cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biophysical Assays for Protein Interactions in the Wsp Sensory System and Biofilm Formation

Many signal transduction and regulatory events are mediated by a change in oligomeric state upon posttranslational modification or ligand binding. Hence, the characterization of proteins and protein complexes with respect to their size and shape is crucial for elucidating the molecular mechanisms that control their activities. Commonly used methods for the determination of molecular weights of biological polymers such as standard size-exclusion chromatography or analytical ultracentrifugation have been applied successfully but have some limitations. Static multiangle light scattering presents an attractive alternative approach for absolute molecular weight measurements in solution. We review the biophysical principles, advantages, and pitfalls of some popular methods for determining the quaternary structure of proteins, using the response regulator diguanylate cyclase WspR from Pseudomonas and FimX, a protein involved in Pseudomonas aeruginosa twitching motility, as examples.
Developmental expression of bFGF in the bovine retina.

PURPOSE To examine the expression of bFGF in the developing bovine retina. METHODS Fetal bovine eyes at 90, 120, 150, and 180 days gestational age, as well as adult bovine eyes, were immunohistochemically stained for the presence of bFGF. Detailed characterization of the anti-bFGF antibodies by immunoblot and Western blot analysis against pure FGF gene family standards and crude extracts of bovine retina were also performed. RESULTS Expression of bFGF occurs beginning at 150 days of gestation, a period when photoreceptor development and secondary capillary network development is in process. No bFGF expression was found at 90 days, but primary capillaries were already apparent at this stage of development. CONCLUSIONS Expression of bFGF in the developing bovine retina may play a functional role in outer retinal development.
Toxicology of Pesticides: A Brief History

Pesticides have been used to a limited degree since ancient times. The Ebers Papyrus, written about 1550 B.C., lists preparations to expel fleas from the house. The oldest available record is Homer’s mention (about 1000 B.C.) that Odysseus burned sulfur “…to purge the hall and the house and the court” (Odyssey XXII, 492–494). Pliny the Elder (23 to 79 A.D.) collected in his Natural History many anecdotes on the use of pesticides in the previous three or four centuries (Shepard, 1939). Dioscorides, a Greek physician (40 to 90 A.D.) knew of the toxic properties of sulfur and of arsenic. There are records showing that by 900 A.D. the Chinese were using arsenic sulfides to control garden insects. Veratrurn album and v. nigrum, two species of false hellebore, were used by the Romans as rodenticides (Shepard, 1939). In 1669, the earliest known record of arsenic as an insecticide in the Western World mentioned its use with honey as an ant bait. Use of tobacco as contact insecticide for plant lice was mentioned later in the same century. Cbpper compounds were known since 1807 to have fungicidal value, and the Bordeaux mixture (hydrated lime and copper sulfate) was first used in France in 1883. Hydrocyanic acid, known to the Egyptians and the Romans as a poison, was used as a fumigant in 1877 to kill museum pests in insect collections (Shepard, 1939). Carbon disulfide has been used as an insect fumigant since 1854.
Ion Molecule Reactions in Interstellar Molecular Clouds

The most important recent development in laboratory astrophysical ion chemistry is the achievement of reaction temperatures below the previous 80 K (liquid nitrogen) limit. At JILA (1,2) several important reactions have been measured down to ~ 10 K, including some critical radiative association reactions, using a low pressure ion trap. At Meudon (3) a new expanding jet apparatus is being utilized for measurements down to 20 K and at Heidelberg (4) measurements as low as 20 K have been carried out in a helium cooled drift tube. However, only a relatively small fraction of the important reactions relating to molecular production and loss in interstellar clouds have been measured or are likely to be measured at sufficiently low temperatures in the near future. Even fewer of these reactions are susceptible to quantal calculation. It therefore behooves us to develop as much understanding and predictive capability about ion-molecule reactions as we can from interpretations of available data at higher temperature with tractable theoretical models. Several theoreticians are engaged in that endeavor, motivated by their interest in interstellar molecule synthesis. What I will do here is discuss some recent data and propose some rather empirical guidelines that may be useful, based on interpretation of experimental data in a very simple theoretical framework.
HMGB1 as a marker of tumor development in mice with spontaneous hepatoma and implanted MC38 adenocarcinoma

4699 Introduction: Expression of iNOS in human tumor was first described in colorectal adenocardinoma cell lines (Radomski et al., 1991). Because metastatic activity, host defense mechanisms, and level of differentiation seem to be correlated to iNOS expression, a role for iNOS has been proposed in the onset and progression of malignant diseases. Under physiological condition, NO acts as an intracellular secondary messenger and provides an efficient system for cellular regulation, interaction, and defense. The expression of 3 isoforms of NOS in human gliomas and in peritumoral areas have been analyzed by several groups. Although the induction of iNOS has been noted in human meningioma (Bakshi et al., 1998; Broholm et al., 2003; Ellie et al., 1995; Hara et al., 1996), a clear correlation between meningiomas and iNOS expression has not been established. Methods: Human meningiomas of benign, atypical, and anaplastic/malignant grade (n=10) were excised and primary explant cultures obtained. Histopathological confirmation of grade was obtained. Using western blot , expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was demonstrated for cultured cells and intact tissue fragments. Integrity of downstream NO signaling pathways was tested by exposing cultured cells at early passage to NO donor compounds. The downstream actions of NO take two forms: (1) cGMP-dependent; and (2) cGMP-independent, which are mediated by reactive nitrogen species produced by the interaction of NO with oxygen (O2) or with superoxide radicals (O2.-). The first was tested by measuring levels of guanyl cyclase and of cGMP, and the second by assay of nitrotyrosine formation, in NO-donor stimulated cells of each grade. Results: A clear correlation was shown between iNOS expression and the degree of tumor malignancy, with lowest expression seen in benign tumors and highest seen in those of anaplastic grade. In malignant meningioma cells both membrane-bound and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) were un-regulatable and the cGMP levels were very low despite significantly high levels of iNOS expression. In contrast, in benign meningioma cells sGC responded to NO normally and a marked increase of cGMP was observed upon NO donor stimulation. Thus, the downstream pathways of NO signaling in malignant meningioma appear to be shut down. In additional experiments a significant increase in nitrotyrosine formation (a biomarker for cGMP-independent NO action) was detected in malignant cells. Conclusion: iNOS expression correlates with degree of malignancy in meningiomas. Although , in anaplastic meningiomas cGMP-dependent signaling pathways are inactive but cGMP-independent pathways are not. These data suggest that in malignant meningioma cells, iNOS overexpression may contribute to a survival advantage mediated by protein tyrosine nitration.
Pay for Intersection Priority: A Free Market Mechanism for Connected Vehicles

The rapid development and deployment of vehicle technologies offer opportunities to re-think the way traffic is managed. This article capitalizes on vehicle connectivity and proposes an economic instrument and corresponding cooperative framework for allocating priority at intersections. The framework is compatible with a variety of existing intersection control approaches. Similar to free markets, our framework allows vehicles to trade their time based on their (disclosed) value of time. We design the framework based on transferable utility games, where winners (time buyers) pay losers (time sellers) in each game. We conduct simulation experiments of both isolated intersections and an arterial setting. The results show that the proposed approach benefits the majority of users when compared to other mechanisms both ones that employ an economic instrument and ones that do not. We also show that it drives travelers to estimate their value of time correctly, and it naturally dissuades travelers from attempting to cheat.
Retinal innervation tunes circuits that drive nonphotic entrainment to food.

Daily changes in light and food availability are major time cues that influence circadian timing1. However, little is known about the circuits that integrate these time cues to drive a coherent circadian output1–3. Here we investigate whether retinal inputs modulate entrainment to nonphotic cues such as time-restricted feeding. Photic information is relayed to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)—the central circadian pacemaker—and the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) through intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs)4. We show that adult mice that lack ipRGCs from the early postnatal stages have impaired entrainment to time-restricted feeding, whereas ablation of ipRGCs at later stages had no effect. Innervation of ipRGCs at early postnatal stages influences IGL neurons that express neuropeptide Y (NPY) (hereafter, IGLNPY neurons), guiding the assembly of a functional IGLNPY–SCN circuit. Moreover, silencing IGLNPY neurons in adult mice mimicked the deficits that were induced by ablation of ipRGCs in the early postnatal stages, and acute inhibition of IGLNPY terminals in the SCN decreased food-anticipatory activity. Thus, innervation of ipRGCs in the early postnatal period tunes the IGLNPY–SCN circuit to allow entrainment to time-restricted feeding. Ablating retinal input at early postnatal stages—but not later time points—impaired entrainment to time-restricted feeding in adult mice, as did silencing intergeniculate-leaflet neurons that express neuropeptide Y and project to the central pacemaker
Facial grimace testing as an assay of neuropathic pain-related behavior in a mouse model of cervical spinal cord injury.

Abstract A major portion of individuals affected by traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) experience one or more types of chronic neuropathic pain (NP), which is often intractable to currently available treatments. The availability of reliable behavioral assays in pre-clinical models of SCI-induced NP is therefore critical to assess the efficacy of new potential therapies. Commonly used assays to evaluate NP-related behavior in rodents, such as Hargreaves thermal and von Frey mechanical testing, rely on the withdrawal response to an evoked stimulus. However, other assays that test spontaneous/non-evoked NP-related behavior or supraspinal aspects of NP would be highly useful for a more comprehensive assessment of NP following SCI. The Mouse Grimace Scale (MGS) is a tool to assess spontaneous, supraspinal pain-like behaviors in mice; however, the assay has not been characterized in a mouse model of SCI-induced chronic NP, despite the critical importance of mouse genetics as an experimental tool. We found that beginning 2 weeks after cervical contusion, SCI mice exhibited increased facial grimace features compared to laminectomy-only control mice, and this grimace phenotype persisted to the chronic time point of 5 weeks post-injury. We also found a significant relationship between facial grimace score and the evoked forepaw withdrawal response in both the Hargreaves and von Frey tests at 5 weeks post-injury when both laminectomy-only and SCI mice were included in the analysis. However, within only the SCI group, there was no correlation between grimace score and Hargreaves or von Frey responses. These results indicate both that facial grimace analysis can be used as an assay of spontaneous NP-related behavior in the mouse model of SCI and that the information provided by the MGS may be different than that provided by evoked tests of sensory function.
Chapter 11 at Twilight

In The End of Bankruptcy we set out the forces that have rendered obsolete traditional conceptions of corporate reorganization. Lynn LoPucki wrote a critique that asserted that our paper lacked empirical foundation. In this response, we draw on LoPucki’s data set of the reorganization of large, publicly held entities to show the robustness of our claims, both empirical and theoretical. Looking in detail at the firms whose Chapter 11 cases ended in 2002, most of which concluded after we completed our original piece, we find that in over 80% of the cases the assets of the firm were either sold or the bankruptcy proceeding put in place a restructuring plan agreed to before bankruptcy was filed. The remaining firms evince little in the way of going-concern value. Moreover, equityholders are nearly always wiped out, and the board of directors is usually replaced. Today’s bankruptcy practice reveals creditors, particularly the senior lenders, in control. They use their powers to remove managers in whom they have lost confidence, replace the board of directors, put the corporation on the auction block and terminate the interest of equityholders. This paper provides further evidence that issues of control rather than priority dominate modern reorganization practice. In The End of Bankruptcy we showed that a number of forces – increasing standardization in the economy, more liquid capital markets, the ability to sell entire companies in bankruptcy, and modern lending practices – render obsolete the traditional conception of Chapter 11. It is no longer a forum in which creditors, shareholders, and boards negotiate over a corporation’s future. Instead, it has become a place where creditors orches∗ Harry A. Bigelow Distinguished Service Professor, University of Chicago Law School. ∗∗ Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Vanderbilt Law School. First, we wish to thank Lynn LoPucki. In addition to posing a number of interesting questions that have required us to sharpen our own ideas, he has, with characteristic graciousness, provided us with access to the large database of Chapter 11 reorganizations that he has assembled painstakingly over the course of many years, a database that has already yielded rich insights. We also thank Ronald Mann for his comments on a prior draft of this response, Bethany Hollister for research assistance, as well as Visa, U.S.A., Inc., Verizon, Microsoft Corporation, the Sarah Scaife Foundation, and the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and the Dean’s Fund at Vanderbilt for research support.
Robust Prescription Monitoring Programs and Abrupt Discontinuation of Long-term Opioid Use.

Introduction This study assesses the associations between the recent implementation of robust features of state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs and the abrupt discontinuation of long-term opioid therapies. Methods Data were from a national commercial insurance database and included privately insured adults aged 18–64 years and Medicare Advantage enrollees aged ≥65 years who initiated a long-term opioid therapy episode between Quarter 2 of 2011 and Quarter 2 of 2017. State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs were characterized as nonrobust, robust, and strongly robust. Abrupt discontinuation was measured on the basis of high daily morphine milligram equivalents over the last 30 days of a long-term opioid therapy episode or no sign of tapering before discontinuation. Difference-in-differences models were estimated in 2019‒2020 to assess the association between robust Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs and abrupt discontinuation. Results Among nonelderly privately insured adults, robust Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs were associated with an increase from 14.8% to 15.4% (4% relative increase, p=0.02) in the rate of ending long-term opioid therapy with ≥60 daily morphine milligram equivalents. For older Medicare Advantage enrollees, strongly robust Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs were associated with a reduction from 4.8% to 4.3% (10.4%, p=0.01) and from 3.0% to 2.4% (17.3%, p=0.001) in the rate of ending long-term opioid therapy with ≥90 and 120 daily morphine milligram equivalents, respectively. Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs robustness was not associated with clinically meaningful changes in the rate of discontinuing long-term opioid therapy without tapering. Conclusions Discontinuation without tapering was the norm for long-term opioid therapies in the samples throughout the study years. Findings do not support the notion that policies aimed at enhancing Prescription Drug Monitoring Program use were associated with substantial increases in abrupt long-term opioid therapy discontinuation.
Rethinking Extensive Green Roofs to Lessen Emphasis on Above-Ground Biomass

In the future, most green roof applications will not be highly visible, yet these roofs will still provide the benefits of heat island reduction, stormwater control and biodiversity for hard-surfaced cities. However, human bias in wanting more biomass and visible blooms leads green roof horticulturalists and their approach of maximizing those aspects down a slippery slope that, in turn, leads to increased hours of labor, over-watering and fertilizing and specifying too many cultivars.
Neuropathy symptoms are associated with increased fall risk in patients receiving potentially neurotoxic chemotherapy (P7.082)

OBJECTIVE: Determine the relationship between neuropathy symptoms and fall risk in patients receiving chemotherapy. The secondary aim is to assess fall related morbidity. BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is the most common dose limiting side-effect of many commonly prescribed chemotherapeutics. CIPN is known to reduce quality of life, but its relationship to adverse outcomes such as falls and fall related injuries is unknown. DESIGN/METHODS: Patients beginning chemotherapy were recruited for automated telephone monitoring of chemotherapy related symptoms, falls and complications. Daily, patients logged symptom severity on 0-10 scales for 11 symptoms. Scores 蠅 4 were deemed moderate/severe. Reported fall events (falls and near falls) prompted questions about the nature of the fall and consequences. RESULTS: 165 patients enrolled. Age was 55 +/- 12 years. 70[percnt] had breast cancer, 94[percnt] were women. 26 Participants (16[percnt]) reported 76 fall events: 37 falls and 39 near-falls. 58[percnt] of fall events were attributed to loss of balance by the patient, 26[percnt] to feeling faint. 51[percnt] of falls were injurious. Rates of reporting moderate/severe symptoms were calculated for those with (n=26) and without fall events (n=139). There was no difference in age, sex, race, cancer diagnosis, or number of comorbidities between groups. Patients with fall events were more likely to experience moderate/severe numbness/tingling (21[percnt] vs 7[percnt]), pain (29[percnt] vs 17[percnt]), and fatigue (42[percnt] vs 29[percnt]) than non-fallers (p<0.05). Of the other 8 symptoms, only sore mouth was more common in fallers (12[percnt] vs. 3[percnt]). CONCLUSIONS: Numbness/tingling, pain and fatigue were more common in patients experiencing a fall or near fall event. Over half of all falls were associated with injury. These findings suggest CIPN is an important risk factor for falls and fall related injuries. The automated telephone monitoring system is a promising means of screening for fall risk and instituting early intervention. Study Supported by: Disclosure: Dr. Kolb has nothing to disclose. Dr. Smith has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer and Allergan as a consultant. Dr. Smith has received research support from the NIH, the ADA, Viromed, and Impeto. Dr. Singleton has received personal compensation for activities with Medical Review Institute. Dr. Brown has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wong has nothing to disclose. Dr. Beck has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mooney has nothing to disclose.
Syringomyelia presenting as shoulder dysfunction.

Abstract An elderly woman developed humeral subluxation secondary to syringomyelic neuroarthopathy. Atypical features included her advanced age, the unilaterality of sensory symptoms and signs, the nearly normal motor function, and the absence of long tract signs. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a cervical syrinx, and electrodiagnostic studies suggested superimposed compressive brachial plexopathy. This case suggests that syringomyelia may be underdiagnosed in patients with atypical presentations.
Design pattern based model transformation with tool support

A design pattern helps to improve the quality of a software system by providing a proven solution for recurring design problems. However, the abstract and informal nature of prevailing pattern descriptions makes it hard to use design patterns and hinders the development of tool support. In this paper, we present an approach that systematically applies a design pattern to a problem model and transforms it to a solution model with traceability, which helps to understand how a design pattern addresses its intended design problem. In the approach, a design pattern is defined as a pair of solution and problem specifications and a transformation specification. A problem model is checked for pattern applicability, and if applicable, the pattern is applied to the model using the pattern's transformation specification, which results in a solution model conforming to the solution specification of the pattern. This approach establishes an explicit traceability of how pattern properties are incorporated into a model. We demonstrate the approach using the Visitor pattern applied to two case studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitivity of the spectral response of a-Si:H Schottky barriers to the density of states profile: a computer simulation

Schottky-barrier solar cell structures are convenient devices for studying the basic properties of the intrinsic a-Si:H used in solar cells. A first-principles computer analysis of the spectral response (SR) of such structures is used to examine the sensitivity of SR to the midgap density of states, the donor tail characteristic energy, and the acceptor tail characteristic energy in a-Si:H materials. It is shown that the SR, either with or without a red bias light is uniquely affected by these three density-of-states parameters. The uniqueness arises because certain groupings of states are efficient trapping centers, efficient recombination centers, or some combination of both. The uniqueness of these simulations shows that computer analysis of SR sensitivities can be used to monitor density-of-states profiles and thereby assess the quality of a-Si:H materials. >
Damage control orthopaedics: Variability of construct design for external fixation of the lower extremity and implications on cost

Abstract Introduction To evaluate relative cost of external fixator constructs applied for damage control purposes in a cohort of advanced orthopaedic trainees and orthopaedic staff traumatologists. We also sought to evaluate physicians’ understanding of component cost. Materials and methods Participants were asked to apply an external fixator for three separate fracture patterns in damage control fashion. A total of 19 physicians (nine PGY-4 residents, five PGY-5 residents, two orthopaedic trauma fellows and three orthopaedic staff traumatologists) participated. Total construct cost was calculated. Participants provided an estimate of the cost of each component in a fill-in format survey. Main outcome measures included cost of external fixator construct applied and the estimated cost of external fixator components. Results Average whole sale cost of an external fixator construct was $5252 (±$1798). Of the three fracture types examined, the tibial plafond fracture external fixator construct on average cost the most, followed by the tibial plateau fracture and the femur fracture construct. The large ex-fix combination clamp was the major contributor to cost for each construct. The combination clamp may be substituted for a multi-pin clamp, resulting in significant cost savings. The self-drilling Schanz pin and the large ex-fix combination clamp were most highly underestimated (25% and 22% of their actual cost, respectively). Conclusion Innumerous construct designs exist and even small changes can significantly impact cost. Knowledge of component cost is low among staff and trainees. Education of component cost is vital to allow adequate consideration of construct design prior to fixator application.
Potential impact of initialization on decadal predictions as assessed for CMIP5 models

[1] To investigate the potential for initialization to improve decadal range predictions, we quantify the initial value predictability of upper 300 m temperature in the two northern ocean basins for 12 models from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5), and we contrast it with the forced predictability in Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 climate change projections. We use a recently introduced method that produces predictability estimates from long control runs. Many initial states are considered, and we find on average 1) initialization has the potential to improve skill in the first 5 years in the North Pacific and the first 9 years in the North Atlantic, and 2) the impact from initialization becomes secondary compared to the impact of RCP4.5 forcing after 6 1/2 and 8 years in the two basins, respectively. Model-to-model and spatial variations in these limits are, however, substantial.
Arterial Priapism: Diagnosis, Treatment and Long-Term Followup

We report on the long-term followup of 7 patients 11 to 50 years old treated for arterial priapism following perineal or penile trauma with arteriographic evidence of contrast medium extravasating from a lacerated cavernous artery into surrounding erectile tissue lacunae (an arterial-lacunar fistula). All patients underwent medical record review and completed a mailed questionnaire. The priapism erections were described as devoid of pain or tenderness, incompletely but constantly rigid and able to increase rigidity with sexual stimulation. Bright red corporeal aspirates were observed in all cases. Color flow Doppler ultrasound findings of focal areas of high flow turbulence correlated with diagnostic arteriography (correlation coefficient 1.00). Initial treatment by mechanical or pharmacological means was unsuccessful when performed. Superselective transcatheter embolization of the ipsilateral common penile artery resolved the priapism in all cases. The interval from onset to resolution of priapism was 4 to 126 days. Full erectile function return was delayed from 2 weeks to 5 months, most likely from resolving clot lysis. Full erection quality was restored in 6 of 7 patients with persistent function and restored frequency of intercourse at 6 to 67 months. Reestablished cavernous artery flow in previously embolized arteries was demonstrated on followup ultrasonography. Surgical treatment was not required in any case. We conclude that arterial priapism occurs in the absence of neurogenic-mediated relaxation, and is sustained by high oxygen tension and shear stress associated with the cavernous artery laceration. Embolization therapy offers effective management of the pathophysiology with high preservation of premorbid erectile function.
It is time to stand up and communicate [computer science courses]

In today's technological market, job candidates must possess technical and communication skills to acquire a desired position. Computer science programs, for the most part, provide the technological training, but are inconsistent in teaching students all the necessary communication skills. In many computer science curricula faculty members realizing the importance of improving writing ability have incorporated writing intensive courses. However, many computer science curricula neglect oral communication, largely because of the amount of class time needed to make presentations. Several gaps exist between computer science curricula and business world reality. Computer science curricula must teach students to listen and express themselves clearly, since getting the maximum utilization of an information resource requires contact with the user community. This is not to say that educators have ignored industry requests. The emerging trend in computer science curricula is to stress written and oral communication skills. This article discusses the importance of incorporating speaking intensive courses into computer science programs. In addition, this article reviews two courses that have included speeches and presentations. Finally it presents a new way to grade oral communication.
Fifteen-year survival and recurrence rates after radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer.

PURPOSETo determine 15-year survival and recurrence rates after radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer.METHODSOne hundred thirty-six patients with clinically localized prostate cancer treated from 1966 to 1974 with interstitial gold seed and external-beam irradiation were evaluated to determine the probability of recurrence and survival > or = 15 years after therapy. All patients were surgically staged with pelvic lymphadenectomy and none received hormonal therapy before relapse.RESULTSOverall, 60 patients (44%) have never recurred, although 57% (34 of 60) of these same patients have died of causes other than prostate cancer. Local progression developed in 39% of patients and distant metastases in 42%. At 15 years, the probability of dying of prostate cancer was 33%+/-8% (% +/- 2SE) and of all causes was 72%+/-8%. In clinical stage A2 and B, 29%+/-9% of patients died of their cancer within 15 years, compared with 57%+/-21% in stage C1, while only 18%+/-8% with clinical stage A2 and B and negative lymp...
Slime mold sticks to slink along

![Figure][1] Slime mold: it's repulsive and slimy, isn't actually a fungus and can't possibly be of any use. And yet, slime molds are serving as excellent model systems for one of the most ubiquitous and important cellular phenomena, cell migration. Cell migration is critical for wound
Simscape Based Ultra-Fast Design Exploration of Graphene-Nanoelectronic Systems

This paper presents non-EDA based design simulation using Simscape for graphene based nanoelectronic systems. The objective of this paper is to explore ultra-fast design for analog devices using substitutes to conventional but time intensive EDA simulations such as SPICE. A GFET behavioral model is presented where the model is based on the drift-diffusion conduction mechanism of the dual-gate device. The kink region of the I -- V characteristic is modeled via a displacement current. A case study design circuit, an all graphene based low noise amplifier (LNA) is presented. The results show this to be a viable alternative approach to simulate GFET based circuits and systems in addition to existing SPICE, VHDL-AMS or Verilog-A based flows. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first ever paper presenting a Simscape® model of a GFET device and also performing design exploration of GFET based RF circuits using Simscape®.
A Test of the Coordinated Expression Hypothesis for the Origin and Maintenance of the GAL Cluster in Yeast

Metabolic gene clusters—functionally related and physically clustered genes—are a common feature of some eukaryotic genomes. Two hypotheses have been advanced to explain the origin and maintenance of metabolic gene clusters: coordinated gene expression and genetic linkage. Here we test the hypothesis that selection for coordinated gene expression underlies the clustering of GAL genes in the yeast genome. We find that, although clustering coordinates the expression of GAL1 and GAL10, disrupting the GAL cluster does not impair fitness, suggesting that other mechanisms, such as genetic linkage, drive the origin and maintenance metabolic gene clusters.
Neurological intensive care in children

This review of the highly complex area of pediatric NIC allows several conclusions: 1. The relative importance of primary injury has probably been underestimated. Secondary, hypoxemicischemic injury was, incorrectly, thought to be easily managed with improvement in prognosis. For this reason equal or even more efforts should be put into prophylaxis rather than into highly sophisticated corrective measures after the insult. 2. Every method of monitoring the child in coma has its strong and weak points and may therefore give misleading data. For this reason a combination of inter-independent monitoring techniques has to be applied. 3. The main aim of NIC is to enable an injured child and his family to resume a normal and happy life. If, early after the critical event, there are signs of poor outcome, particularly of persistent vegetative state or severe disability, consideration should be given to early withdrawal of support, always in accordance to the local socio-ethical customs. The decision to stop vital support can be taken only after extremely careful and repeat, but speedy analysis of the case, using inter-independent and reliable methods of evaluation. 4. The history of NIC underlines again the need of carefully conducted, controlled and prospective clinical studies. Only in this way can swings of over-enthusiasm and disillusionment be avoided. This seems to be particularly important as there is a whole series of new concepts on the horizon ranging from calcium blocking agents to free radical scavengers (including 21-aminosteroids) and antagonists of excitatory neurotransmitters and excitotoxins [135].
Magnesium chloride supported high mileage catalysts for olefin polymerization. XII. Polymerization of ethylene

Polymerizations of ethylene by the MgCl2/ethylbenzoate/p-cresol/AlEt3 TiCl4-AlEt3/methyl-p-toluate (CW-catalyst) have been studied. The initially formed active site concentration, [Ti] has a maximum value of 50% of total titanium at 50°C and lower values at other temperatures. The Ti decays rapidly to Ti sites with conc. ca. 10 mol %/mol Ti. The rate constants for four chain transfer processes have been obtained at 50°C: for transfer with AlEt3, k = 2.1 × 10−4 s−1 and k = 4.8 × 10−4 s−1; for transfer with monomer, k = 3.6 × 10−3 (M s)−1 and K = 8.3 × 10−3 (M s)−1; for β-hydride transfer, k = 7.2 × 10−4 s−1 and k = 4.9 × 10−4 s−1; and transfer with hydrogen, k = 4.0 × 10−3 torr1/2 s− and k = 5.1 × 10−3 torr1/2 s−1. The rate constants for the termination assisted by hydrogen is k = 1.7 (M1/2 torr1/2 S)−1. If monomer is assisting termination as was observed for propylene polymerization, then k = 7.8 (M3/2 s)−1. Values of all the rate constants can be higher or lower at other temperatures. Detailed comparisons were made with the results of propylene polymerizations. There are more than four times as many Ti active sites for ethylene polymerization than there are for stereospecific polymerization of propylene; the difference is more than a factor of two for the Ti sites. Certain rate constants are nearly the same for both monomers while others are markedly different. Some of the differences can be explained by stereoelectronic effects.
226Ra and 228Ra in the mixing zones of the Pee Dee River-Winyah Bay, Yangtze River and Delaware Bay Estuaries

226Ra and 228Ra have non-conservative excess concentrations in the mixing zones of the Pee Dee River-Winyah Bay estuary, the Yangtze River estuary, and the Delaware Bay estuary. Laboratory experiments, using Pee Dee River sediment, indicate desorption of 226Ra to increase with increasing salinities up to 20‰. In Winyah Bay desorption from river-borne sediments could contribute almost all of the increases for both isotopes. Desorption adds only a portion of the excess 228Ra measured in the Yangtse River and adjacent Shelf waters and Delaware Bay. In the Yangtze River the mixing zone extends over a considerable portion of the Continental Shelf where 228Ra is added to the water column by diffusion from bottom sediments, while 226Ra concentrations decrease from dilution. Diffusion of 228Ra from bottom sediments in Delaware Bay primarily occurs in the upper part of the bay (< 22‰ water) where fine grained sediments predominate. A diffusive flux for 228Ra of 0·33 dpm cm−2 year was determined for Delaware Bay.
COLLABORATIONS: LEARNER‐CENTERED TASKS FOR THE ESL CLASSROOM

In recent years we have come to hear the phrase ‘focus on the learner’ more and more. Teachers are exhorted to promote student-centered learning, where the teacher assumes a role that is not so much the giver of knowledge as the facilitator in students' discovering that knowledge themselves. The details of just how the teacher is to do this effectively are often much more sketchy than the details of why she/he should. And for some of us as teachers, there is that little inner fear that the class will founder if we are not obviously at the helm every minute during the class. How can we ‘let go’ of our students, while providing meaningful and structured activities for them?
Energy efficiency standards and labels provide a solid foundation for economic growth, climate change mitigation, and regional trade

Governments around the world have increasingly been implementing energy efficiency standards and labeling programs for the past 30 years. There has been an especially rapid growth in the number and extent of these programs over the past 15 years. By the end of 2005, 62 countries had adopted 1818 separate standards or labels covering 82 products. The impact has been dramatic. This paper describes: (1) the benefits that can be obtained through this policy, (2) which countries are implementing standards and labels and for which products, (3) the impacts such programs have been having in some countries, and (4) recent progress through regional cooperation and alignment.
Factors that influence surgical choices in women with breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND In the absence of medical contraindications, survival after undergoing breast-conserving therapy (BCT), mastectomy (M), and mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (MIR) is equal. The authors studied demographic factors to identify the variables that differed significantly among women making different surgical choices. METHODS Women with ductal carcinoma in situ or clinical Stage I or II breast carcinoma with no contraindications for BCT or MIR who were treated between 1995 and 1998 were identified from a prospectively collected data base. Demographic and tumor factors were compared using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS There were 578 women with 586 tumors who did not have contraindications for BCT or MIR. Among this group, 85.2% of women chose BCT, 9.2% of women chose M, and 5.6% of women chose MIR. Women undergoing M alone were older and were more likely to have Stage II carcinoma compared with women undergoing BCT. Patients undergoing M or MIR were more likely to have had a prior breast biopsy compared with patients who chose BCT. Marital status and employment approached significance (P = 0.06); however, a family history of breast carcinoma was not a predictor of treatment choice. CONCLUSIONS The current findings suggest a need for patient education strategies that emphasize the lack of influence of age and prior breast biopsy on the use of BCT. Differences in demographic variables may reflect true variations in patient preference among groups, emphasizing the need to address the spectrum of treatment options with patients. Cancer 2002;95:1185–90. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10824
Modification of systemic and regional circulatory effects of intracerebroventricular administration of endothelin-1 by propranolol in anesthetized rats.

Abstract 1. 1. Cardiovascular effects of centrally administered endothelin-1 (ET-1) were studied in control and propranolol-treated anesthetized rats using a radioactive microsphere technique. 2. 2. In the control group, blood pressure, cardiac output, and stroke volume were decreased, and heart rate was not altered after the administration of ET-1. ET-1 produced a reduction in blood flow to the brain, heart, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, portal system, musculoskeletal system, and skin. 3. 3. Propranolol significantly attenuated the decrease in blood pressure, cardiac output and stroke volume induced by centrally administered ET-1. The reduction in blood flow to the brain, heart, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, portal system, musculoskeletal system and skin induced by centrally administered ET-1 was blocked by propranolol. 4. 4. It is concluded that centrally administered ET-1 produces significant cardiovascular effects which are mediated through the sympathetic nervous system and could be antagonized by propranolol. These findings can also be helpful in explaining some of the beneficial effects of propranolol in various cardiovascular disorders involving central ET mechanisms.
Two-particles correlations from central Au+Au collisions at the AGS at BNL

Bose-Einstein correlation functions are measured using the E877 apparatus in 11.4 A GeV/c Au+Au central collisions (0–4% σ/σgeom) at the AGS at BNL. π+π+ and π∔π∔ correlations are measured in varying pair averaged rapidity and transverse momentum bins while theK+K+ correlation is measured in only one bin, the pair’s full acceptance bin, due to limited statistics. Finite source size Coulomb corrections are applied to all measured correlations to isolate only the Bose-Einstein statistics effect. Additionally model correlations are calculated using RQMD(v2.3) cascade code coupled with the Koonin-Pratt code which imposes statistical and final state interaction weights to the paris and compared to data.
Cholesteatoma and meningoencephalitis in a dog with chronic otitis externa.

A 10-year-old female spayed German Shepherd dog, with a year-long history of recurrent left ear infections, was presented for progressive ataxia, head tilt, and pain on opening of the mouth. On physical examination, a large amount of ceruminous debris was present in the left ear and multiple neurologic defects localizing to the cerebellum and vestibular system were identified. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a minimally contrast-enhancing mass within the left bulla, an intracranial space-occupying, heterogeneously contrast-enhancing lesion at the level of the left cerebello-medullary junction, and contrast enhancement of the ipsilateral meninges. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed a marked mixed cell pleocytosis (nucleated cell count 655 cells/μL). The mass was visualized within the horizontal ear canal by otoscopic examination and a biopsy was taken. Impression smears of the biopsy contained many anucleate keratinized squamous epithelial cells, mild mixed inflammation, and few presumptive fibroblasts. With the provided clinical history and MRI findings, a cytologic diagnosis of cholesteatoma was made. A ventral bulla osteotomy was performed, and histopathologic examination of resected tissue confirmed the cytologic diagnosis of cholesteatoma. The dog's clinical symptoms improved postoperatively, but the dog died of unrelated causes, 3.5 months later. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the cytologic features of a cholesteatoma, which is a nonneoplastic, but locally invasive epidermoid cyst, in the middle ear of dogs.
Stable Isotope Labeling of Entire Bacillus atrophaeus Spores and Vegetative Cells Using Bioaerosol Mass Spectrometry

Single vegetative cells and spores of Bacillus atrophaeus, formerly Bacillus subtilis var. niger, were analyzed using bioaerosol mass spectrometry. Key biomarkers were identified from organisms grown in 13C and 15N isotopically enriched media. Spore spectra contain peaks from dicipolinate and amino acids. The results indicate that compounds observed in the spectra correspond to material from the spore's core and not the exosporium. Standard compounds and mixtures were analyzed for comparison. The biomarkers for vegetative cells were clearly different from those of the spores, consisting mainly of phosphate clusters and amino acid fragments.
Block copolymerization of vinyl ester monomers via RAFT/MADIX under microwave irradiation

Abstract Well-defined homopolymers and block copolymers of vinyl esters were synthesized under microwave irradiation via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)/macromolecular design via interchange of xanthates (MADIX) polymerization without the significant inhibition or retardation often observed under conventional heating conditions. Poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) with molecular weights of 1000−10 000 g/mol was prepared in less than 15 min under microwave irradiation at an apparent temperature of 70 °C in the presence of the commercially available chain transfer agent ethylxanthogenacetic acid. The polymerizations were well-controlled, leading to polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions and excellent agreement between theoretical and experimental number average molecular weights. Despite the high rates of polymerization, the resulting PVAc homopolymers retained a high degree of thiocarbonylthio end group functionality that allowed the synthesis of block copolymers by chain extension with vinyl benzoate and vinyl pivalate. The rates of polymerization during the addition of the second blocks were also high, and the resulting block copolymers were obtained in good yield with excellent blocking efficiencies.
Correlates between locomotor anatomy and behavior in two sympatric species of Lemur

Sympatric populations of Lemur catta and Lemur fulvus show major differences in their occupation of canopy forest levels. Lemur catta is usually found in the lowest levels of the forest, and uses the ground for travel over 65% of the time. Lemur fulvus uses the upper levels of the canopy forest and is observed on the ground in less than 2% of all observations. Comparison of hindlimb musculoskeletal anatomy shows statistically significant differences in the lengths of the long bones and the height of the talus. Differences also occur in ranges of tibio-talar and mid-talar joint mobility. The details of insertion of the biceps femoris muscle are distinct in the two species as is the relative mass of muscle associated with flexion of the pedal digits, and flexion of the tibio-talar joint. The metric and morphological differences in the hindlimb anatomy of Lemur catta and Lemur fulvus are consistent with differences in habitat and substrate utilization.
Cationic Lipid Formulations Alter the In Vivo Tropism of AAV2/9 Vector in Lung

Physicochemical properties of gene transfer vectors play an important role in both transduction efficiency and biodistribution following airway delivery. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are currently used in many gene transfer applications; however, the respiratory epithelium remains a challenging target. We synthesized two cationic sterol-based lipids, dexamethasone-spermine (DS) and disubstituted spermine (D2S) for pulmonary gene targeting. Scanning and transmission electron micrographs (TEM) confirmed that AAV/lipid formulations produced submicron-sized clusters. When AAV2/9 or AAV2/6.2 were formulated with these cationic lipids, the complexes had positive zeta potential (ζ) and the transduction efficiency in cultured A549 cells increased by sevenfold and sixfold, respectively. Transduction of cultured human airway epithelium with AAV2/6.2-lipid formulations also showed approximately twofold increase in green fluorescence protein (GFP) positive cells as quantified by flow cytometry. Intranasal administration of 1011 genome copies (GC) of AAV2/9 and AAV2/6.2 coformulated with lipid formulations resulted in an average fourfold increase in transgene expression for both vectors. Formulation of AAV2/9 with DS changed the tropism of this vector for the alveolar epithelium, resulting in successful transduction of conducting airway epithelium. Our results suggest that formulating AAV2/9 and AAV2/6.2 with DS and D2S can lead to improved physicochemical characteristics for in vivo gene delivery to lung.