cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and fabrication of a low-cost pilot-scale melt-processing system

Abstract Melt processing of polymeric materials is a ubiquitous technique for forming, shaping, refining and homogenizing polymers and polymer composites. Melt-processing techniques are the primary manufacturing method of consumer and industrial thermoplastic parts, especially when using commodity polymers with high-throughput production. Melt-processing, however, is underutilized in academic laboratories when developing high value-added materials due to the capital expense of the equipment and relatively large-scale required to carry out such processing. These concerns make pilot-scale melt-processing challenging, particularly for the development of new polymers or polymer composites where materials can only be generated in small-scale at reasonable costs. The current study designs and evaluates a bench-top, sub-milliliter volume extrusion and injection-molding device, which sources parts from current 3D printer technology at minimal expense. The plans presented will open this convenient technique to academic research laboratories interested in pilot-scale experiments. A systematic approach to melt processing of PLA, PLGA, and PCL polymer composites is demonstrated. Characterization of the dispersion of pharmaceuticals, small molecules and nanoparticles in melt processed polymers is presented as a demonstration of potential utility.
Test-retest reliability and minimum detectable change for various frontal plane projection angles during dynamic tasks.

Abstract Objective Establish between-day test-retest reliability metrics for 2-dimensional frontal plane projection angles (FPPAs) during the lateral step-down (LSD), single-limb squat (SLS), single-limb landing (SLL), and drop vertical jump (DVJ). Design Test-retest reliability study. Setting University laboratory. Participants 20 healthy adults (12 female, age = 23.60 ± 1.93 years old, body mass index = 24.26 ± 2.54 kg/m2) were tested on 2 separate occasions 7–14 days apart. Main outcome measures Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard errors of the measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) values across the LSD, SLS, SLL, and DVJ for the following body region variables: trunk, trunk on pelvis, pelvis, hip, thigh to vertical, knee, and shank to vertical. Results There was moderate-to-substantial between-day test-retest reliability for nearly all body regions across all tasks (ICC = 0.65–0.96). SEM values varied across body regions and tasks (0.9–3.5°). MDCs were variable (2.3–9.8°). Of the body regions, MDCs were largest for the knee and hip. By task, MDCs were lowest for the LSD. Conclusions This study identified between-day test-retest reliability metrics for 2-dimensional FPPAs across a variety of body regions during commonly assessed clinical tasks. These data allow clinicians and researchers to more confidently assess true change between assessments or over time.
Polymorphic α-Synuclein Strains Modified by Dopamine and Docosahexaenoic Acid Interact Differentially With Tau Protein

The pathological hallmark of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), is the aggregation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) protein. Even so, tau protein pathology is abundantly found in these diseases. Both α-Syn and tau can exist as polymorphic aggregates, a phenomenon that has been widely studied, mostly in their fibrillar assemblies. We have previously discovered that in addition to α-Syn oligomers, oligomeric tau is also present in the brain tissues of patients with PD and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). However, the effect of interaction between polymorphic α-Syn oligomers and tau has not been scrupulously studied. Here, we have explored the structural and functional diversity of distinct α-Syn oligomers, prepared by modifying the protein with dopamine (DA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The two α-Syn oligomers differed in aggregate size, conformation, sensitivity to proteinase K digestion, tryptic digestion, and toxicity, suggesting them as distinct α-Syn oligomeric strains. We examined their internalization mechanisms in primary neurons and seeding propensity in inducing α-Syn aggregation. Using a combined approach of molecular and cellular techniques, we observed that the tau aggregates cross-seeded with the individual α-Syn oligomeric strains differed in their biochemical and biological properties, suggesting two distinct tau strains. The tau aggregate cross-seeded with the DA-modified α-Syn oligomeric strain possessed a potent intracellular tau seeding propensity. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of unique strain-specific interaction between oligomeric α-Syn and tau. Furthermore, this study allows us to speculate that distinct α-Syn-tau interactions inducing tau aggregation might be an underlying mechanism of neurodegeneration in PD.
Putting theory to practice: Teaching the 5E learning cycle through immersive experiences for pre-service teachers

Studies focusing on pre-service teachers have shown that the inclusion of the learning cycle model in a methods course result in improvement in understanding of and attitude toward the learning cycle model of inquiry. However, pre-service teachers’ understanding and beliefs about the learning cycle model may remain varied and inaccurate and their implementation may be inhibited due to their beliefs about teaching and learning and roles as teachers. In this article, we will discuss our extended 5E learning cycle model introduction approach consisting of active engagement and immersion of preservice teacher in the process of learning about the 5E model.
Nutritional, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies for Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 65 particularly in those who are smokers, obese, White race, genetically predisposed and environmentally exposed. The root cause is thought to be photochemical damage causing oxidative stress to the macula coupled with low grade inflammation over many years which also contributes to the progression of the disease. The hallmark studies Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS2 found a formulation consisting of 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 25 mg zinc, 2 mg copper, 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin effective for slowing the progression AMD. Subsequent studies suggest diet therapy, higher dosages of zeaxanthin and supplementing with vitamin D, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids may further reduce the progression of the disease.
Silviculture at establishment of hardwood plantations is relatively ineffective in the presence of deer browsing

Abstract Ungulate browsing limits forest regeneration on many reforestation and restoration sites. Silviculture can be used to mitigate the effects of ungulate damage by promoting rapid early growth of planted seedlings, but benefits may depend upon site characteristics and ungulate browse pressure. We studied the interactions among browsing by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), use of genetically select seed sources, controlled-release fertilization (CRF) at planting, and site type (harvest openings and plantations) in a nine-year hardwood forest regeneration study. The experiment consisted of paired deer exclosure and control plots, with fertilization and seed source, established at two reforested clearcut sites and three afforested agricultural field sites in Indiana, USA. Our objectives were to examine treatment effects on growth (height and diameter), survival, and stem quality of four temperate deciduous hardwood species (northern red oak, white oak, black walnut, and black cherry). For all species, fencing had the greatest significant positive influence on survival (non-fenced: 50–72%, fenced: 71–75% by year 8) and growth (81–178% greater height and 90–167% greater diameter by year 8), as well as stem quality ratings. Fencing also increased (by 50–78%) the probability that black cherry and black walnut at afforested sites (as well as northern red oak at both site types) would reach free-to-grow status by year 5. We observed gains in height and diameter from CRF only during the first three years for fenced black cherry (11% greater height and 14% greater diameter in year 3), and for white oak regardless of fencing (13% greater height and 10% greater diameter in year 3). Genetically select seed sources had the greatest and most consistent growth benefit for black walnut (81% greater height and 50% greater diameter by year 8). Early growth was improved in genetically select P. serotina vs. non-select sources (11% greater height in year 3) but differences faded by the fifth growing season, while superior growth of genetically select Q. rubra began to manifest only after year 5 (16% greater height 21% greater diameter by year 8). In addition, select northern red oaks had an 8% greater probability of reaching free-to-grow status by year 5 and black walnuts at afforested sites had a 13% greater probability of reaching free-to-grow status. Without protection from herbivory, genetically improved sources did not realize their full potential for enhanced growth. Our results from this nine-year-long hardwood plantation experiment confirm that without browse protection, additional silvicultural treatments are unlikely to improve regeneration performance.
Abstract A80: Targeting ovarian cancer stem cell by Dot1L inhibition

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a specific population of cancer cells that are responsible for tumor initiation, chemoresistance, and metastasis. Previously, our lab has demonstrated ovarian cancer cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities have multiple stem cell-like characteristics, including self-renewal, high clonogenicity, and chemoresistance. Here we identify that H3K79 methyltransferase DOT1L (disruptor of telomeric silencing-1-like) is a critical factor in self-renewal and tumor initiation capabilities of ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs). Firstly, we found that DOT1L have higher expression in ALDH(+)/CD133(+) OCSCs compared to double negative cells. Ovarian cancer cells with DOT1L-knockdown have reduced CSC fractions in flow cytometry analysis. Besides, knockdown of DOT1L expression impairs clonogenicity characteristics of CSCs, according to in vitro colony-forming assay and spheroid formation assay results. In order to effectively inhibit the enzymatic activity of DOT1L, we applied specific DOT1L inhibitor (DOT1Li) EPZ5676 to specifically target OCSCs and confirmed that the treatment of DOT1Li was able to block H3K79 methylation in ovarian cancer cells, and effectively represses the expression of stemness-associated transcriptional factors. Results from RNA-seq analysis and gene set enrichment assay have indicated that multiple stem-related pathways are repressed in DOT1Li-treated OCSCs. Furthermore, DOT1Li treatment not only shows inhibitory effects on colony forming in vitro but also delays tumor initiation in vivo compared to control treatment, which validates the effects of DOT1Li on CSCs inhibition. Based on our result, we infer that DOT1L is critical for self-renewal and tumor initiation abilities in ovarian cancer stem cells, and DOT1L inhibition by specific inhibitor provides a potential therapeutic strategy to target CSCs in ovarian cancer treatment. Citation Format: Yaqi Zhang, Yinu Wang, Guangyuan Zhao, Daniela Matei. Targeting ovarian cancer stem cell by Dot1L inhibition [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research; 2019 Sep 13-16, 2019; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(13_Suppl):Abstract nr A80.
Sulfated glycans engage the Ang–Tie pathway to regulate vascular development

The angiopoietin (Ang)-Tie pathway is essential for the proper maturation and remodeling of the vasculature. Despite its importance in disease, the mechanisms that control signal transduction through this pathway are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (HS GAGs) regulate Ang-Tie signaling through direct interactions with both Ang ligands and Tie1 receptors. HS GAGs formed ternary complexes with Ang1 or Ang4 and Tie2 receptors, resulting in potentiation of endothelial survival signaling. In addition, HS GAGs served as ligands for the orphan receptor Tie1. The HS-Tie1 interaction promoted Tie1-Tie2 heterodimerization and enhanced Tie1 stability within the mature vasculature. Loss of HS-Tie1 binding using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated mutagenesis in vivo led to decreased Tie protein levels, pathway suppression and aberrant retinal vascularization. Together, these results reveal that sulfated glycans use dual mechanisms to regulate Ang-Tie signaling and are important for the development and maintenance of the vasculature.
Association of social vulnerability with the use of high-volume and Magnet recognition hospitals for hepatopancreatic cancer surgery

Abstract Background In an effort to improve perioperative and oncologic outcomes, there have been multiple quality improvement initiatives, including regionalization of high-risk procedures and hospital accreditation designations from independent organizations. These initiatives may, however, hinder access to high-quality surgical care for certain patients living in areas with high social vulnerability who may be disproportionally affected, leading to disparities in access and worse postoperative outcomes. Methods Medicare beneficiaries who underwent liver or pancreas resection for cancer were identified using the 100% Medicare Inpatient Standard Analytic Files. Hospitals were designated as high-volume based on Leapfrog criteria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s social vulnerability index database was used to abstract social vulnerability index information based on each beneficiary’s county of residence at the time of operation. The probability that a patient received care at a high-volume hospital stratified by the social vulnerability of the patient’s county of residence was examined. Risk-adjusted postoperative outcomes were compared across low, average, and high levels of vulnerability at both low- and high-volume hospitals. Results Among 16,978 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent a pancreatectomy (n = 13,393, 78%) or a liver resection (n = 3,594, 21.2%) for cancer, the mean age was 73.3 years (standard deviation: 5.8), nearly half the cohort was female (n = 7,819, 46%), and the overwhelming majority were White (n = 15,034, 88.5%). Mean social vulnerability index was 49.8 (standard deviation 24.8) and mean Charlson comorbidity index was 4.8 (standard deviation: 3). Overall, 8,251 (48.6%) of patients had their operations at a high-volume hospital, and 3,802 patients had their operations at a hospital with Magnet recognition. Age and sex were similar within the low-, average-, and high-social vulnerability index cohorts (P > .05); however, race differed across social vulnerability index groups. White patients made up 93% (n = 3,241) of the low social vulnerability index compared with 83.9% (n = 2,706) of the high-social vulnerability index group, whereas non-Whites made up 7% (n = 244) of the low-social vulnerability index group compared with 16.1% (n = 556) of the high-social vulnerability index group (P Conclusion Patients residing in communities characterized by a high social vulnerability index were less likely to undergo high-risk cancer surgery at a high-volume hospital. Although postoperative complications and mortality increased as social vulnerability index increased, some of the risk appeared to be mitigated by having surgery at a high-volume hospital. These data highlight the importance of access to high-quality surgical care, especially among patients who may already be more vulnerable.
Book Review: 'A Moral Reckoning: The Role of the Catholic Church in the Holocaust and its Unfulfilled Duty of Repair,' by Daniel Goldhagen, the Catholic Historical Review (April 2003).

In this article, Professor Ronald Rychlak defends the Catholic Church against Daniel Jonah Goldhagen’s attack on the entirety of the religion and institution in his book titled “A Moral Reckoning: The Role of the Catholic Church In the Holocaust and Its Unfulfilled Duty of Repair.” Rychlak’s review of Goldhagen’s book provides substantial arguments countering Goldhagen’s readings of specific excerpts from the Bible perceived as anti-Semitic. Rychlak points out that Goldhagen not only twisted the Church’s understanding of certain Biblical excerpts but also intentionally accepted bogus translations of Italian and Latin text to misconstrue Catholic writings as anti-Semetic. Furthermore, in his crusade to defend the Church, Rychlak seriously calls into question Goldhagen’s reliance on other dubious publications on the same topic, including Susan Zuccotti’s Under His Very Windows and James Carroll’s Constantine’s Sword.
Assessment of the energy recovery potential of waste photovoltaic (PV) modules

Abstract Green Technology, a sustainable technology is being proposed to fulfill the complete energy need for a building that can be generated by the building itself. To meet the complete energy demand for a building, the domestic biowaste including human feces is suggested to executed into converting process in situ where separated sludge is be collected into an anaerobic shut tank bioreactor (BR) into the basement. Thereafter, it has been facilitated to form biogas (CH4) by the process of methanogenesis to convert biogas into electricity energy which has been calculated as 1.4 eV/moles. Since the 0.4 kg biowaste can produce 81 mole biogas, thus, the total electricity generation from 0.4kg biowaste equivalent to 1.4 × 81 = 113.4 eV. Here the 1.4eV is equal to 27.77 kWT, thus, the total electricity energy production is being calculated (27.77 kW × 81) = 2249.37 kW • eV per day. Since a standard commercial building (length 20m × width 20m × height 20m) consume roughly 2,200 kWh/day, thus, the 0.4kg/day biowaste is sufficiently enough to meet total energy demand for this size building. Simply, implementation of this technology indeed would be an inventive field of science where a building can form electricity by itself to complete its total energy need without any connection with the utility authorities, which is benevolent to theenvironment.
Compact Marx generator test system

Marx generators have been built with a wide span of physical size and output capability, ranging from circuit board scale devices of a few stages up to systems capable of producing many Megavolts and occupying entire buildings. Our focus in this paper is the development of a capability to explore compact Marx generator (CMG) devices, where we arbitrarily define a CMG to be an apparatus consuming less than 0.5 m/sup 3/ (excluding the charging and control systems). We report the development of a laboratory system that incorporates a shielded test stand with battery-powered high voltage charging supplies and a computer based control system with a graphical user interface. We briefly discuss a demonstration of the test bed capability with results from a modular CMG we have constructed.
That Complex Whole: Culture And The Evolution Of Human Behavior

Our understanding of the evolution of human behavior has grown enormously over the past few decades, and an increasing number of behavioral and social scientists are making use of evolutionary theory in their work to shed light on issues ranging from marriage and parenting to the study of mental illness. The success of this research program is thre
The isolation of mms- and histidine-sensitive mutants in Neurospora crassa.

A simple method of replica plating has been used to isolate mutants of Neurospora crassa that have increased sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and/or to histidine. Twelve mutants with increased sensitivity to MMS and one mutant with increased sensitivity to histidine showed Mendelian segregation of the mutant phenotypes. Three mutants were mapped to loci not previously associated with MMS sensitivity. Two others were allelic to the UV- and MMS-sensitive mutant, mei-3. Survival curves indicate that conidia (mutant or wild-type) survive on much higher concentrations of MMS at 25° than at 37°. In contrast, mycelial growth is more resistant to MMS at 37°. The possibility of qualitatively different repair processes at these two temperatures is discussed.
The (End)Angered Black Male Swimming against the Current.

This chapter discusses the sociohistorical and deeply embedded myths and stereotypes that have dominated narratives about Black men and how these shape the educational and professional experiences of Black men.
A noisy linear map underlies oscillations in cell size and gene expression in bacteria

During bacterial growth, a cell approximately doubles in size before division, after which it splits into two daughter cells. This process is subjected to the inherent perturbations of cellular noise and thus requires regulation for cell-size homeostasis. The mechanisms underlying the control and dynamics of cell size remain poorly understood owing to the difficulty in sizing individual bacteria over long periods of time in a high-throughput manner. Here we measure and analyse long-term, single-cell growth and division across different Escherichia coli strains and growth conditions. We show that a subset of cells in a population exhibit transient oscillations in cell size with periods that stretch across several (more than ten) generations. Our analysis reveals that a simple law governing cell-size control-a noisy linear map-explains the origins of these cell-size oscillations across all strains. This noisy linear map implements a negative feedback on cell-size control: a cell with a larger initial size tends to divide earlier, whereas one with a smaller initial size tends to divide later. Combining simulations of cell growth and division with experimental data, we demonstrate that this noisy linear map generates transient oscillations, not just in cell size, but also in constitutive gene expression. Our work provides new insights into the dynamics of bacterial cell-size regulation with implications for the physiological processes involved.
Twelve-year responses of planted and naturally regenerating conifers to variable-retention harvest in the Pacific Northwest, USA

We studied patterns of conifer regeneration over 12 years as part of a regional-scale experiment in variable-retention harvest in the Pacific Northwest, the DEMO Study. We compared survival and height growth of planted conifers and density and seral composition of natural regeneration among treatments with differing retention levels (15% versus 40%) and patterns (dispersed versus aggregated) replicated across a range of latitudes and forest zones. We also assessed plot-scale relationships of natural regeneration with overstory density and basal area, competing vegetation, and slash accumulations. Early (1- to 2-year) survival of planted seedlings was greater in dispersed treatments (Pinus monticola Douglas ex D. Don, Abies spp.) or unaffected by retention level or pattern (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Later (5- to 12-year) survival did not differ (all species), but growth was distinctly reduced in dispersed treatments and (or) at higher levels of retention. Density of natural regeneration was 1....
Charge decay enhancement in polymer powders using plasma treatment

Slow charge decay characteristics of polymer powders results in occurrence of back corona which adversely affects the integrity of the powder film. The surface property that primarily governs the charge decay characteristics and back corona is the surface resistivity of the powder layer. Since the charge decay through these highly resistive polymers is primarily a surface phenomenon, surface modification was used to modify charge decay characteristics of acrylic and epoxy polymer powders. A fluidized bed type plasma reactor was built for surface modification of polymer powders. A 12 kV power supply at 700 Hz was used to generate plasma between copper electrodes in the reactor using argon as feed gas. The charge decay characteristics of untreated and plasma treated acrylic polymer powder samples were measured at different relative humidities varying form 20% to 70%. The charge decay time constant for plasma treated powder was 458 minutes at 18%RH whereas for untreated powder it was 996 minutes. These values became 11 minutes for plasma treated powder and 20 minutes for untreated powder at 65% RH. To study the effect of plasma treatment time on charge decay enhancement, an epoxy powder was plasma treated for 1,2,4 and 10 minutes and charge decay time constants measured. Treatment times of 1,2 and 4 minutes increased the charge decay properties, but there was no further improvement over 4 minute exposure time.
Differential state-dependent modification of inactivation-deficient Nav1.6 sodium channels by the pyrethroid insecticides S-bioallethrin, tefluthrin and deltamethrin

Pyrethroid insecticides disrupt nerve function by modifying the gating kinetics of transitions between the conducting and nonconducting states of voltage-gated sodium channels. Pyrethroids modify rat Na(v)1.6+β1+β2 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes in both the resting state and in one or more states that require channel activation by repeated depolarization. The state dependence of modification depends on the pyrethroid examined: deltamethrin modification requires repeated channel activation, tefluthrin modification is significantly enhanced by repeated channel activation, and S-bioallethrin modification is unaffected by repeated activation. Use-dependent modification by deltamethrin and tefluthrin implies that these compounds bind preferentially to open channels. We constructed the rat Na(v)1.6Q3 cDNA, which contained the IFM/QQQ mutation in the inactivation gate domain that prevents fast inactivation and results in a persistently open channel. We expressed Na(v)1.6Q3+β1+β2 sodium channels in Xenopus oocytes and assessed the modification of open channels by pyrethroids by determining the effect of depolarizing pulse length on the normalized conductance of the pyrethroid-induced sodium tail current. Deltamethrin caused little modification of Na(v)1.6Q3 following short (10ms) depolarizations, but prolonged depolarizations (up to 150ms) caused a progressive increase in channel modification measured as an increase in the conductance of the pyrethroid-induced sodium tail current. Modification by tefluthrin was clearly detectable following short depolarizations and was increased by long depolarizations. By contrast modification by S-bioallethrin following short depolarizations was not altered by prolonged depolarization. These studies provide direct evidence for the preferential binding of deltamethrin and tefluthrin (but not S-bioallethrin) to Na(v)1.6Q3 channels in the open state and imply that the pyrethroid receptor of resting and open channels occupies different conformations that exhibit distinct structure-activity relationships.
Design, fabrication, and characterization of form-birefringent multilayer polarizing beam splitter

Polarizing beam splitters that use the anisotropic spectral reflectivity (ASR) characteristic of high-spatial-frequency multilayer binary gratings have been designed, fabricated, and characterized. Using the ASR effect with rigorous coupled-wave analysis, we design an optical element that is transparent for TM polarization and reflective for TE polarization at an arbitrary incidence angle and operational wavelength. The experiments with the fabricated element demonstrate a high efficiency (97), with polarization extinction ratios higher than 220:1 at a wavelength of 1.523 m over a 20 angular bandwidth by means of the ASR characteristics of the device. These ASR devices combine many useful characteristics, such as compactness, low insertion loss, high efficiency, and broad angular and spectral bandwidth operations.
Declining Use Rates of Revascularization for Medicare Patients Is This a Real Trend

The report by Culler and associates1 in this issue of Circulation provides useful information about the trends and outcomes of coronary revascularization procedures currently being performed in the United States. Data acquisition for this analysis of coronary revascularization activity from 2008 through 2012 required tedious mining of 2 complex data sets maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In addition to the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review file, which contains all inpatient claims for Medicare beneficiaries, they reviewed the Medicare Outpatient File, which contains claims for “nonadmission” services, specifically data on outpatient procedures. This latter review was necessary because many percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are now done in acute hospital settings but with patients classified as outpatients or hospitalized but under observation status. An obvious limitation of this report of current revascularization trends is the fact that only Medicare patient data were analyzed. Coronary revascularizations of Medicare beneficiaries, however, are believed to represent a modest majority of such procedures and to reliably reflect total revascularization activity in the United States. Article see p 362 This report presents an exhaustive review of all revascularizations performed on Medicare beneficiaries who underwent either PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) during the 5-year study period. It is unclear why the authors refer to primary and secondary PCI and CABG. This distinction appears to be meaningless for PCI patients. In addition, they report 90-day postdischarge mortality rates but do not describe how this late postdischarge mortality information was obtained and validated. The principal value of the report is the patient volume information and the analysis of total coronary revascularization procedures done during the recent 5-year period, along with likely accurate early postprocedure mortality data on all Medicare program patients having PCI or CABG surgery during this time. Analysis of the PCI …
Aging influences adaptations of the neuromuscular junction to endurance training

This investigation sought to determine if aging affected adaptations of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) to exercise training. Twenty young adult (8 months) and 20 aged (24 months) rats were assigned to either a program of treadmill exercise, or sedentary conditions. Following the 10-week experimental period, rats were euthanized, and soleus and plantaris muscles were removed and frozen. Longitudinal sections of the muscles were fluorescently stained to visualize pre-synaptic nerve terminals and post-synaptic endplates on both slow- and fast-twitch fibers. Images were collected with confocal microscopy and quantified. Muscle cross-sections were histochemically stained to assess muscle fiber profiles (size and fiber type). Our analysis of NMJs revealed a high degree of specificity and sensitivity to aging, exercise training, and their interaction. In the soleus, slow-twitch NMJs demonstrated significant (P ≤ 0.05) training-induced adaptations in young adult, but not aged rats. In the fast-twitch NMJs of the soleus, aging, but not training, was associated with remodeling. In the plantaris, aging, but not training, remodeled the predominant fast-twitch NMJs, but only pre-synaptically. In contrast, the slow-twitch NMJs of the plantaris displayed morphologic adaptations to both aging and exercise in pre- and post-synaptic components. Muscle fiber profiles indicated that changes in NMJ size were unrelated to adaptations of their fibers. Our data show that aging interferes with the ability of NMJs to adapt to exercise training. Results also reveal complexity in the coordination of synaptic responses among different muscles, and different fiber types within muscles, in their adaptation to aging and exercise training.
Design and Performance of a CCD Based Readout for the Delphi Barrel Electromagnetic Calorimeter

We describe the design criteria and performance of a CCD based readout system developed for use in the DELPHI experiment at LEP. These circuits are designed for use on the cathode pads of the High Density Projection Chamber (HPC) which will serve as the DELPHI central region electromagnetic calorimeter. Two separate CAMAC versions of this system have been tested on prototype HPC modules exposed to both hadrons and electrons. Stability and performance characteristics of these circuits at CCD input frequencies up to 20 MHz are presented. We also present results on the electron shower energy resolution for the HPC prototypes.
Identification of a synovial fibroblast-specific protein transduction domain for delivery of apoptotic agents to hyperplastic synovium.

Synovial hyperplasia, resulting in erosion of cartilage and bone, represents one of the major pathologies associated with rheumatoid arthritis. To develop an approach for efficient delivery of proteins or agents to synovium to induce targeted apoptosis of hyperplastic synovial tissue, we have screened an M13 peptide phage display library for synovial-specific transduction peptides. We identified a novel synovial-targeted transduction peptide, HAP-1, which is able to facilitate specific internalization of protein complexes into human and rabbit synovial cells in culture and rabbit synovial lining in vivo. HAP-1 and a non-tissue-specific cationic protein transduction domain, PTD-5, were fused to an antimicrobial peptide, (KLAK)2, to generate two proapoptotic peptides termed DP2 and DP1, respectively. Administration of these peptides was able to induce apoptosis of rabbit and human synovial cells in culture, with DP2 inducing synovial cell-specific apoptosis. Intra-articular injection of DP1 and DP2 into arthritic rabbit joints with synovial hyperplasia induced extensive apoptosis of the hyperplastic synovium, while reducing the leukocytic infiltration and synovitis. These results suggest that proapoptotic peptides and, in particular, DP2 can be clinically useful for treatment of synovial hyperplasia, as well as inflammation. Moreover, the results demonstrate the feasibility of identifying tissue-specific transduction peptides capable of mediating efficient transduction in vivo.
Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) and cross inoculation in 12 Prosopis (mesquite) species

The leguminous tree mesquite (Prosopis spp) exists on millions of hectares of semi-arid regions of the world. No whole plant acetylene reductions for mesquite have been reported in the literature and nodulation has only been reported for three of the forty-four species. We report greenhouse studies in which 12Prosopis species representing African and North and South American germplasm (1) became nodulated when inoculated with rhizobia strain isolated from a North American mesquite, (2) grew on a nitrogen free nutrient media, (3) reduced acetylene to ethylene, and (4) had a positive significant correlation between the acetylene reduction rates and above ground dry matter. The capability of mesquite to fix nitrogen must now be considered firmly established.
A sensing strategy for the reverse engineering of machined parts

The reverse engineering of machined parts requires sensing an existing part and producing a design (and perhaps a manufacturing process) for it. We have developed a reverse engineering system that has proven effective with a set of machined parts. This paper describes the system, presents some results, and discusses strategy for a new system.
Do mammalian cells repair radiation injury by the “cut-and-patch” mechanism? II. An extension of the original model☆

Abstract In an earlier paper we attempted to show the “cut-and-patch” mechanism to be responsible for the repair of radiation induced DNA damage in cultured mammalian cells. The experimental basis was provided by survival studies. For the present investigation we used the polynucleotide kinase method to measure directly the appearance and rejoining of radiation induced DNA breaks characterized by 5′ PO 4 termini. A multicompartmental mathematical model was developed, and estimates of parameter values were made by experiments with L cells. The results suggest most of the frank DNA breaks following irradiation to be a consequence of endogenous nucleolytic processes and not due to the radiation, per se . Because of the massive cell killing which occurs in spite of preventing the appearance of DNA breaks, we postulate the existence of radiation induced DNA changes which (1) are not liable to endogenous nucleolytic processes and (2) cause cell lethality.
Abstract IA11: MicroRNAs in oncogenic and tumor suppressor signaling pathways

MicroRNA (miRNA) gain- and loss-of-function can potently influence cellular behavior in normal physiologic states and in diseases such as cancer. The regulation of miRNA expression and activity by cellular signaling cascades can therefore result in dramatic phenotypic outputs. We previously demonstrated extensive control of miRNA expression by well-characterized oncogenic and tumor suppressor networks including the Myc, Kras, and p53 pathways. We are now employing novel mouse models with gain and loss of miRNA function to investigate the physiologic functions of the miRNAs embedded within these signaling pathways and the pathologic consequences when their functions are disrupted. Insights gained from these studies are revealing unanticipated roles for miRNAs in vivo and are informing our understanding of how dysregulated miRNA activity contributes to tumorigenesis. I will present our latest findings related to the regulation and function of mammalian miRNAs in normal physiology and in cancer and how these findings may be exploited for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Citation Format: Joshua T. Mendell. MicroRNAs in oncogenic and tumor suppressor signaling pathways. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Third AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; Sep 18-22, 2013; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(19 Suppl):Abstract nr IA11.
Characterization of the Interaction between Rheb and a Truncated Construct of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 (TSC2) and the Potential Effect of Heparin on TSC2-Stimulated GTP Hydrolysis

Rheb is a member of the Ras superfamily of proteins, a known regulator of cell growth, proliferation, and signaling. Interactions involving Rheb and the TSC2 protein regulate the cycling of Rheb between its nucleotide-bound states and, thereby, cell growth. The C-terminus of TSC2 contains a “perceived” conserved GAP (GTPase-activating protein)-binding domain. Rheb binds to TSC2 and this binding facilitates TSC2-stimulated Rheb GTP hydrolysis to regulate cell signaling. At present, little is known about the molecular features of the Rheb-TSC2 protein interaction. We present biochemical and biophysical data on the interaction of Rheb with TSC2, using a shorter, 218 amino acid GTPase derivative of TSC2 (TSC2-218) that has been used to characterize the GTP hydrolysis rate of activated Rheb.Heparan sulfate is a derivative of heparin, a sulfonated polysaccharide known to interact with diverse proteins and, thus, biologically important. TSC2-218 contains a polybasic region and preliminary studies indicate that heparan sulfate may be capable of binding to TSC2-218, but not Rheb. We present evidence that the binding of heparan sulfate to TSC2-218 does not interfere with TSC2-218-Rheb binding and may enhance the ability of TSC2-218 to stimulate Rheb GTP hydrolysis. NMR spectroscopy was used to outline TSC2 residues that might be important for interactions with Rheb and define conformational changes induced in TSC2-218 by the presence of heparan sulfate as defined by chemical shift changes. This work highlights molecular features of the Rheb-TSC2 interaction that may contribute to our understanding of new ways to regulate abnormal cell signaling activity facilitated by the reduced GTP-GDP cycling of Rheb in the presence of disease-causing mutants of TSC2.
Suicide and aggression.

Suicide-attempt, suicide-ideation, and non-suicidal control groups of VA neuro-psychiatric patients were divided into psychotic and neurotic subgroups (ns = 15). Ss viewed two classes of slides, a series of death scenes and one of unpleasant scenes. Each series contained both aggressive and non-aggressive content. Analyses of this 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design, with repeated measures, were based on measures of viewing time, rated tension, and rated liking. Aggressive slides induced greater threat than non-aggressive slides to a significant degree in the death slide series and to a lesser degree in the unpleasant slide series. Suicidal patients did not manifest a consistent style of response to aggressive slides in either series. The measure of aggressive mood also was not different for suicidal and non-suicidal patients. Suicide ideators did not differentiate aggressive and non-aggressive slides but attempters and controls did. The role of anxiety level was discussed.
A differential constitutive equation for polymer melts

A modification of the Giesekus constitutive equation is derived by incorporating (approximately, via the Peterlin approximation) the finite extensibility of polymer molecules into dumbbell kinetic theory along with the anisotropic hydrodynamic drag suggested by Giesekus. The constitutive equation that is obtained retains much of the simplicity of Giesekus' constitutive equation, but it involves terms that are cubic in the stress as well as those that are quadratic. It is shown that the constitutive equation quantitatively describes the steady elongational viscosity of the IUPAC polymer melt A (including the strain softening of the melt), but it cannot describe the elongational and shear viscosities simultaneously. It is also shown that the constitutive equation satisfies the Lodge-Meissner relation for shear strains less than unity.
Optical spectroscopy and lasing properties of neodymium-doped lutetium orthophosphate

Studies of the spectroscopic and lasing properties of Nd3+-doped LuPO4 are reported. LuPO4 permits incorporation of lanthanide dopants in high concentration. We report the absorption and luminescence properties of Nd3+ ions doped at 10% in this host. Promising laser performance with diode laser pumping is also described.
The effect of growth rate on differentiation of chick embryo limb bud mesenchyme in organ culture

Abstract Small explants of limb bud mesenchyme of 3 1 2 day chick embryos which form muscle in organ culture synthesize proportionally less protein than DNA than do large explants which form cartilage. Chondrogenesis occurred in the central area of greatest population density in reaggregating limb bud cells, myotubes in areas of lesser density and fibroblasts in the sparsely populated periphery. Small explants grown in microdrops in plastic dishes undergo less cell division and form cartilage, but not muscle. Small explants on lens paper undergo more cell division and form muscle, but not cartilage.
Current knowledge in the management of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease: Part 1, Physiological issues.

This article reviews the current state of the knowledge in the management of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). Athorough review of the literature concerning physiological issues including the clinical manifestations of SCD as well as current treatment modalities is included. Therapeutic management of health and illness for a child with SCD is discussed in relation to primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Recommendations for nursing practice and research are made.
Fire dynamics simulations of buoyant diffusion flames stabilized on a slot burner

In recent years fire dynamics simulator (FDS) [1,2], a CFD model for buoyancy-driven flames developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has been used in simulations of numerous fire scenarios and buoyancy-driven flows. FDS is based on a set of equations describing the behavior of thermally driven buoyant flows proposed by Rehm and Baum [3]. Validation of the various submodels in FDS has been performed using small-scale round plumes [4], small and large round pool fires [4–7], rectangular pool fires [8,9], and vertical wall fires [8]. Based on the confidence gained in these validation studies and also by a rapidly growing practical applications base, FDS has been applied to practical considerations of room airflows [10], fire and smoke behavior in large building fires including the World Trade Center fires [11], compartment fires [12,13], oil pool fire in a containment test facility [14], and tunnel fires [15]. To the best of our knowledge, FDS has not been used to simulate linear buoyant fire sources like line fires and slot burner flames. Fires above twodimensional fuel sources are important in some practical fires scenarios such as forest fires and wall fires. For round plumes and flames, 3D simulations were found to be necessary for capturing the mixing behavior, which was grossly underpredicted by the 2D simulations [4]. Given the two-dimensional source geometry, whether two-dimensional mixing considerations are adequate is an interesting question.
Protein NMR spectroscopy: spinning into focus.

Transient sedimentation of proteins inside a solid-state NMR rotor under fast magic-angle spinning offers a promising solution to the challenge of determining the structures of high-molecular-weight proteins with atomic resolution. This opens new opportunities for structural analysis of large macromolecules and macromolecular assemblies.
An optimal search tree: complete binary search tree

Definitions and properties of a complete binary tree and a binary search tree are well known [1]. This short paper discusses a method to construct a binary search tree which is also a complete binary tree. We call such a tree a Complete Binary Search Tree, a CBS Tree for short. Two basic advantages of a CBS tree are that it is a search tree with minimum height and that it can be placed in an array. The latter allows for implementation of the data structure without the use of pointers.
Catalytic effect of serum albumin on the o-rearrangement of N-sulfooxy-2-acetylaminofluorene, a potential hepatocarcinogen in the rat, to nonmutagenic sulfuric acid esters of o-amidfluorenols

Abstract Bovine serum albumin (BSA) catalyzes the o -rearrangement of the reactive electrophile, N -sulfooxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (NSF), a potential ultimate hepatocarcinogen in the rat, to the nonmutagenic sulfuric acid esters of 1- and 3-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene. Conversion of NSF was proportional to BSA concentrations ranging from 0.25 to ∼4 mg BSA/ml incubation mixture. At concentrations ⩾5 mg BSA/ml, ∼90% of NSF was converted to the sulfuric acid esters of the o -amidofluorenols. Human serum albumin (HSA) likewise catalyzed the o -rearrangement of NSF. However, the catalytic activity of HSA was only ∼50% of the activity of BSA. The catalytic effect of BSA was abolished by heat denaturation. However, it was not changed by dialysis or by anion exchange chromatography. These observations indicated that the catalytic effect requires intactness of the tertiary structure of BSA and is not due to a contaminant(s) of low or high molecular weight. There were no differences in the catalytic activity of three separate fractions of chromatographed BSA, suggesting that the catalytic activity is associated with the entire BSA molecule. In contrast to serum albumin, γ-globulin (bovine or human) did not catalyze the o -rearrangement of NSF. The solvolytic degradation of NSF to 4-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene, a major reaction in the absence of BSA, occurred only to a minor extent in the presence of BSA. These data indicated that the BSA-catalyzed o -rearrangement determines the rates of concurrent reactions involved in the degradation of NSF. BSA and HSA did not catalyze the o -rearrangement of N -acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene ( N -OAC-2-AAF), the acetate ester of N -hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene ( N -OH-2-AAF), to the acetic acid esters of the o -amidofluorenols. These findings suggest that the albumin-catalyzed o -rearrangement occurs preferentially with esters of fluorenylhydroxamic acids that readily ionize in aqueous media.