cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A FVII Deficiency Induces Cardiac Fibrosis in Mice Resulting in Systolic and Diastolic Dysfunction.

Abstract Mice severely deficient in coagulation Factor (F)VII that survive to adulthood have been developed, thus allowing the study of spontaneous bleeding and inflammatory phenotypes under conditions of a deficiency of extrinsic coagulation, especially in organs e.g., the heart, that continually undergo normal mechanical challenge. Mice genetically modified to produce very low levels (∼1% of wild-type) of coagulation FVII (FVIItTA/tTA) spontaneously developed heart abnormalities that were revealed by echocardiography. There were no significant differences between groups at baseline for the hemodynamic and respiratory parameters: temperature and heart rate (HR). The end-systolic functions of FVIItTA/tTA mice heart were comparable to wild-type (WT) controls. However, there were significant changes in the end-diastolic parameters of FVIItTA/tTA hearts. The diameter at end-diastole in FVIItTA/tTA mice was smaller compared to WT mice, which was due to the stiffness of the interventricular wall. When viewed from the parasternal short-axis, these mice had evidence of hypokinesis, indicating alteration of the elastic properties of the left ventricular (LV) wall. Correspondingly, the stroke volume, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and cardiac output were lower in FVIItTA/tTA mice, compared to WT mice. Mitral valve inflow was compromised in FVIItTA/tTA mice, as demonstrated by the reduced early/late (E/A) filling ratio. We found that the spontaneous impaired cardiac function in FVIItTA/tTA mice was associated with an increased ratio of heart weight to body weight. Decreases in ventricular size, accompanied by reductions in systolic and diastolic functions, suggest a restrictive cardiomyopathy, consistent with an infiltrative myopathic process. Microscopic analysis of mouse hearts showed severe patchy fibrosis in FVIItTA/tTA mice. Hemosiderin deposition in hearts of these mice, along with large increases in inflammatory cells, ultimately resulting in widespread collagen deposition, were found. Significant increases in mRNA levels of TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, and a variety of matrix metalloproteinases, beginning at early ages in FVIItTA/tTA mice, supported the fibrotic pathology. The results of this study demonstrated that hemorrhagic and inflammatory responses to a severe FVII deficiency resulted in the development of cardiac fibrosis, manifest echocardiographically as a restrictive cardiomyopathy, with significantly compromised ventricular diastolic and systolic functions. These data also suggest that a FVII deficiency differentially regulates the expression level of inflammation and extracellular matrix proteins, which result in compromised cardiac function.
Limited Utility of Pulmonary Nodule Risk Calculators for Managing Large Nodules

Rationale and Objectives The optimal management of large pulmonary nodules, at higher risk for lung cancer, has not been determined, and it remains unclear as to which patients should undergo follow-up imaging vs invasive tissue diagnosis via biopsy or surgical resection. Materials and Methods Through search of radiology reports, 86 nodules from our institution were identified using the inclusion criterion of solid nodules measuring greater than 8 mm. We evaluated these nodules with a number of risk prediction calculators, including the Brock University model, and compared these against the proven diagnosis. Results Of 86 nodules, 59 (69%) nodules were malignant. The most accurate predictive model, the Brock University calculator, underestimated the risk for this group at 33%. At its optimal threshold, this model had a positive predictive value of 81% and negative predictive value of 53%. Notwithstanding the low negative predictive value, the positive predictive value was no better than patients clinically selected for biopsy (86% of biopsies were malignant). Conclusion Existing nodule risk prediction calculators are of limited usage in guiding the management of large pulmonary nodules. At present, the accuracy of these models in this setting is inferior to expert clinical judgment, and future work is needed to develop management algorithms for higher-risk nodules.
Endocrine disruption: Relevance of experimental studies in female animals to human studies

Abstract It has been hypothesized that in utero exposure to endocrine disruptors compounds (EDCs) plays a role in multiple diseases including breast cancer in women, obesity and related adverse health effects in females and males. The genesis of this hypothesis is from the Barker theory of the developmental origins of health and disease and also from the adverse health effects observed in the female and male offspring of mothers prescribed the potent estrogenic drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy. There is minimal evidence that in utero or later exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethylene (DDE) correlates with an increased incidence of breast cancer and this is consistent with animal model studies. This review has also focused selectively on the hypothesized PCB/DDE-induced obesogenic effects in humans (primarily females and males combined) and in rodent models. In human epidemiological studies, most collective reports indicate that in utero exposure to PCBs does not increase BMIs whereas the results obtained for DDE are mixed; most relevant studies in animal models do not show any effects of these chemicals (in utero) on BMI values in offspring. It should also be noted that time-dependent diet/environmental-induced changes in microbiota also influence human diseases including obesity. Until this important contribution to human health and obesity is understood and corrected for, it may be premature to carry out extensive epidemiological studies on the effects of in utero exposure to EDCs on offspring.
Update on flow diverters for the endovascular management of cerebral aneurysms

Flow diversion has become a well-accepted option for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Given the significant treatment effect of flow diverters, numerous options have emerged since the initial Pipeline embolization device studies. In this review, the authors describe the available flow diverters, both endoluminal and intrasaccular, addressing nuances of device design and function and presenting data on complications and outcomes, where available. They also discuss possible future directions of flow diversion.
Quantum Computation and Quantum Coherence in Mesoscopic Josephson Junctions

Macroscopic quantum dynamics of Josephson junctions hasattracted recently renewed interest in the context of quantumcomputation. Quantum coherence of the charge states in asingle-Cooper-pair box or the flux states in an rf SQUID canbe used to create charge and flux qubits for quantumcomputation. The aim of this paper is to give a briefintroduction to the basic concepts of quantum computation withJosephson junctions and to discuss the theory of quantumcoherence in the rf-stimulated macroscopic resonanttunneling of flux in SQUID's. The results for resonant fluxtunneling show that the quantum coherent flux oscillationsshould lead to splitting of resonant tunneling peaks,indicating that the resonant tunneling can be a convenienttool for studying macroscopic quantum coherence of flux.
Pathological Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires a multidisciplinary approach which relies heavily on pathology to subclassify the disease as ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD), grade inflammatory activity, and assess for the presence of dysplasia. Despite the increasing use of molecular approaches by the modern pathologist, diagnosis and evaluation of IBD is achieved principally through microscopic examination of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained tissue and gross examination of surgically resected specimens. However, as our understanding of IBD increases, there is likely to be an ever-increasing role of genetics in the IBD diagnosis and assessment. In this chapter, pathological diagnosis of IBD and how genetics may play an increasingly important role in IBD diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
Abstract LB-289: Computational detection of oncogene‐centric pathway members

Elucidation of the full complement of members of oncogenic signaling pathways is critical for understanding dysregulated function in cancers. Our knowledge of experimentally verified human gene-regulatory networks and protein-protein interactions remains incomplete, thus limiting their use for predicting novel members of these critical pathways. We present a method that uses a machine learning approach to predict novel members of these aberrantly activated or inactivated pathways. We integrate predictions of protein-protein interactions, gene regulatory networks, post-translational modifications and co-segregation of mutational status and protein activity. This approach produces novel predictions for these pathways. For the Kras and EGFR pathway, these predictions are highly enriched for genes known to by synthetic lethal for these two pathways. Knockdown of top candidates derived from this approach decreased growth in a Kras-activated context, indicating their importance in Kras regulated pathways. Citation Format: Joshua Broyde, David Simpson, Diana Murray, Alexander Lachmann, Federico M. Giorgi, Barry Honig, Alejandro E. Sweet-Cordero, Andrea Califano. Computational detection of oncogene‐centric pathway members [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-289. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-289
Guest Controlled Nonmonotonic Deep Cavity Cavitand Assembly State Switching.

Octa-acid (OA) and tetra-endo-methyl octa-acid (TEMOA) are water-soluble, deep-cavity cavitands with nanometer-sized nonpolar pockets that readily bind complementary guests, such as n-alkanes. Experimentally, OA exhibits a progression of 1:1 to 2:2 to 2:1 host/guest complexes (X:Y where X is the number of hosts and Y is the number of guests) with increasing alkane chain length from methane to tetradecane. Differing from OA only by the addition of four methyl groups ringing the portal of the pocket, TEMOA exhibits a nonmonotonic progression of assembly states from 1:1 to 2:2 to 1:1 to 2:1 with increasing guest length. Here we present a systematic molecular simulation study to parse the molecular and thermodynamic determinants that distinguish the succession of assembly stoichiometries observed for these similar hosts. Potentials of mean force between hosts and guests, determined via umbrella sampling, are used to characterize association free energies. These free energies are subsequently used in a reactio...
Isolation and Demembranation of Xenopus Sperm Nuclei

The inherent experimental advantages of intact amphibian eggs have been exploited for several decades to advance our understanding of fundamental developmental processes and the cell cycle. Characterization of these processes at the molecular level has been greatly advanced by the use of cell-free extracts, which permit the development of biochemically tractable approaches. Demembranated Xenopus laevis sperm nuclei have been used with cell-free extracts to recapitulate cell cycle progression and to control the cell cycle state of the egg extract. This system has become an invaluable and widely used tool for studies of cell cycle regulation and many downstream events. Here, we describe a protocol, derived in part from other published protocols and modified over time, for the preparation of Xenopus sperm nuclei that can be used in a variety of in vitro assays.
Approaches to shared decision-making for PSA screening in primary care practice.

33Background: In April 2017, the United States Preventive Services Task Force published a draft statement recommending that clinicians inform men ages 55 to 65 about the potential benefits and harms of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer. The HIT-OVERUSE study is an ongoing 2 year group randomized study in 20 primary care practices to test a practice-based intervention to reduce overuse, including avoidance of routine PSA screening without shared decision making. The purpose of this report is to present qualitative findings about approaches participating practices have adopted to facilitate shared decision-making for PSA screening. Methods: Eleven practices in ten states randomized to the HIT-OVERUSE intervention group have hosted on-site visits for academic detailing and participatory planning and sent two practice representatives to a one day meeting to share ‘best practices.’ Detailed notes from site visits, follow-up emails, and the ‘best practice’ meeting were reviewed...
Are code examples on an online Q&A forum reliable?: a study of API misuse on stack overflow

Programmers often consult an online Q&A forum such as Stack Overflow to learn new APIs. This paper presents an empirical study on the prevalence and severity of API misuse on Stack Overflow. To reduce manual assessment effort, we design ExampleCheck, an API usage mining framework that extracts patterns from over 380K Java repositories on GitHub and subsequently reports potential API usage violations in Stack Overflow posts. We analyze 217,818 Stack Overflow posts using ExampleCheck and find that 31% may have potential API usage violations that could produce unexpected behavior such as program crashes and resource leaks. Such API misuse is caused by three main reasons---missing control constructs, missing or incorrect order of API calls, and incorrect guard conditions. Even the posts that are accepted as correct answers or upvoted by other programmers are not necessarily more reliable than other posts in terms of API misuse. This study result calls for a new approach to augment Stack Overflow with alternative API usage details that are not typically shown in curated examples.
Measurement of glut-1 expression using tissue microarrays to determine a race specific prognostic marker for breast cancer.

Background. African-American women (AAW) have more adverse tumor characteristics than non-African American women (non-AAW) and there is a need for a specific predictive marker for AAW recurrence. Tumors with higher grade and proliferative activity are associated with overexpression of the glucose transporter (Glut-1). An examination of Glut-1 expression relative to recurrence and no recurrence was conducted on both groups to determine if it predicts prognosis and could predict a race specific prognosis. Methods. A breast cancer data set containing clinical information including race and biological characteristics was generated between 1991 and 1996. Tissue samples were selected from this group with similar characteristics in both racial groups for a retrospective analysis of Glut-1 expression using tissue microarrays (TMAs). Mean Glut-1 expression for intensity and percent of tumor cells staining was determined using standard immunohistochemistry. Results. Clinical and biological differences were noted in the original data set between AAW and non-AAW. No significant difference between races was noted in mean Glut-1 values using a subset which had similar characteristics. The mean Glut-1 did not predict recurrence but a rounded score did indicate that higher levels of Glut-1 expression was indicative of a lower disease free survival (p = 0.063). The actual average mean for AAW with no recurrence was significantly lower than any other group (p = 0.04). Conclusions. TMA analysis for Glut-1 expression may be useful to predict disease free survival but it does not predict race specific recurrence.
How Communicating Misleading Information Dilutes Public Understanding of Weight Loss Mechanisms

ABSTRACTThe biomedical literature describes clearly the direct mechanisms influencing weight gain, but broader public discourse on the subject is rife with misleading claims about the factors that ...
Dynamic optimization of a district energy system with storage using a novel mixed-integer quadratic programming algorithm

As more renewable energy is integrated into the power grid, it is increasingly important to exploit variable electricity pricing structures to minimize commercial utility costs and enable more intermittent renewables on the grid through proactive management of energy storage. Using data from a large campus district energy system, equipped with centralized chilled water plants and a thermal energy storage tank, a novel technique is proposed to optimize this system in real-time, formulated as a mixed-integer quadratic programming problem. This method, titled Quadratic Programming Hybrid with Augmented Constraints, is sufficiently fast to be computed in real-time for a district chiller system. This method is compared to both Branch and Bound and a simple logical decision algorithm in both speed and optimality. The proposed method for solving this mixed-integer quadratic programming problem proves very successful at achieving a near-optimal solution when compared to a standard Branch and Bound (BnB) algorithm. Although suboptimal, the proposed algorithm takes 99.96–99.99% less computational time than the standard BnB and computes an answer to within 29.9% of the BnB objective function. When compared to a simple logical decision algorithm, which represents an operator manually controlling the plant, the proposed method is estimated to yield 8.10–33.7% in savings on chiller energy costs. The Quadratic Programming Hybrid with Augmented Constraints algorithm shows potential for use in a real-time optimization application to exploit variable electricity pricing and significantly reduce the costs of running a chiller plant with thermal energy storage.
A phase I randomized safety study of a single-size silicone rubber diaphragm used with or without a lactic-acid-containing diaphragm gel.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate a lactic-acid-containing diaphragm gel (Contragel®) approved outside the United States for use with a silicone rubber diaphragm (Caya®). The study gel is being evaluated as a safer alternative to nonoxynol-9 (N-9) gel, which has been associated with risk of increasing susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Study design This was a Phase I randomized, parallel study evaluating the safety of the novel diaphragm gel versus hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) universal placebo gel delivered by the study diaphragm for two 7-day test cycles of daily use, without and with intercourse. The primary clinical safety endpoint was treatment emergent adverse events. Mucosal safety endpoints included colposcopic findings, anti-Escherichia coli activity of endocervical and vaginal fluid, immune mediators, Nugent score and ectocervical immune cell density. Endpoints were assessed prior to each test cycle and at day 7 of each test cycle. We compared the two independent groups and also evaluated paired changes from baseline in each gel cohort. Results Twenty-three participants used the study diaphragm with the novel gel (n=11) or with HEC (n=12). Use of either gel resulted in few genital AEs and no colposcopic findings. There were no differences in ectocervical histology and lymphocyte density or phenotype between the two cohorts at baseline or after each test cycle. We found no clinically important differences in the anti-microbial (anti Escherichia coli) activity of endocervical or vaginal fluid or concentrations of genital immune mediators (e.g. anti-inflammatory secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) or pro-inflammatory mediator RANTES) between the two gel cohorts at any visit. There were no important paired changes from baseline among participants using either gel in Nugent score, ectocervical histology or anti-microbial activity of genital secretions. Conclusions We found no clinically significant differences in clinical and mucosal safety endpoints between the two cohorts. The mucosal safety profiles of the study gel and HEC placebo gel were similar. Implications Our data demonstrate no clinically important differences between the safety profiles of the lactic-acid-containing diaphragm gel versus HEC placebo gel when used with the study diaphragm. N-9 can no longer be used with contraceptive diaphragms in high HIV prevalence regions. Although larger studies are needed, the novel gel appears safe for use with the study diaphragm, which is the first over-the-counter, non-hormonal, diaphragm.
Black Lives Matter: Fashion, Liberation, and the Fight for Freedom – Finding Space in the Curriculum for Black Voices Through Counter-Storytelling

Through counter story-telling, we outlined one Black male student’s experience in an apparel program, to give voice to his experience, and how his leadership ignited a highly-successfully, activist-related course in our apparel curriculum titled AESHM 499 Black Lives Matter: Fashion, Liberation, and the Fight for Freedom. We provide an overview of the course and the student learning outcomes, which are centered around the tenets of critical race theory (CRT). In this course, we created space for students to learn about Black identity, dress, politics, and activism in a predominantly white institution. CRT is a lens to think through race, racism, social power, and inequality. It is a way to center Black voices and Black experiences. In this course, all of the readings, assignments, and discussions about appearance, identity, and the body focused on Black identities giving much needed space in the apparel curriculum to these topics.
Assessment of skills needed in entry-level urban foresters in the USA

Abstract Urban forestry is an interdisciplinary field of science and a profession that directly manages green infrastructure. There are many significant benefits to a properly managed urban forest resource, managers need to be appropriately prepared to successfully manage their resources. We conducted a mixed-mode survey that asked employers what skills they were looking for when they hired entry-level urban foresters and if recent hires possessed these skills. The survey was mailed to municipal urban forest managers at the top 200 most populous cities in the United States and was available online as a snowball survey. Most of the skill ratings for entry-level urban foresters in this study were positive. It appears that academic programs are meeting much of the needs for entry-level urban foresters as important-performance analysis found that employers felt most of the urban forestry, arboriculture, & forestry skills were being adequately met. Yet there was room for improvement in skills such as site plan review, project management, conflict resolution and community outreach. Interestingly, accredited degree programs were not valued in this survey, while some professional certifications and licenses were valued.
A Mixed Methods Examination of MSW Student Satisfaction With Integrated Behavioral Health Field Placements

Social workers must be prepared to work effectively within systems that attempt to maximize coordination where integrated behavioral health care is provided. Current students are the profession’s pipeline to the behavioral health workforce. If social work students are dissatisfied with the training they receive in integrated health care settings, they may be deterred from interprofessional collaborative practice. This study examined MSW students’ satisfaction with integrated behavioral health field placement experiences. Thirty-three students completed an online survey that asked about factors associated with field placement satisfaction, and nine of these students participated in two focus groups to explore other aspects of the field setting that influenced satisfaction. Survey results revealed that as role ambiguity increased, student satisfaction decreased. Focus group findings uncovered that the profession’s influence within the field setting and the presence of support by professionals from other disciplines promoted students’ satisfaction. These results suggest that educators should help students develop skills in tolerating role ambiguity and asking for role clarification as part of supervision when placements are in these settings. MSW faculty and field education directors may want to collaborate with integrated behavioral health providers to assess organizational climate and identify ways to foster inclusive interprofessional collaborative practices and a culture of cross-profession respect.
Rules, Rulings, and Repeals: The Shifting State of Climate Policy at U.S. EPA

This chapter traces the evolution of EPA climate policy over the course of three presidential administrations – those of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. It examines the Bush administration’s thwarted attempt to avoid issuing any limits on greenhouse gas emissions, the Obama administration’s mostly successful endeavor to establish such standards for the most significant emissions sources, and the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to undermine those Obama-era achievements. The chapter also explores the role of Supreme Court decisions in supporting, obstructing, and shaping each administration’s plans.
Electrical synapse asymmetry results from, and masks, neuronal heterogeneity

Electrical synapses couple inhibitory neurons across the brain, underlying a variety of functions that are modifiable by activity. Despite recent advances, many basic functions and contributions of electrical synapses within neural circuitry remain underappreciated. Among these is the source and impact of electrical synapse asymmetry. Using multi-compartmental models of neurons coupled through dendritic electrical synapses, we investigated intrinsic factors that contribute to synaptic asymmetry and that result in modulation of spike time between coupled cells. We show that electrical synapse location along a dendrite, input resistance, internal dendritic resistance, or directional conduction of the electrical synapse itself each alter asymmetry as measured by coupling between cell somas. Conversely, true synapse asymmetry can be masked by each of these properties. Furthermore, we show that asymmetry alters the spiking timing and latency of coupled cells by up to tens of milliseconds, depending on direction of conduction or dendritic location of the electrical synapse. These simulations illustrate that causes of asymmetry are multifactorial, may not be apparent in somatic measurements of electrical coupling, influence dendritic processing, and produce a variety of outcomes on spike timing of coupled cells. Our findings highlight aspects of electrical synapses that should be considered in experimental demonstrations of coupling, and when assembling networks containing electrical synapses.
Influence of intraoperative closed glove exchange on glove contamination during clean soft tissue surgeries.

OBJECTIVES To determine the influence of intraoperative glove exchange on glove contamination during clean soft tissue surgery. STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical study. SAMPLE POPULATION Two hundred pairs of gloves and gowns from 50 clean soft tissue surgeries. METHODS Gloves and gown cuffs were cultured from the primary surgeon and first assistant using a standardized protocol. Cultures were taken from outer surface of both gown cuffs prior to surgery and after gloves were removed at the end of surgery; gloves were cultured prior to surgery, at end of surgery and after a new pair was donned after closed glove exchange. Cultures were evaluated for colony-forming units after 72 h of inoculation. RESULTS Bacterial contamination was documented in 41 of the 50 surgeries (82%). The most common species cultured was Streptocococcus spp. There was no difference (p = .719) in the bacterial contamination rate of gown cuffs prior to surgery (10%; 20/200) compared to after surgery (9.5%; 19/200). The bacterial contamination rate for gloves was 10.5% (21/200) prior to surgery, 19.5% (39/196) after surgery, and 11% (22/200) after regloving. Gloves cultured following surgery were significantly more contaminated than gloves cultured preoperatively (p = .010) or gloves cultured following regloving (p = .018). CONCLUSION Glove exchange did not increase bacterial contamination of gloves during the clean soft tissue surgeries tested here. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The outside of the gown cuff does not seem to represent a major source of contamination during clean procedures. This study does not provide evidence to support a change in current practices for intraoperative closed glove exchange.
Catalytic differences between porcine blastocyst and placental aromatase isozymes

Two isozymes of porcine aromatase, the placental and the blastocyst forms, were expressed in CHO cells using the mammalian cell transfection method. Using an 'in-cell' assay (a 3H-water release method), catalytic parameters of the porcine placental aromatase were found to be very similar to those of the human enzyme; however, the activity of the blastocyst isozyme was found to be one-thirtieth that of the placental isozyme. Product isolation assay (using testosterone as the substrate) revealed that the major steroid products were 17beta-estradiol and 19-nortestosterone. The product ratio of estradiol/19-nortestosterone was found to be 94 : 6 for the porcine placental form, 6 : 94 for the porcine blastocyst form, and 92 : 8 for the human wild-type aromatase. Therefore, the porcine blastocyst aromatase isozyme catalyzes mainly androgen 19-desmethylation rather than aromatization. In addition, inhibition profile analyses on the placental and blastocyst isozymes were performed using three steroidal inhibitors [4-hydroxyandro-stenedione (4-OHA), 7alpha-(4'-amino)phenylthio-1, 4-androstandiene-3,17-dione (7alpha-APTADD), and bridge (2, 19-methyleneoxy) androstene-3,17-dione (MDL 101,003)], and four nonsteroidal inhibitors [aminoglutethimide (AG), CGS 20267, ICI D1033, and vorozole (R83842)]. While the two isozymes of porcine aromatase share 93% amino-acid sequence identity, our results indicate that the two porcine aromatase isozymes have distinct responses to various aromatase inhibitors.
Aromatic metabolism in plants—IV.

Abstract The interconversion of shikimic and quinic acids has been demonstrated with enzymes from cell suspension cultures of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.). The enzymes were extracted after disruption of the cells by sonic oscillation. Spectrophotometric assays of the extracts demonstrated the presence of quinate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.24), dehydroquinate dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.10) and shikimate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.25). The products were identified by gas-liquid chromatography. The results showed that 5-dehydroquinate and 5-dehydroshikimate were intermediates.
Modern Machines: Patronage, Information, and Incumbency in Local Elections

That incumbents are highly likely to win reelection is a well established pattern at all levels of government in the United States. Scholars have debated the degree to which incumbents are advantaged as a result of selection, responsiveness to voters, or institutional insulation. Research has suffered from endogeneity at the state and federal levels, and at the local level little research exists. This paper begins to address these problems. First, I lay out a theoretical framework for distinguishing between systems in which responsiveness is encouraged versus systems in which incumbents can be reelected without regard to their effectiveness as representatives. I refer to this as the contestability of the political arena. Contestability is measured by the degree to which constituents' information about governmental performance or available alternatives is limited, the degree to which the entry, exit, or behavior of candidates or voters is restricted, and the degree to which incumbents' control over government seats is insulated from their vote share. Then I turn to an empirical analysis of the incumbency advantage in municipal elections. I employ a regression discontinuity design to show that selection effects can not wholly explain the incumbency advantage. Then I provide evidence that low-information elections and large patronage workforces increase the proportion of incumbents who run for reelection and the proportion who win. Finally, I show that spending is disconnected from demographic change in cities with low-information environments.
Quantum criticality in the two-dimensional dissipative quantum XY model

Earlier Monte Carlo calculations on the dissipative two-dimensional XY model are extended in several directions. We study the phase diagram and the correlation functions when dissipation is very small, where it has properties of the classical 3D-XY transition, i.e., one with a dynamical critical exponent $z=1$. The transition changes from $z=1$ to the class of criticality with $z\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ driven by topological defects, discovered earlier, beyond a critical dissipation. We also find that the critical correlations have power-law singularities as a function of tuning the ratio of the kinetic energy to the potential energy for fixed large dissipation, as opposed to essential singularities on tuning dissipation keeping the former fixed. A phase with temporal disorder but spatial order of the Kosterlitz-Thouless form is also further investigated. We also present results for the transition when the allowed Caldeira-Leggett form of dissipation and the allowed form of dissipation coupling to the compact rotor variables are both included. The nature of the transition is then determined by the Caldeira-Leggett form.
The Use of Ozone Modeling in the Design of Control Strategies

Abstract Two urban scale photochemical models have been approved for use in regulatory applications in the United States (US). These models are the Urban Airshed Model (UAM) and the Empirical Kinetics Modeling Approach (EKMA). Essential features of each are outlined. Use of the models to estimate reductions in precursors needed to reach the US ambient air quality standard for ozone is illustrated. In addition, use of the models to select most effective ways to reduce ozone for a given level of resources is illustrated.
The Preparation of Thiazoles

Thiazoles have become increasingly important in pharmaceutical, biochemical and technical fields. Commercially important compounds that contain the thiazole ring are the mercaptothiazoles, which are valuable as rubber accelerators, and for penicillins and thiamin, for example. Certain thiazole derivatives show great promise as intermediates in the synthesis of amino acids. This chapter summarizes information on the methods of preparation of the thiazoles, but is restricted to those in which the thiazole ring is not part of a condensed system. Keywords: thiazoles; halo carbonyl compounds; ammonium dithiocarbamate; thioamides; thiocyano ketones; phosphorus pentasulfide; acylamino carbonyl compounds; experimental conditions
Anopheles gambiae corazonin: gene structure, expression and effect on mosquito heart physiology.

Haemolymph flow in mosquitoes is primarily driven by the contraction of a dorsal vessel that is subdivided into an abdominal heart and a thoracic aorta. The factors that regulate mosquito heart contractions are not understood, but in other insects heart physiology is partially controlled by several neurohormones. One of these is corazonin, a neuropeptide initially discovered because of its cardioacceleratory activity in the cockroach Periplaneta americana. In the present study, we describe the corazonin gene and transcript structure in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae, characterize its developmental expression, and test its role in modulating heart physiology. We show that the A. gambiae corazonin gene encodes the most common form of the corazonin peptide ([Arg7]-corazonin) and that it is alternatively spliced, with the only difference between the transcripts occurring in the 5′ untranslated region. Analysis of the developmental expression of corazonin and the corazonin receptor revealed that transcription of both follows a bimodal distribution, with highest mRNA levels in 2nd instar larvae and during the pupa to adult transition. Finally, experiments where mosquitoes were injected with various doses of corazonin and experiments where the transcription of corazonin and the corazonin receptor were reduced by RNA interference failed to detect a significant role for this neuropeptide in modulating mosquito heart physiology.
Distribution of the Sites of Alkaline Phosphatase(s) Activity in Vegetative Cells of Bacillus subtilis

Sites of alkaline phosphatase activity have been located by an electron microscopic histochemical (Gomori) technique in vegetative cells of a repressible strain SB15 of Bacillus subtilis, derepressed and repressed by inorganic phosphate, and in a mutant SB1004 which forms alkaline phosphatase in a medium high in phosphate. The sites of enzyme activity were revealed as discrete, dense, and largely spherical bodies of varying sizes (20 to 150 nm). Cells of both repressible and repression-resistant strains acted on a wide variety of phosphate esters (p-nitrophenylphosphate, beta-glycerophosphate, adenosine-5'-phosphate, glucose-6-phosphate, glucose-l-phosphate, adenosine triphosphate, and sodium pyrophosphate) to produce inorganic phosphorus under conditions of alkaline phosphatase assay [0.05 m tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer (pH 8.4) containing 2 mm MgCl(2)]. The purified alkaline phosphatase also acted on all these esters, although much less effectively on adenosine triphosphate and sodium pyrophosphate than did the cells. Comparison of the relative utilization of the various substrates by repressed and derepressed cells and purified enzyme suggested the presence of multiple enzymes in the cells. Thus, the cytochemical method of trapping the newly generated inorganic phosphorus determines the location of an alkaline phosphatase of broad substrate profile, and in addition locates the sites of other enzymes generating inorganic phosphorus under identical conditions of assay. It is intriguing that all of these enzymes usually exist in a few clusters attached to the peripheral plasma membrane. In addition to this predominant location, there were a few sites of enzyme activity in the cytoplasm unattached to any discernible structure, and also in the cell wall of the repression-resistant and of the derepressed, repressible strains.
On the construction of Szego polynomials

Abstract The Chebyshev and Stieltjes procedures are algorithms for computing recursion coefficients for polynomials that are orthogonal with respect to an inner product defined on (part of) the real axis. The Chebyshev procedure is an implementation of a map from moments to recursion coefficients of orthogonal polynomials. The modified Chebyshev procedure is an implementation of a map from modified moments to recursion coefficients. The latter map is generally much better conditioned than the former one. The conditioning of these maps has been studied by Gautschi. This paper is concerned with analogues of the Chebyshev and Stieltjes procedures when the inner product is defined on the unit circle. Polynomials orthogonal with respect to such an inner product are known as Szegő polynomials, and the analogue of the Chebyshev procedure is known as Schur's algorithm. This algorithm implements a map from moments to recursion coefficients for Szegő polynomials. Our analysis shows that this map generally is much better conditioned than the map implemented by the Chebyshev procedure, and suggests that Schur's algorithm is as insensitive to errors in the data as the modified Chebyshev procedure. Thus, roughly, moments associated with inner products defined on the unit circle correspond to modified moments associated with inner products defined on the real axis.
Media Pressure on Foreign Policy: The Evolving Theoretical Framework, by Derek Miller

Derek Miller's examination of media coverage of the 1991 Iraq Civil War and its aftermath is a recent addition to the literature seeking to establish exactly what is the nature of media pressure on...
A Formulation and Numerical Scheme for Fractional Optimal Control of Cylindrical Structures Subjected to General Initial Conditions

A general formulation and numerical scheme for Fractional Optimal Control (FOC) of cylindrical structures are presented in this chapter. Examples of solid cylinder and hollow cylinder with axial symmetry are discussed to demonstrate the method. The fractional derivatives (FDs) are expressed in the form of Caputo derivatives. The performance index of the FOC problem is considered as a function of both the state and the control variables, and the dynamic constraint is expressed by a partial fractional differential equation. The method of separation of variables is employed to find the solution of the problem, and the eigenfunction approach is used to decouple the equations. Convergence studies are conducted to determine the number of eigenfunctions in the radial and axial directions. The results also converge as the time step decreases. Various orders of FDs are analyzed and the numerical results converge toward the analytical solutions as the order of derivative goes toward the integer value of 1, and therefore verifies the numerical scheme. Parameter studies of problems with different initial conditions indicate that the method applies to systems that are subjected to general initial conditions.
Countering non-lethal information warfare: lessons learned on foiling the Information Superhighwayman of the North American public switched telephone network

The United States relies for its very existence-economically, socially, and politically-on an extraordinary sophisticated and intricate set of long distance networks for energy distribution, communication, and transportation. In addition to their serious vulnerabilities to accidents and nature, these networks present a tempting target to terrorists and to any antagonist contemplating an international move contrary to US interests. While warnings such as the one cited above predicted potentially catastrophic consequences, the fragility of today's global networks of computer based systems, used to business process reengineer America's industrial and military infrastructure into lanes on the information superhighway, together with concerns over information warfare, are taking front burner attention on the agenda's of military and civilian agencies within the United States. The paper describes and helps to further set the stage for the establishment and realization of a defensive information warfare security baseline architecture for the NII information superhighway and its global partners and components throughout their lifecycle, from research and development to deployment and beyond.
A solid state 13C-NMR study of diamonds and graphites

Abstract The 13C-NMR spectra of gem quality and industrial diamonds show two resonances with the more intense resonance at high field. Two resonances are also shown in 13C-NMR spectra of various graphites; however, the low field resonance is of greater intensity than the high field resonance in the graphites. The resonances are very broad and they are assigned to graphite type (sp2) carbon and diamond type (sp3) carbon.
Bartholin's gland carcinoma: a 15-year experience.

Abstract Objective. Our objective was to review our experience with carcinoma of Bartholin's gland relative to treatment and oncologic outcome. Methods. Patient names were collected from our vulvar cancer database for the period September 1985 to September 2000. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and data were abstracted relative to demographics, presenting symptoms, treatment, and oncologic outcome. Results. We treated 12 women with Bartholin's gland carcinoma, and 11 patients are reported. Seven women presented with a painless vulvar mass, and 8 of 11 had initially been treated for an infectious process before referral to our institution. Squamous histology was most common, and the right gland was more frequently involved. Ten patients were treated with primary surgery, followed by adjuvant radiation in 7 for inadequate resection margins or lymphatic metastases. One patient was treated with primary chemoradiation. Stage I, II, III, IVA, and IVB disease was present in 3, 1, 4, 2, and 1 patient, respectively. Recurrence was suffered by 54.5% during a mean follow-up time of 73.5 months (median, 60; range, 8–180 months). Overall survival is 58.3% to date. Conclusions. Conventional therapy for Bartholin's gland carcinoma yielded a 67% 5-year survival. Seventy-one percent of women receiving adjuvant radiotherapy recurred despite this precaution. Work is needed to identify an effective systemic therapy and to better determine which patients may benefit from pelvic radiotherapy.
An experimental method for determining the effects of strain gradients in a granular material

The paper presents an algorithm for use with the discrete element method to study possible strain-gradient effects in granular materials. The algorithm produces an intentionally non-uniform displacement pattern by applying external (body) forces to the particles within a simulated granular assembly. The paper describes a method for adjusting the external forces to attain the intended gross displacement pattern, but while allowing individual particles to be in equilibrium among neighbouring particles. The performance of the algorithm is tested in an example of quasi-static deformation, and the algorithm's performance is measured in three respects. The algorithm is shown to enforce the intended displacement pattern, to allow particles to equilibrate among neighbouring particles, and to produce a smooth distribution of the external forces among particles. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Role of sea ice in 2×CO2 climate model sensitivity: Part II: Hemispheric dependencies

How sensitive are doubled CO2 simulations to GCM control-run sea ice thickness and extent? This issue is examined in a series of 10 control-run simulations with different sea ice and corresponding doubled CO2 simulations. Results show that with increased control-run sea ice coverage in the Southern Hemisphere, temperature sensitivity with climate change is enhanced, while there is little effect on temperature sensitivity of (reasonable) variations in control-run sea ice thickness. In the Northern Hemisphere the situation is reversed: sea ice thickness is the key parameter, while (reasonable) variations in control-run sea ice coverage are of less importance. In both cases, the quantity of sea ice that can be removed in the warmer climate is the determining factor. Overall, the Southern Hemisphere sea ice coverage change had a larger impact on global temperature, because Northern Hemisphere sea ice was sufficiently thick to limit its response to doubled CO2, and sea ice changes generally occurred at higher latitudes, reducing the sea ice-albedo feedback. In both these experiments and earlier ones in which sea ice was not allowed to change, the model displayed a sensitivity of ∼0.02°C global warming per percent change in Southern Hemisphere sea ice coverage.
Cell and molecular mechanics of biological materials

Living cells can sense mechanical forces and convert them into biological responses. Similarly, biological and biochemical signals are known to influence the abilities of cells to sense, generate and bear mechanical forces. Studies into the mechanics of single cells, subcellular components and biological molecules have rapidly evolved during the past decade with significant implications for biotechnology and human health. This progress has been facilitated by new capabilities for measuring forces and displacements with piconewton and nanometre resolutions, respectively, and by improvements in bio-imaging. Details of mechanical, chemical and biological interactions in cells remain elusive. However, the mechanical deformation of proteins and nucleic acids may provide key insights for understanding the changes in cellular structure, response and function under force, and offer new opportunities for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. This review discusses some basic features of the deformation of single cells and biomolecules, and examines opportunities for further research.