cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying Risky Franchises

The probability of success for franchisee investors in U.S. franchise systems varies greatly by system. Drawing from information and data available in the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular documents from 239 franchise systems registered in Indiana and Virginia, this study constructs an investment risk index of franchise systems using 10 risk variables. The results of the study show that only 3% of the franchised systems can be considered high-risk investments, with another 25% identified at an elevated-risk investment level. The majority of systems in the study are viewed as guarded or low-risk investments. Six risk factors seemed particularly critical to determining the risk level of a franchise purchase decision.
Successful Multiple Pregnancy (Triplets) in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: A Case Report

Renal failure generally accompanies an alteration in reproduction function. Even though a renal transplantation does in fact improve this function, there are few cases described in medical literature of multiple pregnancies in transplant patients that ended in a successful manner. In addition, there is a greater incidence of complications such as hypertension, preeclampsia, and premature delivery. This article describes a 31-year-old patient who became pregnant with triplets at 3 years and 6 months after receiving a renal transplant from a cadaver. The patient received treatment with cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone. During the pregnancy, there was a increase in hypertension, proteinuria, cholestasia gravidic symptoms, and premature delivery. Pregnancy control included evaluation of the fetoplacental unit together with hypertensive management and adjustment of immunosuppressant treatment, especially the cyclosporine dose, seeking to facilitate greater fetal maturity. Three newborns of 840, 860, and 1020 were delivered by cesarean section. The newborns spent 6 to 8 weeks in the neonatal unit and were released without complications. The newborns have presented adequate psychomotor and physical development to date. The triplets are now 4 years old. The transplant recipient has a creatinine clearance of 81 mL/min at 7 years after transplantation.
Structural and magnetic properties of single-crystalline Co-doped barium titanate nanoparticles

Abstract Undoped and Co-doped BaTiO 3 nanoparticles were synthesized by a one-step sol-precipitation method. For all the samples, X-ray diffraction showed characteristic diffraction lines for BaTiO 3 without the indication of secondary phases. High-resolution transition electron microscopy images showed that BaTiO 3 nanoparticles exhibit the nature of single-crystal. Magnetometry revealed that all the Co-doped BaTiO 3 samples show paramagnetic behaviors and Co ions in BaTiO 3 are present as isolated paramagnetic centers. This is contrasted to several reported cases of ferromagnetism in Co-doped BaTiO 3 .
Surface Brillouin Scattering from Graphite

Presentation des spectres de Brillouin de haute resolution a partir des phonons acoustiques de surface. La vitesse des ondes de Rayleigh est directement utilisee pour determiner les constantes d'elasticite du graphite
In situ interface analysis by ion backscattering/channeling technique using a thin window cell

In situ analysis of solid–liquid and solid–gas interfaces by high energy ion backscattering/channeling technique have been investigated. Using thin single crystal windows like that of Si in a specially constructed cell, the backscattered yield and the channeling minimum yield have been utilized to obtain in situ information on solid–gas and solid–liquid interfaces. Examples in the application of this technique to investigate the in situ etching damage at the interface in the dry etching of Si have been given. It is found that XeF2 etching of Si crystal offers a good surface which is relatively free from any visible damage within the limitation of the sensitivity of the RBS analysis. The evidence of an epitaxially grown Cu layer on Si from CuSO4 solution in the thin window cell has been given. These experimental results demonstrate the potential application of this technique in the field of catalysis and electrochemistry.
Protein structure and the spandrels of San Marco: insulin's receptor-binding surface is buttressed by an invariant leucine essential for its stability.

Insulin provides a model of induced fit in macromolecular recognition: the hormone's conserved core is proposed to contribute to a novel receptor-binding surface. The core's evolutionary invariance, unusual among globular proteins, presumably reflects intertwined constraints of structure and function. To probe the architectural basis of such invariance, we have investigated hydrophobic substitutions of a key internal side chain (LeuA16). Although the variants exhibit perturbed structure and stability, moderate receptor-binding activities are retained. These observations suggest that the A16 side chain provides an essential structural buttress but unlike neighboring core side chains, does not itself contact the receptor. Among invertebrate insulin-like proteins, LeuA16 and other putative core residues are not conserved, suggesting that the vertebrate packing scheme is not a general requirement of an insulin-like fold. We propose that conservation of LeuA16 among vertebrate insulins and insulin-like growth...
Insulin treatment and increased UDPG-glycogen transglucosylase activity in muscle.

Abstract Phosphoglucomutase, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, phosphorylase, and UDP-glucose glycogen transglucosylase activities were compared in extracts prepared from diaphragms incubated without and with insulin. No differences in the activities of the first three enzymes were found, but UDP-glucose glycogen transglucosylase activity was found to be increased in extracts of diaphragms incubated with insulin when assayed without addition of glucose-6-P. When glucose-6-P was added in the assay, the activities of extracts prepared from control and insulin-treated diaphragms were both increased and were the same. The increase in enzyme activity by insulin was not duplicated by incubation of diaphragms in an increased concentration of glucose. Further, it was not obtained after incubation of diaphragms with insulin at 0 °C. Enzyme activity was increased, however, after incubation of diaphragms with insulin without glucose in the incubation medium. The increased enzyme activity was retained after dialysis or ammonium sulfate precipitation. The increase in transglucosylase activity is in keeping with increased glycogen content after insulin treatment and supports the role of UDP-glucose glycogen transglucosylase in glycogen 1,4-bond synthesis. An explanation of the partial increase of enzyme activity after insulin treatment based on the presence of two activity forms of the enzyme is presented. These studies demonstrate a new mode of hormonal control of glycogen metabolism.
Protein Phosphatase 2A Inhibitors, I1PP2A and I2PP2A, Associate with and Modify the Substrate Specificity of Protein Phosphatase 1 *

Recombinant I(1)(PP2A) and I(2)(PP2A) did not affect the activity of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1(C)) with (32)P-labeled myelin basic protein, histone H1, and phosphorylase when assayed in the absence of divalent cations. However, in the presence of Mn(2+), I(1)(PP2A) and I(2)(PP2A) stimulated PP1(C) activity by 15-20-fold with myelin basic protein and histone H1 but not phosphorylase. Half-maximal stimulation occurred at 2 and 4 nM I(1)(PP2A) and I(2)(PP2A), respectively. Moreover, I(1)(PP2A) and I(2)(PP2A) reduced the Mn(2+) requirement by about 30-fold to 10 microM. In contrast, PP1(C) activity was unaffected by I(1)(PP2A) and I(2)(PP2A) in the presence of Co(3+) (0.1 mM), Mg(2+) (2 mM), Ca(2+) (0.5 mM), and Zn(2+) (0.1 mM). Following gel filtration chromatography on Sephacryl S-200 in the presence of Mn(2+), PP1(C) coeluted with I(1)(PP2A) and I(2)(PP2A) in the void volume. However, when I(1)(PP2A) and I(2)(PP2A) or Mn(2+) were omitted, PP1(C) emerged with a V(e)/V(0) of approximately 1.6. The results demonstrate that I(1)(PP2A) and I(2)(PP2A) associate with and modify the substrate specificity of PP1(C) in the presence of physiological concentrations of Mn(2+). A novel role is suggested for I(1)(PP2A) and I(2)(PP2A) in the reciprocal regulation of two major mammalian serine/threonine phosphatases, PP1 and PP2A.
Benjamin's Blotting Paper: Writing and Erasing a Theological Figure of Thought

The question as to the significance of theology in Benjamin's variegated writings and in the specific modes of thinking that they sponsor has long been contested. This study investigates a certain double gesture in which his texts perform a radically secular dismantling of the category of the theological in all its political, cultural, and aesthetic manifestations, while at the same time exposing the idea of a fully posttheological thinking as a premature foreclosure, a dangerous fallacy, even a metaphysical aberration. It is argued that the theological in Benjamin can only ever be thought and talked about in relation to specific passages and contextual reinscriptions, which is to say, as matters of language, textual iterations that always point elsewhere in order to become what they are. The study shows how, from Benjamin's perspective, to believe that our thinking has finally overcome theology for good—that it is no longer tacitly attached to a residual, unsublatable, and unacknowledged theological comm...
Showering Habits: Time, Steps, and Products Used After Brain Injury

Objective This pilot study describes the showering habits of people with brain injury (BI) compared with those of people without BI (WBI). Method The showering habits of 10 people with BI and 10 people WBI were measured and compared. A videotaped session recorded and documented the shower routine. Results The BI group spent longer time showering, used more steps, and used fewer products than the WBI group. A moderately significant relationship was found between time and age (r = .46, p = .041). Similarly, we found significant correlations between number of steps and number of products used (r = .64, p = .002) and between the number of products used and education (r = .47, p = .044). Conclusion Results suggest that people with BI have showering habits that differ from those WBI. Correlations, regardless of group, showed that older people showered longer, and people with more education used more showering products.
“Something More”: The Meanings of Marriage for Religious Couples in America

This study focused on how couples’ beliefs about marriage and religion shape the meanings they find in their marriage. Interviews about connections between religion and marriage were conducted with 57 Christian, Jewish, and Muslim couples in New England and northern California. Qualitative analyses found the major theme, common across faith traditions, was that marriage is a sacred union that is “something more": more than the self, more than the couple, and more than the family unit. To these couples marriage is divine and institutional and a vital support for their relationship. Our findings raise an interesting counterpoint to the current scholarly discourse about the deinstitutionalization and individualization of contemporary marriage. Institutionalized features of marriage may retain their strength in contemporary society as many religious couples, and perhaps many other couples as well, believe marriage is something more than the deinstitutionalized, private relationship that many scholars now see.
Invertebrate trace fossils in semi-arid to arid braided-ephemeral-river deposits of the Mississippian middle member of the Mauch Chunk Formation, eastern Pennsylvania, USA

Abstract The rapid diversification of terrestrial ecosystems was initiated in the Silurian and subsequently continued through the Mississippian. Detailed collecting of the middle member of the Mississippian Mauch Chunk Formation in eastern Pennsylvania has yielded a number of important vertebrate and invertebrate trace fossils, indicating the presence of a significant terrestrial biotic diversity during the Early Carboniferous. This report illustrates the diverse invertebrate trace fossil assemblage associated with the ephemeral-river systems of the Mauch Chunk. The Mauch Chunk invertebrate ichnoassemblage consists of backfilled burrows of deposit feeders, both meniscate (Taenidium) and non-meniscate (Planolites) that typically cross-cut bedding; arthropod trackways (Diplichnites, Diplopodichnus, Stiaria, Kouphichnium and Stialla); striated trails (Cruziana) and resting traces (Rusophycus); and surface or shallow subsurface grazing trails or burrows (Gordia). Tetrapod footprints, mostly made by temnospondyl amphibians, are also part of this ichnoassemblage. The Mauch Chunk invertebrate ichnoassemblage corresponds well to the Scoyenia ichnofacies in consisting of simple burrows, trackways, striate and bilobate trails and pits and simple meniscate burrows. Typically, trace fossils of the Scoyenia ichnofacies indicate opportunistic behaviors in subaerial environments that are temporarily or periodically inundated. Indeed, the palaeoenvironmental setting of these traces is a semi-arid to possibly arid, braided-ephemeral-river system with extensive overbank deposits. The invertebrate traces were developed both as infaunal burrows in the tops and within channel sandstones and as surface and grazing traces on in-channel mudstone-draped bedforms and in proximal overbank deposits. The in-channel mudstone-draped bedforms display both vertebrate and invertebrate trace fossils. The Mauch Chunk invertebrate ichnofossil assemblage resembles other Devonian through Triassic ichnoassemblages from ephemeral fluvial red beds, confirming that the terrestrial invertebrate fauna had already fully colonized fluvial environments by Mississippian time. Furthermore, the development of the Scoyenia ichnoguild in the Mauch Chunk Formation, in the form of abundant traces of deposit feeders of a shallow to intermediate depth infauna (esp. Taenidium), is unusually early, when compared to the previously known Palaeozoic record.
Velocities of motion of liquid particles under the floating ice cover in the case of propagation of periodic waves of finite amplitude

By using the velocity potential obtained by the method of multiscale asymptotic expansions to within the quantities of the third order of smallness, we study the dependences of the components of the velocity of motion of a homogeneous liquid under the floating ice cover on the thickness of the cover and its modulus of elasticity in the process of propagation of periodic waves of finite amplitude. It is shown that the presence of broken ice leads to a decrease in the moduli of components of the velocity of liquid particles and the phase delay of generated oscillations. The effect of the elasticity of ice becomes more pronounced as the wavelength of the initial harmonic decreases and manifests itself in the increase in the maximum values of the components of velocity and in the phase shift of oscillations in the direction of propagation of waves.
Infection of Macaca nemestrina brain with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

We previously reported that pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) became infected after intravenous inoculation with the LAI strain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), an isolate that replicates in both M. nemestrina lymphocytes and blood-derived monocyte/macrophages. In the current study we investigated the presence of HIV-1 and pathology in the postmortem brains of four of these macaques. Histopathological findings revealed focal lesions in white matter in the frontal and occipital lobes of one macaque, with myelin loss, nerve fibre loss, and gliosis within these lesions. Semi-quantitative, solution-based PCR revealed HIV-1 DNA in the brains of two of the other macaques. Using slide-based PCR-driven in situ hybridization, we studied these two macaques further and detected intranuclear, circular HIV-1 DNA in vascular endothelia and other non-neuronal brain cells. These findings indicate that M. nemestrina brain can be infected with HIV-1 in vivo and may provide a useful animal model for understanding early HIV-1 brain infection in humans.
GauSsian Minimum Shift Keying for spectrally efficient and dispersion tolerant optical communications

Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) is a spectrally efficient phase modulation based on the gaussian shaping of the transmitted phase. We simulate GMSK dispersion tolerance at 40 Gbps and measure back-to-back BER at 2.5 Gbps.
The art of words in songs

(1976). The art of words in songs. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 62, No. 3, pp. 242-249.
Density Functional Study of Ethylene−Norbornene Copolymerization via Metallocene and Constrained-Geometry Catalysts

Single-site Ziegler−Natta catalysts allow a sterically distinct norbornene to copolymerize with ethylene. By performing density functional calculations on Cp2ZrCH3+ and H2Si(CpNH)ZrCH3+, each representing metallocene and constrained-geometry catalysts (CGC), we have uncovered how the bulky norbornene competes with ethylene for the metal center during the insertion process. Instead of acting as a steric barrier to insertion, the cyclopentyl group of norbornene provides additional agostic sites and disposable ring strain, by which the monomer achieves its high reactivity at low temperature. This effect becomes more pronounced on the less sterically hindered catalyst, leading to a more discriminating catalytic activity of CGC toward the two monomers. The unfavorable endo orientation for insertion of norbornene results from a steric interaction of its bulky ethylene bridge facing the catalyst. A small geometric difference, as exemplified in a structurally similar bicyclooctene, can greatly affect the agostici...
In situ activation of mouse macrophages and therapy of spontaneous renal cell cancer metastasis by liposomes containing the lipopeptide CGP 31362.

We determined whether the intravenous administration of multilamellar vesicle liposomes (MLV) containing a lipopeptide analogue of a fragment from the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria (CGP 31 362) can render BALB/c mouse alveolar macrophages tumoricidal in situ and reduce the incidence of spontaneous lung metastasis of syngeneic renal carcinoma (RENCA) cells. Alveolar macrophages (a) incubated in vitro with MLV containing CGP 31 362 (MLV-31 362) and (b) harvested from mice injected i.v. with MLV-31 362 were rendered cytotoxic against the RENCA cells. Maximum cytotoxic activity of the macrophages was induced by injecting 5 µmol MLV consisting of 250 mg phospholipids and 0.5 mg CGP 31 362. The single i.v. injection of 5 µmol MLV-31 362 produced activation of macrophages that lasted for up to 4 days. Repeated i. v. injections of MLV-31 362 produced a continuous antitumor activity in alveolar macrophages. To study the lipopeptide's effects on metastasis, we injected the left kidneys of BALB/c mice with RENCA cells. The kidney with growing tumor was resected 10 days later and, after a further 2 days, groups of mice were injected i.v. with MLV-31 362 or with MLV-HBSS (twice weekly for 3 weeks). Treatment with MLV-31 362 significantly decreased the median number of spontaneous lung metastases. These data demonstrate that the systemic administration of MLV-31 362 can activate murine lung macrophages in situ and reduce the incidence of spontaneous RENCA lung metastases.
Manipulating anonymity: Streetwalkers’ strategies for safety in the city*

(1980). Manipulating anonymity: Streetwalkers’ strategies for safety in the city. Ethnos: Vol. 45, No. 3-4, pp. 157-175.
Bayesian Analysis of Latent Threshold Dynamic Models

We discuss a general approach to dynamic sparsity modeling in multivariate time series analysis. Time-varying parameters are linked to latent processes that are thresholded to induce zero values adaptively, providing natural mechanisms for dynamic variable inclusion/selection. We discuss Bayesian model specification, analysis and prediction in dynamic regressions, time-varying vector autoregressions, and multivariate volatility models using latent thresholding. Application to a topical macroeconomic time series problem illustrates some of the benefits of the approach in terms of statistical and economic interpretations as well as improved predictions. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Improvement in RBC flux, acidosis and oxygenation in tumour microregions by Fluosol-DA 20%.

SummaryUsing laser Doppler flowmetry, we investigated the effects of Fluosol-DA 20% on RBC flux in FSaII tumours and on RBC flux in normal skin of C3H mice. The RBC flux in tumours was significantly increased; however, the RBC flux in normal skin fluctuated only slightly after the treatment with Fluosol-DA 20%. Since an increase in RBC flux by Fluosol-DA 20% may facilitate the removal of acidic metabolites from the tumours, the effects of Fluosol-DA 20% on intratumour pH was also measured. We also measured intratumour pO2 after various dosages of Fluosol-DA 20% with carbogen inhalation. We concluded that the administration of Fluosol-DA 20% selectively increased the RBC flux in tumours compared to that in normal skin. Moreover, carbogen inhalation combined with increasing dosages up to 36 ml/kg of Fluosol-DA 20% effectively enhanced tumour oxygenation in FSaII tumours.
Potential parameterization from proxy systems

We give an analysis and critique of a procedure for sequential multi-scale parameterization of so-called ab initio potentials. Such potentials are based upon a small selection of reference data generated at relatively low levels refinement of quantum mechanical (QM) methodology. Two closely related potentials for silica, BKS and TTAM, are explored in some depth because both have found frequent use in the literature of molecular dynamics simulation. The use of a single small molecular cluster as a proxy for the behavior of larger silica structures is shown to be perilous. Choices of ionic charge, basis set size, inclusion of electron correlation at some prescribed level of approximation, and parameterization data are each shown to have a substantial impact on the final potential parameterization. The analysis and critique provide the logical foundation for the different approach to the problem of parameterization and use of classical potentials that is treated in detail elsewhere in this collection. The use of extended model systems, force data calculated from QM methods, and a focused (limited) range of application are shown to be essential for a consistent (and ultimately, predictive) embedding approach to concurrent multi-scale materials simulation.
Plutonium-244 in the Early Solar System

Agreements between the plutonium-244/xenon and iodine-129/xenon decay intervals for achondritic meteorites could confirm the suggestion that these two extinct radioactivities were synthesized in the galactic nucleosynthesis process.
Regulation of bone matrix protein expression and induction of differentiation of human osteoblasts and human bone marrow stromal cells by bone morphogenetic protein‐2

We have examined the effects of BMP-2 on the expression of bone matrix proteins in both human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMSC) and human osteoblasts (HOB) and their proliferation and mineralization. Both HBMSC and HOB express BMP-2/-4 type I and type II receptors. Treatment of these two cell types with BMP-2 for 4 weeks in the presence of beta-glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid results in mineralization of their matrix. BMP-2 increases the mRNA level and activities of alkaline phosphatase and elevates the mRNA levels and protein synthesis of osteopontin, bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, and alpha 1(I) collagen in both cell types. Whereas the mRNA level of decorin is increased, the mRNA concentration of biglycan is not altered by BMP-2. No effect on osteonectin is observed. The effect of BMP-2 on bone matrix protein expression is dose dependent from 25 to 100 ng/ml and is evident after 1-7 days treatment. In the presence of BMP-2, proliferation of HBMSC and HOB is decreased under either serum-free condition or in the presence of serum. Thus, BMP-2 has profound effects on the proliferation, expression of most of the bone matrix proteins and the mineralization of both relatively immature human bone marrow stromal preosteoblasts and mature human osteoblasts.
Influence of Bacteria on Larval Survival and Development in Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The effect of the bacterium Klebsiella oxytoca on the fitness of Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) and R. suavis (Loew) was tested by removal and reinfection experiments in the laboratory. The absence of the bacterium did not positively or negatively affect most components of fitness studied. These results suggest that larvae of Rhagoletis do not depend on gut microflora to provide essential nutrients or to detoxify plant secondary compounds.
A short review on the psychoneuroimmunology of posttraumatic stress disorder: From risk factors to medical comorbidities

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious and debilitating condition with a prevalence rate of approximately 8% in the United States. Given the number of veterans returning from conflicts around the globe with PTSD, and the substantial number of civilians experiencing traumas, new perspectives on the biology of PTSD are needed. Based on the concept that PTSD is a disorder of stress response systems, numerous studies have suggested changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system function in patients with PTSD. Given that both glucocorticoids and catecholamines exert powerful effects on the immune system, it is surprising that relatively few studies have examined immune changes in patients with PTSD. Moreover, patients with PTSD are known to have increased rates of comorbidity with somatic disorders that involve immune and inflammatory processes. Patients with PTSD have been found to exhibit a number of immune changes including increased circulating inflammatory markers, increased reactivity to antigen skin tests, lower natural killer cell activity, and lower total T lymphocyte counts. Studies with humans and rodents suggest that certain proinflammatory cytokines are able to induce neurochemical and behavioral changes that resemble some key features of PTSD. This short article reviews immune alterations in PTSD, and considers possible mechanisms by which such changes may be related to neuroendocrine alterations and medical comorbidities of PTSD.
Melanoma with signet‐ring cells in a peritoneal effusion

Melanoma may occasionally give rise to a malignant effusion and when this occurs it can present a challenging differential diagnosis. We present such a patient who developed a peritoneal effusion. Cytologic examination of the peritoneal fluid revealed individual malignant cells with prominent cytoplasmic vacuoles raising the possibility of a signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical studies were indicative of a malignant melanoma. In this case we believe that the cytoplasmic vacuoles may be a degenerative phenomenon and as such may represent another mechanism for the development of a signet-ring morphology in malignant melanoma.
Grasp Oriented Sensing and Control

Many complex robot systems (multifingered manipulators, legged platforms and kinematically independent robots) can benefit from techniques which determine how to use environmental geometry to advantage in interaction tasks. To support sensing and control operations, we propose two model types: local geometric models and global force domain models. The former facilitates the consistent interpretation of sensor evidence, while the latter supports reasoning about contact interactions with the environment. An expressive means for describing grasp objectives and a control strategy for designing the geometry of contact mediated by force domain goals are presented. Methods for incremental geometric and force domain modeling are presented. Examples of constructive modeling and the use of these models for grasping and manipulation are included.
Peptide-Induced Inflammatory Increase in Vascular Permeability Improves Photosensitizer Delivery and Intersubject Photodynamic Treatment Efficacy

Abstract Zhou, X., Chen, B., Hoopes, P. J., Hasan, T. and Pogue, B. W. Peptide-Induced Inflammatory Increase in Vascular Permeability Improves Photosensitizer Delivery and Intersubject Photodynamic Treatment Efficacy. Radiat. Res. 168, 299– 307 (2007). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment can exhibit high intersubject variability due to the inherent differences in drug delivery within the tissue to be treated. In this study, the increased perfusion of the lipid-associated photosensitizer verteporfin was studied using substance P, a peptide known to increase vascular permeability. The transvascular permeability coefficient was quantified before and after administration of substance P, and the mean value increased from 0.026 to 0.043 μm/s with the induced inflammation. Correspondingly, there was a 40–50% increase in uptake of verteporfin in the tumor parenchyma in tumors injected with substance P compared to those without. This increased drug uptake resulted in a modest increase in tumor doubling time from ...
Additions of nutrients and major ions by the atmosphere and tributaries to nearshore waters of northwestern Lake Huron

Nutrient additions by the atmosphere and six tributaries to nearshore waters of northwestern Lake Huron were measured at weekly intervals from August 1975 to July 1976. The atmosphere contributed 43% of the nitrogen (N) and 10% of the phosphorus (P) that was added during the year. The 1975–76 atmospheric loading rate of total N to this area (11 kg/ha/yr) was one of the highest found to date in the United States. N was conserved more efficiently than P in the tributary drainage basins. Of the N and P that fell annually on the watersheds under study, 2 to 37% of the N and 31 to 84% of the P was carried with runoff to the lake. From a basin where ditching and clear-cutting occurred, water, P, silica (SiO2), N, and sodium were lost at higher rates than from five other basins. Most of the N in bulk atmospheric samples (23%) and tributary waters (56%) was dissolved organic N, a form of N not often measured.
Are there consequences of labeling patients with prehypertension? An experimental study of effects on blood pressure and quality of life

Abstract Objective The prehypertension classification was introduced to facilitate prevention efforts among patients at increased risk for hypertension. Although patients who have been told that they have hypertension report worse outcomes than unaware hypertensives, little is known about whether or not prehypertension labeling has negative effects. We evaluated the effects of labeling individuals with prehypertension on blood pressure and health-related quality of life three months later. Methods One hundred adults (aged 19 to 82 [mean = 40.0] years; 54% women; 64% racial/ethnic minorities) with screening blood pressure in the prehypertensive range (120–139/80–89 mm Hg) and no history of diagnosis or treatment of elevated blood pressure were randomly assigned to either a “Labeled” group in which they were informed of their prehypertension, or an “Unlabeled” group in which they were not informed. Subjects underwent office blood pressure measurement, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and completed self-report questionnaires at baseline and at three months. Results Multilevel mixed effects regression analyses indicated that changes in the white coat effect, office blood pressure, mean daytime ambulatory blood pressure, and physical and mental health did not differ significantly between the two groups. Adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity and body mass index did not affect the results. Conclusion These findings suggest that labeling patients with prehypertension does not have negative effects on blood pressure or quality of life. Additional research is needed to develop approaches to communicating with patients about their blood pressure that will maximize the clinical and public health impact of the prehypertension classification.
Diagnosis and cell-based therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in humans, mice, and zebrafish

The muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of genetically caused muscle degenerative disorders. The Kunkel laboratory has had a longstanding research program into the pathogenesis and treatment of these diseases. Starting with our identification of dystrophin as the defective protein in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), we have continued our work on normal dystrophin function and how it is altered in muscular dystrophy. Our work has led to the identification of the defective genes in three forms of limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and a better understanding of how muscle degenerates in many of the different dystrophies. The identification of mutations causing human forms of dystrophy has lead to improved diagnosis for patients with the disease. We are continuing to improve the molecular diagnosis of the dystrophies and have developed a high-throughput sequencing approach for the low-cost rapid diagnosis of all known forms of dystrophy. In addition, we are continuing to work on therapies using available animal models. Currently, there are a number of mouse models of the human dystrophies, the most notable being the mdx mouse with dystrophin deficiency. These mice are being used to test possible therapies, including stem-cell-based approaches. We have been able to systemically deliver human dystrophin to these mice via the arterial circulation and convert 8% of dystrophin-deficient fibers to fibers expressing human dystrophin. We are now expanding our research to identify new forms of LGMD by analyzing zebrafish models of muscular dystrophy. Currently, we have 14 different zebrafish mutants exhibiting various phenotypes of muscular dystrophy, including muscle weakness and inactivity. One of these mutants carries a stop codon mutation in dystrophin, and we have recently identified another carrying a mutation in titin. We are currently positionally cloning the disease-causative mutation in the remaining 12 mutant strains. We hope that one of these new mutant strains of fish will have a mutation in a gene not previously implicated in human muscular dystrophy. This gene would become a candidate gene to be analyzed in patients which do not carry a mutation in any of the known dystrophy-associated genes. By studying both disease pathology and investigating potential therapies, we hope to make a positive difference in the lives of people living with muscular dystrophy.
The metabolism of 3H-moulting hormone in Calliphora erythrocephala during larval development

Abstract The activity in whole insects for converting 3H-α-ecdysone to 3H-β-ecdysone after injection is low (half-maximal) in young last instar larvae, maximal in mature larvae, and minimal (fourth-maximal) at the white puparial stage. Because moulting hormone titre is low throughout the last larval instar and increases at the formation of the puparium it appears that hydroxylation at C-20 is not a key step in regulating β-ecdysone biosynthesis during larval development. The activity for catabolizing 3H-β-ecdysone is maximal in second instar larvae, about thirdmaximal throughout most of the third instar, and minimal at pupariation (thirtieth-maximal). Thus inactivation may play a role in regulating moulting hormone titre during larval development.
Enabling Active Data Archival over Cloud

The need to analyze huge amount of data for various business intelligence applications is well known. However, the rate at which enterprise data is generated now demands periodic migration of older data from the operational data warehouse to magnetic tapes. In this paper, we propose an "Active data archival service" in which the data is seamlessly archived on the cloud while ensuring that the archived data can be queried without any perceptible change to the end-user. This takes the burden of maintaining the archive off the user and shifts it to the archival service. We discuss the architecture of the service, challenges arising therein due to the federation of data brought on by the archival and how we handle these issues. Specifically, we investigate how the relational data needs to be transformed so that storing and retrieving the data from the cloud is efficient and seamless to the end user. We present our insights through an experimental study using TPC-DS benchmark.
Evaluation of Computer-aided Detection Devices

Computer-aided detection (CAD) devices are of increasing interest to practicing radiologists. Many radiologists are familiar with CAD for detecting microcalcifications and masses on mammograms. The earliest US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for mammographic CAD devices were in 1998 (1). Since then, more than a dozen CAD systems have been approved for detecting abnormalities such as lung nodules on chest radiography and computed tomography, colon polyps on computed tomographic colonography, and pulmonary emboli on chest computed tomography (1). Cross-sectional imaging studies are being performed with increasing frequency, and the number of images per examination is growing exponentially (2,3). Hence, there is a steadily building need for computerized devices to help radiologists interpret this avalanche of images in an accurate and timely fashion. Despite the great potential for CAD devices to make a positive impact in radiology, new CAD technologies are arriving slowly to the reading room. For example, researchers have developed CAD systems that detect or classify lesions in the solid abdominal organs; detect bone lesions and fractures; make fully automated assessments of bone mineral density, visceral fat, and bone age; and detect neurologic and vascular abnormalities such as cerebral aneurysms (4–15). Yet none of these systems is available as a commercial product in the United States. Why does it take so long for these new technologies to make their way from the bench to the viewing console? Delays and impediments occur at each stage of the CAD
Large-scale fabrication of nanodimple arrays for surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

Here we report a simple bottom-up technology for scalably fabricating gold nanodimple arrays with tunable nanostructures for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Double-layer silica colloidal crystal–polymer nanocomposites with an unusual non-close-packed structure created using a spin-coating technique are utilized as structural templates. A variety of nanodimple structures, including simple monolayer voids, nanoring-like nanodimples, and binary-void nanodimples, can be reproducibly templated over wafer-sized areas by simply controlling the conditions during an oxygen plasma etching process. Normal-incidence specular reflection measurements show that the resulting gold nanodimple arrays exhibit tunable surface plasmon properties. The efficient electromagnetic coupling between neighboring nanodimples and inner–outer walls of nanoring-like nanodimples leads to high SERS enhancement factors (>108). Numerical simulations based on a finite-difference time-domain model complement the experimental measurements, showing the spatial distribution of electromagnetic “hot spots” surrounding the periodic gold nanodimple arrays.
341. Lentivirus Transduction of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells with Truncated Human Low-Affinity Nerve Growth Factor Permits Efficient Purification of Genetically Modified Cells without Loss of Stem Cell Characteristics

The ability to genetically modify embryonic stem cells (ESC) expands the potential of ESC to correct hereditary disorders and deliver gene products for specific therapies. Integrating gene transfer vectors, such as lentivirus vectors, have been used to deliver genes to ESC, but the transduction efficiencies are far from 100% and selection of transduced cells using drug resistance is often unpredictable and toxic. A surface marker delivered by a lentivirus vector that could be employed in a magnetic-bead purification strategy would be a powerful tool in selecting transduced from untransduced ESC. To address these issues, we hypothesized that: (1) lentivirus transfer of the truncated human low-affinity nerve growth factor (LNGFR), a non-toxic, non-tumorigenic and non- functional protein expressed on the surface of transduced cells, could be used to isolate transduced ESC; (2) LNGFR expression would not alter the characteristics of the undifferentiated ESC; and (3) LNGFR expression would not interfere with the response of ESC to differentiation signals. To assess LNGFR as a purification strategy for ESC, we utilized a lentivirus vector with a human phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK) promoter to drive expression of LNGFR. Murine ESC (C57BL/6 strain) were transduced with this vector and cultured on a murine embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder layer. Flow cytometry analysis (FACS) 48 hr after transduction revealed LNGFR expression in 44% of the ESC and 2 % in the corresponding mouse IgG1-PE control. On day 4, LNGFR+ ESC were purified with magnetic beads using an anti-LNGFR antibody. After single purification with magnetic beads, 95% of the transduced cells were LNGFR+. Several different assessments demonstrated that LNGFR expression did not alter the characteristics of the purified undifferentiated ESC. First, LNGFR+ cells plated onto a MEF feeder layer remained undifferentiated for 2 wk and the expression pattern of SSEA1 (FACS analysis), a marker for undifferentiated ESC, was identical in mock and LNGFR+ ESC (p=0.7). Second, embryoid body formation was identical in LNGFR+ and mock transduced ESC. Third, after subcutaneous administration of purified LNGFR+ or mock transduced ESC, teratomas, tumors arising from undifferentiated ESC, developed within 2 wk. Finally, to determine whether LNGFR expression would interfere with the response of ESC to differentiation signals, differentiation to endoderm was induced by Activin A. After 5 days, FACS analysis for CXCR4, a marker for definitive endoderm, showed similar levels of expression in LNGFR+ ESC and the control group (20.4% vs 21.2%), suggesting that LNGFR expression does not interfere with differentiation to endoderm. Together, these observations demonstrate that lentivirus- mediated transfer of LNGFR is a useful tool in purifying transduced ESC without deleterious or toxic effects on maintenance or differentiation.
ICP Emission Spectra: II. Alkaline Earth Elements:

The spectra originating from an ICP excitation source operated under a standard set of conditions were classified and tabulated for the alkaline earth elements. The spectra were acquired by means of a scanning, echelle monochromator capable of measuring wavelength position to 0.01 A. The spectral range observed was 2075 to 6005 A. Almost all expected transitions for both atomic and singly ionized species in this spectral range were observed. The nature of this spectra is discussed. Several transitions are reported which were not in the MIT Tables.
Mutational analysis of type III effector genes from Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri

Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, the causal agent of citrus canker, relies extensively on a type III secretion system for infection by delivering type III effectors into host cells. In the genus Xanthomonas, two major regulators, HrpG and HrpX, are involved in the expression of genes encoding the type III secretion system. Twenty-three candidate type III effectors were identified as targets for analysis. The involvement in pathogenicity of 20 candidate effector genes in X. citri strain 306 (Xcc-306) was investigated using site-directed mutagenesis. Pathogenicity assays in grapefruit of 19 genes using site-directed mutagenesis revealed that none of the mutants demonstrated to have reduced ability to cause canker disease. A mutation in the TAL effector pthA4– resulted in loss of hypertrophy although no changes were observed in bacterial growth in leaves. Mutations in hrpG, hrpX, or hrpA genes displayed a complete loss of pathogenicity. Moreover, all mutants maintained the ability to trigger a hypersensitive response (HR) in non-host tomato. In contrast to previous studies, hrpG–, hrpX– and hrpA– mutants also retained the ability to elicit an HR in tomato, indicating the presence of an Hrp independent elicitor in Xcc-306.
Localization of the catalytic subunit of a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase(S) and acceptor proteins on the external surface of the fat cell membrane.

Abstract Cyclic AMP in μM concentrations increases the labeling of a membrane component of approximately 53,000 daltons as well as the labeling of a minor peptide of 18,000 daltons when isolated, intact rat fat cells are incubated with μM concentrations of (γ-32P)ATP. Controlled tryptic digestion of intact cells followed by incubation with (γ-32P)ATP results in diminution of labeling of both of these phosphopeptides indicating susceptibility, hence, access of either the catalytic site or the substrates to trypsin action. Addition of the catalytic subunit of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase from beef heart to cells previously treated with trypsin results in the labeling of both phosphopeptides comparable to untreated cells. These findings indicate the catalytic subunit(s) of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase(s) as well as these two phosphopeptides of the intact rat fat cell must be located on the external surface of the plasma membrane. Further, the catalytic subunit(s) of the membrane-located cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase(s) is susceptible to trypsin action whereas the membrane peptides serving as substrates are not.
Prenatal Cocaine, Alcohol, and Undernutrition Differentially Alter Mineral and Protein Content in Fetal Rats

Abstract Alcohol exposure and undernutrition during pregnancy have been associated with altered fetal body composition. Recent observations suggest that cocaine exposure during pregnancy may impair delivery of nutrients to the fetus and could thereby alter body growth and composition. Such effects are important because they can adversely influence physical and neural development. Consequently, we investigated the dose-dependent effects of cocaine on fetal body composition in an animal (rat) model and compared such effects with those caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and undernutrition. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats received either 20, 30, 40, or 50 mg/kg cocaine HCl (SC) twice daily from gestation days 7 through 19. Pair-fed (undernutrition) and untreated control groups and a group receiving 3.0 g/kg alcohol (PO) twice daily served as comparison groups (n = 11 to 14/group). Females were sacrificed on gestation day 20. One male and one female fetus was removed from each dam. The fetuses were minced, dehydrated, defatted, and analyzed for content of protein and the minerals Zn, Ca, Fe, Mg, K, and Na. In terms of concentration per unit of fat-free dry solids, male fetuses in the cocaine groups showed significant decreases in protein compared to untreated controls (15 ± 3 to 20 ± 2 mg/g vs. 24 ± 4 mg/g, p = 0.01). There was a significant treatment effect for Ca (p
Pavlovian eyeblink conditioning in combat veterans with and without post-traumatic stress disorder.

Several recent studies have investigated relationships between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and learning and memory problems. These reports have found in general that not only does PTSD affect trauma-related memories, but when patients with PTSD are compared with similar trauma patients without PTSD, general memory impairments have been found. The present paper reports a study in which associative learning, using Pavlovian eyeblink conditioning, was investigated in combat veterans with and without chronic PTSD, using interstimulus intervals of 500 and 1000 msec in two separate experiments. Although several recent reports suggest that larger-magnitude autonomic conditioned responses occur in patients with PTSD during Pavlovian conditoning, the present study found evidence of impaired Pavlovian eyeblink conditioning in combat veterans with and without PTSD, compared to non-combat veterans. Although these data suggest that combat leads to an impaired associative learning process regardless of whether PTSD is apparent, a group of community-dwelling combat veterans not under medical treatment showed normal conditioning, suggesting that variables other than prior combat must also be involved.