cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anxiety and affective disorder comorbidity related to serotonin and other neurotransmitter systems: obsessive–compulsive disorder as an example of overlapping clinical and genetic heterogeneity

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have also been shown to have comorbid lifetime diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD; rates greater than 70%), bipolar disorder (rates greater than 10%) and other anxiety disorders (e.g. panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)). In addition, overlap exists in some common genetic variants (e.g. the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene), and rare variants in genes/chromosomal abnormalities (e.g. the 22q11 microdeletion syndrome) found across the affective/anxiety disorder spectrums. OCD has been proposed as a possible independent entity for DSM-5, but by others thought best retained as an anxiety disorder subtype (its current designation in DSM-IV), and yet by others considered best in the affective disorder spectrum. This review focuses on OCD, a well-studied but still puzzling heterogeneous disorder, regarding alterations in serotonergic, dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in addition to other systems involved, and how related genes may be involved in the comorbidity of anxiety and affective disorders. OCD resembles disorders such as depression, in which gene × gene interactions, gene × environment interactions and stress elements coalesce to yield OC symptoms and, in some individuals, full-blown OCD with multiple comorbid disorders.
Trends in Electrical Injury in the U.S., 1992–2002

This paper updates an earlier report by the authors that studied electrical injuries from 1992 to 1998. The previous information is expanded and supplemented with fatal and nonfatal injury rates and trends through 2002. Injury numbers and rates were used to compare and trend electrical injury experience for various groups and categories. This information allowed identification of at-risk groups that could most benefit from effective electrical safety interventions. The data presented in this paper are derived from the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Survey of Occupational Illnesses and Injuries, and Current Population Survey. Between 1992 and 2002, 3378 workers died from on-the-job electrical injuries. Electricity remained the sixth leading cause of injury-related occupational death. From 1999 to 2002, 4.7% of all occupational deaths were caused by electricity, down from 5.2% in the 1992-1998 time period. The cause of death was listed as electrocution in 99.1% of fatal cases. Contact with overhead power lines was involved in 42% of all on-the-job electrical deaths. The construction industry accounted for 47% of all electrical deaths between 1992 and 2002 but showed overall improvement from 1995 to 2002 by reducing its electrical fatality rate from 2.2 to 1.5 per 100 000 workers. In addition, 46 598 workers were nonfatally injured by electricity. Contact with electric current of machine, tool, appliance, or light fixture and contact with wiring, transformers, or other electrical components accounted for 36% and 34% of nonfatal electrical injuries, respectively. Contact with underground buried power lines was involved with 1% of fatal injuries and 2% of nonfatal injuries. The research of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health aimed at evaluating commercially available overhead power line proximity warning alarms is described. This paper is expected to be the initial step for eventual development of a performance standard for such systems.
VISSIM: a multi-parameter sensitivity analysis

Traffic microsimulation is increasingly a preferred method of traffic analysis for today's transportation professionals. The importance of properly calibrating these traffic simulations is evidenced by the adoption of microsimulation calibration standards by several state and federal transportation authorities. A component of the calibration process is the calibration of the simulation for capacity. Capacity is a high-level measurement that is a function of many lower-level user-defined input parameters. VISSIM utilizes psy-chophysical car-following models that rely on ten user-defined parameters to represent freeway driving behavior. Several VISSIM driver behavior parameters have been shown to have a significant impact on roadway capacity. This paper seeks further understanding of the performance of the VISSIM traffic microsimulator by investigating the impact of driver behavior parameter combinations on a measure of freeway capacity. This paper is intended to provide insight useful for manual calibration of VISSIM microsimulation or the development of calibration algorithms.
Effects of lifting frequency and technique on physical fatigue with special reference to psychophysical methodology and metabolic rate.

A laboratory study was conducted (1) to evaluate the effects of lifting frequency and technique on maximum acceptable work loads using psychophysical measurement technique, and (2) to compare the physiological fatigue criteria of 5 Kcal/min with the psychophysical fatigue criteria by measuring the metabolic rates at maximum acceptable work loads determined by subjective estimates of physical fatigue. Six male college students were required to lift from the floor to a 0.5 m height for 40 minutes. Four levels of lifting frequency (3, 6, 9 and 12 lifts/min) and three different lifting techniques (firee style, stooped back and straight-back, bent-knee) were employed. Oxygen consumption rates were measured at maximum acceptable work loads (and were reduced to STPD). Statistical analysis showed that the maximum work loads acceptable to the workers were significantly affected by both lifting frequency and technique. Maximum acceptable work loads increased with an increase in lifting frequency. Both the subjectiv...
Dynamic morphology of plastids and stromules in angiosperm plants

Labelling of plastids with fluorescent proteins has revealed the diversity of their sizes and shapes in different tissues of vascular plants. Stromules, stroma-filled tubules comprising thin extensions of the stroma surrounded by the double envelope membrane, have been observed to emanate from all major types of plastid, though less common on chloroplasts. In some tissue types, stromules are highly dynamic, forming, shrinking, attaching, releasing and fragmenting. Stromule formation is negatively affected by treatment of tissue with cytoskeletal inhibitors. Plastids can be connected by stromules, through which green fluorescent protein (GFP) and fluorescently tagged chloroplast protein complexes have been observed to flow. Within the highly viscous stroma, proteins traffic by diffusion as well as by an active process of directional travel, whose mechanism is unknown. In addition to exchanging materials between plastids, stromules may also serve to increase the surface area of the envelope for import and export, reduce diffusion distance between plastids and other organelles for exchange of materials, and anchor the plastid onto attachment points for proper positioning with the plant cell. Future studies should reveal how these functions may affect plants in adapting to the challenges of a changing environment.
Prostate Specific Antigen Regression and Progression after Androgen Deprivation for Localized and Metastatic Prostate Cancer

To identify prostate specific antigen (PSA) functions of prognostic significance in regard to treatment with androgen deprivation for prostate cancer we analyzed the pretreatment PSA, PSA half-life, PSA nadirs, times to PSA elevation and PSA doubling times in 245 patients with localized and 78 with metastatic disease who were treated with this modality. There was a direct correlation between the pretreatment PSA and the time to PSA elevation in patients with localized cancer (p = 0.000003) but no significant correlation in those with metastatic cancer. The PSA half-life was highly variable and did not correlate with other PSA functions of prognostic significance. Incremental increases in the PSA nadir correlated with the time to PSA elevation in patients with localized and metastatic cancer (p < 0.000001 and p = 0.00009, respectively), and with other parameters of prognostic significance. The median PSA doubling time in 26 patients with localized cancer in whom distant metastases did not develop (7.5 months) was significantly longer than that in 7 in whom new metastases developed (2.5 months) and in 43 with preexisting metastatic cancer (2.5 months) (p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001, respectively). In the 7 patients with localized cancer in whom metastases developed the median of the ratios of the PSA when the metastases were manifest and the pretreatment PSA was 0.14, and in 24 patients with preexisting metastatic cancer the median of the ratios of the antemortem PSA and the pretreatment PSA was 1.2. These data show that PSA synthesis by prostate cancer is reduced after androgen deprivation but that the PSA nadir and PSA doubling time following treatment provide important prognostic information.
Software data-triggered threads

The data-triggered threads (DTT) programming and execution model can increase parallelism and eliminate redundant computation. However, the initial proposal requires significant architecture support, which impedes existing applications and architectures from taking advantage of this model. This work proposes a pure software solution that supports the DTT model without any hardware support. This research uses a prototype compiler and runtime libraries running on top of existing machines. Several enhancements to the initial software implementation are presented, which further improve the performance.The software runtime system improves the performance of serial C SPEC benchmarks by 15% on a Nehalem processor, but by over 7X over the full suite of single-thread applications. It is shown that the DTT model can work in conjunction with traditional parallelism. The DTT model provides up to 64X speedup over parallel applications exploiting traditional parallelism.
Spatio-Temporal Relationship between Water Depletion and Root Distribution Patterns of Centaurea solstitialis and Two Native Perennials

In a 2-year field study, we quantified lateral root growth patterns and soil water depletion dynamics in the invasive annual Centaurea solstitialis and two native perennials, Elymus glaucus and Grindelia camporum. Centaurea solstitialis produced lateral roots most actively from early April to mid-June, during the late rosette to spiny seedhead stage while both root growth and water depletion were completed before flowering. In the wet year, roots were evenly distributed throughout the soil profile to 180 cm deep. Lack of deep soil moisture recharge in the second year restricted root distribution to shallow soil depths (< 60 cm). In contrast to C. solstitialis, living roots of the native perennials persisted throughout the year. Elymus glaucus roots were most abundant (47% of total roots) in the upper soil profile (≤ 60 cm) in the wet year, but most abundant (55%) in the lower profile (≥ 150 cm) in the dry year. However, the distribution of G. camporum roots was comparable between the 2 years. This indicates that in years with little to no deep soil moisture recharge, C. solstitialis roots are distributed in the shallow soil profile similar to annual grasses, whereas in wet ter years it is similar to deep-rooted perennial species. We also show that C. solstitialis impacts grassland communities by depleting soil moisture during the short period of lateral root growth from the late rosette to the spiny stage. Therefore, control of C. solstitialis early in the season is critical during native plant restoration where success depends upon available soil moisture.
Closing The Achievement Gap: Challenges And Opportunities

Closing the achievement gap between low-and high-achieving public school students is an important goal of public education (p. 42, Lowell Rose and Alec Gallup, Phi Delta Kappan, 2007). The paper will explore background information and research as well as discuss examples of best practices to close the achievement gap. Several plans have been proposed as ways to enhance the achievement of under-represented students, according to the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll (Phi Delta Kappan, September 2007, p. 42), including additional instructional time, student assistance and increased assistance outside of the school day.
Submicroscopic Structure and Development of the Chloroplasts of Funaria hygrometrica and Bryum sp

Freshly collected specimens of Bryum sp. (gametophyte) and Funaria hygrometrica (gametophtye and sporophyte) were used for the study of the fine structure and development of chloroplasts. The fully-developed chloro-plasts of both species are ellipsoidal. The chloroplasts are bounded by a well-defined dense membrane. The laminar systems within the chloroplasts have their double closed lamellae or discs arranged into stacks or grana. The stroma lamellae are merely extensions of grana discs which form some sort of a continuity between the grana. In general, the stacks of Funaria chloroplasts are more compact than those of Bryum. Osmiophilic globules occur in the chloroplasts of both species.The development of chloroplasts of both species may be summarized as follows:1. In the proplastids, vesicles and osmiophilic globules cccur.2. The lamellae are formed locally by fusion of the vesicles.3. The number of lamellae increased with size of the chloroplasts, and the lamellae form closed double membranes or discs.4. The discs become arranged into stacks which indicate grana formation.5. Osmiophilic globules are present at all stages and show an increase in size with the advance of development.
Estradiol Differentially Regulates c-Fos after Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Estrogen replacement therapy enhances mood, delays cognitive decline, and reduces the risk of neurodegeneration. Our laboratory has shown previously that pretreatment with low physiological levels of estradiol protects against middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced brain injury during late phases of neuronal cell death. Immediate early genes (IEGs) are induced by various forms of brain injury, and their induction is known to be a critical step in programmed cell death. The current study tested the hypothesis that the ability of estradiol to reduce MCAO-induced cell death involves attenuation of expression of one or more IEGs. We examined the effects of MCAO on the temporospatial pattern of IEG expression and the modulation of this pattern by estradiol replacement. Rats were ovariectomized and treated with either vehicle or low physiological concentrations of estradiol. One week later, rats underwent MCAO and brains were collected 1, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hr later. We assessed IEG mRNAs in discrete regions of brain by RT-PCR at 24 hr. We examined expression of c-Fos mRNA and protein in greater detail using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to delineate the time course and specific regions of cortex in which estradiol influenced its expression. Our results reveal that c-fos, fosB, c-jun, and junB levels were upregulated at 24 hr. Furthermore, estradiol selectively affected the expression of c-Fos mRNA and protein by attenuating the injury-induced increase in a time- and region-specific manner. Our findings strongly suggest that the ability of estradiol to protect against MCAO-induced cell death involves attenuation of c-Fos induction.
Ewing's sarcoma of the retropharynx

Ewing's sarcoma arising in the head and neck region is very rare. A case arising from C2 in a young child is presented. The unusual presentation, differential diagnosis and pathological features are discussed.
Increased intracellular levels of lysosomal β‐glucuronidase in peripheral blood PMNs from humans with rapidly progressive periodontitis

Release of potent lysosomal enzymes by degranulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in host gingiva may contribute significantly to tissue destruction and the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. A pilot study established that peripheral blood PMNs from humans with rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) contained significantly increased amounts of intracellular lysosomal beta-glucuronidase as compared to healthy controls. This investigation gained insight into the question: are the increased levels of beta-glucuronidase in persons with RPP an a priori genetically determined PMN characteristic, or a reactive phenomenon induced by the periodontal disease process during granulopoiesis? Twelve healthy controls and twelve otherwise healthy individuals with RPP participated in a repeated measures design to T0 (initial, baseline), T1 (four weeks after disease control therapy), and T2 (two months later). At each visit clinical indices (GI, pocket depths, GCF flow, plaque index) were performed and peripheral blood obtained. PMNs were isolated and suspended as 5 x 10(6) cells in 2.0 ml of HBSS. PMN suspensions were tested for total intracellular beta-glucuronidase, degranulation induced by 1 x 10(-6)M and 5 x 10(-7) M FMLP challenges, and unchallenged for non-specific enzyme release. PMNs from individuals with RPP contained significantly higher absolute amounts of beta-glucuronidase and released greater absolute amounts at FMLP challenge at T0, T1, and T2 compared to controls. No relationship was found between any of the clinical indices and beta-glucuronidase levels and no pattern was discovered relating to the repeated measures over time. We conclude that RPP peripheral blood PMNs contain elevated levels of beta-glucuronidase that are not induced by the periodontal disease process.
Reliable operant apparatus for fish: Audio stimulus generator, response button, and pellet-dispensing nipple

As part of ongoing research into the ability of koi to categorize complex auditory stimuli, we have had to develop novel apparatus. The stimulus generator presents sound from two CD drives under computer control through a new underwater speaker. The operant manipulandum is a horizontal button that eliminates spurious triggering by water turbulence and problematic response topographies. The button’s design has also been adapted for use by tilapia in an aquacultural food-preference study. The feeder uses a nipple to dispense food pellets reliably under water. In this paper, the apparatus is described in detail. Also discussed are methodological issues related to its design, as well as its usage in a pilot study in which koi learned to discriminate music from silence by using a single manipulandum with food reinforcement.
Molecular orientation of spider silks in the natural and supercontracted states

Two theoretical models are presented to predict average molecular orientation properties of spider silk which has unknown molecular orientation and chemical structure. Birefringence and elongation (or shrinkage) data are required for two distinct lengths of a sample in order to fit the data. The first model is based on the assumptions that each molecule behaves as the average and that the deformations are affine. The second model is based on a random distribution of the molecules as the fiber is first formed and that the molecular deformations are affine when the fiber is elongated to any length. Data were taken from spider silks in the natural state and in a shrunken state (due to water). The second model gives a much better fit of the data. The models are applicable to other systems.
Making sense of relational processes and other psychological Phenomena: The participatory perspective as a post-cartesian alternative to gergen's relational approach

Gergen's (2009, 2011a, 2011b) relational approach and the participatory perspective (Westerman, 2005, 2006, 2014; Westerman & Steen, 2007) both subscribe to the view that we need to depart from tre...
Notes on Some New or Interesting Fungi

A fungus on the leaves of Asimina triloba (L.) Duval was collected near Reedsville, West Virginia, September 3, 1938. It agrees with the description of Phyllosticta Asiminae Ellis & Kellerm. given by Seaver (N. Am. Flora 6: 43. 1922) with the exception of the spores which are said to be subglobose to ellipsoid or oval 5-6 X 7-9 IA with granules. The spores in my specimens are elliptic 4-5 X 10-12 ,u. Only one species has been reported on this host. Unless other specimens with similar spores are found the Reedsville specimens may be considered as a variant rather than a new species.
Three-dimensional (3D) Analysis of Knee Shape for Designing a Knee-pad☆

Abstract This paper presents an approach to register a large number of adult 3D surface whole body scans and segment the knee region to generate a knee-specific dataset. We then applied shape analysis methods to the segmented surfaces to obtain major knee shape variation of the population. We analyzed 2069 male scans and present the first 5 significant shape modes of the knee in standing and bent poses. The knee models were used to design a knee-pad for the US Army.
An Evaluation on Comprehensive Indonesian-English Dictionary by a. M. Stevens and a. Ed. Schmidgall-Tellings

Almost all learners of English as an additional language need a bilingual dictionary. By and large, the dictionary is used to find out meanings of words, though today’s modern dictionaries serve more than that particular function. In Indonesia, there have been several widely-known and used bilingual dictionaries aimed for different profiles of target users like learners or practitioners. This article evaluated the latest edition of the Comprehensive Indonesian English Dictionary by Stevens and Schmidgall-Tellings. The purpose of the brief analysis is to give some contribution on the revision of the dictionary’s future edition in particular and other Indonesian-English dictionaries in general. It was found that besides the many advantages the dictionary provides to its readers, there have been several aspects that need revisions.
Religious Mobility and Socioeconomic Status

No differences are found between the religious mobiles and non-mobiles in terms of occupation, education, and age. However, the religious mobiles were predominately (65%) females, indicating that most religious mobility involves intermarriage. Mobiles were also found to be slightly more active church-goers than were the non-mobiles.
γ-Aminobutyric Acid Enhancement of CL 218,872 Affinity and Evidence of Benzodiazepine Receptor Heterogeneity

The inhibition of [3H]flunitrazepam binding by a novel anxiolytic agent [CL 218,872; 3-methyl-6-[3-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-l,2,4-triazolo-[4,3-b]pyridazine] was studied in membranes prepared from bovine retina and rat cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and kidney. The order of potency for the inhibition of [3H]fluintrazepam binding by CL 218,872 in these tissues was cerebellum > retina ≅ cerebral cortex » kidney. The slope factors (Hill coefficients) for CL 218,872 inhibition of [3H]flunitrazepam were approximately 1.0 for kidney, 0.9 for cerebellum, and 0.7 for cerebral cortex and retina. In thoroughly washed membrane preparations from all of the central tissues, Ki values were significantly decreased an average of 60% in the presence of 100 µM γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (p 0.05). GABA was found to enhance the affinity of CL 218,872 for both of the sites without changing the proportion of sites. The results of these studies show that GABA enhances the affinity of CL 218,872 for the central benzodiazepine receptor(s) and that the inhibition of [3H]flunitrazepam binding by CL 218,872 in bovine retina, rat cerebellum, and cerebral cortex may be explained by interactions with two classes of independent binding sites.
Evaluation comparison of broadband and sub-band AECs for teleconferencing applications

This paper is a compilation of the results obtained using adaptive algorithms in both broadband and sub-band filter structures. Normalized least mean squares (NLMS), predictive-NLMS (PNLMS) and gradient lattice (GLAT) algorithms are considered for broadband and sub-band acoustic echo cancellers (AECs). The Fast-Newton transversal filter (FNTF) algorithm is considered only in the broadband structure. Use of a DFT-based sub-band structure greatly reduced the computational inefficacy associated with the broadband structure, since it not only facilitated the use of smaller order adaptive filters, but also annihilated computational redundancies. Simulation results agree that sub-band AECs provide a higher dB cancellation of acoustic echo than broadband AECs. Also, the rate of convergence of sub-band AECs is faster than that of corresponding broadband AECs.
Preclinical Development of β-D-5- o -Carboranyl-2′-Deoxyuridine (D-CDU) for the Treatment of Malignant Brain Tumors

The major concerns in drug development for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) include the accumulation of sufficient boron in tumor tissue, while limiting exposure in neighboring non-tumor tissue. Since BNCT is a binary treatment where cellular toxicity is desired only following the irradiation of target tissue containing accumulated boron with epithermal neutrons, additional toxicity in the absence of neutrons may lead to undesirable side effects in non-targeted tissue. Therefore, compounds developed for BNCT should have low toxicity. The nucleoside derivative β-D-5-o-carboranyl-2′-deoxyuridine (D-CDU)1 (Figure 1) was selected for development, since it was essentially non-toxic in cell culture and rodents, and contains ten boron atoms per molecule in a lipophilic closo-carboranyl moiety. This moiety enhances the lipophilicity of the nucleoside, resulting in an octanol:water partition coefficient (π) of 3,050 at pH 7.4,2 which should result in increased permeability of the nucleoside through lipophilic membranes.
Genes and Genetics in Human Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The complex etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) could be attributed to a combination of genetic predispositions, epigenetic changes, and environmental exposures. The genome-wide association study (GWAS) that screens hundreds of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms across the genome based on a hypothesis-free approach has accelerated discovery of genetic variants predisposing individuals to SLE. After the initial GWAS discovery, subsequent large-scale replication studies and meta-analyses have identified and confirmed over 50 SLE-risk loci that most are shared in multiple ancestries. We review recent progress toward identifying causative variants at the SLE-risk loci, highlighting genes with functions in innate and adaptive immune responses that contribute to disease susceptibility and specific manifestations or end organ damage in SLE. These findings have enhanced our understanding of SLE pathogenesis to the molecular level and will guide the development of new therapeutic interventions in the near future.
Online Human Interaction Detection and Recognition With Multiple Cameras

We address the problem of detecting and recognizing online the occurrence of human interactions as seen by a network of multiple cameras. We represent interactions by forming temporal trajectories, coupling together the body motion of each individual and their proximity relationships with others, and also sound whenever available. Such trajectories are modeled with kernel state-space (KSS) models. Their advantage is being suitable for the online interaction detection, recognition, and also for fusing information from multiple cameras, while enabling a fast implementation based on online recursive updates. For recognition, in order to compare interaction trajectories in the space of KSS models, we design so-called pairwise kernels with a special symmetry. For detection, we exploit the geometry of linear operators in Hilbert space, and extend to KSS models the concept of parity space, originally defined for linear models. For fusion, we combine KSS models with kernel construction and multiview learning techniques. We extensively evaluate the approach on four single view publicly available data sets, and we also introduce, and will make public, a new challenging human interactions data set that we have collected using a network of three cameras. The results show that the approach holds promise to become an effective building block for the analysis of real-time human behavior from multiple cameras.
The varying impact of land subsidence and earth fissures on residential property values in Maricopa County – a quantile regression approach

ABSTRACTThis paper uses quantile regression to examine the impact of land subsidence and earth fissures on residential property values across different quantiles of distribution in housing prices in Maricopa County, Arizona. Using 82,716 arms-length property sales between 2004 and 2010, we estimated a fixed effects quantile regression model predicting the impact of land subsidence and earth fissures on property values. We found that both land subsidence and earth fissures had a negative impact on property values. The impact of land subsidence and earth fissures vary statistically across different distributions of housing prices. Disamenity impacts are found to be more pronounced at high-priced homes while they are statistically insignificant at substantially lower priced homes.
VP24-Karyopherin Alpha Binding Affinities Differ between Ebolavirus Species, Influencing Interferon Inhibition and VP24 Stability

Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV), Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV), and Reston ebolavirus (RESTV) belong to the same genus but exhibit different virulence properties. VP24 protein, a structural protein present in all family members, blocks interferon (IFN) signaling and likely contributes to virulence. Inhibition of IFN signaling by EBOV VP24 (eVP24) involves its interaction with the NPI-1 subfamily of karyopherin alpha (KPNA) nuclear transporters. Here, we evaluated eVP24, BDBV VP24 (bVP24), and RESTV VP24 (rVP24) interactions with three NPI-1 subfamily KPNAs (KPNA1, KPNA5, and KPNA6). Using purified proteins, we demonstrated that each VP24 binds to each of the three NPI-1 KPNAs. bVP24, however, exhibited approximately 10-fold-lower KPNA binding affinity than either eVP24 or rVP24. Cell-based assays also indicate that bVP24 exhibits decreased KPNA interaction, decreased suppression of IFN induced gene expression, and a decreased half-life in transfected cells compared to eVP24 or rVP24. Amino acid sequence alignments between bVP24 and eVP24 also identified residues within and surrounding the previously defined eVP24-KPNA5 binding interface that decrease eVP24-KPNA affinity or bVP24-KPNA affinity. VP24 mutations that lead to reduced KPNA binding affinity also decrease IFN inhibition and shorten VP24 half-lives. These data identify novel functional differences in VP24-KPNA interaction and reveal a novel impact of the VP24-KPNA interaction on VP24 stability. IMPORTANCE The interaction of Ebola virus (EBOV) VP24 protein with host karyopherin alpha (KPNA) proteins blocks type I interferon (IFN) signaling, which is a central component of the host innate immune response to viral infection. Here, we quantitatively compared the interactions of VP24 proteins from EBOV and two members of the Ebolavirus genus, Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) and Reston virus (RESTV). The data reveal lower binding affinity of the BDBV VP24 (bVP24) for KPNAs and demonstrate that the interaction with KPNA modulates inhibition of IFN signaling and VP24 stability. The effect of KPNA interaction on VP24 stability is a novel functional consequence of this virus-host interaction, and the differences identified between viral species may contribute to differences in pathogenesis.
Quantitation of WT1 Transcripts by Copy Number Provides a Sensitive Indication of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) and Response to Adoptive Cell Therapy in Patients Transplanted for Ph(+) CML.

Abstract Abstract 4489 The Wilm's tumor gene, WT-1, is markedly overexpressed in a high proportion of acute leukemias, advanced MDS and Ph(+) CML. Prior studies, employing semiquantitative PCR-based techniques, have suggested that elevated levels of WT-1 transcripts in bone marrow and PBMC are indicative of MRD, and predictive of relapse in AML and CML following chemotherapy. We have now developed a quantitative real time PCR-based assay for WT-1 transcripts and used it to evaluate the long term effects of donor lymphocyte infusions in a series of patients with Ph(+) CML treated for relapse or persistent MRD following allogeneic marrow transplants between 1993 and 2004 who are currently in molecular or cytogenetic remission. To quantitate WT-1 mRNA copy number in the marrow and PBMC, total RNA from patient samples received at different times that had been extracted with trizol reagent and stored at -20°C was transcribed into cDNA using MMLV reverse transcriptase. Real time PCR was performed with 1-2 μg of total RNA using the ABI 7300 instrument with a 25 base pair FAM labeled probe containing a sequence located at the boundary of exon 6 and 7 of the WT-1 gene in order to eliminate amplification of genomic DNA and insure measurement of all transcribed WT-1 isoforms. The forward and reverse primers were synthesized from sequences contained in exon 6 and 7 of the WT-1 gene respectively. Cloned plasmids containing defined copy numbers of WT-1 and human GAPDH were used to prepare standard curves using serial dilutions. Quantitation of WT-1 copy number expression was performed by calibration against these standard curves. The expression of WT-1 was normalized against the expression of the control GAPDH to adjust for variation in RNA and cDNA synthesis. Using this assay, we evaluated sequential samples from each patient for correlations between WT-1 copy number detected and the results of qualitative PCR assays for bcr/abl fusion gene transcripts previously performed on the same samples using nested primers as well as the results of clinical, hematologic and cytogenetic analyses of each patient obtained at each time of sampling. Blood samples from a group of 8 normal volunteers served as negative controls. The average WT-1 copy number in the blood of normal volunteers was 25 copies/ μg RNA (range 2-60). With one exception, blood and marrow samples from patients with CML in molecular remission (bcr/abl not detected) had WT-1 copy numbers Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Advanced pulmonary carcinoid (APC): 20-year experience at Johns Hopkins (JH).

7598 Background: APC is a rare thoracic malignancy with limited prognostic data and a perceived lack of treatment options other than surgical resection. This is the largest series of APC patients (...
Photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory studies of (fructose + (H2O)n)− (n = 1–5) anionic clusters

Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and density functional theory (DFT) based calculations are executed to characterize gas phase, isolated (fructose + (H2O)n)- (n = 1-5) anionic species produced using a matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) method. Gas phase, isolated (fructose + (H2O)n)- (n = 1-5) cluster anions mainly exist as open chain structures with conformational and positional isomers in the present experiments. Some cyclic structures of (fructose + (H2O)n)- (n = 3, 4) are apparently present in the experiments and their VDEs can contribute to the lower energy shoulders of PES features observed for (fructose + (H2O)n)- (n = 3, 4). Cyclic (fructose + (H2O)n)- (n = 1-5) clusters have the added electron as dipole bound, whereas open chain structures have the added electron in a valence orbital. Water molecules in open chain anions predominantly interact with the (1)C side (including (1)OH, (2)O, and (3)OH) of fructose-: they finally form a quasi-cubic structure with OH groups and carbonyl O in the most stable structures for (fructose + (H2O)4)- and (fructose + (H2O)5)- cluster anions. Water molecules solvating cyclic anions form water-water hydrogen bond networks that preferentially interact with OH groups at the (1), (2), and (3) positions of fructose pyranose anions, and the (3), (4), and (6) positions of fructose furanose anions. Structures of neutral (fructose + (H2O)n) (n = 1-5) have pyranose structures as the lower energy isomers rather than open chain structures: this observation is consistent with the fructose solution tautomeric equilibrium with neutral fructose pyranose being the preponderant species. Water molecules also tend to form water-water hydrogen bond networks, interacting with OH groups at (1), (2), and (3) positions for neutral pyranose conformations.
2015 Wallace Foundation Distinguished Lecture: Anonymity No More: Seeing Our Neighbors in Ferguson and the Implications for Social Policy:

Ferguson, Missouri, has been characterized as an archetype of structural inequality and segregation. Several questions guide this investigation of Ferguson and its surrounding region. How did policies, practices, and folkways help to create the conditions in Ferguson and the broader metropolitan region? The regional segregation regime’s history provides a background to better understand current conditions. What is the existing state of affairs for young persons and their families in the region? To address this question, social epidemiological methods and geospatial analysis inform the development of a set of visuals to determine if racial segregation, economic opportunity, health and developmental outcomes, and education-related outcomes are spatially arranged. The authors found that these indicators of well-being are spatially arranged and concentrated; thus, they raise another question: How does a politically fragmented region intervene to disrupt concentrated disadvantage? As Ferguson and the region se...
Shock-induced reaction synthesis of cubic boron nitride

Here, we report ultra-fast (0.1–5 μs) shock-induced reactions in the 3B-TiN system, leading to the direct synthesis of cubic boron nitride, which is extremely rare in nature and is the second hardest material known. Composite powders were produced through high-energy ball milling to provide intimate mixing and subsequently shocked using an explosive charge. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction confirm the formation of nanocrystalline grains of c-BN produced during the metathetical reaction between boron and titanium nitride. Our results illustrate the possibility of rapid reactions enabled by high-energy ball milling possibly occurring in the solid state on incredibly short timescales. This process may provide a route for the discovery and fabrication of advanced compounds.
Reject, Correct, Redirect: Using Web Annotation to Combat Fake Health Information—A Commentary

ABSTRACTMisleading health news and product advertising has plagued the United States since the 19th century. Companies and individuals spent large sums of money to advertise in a variety of media, ...
Application of Herpes Simplex Virus Vectors in Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

Abstract Neuropathic pain is a debilitating chronic pain condition resulting in a marked decrease in the quality of life and secondary symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Existing therapies for neuropathic pain are far from effective for the majority of patients. Gene transfer using viral vectors provides the possibility of a highly selective targeted release of bioactive molecules within the nervous system for relief of neuropathic pain. This chapter addresses the preclinical studies with nonreplicating herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vectors to transduce neurons in animal models of neuropathic pain.
Cálculo de la pérdida de transmisión acústica y de contrapresión en silenciadores, mediante el método de los elementos finitos

En este articulo se presenta la simulacion de la perdida de transmision acustica y la contrapresion de silenciadores vehiculares por medio del metodo de los elementos finitos. Las dos variables mencionadas son inversamente proporcionales entre si, razon por la que se busca su equilibrio en el diseno de silenciadores, para lograr que la perdida de transmision acustica sea alta y la caida de presion sea baja. Los calculos fueron obtenidos mediante el uso de los programas informaticos ANSYS APDL y Siemens NX Flow. Los resultados de las simulaciones fueron comparados y validados con los experimentos y las soluciones numericas presentados por otros autores.
Importance of Vegetables in Human Nutrition

Humans require and always have been interested in food. Eating is a natural behavior in which nutrients are ingested, digested, absorbed, and utilized for sustenance of life. By definition, nutrition is a science and a process dealing with the utilization of nutrients through various biochemical pathways for growth, development, and maintenance. Food provides energy and nourishment, and all foods come directly or indirectly from plants, of which considerable amounts are from plants classified as vegetables. About two-thirds of the world population relies on a largely vegetarian diet. Table 4.1 presents world food sources that contribute to the average diet.
Biochemical Correlates of Prolonged Wakefulness

The sleep state is experienced by all living beings studied so far and is generalized as ‘a resting state’ that helps restore energy spent during the active wake state. While increasing evidence indicates that adequate sleep is essential for key brain functions, sleep loss is, unfortunately, frequent among shift workers, doctors on duty, and adolescents, and often a consequence of the modern lifestyle and emphasis on a near 24/7 work and recreation schedule. In addition to causing fatigue, and impaired cognition and immune functions, sleep loss or sleep deprivation is increasingly associated with metabolic problems including obesity. Thus, understanding the role of sleep is of substantial importance from the standpoint of public health. Several sleep studies have focused on investigating the biochemical changes in the brain that result from sleep deprivation. This article describes the sleep deprivation-induced biochemical changes related to brain energy regulation.
SPC/LPC Receptors

Among LPLs, the biological effects and signaling mechanisms of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), and their receptors (LPA 1–3 and S1P 1–5 ) have been studied most extensively. The signaling mechanisms of their corresponding choline derivatives, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), however, have been examined to a much lower extent, although their extracellular existence and evidence of their signaling properties have long been recognized. Addition of a positively charged choline group to the negatively charged phosphate group provides LPC and SPC with zwitterionic and detergent-like properties. In fact, LPC is cell lytic at concentrations >30 μM when bovine serum albumin (BSA) is absent. Moreover, the specific receptors for LPC and SPC were not previously identified. Thus, controversy has arisen as to whether LPC, and possibly SPC, act as specific signaling molecules or molecules modulatingcellular functions nonspecifically, and whether their actions are receptor-mediated. This situation has been changed recently with the identification of three G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)—OGRl, GPR4, and G2A—as receptors for LPC and SPC. These discoveries provide an intriguing and novel opportunity to study the pathophysiological and functional roles of SPC, LPC, and their receptors.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: The Four Corners Disease:

Objective:To review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of hantavirus infections, focusing on the recent outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the US.Data sources:A MEDLINE search (1966 to present) of English language literature pertaining to hantaviruses was performed. Additional literature was obtained from reference lists of pertinent articles identified through the search.Study selection and data extraction:All articles were considered for possible inclusion in the review. Pertinent information, as judged by the authors, was selected for discussion.Data synthesis:Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) has long been recognized in Eurasia and is the predominant disease manifestation of hantavirus infection worldwide. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) recently has been described in the US and exhibits greater pulmonary involvement and mortality than HFRS. Historically, 4 hantavirus serotypes (Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala, Prospect Hill) are recognized; ho...
A Focus on Clinical Trials

The spectrum of evidence imparted by the different clinical research designs ranges from ecological studies through observational epidemiological studies to randomized control trials (RCTs). This chapter addresses the definition of clinical research, the major aspects of clinical trials e.g. ethics, randomization, masking, recruitment and retention of subjects enrolled in a clinical trial, patients/subjects lost to follow-up during the trial etc. Although this chapter focuses on the weaknesses of clinical trials, it is emphasized that the randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial is the design that yields the greatest level of scientific evidence.
On Nondegenerate Rational Approximation

The total degree algorithm of [3] failed to converge for some delicate approximations because of a wrong Remes one point exchange or an inaccurate eigenvalue (i.e., reference equioscillation error) unless started near an optimal reference. Here we present a modified algorithm that is robust and prove when the revised algorithm’s total degree rational \(\ell _{\infty }\) approximation is optimal for all lesser degrees. Detailed examples and their figures show the bounded eigenvalue computations, steps of the Remes one point exchange for reference searching, and degeneracy pyramids of the revised robust algorithm.
Lack of Association of a Functional Polymorphism in the Serotonin Receptor Gene With Body Mass Index and Depressive Symptoms in a Large Meta-Analysis of Population Based Studies

The serotonin receptor 5-HTR2C is thought to be involved in the function of multiple brain structures. Consequently, the HTR2C gene has been studied extensively with respect to its association with a variety of phenotypes. One coding variant in the HTR2C gene, Cys23Ser (rs6318), has been associated with depressive symptoms. and adiposity; however, these findings have been inconsistent. The reasons for this mixed picture may be due to low statistical power or due to other factors such as failure to account for possible interacting environmental factors, such as psychosocial stress. Further, the literature around this polymorphism is marked by limited inclusion of persons of African ancestry. The present study sought to overcome these limitations and definitively determine the relationship of this polymorphism with depressive and obesity phenotypes in a large sample meta-analysis. Thus, we harmonized individual level data from 10 studies including the Women's Health Initiative, CARDIA, ARIC, Framingham Offspring, and the Jackson Heart Study, resulting in a sample of 27,161 individuals (10,457 Black women, 2,819 Black men, 7,419 White women, and 6,466 White men). We conducted a random effects meta-analysis using individual level data to examine whether the Cys23Ser variant-either directly, or conditionally depending on the level of psychosocial stress-was associated with depressive symptoms and body mass index (BMI). We found that psychosocial stress was associated with both depression and BMI, but that Cys23Ser was not directly associated with, nor did it modify the associations of psychosocial stress with depression or BMI. Thus, in the largest study of this polymorphism, we have determined that rs6318 is not associated with depression, or BMI.