cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a novel modification on IgG2 light chain. Evidence for the presence of O-linked mannosylation.

Abstract This paper describes the analysis of a novel modification identified on the light chain of a recombinant IgG2 antibody. This modification, a +162 Da adduct, suggestive of a single hexose addition, was observed by mass analysis of the reduced molecule. The modification was located on residue serine 66 of the light chain by investigation with LC–MS peptide mapping, mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequencing techniques. Location of the adduct on serine pointed the investigation toward O-linked glycosylation. Identification of the hexose residue was deduced from its elimination by action of α-mannosidase, providing evidence for the presence of an O-mannosylated light chain. This type of modification in the glycosylation profile of antibodies, to our knowledge, has not been reported for human IgG molecules.
Cognitive Manifestations of Focal Status Epilepticus

The cognitive manifestations of focal status epilepticus can vary widely, ranging from narrow deficits in specific cognitive domains (e.g., hemineglect, alexia, or acalculia) to seemingly pure psychiatric symptoms (such as psychosis or unrelenting fear) that offer greater challenges for precise localization. Recognizing that focal status epilepticus may underlie acute or subacute neurocognitive symptoms requires a high index of suspicion: a history of associated seizure symptoms (such as recent convulsions or paroxysmal psychic features) may or may not be obtained. Accurate diagnosis requires the timely confirmation of simultaneous epileptiform findings on electroencephalography (EEG) (usually on continuous video EEG), a test that is often considered only after focal ischemia is effectively ruled out. Associated EEG changes may span the ictal–interictal continuum from frequent definite focal seizures to diffuse intermittent rhythmic slowing. In certain situations, EEG may be complemented by other neuroimaging modalities that can show focal hypermetabolism, such as positron emission tomography. Ultimately, demonstrating symptom resolution with an anticonvulsant trial may be the only clue to the presence of a potentially deep-seated active and symptomatic ictal focus. This chapter provides a broad overview of the cognitive manifestations of focal status epilepticus by summarizing illustrative examples of case reports and case series. Particular emphasis is placed on the prototypical examples of “ictal” aphasia, amnesia, and psychosis.
Can a Corporation be Worthy of Moral Consideration

Much has been written about what corporations owe society and whether it is appropriate to hold them responsible. In contrast, little has been written about whether anything is owed to corporations apart from what is owed to their members. And when this question has been addressed, the answer has always been that corporations are not worthy of any distinct moral consideration. This is even claimed by proponents of corporate agency. In this paper, I argue that proponents of corporate agency should recognize corporations as worthy of moral consideration. Though particular views of moral status are often taken for granted in the literature, corporations can satisfy many views of moral status given the capacities often ascribed to them. They can even meet the conditions of the views assumed. I conclude by suggesting that recognizing the moral status of corporations may not be as drastic or harmful as we might imagine.
Treason, Expulsion and the U.S. Senate, 1862 Senator Andrew Johnson vs. Senator Jesse D. Bright

This essay analyzes the argumentation of U.S. Senators Andrew johnson and Jesse D. Bright during the 1862 expulsion trial of the latter in Senate proceedings. The situation differs in important way...
Controlled Evaluation of an Optimization Approach to Mental Health and Sport Performance

Athletes experience unique stressors that have been indicated to compromise their mental wellness and sport performance, yet they underutilize mental health services. Indeed, very few mental health...
Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and Cancer Surveillance in Fanconi Anemia

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a DNA repair disorder associated with a high risk of cancer and bone marrow failure. Patients with FA may present with certain dysmorphic features, such as radial ray abnormalities, short stature, typical facies, bone marrow failure, or certain solid malignancies. Some patients may be recognized due to exquisite sensitivity after exposure to cancer therapy. FA is diagnosed by increased chromosomal breakage after exposure to clastogenic agents. It follows autosomal recessive and X-linked inheritance depending on the underlying genomic alterations. Recognizing patients with FA is important for therapeutic decisions, genetic counseling, and optimal clinical management.
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence — from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror

Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence — from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror, Judith Lewis Herman. New York: Basic Books, 1992. 276 pp. $27.00. ISBN 0-465-08765–5.Shattered Assumptions: Toward A New Psychology of Trauma, Ronnie Janoff-Bulman. New York: The Free Press, 1992, 256 pp. $24.95. ISBN 0-02-916015–4.
Gender disparities among independent fellows in biomedical research

Independent fellowships provide an opportunity for junior scientists to found their own lab directly after completing their PhD. However, these positions show a striking gender bias that has remained consistent for almost 30 years.
Activity of the shoot apical and cambial meristems: Coordination and responses to environmental signals

Abstract A tree shoot includes multiple developmental gradients that reflect the relationships of the shoot apical meristem, the cambial meristem and the tissues and organs they produce. The adaptation of trees to temperate and boreal climates depends on the ability of these two meristems to appropriately respond to environmental signals that are markers of seasonal changes. The aim of this review is to present a more holistic view of the tree shoot, including the developmental changes associated with seasonally regulated growth transitions. We consider the role of long-distance communication in coordinating leaf development, the transition to secondary growth and meristem activity. Using Populus as the model, we discuss the roles of signalling mediated by hormones, sugar and FLOWERING LOCUS T2 (FT2) in coordinating tree shoot developmental processes.
How Ultraviolet Radiation Affects the Cell

When cells are exposed to sunlight, they absorb some ultraviolet radiation, chiefly in the UV-B range. The cell’s nucleic acids and proteins take up most of the radiation, which often produces photochemical changes. After exposure, the altered molecules may affect one or more of the cell’s functions. In complex multicellular animals like ourselves, UV-B radiation only penetrates, and is absorbed by, the cells near the surface; cells deep in tissues remain protected. UV-A radiation, however, goes into deeper tissue cells through the outer surface (epidermis) and some of it even penetrates the entire skin layer.
Reading August Wilson's Character and His Characters: A Suggestive Introduction

In this short piece, Nadel argues that is it crucial for Wilson's characters, like Wilson himself, to control the terms and conditions of their existence.
Longitudinal Analysis Supports a Fear-Avoidance Model That Incorporates Pain Resilience Alongside Pain Catastrophizing.

Background The fear-avoidance model of chronic pain holds that individuals who catastrophize in response to injury are at risk for pain-related fear and avoidance behavior, and ultimately prolonged pain and disability. Purpose Based on the hypothesis that the predictive power of the fear-avoidance model would be enhanced by consideration of positive psychological constructs, the present study examined inclusion of pain resilience and self-efficacy in the model. Methods Men and women (N = 343) who experienced a recent episode of back pain were recruited in a longitudinal online survey study. Over a 3-month interval, participants repeated the Pain Resilience Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and NIH-recommended measures of pain, depressive symptoms, and physical dysfunction. Structural equation modeling assessed the combined contribution of pain resilience and pain catastrophizing to 3-month outcomes through the simultaneous combination of kinesiophobia and self-efficacy. Results An expanded fear-avoidance model that incorporated pain resilience and self-efficacy provided a good fit to the data, Χ2 (df = 14, N = 343) = 42.09, p = .0001, RMSEA = 0.076 (90% CI: 0.05, 0.10), CFI = 0.97, SRMR = 0.03, with higher levels of pain resilience associated with improved 3-month outcomes on measures of pain intensity, physical dysfunction, and depression symptoms. Conclusions This study supports the notion that the predictive power of the fear-avoidance model of pain is enhanced when individual differences in both pain-related vulnerability (e.g., catastrophizing) and pain-related protective resources (e.g., resilience) are considered.
De Novo CD5+ Primary Gastrointestinal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Challenges With Treatment and Clinical Course:

The gastrointestinal tract is a common extranodal site for lymphomas. However, primary gastrointestinal lymphomas are rare. Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) are the most commonly encountered type in the gastrointestinal tract. Most of the DLBCL are CD5 negative. CD5+ DLBCL is very rare and a poor prognostic subtype of lymphoma. We report a rare case of primary small bowel CD5+ DLBCL that evolved from being a localized low International Prognostic Index-scored disease into an advanced and aggressive disease primarily dictated by the presence of CD5 antigen positivity.
Right hemisphere ventral stream for emotional prosody identification: Evidence from acute stroke.

Objective To determine whether right ventral stream and limbic structures (including posterior superior temporal gyrus [STG], STG, temporal pole, inferior frontal gyrus pars orbitalis, orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala, anterior cingulate, gyrus, and the sagittal stratum) are implicated in emotional prosody identification. Methods Patients with MRI scans within 48 hours of unilateral right hemisphere ischemic stroke were enrolled. Participants were presented with 24 sentences with neutral semantic content spoken with happy, sad, angry, afraid, surprised, or bored prosody and chose which emotion the speaker was feeling based on tone of voice. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify individual predictors of emotional prosody identification accuracy from a model, including percent damage to proposed right hemisphere structures, age, education, and lesion volume across all emotions (overall emotion identification) and 6 individual emotions. Patterns of recovery were also examined at the chronic stage. Results The overall emotion identification model was significant (adjusted r2 = 0.52; p = 0.043); greater damage to right posterior STG (p = 0.038) and older age (p = 0.009) were individual predictors of impairment. The model for recognition of fear was also significant (adjusted r2 = 0.77; p = 0.002), with greater damage to right amygdala (p = 0.047), older age (p Conclusions Right posterior STG in the right hemisphere ventral stream is critical for emotion identification in speech. Patients with stroke with damage to this area should be assessed for emotion identification impairment.
Understanding the immune landscape and tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer to improve immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment for several hematologic and solid organ malignancies; however, pancreatic cancer remains unresponsive to conventional immunotherapies. Several characteristics of pancreatic cancer present challenges to successful treatment with immunotherapy, including its aggressive biology, poor immunogenicity, and abundant desmoplastic stroma which can impede effector T cell infiltration and promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment. In this review, we evaluate the current understanding of the immune and stromal landscapes of pancreatic cancer, discuss the successes and failures of stroma-targeted therapies, and highlight how stroma-directed therapies may be synergistic with immunotherapy.
Learning to Estimate Driver Drowsiness from Car Acceleration Sensors Using Weakly Labeled Data

This paper addresses the learning task of estimating driver drowsiness from the signals of car acceleration sensors. Since even drivers themselves cannot perceive their own drowsiness in a timely manner unless they use burdensome invasive sensors, obtaining labeled training data for each timestamp is not a realistic goal. To deal with this difficulty, we formulate the task as a weakly supervised learning. We only need to add labels for each complete trip, not for every timestamp independently. By assuming that some aspects of driver drowsiness increase over time due to tiredness, we formulate an algorithm that can learn from such weakly labeled data. We derive a scalable stochastic optimization method as a way of implementing the algorithm. Numerical experiments on real driving datasets demonstrate the advantages of our algorithm against baseline methods.
Global reduction of solar power generation efficiency due to aerosols and panel soiling

Air pollution and dust prevail over many regions that have rapid growth of solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation, potentially reducing PV generation. Here we combine solar PV performance modelling with long-term satellite-observation-constrained surface irradiance, aerosol deposition and precipitation rates to provide a global picture of the impact of particulate matter (PM) on PV generation. We consider attenuation caused by both atmospheric PM and PM deposition on panels (soiling) in calculating the overall effect of PM on PV generation, and include precipitation removal of soiling and the benefits of panel cleaning. Our results reveal that, with no cleaning and precipitation-only removal, PV generation in heavily polluted and desert regions is reduced by more than 50% by PM, with soiling accounting for more than two-thirds of the total reduction. Our findings highlight the benefit of cleaning panels in heavily polluted regions with low precipitation and the potential to increase PV generation through air-quality improvements. Air pollution and dust can reduce photovoltaic electricity generation. This study shows that, without cleaning and with precipitation-only removal, particulate matter can reduce photovoltaic generation in polluted and desert regions by more than 50%, with soiling being the major cause of reduction.
Stakeholder perspectives: Communication, care coordination, and transitions in care for children with medical complexity

Purpose The purpose of this study was to obtain feedback on communication, care coordination, and transitions in care for hospitalized children with medical complexity (CMC). Design and methods This descriptive, mixed-methods study used online surveys with forced-choice and open-ended questions to obtain stakeholder feedback. Stakeholders included parents, healthcare providers, and nurses. Participants over 18 years of age were recruited from a Midwest children's hospital inpatient unit dedicated to care of CMC. Quantitative data were analyzed using t-tests and one-way analysis of variance. Qualitative description was used to analyze responses to open-ended questions. Results Parents' ratings of communication, care coordination, and transitions in care were generally high. Transitions from other facilities to the emergency department and unit received lower ratings. Providers and nurses gave high ratings to overall care, communication among providers and nurses on the patient unit, and experiences with discharge; however, between unit communication and unit-based coordination received lower ratings. Providers and nurses had higher ratings for discharge preparation than parents (p ≤ .001). Three themes were identified in responses to the open-ended questions: establishing balanced and collaborative relationships between the care team and families, taking a proactive approach to care coordination, and the importance of an inclusive, interdisciplinary, and centralized approach to care coordination and communication. Practice implications Collaboration among all stakeholders is needed to achieve coordinated care, inclusive communication, and transitions with positive outcomes during hospitalization. Parents identified a need for consistent communication from care teams, with the primary inpatient team taking a lead role. Including parents in care coordination and transitions in care is key, as they are the experts in their children's health and well-being.
Acute and chronic neuroinflammation is triggered by diabetic ketoacidosis in a rat model.

Introduction Cognitive decline is common in patients with type 1 diabetes and has been attributed to the effects of chronic hyperglycemia and severe hypoglycemia. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has only recently been suspected to be involved in causing cognitive decline. We hypothesized that DKA triggers both acute and chronic neuroinflammation, contributing to brain injury. Research methods and design We measured concentrations of cytokines, chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in serum and brain tissue lysates in juvenile rats during and after DKA (during acute DKA, 24 hours and 7 days after DKA), and compared these to healthy controls and hyperglycemic controls. We also measured cytokine, chemokine and MMP concentrations in serum and brain tissue of adult rats (70 days) that had experienced DKA as juveniles and compared these measurements to those of adult diabetic rats without exposure to DKA. Results During acute DKA in the juvenile rats, serum concentrations of CCL3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1s and MMP-9 were significantly increased. Serum concentrations of IL-2 and IL-17A increased 7 days after DKA recovery. In brain tissue lysates, concentrations of CCL3, CCL5, interferon (IFN)-γ and MMP-9 were significantly elevated during acute DKA. In adult rats that had DKA as juveniles (28 days previously), serum concentrations of IL-1s and brain concentrations of IL-10 and IL-12p70 were elevated in comparison to diabetic rats without prior DKA. Composite scores for highly correlated cytokines and chemokines (mean z-scores for IL-10, IL-1s, TNF-α, IL-17A, IFN-γ, CXCL-1 and CCL5) were also significantly elevated in adult rats with prior DKA. Conclusions These data confirm that DKA causes acute systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation in a rat model. Importantly, the neuroinflammatory response triggered by DKA is long-lasting, suggesting the possibility that DKA-induced chronic neuroinflammation could contribute to long-term cognitive decline in individuals with diabetes.
Performance Improvement Case Studies

In this chapter, we provide anonymous case studies in performance improvement to help the reader understand how these principles function in the real world. We also provide some of the forms and templates I use in my trauma program. The cases involve mortalities, specific clinical conditions, and other opportunities. The cases are presented as a narrative, description of PI process, and critique. While the way in which these cases were handled is not a gold standard, it does provide the reader with food for thought concerning how to evaluate and address the problems evident in these case narratives.
Rhizosphere microbial communities explain positive effects of diverse crop rotations on maize and soybean performance

Abstract Microorganisms play essential roles in agricultural systems, and their abundance, diversity and activity can be influenced by management practices. Crop rotational diversity is known to influence both soil microorganisms and crop productivity, yet the specific contributions of microorganisms to rotational benefits are unknown. To facilitate monitoring soil biological processes that support vigorous and high yielding crops, we studied maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.), and their associated microorganisms within a two-year maize-soybean rotation and within four-year crop rotations with varying crop sequences. We hypothesized that rhizosphere microbial communities are strong predictors of crop productivity contingent on rotational diversity and previous crop legacy. Sampling at seedling and flowering stages, we assessed rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities, soil and plant tissue nutrients, aboveground biomass, and yield. Rhizosphere communities varied with rotational diversity and previous crop legacy. Concurrently, maize and soybean yield and biomass were approximately 15–25% larger in more diverse rotations and with different crop legacies, but there were no crop rotational effects on tissue or soil nutrients. Yield differences across rotational diversity or previous crop legacy were better predicted when microbial communities were considered. Fungal communities predicted lower maize seedlings biomass when following soybean, and lower soybean seedling biomass when following maize, independent of rotational diversity. Further, for maize, fungal communities predicted lower maize yield in the maize-soybean rotation, while in the four-year diverse rotations, bacterial communities predicted maize recovery from a soybean legacy by flowering. These results suggest that benefits of four-year rotations in maize and soybean production are driven by changes in plant pathogenic communities.
Duration of Effective Antibody Levels After COVID-19.

* Abbreviations: COVID-19 — : coronavirus disease 2019 nAb — : neutralizing antibody SARS-CoV-2 — : severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 After having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), patients develop a humoral immune response thought to protect against reinfection, but antibody levels can decline over time. Understanding how long antibody levels remain high enough to prevent infection is important in understanding, absent vaccination, whether children may be vulnerable to COVID-19 and in modeling how COVID-19 spreads through the population. The levels of antibodies capable of neutralizing the virus (neutralizing antibodies [nAbs]) provide a direct marker of a protective humoral immune response. The nAbs can be measured directly by determining how well a patient’s serum inactivates virus when a known amount of virus is placed on cells in tissue culture, which is known as a plaque reduction neutralization test. The remarkably safe and effective approved COVID-19 vaccines elicit potent antibody responses against portions of the virus mediating attachment to host cells and viral entry, the spike protein and its receptor-binding domain. The concentration of antibodies a patient has against spike … Address correspondence to: Andrea T. Cruz, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 6621 Fannin St, Suite A2210, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: acruz{at}bcm.edu
Management of Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a debilitating neurological condition that attributes significant morbidity to bladder dysfunction. Although many effective treatment options exist, symptomatic patients are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. The purpose of this article is to give an overview of the current literature including new screening tools to identify symptomatic patients and updates on treatment options including medications, botulinum toxin, and neuromodulation.
Synthesis applications of aza-cope rearrangements.: Stereocontrolled synthesis of cyclohepta [b]pyroolidines1☆

Abstract Both cis - and trans -3a-aryl-4-oxo-decahydrocyclohepta[b]pyrroles can be prepared in stereocontrolled fashions by the reaction of 2-amino-1-(1-phenyl- vinyl)cyclohexanols with formaldehyde and acid.
Repression of β-Galactosidase Synthesis by Glucose in Phosphotransferase Mutants of Escherichia coli: REPRESSION IN THE ABSENCE OF GLUCOSE PHOSPHORYLATION

Abstract Glucose and α-methyl glucoside repress β-galactosidase synthesis in wild type Escherichia coli and in mutant strains deficient in Enzyme I or in the heat-stable protein of the phosphoenolpyruvate-phosphotransferase system. Although the mutants do not grow on glucose and accumulate only a small amount of α-methyl glucoside, they are more sensitive to repression by these compounds than are their parent strains. This repression is presumably due to the lowering of the intracellular concentration of cyclic 3',5'-AMP by glucose and α-methyl glucoside, since it can be prevented by addition of the nucleotide. In contrast, a mutant deficient in glucose Enzyme II activity was resistant to repression by glucose and α-methyl glucoside. Evidently, the repression of β-galactosidase synthesis by these sugars does not require phosphorylation by the P-enolpyruvate-phosphotransferase system. It does, however, require the presence of Enzyme II activity for the sugars. An Enzyme I mutant and a heat-stable protein mutant which did not grow on lactose would grow on lactose in the presence of cyclic 3',5'-AMP or of isopropylthio-β-d-galactoside. Therefore, an intact P-enolpyruvate-phosphotransferase system is not required for lactose utilization by E. coli.
Significance of Chronic Tachycardia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective A significant subset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients exhibit chronic tachycardia (CT) of unknown significance. We postulated that CT is a marker of lupus activity and severity. Methods A cross-sectional database at the University of Chicago recorded disease activity, damage, disease manifestations, pain, anxiety, and physical function (PF). CT was defined as a heart rate of ≥95 beats per minute in at least 3 out of 4 sequential visits. Demographic, disease-specific, and self-reported symptoms were compared between groups with and without tachycardia. Results Of the 243 subjects analyzed, 14.8% had CT. On univariate analysis, CT was associated with younger age at the time of enrollment (P = 0.004), number of hospitalizations adjusted for years of SLE (P = 0.001), current prednisone dose (P < 0.0001), history of serositis (P = 0.03), anxiety score (P = 0.004), and poor PF (P = 0.0017). All domains of the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey correlated strongly with CT, but on multivariate regression this correlation appeared to be driven by poor PF. On multivariate regression, the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index score (P = 0.03), younger age (P = 0.04), and poor PF by the SF-36 domain (P = 0.006) were independently correlated with CT, and anxiety trait and hemoglobin both trended closely to significant association (P = 0.08 for both). Conclusion CT is prevalent in SLE and is a clinically relevant physical finding. It implies greater lupus activity and physical frailty. Univariate association with serositis raises the possibility of subclinical serositis or pancarditis. Further study to elucidate the cardiopulmonary status of SLE patients with unexplained CT is planned.
Opioid peptide biosynthesis: enzymatic selectivity and regulatory mechanisms.

Certain general principles determine the biosynthesis of most biologically active peptides, including the opioid peptides, from large protein precursors. In almost all instances, the active peptide...
Positive Academic Leadership: How to Stop Putting Out Fires and Start Making a Difference

About the Author ix Introduction xi PART ONE Exploring Positive Academic Leadership 1 What Positive Leadership Means 3 2 Alternative Approaches to Academic Leadership 25 3 Applying the Positive Leadership Model to Higher Education 43 PART TWO Positive Approaches for Yourself 4 Positive Language 67 5 Positive Perspectives 83 6 Positive Strategies 101 PART THREE Positive Approaches for Faculty, Staff, and Students 7 The Academic Leader as Coach 123 8 The Academic Leader as Counselor 143 9 The Academic Leader as Conductor 161 PART FOUR Positive Approaches for Higher Education as a Whole 10 Positive Administration Throughout the Institution 183 11 The Crisis Industry and How Positive Leaders Should Respond to It 205 12 Playing to Our Strengths 227 Index 249
Multi-joint soft exosuit for gait assistance

Exosuits represent a new approach for applying assistive forces to an individual, using soft textiles to interface to the wearer and transmit forces through specified load paths. In this paper we present a body-worn, multi-joint soft exosuit that assists both ankle plantar flexion and hip flexion through a multiarticular load path, and hip extension through a separate load path, at walking speeds up to 1.79m/s (4.0mph). The exosuit applies forces of 300N in the multiarticular load path and 150N in hip extension, which correspond to torques of 21% and 19% of the nominal biological moments at the ankle and hip during unloaded walking. The multi-joint soft exosuit uses a new actuation approach that exploits joint synergies, with one motor actuating the multiarticular load paths on both legs and one motor actuating the hip extension load paths on both legs, in order to reduce the total system weight. Control is accomplished by an algorithm that uses only a gyroscope at the heel and a load cell monitoring the suit tension, and is shown to adapt within a single step to changes in cadence. Additionally, the control algorithm can create slack in the suit during non-level-ground walking motions such as stepping over obstacles so that the system can be transparent to the wearer when required. The resulting system consumes 137W, and has a mass of 6.5kg including batteries.
Suppression of estrogen-dependent MMP-9 expression by Edpm5, a genetic locus for pituitary tumor growth in rat.

Abstract Chronic estrogen treatment results in elevated levels of the gelatinase pro-MMP-9 in the pituitary of tumor-susceptible Fischer 344 rats. In contrast, pituitary pro-MMP-9 level is not increased by estrogen treatment in rats of the tumor-resistant BN strain nor in rats of an F1 hybrid of these strains. The gelatinase MMP-2 is also detected in rat pituitary, but its level is not affected by either estrogen or rat genotype. In 124 estrogen-treated rats from a backcross of the F1 hybrid to the F344 strain, the levels of both monomer and dimer forms of pro-MMP-9 correlate with the tumor phenotypes mass, total DNA, and hemoglobin content of the pituitary. In this backcross, the QTL Edpm5 (estrogen-ḏependent pituitary mass on Chromosome 5) has a significant effect on MMP-9 levels, with inheritance of the BN allele of Edpm5 correlating with suppression of estrogen-dependent MMP-9 expression.
Characterization of Sertoli cell perinuclear filaments.

Sertoli cell nuclei are characterized by deep invaginations and, in addition, the orientation of the nuclei with respect to the wall of the seminiferous tubules varies during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. These events may be the result of cytoplasmic filaments acting at the level of the nuclear capsule and may represent significant changes in Sertoli cell activity. Thus, a study was performed to characterize the nature of the perinuclear filaments of Sertoli cells in vivo and in vitro. In Sertoli cells in vivo, microtubules and microfilaments were often detected in the perinuclear cytoplasm, and these cytoskeletal components were observed to course either parallel to, or abut at, the nuclear capsule. In Sertoli cells in vitro, the nuclear infoldings are retained and the perinuclear cytoskeleton was shown to contain microtubules, f-actin, and intermediate filaments. A fixation-permeabilization protocol employing tannic acid–saponin was used and it significantly enhanced the preservation of cytoskeletal components. The presence of f-actin was demonstrated by using the S1 fragment of muscle myosin to decorate the microfilaments. Treatment of the cultured cells with either microtubule or f-actin depolymerizing agents had no effect on nuclear shape. Thus, at present, the function of the prominent perinuclear cytoskeletal components remains unknown.
Synthesis and characterization of hierarchically structured aluminosilicates

Catalytically active aluminosilicate materials with hierarchical porous structures are produced. A spontaneous self-assembly in aqueous solution starting from component alkoxides resulted in patterned powders without the aid of any templating agent. SEM and N2 adsorption–desorption studies demonstrated regular array of macrochannels connected with micro-mesoporous walls. FTIR of adsorbed pyridine revealed the presence of both Bronsted and Lewis acid sites. Although the synthesis procedure is markedly distinct from sol–gel phenomena, the structure and acidity in the final materials could be manipulated in terms of sol–gel parameters such as composition, pH, temperature, and addition order. Not one parameter set could be identified to provide both best structure and maximum acidity; a compromise between the two was essential. The synthesized aluminosilicate catalysts were active in the esterification reaction of palmitic acid.
Improved revenues from various unconstraining methods in a passenger origin-destination simulator (PODS) environment with semi-restricted fares

In this article, we use the sophisticated passenger origin-destination simulator (PODS) simulator to examine the revenue impact of four different methods of unconstraining – Expectation Maximization, Projection Detruncation, Booking Curve (BC) and Pickup. Because of the competitive nature of PODS (two airlines competing head-to-head for customers) and its allowance of customer choice, for the first time we are able to assess fully all the implications of switching to more sophisticated unconstraining methods, including the impact of spill, upgrades and recapture. We find that the optimization engine that is currently being used dictates quite different revenue results when changing unconstraining methods. In one case (under Displacement Adjusted Virtual Nesting optimization), we should switch away from BC unconstraining, and in the other case (under leg optimization), we should not. Finally, using realistic booking data from major global airlines to calibrate PODS, we show that upgrading the unconstraining process can lead to revenue gains of 2–15 per cent.
Illness narratives: discursive constructions of self in pediatric oncology.

Narratives from adolescents in treatment for cancer were examined for the variety of ways in which self is constructed in discourse. Narratives were elicited by the second author (Bearison) from 75 children ranging in age from 3 to 19 years and at various stages of treatment for cancer. The present study examined a subset of these data. According to discourse theory, narratives are a means of constructing and understanding the self, particularly during unsettling life events that perturb the self-system. Adolescents who have cancer strive to make sense of the threatening and uncertain consequences of treatment, and their narratives reflect this struggle and their attempt to resolve it. The present study identified three narrative domains of self (biomedical, social, and personal) and considered variations among them according to the following features: (1) degree of otherness (i.e., to what extent and in what manner are other people, family, peers, and medical staff brought into the discourse), (2) expression of self as agent versus object, and (3) a series of linguistic markers denoting the narrative voice: understatement, exaggeration, reassurance, passive voice, and the use of personal and impersonal pronouns. In addition, expressions of denial and control were identified as central issues of self in narrative. Findings indicated that there were patterns of co-occurrence of discourse features that constituted different narrative styles by which participants gave voice to their struggle to redefine the self.
Using online pickup site inclusion policies to manage demand in retail/E-tail organizations

A major development in online retailing is the significant increase in the number of traditional "offline" retailers extending their brands online. Many of these retail/e-tail firms are attempting to leverage channel synergies by allowing customers to purchase products over the internet and then pick their orders up at one of the firm's local stores. This paper proposes that the firm presents only a subset of its stores to online customers as available pickup locations, rather than simply listing all local stores with inventory. By doing so, the firm can protect stores with critically low inventory levels and thereby reduce backorder costs. Specifically, we develop and evaluate a dynamic pickup site inclusion policy that incorporates real-time information to specify which of the firm's e-fulfillment locations should be presented at online checkout. Computational results indicate that managing in-store demand via such policies can decrease total cost (holding, backorder, and lost or redirected pickup sale costs) by as much as 18% over allowing customers to pick online orders up from any site with available inventory. The percentage of pickup sales and customers' sensitivity to travel are critical in determining the magnitude of the benefit.
Development of cell cultures that express hepatitis B virus to high levels and accumulate cccDNA.

Abstract Establishment of an infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) requires synthesis and maintenance of a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) form of the viral genome in the nucleus of host cells. To facilitate the investigation of the synthesis of cccDNA, cell cultures were developed that express HBV to high levels. Cell lines derived from hepatoma cells Huh7 and HepG2 were created that express Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen-1 and a fusion protein of the Tet repressor and Kox1 transcriptional repression domain stably. Transfection of these cell lines with an expression plasmid for HBV that contains the origin of plasmid replication of EBV (oriP) led to increases in the intracellular levels of HBV core protein (∼8- to 51-fold) and encapsidated HBV DNA (∼3- to 12-fold) in comparison to Huh7 and HepG2 cells. Virion production was also increased (∼3- to 12-fold) in these cell cultures and an increase in the level of cccDNA (∼3-fold) was observed in the Huh7-derived cell lines. In addition, these cell lines maintained the HBV expression plasmid upon selection and expressed HBV conditionally. Thus, these cell cultures exhibit several features that facilitate study of the synthesis of cccDNA and other aspects of replication of HBV.
SU-E-T-25: A Study of the Optimal PTV Margin for Patients Receiving CBCT-Guided Prostate IMRT Based On CBCT Dose Calculation

Purpose: Variation in daily setup and rectum/bladder filling leads to uncertainties in the delivery of prostate IMRT. To determine the optimal PTV margin for CBCT-guided prostate IMRT, daily CBCTs were used to estimate prostate and OAR doses, compared to those expected from planning. Methods: Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer were treated with prostate IMRT to 70Gy in 28 fractions. Daily CBCT was utilized for image guidance. The prostate CTV and OARs were contoured on all CBCTs. IMRT plans were created using 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm and 7 mm CTV to PTV margins. Dosimetric analysis of the plans following daily CBCT translational shifts was performed. Results: 28 CBCT sessions were evaluated for preliminary results. Planned prostate CTV V100% was 100% for all PTV margins. Based on CBCT analysis, the actual cumulative V100% was 96.65±4.73%, 98.82±2.72%, 99.86±0.53% and 99.96±0.11% for 1-, 3-, 5- and 7 mm margins, respectively. The planned rectum V70Gy was 0.88%, 2.67%, 6.02% and 13.42%, for 1-mm, 3-mm, 5-mm and 7-mm PTV margins. The actual cumulative V70Gy for the rectum was 5.47±2.7%, 9.64±3.12%, 13.68±3.39% and 20.82±3% for 1-, 3-, 5- and 7 mm margins, respectively. The planned vs. delivered rectum V60 Gy was 6.99 vs. 14.73±3.63% (1 mm), 9.83 vs. 18.43±3.73% (3), 13.61 vs. 22.5±3.86% (5) and 23.20 vs. 30.82±4 % (7). The planned vs. delivered bladder V70Gy was 0.01%, 0.24%, 0.98% and 1.75% vs. 0.24±0.25%, 0.93±0.69%, 2.46±1.36% and 4.07±2% for 1-, 3-, 5- and 7 mm margins, respectively. Conclusion: Daily setup variation during prostate IMRT yields differences in the actual vs. expected doses received by the prostate CTV, rectum and bladder. The magnitude of these differences is significantly affected by the PTV margin utilized. A 3–5 mm PTV margin appears to be optimal for prostate IMRT when daily CBCT is used for image guidance.
Association between basal, squamous cell carcinomas, dysplastic nevi and myotonic muscular dystrophy indicates an important role of RNA-binding proteins in development of human skin cancer

Myotonic muscular dystrophy (MMD) is caused by an abnormal function of RNA-binding proteins (RBP) resulting in DNA spliceopathy. A case of a patient, with MMD multiple basal and squamous cell carcinomas and dysplastic nevi, is described. The association between MMD and non-melanoma skin cancer has been reported before; however, this association was described before the genetic defect of myotonic dystrophy has been fully elucidated. The author proposes a genetic mechanism on how abnormal function of RBP can result or contribute to the development of human skin cancer and propose an explanation for this association between MMD and cutaneous carcinogenesis.
Mass determination of native smooth muscle myosin filaments by scanning transmission electron microscopy

The thick filaments of vertebrate smooth muscle have a fundamentally different arrangement of myosin molecules from the bipolar, helical organization present in striated muscle filaments. This side-polar, non-helical structure is probably critical to the ability of smooth muscles to shorten by large amounts; however, details of myosin organization beyond this general description are unknown. The non-helical arrangement of myosin precludes the use of helical reconstruction methods for structural determination, and a tomographic approach is required. As a first step towards this goal we have determined the number of myosin molecules present at each 14.5 nm repeat in native smooth muscle myosin filaments by scanning transmission electron microscopy. The mass-per-length of myosin filaments was 159 kDa/nm, corresponding to 4.38(+/-0.11) (mean+/-s.e.m.) myosin molecules at each 14.5 nm level. The mass of thin filaments in the preparation (intrinsic control) was 21 kDa/nm, consistent with current models of smooth muscle thin filament structure, and the mass of tobacco mosaic virus (mass standard) was within 5% of the known value. We conclude that native smooth muscle myosin filaments contain four myosin molecules at each 14.5 nm level, two on each side of the side-polar structure.
RFLP mapping of QTLs conferring salt tolerance during the vegetative stage in tomato

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) contributing to salt tolerance during the vegetative stage in tomato were investigated using an interspecific backcross between a salt-sensitive Lycopersicon esculentum breeding line (NC84173, maternal and recurrent parent) and a salt-tolerant Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium accession (LA722). One hundred and nineteen BC1 individuals were genotyped for 151 RFLP markers and a linkage map was constructed. The parental lines and 119 BC1S1 families (self-pollinated progeny of the BC1 individuals) were evaluated for salt tolerance in aerated saline-solution cultures with the salt concentration gradually raised to 700 mM NaCl+70 mM CaCl2 (equivalent to an electrical conductivity of approximately 64 dS/m and a water potential of approximately −35.2 bars). The two parental lines were distinctly different in salt tolerance: 80% of the LA722 plants versus 25% of the NC84173 plants survived for at least 2 weeks after the final salt concentration was reached. The BC1S1 population exhibited a continuous variation, typical of quantitative traits, with the survival rate of the BC1S1 families ranging from 9% to 94% with a mean of 51%. Two QTL mapping techniques, interval mapping (using MAPMAKER/QTL) and single-marker analysis (using QGENE), were used to identify QTLs. The results of both methods were similar and five QTLs were identified on chromosomes 1 (two QTLs), 3, 5 and 9. Each QTL accounted for between 5.7% and 17.7%, with the combined effects (of all five QTLs) exceeding 46%, of the total phenotypic variation. All QTLs had the positive QTL alleles from the salt-tolerant parent. Across QTLs, the effects were mainly additive in nature. Digenic epistatic interactions were evident among several QTL-linked and QTL-unlinked markers. The overall results indicate that tomato salt tolerance during the vegetative stage could be improved by marker-assisted selection using interspecific variation.
Intercontinental dispersal: The origin of the widespread South American plant species Gilia laciniata (Polemoniaceae) from a rare California and Oregon coastal endemic

Although separated by 7000-km,Gilia millefoliata, a rare annual plant from California and Oregon coastal dunes andG. valdiviensis, a rare Chilean coastal endemic are morphologically and ecologically quite similar. Their disjunct distribution was proposed to result from recent, birdmediated, intercontinental long-distance dispersal. Both species are morphologically similar to the abundant and ecologically diverse South American taxonG. laciniata. The relationship among these three taxa was investigated using DNA sequence from the nuclear ribosomal (ITS) and chloroplasttrnL regions, as well as isozyme and morphological variation to determine the roles of long-distance dispersal and ecological adaptation in the evolution of the group. These data suggest that aG. millefoliata-like ancestor underwent long-distance dispersal to South America, and there gave rise to the narrow endemicG. valdiviensis and the widespreadG. laciniata.
What's new in obstetric anesthesia

For over three decades, one of the highlights of the annual meeting of the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology has been the ‘What’s New in Obstetric Anesthesia’ lecture. This lecture, renamed in honor of Gerard W. Ostheimer, MD in 1995, reviews the preceding year’s literature relevant to the practice of obstetric anesthesia. This article, which is the result of reviewing over 1400 scientific manuscripts to create the 2008 Ostheimer lecture, focuses on three key areas: recent advances in labor analgesia, post-cesarean delivery analgesia and novel developments surrounding the longterm outcomes of preeclampsia.
‘Melt welt’ mechanism of extreme weakening of gabbro at seismic slip rates

A laboratory study of the frictional properties of the igneous rock gabbro at seismically relevant slip rates suggests that the initial weakening of a fault surface during earthquake rupture may be associated with hotspots and macroscopic streaks of melt, which partially unload the rest of the slip interface.
Tunable hybrid spectral imaging optic: experimental results

An optical device is presented that uses the highly wavelength dispersive nature of diffractive optics to provide a means of either removing a small waveband of incident radiation from a scene, to function as a tunable notch filter, or passing only a small waveband of incident radiation from the scene, to function as a tunable bandpass filter. A prototype design example is presented along with preliminary performance analysis.
Quantification of Determinism in Music Using Iterated Function Systems

This article proposes a novel technique for exhibiting and quantifying the determinism in music. A written score of music is modeled as a dynamical system employing an iterated function system to generate a picture from the music. This picture is then analyzed using methods of chaos theory and time-series analysis to quantify the determinism. Comparisons with random and chaotic control data and with some algorithmic compositions are made. The method might be useful for cataloging different musical styles or perhaps even testing authenticity of musical compositions.