cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification and characterization of an extracellular lipase from Geotrichum marinum

An extracellular lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) from Geotrichum marimum was purified 76-fold with 46% recovery using Octyl Sepharose 4 Fast Flow and Bio-Gel A 1.5 m chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a prominent band on SDS-PAGE and a single band on native PAGE based on the activity staining. The molecular mass of the lipase was estimated to be 62 kDa using SDSPAGE and Bio-Gel A chromatography, indicating that the lipase likely functions as a monomer. The pl of the lipase was determined to be 4.54. The apparent Vmax and Km were 1000 μmol/min/mg protein and 11.5 mM, respectively, using olive oil emulsified with taurocholic acid as substrate. The lipase demonstrated a pH optimum at pH 8.0 and a temperature optimum at 40°C. At 6 mM, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ stimulated activity, but Na+, and K+ at 500 mM and Fe2+ and Mn2+ at 6 mM reduced lipase activity. The anionic surfactant, taurocholic acid, and the zwitterionic surfactant, 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate, enhanced the activity at 0.1 mM. Other anionic surfactants such as SDS and sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, the cationic surfactants methylbenzethonium bromide and cetyltriethylammonium bromide, and the nonionic surfactants Tween-20 and Triton X-100 inhibited the lipase activity to different extents. The lipase was found to have a preference for TG containing cis double bonds in their FA side chains, and the reaction rate increased with an increasing number of double bonds in the side chain. The lipase had a preference for ester bonds at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions over the ester bond at the sn-2 position.
Methane Oxidation and Production Activity in Soils from Natural and Agricultural Ecosystems

Methane (CH4) flux from soil to the atmosphere is the result of two microbial processes, methanogenesis and CH4 oxidation. Land use may have a profound impact on the relative activities of these groups of organisms. In this study, the CH4 production and consumption potentials of soils from agricultural and nonagricultural ecosystems were assessed in laboratory incubations. Methane production potentials of most soils were low and in the range of 0.02 to 0.35 nmol CH4 g soil(-1) h(-1); however, soils from two of the agricultural sites that experience periodic water saturation had CH4 production potentials from 100 to 300 nmol CH4 g soil(-1) h(-1). The high methanogenic potential suggests that CH4 consumers may not be wholly dependent on atmospheric CH4 for their survival and maintenance. The prairie soils exhibited the highest CH4 oxidation under ambient atmospheric CH4 concentrations, and CH4 oxidation activity was markedly enhanced in incubations with an atmosphere enriched in CH4. This stimulated CH4 oxidation activity was generally greater in the agricultural soils as compared with the forest and prairie soils. Methane oxidation appeared to be related to soil nitrogen status. Under ambient atmospheric CH4 concentrations, CH4 oxidation was negatively related to soil mineral N (NO2- + NO3- + NH4+) concentration. However, a positive relationship between soil mineral N status and CH4 oxidation activity was observed in incubations with atmospheres enriched in CH4. This pattern suggests that the agricultural lands contain different populations of CH4 oxidizers than the natural systems.
Treatment of cerebral vasospasm with biocompatible controlled-release systems for intracranial drug delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The pharmacological treatment of cerebral vasospasm (CVS) now includes the experimental use of controlled-release biocompatible compounds that deliver a desired drug locally into the subarachnoid space. A controlled-release system consists of an active material that is incorporated into a carrier, usually in the form of a pellet or a gel. With such systems, the desired agent is delivered slowly and continuously, for long periods of time, directly to the desired site. This technology makes it possible to achieve high local concentrations of therapeutic agents while minimizing systemic toxicity and circumventing the need to cross the blood-brain barrier. This review describes controlled-release systems developed to date for local drug delivery in the treatment of CVS in both animal models and humans. METHODS: A MEDLINE PubMed database search was performed for articles published from 1975 to 2007 with the following search topics: “controlled-release system/ polymer,” “controlled-release implants,” “cerebral vasospasm,” “subarachnoid hemorrhage,” “subarachnoid space,” and “intracranial drug delivery.” RESULTS: Over the past several decades, several controlled-release systems (lactic/ glycolic acid pellets, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, liposomes, silicone elastomers) have been developed to deliver various pharmacological agents (papaverine, nicardipine, ibuprofen, nitric oxide donor, calcitonin gene-related peptide, fasudil, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator) intracranially to treat subarachnoid hemorrhage in animal models (rats, rabbits, dogs, and primates). Animal studies have shown promising results, and the few human studies that have been published using controlled-release systems with papaverine or nicardipine report similarly encouraging outcomes. CONCLUSION: Controlled-release systems have evolved over the past few years and have been shown experimentally to be an effective strategy for the local delivery of drugs to treat CVS.
Monte Carlo simulation of energy deposition and scattering by fast electrons in a field emission tip

Abstract In order to evaluate the efficiency of pulse heating a field emission specimen by an electron beam, it is necessary to know the total amount of energy deposited as a function of incident electron energy. The total energy deposited, however, also depends on the geometry of the specimen which in the case of FIM is approximately a parabola of revolution. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to model this interaction and to determine, principally, the amount of energy deposited into the sample per incident beam electron. By determining this information for incident beam locations along the specimen axis, it is possible to evaluate the effectiveness of specimen heating by high energy electrons. A detailed mapping of energy loss for variations in incident electron energy and beam position was determined.
Local Labor Markets and Occupational Sex Segregation in an American Metropolis

This study analyzes the reciprocal relationships between place and labor market segmentation by focusing on occupational sex segregation in Minneapolis–St. Paul. On the one hand, employment maps confirm that segmentation produces distinctive places: The slotting of women and men into different lines of work inscribes fine-grained spatial labor submarkets in different parts of the metropolis. On the other hand, logistic regression analyses confirm that place matters in segmentation processes: Workplace location significantly influences the likelihood of occupational sex segregation even after controlling for human capital and residential location factors. Occupational desegregation has advanced most rapidly with the emergence of new opportunities in suburban growth corridors. Continued suburban expansion and industrial restructuring promise increasing complexity of spatial mismatch and spatial segmentation and demand that employment policy incorporate issues of space, place, and scale.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal syndrome characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of an organic cause. One of the four subtypes is IBS with diarrhea, defined as loose or watery stools ≥25% of bowel movements and hard or lumpy stools ≤25% of bowel movements. The diagnostic approach to patients with IBS symptoms and no “alarm” signs includes a complete history and physical examination and a limited number of diagnostic studies to rule out organic illness.
Implementing the New U.S. Dual-Use Policy

After a decade of intensive policy discussions on the topic of dual-use research of concern (DURC) in the life sciences, there has been a lack of consensus on how to practically define DURC; whether it is feasible to identify and regulate DURC experiments; how to address the risks associated with DURC; and how to balance this risk with the necessity of fostering life sciences research for public health and biodefense. The publication of two avian influenza studies has brought the DURC issue back into sharp focus and has resulted in a new set of federal guidelines. However, the new DURC policy raises questions regarding whether this is the best policy solution to a complicated biosecurity concern.
Mesospheric turbulence measurements from persistent Leonid meteor train observations

[1] Long-duration meteor trains have fascinated observers for many years. The great Leonid meteor storms of 1866–1888 were the first to spark organized scientific study on the subject, but despite years of study, more than a century later, persistent trains remain for the most part a mystery. Over the last few years, however, the heightened Leonid activity has fueled considerable research efforts, much of it dealing with persistent trains. Some of the results of a comprehensive study of persistent trains conducted at the Starfire Optical Range (SOR) on Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, during the 1998 and 1999 Leonid showers are reported here. For the first time the time evolution of persistent trains is used to determine the eddy diffusion coefficient at mesospheric heights. In three of the four trains studied, portions of the train exhibited molecular diffusion while the remainder of the train, as well as the entire fourth train, exhibited eddy diffusion. The eddy diffusion coefficients were several hundred m2 s−1, two orders of magnitude higher than the molecular rates. The sodium density in the train was sufficient to use it as a passive scalar tracer of turbulent fluctuations. The spectra are well modeled by the Heisenberg turbulence model, and the values found for the energy dissipation rate are in agreement with the eddy diffusion coefficient estimates. The gradient Richardson number and Brunt-Vaisalla frequency were determined from lidar measurements and indicated regions of convective and dynamic instability.
Detection of change in nonstationary binary sequences

The present study was designed to investigate the ability of humans to detect changes in the underlying probability structure of binary sequences of events. Four Ss were presented with sequences of 30 events (zeros and ones) which had been generated by two underlying probability values. P1 was the probability of a one in the first i events, P2 was the probability of a one in the last 30-i events, and the distribution of i was uniform from 1 to 29. The Ss indicated, without feedback, where the transition point from P1 to P2 took place for four sets of problems in which P1 and P2 took on the following pairs of values: (.40, .60), (.20, .80), (.05, .60), and (.50, 1.00). Estimates by Ss were compared with true transition points, i, and with maximum likelihood estimates of i. The difference between P1 and P2 and the closeness of at least one P value to the boundaries, either zero or unity, interacted in determining the difficulty of the problem for Ss.
Animal Models to Study Gluten Sensitivity

The initial development and maintenance of tolerance to dietary antigens is a complex process that, when prevented or interrupted, can lead to human disease. Understanding the mechanisms by which tolerance to specific dietary antigens is attained and maintained is crucial to our understanding of the pathogenesis of diseases related to intolerance of specific dietary antigens. Two diseases that are the result of intolerance to a dietary antigen are celiac disease (CD) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). Both of these diseases are dependent upon the ingestion of gluten (the protein fraction of wheat, rye, and barley) and manifest in the gastrointestinal tract and skin, respectively. These gluten-sensitive diseases are two examples of how devastating abnormal immune responses to a ubiquitous food can be. The well-recognized risk genotype for both is conferred by either of the HLA class II molecules DQ2 or DQ8. However, only a minority of individuals who carry these molecules will develop either disease. Also of interest is that the age at diagnosis can range from infancy to 70–80 years of age. This would indicate that intolerance to gluten may potentially be the result of two different phenomena. The first would be that, for various reasons, tolerance to gluten never developed in certain individuals, but that for other individuals, prior tolerance to gluten was lost at some point after childhood. Of recent interest is the concept of non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which manifests as chronic digestive or neurologic symptoms due to gluten, but through mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. This review will address how animal models of gluten-sensitive disorders have substantially contributed to a better understanding of how gluten intolerance can arise and cause disease.
The role of marketing in material requirements planning systems

Abstract Integrated material requirements planning/distribution resource planning (MRP/DRP) systems play a crucial role in today's manufacturing enterprises, providing valuable information to both marketing and manufacturing managers. This article highlights how marketing judgments play a primary role in product allocation decisions from an MRP/DRP system, and how the results can be beneficial for manufacturing, marketing, and the organization as a whole.
A New Source for Your Patient-oriented Education

Surveys of practicing urologists have shown again and again that the time we actually have available for reading journals, medical newspapers, and attending lectures for Continuing Medical Education has continued to diminish at an alarming rate. Some studies suggest that the average physician can realistically spend only 15 minutes a week in furthering their education. What we choose to read during this limited time is now even more important. Over the decades that we have spent as editors of educational journals, books, and newsletters, we have conducted focus groups of practicing urologists to survey what exactly our readers want to satisfy their educational needs during this precious time – the overwhelming response has been Case Reports. The case report is short, frequently well illustrated with images that “speak a 1000 words”, often has clinical relevance to daily practice, and can on occasion change day-to-day clinical management. Unfortunately, with increasing pressure to provide higher impact factors for the authors and decrease page counts owing to budgetary constraints, many of our urologic journals have dramatically decreased or even eliminated the Case Report forum from their print and online journal formats. To this end, we have launched Urology Case Reports with Elsevier, a new online journal to provide a home for these publications with rapid peer review (72 hours) and quick and efficient online submission and publication of the accepted articles. Please consider this platform for presentation of your interesting urologic Case Reports. Our format will be as follows: Abstract (<100 words), Text (<1000 words), Figures (<4), and References (<10). We look forward to receiving your articles and publishing them in Urology Case Reports.
Middleware support for the deployment of ubiquitous software components

A number of emerging distributed platforms include fixed and robust workstations but, like dynamic and pervasive networks, are often built from mobile and resource-constrained devices. These networks are characterized by the volatility of their hosts and connections, which may lead to network fragmentation. Although increasingly common, they remain a challenging target for distributed applications. In this paper, we focus on component-based distributed applications by addressing the distribution and the deployment of software components on dynamic pervasive networks. We present a distribution scheme and some associated middleware mechanisms that allow a component to provide its services in an ubiquitous way. First, an architecture description language extension is proposed in order to specify a deployment, driven by constraints on the resources needed by components. Then, a propagative and autonomic deployment process is explained, which is based on a consensus algorithm adapted for dynamic networks. Lastly, implementation details and experiment results are given.
A recyclable Candida albicans URA3 cassette for PCR product-directed gene disruptions

For some time, gene disruptions in Candida albicans have been made with the hisG-URA3-hisG (‘Ura-blaster’) cassette, which can be re-used in successive transformations of a single strain after homologous excision of URA3. However, the hisG repeats are too large for efficient PCR amplification of the entire cassette, so it cannot be used for PCR product-directed gene disruptions. We describe here a gene disruption cassette, URA3-dpl200, with 200 bp flanking repeats that permit efficient PCR amplification. After transformation and integration to produce both arg5::URA3-dpl200 and rim101::URA3-dpl200 alleles, we find that arg5::dpl200 and rim101::dpl200 segregants, respectively, can be obtained. We have used the cassette to create rim101::dpl200/rim101::URA3-dpl200 mutants exclusively through PCR product-directed disruption. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of MgO Thin Films by RF Magnetron Sputtering

MgO thin films were prepared on Si(100) substrates by RF magnetron sputtering using a Mg, or MgO target. The preferred orientation of MgO thin films using a Mg target was transformed from a (200) plane to a (111) plane as a function of substrate temperature. The preferred orientation of MgO thin films using a MgO target was observed only in the (200) plane.
Laminin-α1 LG4–5 domain binding to dystroglycan mediates muscle cell survival, growth, and the AP-1 and NF-κB transcription factors but also has adverse effects

In our previous studies, we showed laminin binds α-dystroglycan in the dystrophin glycoprotein complex and initiates cell signaling pathways. Here, differentiated C2C12 myocytes serve as a model of...
Phenotypic and Genotypic Evidence for l-Fucose Utilization by Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni remains among the leading causes of bacterial food-borne illness. The current understanding of Campylobacter physiology suggests that it is asaccharolytic and is unable to catabolize exogenous carbohydrates. Contrary to this paradigm, we provide evidence for l-fucose utilization by C. jejuni. The fucose phenotype, shown in chemically defined medium, is strain specific and linked to an 11-open reading frame (ORF) plasticity region of the bacterial chromosome. By constructing a mutation in fucP (encoding a putative fucose permease), one of the genes in the plasticity region, we found that this locus is required for fucose utilization. Consistent with their function in fucose utilization, transcription of the genes in the locus is highly inducible by fucose. PCR screening revealed a broad distribution of this genetic locus in strains derived from various host species, and the presence of this locus was consistently associated with fucose utilization. Birds inoculated with the fucP mutant strain alone were colonized at a level comparable to that by the wild-type strain; however, in cocolonization experiments, the mutant was significantly outcompeted by the wild-type strain when birds were inoculated with a low dose (105 CFU per bird). This advantage was not observed when birds were inoculated at a higher inoculum dose (108 CFU per bird). These results demonstrated a previously undescribed substrate that supports growth of C. jejuni and identified the genetic locus associated with the utilization of this substrate. These findings substantially enhance our understanding of the metabolic repertoire of C. jejuni and the role of metabolic diversity in Campylobacter pathobiology.
Maternal Carotenoid Status Modifies the Incorporation of Dietary Carotenoids into Immune Tissues of Growing Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Carotenoids provide pigmentation to avian species, and also have immunomodulatory potential, although experimental results are often inconsistent. Therefore, dietary carotenoid deposition into immune tissue of growing chicks was examined in relation to their maternal carotenoid status (i.e., yolk carotenoid level). Single-comb white leghorn chicks were hatched from carotenoid-replete (C+) or carotenoid-deplete (C-) eggs. For 4 wk posthatch, chicks were fed diets whose carotenoid level ranged from 0 to 38 mg total carotenoid/kg. Carotenoid additions consisted of lutein + canthaxanthin at a ratio of 4:1. After 4 wk, the carotenoid concentration of thymus, bursa, liver, plasma and shank epithelium was measured by HPLC. Egg yolk-derived carotenoids were detectable in chicks fed 0 dietary carotenoids for 4 wk. Chicks hatched from C+ eggs had significantly greater tissue lutein, zeaxanthin and/or canthaxanthin for all tissues (P < 0.05), compared to chicks hatched from C- eggs. Only bursa carotenoids were not dependent on chick diet (P = 0.24); for all other tissues, C+ chicks incorporated dietary carotenoids in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01), whereas C- chicks never achieved the same level of carotenoid incorporation. This study demonstrated the importance of maternal carotenoid status on incorporation of yolk- and diet-derived tissue carotenoids in an avian model, and may explain some variability in carotenoid-based research, given that maternal carotenoid status is rarely controlled.
On achieving fairness in the joint allocation of processing and bandwidth resources

The problem of achieving fairness in the allocation of the bandwidth resource on a link shared by multiple flows of traffic has been extensively researched over the last decade. However, with the increasing pervasiveness of optical networking and the occasional trend toward using over-provisioning as the solution to congestion, a router's processor also becomes a critical resource to which, ideally speaking, all competing flows should have fair access. For example, if the network is not fair in allocating processing resources, denial of service attacks based on an excessive use of the router processor (such as by using unnecessary optional headers) become possible. In this paper, we investigate the issue of achieving fairness in the joint allocation of the processing and bandwidth resources. We first present a simple but powerful general principle for defining fairness in such systems based on any of the classic notions of fairness such as max-min fairness, proportional fairness and utility max-min fairness defined for a single resource. We apply our principle to a system with a shared processor and a shared link with max-min fairness as the desired goal. We then propose a practical and provably fair packet-by-packet algorithm for the joint allocation of processing and bandwidth resources. We demonstrate the fairness achieved by our algorithm through simulation results using real gateway traffic traces. The principles and the algorithm detailed in this paper may also be applied in the allocation of other kinds of resources such as power, a critical resource in mobile systems.
Induced fit and lock and key recognition of 5 s RNA by zinc fingers of transcription factor IIIA

Transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) is a Cys2His2 zinc finger protein that regulates expression of the 5 S ribosomal RNA gene by binding specifically to the internal control element. TFIIIA also functions in transport and storage of 5 S RNA by binding directly to the RNA transcript. To obtain insights into the mechanism by which TFIIIA recognizes 5 S RNA, we determined the solution structure of the middle three zinc fingers bound to the central core of 5 S RNA. Finger 4 utilizes “lock and key” recognition to bind in the widened major groove of the pre-structured RNA loop E motif. This interaction is mediated by direct hydrogen bonding interactions with bases. In contrast, recognition of loop A, a flexible junction of three helices, occurs by an induced fit mechanism that involves reorganization of the conserved CAUA motif and structuring of the finger 5–finger 6 interface to form a complementary RNA binding surface.
Osteoarthritis of the elbow: results of arthroscopic osteophyte resection and capsulectomy.

Primary osteoarthritis of the elbow involves formation of bony spurs, loose bodies, and capsular contracture. This article presents the results of an arthroscopic technique for treatment of elbow arthritis in a series of patients. A retrospective chart review identified 41 patients with primary osteoarthritis in 42 elbows who underwent arthroscopic osteophyte resection and capsulectomy and who had more than 2 years of follow-up. Preoperative motion, pain, and Mayo Elbow Performance Index scores were compared with those at the latest follow-up. At an average follow-up of 176.3 weeks, significant improvements occurred in mean flexion, from 117.3° preoperatively to 131.6° ( P P P = .0056); and Mayo Elbow Performance Index scores ( P P
Deconvolving infrared telescope images as point sources on a grid

Deconvolution of infrared telescope images can partially recover the distribution of light in the sky. The light from point sources and extended sources is modeled as a grid of closely-spaced points. A matrix of influence coefficients contains the response of the telescope-instrument combination to light at the grid points. A non-negative least-squares routine finds the sky flux densities that reproduce the instrument data. A personal computer program and examples of infrared telescope data deconvolution are presented.
Mechanism of Immune Dysfunction in Cancer Mediated by Immature Gr-1+ Myeloid Cells

The mechanism of tumor-associated T cell dysfunction remains an unresolved problem of tumor immunology. Development of T cell defects in tumor-bearing hosts are often associated with increased production of immature myeloid cells. In tumor-bearing mice, these immature myeloid cells are represented by a population of Gr-1+ cells. In this study we investigated an effect of these cells on T cell function. Gr-1+ cells were isolated from MethA sarcoma or C3 tumor-bearing mice using cell sorting. These Gr-1+ cells expressed myeloid cell marker CD11b and MHC class I molecules, but they lacked expression of MHC class II molecules. Tumor-induced Gr-1+ cells did not affect T cell responses to Con A and to a peptide presented by MHC class II. In sharp contrast, Gr-1+ cells completely blocked T cell response to a peptide presented by MHC class I in vitro and in vivo. Block of the specific MHC class I molecules on the surface of Gr-1+ cells completely abrogated the observed effects of these cells. Thus, immature myeloid cells specifically inhibited CD8-mediated Ag-specific T cell response, but not CD4-mediated T cell response. Differentiation of Gr-1+ cells in the presence of growth factors and all-trans retinoic acid completely eliminated inhibitory potential of these cells. This may suggest a new approach to cancer treatment.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Steelmaking

Abstract Making steel involves either refining of molten iron made from ore or, refining of recycled scrap steel. Both processes are energy intensive and rely on combustion of fossil fuels. Scrap steel is refined in electric furnaces and has relatively much lower need for fossil fuels. Incomplete and/or inefficient combustion of fossil fuels generates polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This article provides a broad overview of the potential PAH sources from steelmaking and an approach to their source identification. The article is limited only to the initial step of steelmaking and does not cover the treatment and shaping of steel.
Newsgathering and Privacy: Expanding Ethics Codes to Reflect Change in the Digital Media Age

Media ethics codes concerning privacy must be updated considering the ease with which information now can be gathered from social networks and disseminated widely. Existing codes allow for deception and privacy invasion in cases of overriding public need when no alternate means are available but do not adequately define what constitutes need or alternate means, or weigh in the harm such acts do to the public trust and the profession. Building on the ethics theories of Sissela Bok and Helen Nissenbaum, balancing tests can be developed under a mixed-rule deontology that confines online misrepresentation and exposing the private information of private people only to cases where good most clearly is served.
Population structure and in situ division rates of Ceratium in oligotrophic waters of the North Pacific central gyre1

Species composition and division rates were examined for a ylopulation of the dinoflagellate genus Ceratium from oligotrophic waters of the North Pacific central gyre. Division rates of Ceratium were high relative to those in other oceanic regions despite the low nutrient levels. Doubling times were calculated to be 5.2-7.5 days for the gerlus and ranged from 4.0 to 9.2 days among the 10 most abundant species. Fifty-one species of Ceratium were identified, and their rank order of abundance was remarkably constant over the largest temporal and spatial scales examined (9 months and 755 km). Ceratium’c relatively high division rate coupled with its consistently low abundance supports the conclusion from other data that steady state conditions are approximated in this environment.
Measuring the Effectiveness of Honeypot Counter-Counterdeception

Honeypots are computer systems that try to fool cyberattackers into thinking they are ordinary computer systems, when in fact they are designed solely to collect data about attack methods and thereby enable better defense against attackers. Honeypots are more effective the more ordinary they appear, but so far designers have just used intuition in designing them. So it is valuable to develop metrics for measuring the effectiveness of honeypot deception. We report on several software tools we have developed for assessing the effectiveness of honeypots, particularly a metric-calculating tool that summarizes a file system by a vector of 72 numbers. Comparison of vectors between fake and real systems can guide design of the fake. We show that this metric tool, applied to a detailed fake file system we constructed, confirms that it is convincing in most ways.
Anoctamins and gastrointestinal smooth muscle excitability

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) generate electrical pacemaker activity in gastrointestinal smooth muscles. We investigated whether Tmem16a, which encodes anoctamin 1 (ANO1), a Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel, might be involved in pacemaker activity in ICC. The Tmem16a transcripts and ANO1 were expressed robustly in GI muscles, specifically in ICC in murine, non-human primate (Macaca fascicularis) and human GI tracts. Splice variants of Tmem16a, as well as other paralogues of the Tmem16 family, were expressed in gastrointestinal muscles. Calcium-activated Cl(-) channel blocking drugs, niflumic acid and DIDS blocked slow waves in intact muscles of mouse, primate and human small intestine and stomach. Slow waves failed to develop in Tmem16a knock-out mice (Tmem16a(tm1Bdh/tm1Bdh)). The pacemaker mechanism was investigated in isolated ICC from transgenic mice with constitutive expression of copepod super green fluorescent protein (copGFP). Depolarization of ICC activated inward currents due to a Cl(-)-selective conductance. Removal of extracellular Ca(2+), replacement of Ca(2+) with Ba(2+), or extracellular Ni(2+) (30 μM) blocked the inward current. Single Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels with a unitary conductance of 7.8 pS were resolved in excised patches from ICC. The inward current was blocked in a concentration-dependent manner by niflumic acid (IC(50) = 4.8 μM). The role of ANO1 in cholinergic responses in ICC was also investigated. Carbachol activated Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) currents in ICC, and responses to cholinergic nerve stimulation were blocked by niflumic acid in intact muscles. Anoctamin 1 is a prominent conductance in ICC, and these channels appear to be involved in pacemaker activity and in responses to enteric excitatory neurotransmitters.
Does Lithium Block the Effects of Amphetamine? A Report of Three Cases

The author presents three case reports supporting the hypothesis that lithium therapy inhibits the effect of amphetamine. He suggests that the pharmacologic mechanisms of action of lithium and amphetamine are directly opposite and that lithium could be prophylactic for cases of amphetamine abuse; he suggests further research to evaluate this hypothesis.
Effects of Constraints and Consequences on Plan Complexity in Conversations About End-of-Life Care

The current study assessed the role of health care provider constraints and perceived consequences on plan complexity for conversations with patients about end-of-life care. Meta-goal constraints, perceived consequences associated with conversational engagement and planning theory provides the basis for research questions and hypotheses posed. Findings suggested that while the meta-goals of efficiency and politeness were each recognized as important, providers indicated greater concern for politeness during patient interactions concerning treatment options. Reported constraints had no impact on plan complexity. Perceived consequences of conversational engagement were predominantly positive and concerned the patient. Findings may enhance the understanding of social workers in their educational role regarding the potential training needs of health care team members in palliative care contexts.
The MAFB transcription factor impacts islet α-cell function in rodents and represents a unique signature of primate islet β-cells.

Analysis of MafB−/− mice has suggested that the MAFB transcription factor was essential to islet α- and β-cell formation during development, although the postnatal physiological impact could not be...
Stereotactic lesions of the amygdala and hippocampus in epilepsy.

Although temporal lobectomy has become well established in the treatment of unilateral epileptogenic lesions (Penfield and Jasper 13, Falconer 6, Crandall 5. Patients with bitemporal epilepsy and with unverified temporal lobe foci have not had the option of surgical treatment available to patients with clearly unilateral temporal lobe seizure discharges.
Connecting the Dots in a Concept Space by Iterative Reading of Freetext References with Wordnet

Most of the current text understanding techniques are based on ontology engine and external knowledge resources to reach to a deep comprehension. In this paper, we propose a computerized text comprehension technique for a given text. This technique can accommodate a deep text comprehension by an iterative reading of reference texts related to the given text using ontology engine. Performance analysis shows that the use of ontology engine and reference texts helps in finding the hidden relations among the concepts in the text and adds new knowledge. Thus, this iteratively increases the text comprehension.
Absence of the septum pellucidum: a useful sign in the diagnosis of congenital brain malformations

In a review of more than 2000 MR images of the brain we identified 35 patients with absence of the septum pellucidum. These patients were divided into seven basic groups as follows: septooptic dysplasia; schizencephaly; holoprosencephaly; agenesis of the corpus callosum; chronic, severe hydrocephalus; basilar encephaloceles; and porencephaly/hydranencephaly. Absence of the septum pellucidum was never seen as an isolated finding. By using data gathered from the review of the MR scans of patients in this study, we devised a diagnostic algorithm to aid in the classification of these patients. Absence of the septum pellucidum can provide a valuable clue to the diagnosis of malformations of the brain.
Infinitesimal Deformations of Portions of the Standard Sphere in E3

(1980). Infinitesimal Deformations of Portions of the Standard Sphere in E3. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 87, No. 3, pp. 175-182.
In vivo effects of Bacillus anthracis culture filtrates

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the pathogenesis of anthrax due primarily to the discovery of a lethal factor produced by Bacillus anthracis during its in vivo multiplication (Smith and Keppie, 1954). Prior to this discovery no toxin capable of killing laboratory animals had been demonstrated. The virulence of the organism had been attributed solely to the polypeptide capsule (which presumably inhibited the cellular defenses of the host) and the subsequent in vivo multiplication which resulted in enormous num-
Antenatal diagnosis of cystinosis

Cystinosis is a recessively inherited metabolic disorder characterized biochemically by a high intracellular content of free cystine; this results in cystine crystal deposition in many body organs. The primary genetic defect has not been identified. This disorder is diagnosable in cultured human skin fibroblasts and cultured amniotic fluid cells by radiochemically measuring the increased intracellular cystine levels, thus allowing antenatal detection of the disorder. Mrs P., who had had a previous child with cystinosis, presented at 16 wk gestation for antenatal diagnosis. Amniocentesis was performed, the amniotic fluid cells cultured for 6 wk, then 35 S-cystine was added to the culture medium of the test and control cells for 24 h. Mrs P.'s cultured amniotic fluid cells demonstrated elevated intracellular 35 S-cystine levels compared with the controls. Subsequently, the pregnancy was terminated. The diagnosis of cystinosis was confirmed by histopathological examination of fetal tissues and by elevated 35 S-cystine accumulation in cultured fibroblasts derived from the umbilical cord and pericardium of the abortus.
Antiviral Agents: A Perspective on Research and Regulation

It is a pleasure to have the opportunity of participating in this conference on antiviral therapy honoring Dr. Dorland Davis, who is leaving the National Institutes of Health after a long and distinguished career. Unfortunately, I am at a double disadvantage as compared with other participants. I have no data to present; moreover, everyone surely knows that my opinions on antiviral agents are suspect since I have been tainted by association with the "vaccine lobby." Perhaps Dr. Merigan needed a token vaccine lobbyist and a token Food and Drug Administration regulator and saw me as a way to get both for a bargain price!
Sizing up the small child.

Undersized children seen in a growth clinic range all the way from genetic dwarfs for whom no treatment is available to pathetic youngsters literally starved both emotionally and physically or equally tragic cretins whose brains are unsalvageable. For two of the patients described here, loving care was truly a wonder drug.
Associations of individual characteristics and lifestyle factors with metabolism of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate in NHANES 2001-2012.

Abstract Background Previous studies suggest that a higher ratio of primary to secondary metabolites of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), reflective of a slower DEHP conversion rate, is associated with a greater physiologic effect. We examined associations of several individual characteristics and lifestyle factors with the ratio of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate to mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHP:MEHHP) and %MEHP (the ratio of MEHP to the sum of the secondary metabolites). Methods We used the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2012. The study included adults with BMI Results In multivariable analysis, non-Caucasian individuals had higher %MEHP (non-Hispanic Blacks: β = 0.114, 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 0.050, 0.177; Hispanic: β=0.089, 95% CI: 0.024, 0.154; other race: β=0.126, 95% CI: 0.033, 0.219). Age was inversely associated with MEHP:MEHHP (β=−0.001, 95% CI: −0.002, −0.001) and %MEHP (β=−0.006, 95% CI: −0.008, −0.004). Overweight individuals had lower MEHP: MEHHP and lower %MEHP (β=−0.035, 95 % CI: 0.062 , −0.008 and β=−0.104, 95% CI: −0.162, −0.046, respectively). Alcohol consumption was inversely associated with %MEHP among men (p-trend = 0.03). Conclusions Individual and lifestyle characteristics are associated with differences in DEHP metabolism. Understanding underlying biological mechanisms could help to identify individuals at a greater risk of adverse effects from DEHP exposure.
Musculocutaneous Flaps: Principles

Determining the simplest method to achieve a desired result is the guiding principle in the use of musculocutaneous flaps for reconstructive surgery. Assessment of the defect and the donor site, and guidelines for the creation of a flap are discussed.
Localization of adenosine-receptor subtype mRNA in rat outer medullary descending vasa recta by RT-PCR

Adenosine has a multitude of functions in the kidney, including vasoregulation of the renal vasculature. The actions of adenosine are mediated by its binding to specific receptors. Four adenosine-receptor subtypes have been cloned and sequenced, the A1, A2a, A2b, and the A3. In this study, the expression of individual adenosine-receptor subtype RNAs in outer medullary descending vasa recta (OMDVR) was investigated. Total RNA isolated from the outer medulla and microdissected, permeabilized OMDVR were subjected to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers specific for each of the adenosine-receptor subtypes. Subtype-specific probes were used to verify the PCR products by Southern hybridization. Our studies, performed in triplicate on five different rats, indicate the presence of A1, A2a, and A2b adenosine-receptor subtype mRNAs. These products were not attributable to extraneous RNA contamination from other tissue sources, nor did they result from genomic DNA amplification. These data are consistent with pharmacological evaluations, favor A1, A2a, and A2b adenosine-receptor subtype expression in OMDVR, and support a role for adenosine in the regulation of medullary blood flow.
Further observations on serial human chorionic gonadotropin patterns in ectopic pregnancies and spontaneous abortions

The half-life of hCG was measured retrospectively in paired blood samples from 108 pregnancies with falling hCG levels. hCG levels fell significantly more slowly in women who had an ectopic pregnancy (41 cases) than in women who had spontaneous abortions (67 cases). When the hCG half-life was greater than or equal to 7 days, 86% of cases had ectopic pregnancies, a third of which had ruptured. By contrast, when the hCG half-life was less than 1.4 days, only 7.6% (2/26) of cases had an ectopic pregnancy (both of which were unruptured), and villi were identified in only 10% of curettage specimens from (presumed) cases of spontaneous abortion. When the half-life of hCG was between 1.4 and 6.9 days, 34% of the cases had ectopic pregnancies, 14% of which had ruptured: chorionic villi were recovered from 76% of the women who had a curettage, and failure to detect villi was more than 80% predictive of an ectopic pregnancy.
Fibrosis of Tunica Albuginea: Complication of Long-Term Intracavernous Pharmacological Self-Injection

Abstract We report 3 cases of penile curvature deformity and fibrosis of the tunica albuginea after longterm self-injection with papaverine hydrochloride and phentolamine mesylate. To our knowledge this complication has not been reported previously. The clinical presentation and possible etiology are discussed.
Chapter 11 – Chromophoric DOM in the Open Ocean

This chapter presents a discussion on chromophoric dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the open ocean. Recent research has shown that the optically active fraction of dissolved organic matter (chromophoric DOM or CDOM, also called “gelbstoff” or “gilvin”) plays a major role in determining underwater light availability in the open ocean. Open oceans are defined as the part of the global ocean where coastal runoff and riverine input are negligible on annual time scales. Furthermore, research suggested that significant variability in CDOM concentrations occur on the seasonal to interannual time scales in the upper water column. This “picture” of open ocean CDOM differs from the traditional view where light absorption by CDOM was thought to be minor and that CDOM variability was not significant on annual time scales. The change in the perception toward CDOM dynamics is important because CDOM can play a direct or indirect role in climate-related biogeochemical cycles—in particular, the carbon and sulfur cycles. Absorption of light by CDOM controls ultraviolet radiation penetration into the ocean, which has an impact upon phytoplankton and bacterial productivity. CDOM is also a primary reactant in the photoproduction of CO 2 , CO, H 2 O 2 , and Carbonyl sulfide and is a photosensitizer in the photolysis of dimethyl sulfide (DMS). Because of its impact upon the underwater light field, CDOM can influence the accuracy of global satellite-based measurements of ocean chlorophyll and primary productivity.
Exposure and Investigation

On March 29, 1969, Ronald Ridenhour, a Vietnam War veteran, wrote a letter to American political leaders outlining what he had heard about the events at My Lai and calling for a thorough investigation. The letter triggered formal inquiries in Congress and in the U.S. army. More than seven months later, on November 13, 1969, Seymour Hersh’s investigative articles about My Lai appeared in newspapers around the country, as did a piece by Robert M. Smith in the New York Times. Early in December 1969, Life magazine published Ronald Haeberle’s graphic color photographs of the massacre. The cover-up of the incident, which had been systematic at all levels of command in the Americal Division, was finally over. The entire world now knew about My Lai.
Rictor Overexpression and mTORC2 Signaling in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract Abstract 3884 Signaling via the B-cell receptor (BCR) stimulates growth and survival of CLL leukemic cells and inhibits apoptosis by phosphorylating immunoreceptor tyrosine based activation motifs. This signaling subsequently activates PI3 Kinase/AKT, mTOR, ERK and other pathways. Activation of Akt in turn requires phosphorylation by mTOR kinase, which assembles in two complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2 and it is the mTORC2 complex that phosphorylates and activates Akt. This phosphorylation of Akt in CLL specimen's upregulates anti-apoptotic proteins such as Mcl-1, Bcl-xl and XIAP. We have identified that Rictor, a component of mTORC2 complex is over-expressed in CLL specimens as compared to normal peripheral mononuclear B cells. This over-expression was noted by real time PCR that showed 1.5 to 4 fold upregulation (n=12). Western blot analysis also showed Rictor overexpression in all the twelve CLL specimens tested. Rictor overexpression was also seen in Mantle cell lymphoma cell lines and to study its role in BCR signaling, stable Mantle cell lymphoma lines with SiRNA mediated Rictor knockdown were established. Rictor knockdown resulted in a significant decrease in Akt activation as phosphorylation (phospho S473) of Akt both in unstimulated cells and when the cells were stimulated with BCR crosslinking was decreased. To determine the effect of Rictor and mTORC2 inhibition on CLL specimens, we tested the activity of three compounds isolated via yeast two hybrid drug screen designed to identify molecules that inhibit Rictor/mTOR interaction. When tested on CLL specimens in the presence of BCR crosslinking, these mTORC2 inhibitor compounds inhibited the downstream phosphorylation of Akt S473. Functionally the inhibitors also induced apoptosis in CLL cells with 40–60% of CLL cells undergoing apoptosis (1.0mM, cells treated for 48 hours). In comparison, rapamycin (mTORC1 inhibitor) and ppp242 (mTORC1, 2 inhibitor) were comparatively less active in CLL specimens as they were less effective in the induction of apoptosis. Western blot analysis of mTORC2 inhibitor treated cells also showed PARP cleavage and an increase in the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. Our data indicates that Rictor overexpression in CLL specimens is required for Akt phosphorylation activation and downstream BCR signaling. Inhibition of this pathway by mTORC2 inhibitors in CLL will be an effective therapeutic strategy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.