cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrating Natural Product Chemistry Workflows into Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory Training: Building the PRISM Library and Cultivating Independent Research

Chemical screening libraries often feature natural product extracts (NPEs) due to the intriguing biological activities they possess and the structural diversity found in their individual components. A research project originally designed to create an extract library of every specimen in the University of Rhode Island (URI) Heber W. Youngken Jr. Medicinal Garden soon turned into a laboratory-based teaching project in which upper-division undergraduate students generated and analyzed extracts in an academic minisemester project. Additionally, motivated upper-division undergraduates carried out independent research isolating biologically active molecules. Hands-on laboratory activities enhanced students’ knowledge of methodologies and workflows associated with extract analysis and biological evaluation of botanical extracts. The synergy of the laboratory course with the independent study contributed to workforce preparation and library generation.
Exercise interventions do not impact brain volume change in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Exercise interventions have been shown to positively impact cognitive function in older adults, but the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of exercise on the brain are not well understood. Here, we aimed to synthesize and quantitatively analyze the current literature on exercise interventions and brain volume change in older adults and to examine the impact of key demographic and intervention features as well as study quality. This study was pre-registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018091866). EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library, Embase, and reference lists were searched to identify randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) of exercise interventions for healthy older adults and older adults (60+) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of 69 effects from 14 studies were pooled and expressed as Hedge's g using a random-effects model. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in brain volume outcomes for older adults that completed an exercise intervention compared to older adults in control groups (g = 0.012, p = 0.728, 95% CI = −0.055, .078). These results were confirmed using multilevel analysis to account for nesting of effects within studies (g = 0.009, p = 0.826, 95% CI = −0.072, 0.090) and using conservative post-hoc models to address possible non-independence of multiple outcome domains and sample nonindependence. No significant heterogeneity was detected, limiting moderator analyses. The implications for future research are discussed.
Deconstructed Trustee Theory: Disentangling Trust in Body and Identity in Multi-Robot Distributed Systems

This paper introduces and justifies (through an n=210 online human-subject study) Deconstructed Trustee Theory, a theory of human-robot trust that factors the representation of trustee into robot body and robot identity in order to differentially model perceived trustworthiness of robot body and identity. This theory predicts (a) that different levels of trustworthiness can be attributed to a robot body and a robot identity, (b) that divergence between levels of perceived trustworthiness of body and identity may be effected by communication policies that reveal the potential for phenomena such as re-embodiment, co-embodiment, and agent migration in multi-robot systems, and (c) that perceived trustworthiness of body and identity may further diverge and be refined through moral cognitive processes triggered on observation of blameworthy actions.
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Human Mobility and Its Association with Land Use Types during COVID-19 in New York City

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted every facet of society. One of the non-pharmacological measures to contain the COVID-19 infection is social distancing. Federal, state, and local governments have placed multiple executive orders for human mobility reduction to slow down the spread of COVID-19. This paper uses geotagged tweets data to reveal the spatiotemporal human mobility patterns during this COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. With New York City open data, human mobility pattern changes were detected by different categories of land use, including residential, parks, transportation facilities, and workplaces. This study further compares human mobility patterns by land use types based on an open social media platform (Twitter) and the human mobility patterns revealed by Google Community Mobility Report cell phone location, indicating that in some applications, open-access social media data can generate similar results to private data. The results of this study can be further used for human mobility analysis and the battle against COVID-19.
White Plastic and Deficit Irrigation Improve Pomegranate Production

Developing improved water management strategies and on-farm cultural practices are important in reducing pomegranate (Punica granatum L. cv Wonderful) production costs. A pomegranate orchard establ...
Experimental Results of Detecting Primitive Jamming Attacks using Machine Learning in Vehicle-to-Everything Communication Networks

Vehicle-to-Everything communications (V2X) are being deployed globally. In V2X, messages are used for exchanging critical information between vehicles. However, jamming attacks on the spectrum could deny V2X radios the ability to save lives on the roadway. This work analyzes two types of primitive jamming attacks on commercially available V2X radios. Lab results reveal that V2X networks are easily susceptible to jamming attacks. To avert this threat and promote safety of life on the roadways, we demonstrate a supervised machine learning model that can detect and classify the type of primitive jamming attack with an accuracy of 99.84%.
P-170: Transplant related morbidities with Melphalan as conditioning regimen for myeloma autotransplants

Background Melphalan as high dose therapy (HDT) is a proven effective conditioning regimen for patients undergoing myeloma autotransplants and is associated with known peri-transplant toxicities that warrant a discussion with patients. Efforts to optimize supportive care have resulted in significant decline in transplant related morbidities and mortality. In this context, we have reviewed the observed toxicities among patients receiving autotransplants in the recent years with an intent to deliver consistency in informing patients of the known toxicities. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplant over a two-year period. Demographic and outcomes data for the patients were obtained from our IRB approved myeloma database and responses were evaluated per IMWG Uniform Response Criteria. Fisher’s exact and Cochran-Mante-Haenszel tests were used when groups were compared. Results Of the 395 patients that underwent autotransplants 308 patients received a dose of 200 mg/m2 (Mel200) and 87 received 140 mg/m2 (Mel140). Median age of the patients was 62 years (range, 17-78). Impressively, African American patients comprised of 41.5% of the entire cohort. Relevant comorbidities prior to transplant include hypertension (62%), renal failure (5%), coronary artery disease (5%) and h/o atrial fibrillation (4%). 11% of patients had KPS ≤70, median pretransplant EF was 55% (30-86%), and DLCO corrected was 87% (30-156). Median time for neutrophil engraftment, platelet engraftment and LOS were 14 (12-24), 14 (11-21), 15 (7-53) days respectively. While peri-transplant, neutropenic fevers were seen in 67% of the patients, majority were of non-infectious nature. Documented bacteremia was seen in 13% of patients, clostridium difficile infection in 8%, respiratory infections in 5%, and other infections were seen in 2% (cellulitis- 1% and UTI -1%). Any grade mucositis was seen in 31% and grade 3 mucositis in 7%. Atrial fibrillation was seen in 5% and renal failure in 4%. Readmission rates were 5%, median time to readmission was 4 days (range, 1-20). Transplant related mortality at the 30-day mark was 0.25% (1 incident due to a intracranial aneurysm rupture) and at 100-day mark was 0.75% (1 death due to septic shock and 1 due to cardiac failure). Unfortunately, 2 patients succumbed to aggressive myeloma during the same period. Conclusion While we are able to offer HDT to patients with advanced age, cardiac toxicities and renal insufficiency, an explicit conversation regarding known peri-transplant toxicities is necessary to make an informed decision. Very interestingly, 93% of this cohort received risk-adapted maintenance initiating at a median time of 105 days from autotransplants, a surrogate to suggest adequate recovery from transplant related morbidities. Outcomes regarding AA patients and additional progression free and overall survival data by cytogenetic risk will be presented at the meeting.
A simple method for serial image-based monitoring of animal studies of novel treatments in human prostate cancer

1019 Objectives 1. To demonstrate proof-of-concept for a simple imaging-based method for serial monitoring of novel therapies in an animal model of human prostate cancer.2. To show that bioluminescence imaging is useful for rapid and direct demonstration of anti-angiogenic effect of contortrostatin in prostate cancer.3. To show the utility of micro-CT in depicting localization and growth of tumor at the site of tumor implantation. Conclusions We evaluated the feasibility and logistics of an image-based method for serial monitoring of animal studies of novel treatments in prostate cancer. Tibia of nude mice were injected with 50K of human prostate cancer cell line PC3 expressing luciferase (PC3-Luc) cells mixed with Matrigel. The mice were divided into control and therapy groups. Anti-angiogenic treatment was with liposomal formulation of recombinant contortrostatin (a disintegrin purified from venom of southern copperhead snake) released from Alzet pumps for 28 days (43 ug/day). Tumor growth in bone was monitored with optical imaging (Xenogen) and micro-CT at 1, 2, 3, and 5 weeks after tumor implantation. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) clearly showed the anti-tumor effect of contortrostatin with decreasing signal in treated animals compared to control mice. However, tumor volume measurements at micro-CT did not demonstrate a statistically significant change during the 5-week study period. While BLI was useful for direct monitoring of treatment response, micro-CT was helpful for demonstrating tumor localization, growth, and local structural damage. Research Support H. Jadvar was supported in part by NIH/NCI Grant R01-CA111613.
ICE (Integrated Cooler Experiment) for COOLSAT

This paper discusses the concept and development of a small Stirling-cycle mechanical refrigerator integrated with a phase-change substance (methanol) for cooling a space borne atmospheric gravity wave imager. A system employing this concept, called ICE (Integrated Cooler Experiment), is proposed to fly on COOLSAT (Cryogenic fluid management, Oxygen nightglow, Orbital attitude control, Low-cost cooler Science And Technology). COOLSAT is a proposed satellite by Utah State University for the USRA STEDI (STudent Explorer Demonstration Initiative) pilot mission.
A Family of Decidable Feature Logics which Support HPSG-Style Set and List Constructions

A desirable goal of constraint-based parsing is that the whole process should be one of pure algorithmic constraint satisfaction; the implementor should not need to specify any control information, or be aware of how the underlying system implements control. Unfortunately, most existing tools are Turing complete, and hence require additional control information by virtue of their computational power. In this work, a first step towards automatic cosntraint-based parsing of HPSG is provided, in the form of a family of decidable (for satisfiability) logics in which set and list constructions may be expressed in a uniform fashion, and constraints such as the Nonlocal Feature Principle may be recaptured succinctly.
Abstract T P300: Hospital Characteristics, Distribution, and Site Reviews of Certified Comprehensive Stroke Centers

Objectives: In 2012 The Joint Commission (TJC) began an advanced certification program for Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSC) using criteria defined by the Brain Attack Coalition and several Technical Advisory Panels. We now report the results from organizations who successfully achieved this certification. Our hypothesis was that, compared to Primary Stroke Centers (PSCs), the CSCs would be larger urban teaching hospitals, and that their distribution would be uneven and would not match population density. Methods: We obtained data from TJC about the 73 hospitals that were successful in achieving CSC certification from 2012 through July 2014. These data were compared to the 1036 organizations that achieved PSC designation from 2004 through July 2014. Data on hospital type, location, bed size, and distribution by population were analyzed. Analyses were done using Chi-square comparisons. The number of Requirements for Improvement (RFI) were tabulated and analyzed for the CSCs. Results: More than 94% of PSCs...
Improving the Quality of Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation Care

Sudden cardiac arrest is defined as the cessation of mechanical cardiac activity as confirmed by the absence of signs of circulation [1]. Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of mortality in the hospital as well as in the community setting. There are similar rates of sudden cardiac arrest in North America and Europe, leading to over 700,000 deaths in both regions combined annually [2, 3, 4] and, although overall cardiovascular mortality is decreasing, the proportion of deaths from sudden cardiac arrest has remained constant with a high mortality rate [5]. In fact, the survival rate from out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest has been reported to vary between 5 to 18%, depending on the original arrest rhythm and other factors [6].
A new cylindrical phase screen method for modeling electromagnetic wave propagation through an inhomogeneous 2-D atmosphere

[1] In this paper, we investigate the forward modeling of electromagnetic wave propagation through an inhomogeneous, two-dimensional (2-D) atmosphere where the transmitter is located at a finite distance from the Earth. A new cylindrical multiple phase-screen method is developed and both the cylindrical and the traditional planar multiple phase-screen models are applied to an inhomogeneous atmosphere with a simple refractivity profile. It was found that the two methods yield results that agree very well on the same output cylindrical phase-screen after the wave was propagated through the atmosphere. Since the cylindrical approach better matches the physical phenomenology of the waves, the phase fronts were found to deviate less over the cylindrical phase-screens than over the planar screens. Therefore, the cylindrical multiple phase-screen model requires a smaller number of points to perform the Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT) and Inverse FFT than the planar phase screen model, and thus has a higher efficiency. The cylindrical phase-screen model can also serve as a new direct and independent check for the traditional planar phase-screen model.
Barriers to care in an ethnically diverse publicly insured population: is health care reform enough?

Background:The Affordable Care Act provides for the expansion of Medicaid, which may result in as many as 16 million people gaining health insurance coverage. Yet it is unclear to what extent this coverage expansion will meaningfully increase access to health care.Objective:The objective of the stud
Asymptotic Efficiency of Maximum Likelihood Estimators Under Misspecified Models

We illustrate with examples when and how maximum likelihood estimators continue to be asymptotically efficient even under misspecified models. Also, we provide a necessary and sufficient condition under which a subset of the vector of MLE's retains its asymptotic efficiency under misspecified models even though the MLE itself is not fully asymptotic efficient.
Cooperative Extension Response to a Diversity Education Resource: Implications for Extension Programming

A variety of efforts are under way to help build the capacity of Cooperative Extension to effectively serve culturally diverse communities. In Pennsylvania, one such effort was the development of Diverse Issues, a quarterly newsletter. The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of the newsletter as adiversity educational resource. The subjects were 200 extension professionals on the newsletter mailing list. Participants completed a 15-item questionnaire. Based on the findings of the study, extension professionals consider Diverse Issues a major diversity educational resource. They also agree that the content, topics, frequency of publication, and format are appropriate.
Non-homologous end joining often uses microhomology: Implications for alternative end joining

Artemis and PALF (also called APLF) appear to be among the primary nucleases involved in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and responsible for most nucleolytic end processing in NHEJ. About 60% of NHEJ events show an alignment of the DNA ends that use 1 or 2bp of microhomology (MH) between the two DNA termini. Thus, MH is a common feature of NHEJ. For most naturally occurring human chromosomal deletions (e.g., after oxidative damage or radiation) and translocations, such as those seen in human neoplasms and as well as inherited chromosomal structural variations, MH usage occurs at a frequency that is typical of NHEJ, and does not suggest major involvement of alternative pathways that require more extensive MH. Though we mainly focus on human NHEJ at double-strand breaks, comparison on these points to other eukaryotes, primarily S. cerevisiae, is informative.
Reconstituting the nuclear envelope and endoplasmic reticulumin vitro

Abstract We describe how in-vitro reconstitution assays are being used to understand the assembly and structure of the nuclear envelope (NE) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), focussing on membrane dynamics. Our review is partly historical, to honor the cell biologists who began reconstituting nuclear assembly in vitro about 14 years ago. These pioneering complex reconstitution experiments had an enormous impact on our ability to study both organelle assembly and cell cycle regulation. We will illustrate how cell-free exacts from a variety of organisms are now being used to define assembly and disassembly pathways, examine their cell cycle regulation, and test the roles of specific proteins in nuclear and ER formation.
471 DETERMINANTS OF FOSTER CARE FOR THE MALTREATED CHILD

This study examined the records of the North Carolina Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect to determine which social, family and child characteristics were most influential in the decision to place a child in foster care. These records contained all theoretically relevant factors as well as demographic data. Analysis included the computation of odds ratios for foster care for each of 250 variables. A maximum likelihood binary logistic regression model was constructed to obtain the independent and cumulative contribution of each factor. During a 12 month period of 1978-79, 4611 families were reported for a first episode of confirmed child maltreatment. Approximately 15% of the families had children placed in foster care. Some expected variables such as parental stress factors (substance abuse)and types of abuse (burns and scalds) placed a child at a significant risk for placement in foster care (p < 0.05). However, less obvious factors such as referral source (law enforcement agencies) or geographic area also placed children at risk. Overall, our model explained little of the variance of these decisions (R2 = 0.168) and poorly predicted placement (sensitivity 66.3%, specificity 74.6%). Using existing data we were unable to adequately describe the decision process in selecting foster care. Among a large population of maltreated children, placement in foster care approximates a random process.
A new perspective on de-individuation via computer-mediated communication

Research examining de-individuation via computer-mediated communication (CMC) suggests that group pressure is more pronounced in CMC-using groups than in groups meeting face to face, because CMC strips away non-verbal cues and makes individuals feel more similar to the others in their group. Similarly, electronic voting research suggests that group influence is more pronounced via group support systems when the opinions of others are communicated in real time. However, recent research involving complete anonymity suggests that group influence is mitigated via anonymous CMC because of a lack of awareness of others. Thus, we propose that increased group influence is facilitated when others’ opinions are communicated, and is heightened with the common identity created through the use of nominal labels. This paper reports the results of a laboratory experiment involving groups making an organization decision via a text-based chat room. The results show that a simple electronic voting interface element increased the amount of group influence on individual members, and led to decreased participation and higher dispensability.
Personality changes after anti-incontinence operations in women

Seventy-three multiparous women with stress incontinence were evaluated before and 1 year after anti-incontinence procedures to assess the effects of successful surgical therapy on the personality of patients with genuine stress urinary incontinence. Urodynamic studies were used to assess the urinary incontinence; Taylor-Johnson temperament analysis was used to evaluate the personality characteristics of the subjects; and paired t-tests and t-tests were performed for statistical analysis. Nine of the 73 patients were excluded because of invalid answers on the questionnaire. Of the remaining 64, 57 (89%) were subjectively cured and 51 (80%) were objectively cured. The preoperative temperament evaluation revealed, in all the patients, traits of depressiveness and quietness which were significantly different from the normal range of the average population. Postoperatively, the authors found significantly (P<0.05) reduced depressiveness and increased social involvement, demonstrativeness and self-discipline only in the women subjectively cured. A trend was noted in terms of psychosocial adaptation between the patients cured and the ones with persistent incontinence. However, due to the small number of failures (n=7) no statistical differences could be demonstrated. It was concluded that women with stress urinary incontinence have increased depressiveness and decreased psychosocial involvement compared to the average population. Successful anti-incontinence procedures significantly improve the psychosocial status of these individuals.
Let's understand Skodak and Skeels, finally 1

Abstract The well‐known study by Skodak and Skeels (1949), in which one hundred infants who were born to unwed mothers of below‐average IQ and were adopted into superior foster homes and grew up to obtain Stanford‐Binet IQs averaging 20 points higher than the IQs of their biological mothers, has frequently been interpreted as a contradiction of the evidence for the high heritability of intelligence. It is here shown that this is a misinterpretation of the Skodak and Skeels results, based on failure to consider the prediction made from a simple polygenic model of parent‐offspring resemblance. The Skodak and Skeels data, when analyzed properly in terms of a quantitative‐genetic model, are found to be not all improbable or contradictory of a broad heritability for IQ in the range of .70 to .80. Also, the common fallacy of generalizing the results of Skodak and Skeels as an environmental explanation of the cause of the approximately 1 σ mean white‐Negro IQ difference is explicated from the standpoint of genet...
Estimating Long-Run Price Relationship with Structural Change of Unknown Timing: An Application to the Japanese Pork Market

Linear regression is often used to measure economic relationships in order to understand the underlying structure and obtain forecasts. Clearly, a major advantage of a linear model is its simplicity, increasing the likelihood of obtaining a robust estimate of the parameter that is not overly sensitive to model specifica tion and choice of numerical method. The clas sic Chow test for a structural break involves
A Quantitative Zebrafish Phenotyping Tool for Developmental Biology and Disease Modeling [Life Sciences]

This paper discusses the challenges of automated quantitative phenotyping of zebrafish images. These challenges can be addressed by developing automated image analysis tools and integrating them in user-friendly software packages. As part of this strategic direction, we discussed the ZFIQ (zebrafish image quantitator) image processing pipeline and two examples, which show significant advantages over traditional methods based on manual labeling or visual inspection. By building ZFIQ on top of the public domain OpenCV platform, we aim to encourage the computer vision and signal/image processing communities to contribute their image quantification pipelines to the ZFIQ, and, in turn, expect the zebrafish research community to contribute quantification problems and associated image datasets to the development
Risk of lymphoma in patients receiving antitumor necrosis factor therapy: a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled studies

The 2008 edition of the WHO Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid tissues recognizes a new diagnostic entity termed "other iatrogenic immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders" highlighting lymphomas arising in patients treated with immunosuppressive agents for autoimmune disorders. The role of antitumor necrosis factor alpha therapy (anti-TNFα) and lymphoma risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients remains unclear; therefore, the goal of our study was to determine whether anti-TNFα therapy is associated with iatrogenic lymphomas. A meta-analysis of all randomized controlled clinical trials published (2000-2009) in RA patients receiving anti-TNFα therapy was performed. Fourteen studies fulfilled all search criteria and included 2,306 control patients and 5,179 patients treated with anti-TNFα therapy, namely etanercept, adalumimab, and infliximab. Clinical information including the number of patients, age, gender, lymphoma rates, and follow-up time was recorded. The overall rate and rate differences were analyzed using the DerSimonian and Laird method. Of the control group, four (4/2,306, 0.17%) patients developed hematolymphoid neoplasms. Eleven (11/5,179, 0.21%) patients receiving anti-TNFα therapy developed lymphomas. The adjusted overall rates are 0.36 lymphomas per 1,000 person-years in patients who did not receive anti-TNFα therapy versus 1.65 lymphomas per 1,000 person-years in patients who received anti-TNFα therapy. The corresponding 95% confidence interval for this rate difference is (-0.214, 2.79). The adjusted rate difference is 1.29 lymphomas per 1,000 person-years (95% CI, -0.21, 2.8; p value = 0.093). The corresponding p value is p = 0.0928. There is a suggestion of increased lymphomas in the treated group, with the predominant subset being B-cell lymphomas. Since the outcome of lymphoma is rare, it does not reach statistical significance of p < 0.05.
Lemon Juice Composition. IV. Carotenoid and Sterol Content

SUMMARY The carotenoids and sterols of lemon juice from various sources were measured. The average total carotenoid contents for reconstituted lemon juice concentrate and for fresh juice from coastal, desert, and Italian lemons were respectively 49, 50, 40, and 45 μg β-carotene/l00 ml juice. The average respective sterol values were 8.28, 8.99, 9.10, and 8.46 mg β-sitosterol/l00 ml juice. The major lemon juice sterol was β-sitosterol. The correlation between citric acid, carotenoids, and sterols was too low to be useful in the multiple regression analysis equation for the prediction of citric acid.
Therapeutic potential of the 2-alkyl and 2-alkylidene-19-nor-(20S)-modified analogs of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

Abstract Five analogs of 19-nor-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 are described that show highly selective and potent activities. The 2-methylene-19-nor-(20 S )-1α25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (2MD) and its 2α-methyl sister are selectively active on the osteoblast. 2MD is bone anabolic and causes bone formation in vivo and in vitro and is being developed as a therapy for bone loss diseases such as osteoporosis. 2-Methylene-19-nor (20 S )-bishomo-1α-hydroxypregnacalciferol (2BMP) has no activity on calcium in vivo while totally suppressing circulating parathyroid hormone. Its homologs, i.e. 2-methylene-19-nor-1α-hydroxy-homopregnacalciferol (2MP) and 2-methylene-19-nor-1α-hydroxypregnacalciferol (2MPC) act similarly but are either less selective (2MP) or not as potent (2MPC). These abbreviated side chain analogs will be developed for diseases where a rise in serum calcium is not desired, as for example, cancer, renal osteodystrophy, psoriasis and autoimmune diseases.
HIV, Health Care Workers and Patients: How to Ensure Safety in the Dental Office

What can be done to preserve the high standards of patient care, give reasonable assurances to patients and acknowledge the rights of health care workers? Conscientious adherence to infection control is the most responsible option available.
The heparan sulfates of Swiss mouse 3T3 cells. The effect of transformation.

Three major pools of heparan sulfate have been isolated from cultures of Swiss mouse 3T3 and SV40-transformed 3T3 cells: cell-surface, medium, and intracellular heparan sulfates. The cell-surface heparan sulfate is a high molecular weight proteoglycan which is partially degraded by pronase. Before pronase treatment, it has a peak molecular weight (as estimated by gel filtration) of approx. 7.2 . 10(5) in contrast to only 2.4 . 10(5) after pronase treatment. The medium heparan sulfate appears to be similar in structure to the cell-surface heparan sulfate, since they coelute on Bio-Gel A-15m and DEAE-cellulose, and are both proteoglycans. In contrast, the intracellular heparan sulfate has a low molecular weight (6.0 . 10(3)) and has little if any attached protein. Both the medium and intracellular heparan sulfate exhibit the transformation-associated change in structure reported earlier for cell-surface heparan sulfate (Underhill, C.B. and Keller, J.M. )1975) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 63, 448--454). This transformation-associated change, detected by DEAE-cellulose chromatography is not the result of changes in either molecular weight or protein core. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis of the cell-surface heparan sulfate at pH 1 suggests that the transformation-associated change in structure is due to a difference in sulfate content. Both types of heparan sulfate are produced in mixed cultures of 3T3 and SV3T3 cells, indicating that neither serum factors in the culture medium nor secreted cell products are responsible for the transformation-associated change in heparan sulfate structure. The presented data are discussed with respect to the postulated role of heparan sulfate in cell social behavior.
ATOMIC DATA AND SPECTRAL LINE INTENSITIES FOR Fe XI

Abstract Electron impact collision strengths and spontaneous radiative decay rates are calculated for the important astrophysical ion Fe X. The data pertain to the 54 levels of the configurations 3s23p5, 3s3p6, 3s23p43d, and 3s3p53d. Collision strengths are calculated at five incident electron energies: 9.0, 18.0, 27.0, 36.0, and 45.0 Ry. Relative spectral line intensities are calculated for all astrophysically important transitions. These are obtained by computing the excitation rate coefficients (cm3 s−1), i.e., the collision strengths integrated over a Maxwellian electron energy distribution, and then solving the equations of detailed balance for the populations of the 54 energy levels, assuming a collisional excitation model and an electron temperature of 1.0 × 106 K. This temperature is typical for Fe X when formed in equilibrium by collisional ionization and recombination. Using the excitation rate coefficients and the radiative decay rates, level populations are computed for several electron densities and are given in this paper. We also investigate the effects of proton excitation and solar radiative excitation on the level populations and line intensities. Finally, the calculated relative line intensities are compared with experimental solar intensities where available, and two good electron-density-sensitive line ratios are discussed. One result of the comparison is the identification of four unidentified solar spectral lines as Fe X transitions: 220.86, 226.32, 238.71, and 324.71 A.
Evidence that the Lore-1 region specifies ethanol-induced activation in addition to sedative/hypnotic sensitivity to ethanol.

Background: Low-dose ethanol-induced activation (LDA) and initial sensitivity to alcohol are both predictors of alcohol abuse in human populations. Our hypothesis is that one or more genes specifying hypnotic sensitivity also specify LDA. We tested this hypothesis by using congenic mice derived from the inbred long-sleep (ILS) and inbred short-sleep (ISS) strains, which carry an ILS region introgressed onto an ISS background. Methods: LDA was assessed by assigning mice randomly to receive one of five doses of ethanol ranging from 1.2 to 2.4 g/kg. On day 1, animals were injected with saline and placed in a brightly lit activity monitor for 30 min, after which they were returned to their home cages. On day 2, mice were injected with ethanol (20% w/v), their activity was monitored for a 30-min period, and LDA was determined by subtracting day 1 activity. The blood ethanol concentration of each animal was then assessed at 30 min by retro-orbital collection of 25 μl of blood. Results: Ethanol had a significant effect on the activity of ISS mice, but ILS mice showed no activation at any dose, similar to the activities of the outbred lines. All three congenic strains were activated at several doses. Lore-2 and Lore-5 were not ILS-like (less active than ISS) at any dose. In contrast, ISS.ILS-Lore-1 congenics (carrying an ILS-derived Lore-1 allele on the ISS background) were significantly less activated than the ISS controls at 1.8 and 2.4 g/kg of ethanol. Conclusions: The Lore-2 and Lore-5 congenic regions do not affect LDA. In contrast, the Lore-1 congenic region carries one or more genes specifying both initial hypnotic sensitivity to ethanol and LDA.
Detection of rare cells expressing shared lymphoma idiotypes in fetal spleens.

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies have been derived against the shared and private idiotypes of immunoglobulin expressed by human B-cell lymphomas. We performed indirect immunofluorescence assays on cells from 3 fetal spleens, 3 adult spleens and 10 hyerplastic lymph nodes with a panel of 5 monoclonal antibodies directed to private lymphoma idiotypes, 2 antibodies directed to shared lymphoma idiotypes and various positive and negative control antibodies. Rare (
Effect of chain architecture on the size, shape, and intrinsic viscosity of chains in polymer solutions: a molecular simulation study.

Effect of chain architecture on the chain size, shape, and intrinsic viscosity was investigated by performing molecular dynamics simulations of polymer solutions in a good solvent. Four types of chains – linear, comb shaped, H-shaped, and star – were studied for this purpose using a model in which the solvent particles were considered explicitly. Results indicated that the chain length (N) dependence of the mean squared radius of gyration of the chains followed a power-law behavior ⟨Rg2⟩1/2∼Nυ with scaling exponents of υ = 0.605, 0.642, 0.602, and 0.608, for the linear, comb shaped, H-shaped, and star shaped chains, respectively. The simulation results for the geometrical shrinking factor were higher than the prior theoretical predictions for comb shaped chains. Analysis of chain shape demonstrated that the star chains were significantly smaller and more spherical than the others, while the comb and H-shaped polymer chains showed a more cylindrical shape. It is shown that the intrinsic viscosity of the ch...
The DYT1 carrier state increases energy demand in the olivocerebellar network

DYT1 dystonia is caused by a GAG deletion in TOR1A, the gene which encodes torsinA. Gene expression studies in rodents and functional imaging studies in humans suggest that DYT1 dystonia may be a network disorder of neurodevelopmental origin. To generate high resolution metabolic maps of DYT1 dystonia and pinpoint dysregulated network elements, we performed 2-deoxyglucose autoradiography and cytochrome oxidase (CO) histochemistry in transgenic mice expressing human mutant (hMT1) torsinA and wild-type littermates. In comparison with controls, hMT1 mice showed increased glucose utilization (GU) in the inferior olive (IO) medial nucleus (IOM), IO dorsal accessory nucleus and substantia nigra compacta, and decreased GU in the medial globus pallidus (MGP) and lateral globus pallidus. The hMT1 mice showed increased CO activity in the IOM and Purkinje cell layer of cerebellar cortex, and decreased CO activity in the caudal caudate-putamen, substantia nigra reticulata and MGP. These findings suggest that (1) the DYT1 carrier state increases energy demand in the olivocerebellar network and (2) the IO may be a pivotal node for abnormal basal ganglia-cerebellar interactions in dystonia.
Kupffer cells are a major source of increased platelet activating factor in the CCl4-induced cirrhotic rat liver

Abstract Background/Aims : Endothelin-1 (ET-1) stimulates the synthesis of platelet-activating factor (PAF) by Kupffer cells in vitro. Hepatic concentrations of both ET-1 (a potent vasoconstrictor) and PAF (a mediator of hepatic vasoconstriction and the cirrhotic hyperdynamic state) increase in cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine if the responsiveness of Kupffer cells to produce PAF upon ET-1 challenge is modified by cirrhosis. Methods : Kupffer cells, isolated from the livers of control and CCl 4 -induced cirrhotic rats, were placed in serum-free medium after overnight culture. PAF and ET-1 receptors, ET-1-induced PAF synthesis, and PAF- and ET-1-induced prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) synthesis were determined 24 h later. Results : Both basal and ET-1-stimulated PAF synthesis was increased in cirrhotic Kupffer cells as indicated by increased cell-associated and released PAF. Cirrhotic Kupffer cells also had elevated densities of functional receptors for both PAF and ET-1 (exclusively ET B ), as measured by ligand binding, mRNA expression of the respective receptors, and ligand-stimulated PGE 2 synthesis. Conclusions : Cirrhosis sensitizes Kupffer cells to both ET-1 and PAF by elevating their respective receptor levels. Since both mediators individually cause portal hypertension, an increase in ET-1-stimulated PAF synthesis in Kupffer cells will exacerbate the hepatic and extrahepatic complications of cirrhosis.
Image analysis of gap junction structures.

Abstract Isolated gap junction plaques contain hexagonal crystalline arrays of membrane channels called connexons which are a suitable specimen for electron crystallography. Image analysis of gap junction lattices has shown that while there is sufficient lattice order for structural analysis to ∼25 A, there is enough disorder in both the lattice and the connexon to create a family of related images. This review is focused on how these images can be interpreted in terms of what is known about both the connexon and its constituent protein, connexin.
Examination of the reliability and factor structure of the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) in a non-clinical sample

A self-report screening measure for high functioning autism spectrum disorders is needed for diagnostic screening and research purposes. The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) has been developed for these reasons, although a comprehensive assessment of the psychometric properties of the AQ has not been completed. The purpose of the current study was to assess the distribution, internal consistency, and factor structure of the AQ in a non-clinical sample (n = 1005). The current findings demonstrate the normal distribution of autistic traits and support a three-factor structure of the AQ. Additionally, a three-factor version of the AQ yielded somewhat improved internal consistency. Implications of these findings and suggestions for further development of the AQ as a measure of the autism spectrum are offered.
Note: On the combinatorics of an origami model

We consider the problem of how the assembly process of an origami model, made up of similar pieces, can be completed given that at each step there are several choices. A result is given in the language of graphs that provides a sufficient condition under which assembly of the model will never fail.
Mismatch Negativity to Tonal Contours Suggests Preattentive Perception of Prosodic Content

Modulation of speech conveys information that is decoded within audio-sensory structures. For example, the termination of an utterance with a rise in pitch distinguishes statements and questions. This study evaluated the sensitivity of early auditory structures to such linguistic prosodic distinctions using mismatch negativity (MMN). MMN is a preattentive auditory event-related potential (ERP) sensitive to stimulus deviance. High-density ERP to pitch contour stimuli were collected in a passive listening oddball paradigm from 11 healthy subjects. Voltage analysis revealed significant MMN responses to declarative and interrogative oddball stimuli. Further, MMN was significantly larger to interrogative, than declarative, deviants, indicating non-symmetric brain processing. These MMNs demonstrate that pitch contour abstractions reflecting interrogative/ declarative distinctions can be represented in preattentive auditory sensory memory.
Graves' orbitopathy precipitated by iatrogenic hypothyroidism secondary to carbimazole for Graves' disease.

To the Editor: Graves’ disease (GD) is uncommon in children (prevalence 0.1–3 per 100,000; peak incidence: 10–15 y girls), and extremely rare below 5 y [1]. Classical thyrotoxic features are absent in children. Features specific to pediatric GD include behavioral abnormalities, attention deficit, hyperactivity, impaired scholastic performance, nocturnal enuresis, accelerated height and skeletal maturation [1]. Graves’ Orbitopathy (GO) is even rarer in children [2]. A six-year-old boy on carbimazole 15 mg/d for GD, continuously for 2 y without any follow-up or monitoring of thyroid function, presented with swelling of eyelids, lacrimation, pain and grittiness for 6 mo (Fig. 1). Examination was significant for Grade-Ib firm goiter, bilateral lid edema, redness, clinical activity score 2/7, absent diplopia, normal slitlamp evaluation, normal fundoscopy and exophthalmos (15 and 14 mm in right and left eye respectively, scale 84 mm; Hertel exophthalmometer; normal: 9.1–11.6 mm in first decade) [3]. Investigations revealed low T3 (0.89 nmol/L; normal: 1.23–3.08), low free T4 (0.79 ng/dL; normal: 0.9–1.8), elevated TSH (48.7 μU/mL; normal: 0.4–4.2), elevated antithyroid peroxidase antibody (452 IU/mL; normal < 35) and thickened extra-ocular muscles (Fig. 2a, b). Eye symptoms improved with stoppage of carbimazole and carboxy-methylcellulose drops. Thyroid function was monitored 6 weekly. He became biochemically euthyroid after 3 mo. Carbimazole was restarted after 6 mo when free T4 was elevated (2.12 ng/dL). Last evaluated, 9 mo after diagnosis, he was euthyroid, with resolution of eye symptoms. Pediatric GO is usually mild, non-progressive, selflimiting, with rare need for corticosteroids or orbital surgery [2]. Infiltrative manifestations like exophthalmos, ophthalmoplegia, may be worsened by hypothyroidism. GO is characterized by autoimmunity mediated increased orbital fibroblast activity, inflammation and glycosaminoglycan deposition, predominantly involving orbital fat in children; in contrast to both fat and extraocular muscles in adults [4]. TSH receptor antibodies (TRAbs) mediated activation of TSH receptor has an important role in GO development [5]. TRAb assessment was not done in our patient and is a limitation. Any condition associated with increased TSH, leads to increased TSH receptor activation, having a permissive effect on autoimmunity, hence GOworsening [5]. This report highlights the occurrence of GO in children, the importance of regular thyroid function monitoring and the adverse impact of iatrogenic hypothyroidism on GO.
Shannon Limit of Collegiality

In the eyes of rest of the world Gabor Temes is a brilliant researcher, educator, prolific author, and inventor of many things spanning diverse areas such as network theory, circuit analysis, analog filters, switched capacitor circuits, and more famously delta-sigma data converters. But to us, above all, he is the most wonderful friend, colleague and collaborator ? the Shannon limit of collegiality. Gabor personifies the rare combination of being the smartest and the nicest person to work with. These characteristics have endeared him to his colleagues and students alike. When we joined Oregon State University some fifteen years ago, he embraced us immediately, as a colleague (Un-Ku) and as a student (Pavan), and got us involved in many of his research activities. This was instrumental in each of us getting an excellent start to our careers in academia. Gabor has offered similar opportunities over the past two decades to numerous other junior faculty members in the department and has been a big part of their success. He is a truly a great role model for mentoring.
Organic Thin Film Multi-Level Data Storage

Organic thin film structures, including organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), are demonstrated to exhibit multiple nonvolatile conductance states at low read voltages. Long retention times and many write-read-rewrite-read cycles have been performed with minimal degradation.
Embryos as targets of endocrine disrupting contaminants in wildlife

Environmental contaminants are now a ubiquitous part of the ecological landscape, and a growing literature describes the ability of many of these chemicals to alter the developmental trajectory of the embryo. Because many environmental pollutants readily bioaccumulate in lipid rich tissues, wildlife can attain considerable body burdens. Embryos are often exposed to these pollutants through maternal transfer, and a growing number of studies report long-term or permanent developmental consequences. Many biological mechanisms are reportedly affected by environmental contaminants in the developing embryo and fetus, including neurodevelopment, steroidogenesis, gonadal differentiation, and liver function. Embryos are not exposed to one chemical at a time, but are chronically exposed to many chemicals simultaneously. Mixture studies show that for some developmental disorders, mixtures of chemicals cause a more deleterious response than would be predicted from their individual toxicities. Synergistic responses to low dose mixtures make it difficult to estimate developmental outcomes, and as such, traditional toxicity testing often results in an underestimate of exposure risks. In addition, the knowledge that biological systems do not necessarily respond in a dose-dependent fashion, and that very low doses of a chemical can prove more harmful than higher doses, has created a paradigm shift in studies of environmental contaminant-induced dysfunction. Although laboratory studies are critical for providing dose-response relationships and determining specific mechanisms involved in disease etiology, wildlife sentinels more accurately reflect the genetic diversity of real world exposure conditions, and continue to alert scientists and health professionals alike of the consequences of developmental exposures to environmental pollutants.