cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth retardation in children with chronic renal disease

Despite recent advances in the management of children with chronic renal disease (CRD), growth retardation remains its most visible comorbid condition. Growth retardation has adverse impact on morbidity and mortality rates, quality of life and education, and in adult patients on job family life, and independent leaving accomodation. Pathophysiology of impaired growth in CRD is complex and still not fully understood. The following complications are: anorexia, malnutrition, inflammation, decreased residual renal function, dialysis frequency and adequacy, renal anemia, metabolic acidosis, fluid/electrolyte imbalance, renal osteodistrophy, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor -1 (IGF-1) resistance. Malnutrition is most frequent and most important factor contributing to the degree of growth retardation in infancy. The degree of renal dysfunction is the major determinant of variability in growth from third year of age until puberty onset, while in puberty hypergonadotropic hypogonadism has negative effect. The main factors that influence growth after renal transplantation are the age of the recipient and glucocorticoid drugs dosage with negative effect and allograft function with positive effect. In order to improve growth in children with CRD it is necessary to include: diet with optimal caloric intake, correction of fluid/ electrolyte imbalance, correction of acidosis, renal osteodistrophy and anemia. If growth velocity is insufficient to normalize growth, it is necessary to start recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy at 0.05 mg/kg per day (0.35 mg/kg per week or 28 IU/m2 per week) administered by subcutaneous injection.
The potential for mining trace elements from phosphate rock

Abstract Several dozen trace elements are present in phosphate rock, and could potentially be mined as by-products. We have reviewed information on elemental presence and typical concentrations so as to assess the desirability and feasibility of extracting trace elements in order to contribute to global supplies. We generate as well a material flow analysis for the phosphate rock processing chain, examine potential recovery technologies, and assess economic viability. Trace element abundances vary widely among different phosphate rock deposits, but a number of median element concentrations in phosphate rock are more than ten times elemental crustal abundances. When the total content of the trace elements in annual phosphate rock production is compared to the annual production of those elements from traditional sources, sixteen elements have ratios >10, making them potential candidates for extraction. We view the more promising trace element candidates for extraction from phosphate rock to be scandium, hafnium, beryllium, gallium, germanium, and several of the rare earth elements.
Emerging drugs for urothelial carcinoma.

Introduction: Advanced urothelial carcinoma is associated with a poor prognosis. In the metastatic setting, the response rate to first-line, cisplatin-containing chemotherapy is high, but survival is poor. Second-line treatment options are limited. Advanced age at diagnosis and the presence of comorbidities often preclude treatment with cisplatin-containing regimens. Areas covered: This review addresses the current therapy of urothelial carcinoma, the unmet needs in treatment and the status of drug development in this disease. The molecular targets identified and efforts to incorporate targeted agents into therapy will be addressed. Expert opinion: There have been no major advances in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma in three decades. Despite high response rates in the first-line setting, survival is limited. Major impediments to improved outcomes include poor durability of response to first-line chemotherapy and lack of second-line treatments. Better understanding in tumor biology has identified mul...
The effect of cyclic AMP on the accumulation of newly synthesized protein in the extracellular matrix of PFHR-9 teratocarcinoma cells.

The effect of elevated cyclic AMP levels on the accumulation of newly synthesized extracellular matrix protein was examined in PFHR-9 cells producing Type IV collagen. The effect of dbcAMP, 8-BrcAMP, IBMX and forskolin on the synthesis of total protein, non-collagen protein and collagen were compared. DbcAMP increased the accumulation of total protein but did not affect the distribution of collagen and non-collagen protein. 8-BrcAMP, IBMX and forskolin also increased collagen and non-collagen accumulation. However, the effect on collagen was significantly greater with 8-BrcAMP and IBMX. Consequently, 8-BrcAMP and IBMX resulted in an increased percent collagen synthesis in the extracellular matrix. Elevated CAMP levels had no effect on cell proliferation or DNA synthesis but did produce a significant effect on cell morphology.
Abstract 1008: Resveratrol causes biphasic apoptotic and proliferative effects and at higher/proapoptotic/anti-angiogenesis concentrations causes suppression of nitric oxide/cGMP/protein kinase G signaling and decreased expression of prosurvival proteins c-IAP1, c-IAP2, livin and XIAP in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Anti-cancer/anti-angiogenesis effects of resveratrol have been reported. Resveratrol increases nitric oxide (NO) production via increased expression of endothelial-form-NO-synthase (eNOS). However, the role of cGMP/protein kinase G (PKG) signaling, a pathway activated by NO/eNOS, in the anti-angiogenic effects of resveratrol is still unclear. In the present study, involvement of endogenous NO/cGMP/PKG pathway and downstream pro-survival proteins (Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins, IAPs) are studied in relation to anti-angiogenic effects of resveratrol in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our results show that resveratrol at higher/anti-angiogenesis concentrations (>50 μM) inhibits tube formation and cell migration/invasion. Resveratrol stimulates proliferation/DNA synthesis at lower concentration (10 µM), but inhibits proliferation/DNA synthesis at higher concentrations (100 and 500 µM). Moreover, resveratrol at lower concentrations (10, 20 and 50 µM) protects HUVECs against spontaneous apoptosis, but induces higher-level apoptosis at higher concentration (500 µM). ODQ (1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one), inhibitor of endogenous NO-induced activation of soluble-guanylyl-cyclase and subsequent cGMP biosynthesis, completely abolishes the anti-apoptotic/cytoprotective effects of low-concentration resveratrol. 8-Br-cGMP, a direct stimulator of PKG kinase-activity, protects against pro-apoptotic effects of high-concentration resveratrol, establishing a cytoprotective role of activated-PKG in HUVECs. Western blot analyses show that higher/pro-apoptotic/anti-angiogenesis concentrations of resveratrol cause suppression of PKG kinase-activity (indicated by decreased VASP phosphorylation at Ser239) and decreased expression of eNOS and four IAPs, c-IAP1, c-IAP2, livin and XIAP. Overall, our results suggest a cytoprotective role of NO/cGMP/PKG signaling in HUVECs and further suggest that resveratrol (>50 μM)-induced anti-angiogenesis/pro-apoptosis involves suppression of NO/cGMP/PKG signaling and decreased expression of pro-survival proteins c-IAP1, c-IAP2, livin and XIAP. Citation Format: Janica C. Wong, Renee Coffman, Harry Rosenberg, Ronald R. Fiscus. Resveratrol causes biphasic apoptotic and proliferative effects and at higher/proapoptotic/anti-angiogenesis concentrations causes suppression of nitric oxide/cGMP/protein kinase G signaling and decreased expression of prosurvival proteins c-IAP1, c-IAP2, livin and XIAP in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1008. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1008
Computational Geometric Solutions for Efficient Additive Manufacturing Process Planning

Additive manufacturing processes are capable of printing parts with any shape and complexity. The parts fabricated with additive manufacturing processes requires minimum human intervention. Process planning decisions play an important role in making sure the fabricated parts meets the desired specification, including the build time and cost. A quick and unified approach to quantify the manufacturing build time, accuracy, and cost in real time is lacking. In the present research, a generic and near real-time framework for unified additive manufacturing process planning is presented. We have developed computational geometric solutions to estimate tight upper bound of manufacturing process planning decisions that can be analyzed in almost real time. Results of developed computational approach are compared against the optimized process plans to ensure its applicability. Case studies comprising of numerous parts with varying shape, and application area is also outlined.
A functional I/O system or, fun for freshman kids

Functional programming languages ought to play a central role in mathematics education for middle schools (age range: 10-14). After all, functional programming is a form of algebra and programming is a creative activity about problem solving. Introducing it into mathematics courses would make pre-algebra course come alive. If input and output were invisible, students could implement fun simulations, animations, and even interactive and distributed games all while using nothing more than plain mathematics. We have implemented this vision with a simple framework for purely functional I/O. Using this framework, students design, implement, and test plain mathematical functions over numbers, booleans, string, and images. Then the framework wires them up to devices and performs all the translation from external information to internal data (and vice versa)--just like every other operating system. Once middle school students are hooked on this form of programming, our curriculum provides a smooth path for them from pre-algebra to freshman courses in college on object-oriented design and theorem proving.
Auditory brain stem implants

Since 1979, more than 100 patients diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 2 have received an auditory brainstem implant at the House Ear Clinic. This procedure has resulted in the restoration of limited hearing in 80% of these patients, allowing them to recognize environmental sounds and augmenting their ability to communicate through lip reading. The placement of the auditory brainstem implant has been carried out through a translabyrinthine approach to the cerebellopontine angle. Surgical considerations, including the anatomic substrate, a description of the device itself, and the stimulating parameters, are discussed.
The standard molar enthalpy of formation at 298.15 K of VS1.043 by combustion calorimetry in fluorine

Abstract The standard molar enthalpy of formation Δ f H m o of VS 1.043 has been determined by fluorine-combustion calorimetry. The result obtained, −(230.3±2.2) kJ·mol −1 at 298.15 K and p o = 101.325 kPa, differs significantly from values deduced from high-temperature studies.
Relation Between Hemoglobin A1c and Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients With and Without Diabetes Mellitus

In patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the general population, elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) increases the risk for developing heart failure (HF). However, in patients with established HF, the association of HbA(1c) level with outcomes is not well established. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between HbA(1c) and outcomes in patients with HF with and without DM. A total of 845 patients with advanced HF followed at the Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center were studied, stratified by the presence (n = 358) or absence (n = 487) of DM and by DM-specific HbA(1c) quartiles (patients with DM: Q1 ≤6.4%, Q2 6.5% to 7.2%, Q3 7.3% to 8.5%, and Q4 ≥8.6%; patients without DM: Q1 ≤5.6%, Q2 5.7% to 6.0%, Q3 6.1% to 6.5%, and Q4 ≥6.6%). The primary outcomes analyzed were death and death or urgent heart transplantation. In the cohort with DM, 2-year event-free survival was 61% and 65% in Q3 and Q4 compared to 48% and 42% in Q1 and Q2 (p = 0.005). In the cohort without DM, there was no difference in outcomes by HbA(1c) quartile. Risk-adjusted analysis in the diabetic cohort showed significantly increased hazard ratios for death or urgent heart transplantation in Q1 and Q2 compared to Q4. For every unit HbA(1c) increase, there was a 15% decreased hazard ratio of death or urgent heart transplantation and all-cause mortality (p = 0.006 and p = 0.036, respectively). In the cohort without DM, multivariate models revealed similar hazard ratios among HbA(1c) quartiles. In conclusion, in this cohort of patients with advanced HF, higher HbA(1c) levels were associated with improved outcomes in patients with DM. This relation was not observed in patients without DM. Further investigations into mechanisms underlying the relation between HbA(1c), DM, and survival in advanced HF are warranted.
Aluminum induced proteome changes in tomato cotyledons

Cotyledons of tomato seedlings that germinated in a 20 µM AlK(SO4)2 solution remained chlorotic while those germinated in an aluminum free medium were normal (green) in color. Previously, we have reported the effect of aluminum toxicity on root proteome in tomato seedlings (Zhou et al.1). Two dimensional DIGE protein analysis demonstrated that Al stress affected three major processes in the chlorotic cotyledons: antioxidant and detoxification metabolism (induced), glyoxylate and glycolytic processes (enhanced), and the photosynthetic and carbon fixation machinery (suppressed).
Existence and Optimality of Equilibrium in Labour-managed Economies

Most general equilibrium models assume the a-priori existence of (a fixed number of) firms. In contrast, by explicitly introducing the classical entrepreneur into the model below, the resulting firm structure become endogenous. To this end, " .. . a single class of inputs, labour, is singled out for special treatment. The distinctive features of Illyrian behaviour stem entirely from this fact" (Ward (1958)). More specifically, we define labour to be a commodity that shares the following three properties:
PULMONARY ARTERY-BRONCHUS RATIOS IN PATIENTS WITH NORMAL LUNGS, PULMONARY VASCULAR PLETHORA, AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

The pulmonary artery-bronchus ratio (ABR), defined as the external diameter of a pulmonary artery divided by the external diameter of its accompanying bronchus, was measured in the upper and lower lung zones on frontal chest radiographs in the following groups of subjects: erect healthy subjects, erect subjects with pulmonary vascular plethora, erect subjects with clinical evidence of decompensated left-sided congestive heart failure (CHF), supine normal subjects, and supine subjects with clinical evidence of decompensated CHF. Characteristic vascular patterns were found in each group. The positive predictive value of an abnormal vascular pattern determined by means of changes in the ABR on the erect chest radiograph was 100%, with the negative predictive value of a normal pattern being 97%. The erect chest radiograph was 93% accurate in distinguishing between plethora and CHF. The positive predictive value of an abnormal vascular pattern on the supine chest radiograph was 100%, with the negative predictive value of a normal vascular pattern being 97%. Measurements of ABR can be a helpful adjunct to the interpretation of supine and erect chest radiographs.
Elevated-temperature stability of mechanically alloyed Cu-Nb powders

When two-phase mixtures of ductile metals are mechanically alloyed, they often assume a convoluted lamellar structure. Since these powders are consolidated at elevated temperatures, their structures (and, therefore, properties) are likely to be altered by consolidation processing. We have investigated microstructural changes that take place on heat-treating mechanically alloyed Cu −20 vol pct Nb alloys. The transition from a “platelike” to a spherical microstructure is described, and the kinetics of this process appear controlled by a type of boundary diffusion, even though the coarsening temperature was high in terms of the homologous temperature of Cu. Reasons for this behavior are suggested. Finally, during heat treatment (carried out in H), a Nb layer forms around the particles. The thickness of this layer (and the corresponding zone denuded of Nb within the particle) increases with continued elevated-temperature exposure, and at a rate consistent with the process being driven by curvature forces.
Validation of a rapid 2 factor screen for malnutrition against the current rush-presbyterian-st. Luke's medical center 7 factor nutrition screen

Abstract Changes in the health care environment including increased patient acuity, budgetary constraints, and decreased length of stay fostered the examination of a rapid nutrition screening process as a component of reengineering the clinical nutrition services. The rapid screen for malnutrition consists of 2 factors, height and weight (% ideal) and change in weight (with interval of change) versus the current which contains 7 factors (including anthropometries, albumin, other labs, diagnosis, and chewing/swallowing ability). Additional information regarding current petite and desire for nutrition information or instruction were obtained. Both the usual nutrition screening process and the rapid screen for malnutrition were conducted on a convenience sample of 349 inpatients (175 medical, 174 surgical). The information obtained by each screening tool was coded as risk or no risk for malnutrition, and referral to RD or diet technician (DT). Of the 350, 20 were excluded due to errors made by the DT. An additional 52 were excluded because risk was assigned by the usual nutrition screen for factors not related to malnutrition, but to prevention (ie, elevated serum cholesterol) or diagnosis. Of the 277 remaining patients, there was agreement between the two screening procedures with respect to assessment of risk for malnutrition in 252 cases (Cohens' Kappa statistic=0.933). Risk for malnutrition was identified in 31% (86 patients by the usual screen, and 88 patients by the rapid procedure). The information from the new abreviated screen compared to the current screening process was 94.3% sensitive, specificity was 98.4%, positive predictive value 96.5%, and negative predictive value was 97%. Therefore, we conclude that the rapid screening process will provide similar information to that currently assessed with regard to risk for malnutrition. Modification in the screening process has reduced the amount of time required to complete screening. This DT time has been reallocated to monitoring patient intake and improving patient service. RD time can be redirected towards individualized nutrition assessment of those patients at risk for malnutrition.
Effect of acetaminophen on prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2α synthesis in the renal inner medulla of rat

Abstract Effects of acetaminophen on the renal inner medullary production of prostaglandin E 2 and F 2α were compared with the well-known effects of aspirin on this process. Acetaminophen was found to elicit a dose-dependent inhibition of both prostaglandin E 2 and F 2α accumulation in media with a K i of 100–200 μM. This inhibition could not be accounted for by increased accumulation of prostaglandins within slices. Acetaminophen inhibition was reversed by removal of acetaminophen during the incubation or by addition of arachidonic acid. Similar manipulations did not reverse aspirin or indomethacin-mediated inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. Thin-layer and gas chromatographic analysis of acetaminophen following incubation with slices demonstrated that this material was identical to authentic acetaminophen. This, in addition to the lack of an effect of glutathione on inhibition, suggests that acetaminophen does not have to be metabolized to exert this inhibition. Arachidonic acid did not alter the metabolism or increase the efflux of acetaminophen. Lower levels of prostaglandin E 2 observed with 5 mM acetaminophen and 1 mM aspirin caused a corresponding decrease in cyclic AMP content. Removal of acetaminophen from the second incubation or addition of arachidonic acid caused increases in both prostaglandin E 2 and cyclic AMP. Aspirin inhibition of cyclic AMP content was not reversed by similar manipulations. In vivo inhibition of inner medullary prostaglandin E 2 and prostaglandin F 2α synthesis was observed 2 h after a 375 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection of acetaminophen. These data suggest that acetaminophen, like aspirin, is capable of reducing tissue prostaglandin synthesis. However, the mechanisms by which these two analgesic and antipyretic agents elicit their inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis are quite different.
Determinants of Vitellogenin B1 Promoter Architecture HNF3 AND ESTROGEN RESPONSIVE TRANSCRIPTION WITHIN CHROMATIN

The liver-specific vitellogenin B1 promoter is efficiently activated by estrogen within a nucleosomal environment after microinjection into Xenopus laevis oocytes, consistent with the hypothesis that significant nucleosome remodeling over this promoter is not a prerequisite for the activation by the estrogen receptor (ERalpha). This observation lead us to investigate determinants other than ERalpha of chromatin structure and transcriptional activation of the vitellogenin B1 promoter in this system and in vitro. We find that the liver-enriched transcription factor HNF3 has an important organizational role for chromatin structure as demonstrated by DNase I-hypersensitive site mapping. Both HNF3 and the estrogen receptor activate transcription synergistically and are able to interact with chromatin reconstituted in vitro with three positioned nucleosomes. We propose that HNF3 is the cellular determinant which establishes a promoter environment favorable to a rapid transcriptional activation by the estrogen receptor.
Interpretations of Einstein's Equation E = mc 2

Interpretations of Einstein’s equation differ primarily concerning whether E = mc2 entails that mass and energy are the same property of physical systems, and hence whether there is any sense in which mass is ever “converted” into energy (or vice versa). In this paper, I examine six interpretations of Einstein’s equation and argue that all but one fail to satisfy a minimal set of conditions that all interpretations of physical theories ought to satisfy. I argue that we should prefer the interpretation of Einstein’s equation that holds that mass and energy are distinct properties of physical systems. This interpretation also carries along the view that while most cases of “conversion” are not genuine examples of mass being “converted” into energy (or vice versa), it is possible that the there are such “conversions” in the sense that a certain amount of mass “appears” and an equivalent of mass “disappears.” Finally, I suggest that the interpretation I defend is the only one that does not blur the distinction between what Einstein called “principle” and “constructive” theories. This is philosophically significant because it emphasizes that explanations of Einstein’s equation and the “conversion” of mass and energy must be top-down explanations.
Visual search, complex backgrounds, mental counters, and eye movements

For 30 days, three Ss searched for 1, 5, or 10 targets (N), any one of which had to occur once (as in past research). twice, or four times (FREQ). The N=1 and N=5 items were subsets of N=10 items. When FREQ=1. Ss searched longer for 5 targets than for 1 or 10 targets. This nonintuitive result was due to (a) Ss searching for all 10 targets even at N=5, and (b) the reported “pop-out effect” of the 5 target items as well as the other 5 items in the N=10 set. When FREQ > 1, Ss could search for only 2-3 targets at once, because they could not keep mental counters on more items. The presence of a complex background merely added a constant to search time. The main change in eye movements, with 30 days practice, was to reduce greatly the number of eye fixations, thus suggesting an increase in the useful fidld of view and/or a change in search strategy. A speculative model, based upon two comparison processes, was suggested to explain the results.
Trait motivational correlates of athleticism

Abstract Two approaches for studying sports motivation — personality theory and motivation theory — were combined in a novel way that permitted an assessment of individual differences in 15 motivational traits. The Reiss Profile of Fundamental Goals and Motivational Sensitivities was administered to college students ( n =415) who had participated in zero, one, or two or more varsity sports at high school or college levels. How many sports a student participated in, called athleticism , was found to be associated with motivational traits for physical exercise ( P P P P P P
The 2010 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics presented to J. Ignacio Cirac, David J. Wineland and Peter Zoller

Abstract A quantum computer is a device that makes explicit use of quantum mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data. General ideas of quantum computing were discussed in information theory since the 1970s and a possibility of constructing quantum computers from atoms or photons was suggested by Richard Feynman in 1981. A quantum computer would allow one to solve problems that a typical traditional computer cannot. This is because quantum effects make it possible to simultaneously process huge amounts of data, as opposed to processing them sequentially by a classical computer. In 1994, Ignacio Cirac and Peter Zoller proposed an experiment to construct a quantum computing device using cold trapped ions. This concrete description of a realistic quantum logic gate, the fundamental device in the computer that performs basis logic functions, allowed David Wineland and coworkers to build such a gate within a year. It was the first realization of quantum computer logic at the level of individual atoms. This work has demonstrated that quantum computing—with its potential of vast increases in computing power—may be possible.
The effect of natural water conditions on the anti-bacterial performance and stability of silver nanoparticles capped with different polymers.

This study evaluated the effect of natural water composition onto the bactericidal and physicochemical properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized with three different polymeric compounds. All the nanoparticles behaved similarly in the water conditions tested. Compared to solutions with low organic matter content and monovalent ions, lower disinfection performances of AgNPs suspensions were obtained in the following order seawater ≤ high organic matter content water ≤ high divalent cations content synthetic water. Suspension of AgNPs in seawater and water with divalent cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) formed larger AgNPs aggregates (less than 1400 nm) compared to other solutions tested (up to approximately 38 nm). The critical coagulation concentration (CCC) of AgNPs was determined to quantitatively evaluate the stability of the nanoparticle suspension in different water conditions. When the concentration of dissolved organic matter was increased from 0 mg/L to 5 mg/L, the CCC increased by a factor in the range of 2.19 ± 0.25 for all AgNPs in divalent solutions, but a smaller increase occurred, in the range of 1.54 ± 0.21 fold, when monovalent solutions were used. The concentration of ionic silver released indicated that the dissolved Ag+ (3.6–48.2 ppb) was less than 0.5% of the total mass of Ag0 added. At all the conditions tested, the concentration of silver ions in solution had a negligible contribution to the overall anti-bacterial performance of AgNPs. This study demonstrated that the anti-bacterial performance of AgNPs at selected natural water conditions decreases in the presence of dissolved natural organic matter or divalent ions, such as humic acid and calcium carbonate. These results may be helpful in understanding the toxicity of AgNP in various natural water conditions and in explaining the risk associated with discharging AgNP in natural aquatic systems.
Revised Subgroup Classification of Group 16SrV Phytoplasmas and Placement of Flavescence Dorée-Associated Phytoplasmas in Two Distinct Subgroups

The subgroup classification of phytoplasmas in 16S rRNA group 16SrV (elm yellows phytoplasma group) was revised and extended on the basis of enzymatic restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of ribosomal (r) DNA and analysis of putative restriction sites in nucleotide sequences. A 1.85 kbp fragment of the rRNA operon from flavescence doree (FD) phytoplasma strain FD70 from France was amplified and cloned, and its nucleotide sequence determined (GenBank acc. no. AF176319). Placement of FD70 in subgroup V-C was verified by analysis of amplified DNA and of the cloned sequence. Hemp dogbane phytoplasma HD1 (AF122912), a member of subgroup V-C, was distinguished from other subgroup V-C phytoplasmas by putative restriction site differences in the 16S-23S rRNA spacer region. A previously published FD phytoplasma sequence (GenBank accession no. X76560) differed from FD70 sequence AF176319 by at least eight nucleotide substitutions and differences in putative restriction sites. The X76560 FD phytoplasma was classified in a new subgroup (V-D). Based on analyses of 16S rDNA GenBank sequence Y16395, Rubus stunt phytoplasma was classified in new subgroup V-E. The revised classification was supported by sequence similarities, group 16SrV-characteristic sequences, and a phylogenetic tree constructed on the basis of 16S rDNA sequences.
Defining High Risk Prostate Cancer With Risk Groups and Nomograms: Implications for Designing Clinical Trials

Purpose: Death from prostate cancer is usually preceded by metastases and it usually occurs in men with high risk disease who experienced biochemical failure with a short prostate specific antigen doubling time. We developed a model for determining disease specific survival in prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: We used the model for defining high risk prostate cancer that was developed by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and combined it with the Kattan nomogram for predicting the risk of metastases. We selected 414 Radiation Therapy Oncology Group intermediate and high risk patients who were treated with external beam radiotherapy alone. Excluded were patients with low risk disease. The Kaplan-Meier product limit method was used to estimate the probability of freedom from biochemical failure, overall survival and disease specific survival.Results: A significant difference was observed in freedom from biochemical failure, disease specific survival and overall survival among the 3 tertiles created b...
Abstract A57: Dual role of the histone methyltransferase PR-SET7/SETD8 in the local regulation of Pol II promoter-proximal pausing

Tumor suppressor gene silencing in cancers is often achieved through epigenetic mechanisms which involve the hypermethylation of promoter-associated CpG islands and a local shift from permissive to repressive histone modifications. Recently, we showed that epigenetic silencing of the tumor suppressor gene TMS1/ASC in human breast cancer cells is accompanied by a local shift from histone H4 lysine 16 acetylation (H4K16Ac) to H4 lysine 20 trimethylation (H4K20me3). H4K16Ac and H4K20me3 were found to play antagonistic roles in the regulation of RNA polymerase II promoter-proximal pausing, a critical post-initiation regulatory step that controls the rate of release of initiated Pol II into productive elongation and ultimately transcriptional output. We found that H4K16Ac, mediated by the histone acetyltransferase hMOF and acting in the MSL complex, facilitates the release of paused Pol II by promoting the recruitment of the BRD4/pTEFb complex whereas the local deposition of H4K20me3, mediated by the histone methyltransferase SUV420H2, enforces the pause and promotes gene repression by inhibiting the recruitment of MSL and subsequent H4K16Ac. However, how the local balance between hMOF-mediated H4K16Ac and SUV420H2-mediated H4K20me3 is achieved and converge to regulate Pol II pausing remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the histone methyltransferase PR-SET7/SETD8, which monomethylates histone H4 lysine 20 (H4K20me1), controls both H4K16Ac and H4K20me3, and as a result, regulates Pol II pausing and release. Specifically, we show that PR-SET7 and/or H4K20me1 is necessary for the local recruitment of the MSL complex, subsequent H4K16Ac and release from pausing. Although dispensable for SUV420H2 recruitment, PR-SET7 is required for SUV420H2-mediated H4K20me3, playing a role in enforcing Pol II pausing and subsequent epigenetic gene silencing. Whereas depletion of SUV420H2 is sufficient to deplete H4K20me3 and relieve H4K20me3-mediated Pol II pausing, pausing is maintained in the absence of PR-SET7 and local H4K20me1 due to a failure to recruit the MSL complex. These findings highlight the requirement for PR-SET7 and H4K20me1 in establishing both the H4K16Ac and H4K20me3 marks and points to its dual role in the regulation of Pol II pausing dynamics. Furthermore, our data suggests that the reversible repression imposed by the local conversion of H4K20me1 to H4K20me3 is a critical intermediate step in the epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes in cancers. Citation Format: Priya Kapoor, Paula M. Vertino. Dual role of the histone methyltransferase PR-SET7/SETD8 in the local regulation of Pol II promoter-proximal pausing. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chromatin and Epigenetics in Cancer; Jun 19-22, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(13 Suppl):Abstract nr A57.
Haptic-enabled virtual handwriting: Multimodal handwriting instructions for young students

In this paper, we describe a multimodal system for improving a student's ability to efficiently write printed English letters. The system, overall, provide information from multiple sources by incorporating: a) a visual cue rendered on a computer screen to simulate letters, b) haptic force-feedback in the way of a virtual "physical" representation that users can trace using a PHANToM Omni haptic device, and c) auditory and visual instructions from a teacher who has experience in the difficulties that some students experience when attempting to efficiently write. Our results of user testing show that a kindergarten aged student is able to retain information and recognize the correct process for writing with little to no further instruction following the use of this system. We also use a modified version of the system to more adequately test a student who has a serious deficiency in memorization and retention ability. The student displays a far greater retention following the use of the system, to the point that the student is asked to repeat the process (with no haptic aid) the following day and shows absolutely no issue in doing so.
On the association of restriction fragment length polymorphisms across species boundaries.

Abstract We study the expected values of gametic-phase disequilibrium in both nuclear and cytonuclear systems in a finite population composed of reproductively isolated subpopulations. Random drift alone within each subpopulation will generate permanent overall non-zero gametic-phase disequilibrium in both a two-locus nuclear system and a cytonuclear system unless the population has an overall initial disequilibrium of zero. We derive formulae for the expected overall disequilibrium when mutation is involved and demonstrate that these values decay to zero at an extremely slow rate compared with the decay of the expected disequilibria within each subpopulation.
Comparison of multiple methods for identification of hyperprolactinemia in the presence of macroprolactin.

Abstract Background Macroprolactin is a large, heterogeneous form of prolactin with limited bioavailability. Detection of macroprolactin by different immunoassays varies widely. The objectives of this study were to determine the immunoreactivity of macroprolactin by the Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Vitros ® ECi prolactin immunoassay, establish the most effective method for interpreting the prolactin concentration after PEG-precipitation, and correlate the clinical features of hyperprolactinemia with the presence of macroprolactin. Methods PEG-precipitation was performed on 120 hyperprolactinemic specimens. Of these, 31 specimens with a recovery Results Macroprolactin was detected by the Vitros ECi prolactin immunoassay. Use of a PEG modified prolactin reference interval was effective for identifying hyperprolactinemia in the presence of macroprolactin. There was no difference in the prevalence of abnormal menses, galactorrhea, or abnormal MRI between those with and without macroprolactin ( p > 0.05). Accounting for macroprolactin in patients with hyperprolactinemia reduced the number of idiopathic cases. Conclusions The Vitros ECi prolactin immunoassay detects macroprolactin. PEG-precipitation is an acceptable surrogate to detect hyperprolactinemia in the presence of macroprolactin when using a prolactin reference interval derived from PEG precipitated reference sera. Although testing for macroprolactin should not substitute for standard evaluation of hyperprolactinemia, identification of macroprolactin may clarify a diagnosis and direct appropriate therapy.
Effects of filtering the angular motion of the crankshaft on the estimation of the instantaneous engine friction torque

Abstract The focus of this study is to investigate the effects of filtering the actual angular displacement, velocity and acceleration of the crankshaft on the computation of the instantaneous engine friction torque. These effects are isolated from those of measurement errors and/or noise by relying on a detailed model of the crank-slider mechanism to generate the rigid and flexible motions of the piston/connecting-rod/crankshaft mechanism along with the engine friction torque. The (P−ω) method is used herein to estimate the instantaneous engine friction torque based on the actual and the filtered angular displacement, velocity and acceleration of the crankshaft. The digital simulation results have demonstrated that the (P−ω) method cannot produce an acceptable estimation of the instantaneous engine friction torque in spite of filtering the actual angular motion of the crankshaft. It should be mentioned that the low-pass filter is commonly implemented to attenuate the measurement noise and the effects of structural deformations on the measured angular velocity of the crankshaft. However, the ineffectiveness of the low-pass filter stems from the non-linearities of the crank-slider mechanism that induced superharmonic and combination resonance frequencies in the angular displacement, velocity and acceleration of the crankshaft. The filter has severely attenuated some of the superharmonic resonance frequencies, which constitute an important part of the rigid-body behavior of the crankshaft that is needed by the (P−ω) method to accurately predict the engine friction torque. Moreover, the filtered signals would still be contaminated by the combination resonance frequencies that may appear in the low-frequency range commonly assumed to be dominated by the frequency components of the rigid-body motion of the crankshaft.
Carbon Nanocapsule-Mediated Formation of Ferromagnetic Fe5Si3 Nanoparticles

Magnetic and structural characteristics were investigated for the nanoparticles of Fe 5 Si 3 grown by a carbon-mediated, kinetically controlled pyrolysis of a thermosetted ferrocenylsiloxane polymeric network. Kinetics of the pyrolysis determined the volume fraction of the crystallographic phase of Fe 5 Si 3 or bcc-Fe that was formed. Nanoparticles of Fe 5 Si 3 were formed during pyrolysis of the network to 1000 °C at 10 °C/min, and silicon-doped bcc-Fe nanoparticles resulted when the network was ramped to 1000 °C at a slower rate of 1 °C/min. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies revealed that Fe 5 Si 3 nanoparticles were contained in carbon nanocapsules, and the bcc-Fe nanoparticles were associated with linear carbon fibers, an outcome of the distinct interfacial energies of the Fe-Si growth phase and carbon surface at the two pyrolysis rates. Fe 5 Si 3 nanoparticles were found to be ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature of ∼375 K by magnetic measurements.
An extracellular retinol-binding glycoprotein in the rat eye-characterization, localization and biosynthesis.

Abstract We have identified and partially purified interstitial retinol-binding protein (IRBP) from the subretinal space of the rat. It appeared to be glycosylated. Its apparent mol. wt was 270,000 by gel-filtration and 144,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Rat IRBP cross-reacted with anti-bovine IRBP sheep and rabbit sera, bound all- trans -[15- 3 H] retinol and was bound by concanavalin A. IRBP was not detected in the cytosols of the neural retina or retinal pigment epithelium and choroid. This distribution was confirmed by immunocytochemistry using a fluorescence-labeled second antibody. Immunospecific fluorescence was most intense in the interphotoreceptor matrix in a 6.5 μm band adjacent to the retinal pigment epithelium. It was less intense over the remainder of the rod outer segment layer and was comparatively faint over the inner segment region. Its occurrence in the interstitial space between the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium coupled with the fact it bound all- trans -[15- 3 H] retinol supports the concept that it may be implicated in the transport of retinoids between the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium during the visual cycle. When incubated with [ 3 H]leucine or [ 3 H]glucosamine, isolated retinas (but not retinal pigment epithelium and choroid) secreted labeled IRBP into the medium. This suggests that the retina plays a role in regulating the amount of IRBP in the subretinal space.
Comparison of Rotational Traction of Athletic Footwear on Varying Playing Surfaces Using Different Normal Loads

As an athlete accelerates, stops, and changes direction, numerous forces are transmitted to the lower extremities. The interaction between an athlete’s shoe and the playing surface has been indicated as a factor in lower extremity injury risk. In particular, high rotational forces may result in increased injuries to the lower extremities. Rotational traction forces produced by eight different cleated shoes on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D, FieldTurf Revolution, and Sportexe Omnigrass 51 under three normal loads (vertical forces) of 787, 1054, and 1321 N were measured using Pennfoot, a portable traction testing device. Of the treatments in this study, shoe type influenced rotational traction most, with differences among shoes being nearly four times as large as those among playing surfaces. Traction was either the same or within several Nm on each surface tested. Traction on the three synthetic turf surfaces ranged from 49.3 to 53.1 Nm and the traction level of Kentucky bluegrass was 52.3 Nm. Traction levels among shoes ranged from 43.8 to 58.6 Nm. The results of this study indicate that footwear selection has a larger effect on rotational traction, and potentially injury risk, than the playing surfaces evaluated in this study. Traction Testing on Natural and Synthetic Turf The interaction between an athlete’s shoe and the playing surface likely influences lower extremity injury risk. Specifically, injuries to lower extremities may result from an athlete’s foot becoming “entrapped” in the playing surface during pivoting movements (Lambson et al, 1996; Orchard et al., 2001; Torg et al., 1974). Researchers have attempted to quantify lower extremity injury risk by measuring the rotational traction forces that occur between shoes and playing surfaces (Andreasson et al., 1986; Bonstingl et al, 1975; Heidt et al., 1996; Livesay et al., 2006; McNitt et al., 2004a; Torg et al., 1996; Villwock et al., 2009a, 2009b). Rotational traction is the traction related to rotational motion about an axis normal to the surface (American Society for Testing and Materials, 2009). In the following studies, Published in Applied Turfgrass Science DOI 10.2134/ATS-2013-0073-RS © 2014 American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711 All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Permission for printing and for reprinting the material contained herein has been obtained by the publisher. T.J. Serensits and A.S. McNitt, Dep. of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State Univ., 116 ASI Building, University Park, PA 16802. Received 25 Oct. 2013. *Corresponding author (serensits@psu.edu). Published July 9, 2014
An Algebraic Proof of Barlet's Join Theorem

In this article we give an algebraic proof of Barlet's join theorem, using an improved version of an algorithm for computing the join that was presented in (J. Dalbec and B. Sturmfels,in“Invariant Methods in Discrete and Computational Geometry, Curacao, 1994,” pp. 37?58, Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 1995). The improvements in the algorithm consist of proving the correctness of the algorithm in large prime characteristics and giving explicit formulas for the functionsp(q,L) that were left unspecified in the original. The first three sections are largely expository; the fourth presents the modified algorithm and the proof of the main theorem. The last section gives an example of the algorithm; unfortunately, the complexity of the process makes it difficult to compute anything without resorting to tricky shortcuts, as we do in the example.
Evidence for selection in cultured diploid fibroblast strains.

Abstract Single skin fibroblast cultures were established from 29 females heterozygous at the X-linked G-6-PD locus for Gd B and an electrophoretic variant, Gd A or Gd A− . The cultures were transferred serially until they displayed single-enzyme phenotypes (only type A or type B enzyme) or until growth ceased. Single-enzyme phenotypes were observed in 19 instances. This occurred as early as the 4th, and as late as the 38th transfer. Ten cultures evolved A phenotypes and 9 developed B phenotypes. Possible explanations for the development of single-enzyme phenotypes include random cell-sampling during sub-culturing, selection or both. Selection occurring at least in part on the basis of X-linked loci other than G-6-PD seems most likely for those cultures which evolved rapidly to single-enzyme phenotypes, but sampling or selection or both could have played important roles in those cultures which maintained double-enzyme phenotypes for several passages and then rapidly developed single-enzyme phenotypes. In any event, the results indicate that it should not be assumed in investigations using cultivated diploid fibroblasts that the latter are generally representative of the tissue-as-a-whole from which the cultures originate.
Bretylium or 6‐OHDA‐resistant, action potential‐evoked Ca2+ transients in varicosities of the mouse vas deferens

Action potential-evoked calcium transients in varicosities in mouse vas deferens were monitored using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Their significance was examined by comparison with excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) and neurogenic contractions, both indirect measurements of transmitter release. Bretylium abolished EJPs, as well as the ATP and NA-mediated phases of contraction. However, bretylium revealed a prominent late component of contraction that was atropine-sensitive. Bretylium abolished calcium transients in 21%, enhanced in 16% and had no effect in 63% of varicosities examined. Pre-treatment with 6-OHDA reduced NA levels to below detectable levels but many strings of varicosities still responded to nerve impulses with ‘normal' calcium transients. Varicosities in which calcium transients were abolished by these agents were sympathetic. The identity of those varicosities in which calcium transients were resistant to bretylium (sympathetic but no uptake-1 sites, parasympathetic, sensory) remains to be established.