cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulsed Low Dose Intravenous Melphalan in Patients with AL Amyloidosis, Ineligible for Aggressive Treatment with High-Dose Melphalan and Stem Cell Transplantation.

Abstract AL amyloidosis is caused by a clonal plasma cell dyscrasia and characterized by widespread, progressive deposition of Amyloid fibrils derived from monoclonal Ig light chains, leading to multisystem organ failure and death. Aggressive treatment of AL amyloidosis with high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplant (HDM/SCT) can induce hematologic and clinical remissions and extend survival. However, not all patients are able to tolerate HDM/SCT, particularly those with severe multisystem disease. Consequently, we investigated an alternative treatment regimen consisting of pulsed low-dose intravenous melphalan (LDM) for a series of patients considered ineligible for HDM/SCT because of severe cardiac involvement and poor performance status. LDM was administered at 17.5–25 mg/m2 every 4–6 weeks for 3–4 cycles depending upon patients' clinical condition, renal function and performance status. Growth factor support was used with each cycle, and the dose of melphalan was reduced by 20% for white blood cell counts 50% reduction in FLC levels, and 2 (20%) achieved normal FLC levels. One patient achieved a 20–25% reduction in the FLC, and 3 experienced no reduction. Of the15 patients treated, 2 patients survive 6 and 24 months after treatment, while 13 have died (median survival, 2 months; range, 0–10 months). Ten patients (67%) died within 35 days of initiating treatment. Transient myelosuppression was the major treatment-related toxicity with neutrophil and platelet nadirs occurring 12–16 days after melphalan infusions. There was 1 death from sepsis during treatment-induced myelosuppression. In summary, pulsed low-dose intravenous melphalan (LDM) was found to induce hematologic responses in most patients who could be evaluated. However, extended survival ≥ 2 years was observed in only 1 of the 15 patients with severe amyloidosis who were studied. Nonetheless, this regimen may benefit healthier patients, particularly those with less severe cardiac involvement, who are otherwise ineligible or unable to receive HDM/SCT.
JOURNAL CLUB: Predictors of Provider Response to Clinical Decision Support: Lessons Learned From the Medicare Imaging Demonstration.

OBJECTIVE. The efficacy of imaging clinical decision support (CDS) varies. Our objective was to identify CDS factors contributing to imaging order cancellation or modification. SUBJECTS AND METHODS...
The Process of Intervention with Multiproblem Families: Theoretical and Practical Guidelines

The literature review defines the characteristics of the multiproblem family. A discussion of the widespread effects of economic deprivation, lack of social networks, social skills deficits, deviance, crime, and violence in the family are reviewed. Theories and interventions currently aimed at assisting multiproblem families that are evaluated and an ecological-systems approach to case management is proposed to comprehensively handle the various needs of these troubled families.
Genetic variation within and among populations of fairy shrimp, Streptocephalus texanus, from southeastern Utah

Abstract To estimate levels of gene flow over short distances (less than a few kilometers) in the fairy shrimp, Streptocephalus texanus, mitochondrial DNA sequences (part of the cytochrome oxidase locus) were examined in 98 individuals from 13 populations near Moab, Utah. Populations were arranged linearly along two transects on slickrock ridges, and one isolated population about 2–3 km from the others. We found six haplotypes, differing from one another by 1 to 23 nucleotides. Nucleotide diversity among the nine populations from the MiVida ridge was 0.0019 with no isolation by distance. The three populations from the Sand Flat ridge were fixed for the same haplotype, not found in other populations. The isolated population (loop B pool) contained two haplotypes, one of which was very different from others in the study. The general pattern was little differentiation among populations separated by less than about 1 km, with more differentiation at greater distances. This is consistent with passive dispersal...
Current Trends in the Rate of Rectal Cancer Restorative Operations in the Era of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation

The following review addresses the relationship between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and the rate of restorative operations in patients with rectal cancer. The rate of restorative operations performed for rectal cancer has improved over the past several decades. The relationship between this increase and the addition of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy to the treatment regimen for locally advanced rectal cancer is still being defined. Improved rates of sphincter-sparing procedures between patients who receive preoperative chemoradiation compared to those who receive treatment postoperatively have not been supported in the literature. The patients who seem to benefit from neoadjuvant therapy in terms of sphincter preservation are those with distal tumors. Better tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and longer interval to surgical intervention appear to have little if any benefit to preserving the sphincter. Increased rates of restorative operations for rectal cancer seem to be most significant among distal tumors. The reasons for the increase are likely multifactorial and include improvements in patient selection, surgical technique, imaging modalities, and patient care. The role of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in this setting remains equivocal.
A chiral pool approach for asymmetric syntheses of both antipodes of equol and sativan

Abstract For the first time, both antipodes of the isoflavans, equol and sativan were synthesized in >98% ee with good overall yields starting from readily available starting materials. The chiral isoflavan, (−)-equol is produced from soy isoflavones, formonentin and daidzein by the action of intestinal bacteria in certain groups of population and other chiral isoflavans are reported from various phytochemical sources. To produce these chiral isoflavans in gram quantities, Evans' enantioselective aldol condensation was used as a chiral-inducing step to introduce the required chirality at the C-3 position. Addition of chiral boron-enolate to substituted benzaldehyde resulted in functionalized syn-aldol products with >90% yield and excellent diastereoselectivity. Functional group transformations followed by intramolecular Mitsunobu reaction and deprotection steps resulted the target compounds, S-(−)-equol and S-(+)-sativan, with high degree of enantiopurity. By simply switching the chiral auxiliary to (S)-4-benzyloxazolidin-2-one and following the same synthetic sequence the antipodes, R-(+)-equol and R-(−)-sativan were achieved. Both enantiomers are of interest from a clinical and pharmacological perspective and are currently being developed as nutraceutical and pharmacological agents. This flexible synthetic process lends itself quite readily to the enantioselective syntheses of other biologically active C-3 chiral isoflavans.
Correlated population differences in dry matter accumulation, allocation, and water-use efficiency in three sympatric conifer species

Populations of three sympatric conifer species, Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.), and western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.), were studied for growth, water-use efficiency, and dry matter allocation. Seedlings from seed collected from across the respective natural distributions were grown under two watering regimes. In addition, trees at age 12 for western larch and 20 for ponderosa pine were sampled from experimental plantings. Seedling growth was measured in terms of total dry matter, aboveground dry matter, height, diameter, and relative growth rate; tree growth in the field was measured in terms of height. Dry matter allocation was measured in terms of leaf weight ratio and root weight ratio. Water-use efficiency was measured in terms of biomass production per unit water loss and stable carbon isotope discrimination. Douglas-fir populations differed in all measured variables under both watering regimes (all P _< 0.04); correlations between measurements under well-watered and water-stressed conditions were high (0.69 _< r <_ 0.99). Ponderosa pine populations differed consistently in leaf weight ratio and root weight ratio (all P _< 0.02), less consistently in growth (0.00 < P _< 0.35); and only leaf weight ratio and height were significantly correlated between watering regimes (0.82 <_ r_< 0.85). Western larch populations differed inconsistently in dry matter allocation (0.01 _< P _< 0.15) and growth (0.00 < P _< 0.82); however, population differences in total dry matter, aboveground dry matter, relative growth rate, and leaf weight ratio were significantly correlated between watering regimes (0.56 _< r _< 0.75). Generally speaking, total dry matter was correlated with water-use efficiency (WUE) but not allocation in western larch, with allocation but not WUE in ponderosa pine, and with both allocation and WUE in Douglas-fir. Similarly, tree height was significantly correlated with carbon isotope discrimination (A) in Douglas-fir and in 12-yr-old trees of western larch, but not ponderosa pine. These results suggest that water-use efficiency correlated with growth much more consistently than dry matter allocation. The simplicity of measuring A and its stability in this and other studies lead us to suggest that carbon isotope discrimination may be used as a marker for selection and breeding programs to improve growth for Douglas-fir and western larch For. Sci. 42(2): 242-249. Additional
Tritium in Biochemical Studies

When a portion of a biochemically interesting compound, such as methyl or phenyl, etc., remains intact throughout the experiment, then the hydrogens attached to the carbons may serve as a label for the carbons, or for the ring system. In this way, a purine or pyrimidine ring, a steroid framework, the phenyl group of an aromatic amino acid, a portion of fatty acid, has been used, when suitably labeled with tritium, as a marker for the group in question. This was one of the important uses for deuterium in biochemical systems, as shown in the pioneering work of Schoenheimer, Rittenberg, and numerous other investigators. In the text by Kamen, Radioactive Tracers in Biology, there is a chapter listing compounds containing deuterium and references are given to some applications with these compounds. It is, thus, simply necessary to state that those examples using stably bound deuterium carry over exactly to the use of tritium in those positions.
Department of Homeland Security Websites Uncoupled: An Evaluation of Online Counterterrorism and Security Information across Agencies

The purpose of this paper is to describe the content focus and hyperlink structure of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) websites. This exploratory research is the first phase of a long-term effort to assess the degree to which information provided by DHS websites reflects the communication and information requirements of U.S. citizens. The present study uses content analysis and web link analysis methodologies to examine nine primary DHS websites. The findings reveal there are differences among the primary DHS agency websites in the use of hyperlinks and the coverage of national security topics.
Controllability Ensured Leader Group Selection on Signed Multiagent Networks

Leader–follower controllability on signed multiagent networks is investigated in this paper. Specifically, we consider a dynamic signed multiagent network, where the agents interact via neighbor-based Laplacian feedback and the network allows positive and negative edges to capture cooperative and competitive interactions among agents. The agents are classified as either leaders or followers, thus forming a leader–follower signed network. To enable full control of the leader–follower signed network, controllability ensured leader group selection approaches are investigated in this paper, that is, identifying a small subset of nodes in the signed network, such that the selected nodes are able to drive the network to a desired behavior, even in the presence of antagonistic interactions. In particular, graphical characterizations of the controllability of signed networks are first developed based on the investigation of the interaction between network topology and agent dynamics. Since signed path and cycle graphs are basic building blocks for a variety of networks, the developed topological characterizations are then exploited to develop leader selection methods for signed path and cycle graphs to ensure leader–follower controllability. Along with illustrative examples, heuristic algorithms are also developed showing how leader selection methods developed for path and cycle graphs can be potentially extended to more general signed networks. In contrast to existing results that mainly focus on unsigned networks, this paper characterizes controllability and develops leader selection methods for signed networks. In addition, the developed results are generic, in the sense that they are not only applicable to signed networks but also to unsigned networks, since unsigned networks are a particular case of signed networks that only contain positive edges.
Espoused cultural values as antecedents of individuals’ threat and coping appraisal toward protective information technologies: Study of U.S. and Ghana

Abstract Evidence of cyber activities in developing nations has renewed discourse on users’ intention to protect information in the global economy. We present a context theorization in which espoused individualism–collectivism and uncertainty avoidance are posited as antecedents to an individual’s threat and coping appraisal toward protecting information. We tested our model with data from the United States and Ghana, countries that generally differ on cultural values. Individualism–collectivism and uncertainty avoidance significantly affect threat and coping appraisals with uncertainty avoidance demonstrating slightly stronger effect. Path estimate comparisons between Ghana and the United States show significant differences for all of the structural paths.
Epoxy Resins for Vacuum Impregnating Superconducting Magnets: A Review and Tests of Key Properties

Epoxy impregnated superconducting magnets often have a long quench training and an uncertain performance. This is particularly an issue for Nb3Sn accelerator magnets planned for future high-energy proton colliders, which need thousands of such magnets. This paper reviews epoxies used in major Nb3Sn superconducting magnet systems, sorts them into three groups, and examines differences of their resistances to cracking when subjected to repeated thermal shocks and other key properties. The first group, including CTD-101K using which nearly all Nb3Sn accelerator magnets have been potted, is found to be brittle and prone to cracking. A second epoxy group is shown to have a much higher toughness. Their mechanical properties, potting characteristics, and glass transition temperatures were measured, compared, and discussed in terms of the potential uses of the second epoxy group for impregnating Nb3Sn accelerator magnets with a minimized training.
A Mathematical Model-based Metric of Spatial Disorientation for Use in Triggering Active Countermeasures:

Spatial disorientation (SD) is a leading cause of Class A mishaps in aviation. Ground-based SD training has been widely adopted, and resulted in measurable reductions of mishaps attributed to SD. H...
Methods for Target Enrichment Sequencing via Probe Capture in Legumes

Target enrichment sequencing (TES) is a powerful approach to deep-sequencing the exome or genomic regions of interest with great depth. Although successfully and widely adopted in many plant species, TES is currently applied for genotyping of only a couple legume species. Here we describe an in-solution probe capture based method for application of TES in legumes. The topics cover probe design, library preparation, probe hybridization, as well as bioinformatic analysis for evaluation of target capture efficiency and identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms using generated sequencing data.
High pressure ignition delay times of H2/CO mixture in carbon dioxide and argon diluent

Abstract Ignition Delay Time (IDT) plays a significant role in combustion process of advanced power cycles such as direct-fired supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) cycle. In this cycle, fuel and oxidizer are heavily diluted with carbon dioxide (CO2) and autoignite at a combustor inlet pressure range of 10–30 MPa and a temperature range of 900–1500 K. A fuel candidate for sCO2 power cycle applications is syngas (H2/CO mixture); however, its ignition properties at these conditions are not studied. Moreover, the existing chemical kinetics models have not been evaluated for H2/CO mixtures applications relevant to elevated pressure conditions and under large dilution levels of CO2. Therefore, two tasks are performed in this study. First, IDTs of a H2/CO=95:5 mixture at stoichiometric and rich (Φ=2) conditions are measured in a high-pressure shock tube under 95.5% CO2 dilution level and at 10 MPa and 20 MPa for a temperature range of 1161–1365 K. For the experimental conditions considered in this work, Aramco 2.0, FFCM-1, HP-Mech and USC Mech II kinetic models are capable of capturing IDT data. Second, similar experiments are conducted by replacing the CO2 dilute gas with Argon (Ar) to understand the chemical effect of CO2 on IDT globally. Sensitivity analysis results reveal that for both diluents, reaction H + O2(+M)=HO2(+M) is the most important reaction in controlling ignition. Further, a rate of production analysis shows that CO2 has a competing effect on OH radical production. On one hand, CO2 accelerates the consumption of H radicals through H + O2+CO2→HO2+CO2 therefore hindering HO2+H OH+OH reaction for OH production. On the other hand, CO2 is shown to enhance OH production through H2O2+M=OH+OH+M. These kinetic effects from CO2 cancel out, therefore CO2 does not significantly alter the IDT globally when compared to the Ar bath case. This is confirmed by both experimental results and simulation.
Venous Thromboembolic Disease in Children Associated with COVID-19

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children is rare and VTE in association with antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant, cardiolipin antibodies and beta-2 glycoprotein I) is even rarer. The development of these antibodies can be due to an acute infection or an autoimmune disease. Recently, these antibodies have been noted to be present in conjunction with SARS-CoV-2 in adult patients with VTE.We report 5 cases of VTE associated with presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in children over a short period during the coronavirus 19 pandemic. One child had SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive on nasopharyngeal swab while 2 had positive antibodies (IgM) to SARS-CoV-2. One adolescent female had features of Multi-Inflammatory System in Children (MIS-C) a few weeks before presenting with multiple pulmonary emboli and DVT. Thrombotic events included DVT of lower extremity (3 patients), multiple PE (2 patients), orbital vein thrombosis (1 patient) and upper extremity DVT (1 patient). Two of these patients had both DVT and PE. All patients had one or more antiphospholipid antibody present. Two adolescent females had new onset of systemic lupus erythematous. All patients were treated with systemic anticoagulation with heparin (initially with unfractionated heparin if clinically unstable and later changed to low molecular weight heparin).We report a cluster of adolescents with unusual thrombotic complications with antiphospholipid antibody positivity during the coronavirus 19 pandemic, 3 with positive virologic criteria, one with delayed presentation after MIS-C like features and one with close family member exposure. We hypothesize that VTE in children is likely due to development of antiphospholipid antibodies when associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
How changes in worldwide operating conditions affect solar cell performance

Abstract In field operation, solar cells are exposed to constantly changing operating conditions. These changing conditions have an impact on energy yield. Present-day yield predictions mostly use linear correction coefficients derived from lab experiments. These corrections neglect interactions between meteorological parameters like temperature and humidity. In this study, we reverse this approach by analyzing simulated solar cell performance under varying conditions worldwide. We use meteorological data measured between 2006 and 2015 to establish trends in the development of meteorological conditions and solar cell performance. From these two trends, we obtain linear correlation coefficients. The obtained implied temperature coefficient, on average, has a value of −0.52 ± 0.03%/K. This value is 15% higher than the tabulated temperature coefficient (−0.45%/K) used in the simulation, demonstrating the impact of coinciding meteorological factors. Light absorption due to elevated humidity levels is likely the strongest contributor to the deviation. One application of these findings is a projection of how today's crystalline silicon solar panels would perform due to rising temperature at the end of the 21st century. Using the established implied temperature coefficient, we project performance reductions of between 0.7% and 2.5%, depending on the warming scenario. The effect is reduced in higher efficient, upcoming photovoltaic technologies, providing further motivation to develop and improve these solar cells.
A Complex Systems Network Approach to Quantifying Peer Effects: Evidence From Ghanaian Preprimary Classrooms.

Research on classroom peer effects has focused nearly exclusively on high-income countries and on academic skills. Little is known about peer effects in low-income countries and whether effects differ under different educational environments (e.g., teacher-directed versus child-centered, conditions of concentrated advantage or disadvantage). Based on a data set of Ghanaian preprimary classrooms in the Greater Accra Region collected in the 2015-2016 school year, we use complex system networks with multilevel modeling to study the presence and magnitude of peer effects. Results corroborated small statistically significant effects on academic and nonacademic skills (d = .06-.10). Peer effects on literacy were larger for children in public schools, who are relatively more disadvantaged than their private school counterparts. Teacher-directivity intensity did not moderate peer effects.
Wide Genetic Diversity of Blastocystis in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Maryland, USA.

Blastocystis is a gastrointestinal protist frequently reported in humans and animals worldwide. Wildlife populations, including deer, may serve as reservoirs of parasitic diseases for both humans and domestic animals, either through direct contact or through contamination of food or water resources. However, no studies of the occurrence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in wildlife populations have been conducted in the United States. PCR and next generation amplicon sequencing were used to determine the occurrence and subtypes of Blastocystis in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Blastocystis was common, with 88.8% (71/80) of samples found to be positive. Twelve subtypes were identified, ten previously reported (ST1, ST3, ST4, ST10, ST14, ST21, and ST23–ST26) and two novel subtypes (ST30 and ST31). To confirm the validity of ST30 and ST31, MinION sequencing was used to obtain full-length SSU rRNA gene sequences, and phylogenetic and pairwise distance analyses were performed. ST10, ST14, and ST24 were the most commonly observed subtypes. Potentially zoonotic subtypes ST1, ST3, or ST4 were present in 8.5% of Blastocystis-positives. Mixed subtype infections were common (90.1% of Blastocystis-positives). This study is the first to subtype Blastocystis in white-tailed deer. White-tailed deer were found to be commonly infected/colonized with a wide diversity of subtypes, including two novel subtypes, zoonotic subtypes, and subtypes frequently reported in domestic animals. More studies in wildlife are needed to better understand their role in the transmission of Blastocystis.
The Terrorist Boogeyman: Political Policy, Law Enforcement, and Our Minority Report Future: An Interdisciplinary Essay

Multiple readings of Lawrence M. Friedman’s Crime and Punishment In American History subchapter entitled Political Justice Today on the mechanics of power are the prime mover for this essay; in particular, Friedman’s notion of the emergence a bogeyman in periods of threat leading to transformations to the constitution of legitimacy. The attacks of September 11, 2001 on United States soil commenced and heralded the present day international terrorist bogeyman era.
Grid portal solutions: a comparison of GridPortlets and OGCE: Research Articles

In this paper we discuss two of the major Grid portal solutions, the Open Grid Computing Environments Collaboratory (OGCE) and GridPortlets, both of which provide basic tools that portal developers can use to interact with Grid middleware when designing their own custom or application-specific Grid portals. We investigate and compare what each of these packages provides, discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and identify missing features vital for Grid portal development. The main purpose of this paper is to identify what current toolkits provide, reveal some of their limitations, and provide motivation for the evolution of Grid portal solutions. Application groups should find this paper useful in helping to choose an appropriate Grid portal toolkit for building their Grid portals rapidly in a flexible and modular way. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lymphoid cell RNA's and immunity.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses how the biochemists are puzzled by the apparently crude nature of the systems with which the immunologists work, the failure to define precisely the components and products of the system, and the semi-quantitative nature of many immunologic assays. The interactions of “RNA” with the “lymphoid system” lacks form. The chapter focuses on certain phenomena that justifiably stimulate further investigation. The chapter describes that many of these phenomena should be defined, and the reasons for conflicting results from one laboratory to another require clarification. The chapter showsconcern over the mode of action of the various RNA species, whose effects are not easily explained in terms of conventional functions of RNA. This indicates that it may have underestimated the mechanisms by which RNA may serve in the differentiation of antibody-forming cells, and suggests that RNA's may operate by as yet undetermined mechanisms in such systems, in addition to serving conventional roles as tRNA's, mRNA's or as components of the ribosome. It is likely that the future will yield a much clearer picture of many of the phenomena described herein.
The homology representations of the k-equal partition lattice

We determine the character of the action of the symmetric group on the homology of the induced subposet of the lattice of partitions of the set {1, 2, ... , nr} obtained by restricting block sizes to the set {1, k, k + 1, . }. A plethystic formula for the generating function of the Frobenius characteristic of the representation is given. We combine techniques from the theory of nonpure shellability, recently developed by Bj6rner and Wachs, with symmetric function techniques, developed by Sundaram, for determining representations on the homology of subposets of the partition lattice.
Maternal serum resistin concentrations in gestational diabetes mellitus and normal pregnancies.

Aim: To investigate changes in maternal serum resistin levels during pregnancy and postpartum and clarify their relationship to insulin resistance. Methods: Thirty normal pregnant women were compared to 30 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Serum resistin levels were collected at the time of glucose challenge test (26–28 weeks), at 38 gestational weeks and at the third postpartum day and measured with enzyme immunoassay. Correlation of resistin to the homeostatic model assessment–insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was performed. Results: Maternal serum resistin levels at 38 weeks were significantly higher in pregnant women with GDM compared to the control group (0.28 vs 0.21 ng/mL, P = 0.02) and the same was true for the immediate puerperium (0.25 vs 0.19 ng/mL, P = 0.03). A significant increase in resistin levels was observed in GDM women from 26–28 weeks to 38 weeks (0.21 vs 0.28 ng/mL, P = 0.02), but not in controls. A decrease in serum resistin levels was noted in both the GDM and control groups, at 38 weeks and the immediate postpartum period, but this decrease did not reach statistical significance in either of the two groups. Resistin levels were positively correlated to HOMA-IR at 26–28 weeks of gestation (r = +0.253, P = 0.05). Conclusion: GDM is associated with increased resistin serum levels in term pregnancy as well as postpartum. Resistin is positively correlated to HOMA-IR at 26–28 weeks of gestation. A reduction in maternal resistin after delivery indicates a significant placental or fetal contribution in the production of resistin.
Identification and removal of nitroxide spin label contaminant: impact on PRE studies of α-helical membrane proteins in detergent.

NMR paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) provides long-range distance constraints (~15-25 A) that can be critical to determining overall protein topology, especially where long-range NOE information is unavailable such as in the case of larger proteins that require deuteration. However, several challenges currently limit the use of NMR PRE for α-helical membrane proteins. One challenge is the nonspecific association of the nitroxide spin label to the protein-detergent complex that can result in spurious PRE derived distance restraints. The effect of the nitroxide spin label contaminant is evaluated and quantified and a robust method for the removal of the contaminant is provided to advance the application of PRE restraints to membrane protein NMR structure determination.
Without You, I'm Nothing: Performances of the Self on Twitter

Online social platforms collapse or converge public and private boundaries, creating both opportunities and challenges for pursuing publicity, privacy, and sociality. Presentations of the self thus become networked performances that must convey polysemic content to audiences, actual and imagined, without compromising one’s own sense of self. This study explored how individuals perform the self through the use of Twitter trending hashtags. Content and discourse analyses were used to examine performative strategies and the form of performance in 140 or fewer characters. Findings underscored play as a dominant performative strategy and pointed to the reordering of grammar, syntax, and literary conventions as prevalent ways through which play is performed. Affect, redaction, and deliberative improvisation frame performances that become part of the ongoing storytelling project of the self on Twitter.
Shifting technology from the universities to a high performance business

The first aim of this study is to identify the external and internal factors that have shaped the performance of Technology-Based Start-up Firms (TBSF) in the US. The second goal is to compare this study with a previous study conducted in Brazil, to identify incubator best practices that may increase the performance of incubated firms. The US study focuses on graduated firms from the Indiana University incubator located in Indianapolis. The main partners of three technology-based start-up firms were interviewed, based on a semi-structured questionnaire. The outcomes from our analysis indicated that the TBSF have both internal and external factors that affect their performance. The analysis showed that as an external factor, the incubator’s connection with university was helpful for obtaining capital. As internal factors, the technical expertise and entrepreneur managerial competence was identified as fundamental factors for TBSF success. The analysis also indicated that some of those factors are different between Brazilian firms and American firms. In Brazil, the management training offered by the incubator is considered very important for the performance of the incubated firms. This was not confirmed in the American study. Knowing what affects the performance of technology-based start-up firms will help incubators offer improved, and more comprehensive services enabling firms to develop and expand.
Acyl-chain specificity and membrane fluidity: Factors which influence the activity of a purified phospholipid-transfer protein from lung

Abstract A purified phospholipid-transfer protein from rat lung has been characterized in terms of the specificity of the protein for phosphatidylcholine molecules with different apolar moieties. The study demonstrated that the lung-phospholipid-transfer protein discriminates between dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and molecular species of phosphatidylcholine with unsaturated acyl chains. The initial rate of transfer of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine is 1.5-fold greater than the rate of transfer of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonylphosphatidylcholine, or egg phosphatidylcholine under most assay conditions. Although the protein preferentially transfers dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, the incorporation of increasing mole percentages of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine into unilamellar phosphatidylcholine vesicles profoundly affects their effectiveness as donors for phosphatidylcholine transfer by the transfer protein. At 60 mol% dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, the rate of transfer is one-third that observed when vesicles are composed of 100% egg phosphatidylcholine. Decreases in membrane fluidity as estimated by fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene correlate with decreases in the effectiveness of the vesicles as donors in the phospholipid-transfer reaction. The conclusion from these studies is that the rate of transfer of phosphatidylcholine by the purified phospholipid-transfer protein from lung is determined by physical properties of membrane interfaces with which the protein interacts, as well as by the specificity of the phospholipid-transfer protein for different molecular species of phosphatidylcholine.
Novel Biomarkers Associated with Deep Venous Thrombosis: A Comprehensive Review:

Primary and recurrent venous thromboembolic disease (VTE, deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) remain a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the hospitalized patient. Non-specific subjective complaints and lack of specific objective findings related to acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) complicate the diagnosis. There remains no single serum marker available to exclusively confirm the diagnosis of VTE. While D-dimer is highly sensitive and useful for diagnostic exclusion, it lacks the specificity necessary for diagnostic confirmation resulting in the need for a variety of additional studies (i.e.: duplex ultrasound, venography, V/Q scanning, helical thoracic and pelvic CT scans and pulmoary angiography). There is evolving research supporting the utility of various plasma markers as novel “biomarkers” for VTE including selectins, microparticles, interleukin-10 and other cytokines. This review attempts to examine recent literature assessing the utility of P-selectin, microparticles, D-dimer, E-selectin, thrombin, interleukins and fibrin monomers in the diagnosis and guidance of therapy for VTE.
Nucleoprotein Complexes Containing Replicating Simian Virus 40 DNA: Comparison with Polyoma Nucleoprotein Complexes

Abstract Procedures for isolating nucleoprotein complexes containing replicating polyoma DNA from infected mouse cells were used to prepare short-lived nucleoprotein complexes (r-SV40 complexes) containing replicating simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA from infected monkey cells. Like the polyoma complexes, r-SV40 complexes were only partially released from nuclei by cell lysis but could be extracted from nuclei by prolonged treatment with solutions containing Triton X-100. r-SV40 complexes sedimented faster than complexes containing SV40 supercoiled DNA (SV40 complex) in sucrose gradients, and both types of SV40 nucleoprotein complexes sedimented ahead of polyoma complexes containing supercoiled polyoma DNA (py complex). The sedimentation rates of py complex and SV40 complex were 56 and 61S, respectively, based on the sedimentation rate of the mouse large ribosomal subunit as a marker. r-SV40 complexes sedimented as multiple peaks between 56 and 75S. Sedimentation and buoyant density measurements indicated that protein is bound to all forms of SV40 DNA at about the same ratio of protein to DNA (1-2/1) as was reported for polyoma nucleoproteins.
Definition, Functional Design, and Implementation of a Dedicated Computerized Laboratory System: The GC Computing Recorder

This paper describes the process employed in defining and creating an integrated instrument with computing and recording capability that generates a document containing a full chromatogram juxtaposed with its quantitativeon-line analysis. This selfcontained system, called the GC Computing Recorder, operates from the raw gas chromatograph detector signal through appropriate signal conditioning, analog-to-digital conversion, microcomputer-based digital integration and postintegration calculation to generate the final analytical report, termed the integrated chromatogram. The paper briefly reviews the historical development of gas chromatographic quantitation technology and it postulates the system requirements for single channel quantitation instrumentation. Then, it summarizes the specific design approaches considered for the computing recorder, the evolution of the system architecture from the point of view of its inputs and outputs, and the selection of the architectural approach adopted for the final design. Particular attention is devoted to man/machine interface considerations, signal conditioning design, digital filtering, analog-to-digital conversion techniques, and firmware integration treatments. Criteria developed to enhance the integration portion of the system firmware are explored, and the algorithmic treatments of overlapping peaks, drifting baselines, area recovery, and multiple peak resolution are discussed. The detailed systems description also covers the areas of postintegration calculations including area normalization, response factors, and relative retention times, as well as the application of internal standard methods for precision determinations of component concentration levels. Experience with the instrument under actual laboratory conditions is summarized, and observations are made concerning possible system extensions.
Bork's Strategy, Price Fixing, and the Influence of the Chicago School on Modern Antitrust Law

This paper addresses why Robert Bork’s The Antitrust Paradox appears to have had such influence on the Supreme Court, leading the Court to largely adopt the Chicago School analysis of antitrust issues. It attributes this influence to Bork’s endorsement of the per se prohibition of price fixing — not embraced by others of the Chicago School — which Bork claimed required the Court to rethink its treatment of vertical restraints. The paper also attributes the influence to Bork’s emphasis on neutral principles for judicial decisionmaking, to Bork’s service as Solicitor General, to the delayed publication of his book until after that service, and to the appointment of John Paul Stevens to the Court. Though it has not been generally publicized, Stevens, like Bork, was heavily influenced by Aaron Director and was well aware of the many economic criticisms of Court antitrust opinions published in this Journal.
Plasmonic Brewster transmission in photonic gratings and crystals

The concept of broadband extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) through metallic gratings at the plasmonic Brewster angle has recently been introduced. It is based on the ultrabroadband impedance matching between guided modes supported by ultranarrow slits in a one-dimensional (1D) metallic grating and an incident transverse magnetic (TM) wave. The overall mechanism results in total transmission through such a corrugated plasmonic screen. This concept was first demonstrated in 1D metallic gratings and it can also be extended to two-dimensional (2D) periodic metallic gratings made by either multiple rectangular or cylindrical rods. In this contribution, we review this concept and we demonstrate that this phenomenon can be applied to semiconductor gratings, whose materials have plasmonic properties at THz frequencies. This may open several opportunities to develop low-loss, broadband optical metamaterials for energy harvesting and concentrators.
Product fragility and damage boundary theory

The theoretical basis for the widely accepted Damage Boundary Curve approach to product fragility and the applicability of its associated ASTM fragility assessment test procedure are first discussed. The basic assumption that the product can be modelled as a collection of linear spring/mass systems is shown to lead to specific characteristics of the product's damage boundary curve which are not borne out by the results of shock tests performed on some common consumer products. Discrepancies between theoretical predictions and experimental results are attributed to the inability of the model to account for progressive failure due to plastic deformation accumulated as a result of repeated shocks. An alternative damage boundary curve for a rigid/perfectly-plastic model is then developed and shown to be a better estimate of fragility for a broader class of products based on the results of shock tests. Modifications to the standard ASTM test procedure required to obtain the damage boundary curve for this type of product are suggested. Finally, the damage boundary theory for a generalized model which incorporates both elastic and plastic properties is developed. The feature of the damage boundary curve which are shown to survive regardless of the choice of model for the product are the critical velocity change and critical acceleration parameters. Those which do not are the shape of the damage region and the associated test procedures.
Comparison of effects of chronic administration of naloxone and naloxonazine upon food intake and maintainance of body weight in rats

A comparison of the effects of the short-acting opioid antagonist naloxone, with the irreversible and highly-specific mu-1 antagonist naloxonazine, has categorized the mediation of opioids in some forms of feeding into mu-1 and non-mu-1 components. The mu-1 sites have been implicated in free-feeding, deprivation-induced feeding and morphine-induced hyperphagia, based upon their sensitivity to both naloxone and naloxonazine. However, the ability of naloxone, but not naloxonazine to inhibit feeding, induced by either 2-deoxy-d-glucose glucoprivation, ethylketocyclazocine, dynorphin or (d-ala2., d-leu5.)-enkephalin implies the existence of non-mu-1 opioid receptor mechanisms in these responses. The present study compared the effects of the daily administration of naloxone and naloxonazine (10 mg/kg, i.v.) in rats in three different types of maturational or dietary situations. In adult rats, naloxonazine and naloxone significantly reduced body weight (7% and 4%, respectively) and food intake (21% and 13%, respectively) over 14 days. These effects were more pronounced in adolescent rats where naloxonazine and naloxone significantly reduced the gain in body-weight (53% and 33%, respectively) and food intake (24% and 15%, respectively) over 14 days. In the adolescent rats, the effects of naloxonazine were significantly greater than those of naloxone. In contrast, chronic treatment with neither naloxone nor naloxonazine altered body weight or food intake of rats made obese by dietary manipulations and left on that diet during treatment with an antagonist. These data indicate that chronic blockade of mu-1 receptors decreased body weight and food intake in normal adult and adolescent rats for at least 2 weeks. However, development and maintainance of dietary obesity appeared to override the chronic effects of treatment with an opiate antagonist.
Applied physics: Extreme light-bending power

Metamaterials are best known for their ability to bend light in the opposite direction to that of all materials found in nature. A hidden ability of these man-made materials has now been discovered. See Letter p.369 Metamaterials, artificially designed composites with electromagnetic properties unobtainable in the natural world, are providing new opportunities for fundamental research as well as for useful applications. So far, the search for materials with a negative refractive index has been a priority, but to extend the scope for novel 'transformation optics' applications, materials with an unnaturally high refractive index would be similarly useful. Bumki Min and colleagues have now produced a broadband, flexible terahertz metamaterial with an unprecedentedly high refractive index of 38.6. Based on layered arrays of I-shaped thin gold building blocks, the new metamaterial provides a starting point for work on small-footprint cloaking devices, wide-angle lenses and slow-light devices.
The effect of X4 and R5 HIV-1 on C, C-C, and C-X-C chemokines during the early stages of infection in human PBMCs.

To better define a mechanism underlying the increase in expression of certain proinflammatory chemokines during HIV-1 infection, we analyzed the effect of X4 HIV-1 infection on C, C-C, and C-X-C chemokine mRNA levels. We demonstrate that X4 HIV-1 infection augments the expression of RANTES, IP-10, MCP-1, and Ltn in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). R5 HIV-1 also induces an increase in both IP-10 and MCP-1 production. Binding of UV-inactivated HIV-1 elevates MCP-1, RANTES, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and IL-8 expression, but fails to alter the production of IP-10, suggesting that the induction of IP-10 is dependent on downstream events following viral internalization. Indeed, recombinant gp120 alone was able to stimulate an eightfold increase in MCP-1 expression, but was unable to induce any detectable increase in IP-10 protein. HIV-induced modulation of chemokine expression suggests a mechanism by which HIV-infected monocytes and T cells might recruit target cells to sites of active viral replication, thus potentially aiding in the spread of the virus.
Respiration of Muscle Homogenates from Selected Lines of Chickens with Inherited Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract A FORM of muscular dystrophy is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait in the domestic fowl. Several strains homozygous for the disorder have been established and are the object of genetic, anatomical, physiological and biochemical study (Julian and Asmundson, 1963; and Asmundson et al., 1966). The myopathy is a progressive one leading to the eventual atrophy of the muscles involved. The pectorals are the first muscles affected. The progressive nature of the disorder (Julian and Asmundson, 1963), investigations into the growth (Herrmann et al., 1964) and the composition of the free amino acids (Peterson et al., 1963) and enzymes (Dawson et al., 1964) of the muscles have focused attention on their development and energy metabolism. This report concerns a study of the respiratory metabolism of muscle slices and homogenates from embryos and chicks with inherited muscular dystrophy. The experiments were designed to find out whether changes in the oxygen consumption . . .