0 patients prevents locoregional recurrence, while opponents deem that the risks of complications outweigh any potential benefit. Thus, there remains conflicting results amongst studies assessing oncologic and surgical outcomes in cN0 PTC patients who undergo CND. To provide clarity to this controversy, we sought to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and oncologic impact of CND in cN0 PTC patients at our institution. Materials and Methods Six hundred and ninety-five patients with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy at our institution between 1998 and 2018 were identified using an institutional cancer registry and supplemental electronic medical record queries. Patients were stratified by whether or not they underwent CND; identified as CND(+) or CND(-), respectively. Patients were also stratified by whether or not they received adjuvant radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. Patient demographics, pathologic results, as well as surgical and oncologic outcomes were reviewed. Standard statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and/or t-test and chi-squared tests as appropriate. Results Among the 695 patients with PTC, 492 (70.8%) had clinically and radiographically node negative disease (cN0). The mean age was 50 ± 1 years old and 368 (74.8%) were female. Of those with cN0 PTC, 61 patients (12.4%) underwent CND. CND(+) patients were found to have higher preoperative thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) values, 2.8 ± 0.8 versus 1.5 ± 0.2 mU/L (P = 0.028) compared to CND(-) patients. CND did not significantly decrease disease recurrence, development of distant metastatic disease (P = 0.105) or persistence of disease (P = 0.069) at time of mean follow-up of 38 ± 3 months compared to CND(-) patients. However, surgical morbidity rates were significantly higher in CND(+) patients; including transient hypocalcemia (36.1% versus 14.4%; P Conclusions The majority of patients at our institution with cN0 PTC did not undergo CND. This data suggests that CND was not associated with improvements in oncologic outcomes during the short-term follow-up period and led to increased postoperative morbidity. Therefore, we conclude that CND should not be routinely performed for patients with cN0 PTC.
A Unified Strategy to Access Trans-Syn-Fused Drimane Meroterpe-noids: Chemoenzymatic Total Syntheses of Polysin, N-Acetyl-Polyveoline and the Chrodrimanins

Trans-syn-fused drimane meroterpenoids are unique natural products that arise from contra-thermodynamic polycyclizations of their polyene precursors. Herein we report the first total syntheses of four trans-syn-fused drimane meroterpenoids, namely polysin, N-acetyl-polyveoline, chrodrimanin C and verruculide A in 7–18 steps from sclareolide. The trans-syn-fused drimane unit is accessed through an efficient acid-mediated C9 epimerization of sclareolide. Subsequent applications of enzy-matic C–H oxidation and contemporary annulation methodologies install the requisite C3 hydroxyl group and enable rapid gen-eration of structural complexity to provide concise access to these natural products.
Incidence of Post-Heart Transplant Chronic Thyroiditis and Its Association With Pretransplant Amiodarone Use.

Background Chronic thyroiditis (CT) is a common cause of thyroid dysfunction and could therefore adversely affect outcomes in patients undergoing heart transplant (HT). The incidence of post-HT CT and whether amiodarone, a commonly used anti-arrhythmic drug in patients with heart failure during pre-HT period, is associated with the development of post-HT CT are unknown. Methods A retrospective review of HT recipients from February 2, 2010 to October 16, 2018 was performed. Patients who lacked relevant pre-/post-HT records, underwent thyroidectomy, had pre-HT thyroid dysfunction or thyroiditis within 15 days post-HT, and those on amiodarone during the post-HT period were excluded, yielding a final cohort of 75 patients. Results Patients had a mean age of 63.3 ± 1.4 years and were predominantly male (90.7%) and white (80%). The incidence of post-HT CT was 32% with the majority (83.3%) manifesting as hypothyroidism. Median time to diagnosis of CT after transplant was 10.2 months (interquartile range, 4-27.4). Additionally, the CT group had higher pre-HT use of amiodarone (non-CT vs CT: 21.6% vs 50%, P = .01), higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (non-CT vs CT: 23.5% vs 45.8%; P = .05), and more stage IV/V chronic kidney disease (non-CT vs CT: 2% vs 16.7%, P = .02). On multivariate analysis, pre-HT amiodarone use was associated with the development of post-HT CT after adjustment for age, sex, and chronic kidney disease (odds ratio, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.17-11.44; P = .03). Conclusion The incidence of post-HT CT is high and is strongly associated with pre-HT amiodarone use underpinning the importance of closely following the post-HT thyroid profile in these patients.
Blockchain Adoption in a Supply Chain with Market Power

We model a supply chain with a single risk-averse manufacturer who purchases from vendors and sells to consumers. We find that blockchain adoption always enhances manufacturer welfare in this setting when adoption costs are zero; as a consequence, the manufacturer always adopts blockchain for sufficiently small adoption costs. The enhanced manufacturer welfare from blockchain adoption arises for two reasons: the manufacturer possessing risk aversion and the blockchain reducing information asymmetry for consumers. With regard to the first effect, blockchain enables efficient tracing of defective products so that the manufacturer can selectively recall defective products rather than conducting a full recall. This tracing ability reduces the risk involved in the manufacturer purchasing from multiple vendors and consequently leads the manufacturer to endogenously diversify across vendors. Since the manufacturer is risk averse, that diversification reduces her sensitivity to recalls; in turn, the manufacturer endogenously expands her sales volume, generating higher expected profits and higher expected utility when she adopts blockchain. With regard to the second effect, blockchain stores details from the manufacturing process, thereby ameliorating information asymmetry for consumers. This information asymmetry reduction increases consumer surplus. The manufacturer optimally responds to that increased consumer surplus by raising the consumer price when she adopts blockchain. The consumer price increase generates both higher expected profits and higher expected utility.
Wave Spectrum Changes on Sloped Beach

A comparison of all the different approaches to analyze the problem of wave spectrum change on a sloped beach is presented. It is shown how the heuristic, theoretical and numerical formulations compare or differ. It is shown that the transformation of a deep water directional spectrum into a shallow water directional spectrum can be done with little more effort than computing a one-dimensional spectrum by development of an inverse direction function only.
Mechanisms for Establishing Persistence: Immune Modulation

This chapter examines the increasingly common scenarios in which bacteria actively modulate the immune response to ensure their persistence. The mechanisms of protection against infectious agents may be divided into two complementary components: innate, or natural, immunity and specific, or acquired, immunity. It is important to mention that nonprotein antigens, such as microbial (particularly mycobacterial) lipid and glycolipid antigens, can be presented to T cells in a restricted fashion by nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, such as CD1, that are differentially expressed on antigen-presenting cells (APC) and cells of the gastrointestinal epithelium. Inhibition of mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation by whole live bacteria, soluble or particulate preparations of the bacteria, and sometimes purified molecules is arguably the most common observation in the literature concerning inhibition of the host's immune response. The induction of apoptosis in monocytes/macrophages has been shown to be triggered by a number of bacteria or purified bacterial products in vivo, as well as in vitro in primary and short-term cultures. Through an in-depth examination of the mechanisms used by the microbial adversaries to evade or otherwise subvert the host's immune response, we may be able to devise more effective live vaccines and develop novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of persistent infections, as well as to discover valuable immunomodulatory agents.
Chapter 5 Purification and Reassembly of Tubulin from Outer Doublet Microtubules

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the purification and reassembly of tubulin from outer doublet microtubules. The most commonly used microtubule system is that of vertebrate brain. This system has the advantage of yielding large quantities of native tubulin; however, the tubulin derives from the total brain microtubule population, which shows considerable heterogeneity. The optimal in vitro assembly requirements of outer doublet and vertebrate brain tubulins are very similar, as are the properties of the assembled microtubules. This appears to be generally true for all tubulins so far examined, irrespective of the properties, functions, cellular location, or phylogeny of the microtubules from which the tubulin derives. The reconstituted microtubules are “labile” singlet microtubules, archetypical of which are reconstituted vertebrate brain microtubules. Structurally bonafide singlet microtubules can be formed in vitro from outer doublet and dogfish brain tubulins in the absence of associated proteins. Direct evidence that tubulin conformational changes alter the microtubule lattice is lacking. Studies on the mechanism of colchicine poisoning of microtubule assembly are consistent with this hypothesis. Colchicine poisons microtubule assembly by first complexing with tubulin dimers, which then copolymerize with uncomplexed tubulin into the microtubules and decrease the apparent rate of subsequent drug-free dimer addition.
Perspectives on delineating management zones for variable rate irrigation

Up to 40% of soil available water content variance was explained by pie shape zoning.Dynamic zoning strategy may be needed if soil spatial arrangement varies by depth.Soil ECa and satellite images were useful attributes for irrigation zone delineation. This study aimed at investigating the performance of multiple irrigation zoning scenarios on a 73ha irrigated field located in west Tennessee along the Mississippi river. Different clustering methods, including k-means, ISODATA and Gaussian Mixture, were selected. In addition, a new zoning method, based on integer linear programming, was designed and evaluated for center pivot irrigation systems with limited speed control capability. The soil available water content was used as the main attribute for zoning while soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa), space-borne satellite images and yield data were required as ancillary data. A good agreement was observed among delineated zones by different clustering methods. The new zoning method explained up to 40% of available water content variance underneath center pivot irrigation systems. The ECa achieved the highest Kappa coefficient (=0.79) among ancillary attributes, hence exhibited a considerable potential for irrigation zoning.
Artificial Intelligence, Generalization

The sections in this article are 1 Concept Generalization Using Induction 2 Generalizability Measures 3 Summary 4 Acknowledgment
DYNAMIC PLASTICITY IN TRANSITION FROM THERMAL ACTIVATION TO VISCOUS DRAG

For low-to-intermediate rates of mechanical loading, plastic deformation is controlled by thermal activation or mechanical penetration of dislocations through barriers. These barriers can be solute atoms, impurities, or, in the case of very pure materials, other dislocations. At some point between intermediate strain rates (10 - 104 s−1) and the higher strain rates (105 - 107 s−1) associated with weak-shock compression, the plastic deformation process makes a transition from being dominated by stress-assisted thermal activation to being controlled by the time it takes a mobile dislocation to get from one barrier to the next: this latter time depends on the effective stress and viscous-drag force provided by the perfect lattice. Some of the models that describe this process are reviewed, along with various hardening mechanisms. Distinction is made between simple rate-dependent models (in which the shear stress depends on the current plastic strain rate and plastic strain) and path-dependent models (in which the shear stress depends on the current plastic strain rate and all past history through one, or more, internal-state variables). A way in which shock-wave data can be used to extend intermediate strain-rate models into the viscous-drag regime is described.
On approximate model matching in nonlinear control

Approximate model matching is the problem of controlling a nonlinear system to achieve a response resembling that of a desired model. This note presents a family of recursive output feedback controllers that achieve approximate model matching in all cases where it is possible. The design of these controllers depends on the solution of a set of algebraic inequalities. This presentation is an extended summary of HAMMER [1998b].
Rome Lost and Found: A Review of Piranesi and the Campus Martius: The Missing Corso – Topography and Archaeology in Eighteenth-Century Rome/Piranesi e il Campo Marzio: Il corso che non c’era – Topografia e archeologia nella Roma del XVIII secolo

Joseph Connors’ study of Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s Campus Martius (1762) is a lively and wide-ranging study in a small package. The primary focus is the centerpiece of Piranesi’s volume: his famous Ichnographia or plan-map of the Campus Martius in Rome, a grand and intricate foldout etching that has long fascinated scholars. Connors demonstrates that personal observation and archaeological research fed Piranesi’s imagination rather than being at odds with it. In the process, he furnishes a singular glimpse into the mind and thought process of this most alluring of paper architects.
Pediatric Pituitary Adenomas

Abstract Context.—Pituitary adenomas are relatively rare occurrences in the pediatric population, and there are few studies documenting the profile of these tumors in this age group. Objective.—To study the clinical and pathologic features of pediatric pituitary adenomas in conjunction with a review of the available literature. Design.—A retrospective clinicopathologic review of 20 pediatric patients (younger than 20 years of age) with pituitary adenomas resected during a 24.5-year period (1981–2005). Results.—A total of 20 patients, including 12 females and 8 males, comprise the study group. Mean age at onset of symptoms was 14.0 years (range, 5–18 years). Four patients had onset of symptoms before the age of 12 years. The majority of patients presented with headaches (n = 12), visual disturbances (n = 12) or, in females, menstrual dysfunction (n = 9/12). Tumor size based on radiographic data was known for 19 tumors; 12 adenomas were greater than 1 cm in greatest dimension, and 7 were less than 1 cm. On ...
Auditory Event‐Related Potentials in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Down's Syndrome Children

Abnormal or borderline electroencephalograms are commonly observed in cases of gross mental retardation. However, fewer studies have focused on the use of event-related responses to aid in the differential diagnosis of developmental cognitive disorders. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and Down syndrome represent the most common known causes of mental retardation in the Western world. Although Down syndrome is easily diagnosed with a chromosome assay, FAS can be more difficult to diagnose since the diagnostic features are more subjectively based. The present study is the first to characterize auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) in children with FAS and contrast them to subjects with Down syndrome and controls. A passive auditory "oddball-plus-noise" paradigm was utilized to elicit ERPs. Parietal P300 latencies in response to the noise-burst stimuli for the FAS children were significantly longer, as were the P300s from all cortical sites in Down syndrome subjects in response to the both the infrequent tone and noise-burst stimuli when compared with the controls. Frontal P300s in Down syndrome children were significantly larger in amplitude compared to the controls and FAS children in response to the infrequent tone. A discriminant function analysis also revealed that these children could be correctly classified as being either Down syndrome, FAS, or normal controls using measures of latency and amplitude of the P300. These data suggest that an evaluation of ERP characteristics may provide a better understanding of the differences between FAS and Down syndrome children, and prove to be an aid in the early identification of children with FAS. These results demonstrate neurophysiological differences between FAS and Down syndrome, and suggest that P300 amplitude and latency data collected from a passive ERP task may be helpful in the discrimination of developmental cognitive disorders.
Quadratic eigenmaps between spheres

A quadratic formf:Sm →Sn between spheres is separable if, up to isometries on the source and the range, the components off are pure or mixed quadratic polynomials. The space parametrizing the separated quadratic eigenmapsf is shown here to fiber over a semi-algebraic set with each fiber a finite-dimensional compact convex body. Form = 3, this gives a new description of the parameter space of all quadratic eigenmapsf:S3 →Sm as a fibration over an ‘inflated tetrahedron’ and generic hexagonal fibres.
Experiments on Cultivation of Virus of Infectious Avian Encephalomyelitis.

Summary and Discussion1. Embryonic chicks are apparently not susceptible to infection with this avian virus, although birds just hatched are. This is a strikingly reversed state from that which prevails in the case of certain other viruses,5 which multiply readily in the undifferentiated tissues of the developing embryo but are inactive in the hatched chick. Whatever the reason may be, a fact of epidemiological significance emerges: the disease-agent is probably not transmissible by way of the egg, thus supporting the prior finding of Jones.12. The virus multiplied in minced whole-embryo tissue-cultures in vitro only under certain indicated conditions. The method in its present state, however, is not favorable for obtaining large yields of highly potent virus for use in immunizing procedures. No multiplication of virus was noted in this medium when chick-embryo brain was used instead of whole-embryo tissue. It is of interest in this connection that mammalian embryo-brain cultures have been found suitable ...
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway contributes to mitogenic and antiapoptotic effects of peroxisome proliferators in vitro.

Peroxisome proliferators are a class of nongenotoxic rodent hepatocarcinogens thought to induce tumors by altering the balance between mitosis and apoptosis. Previous studies suggest mitogenic growth factors that act through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, including insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF), modulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α activation as well as the mitogenic activity of peroxisome proliferators. We have investigated whether the ERK pathway plays a role in regulating the growth and survival altering properties of peroxisome proliferators in primary mouse hepatocytes. Exposure of hepatocytes to Wy-14,643 and trichloroacetate resulted in a dose-dependent phosphorylation and activation of ERK. Peroxisome proliferator-induced ERK phosphorylation was blocked when cells were pretreated with the MEK (ERK kinase) inhibitor, PD098059, or the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, LY294002 and apigenin, suggesting that both MEK and PI3K are involved in the initial response. The pathway leading to peroxisome proliferator-induced ERK activation is different than that induced by phorbol ester or EGF, since the PI3K inhibitors had no effect on ERK phosphorylation induced by these agents. Under defined culture conditions, Wy-14,643 increased the level of BrdU incorporation in primary hepatocytes and suppressed the incidence of apoptosis induced by transforming growth factor β1. In contrast, concentrations of PD098059 that block Wy-14,643-induced ERK phosphorylation also blocked the stimulation of DNA replicative synthesis and suppression of apoptosis by Wy-14,643. These studies indicate that activation of the ERK pathway through a PI3K-dependent mechanism may play a significant role in the tumor-promoting properties of peroxisome proliferators.
Synthesis of polyazamacrocyclic compounds via modified Richman-Atkins cyclization of β-trimethylsilylethanesulfonamides

The Richman-Atkins cyclization remains one of the most widely used methods for the preparation of macrocyclic polyamines. The use of beta-trimethylsilylethanesulfonamides (SES-sulfonamides) for the preparation of polyazamacrocyclic compounds is described. This expands existing Richman-Atkins sulfonamide macrocyclization methodology, and it successfully enables preparation of labile polyaza[n](1,4)naphthalenophanes and polyaza[n](9,10)anthracenophanes, not previously available in appreciable quantities.
Molecular Biology of Background K Channels: Insights from K2P Knockout Mice

Abstract K2P channels are a family of cellular proteins that are essential for electrical signaling throughout the body. There are six K2P channel subfamilies, consisting of 15 distinct mammalian genes. K2P channels display a remarkable range of regulation by cellular, physical and pharmacologic agents, including protein kinases, intracellular Ca2+, changes in internal and external pH, anesthetic agents, heat, stretch and membrane deformers. The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this regulation are complex and cooperate at many different levels. Recent research has provided strong evidence that the spatiotemporal-specific expression of K2P channels are determinants of physiologic selectivity and specificity. In recent years, knockout mice have been generated with inactivated K2P channel genes. These animals shed new light on the contribution of K2P channels to normal and abnormal physiology. In this review, we summarize the published data on these mice to broaden the understanding of the role of K2P channel activity.
A family of concanavalin A-binding peptides from a hexapeptide epitope library.

Abstract The lectin concanavalin A (Con A) binds methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside (Me alpha Man) as well as alpha-D-mannosyl groups at the nonreducing terminus of oligosaccharides. Ligand peptides that mimic the binding of Me alpha Man to Con A were identified from screening an epitope library composed of filamentous phage displaying random hexapeptides. A consensus sequence was identified among affinity-purified phage; Con A binds phage bearing this sequence and is inhibited from doing so by Me alpha Man. When tested for binding against a panel of lectins, phage bearing this sequence bind only weakly to a closely related D-mannose-binding lectin, indicating that binding to Con A is highly selective. A synthetic peptide bearing the consensus sequence blocks the precipitation of Con A by dextran with an inhibition strength equivalent to that of methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside. These results demonstrate that the specificity of Con A is not limited to carbohydrates and that highly selective sugar-mimics for lectins of plant, animal, or bacterial origin may be identified from epitope libraries.
Desiccation Tolerance in a Wild Population of the Invasive Oriental Weatherfish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus in Idaho, USA

Abstract The oriental weatherfish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus is a nonindigenous, cryptic species for which the currently invaded range spans 13 states in the USA as well as six other countries. Anecdotal evidence suggests that because they are facultative air-breathers, oriental weatherfish can survive in the terrestrial environment and may move across land to colonize new water bodies. Given the lack of empirical research on this subject, we conducted an experiment with oriental weatherfish to determine their longevity under increasingly dry conditions and their tolerance to desiccation. We introduced the fish (obtained from a wild population in Idaho) into a series of tanks and allowed some of the tanks to dry out. Over the course of the experiment, we measured substrate moisture content and temperature in each tank, and we periodically removed some fish to determine changes in mass and to check the status (alive or dead) and viability of the fish. Some individuals survived for over 81 d in desiccated c...