cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 2b Glycoproteins of parasites: Glycoconjugates of Leishmania

Publisher Summary The striking ability of Leishmania parasites to survive in hostile environments with impunity throughout their life cycle has implicated the importance of specialized glycoconjugates on their surface. These glycoconjugates are generally glycoproteins or complex carbohydrates anchored in the membrane by covalently-linked glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). Lipophosphoglycan (LPG) is the major cell surface glycoconjugate on the promastigote form of the parasite and is believed to be important for its uptake by and survival within macrophages. LPG consists of four domains: (i) a phosphatidylinositol lipid anchor, (ii) a glycan core, (iii) a repeating saccharide-phosphate region, and (iv) a small oligosaccharide cap structure. Some of the functions that have been attributed to LPG and related glycoconjugates have been determined by use of LPG-defective mutants of Leishmania parasites. These LPG- mutants were selected based on resistance to agglutination by the cytotoxic lectin rich agglutinin. One ricin-resistant clone, named R2D2, was found to be completely defective in the synthesis and expression of LPG, due to a defect in galactofuranose addition in the core region of LPG. The responsible defective protein in R2D2 is not yet precisely known, but is either the galactofuranosyltransferase or an enzyme involved in galactofuranose metabolism.
Observations from the Author’s Investigations

The findings in the present experiments will first be summarized briefly by using illustrative material from cases with large nonsuperficial HRP injections centered in either the cerebellar vermis, the hemisphere, or nearly the entire left half of the cerebellar cortex. Following this introduction, the findings after injections of more restricted regions of the cerebellar cortex will be considered. These results will be presented in the form of short descriptions of cell-labelling in the brain stem nuclei following injections in various parts of the cerebellar cortex. The cell groups projecting to the cerebellar cortex will be mentioned in roughly anatomic order, from rostral to caudal.
Pectin methylesterase isoforms in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) tissues : effects of expression of a pectin methylesterase antisense gene

We have identified two major groups of pectin methylesterase (PME, EC 3.1.1.11) isoforms in various tissues of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum). These two groups exhibited differential immuno-cross-reactivity with polyclonal antibodies raised against tomato fruit PME or flax callus PME and differences in their accumulation patterns in tissues of wild-type and transgenic tomato plants expressing a PME antisense gene. The group I isoforms with isoelectric points (pls) of 8.2, 8.4, and 8.5 are specific to fruit tissue, where they are the major forms of PME activity. The group II PME isoforms, with pl values of 9 and above, are observed in both vegetative and fruit tissues. The group I isoforms cross-react with polyclonal antibodies raised to a PME isoform purified from fruit, whereas the group II isoforms cross-react with antibodies to a PME purified from flax callus. Expression of a fruit-specific PME anti-sense gene impairs accumulation of the group I PME isoforms, with no apparent effect on the accumulation of the group II PME isoforms. The absence of any noticeable effects on growth and development of transgenic plants suggests that the group I PME isoforms are not involved in plant growth and development and may play a role under special circumstances such as cell separation during fruit ripening.
The Fundamental Plane and the Choice of Photometric Parameters

It is investigated which methods for determination of total magnitudes and effective radii for E and SO galaxies give accurate determinations of the parameters. It is also studied which of the photometric parameters are best used in applications of the Fundamental Plane.
Older Asian Americans' Primary Care Use: Examining the Effect of Perceived Mental Health Need

Prior health services research has overlooked older Asian Americans. Extending research on older Asian Americans' help-seeking behaviors can inform health disparity interventions. This study used existing data to examine the effects of ethnicity and perceived mental health need on physician use among Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese over the age of 50. Nearly all who perceived a mental health need sought primary care. Multivariate analyses showed perceived mental health need affected physician use differently for each ethnic group. Collaboration between social workers and other healthcare professionals to identify and address mental health needs among diverse older Asian Americans can reduce mental health disparities.
New Insight into Pile-up in Thin Film Indentation

This work builds involves leveraging our recent thin film mechanics model on the discontinuous transfer of strain from the film to the substrate. In applying this model with well-defined film and substrate properties we were able to decouple the effects of elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio mismatch in the indentation process. In doing so we identified new insight in the processes of pile-up and strong evidence suggested a dependence on film thickness and ratios of film/substrate of elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio. Atomic force microscopy was employed to characterize the degree of pile-up and correlate it with the above dependencies. We believe these efforts will enable the prediction of the degree of pile-up and subsequently the removal of its influence in measuring thin film behavior.
Biopsies, Tissue Processing, Immunohistochemistry, and Ancillary Techniques

The specimen submitted for histopathologic examination needs to provide critical diagnostic and prognostic information, such as symmetry and lateral and deep extension. Therefore, the proper procedure for most pigmented cutaneous lesions is an excisional biopsy. The biopsy should not be too large to avoid unnecessary removal of normal skin, if the lesion is benign, in which case, the biopsy constitutes definitive treatment. Furthermore one must consider if a sentinel lymph node biopsy will be performed, since a large excision usually disrupts lymphatic drainage and may affect the sentinel lymph node mapping and biopsy, if carried out before sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. When the lesion is malignant, excision of the whole lesion becomes necessary, with margins appropriate for tumor thickness.
The clinical behavior of granulosa-cell tumor of the ovary.

Abstract 1. 1. A series of four granulosa-cell tumors occurring over a thirty-two-year period at the Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, have been reported. 2. 2. All four patients are living and well with no evidence of recurrence at twelve, eight, four, and two and three-fourths years. 3. 3. Two cases (reported before) were reviewed of rupture of the capsule with marked intra-abdominal bleeding. 4. 4. One case of granulosa-cell tumor was associated with a perforation of the uterus with a catheter. 5. 5. Twenty-five cases of ruptured granulosa-cell tumors with intra-abdominal hemorrhage, twenty-three from the literature, were reviewed. 6. 6. The salient clinical factors relative to the above are discussed.
Temporal organization of atrial activity and irregular ventricular rhythm during spontaneous atrial fibrillation: an in vivo study in the horse.

Temporal Organization of Atrial Activity. Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in healthy horses. We studied the temporal organization of AF to test the hypothesis that the arrhythmia is governed by a high degree of periodicity and therefore is not random in the horse. Further, we surmised that concealed conduction of AF impulses in the AV node results in an inverse relationship between AF frequency and ventricular frequency. Methods and Results: Fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis of atrial activity was done on signal-averaged ECGs (n = 11) and atrial electrograms (n = 3) of horses with AF at control (C), after quinidine sulfate (22 mg/kg by mouth every 2 hours) at 50% time to conversion (T50), and immediately before conversion (T90) to sinus rhythm. FFT always revealed a single dominant frequency peak. The mean dominant frequency decreased until conversion (C = 6.84 ± 0.85 Hz, T50 = 4.87 ± 1.5 Hz, T90 = 3.41 ± 1.18 Hz; P < 0.001). Mean AA intervals (n = 5WM gradually increased after quinidine. Mean RR intervals (n = 500), standard deviation of the mean ISDM), Poincare plots, and serial autocorrelograms (SACs) of 500 RR intervals were measured at C and T90 to determine the ventricular response to AF and quinidine-induced changes in the variability of the ventricular response. Mean RR interval and SDM were reduced after quinidine (C = 1431 ± 266 msec and 695 ± 23 msec; T90 = 974 ± 116 msec and 273 ± 158 msec, respectively: P < 0.01). Poincare plots and SAC at C and at T90 revealed a significant correlation of consecutive RR intervals typical of a system with a deterministic behavior. At T90, the variability of RR intervals was reduced and the overall periodicity of RR intervals was increased after quinidine administration. Conclusion: In the horse, AF is a complex arrhythmia characterized by a high degree of underlying periodicity. The inverse AA-to-RR interval relationship and reduced variability of RR intervals after quinidine suggest that the ventricular response during AF results from rate-dependent concealment of AF wavelets bombarding the AV node, which nevertheless results in a significant degree of short-term predictability of beat-to-beat changes in RR intervals.
The Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS): Results from a Nationally Representative Probability Sample of Women in the United States

ABSTRACT Introduction Over the past two decades, an expanding body of research has examined women's and men's genital self‐image. Support for the reliability and validity of the 7‐item Female Genital Self‐Image Scale (FGSIS) has been found in a convenience sample of women. Aims The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the FGSIS, its model of fit, and its association with women's scores on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in a nationally representative probability sample of women in the United States ages 18 to 60. A second purpose was to assess the temporal stability of the scale in a subset of this sample. Methods A nationally representative sample of 3,800 women ages 18 to 60 were invited to participate in a cross‐sectional Internet‐based survey; 2,056 (54.1%) participated. Main Outcome Measures Demographic items (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, geographic region), having had a gynecological examination in the past year, having performed a genital self‐examination in the past month, frequency of masturbation in the past month, vibrator use in the past month, the FGSIS, and the FSFI. Results An abbreviated 4‐item version of the scale, the FGSIS‐4, was a better fit to the data than the original 7‐item scale. Women's scores on the FGSIS‐4 were significantly related to vibrator use, frequency of masturbation, having had a gynecological exam in the past year, having performed genital self examination in the past month, and all FSFI subscales. Conclusion Most of the participants felt generally positively about their genitals and female genital self‐image was significantly related to female sexual function, women's sexual behavior and their sexual and genital healthcare behaviors. In addition, the FGSIS‐4 has evidence of reliability, validity, and temporal stability in a nationally representative probability sample of women in the United States. Herbenick D, Schick V, Reece M, Sanders S, Dodge B, and Fortenberry JD. The female genital self‐image scale (FGSIS): Results from a nationally representative probability sample of women in the United States.
Critical nets and beta-stable features for image matching

We propose new ideas and efficient algorithms towards bridging the gap between bag-of-features and constellation descriptors for image matching. Specifically, we show how to compute connections between local image features in the form of a critical net whose construction is repeatable across changes of viewing conditions or scene configuration. Arcs of the net provide a more reliable frame of reference than individual features do for the purpose of invariance. In addition, regions associated with either small stars or loops in the critical net can be used as parts for recognition or retrieval, and subgraphs of the critical net that are matched across images exhibit common structures shared by different images. We also introduce the notion of beta-stable features, a variation on the notion of feature lifetime from the literature of scale space. Our experiments show that arc-based SIFT-like descriptors of beta-stable features are more repeatable and more accurate than competing descriptors. We also provide anecdotal evidence of the usefulness of image parts and of the structures that are found to be common across images.
Accuracy and Applicability of Resting Metabolic Rate Prediction Equations Differ for Women Across the Lifespan

Background : Nutrition clinicians need accurate and reliable resting metabolic rate (RMR) assessments to determine energy needs and an appropriate nutrition care plan. Material/Methods : This cross-sectional study compared the accuracy of eight RMR prediction equations (Harris-Benedict, Robertson and Reid, Cunningham 1980, FAO/WHO/UNU, Owen, Mifflin-St. Jeor, Cunningham 1991, and Nelson) to measured RMR by indirect calorimetry among young (n=57; age: 25±3 years), midlife (n=57; age: 44±3 years), and older (n=46; age: 68±5 years) women. Paired t -tests examined differences between predicted and measured RMR. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (version 21), with significance defined as p<0.05. Bland-Altman plots displayed prediction bias and agreement. Prediction accuracy was defined when predicted RMR was ±10% of measured RMR. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone and follicle stimulating hormone concentrations were measured to assess thyroid function and ovarian reserve, respectively. Results : The difference between predicted and measured RMR ranged from +0.6% (Owen) to +17.7% (Cunningham 1980) for the young, -2.8% (Nelson) to +18.1% (Cunningham 1980) midlife, and +2.8 (Nelson) to +26.7% (Cunningham 1980) older women. For the young women, only the Owen equation predicted RMR similar to measured RMR (p=0.905). For the older women, only the Nelson equation predicted RMR similar to measured RMR (p=0.051). All estimates using prediction equations were significantly different from measured values for midlife women. Conclusion : Many RMR prediction equations have limited applicability for women at difference stages of the lifespan, thus impacting patient outcomes. Additional research is necessary to determine the appropriateness of RMR prediction equations among women of all ages.
Addressing Girls Delinquency: Recommendations for Policymakers and Practitioners

The results outlined in the chapters of this book offer a comprehensive review of the trends of girls offending, as well as the unique (and same) risks to delinquency that girls experience as compared to boys. Findings offer insight into what we know about the trends and characteristics of girls offending and risk behavior (Chaps. 1, 4, and 5); the unique (as well as similar) factors that contribute to their offending (Chaps. 3, 4, 6–8), and the response (or non-response) of existing systems to provide support, prevention, and treatment (Chaps. 2, 9, and 10).
Phonetic comparison algorithms

Appealing to phonetic similarity has traditionally been discouraged in linguistics, partly because it has been an ill-defined and subjective concept. But much research nowadays requires measures of similarity between words, from practical work in speech technology, information retrieval, and commercial branding to theoretical studies involving language comparison and history. Phonetic comparison algorithms are crucial to this work, enabling computer implementation as well as reliability and significance testing. But phonetic similarity is not a unitary concept. Various types of measures are discussed, with emphasis on those most appropriate for current and future work in historical linguistics.
Animal models of drug craving

Drug craving, the desire to experience the effect(s) of a previously experienced psychoactive substance, has been hypothesized to contribute significantly to continued drug use and relapse after a period of abstinence in humans. In more theoretical terms, drug craving can be conceptualized within the framework of incentive motivational theories of behavior and be defined as the incentive motivation to self-administer a psychoactive substance. The incentive-motivational value of drugs is hypothesized to be determined by a continuous interaction between the hedonic rewarding properties of drugs (incentive) and the motivational state of the organism (organismic state). In drug-dependent individuals, the incentive-motivational value of drugs (i.e., drug craving) is greater compared to non-drug-dependent individuals due to the motivational state (i.e., withdrawal) developed with repeated drug administration. In this conceptual framework, animal models of drug craving would reflect two aspects of the incentive motivation to self-administer a psychoactive substance. One aspect would be the unconditioned incentive (reinforcing) value of the drug itself. The other aspect would be relatively independent of the direct (unconditioned) incentive value of the drug itself and could be reflected in the ability of previously neutral stimuli to acquire conditioned incentive properties that could elicit drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior. Animal models of drug craving that permit the investigation of the behavioral and neurobiological components of these two aspects of drug craving are reviewed and evaluated. The models reviewed are the progressive ratio, choice, extinction, conditioned reinforcement and second-order schedule paradigms. These animal models are evaluated according to two criteria that are established herein as necessary and sufficient criteria for the evaluation of animal models of human psychopathology: reliability and predictive validity. The development of animal models of drug craving will have heuristic value and allow a systematic investigation of the neurobiological mechanisms of craving.
An Efficient Elastic Displacement Analysis Procedure for Simulating Transient Conformal-Contact Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Systems

A compliance operator is often utilized to evaluate the elastic displacement of surfaces in the simulation of transient and steady-state elastohydrodynamic lubrication of conformal-contact systems. The values of the compliance operator represent the elastic responses of all nodes when only one node is under a unit load. The accuracy of compliance operator values, computational cost, and storage size are important issues. Our study of steady-state conformal-contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication analyses suggests a method of selective-fine-mesh with selective-storage, as well as a special technique of the combined selective-fine-mesh with selective-storage mapping. These two techniques enable an efficient elasticity procedure for the simulation of steady-state and transient conformal-contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication systems by means of the finite element method.
Rb-Sr ages of Precambrian mafic dikes, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming

Rb-Sr isochron data from whole-rock samples of dolerite and metadolerite indicate emplacement of dikes 2,826 ± 58 m.y. ago, during formation of the Bighorn gneiss and granitic complexes. Whole-rock samples of other dolerite dikes and mineral separates mark another intrusive event at 2,200 ± 35 m.y. B.P., well after the regional metamorphism. Two episodes of mafic dike emplacement are consistent with field relations but are not in agreement with recent K-Ar age determinations.
Phenotypic plasticity and plant adaptation

This paper focuses on phenotypic plasticity as a major mode of adaptation in plants. A methodological critique examines difficulties in studying plasticity, including the conceptually critical distinction between functionally adaptive and inevitable aspects of response. It is argued that plasticity studies depend critically upon the genotypic sample, the choice of environmental factors and factor states, and the definition of phenotypic traits. Examples are drawn from recent studies showing adaptive response by genotypes to physical aspects of the environment, as well as to biotic factors such as neighbour density and the presence of bacterial symbionts. Alterations of offspring traits by parental plants of Polygonum persicaria are discussed as a cross-generational aspect of plastic response to environment. Finally, individual plasticity and local ecotypes are examined as alternative bases of species ecological breadth, and methodological problems in distinguishing these alternatives are discussed.
The interactions between health benefits and farm wages in Virginia

The determinants of the provision of health benefits to full-time farm workers in Virginia are investigated using farm-level data. Health benefits are associated with higher wages on Virginia farms, while the provision of housing tends to lower wages. Agricultural employers must compete with other labor markets for workers on a wages and benefits package. Agricultural employers can also compete for workers by offering housing, a benefit not offered by other employers. © 1994 by John Wiley & sons, Inc.
‘Life does not make it easy to breast-feed’: using the socio-ecological framework to determine social breast-feeding obstacles in a low-income population in Tijuana, Mexico

Objective Breast-feeding rates reflect sociodemographic discrepancies. In Mexico, exclusive breast-feeding under 6 months of age has deteriorated among the poor, rural and indigenous populations from 1999 to 2012. Our objective of the present study was to identify the main social obstacles to breast-feeding in a low-income population in Tijuana, Mexico. Design Qualitative study using a socio-ecological framework for data collection. Setting Low-income communities in Tijuana, Mexico. Subjects Mothers (n 66), fathers (n 11), grandparents (n 27) and key informants (n 25). Results One hundred and twenty-nine individuals participated in the study: six focus groups (n 53) and fifty-one interviews among mothers, fathers and grandparents; and twenty-five interviews among key informants. Seven social themes were identified: (i) embarrassment to breast-feed in public; (ii) migrant experience; (iii) women’s role in society; (iv) association of formula with higher social status; (v) marketing by the infant food industry; (vi) perception of a non-breast-feeding culture; and (vii) lack of breast-feeding social programmes. Conclusions Socio-structural factors influence infant feeding practices in low-income communities in Tijuana. We hypothesize that messages emphasizing Mexican traditions along with modern healthy practices could help to re-establish and normalize a breast-feeding culture in this population. The target audience for these messages should not be limited to mothers but also include family, health-care providers, the work environment and society as a whole.
Linearity of grid minors in treewidth with applications through bidimensionality

We prove that any H-minor-free graph, for a fixed graph H, of treewidth w has an ?(w) × ?(w) grid graph as a minor. Thus grid minors suffice to certify that H-minorfree graphs have large treewidth, up to constant factors. This strong relationship was previously known for the special cases of planar graphs and bounded-genus graphs, and is known not to hold for general graphs. The approach of this paper can be viewed more generally as a framework for extending combinatorial results on planar graphs to hold on H-minor-free graphs for any fixed H. Our result has many combinatorial consequences on bidimensionality theory, parameter-treewidth bounds, separator theorems, and bounded local treewidth; each of these combinatorial results has several algorithmic consequences including subexponential fixed-parameter algorithms and approximation algorithms.
Comparative Reproductive Success of Caught‐and‐Released and Unplayed Hatchery Female Steelhead Trout (Salmo gairdneri) from the Clearwater River, Idaho

Abstract This investigation evaluated the ability of adult female steelhead trout to spawn successfully at a hatchery after being hooked, played, and released by anglers on the Clearwater and Snake rivers, Idaho. Spawning was done under standardized conditions (air spawning) and an unplayed female provided a control. Eggs from experimental pairs were fertilized by the same males and the percentage of eyed eggs were compared. The eyed egg percentages did not differ statistically (t-test, P > 0.05) between caught-and-released steelhead (86.5%) and control fish (86.2%) in 24 tests.
Performance of inattentive-overactive children on selected measures of prefrontal-type function

Several theorists have suggested that childhood inattention-overactivity ("attention deficit disorder," "hyperactivity") may arise from a deficit in the inhibitory mechanisms of the prefrontal cortex. Accordingly, it was hypothesized that inattentive-overactive children would exhibit prefrontal-type deficits on several relevant neuropsychological measures. Subjects were 21 elementary school pupils who had been referred for disruptive behavior problems and who had been rated as high in inattention-overactivity. Controls were 26 age-matched normal children from the same school. It was found that the Inattentive-Overactive group, relative to the Control group, performed in the direction of prefrontal-type deficit on three measures that have an empirical history of discriminating patients with prefrontal lesions from controls: Perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, errors on the sequential Matching Memory Task, and Necker Cube reversals. On three theoretical indices of prefrontal-type deficit--Trailmaking, the Stroop Color-Word Test, and a sequential memory task for children--the Inattentive-Overactive group also exhibited predicted deficits. There were no differences between groups on the WISC-R Vocabulary subtest. The results of the study are generally compatible with a prefrontal-deficit theory of inattention-overactivity. However, the presence of other deficits cannot be ruled out nor can an organic cause be inferred from these findings alone.
Selective Catalytic Cyclohexene Oxidation Using Titanium-Functionalized Silicone Nanospheres

Synthesis of methyl silicone-substituted nanospheres was accomplished by an emulsion condensation polymerization of methyltrimethoxysilane using conventional stirring. The spheres, ranging from 14 ...
Should There Be an App for Us?: Observations From an Editor's First Year

The article presents the author's personal views and reflections regarding the status and trends of applied linguistics scholarship as of the Winter of 2010, drawing on her experience as an editor of a research journal. Subjects discussed by the author include the integration of information and communication technology into the field, the role of globalization in research publishing, and being proactive in engaging the future of the discipline.
Contrasting properties of two forms of long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.

Activity-dependent enhancement of synaptic transmission, referred to as long-term potentiation (LTP), is observed at many synapses in the central nervous system. In the hippocampus two distinct forms of LTP have been identified. One involves the activation of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) subtype of glutamate receptor and a rise in postsynaptic Ca2+, whereas the other, which is found at mossy fibre synapses, is independent of NMDA receptors but does require a rise in presynaptic Ca2+ . Although it is now generally accepted that mossy fibre LTP is expressed presynaptically, the locus of expression for NMDA-receptor-dependent LTP is controversial. Here the two forms of LTP are compared and it is argued that the balance of evidence favours a postsynaptic locus for NMDA-receptor-dependent LTP.
Transcendental continued fractions

Abstract In a previous paper it was proven that given the continued fractions A = a 1 + 1 a 2 + 1 a 3 +… and B = b 1 + 1 b 2 + 1 b 3 +… where the a's and b's are positive integers, then A, B, A ± B, A B and AB are irrational numbers if a n 2 > b n > a n−1 5n for all n sufficiently large, and transcendental numbers if a n 2 > b n > a n−1 9n 3 for all n sufficiently large. Using a more direct approach it is proven in this paper that A, B, A ± B, A B and AB are transcendental numbers if an > bn > an−1(n−1)2 for all n sufficiently large.
Bioorthogonal labeling of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in genomic DNA and diazirine-based DNA photo-cross-linking probes

DNA is not merely a combination of four genetic codes, namely A, T, C, and G. It also contains minor modifications that play crucial roles throughout biology. For example, the fifth DNA base, 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), which accounts for ∼1% of all the nucleotides in mammalian genomic DNA, is a vital epigenetic mark. It impacts a broad range of biological functions, from development to cancer. Recently, an oxidized form of 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC), was found to constitute the sixth base in the mammalian genome; it was believed to be another crucial epigenetic mark. Unfortunately, further study of this newly discovered DNA base modification has been hampered by inadequate detection and sequencing methods, because current techniques fail to differentiate 5-hmC from 5-mC. The immediate challenge, therefore, is to develop robust methods for ascertaining the positions of 5-hmC within the mammalian genome. In this Account, we describe our development of the first bioorthogonal, selective labeling of 5-hmC to specifically address this challenge. We utilize β-glucosyltransferase (βGT) to transfer an azide-modified glucose onto 5-hmC in genomic DNA. The azide moiety enables further bioorthogonal click chemistry to install a biotin group, which allows for detection, affinity enrichment, and, most importantly, deep sequencing of the 5-hmC-containing DNA. With this highly effective and selective method, we revealed the first genome-wide distribution of 5-hmC in the mouse genome and began to shed further light on the biology of 5-hmC. The strategy lays the foundation for developing high-throughput, single-base-resolution sequencing methods for 5-hmC in mammalian genomes in the future. DNA and RNA are not static inside cells. They interact with protein and other DNA and RNA in fundamental biological processes such as replication, transcription, translation, and DNA and RNA modification and repair. The ability to investigate these interactions will also be enhanced by developing and utilizing bioorthogonal probes. We have chosen the photoreactive diazirine photophore as a bioorthogonal moiety to develop nucleic acid probes. The small size and unique photo-cross-linking activity of diazirine enabled us to develop a series of novel cross-linking probes to streamline the study of protein-nucleic acid and nucleic acid-nucleic acid interactions. In the second half of this Account, we highlight a few examples of these probes.
The Current State of Language Recognition: NIST 2005 Evaluation Results

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) coordinated in 2005 an evaluation of language recognition capabilities of research systems developed by twelve participating sites. This evaluation followed fairly similar evaluations in 1996 and 2003. We describe here the protocols of the 2005 evaluation, including the data used, the evaluation rules, and the scoring metric. We present the overall performance results and compare these to results for the previous evaluations. We also discuss how the results varied across languages, and the results of limited dialect recognition tests involving English and Mandarin speech data.
Effects of vasoactive drugs on platelet aggregation in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract Based on the generalization that most vasoconstrictor agents promote platelet aggregation while most vasodilator agents inhibit it, experiments were designed to test this premise in the living animal. Platelet aggregates, induced by a laser beam in arterial vessels of the hamster cheek pouch and bat wing, were observed microscopically to determine changes in growth, embolization, and vessel wall adherence in the presence of epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, vasopressin, serotonin, isoproterenol, dipyridamole and sodium nitroprusside. Concentrations of the drugs too weak to alter microvessel diameters were used. In vitro responses were determined by inspection of a platelet-rich plasma-drug mixture in a hemocytometer chamber. It was established that drugs which enhanced platelet aggregation in vivo also produced aggregates in platelet-rich plasma from the same animal except for epinephrine and norepinephrine where the results in vitro were not definitive. Phenylephrine and isoproterenol produced changes contrary to expectation. Phenylephrine, an alpha adrenergic stimulator, caused a reduction in the duration of activity of platelets at the site of a laser-induced aggregate. When mixed with platelet-rich plasma, no platelet aggregates were produced. Isoproterenol, a beta adrenergic stimulator, enhanced the duration of activity of the platelet aggregate. When mixed with PRP, small, evenly dispersed aggregates were seen in the hemocytometer chamber.
Case study on potential agricultural responses to climate change in a California landscape

Agriculture in the Central Valley of California, one of the USA’s main sources of fruits, nuts, and vegetables, is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts in the next 50 years. This interdisciplinary case study in Yolo County shows the urgency for building adaptation strategies to climate change. Climate change and the effects of greenhouse gas emissions are complex, and several of the county’s current crops will be less viable in 2050. The study uses a variety of methods to assemble information relevant to Yolo County’s agriculture, including literature reviews, models, geographic information system analysis, interviews with agency personnel, and a survey of farmers. Potential adaptation and mitigation responses by growers include changes in crop taxa, irrigation methods, fertilization practices, tillage practices, and land use. On a regional basis, planning must consider the vulnerability of agricultural production and the tradeoffs associated with diversified farmlands, drought, flooding of cropland, loss of habitat for wild species of concern, and urbanization.
Early results and long-term outcome of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients age 75 years or older.

Abstract Increased operator experience and technologic advances have led to increased utilization of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty 1 (PTCA), but precise indications for this procedure in certain subsets of patients have not been adequately defined. Elderly patients are undergoing PTCA more often, 2 yet there is little information regarding initial results, complication rates and long-term outcome in this group. Therefore, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of angioplasty in the elderly, we performed a retrospective review of all patients 75 years of age or older who underwent PTCA at our institution during a 3-year interval (January 1985 through November 1987). A similar number of patients (but younger than 75 years of age) who underwent PTCA during the same period were randomly selected for comparative purposes. This report summarizes the early and late results of PTCA in these patients.
Effects of spectral variety and molecular orientation on energy trapping in the photosynthetic unit: a model calculation.

Abstract It is proposed that different spectral varieties of chlorophylls exist in the photosynthetic unit of green plants in order to accelerate the transfer of excitation energy to the reaction center, and thus allow the operation of physically larger units with greater light-harvesting power. This proposal is supported by computer calculation of trapping probabilities on model arrays containing three spectral forms of antenna chlorophyll in addition to reaction center chlorophyll. The calculations assume nearest neighbor transfer steps only, and pairwise dipolar interactions of the sort that feature in the inductive resonance mechanism of Forster. Mutual orientation of transition moment vectors also affects the number of jumps and the time needed for energy trapping. Spectral variety increases the trapping rate by a factor of 4 to 5 over the uniform chlorophyll rate on the arrays examined, and the proper use of orientation may introduce a similar factor. The arguments here provide a plausible explanation not only for the existence of the more abundant forms of chlorophyll a, but also for the specialized form “C705” and for chlorophyll b.
Monitoring energy drift with shadow Hamiltonians

The application of a symplectic integrator to a Hamiltonian system formally conserves the value of a modified, or shadow, Hamiltonian defined by some asymptotic expansion in powers of the step size. An earlier article describes how it is possible to construct highly accurate shadow Hamiltonian approximations using information readily available from the numerical integration. This article improves on this construction by giving formulas of order up to 24 (not just up to 8) and by greatly reducing both storage requirements and roundoff error. More significantly, these high order formulas yield remarkable results not evident for 8th order formulas, even for systems as complex as the molecular dynamics of water. These numerical experiments not only illuminate theoretical properties of shadow Hamiltonians but also give practical information about the accuracy of a simulation. By removing systematic energy fluctuations, they reveal the rate of energy drift for a given step size and uncover the ill effects of using switching functions that do not have enough smoothness.
Piece rates, output restriction, and conformism

Abstract This paper examines how group output norms affect work effort when piece rates are subject to revision. A simple model of conformism to group norms reproduces numerous features of observed piece rate schemes. (1) If there is any loss of utility for those who deviate from group norms, then workers restrict output when faced with piece rate revision. (2) Ratebusters have below average disutility of effort, and/or have below average costs of deviating from group norms. (3) Any ratebuster will deviate by a large amount from the group norms. (4) When pressures to conform increase, the amount of output restriction will increase (unless there was already enough pressure to sustain the collusive equilibrium). (5) Workers will oppose changes in technology, because they will fear that it will reduce their pay. (6) At the end of a production run, workers are likely to increase output substantially.
Rapid induction of genes associated with tissue protection and neural development in contused adult spinal cord after radial glial cell transplantation

Cell-based therapy has been widely evaluated in spinal cord injury (SCI) animal models and shown to improve functional recovery. However, host response to cell transplants at gene expression level is rarely discussed. We reported previously that acute transplantation of radial glial cells RG3.6 following SCI promoted early locomotion improvement within 1 week post-injury. To identify rapid molecular changes induced by RG3.6 transplantation in the host tissue, distal spinal cord segments were subjected to microarray analysis. Although RG3.6 transplantation, reduced activity of macrophages as early as 1–2 weeks post-injury, the expression levels of inflammatory genes (e.g., IL-6, MIP-2, MCP-1) were not decreased by RG3.6 treatment as compared to medium or other cell controls at 6–12 h post-injury. However, genes associated with tissue protection (Hsp70 and Hsp32) and neural cell development (Foxg1, Top2a, Sox11, Nkx2.2, Vimentin) were found to be significantly up-regulated by RG3.6 transplants. Foxg1 was the most highly induced gene in the RG3.6-treated spinal cords, and its expression by immunocytochemistry was confirmed in the host tissue. Moreover, RG3.6 treatment boosted the number of Nkx2.2 cells in the spinal cord, and these cells frequently co-expressed NG2, which marks progenitor cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that radial glial transplants induced rapid and specific gene expression in the injured host tissue, and suggest that these early responses are associated with mechanisms of tissue protection and activation of endogenous neural progenitor cells.
PHY and MAC layer design of Hybrid Spread Spectrum based smart meter network

The selection of the appropriate communication technology for different smart grid applications has drawn a great attention in the recent past. In this paper, we propose a Hybrid Spread Spectrum (HSS) based Advanced smart Metering Infrastructure (AMI) that reduces the overhead and latency in data transfer when compared to the use of 3G/4G technologies for smart meter data collection. We present a preliminary PHY and MAC layer design of a HSS based AMI network and evaluate their performance using matlab and NS2 simulations.
Ductus-associated proximal pulmonary artery stenosis in patients with right heart obstruction

Abstract Proximal pulmonary artery stenosis is a common acquired lesion in infants treated for congenital heart disease. We hypothesized that a large number of stenoses develop at the site of ductal insertion in patients with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) and that these patients are at risk for developing hypoplasia of the ipsilateral pulmonary artery. The surgical and cardiac catheterization databases at our institution during the years 1988–2000 were searched for all patients under 1 year of age carrying a diagnosis of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) or pulmonary stenosis (PS), yielding 700 patients (62 PA, 373 TOF, 265 PS). The cardiac catheterization database was also searched for all patients with any diagnosis under 1 year of age found at catheterization to have proximal pulmonary artery stenosis. Proximal pulmonary artery stenosis associated with the ductal insertion site was diagnosed at catheterization in 33 infants (18 with PA, 5 with TOF, 6 with PS, 4 other diagnoses). This represents 29% of patients with PA, 1% with TOF and 2% with PS. Among patients with RVOTO and ductal insertion site-associated stenosis, there was a high prevalence (59%) of associated distal pulmonary arterial hypoplasia, defined as diameter of the stenosed vessel at first distal branch ≤80% the diameter of the contralateral vessel. Symptomatology failed to identify this lesion; therefore, a high index of suspicion is necessary if proximal pulmonary artery stenosis is to be detected early in these patients.
The optimization of InxGa1-xAs and InP growth conditions by CBE

Abstract Minimization of the number of experiments needed to fully characterize and optimize the growth of epitaxial material is the first important step in realizing state of the art device structures. While widely used in some fields such as chemical engineering, response surface modeling (RSM) has been little used in crystal growth applications. Using RSM, input parameters such as substrate temperature hydride injector temperature and V III ratio, were simultaneously adjusted to characterize the crystal growth process. This technique identified interactions among parameters, minimized the number of experiments necessary to understand and optimize the process, and minimized the variability of the growth process. RSM has been applied to the CBE growth of InGaAs and InP with the purpose of generating an operating point at which both good surface morphology and high mobility material can be produced. Although the best 77 K InP mobility was 70,000 cm 2 /V⋯s, in order to improve the surface quality the input parameters were changed so that the final mobility was 37,000 cm 2 /V⋯s. Although the quality of the InGaAs layers showed a dependence on the reactor history, there did not appear to be any sensitivity to variations made in the operating conditions. The best 77 K InGaAs mobility was 62,500 cm 2 /V⋯s.
Development of an all-DNA-surfactant electro-optic modulator

Marine-based deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), purified from waste products of the Japanese fishing industry, has recently become a new material of interest in photonics applications. The water soluble DNA is precipitated with a surfactant complex, cetyltrimethl-ammonium chloride (CTMA), to form a water insoluble complex, DNA-CTMA, for application as a nonlinear optical material. It is possible to fabricate an all-DNA-CTMA waveguide by crosslinking the DNA-CTMA. Crosslinking causes the material to become resistant to its initial solvents upon curing; this allows a core layer of crosslinked DNA-CTMA-chromophore to be spin coated directly on top of a cladding layer of crosslinked DNA-CTMA. The chromophore dye provides for the electro-optic effect to be induced through contact poling. The chromophore also raises the index of refraction of the core layer above that of the cladding needed for waveguiding. Progress on the development of this all-DNA-CTMA electro-optic modulator is presented.
Treatment With Glutathione Precursor Decreases Cytokine Activity

Background: Inflammatory cytokine activity is increased in many forms of experimental and clinical liver injury including alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Monocytes and Kupffer cells produce cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-8, and IL-6 in response to stimuli such as endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]). This cytokine production is regulated by the oxidative stress-sensitive transcription factor NFKB. Glutathione (GSH) prodrugs such as oxathizolidine-4-carboxylic acid (OTZ) can inhibit activation of NFKB and subsequent cytokine production in monocytes and Kupffer cells in vitro. The objective of this study was to treat stable cirrhotic patients with OTZ in vivo to evaluate its effects on monocyte cytokine production (TNF, IL-8, and IL-6) and whole blood GSH levels. Methods: Nine patients with stable cirrhosis received OTZ (70 mg/kg IV every 8 hours) for 9 days. Peripheral blood monocytes were obtained on study days 1 and 9, using density gradient centrifugation and adherence to plastic, and were stimulated with LPS (5 μg/mL). TNF, IL-8, and IL-6 were measured in culture supernatants by enzyme-linked serum immunosorbent assay. Whole blood GSH levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: There was a significant decrease in monocyte TNF, IL-8, and IL-6 production after OTZ therapy. Patients with cirrhosis had significantly lower admission whole blood GSH levels compared with controls and GSH normalized with OTZ administration. Conclusions: Treatment with the GSH prodrug OTZ inhibited monocyte cytokine production and increased whole blood GSH. This may have important therapeutic implications for multiple cytokine-mediated disease processes.
The Effects of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment in the Recovery of Males and Females Diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa in the Presence and Absence of Co-morbid Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether a multidisciplinary residential treatment program for eating disorders had a positive impact in the recovery of 107 individuals (72 females and 35 males) diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN) in the presence and absence of comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) and to explore gender differences in the response to treatment. Residential treatment used concurrent psychotherapy, which combines group, family, and individual therapies in a multidisciplinary approach. The results show that symptoms of depression decreased and weight increased during treatment in all patients groups. Symptoms were more severe in individuals with comorbid OCD and improvements were more pronounced in males compared to females.