cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional programmes underlying cellular identity and microbial responsiveness in the intestinal epithelium.

The intestinal epithelium serves the unique and critical function of harvesting dietary nutrients, while simultaneously acting as a cellular barrier separating tissues from the luminal environment and gut microbial ecosystem. Two salient features of the intestinal epithelium enable it to perform these complex functions. First, cells within the intestinal epithelium achieve a wide range of specialized identities, including different cell types and distinct anterior–posterior patterning along the intestine. Second, intestinal epithelial cells are sensitive and responsive to the dynamic milieu of dietary nutrients, xenobiotics and microorganisms encountered in the intestinal luminal environment. These diverse identities and responsiveness of intestinal epithelial cells are achieved in part through the differential transcription of genes encoded in their shared genome. Here, we review insights from mice and other vertebrate models into the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying intestinal epithelial identity and microbial responsiveness, including DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, histone modifications and transcription factors. These studies are revealing that most transcription factors involved in intestinal epithelial identity also respond to changes in the microbiota, raising both opportunities and challenges to discern the underlying integrative transcriptional regulatory networks. Transcriptional regulatory mechanisms have a dual role in specifying intestinal epithelial identity and enabling microbial responsiveness. In this Review, Rawls and colleagues describe what is currently known about the epigenetic patterning and transcription factors responsible for this duality.
Entry and Schumpeterian profits

A large empirical literature has documented differences in Schumpeterian profits, both among firms in single industries and between firms in different industries. Theorists have proposed various institutional and strategic factors to account for such differences but have had relatively little to say about the manner in which technology affects entry and profits. In this paper I present a model in which persistent intraindustry differences in firm profitability arise as the outcomes of learning and imitation, and interindustry differences in the persistence of above normal profits arise solely from production being more technologically complex in some industries than in others.
Testing Differentially Methylated Regions through Functional Principal Component Analysis

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays an important role in many biological processes and diseases. Several statistical methods have been proposed to test for DNA methylation diff...
Lead Poisoning: An Update.

1. Morri Markowitz, MD* 1. *Lead Poisoning Prevention and Treatment Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, The University Hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 1. Whole blood is used to measure lead, which limits interpretation of blood lead level results. 2. The current lead poisoning intervention level is based on epidemiology, not toxicology. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe updated knowledge about lead poisoning in children. 2. Explain why we use blood lead levels (BLLs), describe limitations in BLL interpretation, highlight the current reasons for intervening for a BLL of 5 μg/dL (0.24 µmol/L), and report the discovery of old lead sources (water and paint) in new locations (schools). 3. Discuss outcomes that support the reversibility of lead effects after treatment. Lead (Pb) poisoning can be assessed at 3 levels: the fundamental biochemical effects, subclinical organ dysfunction, and clinical disease. The presence of Pb in a child’s blood sample is an indicator that exposure and absorption have occurred. The blood Pb level (BLL) is a measure of potential toxicity because it is correlated with various health outcomes in groups of children. However, there are limitations to interpreting individual results. What is measured is not plasma Pb, the immediate and most threatening component of blood Pb, which can leave the blood compartment and enter cells. Rather, due to historical laboratory limitations, it is overwhelmingly (∼98%) red blood cell Pb content that is assessed. Thus, the BLL is a surrogate measure 2 steps removed from tissue cell Pb, the site of most toxicity. In addition, the reside time (similar to half-life, a term that is strictly defined as the time for radioactivity of an isotope to fall by 50%) of Pb atoms in blood is very different from that in the organs where it accumulates. If Pb atoms are injected into blood, half are gone in approximately 3 weeks. In contrast, those that reach and enter brain cells remain for 1 to 2 years. Most Pb …
Neuroimaging in Pediatric Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease

ABSTRACT Although less common than in adults, stroke is the sixth leading cause of death in children, affecting ~2–13 children per 100,000 under 18 years of age. Because it is underappreciated clinically, the diagnosis of pediatric stroke is often delayed or even missed, or misdiagnosed as more common conditions such as migraine, epilepsy, or viral illnesses. Since pediatric stroke is caused by unique etiologies and can present differently than in adults, diagnostic imaging should be tailored to the specific and diverse causative entities and distinctive needs of the pediatric population. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of pediatric stroke, including the etiologies, diagnosis, and management, emphasizing the role of neuroimaging in diagnostic and treatment pathways. Understanding the distinct clinical entity of pediatric stroke and the role of imaging in diagnosis is important for early detection and treatment of this underappreciated disease.
Welfare-based Fairness through Optimization

We propose optimization as a general paradigm for formalizing welfare-based fairness in AI systems. We argue that optimization models allow formulation of a wide range of fairness criteria as social welfare functions, while enabling AI to take advantage of highly advanced solution technology. In particular, we highlight that social welfare optimization supports a broad perspective on fairness motivated by general distributive justice considerations. We illustrate this advantage by reviewing a collection of social welfare functions that capture various concepts of equity. Most of these functions have tractable optimization formulations that can be efficiently solved by state-of-the-art methods. To further demonstrate the potentials of social welfare optimization in AI, we show how to integrate optimization with rule-based AI and machine learning, and outline research directions to explore for practical implementation of integrated methods.
Adjusting the Measurement of U.S. Manufacturing Productivity for Air Pollution Emissions Control

We estimate a distance function and derive producer shadow prices for SO2 and PM-10 emissions. The shadow prices are used to adjust a traditional measure of total factor productivity growth in order to account for the reallocation of inputs from production of the marketed output to pollution abatement activities. Adjusted total factor productivity growth rates are calculated for the two-digit SIC manufacturing industries in the United States for 1970 to 1996. The results indicate that including the "output" of pollution abatement activities has a measurable effect on the productivity of many industries in the manufacturing sector.
Integrating Modular Hydrogen Fuel Cell Drives for Ship Propulsion: Prospectus and Challenges

This paper proposes a new drive system for ship propulsion. The drive power for propelling a ship varies from few MW in a small cruise ship to hundreds of MW for large cargo ships. A typical cruise ship has a 6 MW drive whereas a cargo ship has 80 MW drive. Combustion drives are not sustainable and environmentally friendly. The idea of an electric drive system using hydrogen fuel cell and necessary storage has been proposed. The hydrogen reformer develops hydrogen fuel cell using off-shore renewables like Wind, Wave and Solar power, but the power handling capability of this fuel cell system (100 kW) restricts the application to the propulsion drives of several MW. The detail drive scheme describes how multiple modular hydrogen fuel cell drives are integrated to develop variable power. The different options available for the propulsion system and factors affecting the choice are discussed in detail. Also, how such modular drives are helpful in controlling torque and power requirements is discussed. Replacement of electric drive reduces volume and weight of the ship and the available volume can be utilized for the storage and reform systems. The proposed paper will give a remarkable concept to overcome the challenges of utilizing hydrogen fuel cell to the larger scale and in the future it can be extended to all other applications.
Horizontal Dynamics in Transnational Activism: The Case of Nu River Anti-Dam Activism in China

*This case study of transnational activism against the Nu River hydropower dam plan in China describes a horizontal dynamic in global-local relations, whereas the predominant literature in social movements assumes a vertical or hierarchical conception. The forms and operations of transnational activism were analyzed in order to understand the connectivity of domestic environmental NGOs in China to alliances, venues, and discourses. The case reveals that the “translocal” nature of local activism helped create linkages with global partners and establish a horizontal dynamic of transnational activism via the development of transnational solidarities and local empowerment. Local activists today should not automatically be viewed as the bottom feeders in a vertical topography, dependent upon global patronage. The study proposes a preliminary set of observable and/or measurable characteristics for assessing the degree to which any case of global-local relations expresses a horizontal dynamic. The evolving nature of transnational activism in recent years calls for a reassessment of the conceptual frameworks to understand global-local relations. Rapidly advancing globalization processes via communicative and transportation technologies have enabled domestic NGOs to: connect with global actors, such as international NGOs (INGOs); to gain access to international venues and discourses; and to mobilize transnationally around such topics as human rights, women’s rights, and environmental protection (Keck and Sikkink 1998; Risse and Sikkink 1999; Sikkink and Smith 2002; Smith, Chatfield, and Pagnucco1997; Tarrow 2005). The purpose of this study is to argue that scholars studying transnational contention should not assume the global-local power dynamic to be vertical—the predominant conceptualization in the social movements literature to date. Rather scholars should recognize the possibility of a horizontal dynamic and assess the degree to which global-local relations in a particular case are vertical versus horizontal. Such scrutiny may provide theoretical clarifications and open up new possibilities for research. Recent literature and findings from my case study suggest a number of criteria for assessing or mapping topographies of power. This article also adds new empirical insights on transnational activism.
Current urologic care for testicular germ cell tumors in pediatric and adolescent patients

Testicular germ cell tumors make up 0.5% of pediatric malignancies, and 14% of adolescent malignancies. Young boys have primarily pure teratoma and pure yolk sac histologies; however, adolescent histology is mostly mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. Surgical excision of the primary tumor is the crux of treatment. Chemotherapy, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, and targeted treatment of distant metastases make even widely disseminated disease treatable. Since the discovery of platinum-based chemotherapy, testicular germ cell tumors are a highly curable disease. However, adolescents remain the group with the highest mortality. Focus has expanded beyond survival to emphasize quality of life issues when optimizing treatment algorithms.
Habit Persistence and Keeping Up with the Joneses:Evidence from Micro Data

This paper provides evidence that habit persistence is an important determinant of household consumption choices, in a setting that allows for heterogeneity and household-specific interest rates. By estimating Euler equations for a representative sample of U.S. credit-card account holders, I find that the strength of external habit, captured by the fraction of the consumption of the reference group that enters the utility function, is 0.290, and that the strength of internal habit, represented by household past consumption, is 0.503. My results are robust to theinclusion of various measures of economic activity in the regression, tests for the presence of aggregate shocks, liquidity constraints, precautionary saving motives, and learning. Aggregation of the Euler equations as a weighted average of individual marginal rates of substitution accountsfor heterogeneity and market incompleteness and preserves the results.
ACM SIGGRAPH 2005 Courses

Learn how to master the latest digital theories and expert practices in the art and science of computer graphics. In quick tutorials, half-day sessions, and full-day courses, academic and industry specialists teach topics that deepen understanding, encourage exploration, and immediately enhance real-world skills.
Orthogonal representations of twisted forms of

For every absolutely irreducible orthogonal representation of a twisted form of SL2 over a field of characteristic zero, we compute the “unique” symmetric bilinear form that is invariant under the group action. We also prove the analogous result for Weyl modules in prime characteristic (including characteristic 2) and an isomorphism between two symmetric bilinear forms given by binomial coefficients. Let V be an absolutely irreducible and finite-dimensional representation of a group G over a field k. If there is a nonzero quadratic form q on V that is invariant under G, then by Schur’s Lemma q is uniquely determined up to multiplication by an element of k×. It is natural to ask: What is q? On the one hand, the form q gives some information about G. For example, when V is the adjoint representation, q is essentially the Killing form on the Lie algebra of G. On the other hand, if G is contained in a group H , then by restricting representations of H , one reduces the problem of computing the H-invariant quadratic forms to the problem of computing those invariant under G. This is the method used in [Jac] to calculate the Killing forms of various Lie algebras. The purpose of this paper is to answer the question “What is q?” for the smallest groups, i.e., groups of type A1, meaning twisted forms of SL2 and PGL2. We study Weyl modules V instead of absolutely irreducible representations. (If k has characteristic zero, this is no change at all. In prime characteristic, the results for Weyl modules imply those for irreps, see 6.9.) Recall that the group SL2 has a unique fundamental dominant weight ω. We write V (n) for the Weyl module with highest weight nω, where n is a positive integer. If k has characteristic zero, V (n) is isomorphic to the n-th symmetric power of k. For every field k, every group of type A1, and n even, the representation V (n) is k-defined (as can easily be seen by Galois descent as in [BT, p. 139]) and has a nonzero quadratic form invariant under the group action. We compute this quadratic form. For remarks on the modules V (n) with n odd, see 6.8. We now state our main results in the case where k has characteristic 6= 2. The situation in characteristic 2 is very different from other characteristics, and from here through §5, we only consider fields of characteristic 6= 2. Define a symmetric bilinear form φ n by (0.1) φ n := ⊕
Discord between the Phylogenies Inferred from Molecular versus Functional Data: Uneven Rates of Functional Evolution or Low Levels of Gene Flow?

According to measures of molecular divergence, the three species of the Drosophila simulans clade are closely related to and essentially equidistant from each other. We introgressed 10% of the D. sechellia X chromosome into a pure D. simulans genetic background and found that males carrying this introgressed region were consistently fertile; in contrast, males carrying the same segment from D. mauritiana are sterile and suffer from incompatibilities at a minimum of four loci. Together with other recent results, these data suggest that D. simulans and D. sechellia are much more closely related to each other than either is to D. mauritiana. How can we reconcile the phylogeny inferred from the density of hybrid sterility genes with that inferred from molecular divergence? If the molecular phylogeny is correct, the discrepancy might be explained by uneven rates of functional evolution, resulting in the uneven accumulation of substitutions with corresponding negative effects in hybrids. If the functional phylogeny is correct, then low levels of gene flow across nascent species boundaries, particularly for loci not tightly linked to a hybrid sterility gene, may have erased the original pattern of lineage splitting. We propose tests that will allow us to discriminate between these hypotheses.
Protein-carbohydrate interaction. 13. The interaction of concanavalin A with alpha-mannans from a variety of microorganisms.

Abstract The interaction of concanavalin A with α-mannans from several species of microorganisms has been studied by the techniques of quantitative precipitation and hapten inhibition. Similar to concanavalin A-dextran precipitation, the reaction between concanavalin A and yeast mannan (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is optimal near neutrality (pH 5.7 to 6.7). Among the polysaccharides which form a precipitate with concanavalin A, i.e. glycogens, amylopectins, mannans, dextrans, and levans, mannans appear to be the most reactive. This is illustrated by hapten inhibition studies conducted on the concanavalin A-mannan system wherein relatively larger amounts of inhibitors are required to effect the same percentage inhibition as concanavalin A-dextran or concanavalin A-levan precipitation. The inhibition of a number of mannose-containing oligosaccharides has been examined, and data are presented which suggest that the concanavalin A-combining sites may be more extensive than hitherto believed, and may, in fact, be complementary to a sequence of several α-(1 → 2)-d-mannopyranosyl residues.
Glutamic acid-insensitive [3H]kainic acid binding in goldfish brain.

Abstract Kainic acid is supposed to be a specific agonist for a subclass of excitatory glutamate receptors in the vertebrate CNS. An investigation of (2 nM) [3H]kainic acid binding sites in goldfish brain, using quantitative autoradiography, has revealed evidence for two types of kainic acid receptors which differ in sensitivity to glutamic acid. l -Glutamic acid (0.1–1 mM) displaced over 95% of specific [3H]kainic acid binding elsewhere in the brain but only 10–50% in the cerebellum and cerebellar crest. These structures apparently contain [3H]kainic acid binding sites that are extremely insensitive to glutamic acid. The glutamic acid-insensitive [3H]kainic acid bindings was not displaced by quisqualic acid kynurenic acid, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), or N-methyl- d -aspartatic acid, but was completely displaced by the kainic acid analogue domoic acid. The data indicate that two types of high affinity binding sites for [3H]kainic acid exist in the goldfish brain: glutamic acid-sensitive and glutamic acid-insensitive. High affinity [3H]kainic acid binding may therefore not always represent binding to subsets of glutamic acid receptors.
Suprasternal approach for impending tracheo-innominate artery fistula

We report preventive innominate artery division or ligation through a suprasternal approach for impending tracheo-innominate artery fistula (TIF) with recurrent airway oozing in patients with severe neuromuscular disease. Our approach is less invasive and a favorable procedure as preventive surgery for impending TIF.
Governance and Shareholder Response to Chief Risk Officer Appointments

This study examines the recent, significant growth in the appointments of Chief Risk Officers (CROs), the role of a CRO, and whether such appointments benefit shareholders. We find that the market is more likely to react positively to a CRO appointment for a firm with weak corporate governance. In particular, the lower the proportion of outside directors the greater is the likelihood of a positive market reaction to CRO appointments, suggesting that CRO appointments are associated with better future governance by firms’ shareholders. Finally, firms with higher tax and product risk also experience increases in stock prices when they appoint CROs.
Conserved Discrimination Against Misacylated tRNAs by Two Mesophilic Elongation Factor Tu Orthologs

Elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) binds and loads elongating aminoacyl-tRNAs (aa-tRNAs) onto the ribosome for protein biosynthesis. Many bacteria biosynthesize Gln-tRNA (Gln) and Asn-tRNA (Asn) by an indirect, two-step pathway that relies on the misacylated tRNAs Glu-tRNA (Gln) and Asp-tRNA (Asn) as intermediates. Previous thermodynamic and experimental analyses have demonstrated that Thermus thermophilus EF-Tu does not bind Asp-tRNA (Asn) and predicted a similar discriminatory response against Glu-tRNA (Gln) [Asahara, H., and Uhlenbeck, O. (2005) Biochemistry 46, 6194-6200; Roy, H., et al. (2007) Nucleic Acids Res. 35, 3420-3430]. By discriminating against these misacylated tRNAS, EF-Tu plays a direct role in preventing misincorporation of aspartate and glutamate into proteins at asparagine and glutamine codons. Here we report the characterization of two different mesophilic EF-Tu orthologs, one from Escherichia coli, a bacterium that does not utilize either Glu-tRNA (Gln) or Asp-tRNA (Asn), and the second from Helicobacter pylori, an organism in which both misacylated tRNAs are essential. Both EF-Tu orthologs discriminate against these misacylated tRNAs, confirming the prediction that Glu-tRNA (Gln), like Asp-tRNA (Asn), will not form a complex with EF-Tu. These results also demonstrate that the capacity of EF-Tu to discriminate against both of these aminoacyl-tRNAs is conserved even in bacteria like E. coli that do not generate either misacylated tRNA.
System technology analysis of aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles - Moderate lift/drag

The utilization of procedures involving aerodynamic braking and/or aerodynamic maneuvering on return from higher altitude orbits to low-earth orbit makes it possible to realize significant performance benefits. The present study is concerned with a number of mission scenarios for Aeroassisted Orbital Transfer Vehicles (AOTV) and the impact of potential technology advances in the performance enhancement of the class of AOTV's having a hypersonic lift to drag ratio (L/D) of 0.75 to 1.5. It is found that the synergistic combination of a hypersonic L/D of 1.2, an advanced cryopropelled engine, and an LH2 drop tank (1-1/2 stage) leads to a single 65,000 pound shuttle, two-man geosynchronous mission with 2100 pounds of useful paylod. Additional payload enhancement is possible with AOTV dry weight reductions due to technology advances in the areas of vehicle structures and thermal protection systems and other subsystems.
Retinoblastoma frontiers with intravenous, intra-arterial, periocular, and intravitreal chemotherapy

In this report, we explore retinoblastoma diagnostic accuracy and review chemotherapy alternatives for retinoblastoma using intravenous, intra-arterial, periocular, and intravitreal routes. A review of 2775 patients referred for management of retinoblastoma, disclosed 78% with confirmed retinoblastoma and 22% with simulating lesions, termed pseudoretinoblastomas. Children ≤2 years old showed leading pseudoretinoblastomas of persistent fetal vasculature, Coats disease, and vitreous haemorrhage, whereas those >5 years showed simulators of Coats, toxocariasis, and familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. The diagnosis of retinoblastoma should be established before planning therapeutic strategy. Chemotherapy strategy depends on tumour laterality and stage of disease. If bilateral retinoblastoma, intravenous chemotherapy (IVC) is important as first-line therapy for control of intraocular disease, prevention of metastasis, and reduction in prevalence of pinealoblastoma and long-term second malignant neoplasms. Bilateral groups D and E retinoblastoma receive additional subtenon's carboplatin boost for improved local control. If unilateral disease is present, then intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) is often considered. IAC can be salvage therapy following chemoreduction failure. Unilateral retinoblastoma of groups D and E are managed with enucleation or globe-conserving IVC and/or IAC. Intravitreal chemotherapy is cautiously reserved for recurrent vitreous seeds following other therapies. In conclusion, the strategy for retinoblastoma management with chemotherapy depends on tumour laterality and stage of disease. Bilateral retinoblastoma is most often managed with IVC and unilateral retinoblastoma with IAC, but if advanced stage, combination IVC plus IAC or enucleation.
Developmental Placement of Kindergarten Children Based on the Gesell School Readiness Test.

The practice of placing kindergarten children into different instructional programs based on results from the Gesell School Readiness Test (GSRT) was investigated. Children's performance on the GSRT and their participation in two programs were studied in relation to additional measures of intelligence, academic achievement, and temperament. Participants consisted of 119 families in three elementary schools in a middle-class suburban community. Results revealed significant relationships among the GSRT, IQ, and academic achievement. Children assessed as being “younger” on the GSRT tended to have lower IQ scores than their “older” peers. Within the younger group of children, those who participated in the transitional program did not do as well on an achievement test at the end of the first year of school as those who participated in the regular program. Differences in achievement following first grade were not significant, regardless of whether children participated in the transitional or regular programs. In general, neither parents' nor teachers' temperament ratings varied according to development age as measured by the GSRT. Implications of these findings for the practice of developmental placement are discussed.
Science education for students with special needs

Students with special needs tend to show significantly lower achievement in science than their peers. Reasons for this include severe difficulties with academic skills (i.e. reading, math and writing), behaviour problems and limited prior understanding of core concepts background knowledge. Despite this bleak picture, much is known on how to significantly improve science achievement for students with special needs. A recent comprehensive meta-analysis indicates that inquiry instruction which infuses appropriate scaffolds and supports, can significantly improve science achievement for students with special needs. This article will delineate the types of supports and scaffolds that students with special needs require to be successful in inquiry instruction. It will also provide concrete examples of how these supports have been successfully applied in an inclusive third through fifth grade science approach (i.e. the science writing heuristic).
An evaluation of the biologic activity and vitamin D receptor binding affinity of the photoisomers of vitamin D3 and previtamin D3

Skin is in the site of previtamin D3 and vitamin D3 synthesis and their isomerization in response to ultraviolet irradiation. At present, little is known about the function of the photoisomers of previtamin D3 and the vitamin D3 in skin cells. In this study we investigated the antiproliferative activity of the major photoisomers and their metabolites in the cultured human keratinocytes by determining their influence on 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA. Our results demonstrated at both 10(-8) and 10(-6) M in a dose-dependent manner. Lumisterol, tachysterol3, 5,6-trans-vitamin D3, and 25-hydroxy-5,6-trans-vitamin D3 only induced significant inhibition at 10(-6) M. 25-Hydroxytachysterol3 was approximately 10- to 100-fold more active than tachysterol3. 7-Dehydrocholesterol was not active even at 10(-6) M. The dissociation constants of vitamin D receptor (VDR) for 25-hydroxytachysterol3, 25-hydroxy-5,6-trans-vitamin D3, and 5,6-trans-vitamin D3 were 22, 58, and 560 nM, respectively. The dissociation constants for 7-dehydrocholesterol, tachysterol, and lumisterol were greater than 20 microM. In conclusion, vitamin D3, its photoisomers and the photoisomers of previtamin D3 have antiproliferative activity in cultured human keratinocytes. However, the antiproliferative activity did not correlate with their binding affinity for VDR. The results suggest that some of the photoproducts may be metabolized to their 25-hydroxylated and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxylated counterparts before acting on VDR. Alternatively, a different receptor may recognize these photoproducts or another mechanism may be involved in modulating the antiproliferative activity of the photoisomers examined.
Effect of stretching on the structure and electrical conductivity of doped and undoped poly(phenylene vinylene) thin films

Abstract Impedance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared dichroism and AFM imaging were used to investigate the effect of orientation and doping on the electrical properties of a series of stretched poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV) films. The degree of orientation was determined by infrared dichroism. X-ray diffraction patterns clearly display a transition from random orientation to a high degree of orientation. Analysis of the AFM images indicates that a fibrillated structure was formed on the stretched films. Solid state impedance measurements of doped and undoped films were carried out parallel to and perpendicular to the stretch direction (i.e. in the through-plane direction) in an attempt to understand the effect of the fibrillar structure on the electrical properties. It was found that the bulk conductivity of undoped PPV in the through film thickness direction decreased with increasing orientation, while the conductivity of undoped PPV along the stretch direction is independent of orientation. Doping of the stretched PPV thin films with a 0.58 M FeCl 3 solution for 10 min increased the conductivity by over two orders of magnitude.
Presence of aberrant tumor-reactive immunoglobulins in the circulation of patients with ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objectives. Cancer patients generally exhibit circulating tumor-reactive immunoglobulins; however, these antibodies fail to eradicate tumors or prevent their progression. This study identifies and characterizes an aberrant tumor-reactive IgG population present in women with ovarian cancer. Methods. In this pilot study, IgG was isolated from the sera of women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer (stages III and IV, n = 62) and age-matched female volunteers ( n = 50) by affinity chromatography. These IgGs were characterized on the basis on their aberrant binding to concanavalin A affinity columns. Subsequently, the concanavalin A-binding moiety was localized following IgG fragmentation, analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and characterized by oligosaccharide profiling. Results. The level of concanavalin A-binding IgG in our control population was 8.9 ± 2.9%, whereas in ovarian cancer patients, the level of concanavalin A-binding IgG was 38.8 ± 7.4%. In the patients with ovarian cancer, 87.5 ± 5.7% of the tumor-reactive IgG was demonstrated to be concanavalin A-binding. Based on oligosaccharide profiling of the fragmented concanavalin A-binding IgG, the aberrant lectin binding appeared to be the consequence of altered glycosylation of one of the two Fc chains. Conclusions. While our previous studies have identified the presence of circulating IgG reactive with specific tumor-associated antigens and its association with poor prognosis, this report demonstrated the presence of an aberrantly glycosylated IgG population in cancer patients. This altered IgG appeared to be the primary class of tumor-reactive antibodies in these women.
Displacement of a Newtonian fluid by a non-Newtonian fluid in a porous medium

This paper presents an analytical Buckley-Leverett-type solution for one-dimensibnal immiscible displacement of a Newtonian fluid by a non-Newtonian fluid in porous media. The non-Newtonian fluid viscosity is assumed to be a function of the flow potential gradient and the non-Newtonian phase saturation. To apply this method to field problems a practical procedure has been developed which is based on the analytical solution and is similar to the graphic technique of Welge. Our solution can be regarded as an extension of the Buckley-Leverett method to Non-Newtonian fluids. The analytical result reveals how the saturation profile and the displacement efficiency are controlled not only by the relative permeabilities, as in the Buckley-Leverett solution, but also by the inherent complexities of the non-Newtonian fluid. Two examples of the application of the solution are given. One application is the verification of a numerical model, which has been developed for simulation of flow of immiscible non-Newtonian and Newtonian fluids in porous media. Excellent agreement between the numerical and analytical results has been obtained using a power-law non-Newtonian fluid. Another application is to examine the effects of non-Newtonian behavior on immiscible displacement of a Newtonian fluid by a power-law non-Newtonian fluid.
Detection of native chondroitin sulfate impurities in heparin sodium with a colorimetric micro-plate based assay

We have recently described a 96-well plate format assay for visually detecting oversulfated chondroitin sulfate A (OSCS) in heparin that uses a water soluble cationic polythiophene polymer (3-(2-(N-(N′-methylimidazole))ethoxy)-4-methylthiophene (LPTP)) and heparinase digestion. Because dermatan sulfate (DS, a.k.a. chondroitin sulfate B (CSB)) and, to a lesser degree, chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) are the most common native impurities of heparin active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) we adapted the previously established micro-plate assay for the visual detection of DS and CSA in heparin sodium. We describe a naked-eye detection test of these common heparin impurities with sensitivity appropriate for the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 1% percent galactosamine in total hexosamine specification. For example, the test detects DS ≥ 1.0% w/w visually and 0.5% using a plate reader, or CSA ≥ 1.0 to 2.0% w/w visually and at ≥1.0% with a plate reader. In contrast to the test developed for oversulfated glycosaminoglycans such as OSCS, the LPTP–chondroitinase test developed here utilizes chondroitinase ABC instead of heparinases and requires a centrifugal filtration step to remove un-digested heparin. The test takes advantage of the sensitivity of the LPTP chemosensor to low molecular weight glycosaminoglycan (GAG) fragments formed by digesting DS or CSA. Importantly, the LPTP–chondroitinase method detects DS and CSA in heparin sodium in a format potentially amenable to high throughput screening.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Irritable vs. Elated Mania Suggests Genetic Differences between Clinical Subtypes of Bipolar Disorder

The use of clinical features to define subtypes of a disorder may aid in gene identification for complex diseases. In particular, clinical subtypes of mania may distinguish phenotypic subgroups of bipolar subjects that may also differ genetically. To assess this possibility, we performed a genome-wide association study using genotype data from the Bipolar Genome Study (BiGS) and subjects that were categorized as having either irritable or elated mania during their most severe episode. A bipolar case-only analysis in the GAIN bipolar sample identified several genomic regions that differed between irritable and elated subjects, the most significant of which was for 33 SNPs on chromosome 13q31 (peak p = 2×10−7). This broad peak is in a relative gene desert over an unknown EST and between the SLITRK1 and SLITRK6 genes. Evidence for association to this region came predominantly from subjects in the sample that were originally collected as part of a family-based bipolar linkage study, rather than those collected as bipolar singletons. We then genotyped an additional sample of bipolar singleton cases and controls, and the analysis of irritable vs. elated mania in this new sample did not replicate our previous findings. However, this lack of replication is likely due to the presence of significant differences in terms of clinical co-morbity that were identified between these singleton bipolar cases and those that were selected from families segregating the disorder. Despite these clinical differences, analysis of the combined sample provided continued support for 13q31 and other regions from our initial analysis. Though genome-wide significance was not achieved, our results suggest that irritable mania results from a distinct set of genes, including a region on chromosome 13q31.
Shared VH1-46 gene usage by pemphigus vulgaris autoantibodies indicates common humoral immune responses among patients

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially fatal blistering disease caused by autoantibodies (autoAbs) against desmoglein 3 (Dsg3). Here, we clone anti-Dsg3 antibodies (Abs) from four PV patients and identify pathogenic VH1-46 autoAbs from all four patients. Unexpectedly, VH1-46 autoAbs had relatively few replacement mutations. We reverted antibody somatic mutations to their germline sequences to determine the requirement of mutations for autoreactivity. Three of five VH1-46 germline-reverted Abs maintain Dsg3 binding, compared with zero of five non-VH1-46 germline-reverted Abs. Site-directed mutagenesis of VH1-46 Abs demonstrates that acidic amino-acid residues introduced by somatic mutation or heavy chain VDJ recombination are necessary and sufficient for Dsg3 binding. Our data suggest that VH1-46 autoantibody gene usage is commonly found in PV because VH1-46 Abs require few to no mutations to acquire Dsg3 autoreactivity, which may favour their early selection. Common VH gene usage indicates common humoral immune responses, even among unrelated patients.
Photochemical production of Fe(II) in rainwater.

Significant concentrations of Fe(II) were produced upon irradiation of authentic rainwater with simulated sunlight. The magnitude of photoproduction was dependent on initial Fe(II), Fe(III), and hy...
Increased cytotoxicity of chronic hypoxic cells by molecular inhibition of GRP78 induction.

Abstract Purpose: To develop a molecular strategy of increasing cytotoxicity of chronically hypoxic cells by inhibiting Glucose Regulated Protein 78 kDal (GRP78) induction. Methods and Materials: A mutant nonGRP78 inducing cell line (78WO) was developed from its parent (DG44) by overexpressing antisense GRP78 mRNA. Following exposure to varying durations of hypoxia, Northern and Western blot analysis were used to characterize the amount of GRP78 expression both at the RNA and protein level. Hypoxia was achieved by placing cells in specially designed hypoxic chambers which were subjected to successive rounds of evacuation and flushing with 95% C02/N2 to reduce the oxygen in the environment to 0.02% oxygen. After treatment with hypoxia, cells were assayed for colony forming ability. Results: GRP78 mRNA and protein induction following exposure to hypoxia was 3–4 fold lower in the 78WO cell line than in the parental DG44 cell line. Furthermore, it was observed that there was no difference in the cytotoxicity of 78WO and DG44 cells after 10 h of hypoxia. However, after 15 h of hypoxia, the survival of 78WO cells decreased by 1 log and after 20 h of hypoxia, the survival of 78WO decreased by another log. Conclusion: These results show that stress protein induction is important for cellular survival to chronic hypoxia and that inhibition of GRP78 induction may represent a novel therapeutic strategy by selectively sensitizing chronically hypoxic cells within solid tumors.
EGF signalling activates the ubiquitin proteasome system to modulate C. elegans lifespan

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) signalling regulates growth and differentiation. Here, we examine the function of EGF signalling in Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan. We find that EGF signalling regulates lifespan via the Ras-MAPK pathway and the PLZF transcription factors EOR-1 and EOR-2. As animals enter adulthood, EGF signalling upregulates the expression of genes involved in the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS), including the Skp1-like protein SKR-5, while downregulating the expression of HSP16-type chaperones. Using reporters for global UPS activity, protein aggregation, and oxidative stress, we find that EGF signalling alters protein homoeostasis in adults by increasing UPS activity and polyubiquitination, while decreasing protein aggregation. We show that SKR-5 and the E3/E4 ligases that comprise the ubiquitin fusion degradation (UFD) complex are required for the increase in UPS activity observed in adults, and that animals that lack SKR-5 or the UFD have reduced lifespans and indications of oxidative stress. We propose that as animals enter fertile adulthood, EGF signalling switches the mechanism for maintaining protein homoeostasis from a chaperone-based approach to an approach involving protein elimination via augmented UPS activity.
Molecular Characteristics of Corn Fiber Gum and Their Influence on CFG Emulsifying Properties

ABSTRACT The molecular characteristics of two purified arabinoxylan fractions derived from corn kernels, corn fiber gum-1 and -2 (CFG-1 and -2), have been studied and correlated with emulsifying properties. CFG-1 and -2 fractions were isolated from different corn fiber sources by 1) a sequential alkaline extraction and H2O2 bleaching to produce CFG-1; and 2) additional H2O2 treatment of the alkali-extracted residue at pH 11.5, yielding CFG-2. Multiangle laser light-scattering and online viscosity were used to measure the molar mass, polydispersity, structure compactness, and intrinsic viscosity of the generated CFG fractions. Emulsification properties in an oil-in-water emulsion system with 10:1 oil-to-gum ratio was investigated by measuring turbidity of an aliquot from the bottom of the diluted emulsion over 10 days. The isolated CFG-2 from each fiber source was higher in weight-average molar mass (Mw) polydispersity) (Mw/Mn) and structure compactness, and also lower in solution weight-average intrinsic ...
Desynchronization of neural activity in a network model

Abstract Electric brain activity during seizures is often associated with hyperactive and synchronous bursts of activity. We investigated different protocols of electric stimulation in a model network as potential seizure control mechanisms. Our network consisted of a chain loop of cells with excitatory synapses, representing a neocortical microcircuit. Random fluctuations of the membrane potential in each neuron simulated activity originating from other areas. Overall depolarizing and hyperpolarizing currents were not effective in stopping synchronized activity in the network. An electric current proportional to the inverted field potential was an effective desynchronizing stimulus in smaller networks.
Dynamics of radiationless processes studied in pulsed supersonic free jets: Some naphthalene lifetimes

Abstract A pulsed supersonic free jet is used to prepare a low temperature sample of naphthalene vapor. Single vibronic level fluorescence lifetimes determined therein differ significantly from lifetimes previously obtained at room temperature.
The dynamin-like protein ADL1C is essential for plasma membrane maintenance during pollen maturation.

Summary Dynamin-related GTPases regulate a wide variety of dynamic membrane processes in eukaryotes. Here, we investigated the function of ADL1C, a member of the Arabidopsis 68 kDa dynamin-like protein family. Analysis of heterozygous adl1C-1 indicates that the mutation specifically affects post-meiotic male gametogenesis. Fifty percent of the mature pollen from heterozygous adl1C-1 androecia are shriveled and fail to germinate in vitro. During microspore maturation, adl1C-1 pollen grains display defects in the plasma membrane and intine morphology, suggesting that ADL1C is essential for the formation and maintenance of the pollen cell surface and viability during desiccation. Consistent with a role in cell-surface dynamics, immunofluorescence microscopy indicates that ADL1C is localized to the cell plate of dividing somatic cells and to the tip of expanding root hairs. We propose that ADL1C functions in plasma membrane dynamics, and we discuss the role of the ADL1 family in plant growth and development.
Patterned Tone Sequences Reveal Non-Linear Interactions in Auditory Spectrotemporal Receptive Fields in the Inferior Colliculus

Linear measures of auditory receptive fields do not always fully account for a neuron’s response to spectrotemporally-complex signals such as frequency-modulated sweeps (FM) and communication sounds. A possible source of this discrepancy is cross-frequency interactions, common response properties which may be missed by linear receptive fields but captured using two-tone masking. Using a patterned tonal sequence that included a balanced set of all possible tone-to-tone transitions, we have here combined the spectrotemporal receptive field with two-tone masking to measure spectrotemporal response maps (STRM). Recording from single units in the mustached bat inferior colliculus, we found significant non-linear interactions between sequential tones in all sampled units. In particular, tone-pair STRMs revealed three common features not visible in linear single-tone STRMs: 1) two-tone facilitative interactions, 2) frequency-specific suppression, and 3) post-stimulatory suppression in the absence of spiking. We also found a correlative relationship between these nonlinear receptive field features and sensitivity for different rates and directions of FM sweeps, dynamic features found in many vocalizations, including speech. The overwhelming prevalence of cross-frequency interactions revealed by this technique provides further evidence of the central auditory system’s role as a pattern-detector, and underscores the need to include nonlinearity in measures of the receptive field.
The Effect of Coercion on Aggression and Mental Health Among Reciprocally Violent Couples

Researchers have not investigated mental health outcomes among couples who are reciprocally violent towards each other. The present study investigated differences in partner violence (psychological, physical, and sexual) and mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, hostility, and somatic) between two types of reciprocally violent couples: situational couple violence (SCV) and mutual control violence (MVC). SCV couples use violence to address stressful family conflicts, while MVC couples use violence as a tool to control each other. Participants (N = 609) completed surveys that contained several instruments that measured past violence, coercive behaviors, physical injuries, and mental health symptoms. Results revealed that MVC reported significantly higher levels of violent perpetration and worse physical and mental health than SCV. These findings have implications for understanding the role of coercion in partner violence and mental health, which can be used for the development of appropriate mental health services for couples who are mutually violent towards each other.