cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Age at onset of inflammatory bowel disease and the risk of surgery for non-neoplastic bowel disease.

Summary Background There is conflicting data regarding the response to medical and surgical therapy for inflammatory bowel disease with respect to age at disease onset. Aim To determine if the age at onset of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is a risk factor for surgery for non-neoplastic bowel disease. Methods This was a case–control study of patients evaluated between 1998 and 2001. Cases had undergone an initial operation for bowel disease. Controls were matched 1:1 for gender, disease subtype, date of first visit (±2 years), time from diagnosis prior to first visit (±3 years) and duration of follow-up. Association with age, disease extent, smoking history, medication use and co-morbidities vs. case/control status was assessed using multiple variable conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for undergoing surgery. Results Among 132 Crohn’s patients, older patients had lower odds for surgery (OR per 5 years, 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75–0.98). The rate of surgery for non-neoplastic bowel disease was not significantly associated with disease distribution, co-morbidities or cigarette smoking. Among 234 ulcerative colitis patients, the rate of surgery was unrelated to age, disease extent, co-morbidities or cigarette smoking, Conclusions For Crohn’s disease, but not ulcerative colitis, the risk of surgery for non-neoplastic bowel disease decreases with increasing age at diagnosis, irrespective of disease distribution and history of cigarette smoking.
Cell Walls and Lysis of Mortierella parvispora Hyphae

Walls of Mortierella parvispora, Pullularia pullulans, Absidia repens, Fusarium oxysporum , and of several Penicillium species varied in their susceptibilities to digestion by glucanase and chitinase. Polysaccharides were present in the residues remaining after enzymatic digestion. Acid hydrolysates of the walls contained glucose, glucosamine, and a small amount of galactose. The walls of M. parvispora , which also contained fucose, were the least digested by these two enzymes. Much of the M. parvispora wall material was resistant to decomposition by a heterogeneous soil community, and viable hyphae were not lysed by a glucanase-chitinase mixture. Walls of this fungus were fractionated, and the chemical composition of the fractions was determined. The chitin which was abundant in one of the fractions was apparently largely shielded from chitinase hydrolysis by a glucan. The ecological significance of these findings is discussed.
AAPL: An Array Processing Language

AAPL is a dialect of APL designed to be more amenable to compilation than the standard version of APL. The principal differences include the use of name prefixes, the ability to accept a limited character set for denoting the primitive functions, some variations and restrictions on the use of the program-branching primitive, and some additional I/O primitives. The reasons for each of these modifications are discussed in detail, as well as the implications for transportability between the two dialects. An implementation of AAPL has been undertaken for the STARAN Associative Processor. An outline of this implementation and a progress report on the work is presented.
Global MHD simulations of Mercury's magnetosphere with coupled planetary interior: Induction effect of the planetary conducting core on the global interaction

Mercury's comparatively weak intrinsic magnetic field and its close proximity to the Sun lead to a magnetosphere that undergoes more direct space-weathering interactions than other planets. A unique aspect of Mercury's interaction system arises from the large ratio of the scale of the planet to the scale of the magnetosphere and the presence of a large-size core composed of highly conducting material. Consequently, there is strong feedback between the planetary interior and the magnetosphere, especially under conditions of strong external forcing. Understanding the coupled solar wind-magnetosphere-interior interaction at Mercury requires not only analysis of observations but also a modeling framework that is both comprehensive and inclusive. We have developed a new global MHD model for Mercury in which the planetary interior is modeled as layers of different electrical conductivities that electromagnetically couple to the surrounding plasma environment. This new modeling capability allows us to characterize the dynamical response of Mercury to time-varying external conditions in a self-consistent manner. Comparison of our model results with observations by the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft shows that the model provides a reasonably good representation of the global magnetosphere. To demonstrate the capability to model induction effects, we have performed idealized simulations in which Mercury's magnetosphere is impacted by a solar wind pressure enhancement. Our results show that due to the induction effect, Mercury's core exerts strong global influences on the way Mercury responds to changes in the external environment, including modifying the global magnetospheric structure and affecting the extent to which the solar wind directly impacts the surface. The global MHD model presented here represents a crucial step toward establishing a modeling framework that enables self-consistent characterization of Mercury's tightly coupled planetary interior-magnetosphere system.
The muscle regulatory and structural protein MLP is a cytoskeletal binding partner of betaI-spectrin

Muscle LIM protein (MLP) is a striated muscle-specific factor that enhances myogenic differentiation and is critical to maintaining the structural integrity of the contractile apparatus. The ability of MLP to regulate myogenesis is particularly interesting since it exhibits multiple subcellular localizations, being found in both nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. Despite extensive biochemical analyses on MLP, the mechanism(s) by which it influences the myogenic program remains largely undefined. To further examine the role of MLP as a positive myogenic regulator, a yeast two-hybrid screen was employed to identify cytoplasmic-associated MLP binding partners. From this screen, the cytoskeletal protein betaI-spectrin was isolated. Protein interaction assays demonstrate that MLP and betaI-spectrin associate with one another in vivo as well as when tested under several in vitro binding conditions. betaI-spectrin binds specifically to MLP but not to the MLP related proteins CRP1 and CRP2 or to other LIM domain containing proteins. The MLP:beta-spectrin interaction is mediated by the second LIM motif of MLP and by repeat 7 of beta-spectrin. Confocal microscopy studies also reveal that MLP co-localizes with beta-spectrin at the sarcolemma overlying the Z- and M-lines of myofibrils in both cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue. Given that beta-spectrin is a known costamere protein, we propose that sarcolemma-associated MLP also serves as a key costamere protein, stabilizing the association of the contractile apparatus with the sarcolemma by linking the beta-spectrin network to the alpha-actinin crosslinked actin filaments of the myofibril.
A Note on First-Order Normalizations of Perturbed Keplerian Systems

Techniques are developed to facilitate the transformation of a perturbed Keplerian system into Delaunay normal form at first order. The implicit dependence of the Hamiltonian on 1, the mean anomaly, through the explicit variable f, the true anomaly, or E, the eccentric anomaly, is removed through first order for terms of the form: $$\left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {\cos } \\ {\sin } \\ \end{array} } \right\}\left( {kf + \nu } \right)and\left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {\cos } \\ {\sin } \\ \end{array} } \right\}\left( {kE + \nu } \right)$$ , where the angle ν is independent ofl andk is an integer constant. The procedure involves no expansion in the powers of the eccentricity.
PHYTASE OF MOLDS USED IN ORIENTAL FOOD FERMENTATION

Molds commonly used in Oriental food fermentation have been examined for their ability to produce phytase. Except for Mucor dispersus NRRL 3103 and Actinomucor elegans NRRL 3104, all the other molds tested produced both extra- and intracellular phytase. The enzyme produced by Aspergillus oryzae NRRL 1988 was purified by acetone fractionation, gel filtration, and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography. The phytase was successfully separated from an acid phosphatase, and a 44-fold increase in specific activity was observed. The pH optimum of 5.3 characterizes the enzyme as an acid phosphohydrolase, and its maximum activity at 50°C suggests a relatively high thermostability. The enzyme is also fairly stable over a pH range 3.5-7.8 at 25°C. The A. oryzae phytase is active with either phytic acid or glycerophosphate. as substrate, but it hydrolyzes phytic acid twice as fast as it does glycerophosphate. However, the enzyme is partially inhibited by high concentration of phytic acid. The Km value of A. oryzae phytase was estimated as 0.47 mM and Vmax was 11.9 μmoles Pi per mg per mg protein.
Peripheral Responses to Thyroid Hormone before and after L-Thyroxine Therapy in Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism*

Twenty patients with serum levels of T4 and T3 within the normal range but with elevated serum concentrations of TSH were evaluated before and after treatment with L-T4. This therapy increased serum T4 (5.5 ± 1.1 to 8.8 ± 1.8 αg/dl) and T3 (116 ± 20 to 137 ± 28 ng/dl) levels. Cardiac systolic time intervals (STI) were significantly (P < 0.01) reduced by this therapy. The preejection period (123 ± 18 to 114 ± 14 msec; n = 12), the change in preejection period (+17 ± 17 to +6 ± 15 msec; n % 12), the ratio of preejection period to left ventricular ejection time (0.412 ± 0.068 to 0.357 ± 0.063 msec; n % 12), and the interval from the Q wave of the electrocardiogram to the pulse wave arrival time at the brachial artery (224 ± 10 to 200 ± 13 msec; n % 10) were consistently reduced. Cardiac STI were significantly correlated with serum TSH and T4 levels, but not with serum T3 levels. Normalization of serum TSH levels was associated with changes in QKd measurements even in those patients with minimal elevations in...
Genome-wide analysis of hepatic gene silencing in mammalian cell hybrids

Abstract Silencing of tissue-specific gene expression in mammalian somatic cell hybrids is a well-documented epigenetic phenomenon which is both profound (involving a large number of genes) and enigmatic. Our aim was to utilize whole-genome microarray analyses to determine the true extent of gene silencing on a genomic level. By comparing gene expression profiles of hepatoma × fibroblast cell hybrids with those of parental cells, we have identified over 300 liver-enriched genes that are repressed at least 5-fold in the cell hybrids, the majority of which are repressed at least 10-fold. Also, we identify nearly 200 fibroblast-enriched genes that are repressed at least 5-fold. Silenced hepatic genes include several that encode transcription factors and proteins involved in signal transduction pathways. These data suggest that extensive reprogramming occurs in cell hybrids, leading to a nearly global (although not complete) loss of tissue-specific gene expression.
Measurements of DNA and RNA in mammary gland homogenates by the ethidium bromide technique

Abstract A rapid method of determining simultaneously DNA and RNA in mammary gland homogenates using the ethidium bromide technique is discussed. The method utilizes a quantitative extraction of DNA and RNA with 2.0 m sodium chloride, SDS, and EDTA at pH 8.0. Assays of mammary gland RNA and DNA using previously published methods were compared with determinations using the ethidium bromide technique. While the fluorescence method gave lower values for RNA when compared to those obtained using the orcinol or absorbancy ratio (OD 260nm/280nm), DNA measurements agreed well with the values determined by the diphenylamine technique. Extinction coefficient data for total mammary gland RNA isolated using a modified phenol extraction procedure are also presented.
Ground state of two-dimensional electrons and the reversed spins in the fractional quantum Hall effect

We have diagonalized numerically the Hamiltonian of a two-dimensional electron system of finite size, allowing some electron spins to be antiparallel to the magnetic field, in the lowest Landau level. We find that, in the case of the filling fraction $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{p}{q}$, with $q$ odd and $pg1$, the ground state with nonpolarized spins is energetically favored. The present results also indicate that filling factors $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{4}{9}$ and $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{4}{11}$ might be observable experimentally with partially polarized electron spins. At $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{1}{3}$ the spatial wave function for the ground state is found to be totally antisymmetric.
Structure of vaccinia virus early promoters.

Functional elements of vaccinia virus late promoters were characterized by mutagenesis. Synthetic oligonucleotides were inserted into a plasmid vector containing the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli flanked by sequences from the thymidine kinase (TK) gene of vaccinia virus. The lacZ gene, under control of the synthetic promoter, was introduced into the vaccinia virus genome at the TK locus by homologous recombination, and each of the 122 recombinants thus obtained was assayed for beta-galactosidase expression. The relative amounts and 5' ends of lacZ mRNAs specified by a subset of the recombinants were determined by primer extension. The analysis indicated that late promoters may be considered in terms of three regions; an upstream sequence of about 20 base-pairs, rich in T and A residues, separated by a spacer region of about six base-pairs from a highly conserved (-1)TAAAT(+4) element within which transcription initiates. All single nucleotide substitutions within the three A residues of the TAAAT, as well as the addition of a fourth A residue, caused drastic reductions in promoter strength. All substitutions of the T residues at -1 and +4 were also detrimental to promoter activity, to an extent that depended on the strength of the promoter as determined by the upstream sequence. mRNA synthesis appeared to initiate within the three A residues regardless of promoter strength. The 5'-poly(A) leader, which is a unique feature of poxvirus late mRNAs, was diminished in length when either of the T residues at -1 and +4 was mutated, was absent or limited to a few nucleotides when any of the three A residues was substituted, but was unaffected by changes outside the TAAAT sequence. The data are consistent with a model for the generation of the normal 5'-poly(A) leader by an RNA polymerase slippage mechanism requiring three consecutive A residues. Single nucleotide substitutions within the six base-pairs upstream and three base-pairs downstream from the TAAAT sequence had modest effects on promoter strength. The most and least favourable changes led to a fourfold increase and an eightfold decrease in activity, respectively. Sequences further upstream were essential for late promoter function; tracts of T or A residues enhanced expression up to 20-fold, the former conferring much greater activity. Highest expression was obtained with a tract of 18 or 20 T residues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Occurrence of gossypol in dried bract of the cotton plant

Gossypol has been identified as a component of bract (FDB) from frost-killed, field-grown cotton by its chromatographic behavior on films of silica and cellulose (four eluents and five methods of detection). In addition, a derivative of gossypol was detected, and it was shown chromatographically that gossypol was removed from extracts of FDB by a divalent metal and by aniline. The total gossypol content, by spectrophotometric determination of gossypol-aniline complex, of FDB was 0.93%, but for a sample of bract from a cotton plant that had been grown in a hothouse it was only 0.048%. However the free gossypol contents in both were similar (0.065% and 0.044%, respectively). Both bract samples were from glanded cotton varieties. It is worthwhile to investigate the effect of gossypol on lung tissue to see if it can contribute to the acute response of byssinosis. In addition, it is noted that the waste from ginned cotton which is sometimes used as livestock feed may contain gossypol.
The International Crime of Persecution

Esse artigo procura esbocar a recente historia do crime internacional de perseguicao, como delineado no Estatuto Romano, atraves da causa estabelecida pelas cortes internacionais nos ultimos anos. Revela-se aqui a amplitude de ambas as possibilidades da acusacao do tipo perseguicao que ironicamente acentua e atenua a acusacao. Palavras-Chave: Direito Internacional; Crime de Perseguicao.
Mapping Coastal Wetlands Using Small-Footprint, Green-Wavelength Lidar

Full-waveform digitizing of the return pulse using a short-pulse, green-wavelength airborne lidar system provides unprecedented capabilities to map nearshore wetland environments.
Prediction of Neurodevelopmental Outcome After Preterm Birth

Prediction of outcome after preterm birth is critical, but remains difficult, particularly in the early postnatal period. The ability to predict outcome improves parental counseling and selection of infants for early therapeutic strategies aiming at preventing or ameliorating cerebral injury. This review gives an overview of the spectrum and severity of neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes, with discussion of predictors of outcome and, in particular, the clinical, electrophysiological, and imaging predictors. A detailed neurologic examination of infants is a valuable predictive tool in terms of later moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairments; however, it may be limited in the immediate newborn period. Electrophysiological, neuroimaging, and clinical risk factors for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome have been identified. Good prediction is usually achieved for major functional disabilities in early childhood, but is poorer for moderate or mild long-term outcome. Future research should focus on the long-term quality of life, academic achievement, and the influence of the sociocultural environment. More emphasis should be placed on genetic diversity as a modifying factor for the large variability in outcome.
Ultrastructural appearance of red cells frozen with glycerol for clinical use

Abstract Freeze-fracture replicas prepared from full units of red cells frozen with glycerol under clinical conditions suggest that the cells are found in a concentrated glycerol phase and so are physically separated from the extracellular ice which formed during freezing. The cells possess a relatively smooth cytoplasmic surface with no evidence of intracellular ice. Half-membrane views of PF faces indicate that the intramembrane particles are aggregated.
Prolongation of canine islet allograft survival by 15-deoxyspergualin

Abstract Previously we have shown that nonsteroidal, multimodal immunosuppression consisting of cyclosporine (CsA), azathioprine (AZA), and RBC-absorbed goat anti-dog lymphoblast globulin (ALG), at doses considered tolerable in humans, results in limited canine islet allograft survival. Regimens including the diabetogenic agent prednisone are even less successful. In our search for an immunosuppressive regimen that could be applied to human islet transplantation, we tested the effect of 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG) in a canine model. Animals received either CsA, 20 mg/kg/day; AZA, 2.5 mg/kg/day; and ALG, 20 mg/kg/day × 14 days (Group I) or CsA, AZA, ALG at the same doses with the addition of low dose DSG, 0.5 mg/kg/day (Group II). Trough CsA levels by high pressure liquid chromatography ranged in both groups between 100 and 200 μg/liter. Rejection of the islets was diagnosed when serum glucose remained greater than 200 mg/dl for 3 consecutive days. There was no significant difference in the number of islets per kilogram of body weight of recipient transplanted in Group I and Group II (5754 ± 2544 islets/kg versus 7953 ± 3440 islets/kg, respectively). Animals receiving ALG, CsA, and AZA alone achieved a median islet allograft survival of 4 days, with a mean of 10.8 days. However, with the addition of low-dose DSG, median islet allograft survival was improved to 22 days, with a mean of 32.4 days (P = 0.012, Mann-Whitney test). We conclude that the addition of low dose DSG to an ALG induction, cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive regimen enhances canine islet allograft survival and has potential for application in clinical islet allotransplantation.
Comparison between two policy strategies for scheduling trucks in a biomass logistic system

Abstract Approximately 75% of the cost to load, haul, and deliver a weekly supply of herbaceous biomass from temporary storage locations near the production fields to a bioprocessing plant (50 Mg/h average capacity, 24/7 operation) is truck cost. The management policy that a bioprocessing plant uses to schedule trucks determines the maximum number of trucks required, and thereby, the total cost for the logistic system. Three land use rates corresponding to 50%, 45%, and 40% of existing pastureland within a 3.2-km radius of chosen satellite storage locations were used to establish a production base surrounding the plant location. Total area harvested was 25,500 ha, or about 2.1% of the total land area in the 7-county region studied. Assumed average yield was 8.3 Mg/ha. Two different management policies, one based on travel time (Policy 1) and another based on the assignment of trucks to given sectors of the surrounding production base (Policy 2) were used to develop truck schedules. The logistic system was modeled as a discrete event simulation model, and the schedule was validated. The maximum number of trucks needed for the logistic system was 32, 33 and 34 for 50%, 45% and 40% land use rates, respectively. In Policy 1, the maximum number of loads accumulated in the at-plant inventory was 384 truckloads at 50% land use rate (maximum inventory corresponds to about 3 days of plant operation). In Policy 2, the maximum number of loads accumulated in the at-plant inventory was 330 truckloads at 50% land use rate. Total number of loader and unloader operating hours for both the policies was computed, and the loader and unloader utilization rates were 83.5% and 70.8%, respectively. The delivered cost (load, haul, and unload) varied from $14.68 (Policy 1) to $16.14 per Mg (Policy 2) for 15% w.b. moisture content biomass.
Faults Diagnosis of Converter Transformer Based on the Vibration Method

The vibration of windings and iron core causes the overall vibration of the transformer. Significant changes of transformer vibration condition will take place when the windings or core has fault, so the vibration method can be used to diagnose the transformer's potential fault. The characteristics and transmission route of the transformers' vibration were analyzed. The vibration of a certain transformer in converter station was picked up, using vibration measuring system. The test results aree analyzed comparatively and maintenance suggestion was proposed.
R68-19 Bulk Core in a 360/67 Time Sharing System

The design considerations leading to the decision to equip a large time-sharing system at Carnegie–Mellon University with a very large addressable—but slow—core memory, instead of using the standard disk or drum swapping devices, are illustrated.
Effects of tillage practices on entomopathogenic nematodes in a corn agroecosystem

Abstract Cultural practices such as tillage affect soil abiotic and biotic factors, which in turn may affect the survival and activity of entomopathogenic nematodes. We investigated the relative sensitivity of an inundatively applied nematode species, Steinernema riobrave (Texas), and two endemic nematode species, Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, to tillage practices in no-till and conventional-till corn near Goldsboro, North Carolina. Two baiting methods using Galleria mellonella, one conducted in the laboratory and the other in the field, were used to evaluate the nematodes in terms of infected insects and nematode persistence. H. bacteriophora, which was only rarely detected, was not significantly affected by tillage. Tillage had a significant negative effect on the detection of S. carpocapsae and a significant positive effect on the detection of S. riobrave. The nematodes' dissimilar sensitivities to tillage may be partly explained by differences in environmental tolerances and differences in tendencies to disperse deeper in the soil profile.
Discovery of Triazolopyrimidine-Based PDE8B Inhibitors: Exceptionally Ligand-Efficient and Lipophilic Ligand-Efficient Compounds for the Treatment of Diabetes.

A high throughput screening hit is deconstructed to optimize for ligand efficiency against PDE8B.
A Model for Predicting Clinically Relevant Group Differences of Open-Response Tests

A comparison is made between testing for differences in group means and testing to assign an individual subject to one of two populations. A distinction is made between sample means of speech-discrimination tests which are statistically different and clinically useful speech-discrimination tests for properly classifying an individual. The probabilities of misclassification are discussed.
A profusion of progenitors

When Cytotherapy was fi rst published, cell therapy was restricted to the use of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), lymphocytes and dendritic cells. Since then we have witnessed an explosion in the discovery of diverse stem cells and progenitors capable of differentiating into almost any body tissue. This special ‘ In Focus ’ issue highlights seven papers from research centers around the world that collectively describe an ever-widening family of tissue-resident progenitors with stem cell properties, the techniques to differentiate them into a diversity of cell types and the process of good manufacturing practice (GMP)-grade manufacture of such progenitors. Pasquinelli et al. (1) have identifi ed a mesenchymal cell in the vascular wall of the human aorta. Expression of CD105 and CD90, and the absence of CD45, CD34, VWF and CD31, identifi ed it as a mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC), while expression of Stro-1, Notch-1 and Oct-4 and the ability to form a spheroid showed it had stem cell-like properties. These cells differentiated into smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, fulfi lling the criteria for a resident cell with the ability to repair damage in large blood vessels. Their relationship with vascular pericytes is not clear, nor is the relative contribution to repair of these so-called ‘ multidistrict vascular wall MSC ’ versus circulating progenitors with regenerative properties, such as HSC, MSC and endothelial cells. This raises questions for repair strategies: how useful and effective are circulating cells, and if they cannot reach the site of injury how can the potential of the resident cells be unlocked to correct the damage? Working with progenitor cells in the pancreatic islets in the rat, Karaoz et al. (2) searched for a progenitor that could renew pancreatic islets. They describe a CD105 , vimentin , CD31 – , CD34 – and CD45 – MSC with stem cell properties (spheroid formation, Oct-4, Sox and REX expression). This MSC therefore appears to be more primitive and stem cell-like than bone marrow MSC. These cells had the ability to
Do magnitude estimation and lexical decision tap similar processes

Young adults (n = 54 for Exp. 1, n = 50 for Exp. 2) and elderly adults (the same n = 40 in each experiment) participated in studies that required nonspeeded magnitude estimation scaling in response to words that varied in frequency and number of meanings. Across both experiments and across both groups, subject and item analyses indicated significant word frequency effects (low-frequency words were judged more difficult to process than high-frequency words) and significant word meaning effects (unambiguous words were judged to be more difficult to process than ambiguous words). Mean magnitude estimate values were significantly and positively correlated with mean lexical-decision task values obtained from the same subjects on the same stimuli based on data from a previous experiment. Results suggest that processes required for magnitude estimation are similar to those measured with the lexical decision task in word-recognition studies involving young and elderly adults.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor -2 in Breast Cancer

Investigations over the last decade have established the essential role of growth factors and their receptors during angiogenesis and carcinogenesis. The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) family in mammals contains three members, VEGFR-1 (Flt-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1) and VEGFR-3 (Flt-4), which are transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors that regulate the formation of blood and lymphatic vessels. In the early 1990s, the above VEGFR was structurally characterized by cDNA cloning. Among these three receptors, VEGFR-2 is generally recognized to have a principal role in mediating VEGF-induced responses. VEGFR-2 is considered as the earliest marker for endothelial cell development. Importantly, VEGFR-2 directly regulates tumor angiogenesis. Therefore, several inhibitors of VEGFR-2 have been developed and many of them are now in clinical trials. In addition to targeting endothelial cells, the VEGF/VEGFR-2 system works as an essential autocrine/paracrine process for cancer cell proliferation and survival. Recent studies mark the continuous and increased interest in this related, but distinct, function of VEGF/VEGFR-2 in cancer cells: the autocrine/paracrine loop. Several mechanisms regulate VEGFR-2 levels and modulate its role in tumor angiogenesis and physiologic functions, i.e.: cellular localization/trafficking, regulation of cis-elements of promoter, epigenetic regulation and signaling from Notch, cytokines/growth factors and estrogen, etc. In this review, we will focus on updated information regarding VEGFR-2 research with respect to the molecular mechanisms of VEGFR-2 regulation in human breast cancer. Investigations in the activation, function, and regulation of VEGFR-2 in breast cancer will allow the development of new pharmacological strategies aimed at directly targeting cancer cell proliferation and survival.
Recent Results from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe

The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) is currently mapping temperature and polarization anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background radiation on the full sky in 5 microwave bands. We summarize major scientific results obtained from the first year data released on February 11, 2003: (1) precision determinations of the cosmological parameters, (2) discovery of early reionization of the universe, and (3) implications for the Inflationary paradigm.
Three-Dimensional Measurement, Display, and Interpretation of Fluid Flow Datasets

The three-dimensional structure of the flow around a delta wing with tangential leading edge blowing is visualized. The flow is "sliced" by a scanning laser light sheet into a set of two-dimensional cross sections, resulting in a set of three-dimensional data. The light scattered off smoke particles in the flow during a 30 ns laser pulse is imaged onto a high speed camera. The measurement period of a few milliseconds is brief enough to image the flow "instantaneously" (i.e. to within the resolution of the apparatus). The resulting cross sections are digitized and filtered to reduce noise. The STANSURFS software package developed in the Fourier Optics and Optical Diagnostics lab at Stanford is used to threshold the pictures at a prespecified value, stack the thresholded crossections, and reconstruct the three-dimensional flow field at that threshold using cubic B-splines. The resulting structures are displayed in stereo pairs and viewed in three dimensions. Various display techniques including clipping the surface to reveal interior details and rotating the viewer perspective around the structure are used to gain further insight into the three-dimensional nature of this and other flows.
Late Pennsylvanian–Early Permian vegetational transition in Oklahoma: Palynological record

Abstract The Wabunsee (Carboniferous: Virgilian) through Sumner (Permian: Leonardian) Groups of Oklahoma preserve a record of terrestrial and nearshore marine environments during glacio-eustatic fluctuations caused by southern hemisphere glaciation. This section, with the Pennsylvanian–Permian Boundary firmly established in the Red Eagle Formation on the basis of conodonts, permitted study of vegetational change across the boundary interval. The palynology of 43 productive samples from five cores in Kay and Osage counties in Oklahoma was investigated. Palynomorphs were assigned to eight morphologic groups that also reflect climate preferences. Four distinct palynofloras are recognized. The three transitions between them—in the lower Council Grove, middle Chase and lower Sumner groups—are abrupt and, in succession, consistent with an interpretation of increasing seasonality/aridity from latest Pennsylvanian into the Early Permian. None of these floristic transitions align with the conodont-based boundary, or with any lithostratigraphic “group” boundary. These palynological data from Oklahoma are in accord with previous data from Kansas that also demonstrated no palynological shift at the boundary and increased seasonality/aridity through this period. Comparison of the palynofloras from Oklahoma, Kansas, and the boundary interval of the Pennsylvanian–Permian Boundary type section in Aidaralash Creek in Kazakhstan reveals differences in composition that suggest local to regional, including climatically induced, heterogeneities that may present an obstacle to confident palynologically based, global correlations in fully terrestrial sections.
Impact of an Incomplete Colonoscopy Referral Program on Recommendations After Incomplete Colonoscopy

Background There are limited data on recommendations and adherence to complete colon evaluation (CCE) after incomplete colonoscopy (IC).
Effects of uni-directional geometric imperfections on vibrations of pressurized shallow spherical shells

Abstract This paper deals with the effects of initial geometric uni-directional imperfections on vibrations of a pressurized spherical shell or spherical cap. The analysis is based upon shallow shell theory. Frequency vs applied pressure interaction curves are plotted for various values of the imperfection amplitude. Imperfections are shown to have a severe effect in reducing the natural frequencies similar to that demonstrated in the buckling behavior of spherical shells.
Decreased expression of phosphorylated placental heat shock protein 27 in human and ovine intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)

Abstract Introduction Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) has been documented to increase placental apoptosis at term. HSP27 has been shown to be involved in the control of apoptosis. Our objective is to determine the expression of phosphorylated HSP27 (p-HSP27) in human IUGR, and to determine the role of HSP27 during gestation in an ovine hyperthermia induced model of IUGR. Methods Human placenta tissue samples were collected at term to quantify p-HSP27. Pregnant sheep were placed in hyperthermic (HT) conditions to induce IUGR. Placental tissues were collected at 55 (early), 95 (mid-gestation) and 130 (near-term) days gestational age (dGA) to determined phosphorylated and total HSP27 across the development of IUGR. Results Phosphorylated HSP27 was significantly reduced in human placenta IUGR compared to controls at term. HSP27 was increased throughout gestation during the development of IUGR in the sheep. P-HSP27 was increased in early gestation (55 dGA), and decreased near term (130 dGA). The near term decrease was localized to the trophoblast cells of the placenta. Discussion and conclusion We conclude that decreased p-HSP27 at term is present when placental apoptosis is increased during IUGR. This could be a factor leading to the decreased placental weight observed during IUGR.
Salvage techniques for phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor therapy: purposeful but how much?

Several studies have confirmed that non-responders to the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor sildenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) can be ‘‘salvaged’’ with various strategies including reinstruction in using the medication and application of drug treatment optimisation techniques. According to these studies, salvage rates range between 30% and 50%. The same premise would be expected to apply to situations in which patients do not apparently respond to the more recently regulatory agency-approved PDE5 inhibitors, tadalafil and vardenafil. In this report, the investigators have evaluated whether patients considered nonresponders to tadalafil and vardenafil may be successfully converted to responders [1]. The investigators found that salvage rates of 52% and 46% were achieved in initial non-responders to tadalafil and vardenafil, respectively. As for studies involving sildenafil, many patients will derive benefit following reinstruction by which they do learn to use the medications properly. Consistent with the actions of PDE5 inhibitory therapy in general, a foremost consideration is performance of sexual stimulation driving the erectile mechanism through which these medications work. Other logical steps to take include full-dose titration and access of more than one and possibly multiple opportunities using the therapy. The investigators also emphasise exploiting the supposedly distinct pharmacokinetic properties of the newer PDE5
Plasma polymerized organosilanes as interfacial modifiers in polymer-metal systems

Plasma polymers deposited under vacuum conditions have the advantage of creating strong interfacial bonds (possibly covalent bonds) at polymer-metal interfaces. This is particularly advantageous when silane chemistry is involved. Polymer-metal oxane bonds (M-O-Si) can be created in the form of tight networks by plasma polymerization directly on the metal substrates, e.g. steel. Using this tightly-networked silane plasma polymer as a priming layer on steel followed by an organofunctional silane polymer coating (i.e. polymer resin containing organofunctional silane) will form an effective corrosion protective layer as a whole. The structure and properties of the plasma-deposited organosilane polymers, the corrosion performance of such coating systems on steel substrates, and the interfacial chemistry were investigated in this study.
The use of fractional accumulated precipitation for the evaluation of the annual cycle of monsoons

Using pentad rainfall data we demonstrate the benefits of using accumulated rainfall and fractional accumulated rainfall for the evaluation of the annual cycle of rainfall over various monsoon domains. Our approach circumvents issues related to using threshold-based analysis techniques for investigating the life-cycle of monsoon rainfall. In the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project-5 models we find systematic errors in the phase of the annual cycle of rainfall. The models are delayed in the onset of summer rainfall over India, the Gulf of Guinea, and the South American Monsoon, with early onset prevalent for the Sahel and the North American Monsoon. This, in combination with the rapid fractional accumulation rate, impacts the ability of the models to simulate the fractional accumulation observed during summer. The rapid fractional accumulation rate and the time at which the accumulation begins are metrics that indicate how well the models concentrate the monsoon rainfall over the peak rainfall season, and the extent to which there is a phase error in the annual cycle. The lack of consistency in the phase error across all domains suggests that a “global” approach to the study of monsoons may not be sufficient to rectify the regional differences. Rather, regional process studies are necessary for diagnosing the underlying causes of the regionally-specific systematic model biases over the different monsoon domains. Despite the afore-mentioned biases, most models simulate well the interannual variability in the date of monsoon onset, the exceptions being models with the most pronounced dry biases. Two methods for estimating monsoon duration are presented, one of which includes nonlinear aspects of the fractional accumulation. The summer fractional accumulation of rainfall provides an objective way to estimate the extent of the monsoon domain, even in models with substantial dry biases for which monsoon is not defined using threshold-based techniques.
Investigation of Thermal Properties in Nanofluids for Thermal Energy Storage Applications

Phase change materials (PCMs) are promising for thermal energy storage applications, but low thermal conductivity limits their heat exchange rate with a working fluid. The nanofluid approach has been established as a method of thermal conductivity enhancement, but particle addition may have an adverse effect on specific energy storage capacity. Latent heat reduction beyond traditional theory has been observed experimentally for carbon nanotubes dispersed in paraffin wax. Nanofluid latent heat and effective thermal conductivity were analyzed to investigate the effects of particle addition on thermal properties affecting PCM energy storage performance. It is shown that particle diameter significantly impacts nanofluid latent heat, with smaller particles generating greater degrees of reduction, but has a negligible effect on thermal conductivity. A method to approximate nanofluid latent heat of fusion is presented, considering the diameter-dependent reduction observed.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Gamma-radiation induces micronucleated reticulocytes in 3D bone marrow bioreactors in vitro.

Abstract Radiation injury to the bone marrow is potentially lethal due to the potent DNA-damaging effects on cells of the hematopoietic system, including bone marrow stem cell, progenitor, and the precursor cell populations. Investigation of radiation genotoxic effects on bone marrow progenitor/precursor cells has been challenged by the lack of optimal in vitro surrogate organ culture systems, and the overall difficulty to sustain lineage-specific proliferation and differentiation of hematopoiesis in vitro. We report the investigation of radiation genotoxic effects in bone marrow cultures of C57Bl/6 mice established in 3D bioreactors, which sustain long-term bone marrow cultures. For these studies, genotoxicity is measured by the induction of micronucleated reticulocytes (MN-RETs). The kinetics and dose–response relationship of MN-RET induction in response to gamma-radiation of bioreactor-maintained bone marrow cultures are presented. Our data showed that 3D long-term bone marrow cultures had sustained erythropoiesis capable of generating reticulocytes up to 8 weeks. The peak time-interval of viable cell output and percentage of reticulocytes increased steadily and reached the initial peak between the 14th and 21st days after inoculations. This was followed by a rebound or staying relatively constant until week 8. The percentage of MN-RET reached the maximum between 24 h and 32 h post 1 Gy gamma-ray. There was a near linear MN-RET induction by gamma-radiation from 0 Gy to 1.0 Gy, followed by an attenuated increase to 1.5–2.0 Gy. The MN-RET response showed a downtrend beyond 2 Gy. Our data suggest that bone marrow culture in the 3D bioreactor may be a useful organ culture system for the investigation of radiation genotoxic effect in vitro.
A comparison of global and specific estimates of self-control

The present study was concerned with assessing subjects' preexisting tendencies to engage in self-control behavior. Rosenbaum's Self-Control Schedule (SCS) was administered to college students prior to participation in the cold pressor test. It was discovered that subjects' scores on the SCS were not predictive of their actual performance on the cold pressor test. After failing to replicate Rosenbaum's findings, task-specific self-efficacy estimates were used to predict performance on the cold pressor test and it was found that these estimates correlated with and were predictive of cold pressor tolerance. These results were discussed with reference to the situation-specificity of self-control behavior and the need to consider situational variables in assessing self-control.
Continuation of the San Andreas fault system into the upper mantle: Evidence from spinel peridotite xenoliths in the Coyote Lake basalt, central California

Abstract The Coyote Lake basalt, located near the intersection of the Hayward and Calaveras faults in central California, contains spinel peridotite xenoliths from the mantle beneath the San Andreas fault system. Six upper mantle xenoliths were studied in detail by a combination of petrologic techniques. Temperature estimates, obtained from three two-pyroxene geothermometers and the Al-in-orthopyroxene geothermometer, indicate that the xenoliths equilibrated at 970–1100 °C. A thermal model was used to estimate the corresponding depth of equilibration for these xenoliths, resulting in depths between 38 and 43 km. The lattice preferred orientation of olivine measured in five of the xenolith samples show strong point distributions of olivine crystallographic axes suggesting that fabrics formed under high-temperature conditions. Calculated seismic anisotropy values indicate an average shear wave anisotropy of 6%, higher than the anisotropy calculated from xenoliths from other tectonic environments. Using this value, the anisotropic layer responsible for fault-parallel shear wave splitting in central California is less than 100 km thick. The strong fabric preserved in the xenoliths suggests that a mantle shear zone exists below the Calaveras fault to a depth of at least 40 km, and combining xenolith petrofabrics with shear wave splitting studies helps distinguish between different models for deformation at depth beneath the San Andrea fault system.
Pituitary Tumor-transforming Gene Protein Associates with Ribosomal Protein S10 and a Novel Human Homologue of DnaJ in Testicular Cells

Pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG) is a recently characterized proto-oncogene that is expressed specifically in adult testis. In this study, we have used in situhybridization and developmental Northern blot assays to demonstrate that PTTG mRNA is expressed stage-specifically in spermatocytes and spermatids during rat spermatogenic cycle. We have used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify proteins that interact with PTTG in testicular cells. Two positive clones were characterized. One of the clones is the ribosomal protein S10, the other encodes a novel human DnaJ homologue designated HSJ2. Northern blot analysis showed that testis contains higher levels of HSJ2 mRNA than other tissues examined, and the expression pattern of HSJ2 mRNA in postnatal rat testis is similar to PTTG. S10 mRNA levels do not vary remarkably among different tissues and remains unchanged during testicular germ cell differentiation. In vitro binding assays demonstrated that both S10 and HSJ2 bind to PTTG specifically and that PTTG can be co-immunoprecipitated with S10 and HSJ2 from transfected cells. Moreover, the binding sites for both proteins were located within the C-terminal 75 amino acids of the PTTG protein. These results suggest that PTTG may play a role in spermatogenesis.