cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2356: Estrogen medicates sex specific function of epithelial STAT3 in K-ras mutant lung tumorigenesis by reprogramming lung tumor microenvironment

Activating mutations of K-ras are one of the most common molecular alterations associated with lung cancer but have not yielded to therapeutic attack so far. We have recently shown a sex-specific role for epithelial Stat3 signaling in the pathogenesis of K-ras mutant lung cancer. We specifically found that deletion of STAT3 in K-ras mutant lung epithelial cells (LR/STAT3 Δ/Δ mice) significantly reduced lung tumor burden in female mice which was associated with an enhanced anti-tumor immune response but, surprisingly, caused a dramatic enhancement of lung tumorigenesis and induction of a NF-κB driven pro-tumor immune response in male mice. To further dissect the mechanism of STAT3 dependent sex disparity in the pathogenies of K-ras mutant lung cancer, we performed loss- and gain- of function studies to manipulate estrogen signaling in both female and male mice. In LR/Stat3 Δ/Δ males, implantation of estrogen pellet led to significantly reduced lung tumor burden and decreased neutrophils in the lung. This was accompanied by decreased Il6, and Cxcl1 expression explaining reduced neutrophil numbers. We also detected reduced expression of immunosuppressive markers; Arg1, Nos2, Tgfb, Il10, indicating to an attenuated immunosuppressive pro-tumor microenvironment. On the other hand, bilateral oophorectomy in female LR/Stat3 Δ/Δ mice led to higher tumor burden, higher lung neutrophil counts, and increased Il6, and Cxcl1 expression. We also found decreased expression of Gzmb, and Ifng, and increased expression of T regulatory markers Foxp3 and Il10, suggesting an attenuated cytotoxic immune response but a stronger immune-inhibitory response. Hormonal replacement therapy by implanting estrogen pellet in oophorectomized LR/Stat3 Δ/Δ females rescued the tumor-promoting effect of estrogen depletion characterized by reduced tumor number and neutrophil infiltration, decreased expression of Il6, Cxcl1, Foxp3 and Il10, and increased Gzmb and Ifng expression. Taken together, our study suggests that there is a differential regulation of NF-κB activation in K-ras mutant lung epithelium within sex, and estrogen plays a protective role (anti-tumor) by suppressing the activation of NF-κB pathway and reformatting the lung tumor microenvironment toward an anti-tumor phenotype. Our finding could lead to development of personalized (e.g. sex-based) immunotherapeutic and/or preventive modalities for K-ras mutant lung cancer. Citation Format: Shanshan Deng, Marco Ramos-Castaneda, Walter Velasco Torrez, Oscar Noble, Neha Daga, Mauricio Caetano, Seyed Javad Moghaddam. Estrogen medicates sex specific function of epithelial STAT3 in K-ras mutant lung tumorigenesis by reprogramming lung tumor microenvironment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2356.
Smartphone Photography as a Tool to Measure Knee Range of Motion

The objective of this study was to validate measuring knee range of motion (ROM) from smartphone photography. Thirty-two participants (64 knees) obtained smartphone photographs of knee flexion and extension. Surgeons obtained the same photographs and goniometric measurement of ROM. ROM was measured using Adobe Photoshop. Goniometer versus digital measurements, participant versus surgeon photographs, and interobserver measurements were analyzed. The average difference in goniometer and digital photograph measurements was 5°. The interclass correlation was .642(L) and .656(R). The Bland-Altman plots demonstrated that 29/32 digital measurements were within the 95% confidence interval (CI). Participants' versus researchers' photographs averaged a 2° difference. The interclass correlation was .924(L) and .91(R). Bland-Altman plots demonstrated that 31/32 measurements were within the 95% CI. Interobserver reliability averaged aROMdifference of 5°. The concordance coefficients were .647(L) and .723(R). Bland-Altman plots demonstrated that 30 of 32 digital measurements were within the 95% CI. Measuring knee ROM using smartphone digital photography is valid and reliable. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(1):52-57, 2018).
Cold plasma enhances the efficacy of aerosolized hydrogen peroxide in reducing populations of Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria innocua on grape tomatoes, apples, cantaloupe and romaine lettuce

Abstract In the present study, we investigated whether cold plasma activation affected the efficacy of aerosolized hydrogen peroxide against S. Typhimurium and L. innocua. Stem scars and smooth surfaces of grape tomatoes, surfaces of Granny Smith apples and Romaine lettuce (both midrib and upper leaves) and cantaloupe rinds were inoculated with two-strain cocktails of S. Typhimurium and 3-strain cocktails of L. innocua. The inoculated samples were treated with 7.8% aerosolized H2O2 with and without cold plasma for various times. For all fresh produce items and surfaces, cold plasma significantly (P
Insulin Degludec in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: Is Newer Better? - A Retrospective Self-Control Case Series in Adolescents with a History of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Introduction Insulin degludec (IDeg) is the longest-acting basal insulin available. Whether IDeg compared to shorter-acting basal insulins like insulin glargine U100 (IGlarU100) reduces the rate of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in adolescents with type 1 diabetes is unknown. Objective We hypothesized that adolescents with type 1 diabetes would have lower DKA rates and mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) when using IDeg as compared to IGlarU100. Methods To avoid selection bias, we used self-control case series methodology. Adolescents with type 1 diabetes treated for DKA from January 2015 through December 2018 who switched basal insulin from IGlarU100 to IDeg were eligible for analysis. Thirty-five patients were included, each acting as their own control. Mean HbA1c and DKA rate for the 12 months prior to and after switching to IDeg were compared. Results Mean HbA1c prior to and after switching to IDeg was unchanged (97 ± 20 vs. 97 ± 21 mmol/mol [11.0 ± 1.8 vs. 11.0 ± 1.9%]). Median DKA rate (admissions/year) while on IGlar-U100 was 1 with an interquartile range (IQR) of 1-2. After switching to IDeg, median DKA admission rate remained 1, however the IQR decreased to 0-1 (one-sided p value 0.0004). Median change in DKA rate was 1 fewer admission per year, with a maximum reduction of 3 admissions. Higher baseline rates of DKA increased the odds of a patient reducing his/her DKA rate by 1 admission per year or more. Conclusions Using IDeg for basal insulin in adolescent patients may decrease the rate of DKA relative to IGlarU100 despite no improvement in HbA1c and may be cost-effective.
S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase regulates anterior patterning in Dugesia japonica

Background: Biological methylation requires S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and participates in a range of processes from modulation of gene expression via histone modifications to neurotransmitter synthesis. An important factor in all methylation reactions is the concentration ratio of SAM to methylation byproduct S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). SAH hydrolase, also known as adenosylhomocysteinase, depletes SAH and thereby facilitates metabolite recycling and maintains the methylation permissive SAM/SAH ratio. While the importance of SAH hydrolase in sustaining methylation is obvious on the cellular level, the function of this metabolic process on the organismal scale is not clear. Results: We used planarian Dugesia japonica to investigate the role SAH hydrolase in physiological homeostasis on the body-wide scale. Remarkably, pharmacological inhibition of the SAH hydrolase results in regression of anterior tissues and is accompanied by extensive apoptosis throughout the planarian body. Moreover, exposure to the SAHH inhibitor AdOx leads to changes in brain morphology and spatial shift in the expression of Wnt-modulator Notum. Strikingly, planarians are able to overcome these destructive patterning defects through regeneration of the anterior tissues and adaptation to the used inhibitor. Transcriptome analysis indicates that resistance to the SAHH inhibitor is at least partly mediated by changes in folate cycle and lipid metabolism. Conclusions: SAH hydrolase plays a critical role in planarian homeostasis and anterior patterning potentially through modulation of Wnt signaling. Moreover, planarian adaptation to the SAHH inhibitor via metabolic reprogramming suggests potential targets for addressing methylation-related human conditions.
Using isotopic envelopes and neural decision tree-based in silico fractionation for biomolecule classification

Abstract Untargeted mass spectrometry (MS) workflows are more suitable than targeted workflows for high throughput characterization of complex biological samples. However, analysis workflows for untargeted methods are inadequate for characterization of complex samples that contain multiple classes of compounds as each chemical class might require a different type of data processing approach. To increase the feasibility of analyzing MS data for multi-class/component complex mixtures (i.e., mixtures containing more than one major class of biomolecules), we developed a neural network-based approach for classification of MS data. In our in silico fractionation (iSF) approach, we utilize a neural decision tree to sequentially classify biomolecules based on their MS-detected isotopic patterns. In the presented demonstration, the neural decision tree consisted of two supervised binary classifiers to positively classify polypeptides and lipids, respectively, and a third supervised network was trained to classify lipids into the eight main sub-categories of lipids. The two binary classifiers assigned polypeptide and lipid experimental components with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity; however, the 8-target classifier assigned lipids into their respective subclasses with 95% sensitivity and 99% specificity. Here, we discuss important relationships between class-specific chemical properties and MS isotopic envelopes that enable analyte classification. Moreover, we evaluate the performance characteristics of the utilized networks.
Integrative Medicine in Child Neurology: What Do Physicians Know and What Do They Want to Learn?:

Pediatric neurology patients frequently use integrative medicine; however, providers may feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar with these therapies. Child neurologist attitudes toward integrative medicine and educational needs in integrative medicine have not been assessed. A national, anonymous survey was distributed to Child Neurology residents (n=294) and program directors (n=71) to assess attitudes toward specific integrative medicine modalities, practices in discussing integrative medicine with patients, and perceived need for a curriculum on integrative medicine; 61 (17%) partially and 53 (15%) fully completed the survey. Comparative analyses applied chi-square and independent t tests. Qualitative content analysis was performed on free text responses. Most providers surveyed consider mind and body practices safe (93% of respondents) and effective (84%), but have concerns about the safety of chiropractic manipulation (56% felt this was harmful), and the efficacy of homeopathy (none considered this effective). Few inquire about patient integrative medicine use regularly. Child Neurology residents are interested in further education on this topic.
The Impact of Composition and Morphology on Ionic Conductivity of Silk/Cellulose Bio-Composites Fabricated from Ionic Liquid and Varying Percentages of Coagulation Agents

Blended biocomposites created from the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between polysaccharides and structural proteins exhibit useful and unique properties. However, engineering these biopolymers into applicable forms is challenging due to the coupling of the material’s physicochemical properties to its morphology, and the undertaking that comes with controlling this. In this particular study, numerous properties of the Bombyx mori silk and microcrystalline cellulose biocomposites blended using ionic liquid and regenerated with various coagulation agents were investigated. Specifically, the relationship between the composition of polysaccharide-protein bio-electrolyte membranes and the resulting morphology and ionic conductivity is explored using numerous characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray scattering, atomic force microscopy (AFM) based nanoindentation, and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). The results revealed that when silk is the dominating component in the biocomposite, the ionic conductivity is higher, which also correlates with higher β-sheet content. However, when cellulose becomes the dominating component in the biocomposite, this relationship is not observed; instead, cellulose semicrystallinity and mechanical properties dominate the ionic conduction.
High Frequency Three-phase 5-level T-type DC-DC Converter Using SiC MOSFETs

In this paper, a unidirectional and a bidirectional three-phase isolated DC-DC converters are proposed. In these converters, a five-level modified T-type converter is connected through a high frequency transformer to a three legs controlled rectifier or a three-level T-type converter. By using a 5-level converter, better voltage and current waveforms can be obtained in the primary and secondary sides of the transformer which will increase the transformer efficiency. Medium-voltage silicon carbide MOSFETs are used due to their high operating frequency leading to lower passive component size and weight. A commercially available 1.7kV SiC MOSFET is selected. The thermal characteristics of these SiC switches are modeled and the efficiencies are calculated using the software package of PLECS.
Measurement of Clinical Judgment with Second Term Nursing Students Using Simulation

Can clinical judgment be increased because of certain methods implemented within nursing programs? The results of this project provided educators an alternative teaching method that enhances the students’ level of clinical judgment. Through the use of simulation, nursing students would be able to develop the knowledge to notice, interpret, respond and reflect on the situation that has occurred within the simulation scenario. With the use of a high-fidelity simulator, simulation can offer a realistic form of clinical experience. Using simulation, students’ were able to increase not only their clinical judgment, but their focused observational skills, recognizing deviations from patients, information gathering techniques as well prioritizing data that is obtained during the simulation. It is these aspects that have shown significant increase within this study. Using the tool of the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR), educators can determine if students are developing an increase level of clinical judgment that would be needed to take care of the patients in today’s health system. This project used a non-experimental non-equivalent comparative effectiveness design to compare scores for each student using the LCJR. Second-term nursing students will have a change in the level of clinical judgment based on the scores from the rubric. Nurses need clinical judgment to be able to perform at a competent level because skilled observation and interpretation of deviations from normal are actions much needed by nurses today.
Testing the construct validity of competing measurement approaches to probed mind-wandering reports

Psychology faces a measurement crisis, and mind-wandering research is not immune. The present study explored the construct validity of probed mind-wandering reports (i.e., reports of task-unrelated thought [TUT]) with a combined experimental and individual-differences approach. We examined laboratory data from over 1000 undergraduates at two U.S. institutions, who responded to one of four different thought-probe types across two cognitive tasks. We asked a fundamental measurement question: Do different probe types yield different results, either in terms of average reports (average TUT rates, TUT-report confidence ratings), or in terms of TUT-report associations, such as TUT rate or confidence stability across tasks, or between TUT reports and other consciousness-related constructs (retrospective mind-wandering ratings, executive-control performance, and broad questionnaire trait assessments of distractibility-restlessness and positive-constructive daydreaming)? Our primary analyses compared probes that asked subjects to report on different dimensions of experience: TUT-content probes asked about what they'd been mind-wandering about, TUT-intentionality probes asked about why they were mind-wandering, and TUT-depth probes asked about the extent (on a rating scale) of their mind-wandering. Our secondary analyses compared thought-content probes that did versus didn't offer an option to report performance-evaluative thoughts. Our findings provide some "good news"-that some mind-wandering findings are robust across probing methods-and some "bad news"-that some findings are not robust across methods and that some commonly used probing methods may not tell us what we think they do. Our results lead us to provisionally recommend content-report probes rather than intentionality- or depth-report probes for most mind-wandering research.
Impact of Medicaid expansion on two-year mortality among stage IV breast cancer (BC) patients according to race.

6525Background: Inadequate access to healthcare services is associated with worse outcomes. Disparities in access to cancer care are more frequently seen among racial/ethnic minorities, uninsured p...
The Unsustainable Costs of Partial Deregulation

Three decades ago, federal policymakers--Republicans and Democrats--embarked on a general strategy of deregulation. In the electricity, gas delivery, and telecommunications industries, the strategy called for restructuring to separate production from transmission and distribution, followed by elimination of price controls. The expected results were lower prices and increased quality, reliability, and scope of services. Paul W. MacAvoy, an economist with forty years of experience in the regulatory field, here assesses the results and concludes that deregulation has failed to achieve any of these goals in any of these industries. MacAvoy shows that we now have only partial deregulation, a mixture of oligopoly structure with direct price control. He explores why this system leads to volatile and high prices, reduced investment, and low profitability, and what policy actions can be implemented to address these problems.
Allgemeines über Kurvengleichungen

Im Punkte P der Kurve C (Abb 20) ist eine Sekante PQ (s) gezogen. Nun drehen wir die Sekante um P bis der Punkt Q auf der Kurve nach P ruckt. Die Sekante s ist dann zur Tangente t in P geworden.
Dynamic Runtime Optimization

In the past few years, code optimization has become a major field of research. Many efforts have been undertaken to find new sophisticated algorithms that fully exploit the computing power of today's advanced microprocessors. Most of these algorithms do very well in statically linked, monolithic software systems, but perform perceptibly worse in extensible systems. The modular structure of these systems imposes a natural barrier for intermodular compile-time optimizations. In this paper we discuss a different approach in which optimization is no longer performed at compile-time, but is delayed until runtime. Reoptimized module versions are generated on-the-fly while the system is running, replacing earlier less optimized versions.
Experimental progress in Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MAGLIF)

Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion1 (MagLIF) is a magneto-inertial fusion concept being evaluated on the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories. In MagLIF, first an axial magnetic field is applied to a metal cylinder filled deuterium gas, next a laser heats the deuterium gas to 100s of eV, and then the target is magnetically-imploded using the Z machine current. The axial magnetic field reduces radial thermal conduction losses during laser heating and throughout the implosion, and it helps confine charged fusion products at stagnation. Laser heating increases the fuel temperature at the start of the implosion, which reduces the required radial convergence of the target to achieve multi-keV temperatures at stagnation.
An unfermented gel component of psyllium seed husk promotes laxation as a lubricant in humans.

Background: In addition to increasing stool weight, supplements of psyllium seed husk produce stools that are slick and gelatinous. Objective: Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that a gel-forming fraction of psyllium escapes microbial fermentation and is responsible for the characteristics that enhance laxation. Design: Fifteen healthy adults consumed controlled diets for two 7-d periods, one of which included 8.8 g dietary fiber provided by 15 g/d of a psyllium seed husk preparation. All stools were collected and evaluated and diet was monitored throughout. Results: Psyllium significantly increased the apparent viscosity of an aqueous stool extract, stool moisture, and wet and dry stool weights. A very viscous fraction, not present in low-fiber stool and containing predominantly 2 sugars that are also found in abundance in psyllium husk, was isolated from psyllium stool. Conclusions: In contrast with other viscous fibers that are fermented completely in the colon, a component of psyllium is not fermented. This gel provided lubrication that facilitated propulsion of colon contents and produced a stool that was bulkier and more moist than were stools resulting with use of comparable amounts of other bowel-regulating fiber sources.
Multiple Production of Pions in Nucleon-Nucleon Collisions at Cosmotron Energies

The statistical theory of multiple pion production is applied in some detail to the discussion of nucleon-nucleon collisions for primary energies of 1.75 Bev and 2.2 Bev. Probabilities are given for single and multiple productions of pions and nucleons with different charges.
Production planning by spreadsheet for a start-up firm

Theories on the life cycle of firms combined with stage model theories of information technology adoption indicate that start-up firms may have different needs than mature firms. In particular, start-up firms’ need for simplicity, development speed, adaptability, transparency and clarity often trump cost minimisation in the characteristics looked for in production planning tools. Here, a case study is presented of a start-up firm with geographically distant suppliers and geographically dispersed warehouses and customers. Production planning needed to move from Post-it notes to a formal system. A spreadsheet-based production planning system was custom built that allowed the firm to decide on purchases and have dynamically adjusted available-to-promise information to help the sales force.
Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides: KINETIC STUDIES

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides catalyzes the oxidation of glucose 6-phosphate by either NADP+ or NAD+. Steady state initial velocity studies and product inhibition studies using NADPH were conducted for the NADP-linked reaction catalyzed by this enzyme. The data were consistent with a simple, ordered, sequential mechanism for this reaction in which NADP+ is bound first to the enzyme and NADPH released last. Kinetic studies of the NAD-linked reaction indicated a more complex mechanism. Initial velocity studies, product, and alternate product inhibitions using NADH and NADPH, respectively, and alternate substrate studies using either NAD+ and NADP+ with glucose 6-phosphate, or glucose 6-phosphate and 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate with NAD+, suggested an ordered, sequential mechanism with isomerization of free enzyme. The enzyme form which binds NADH is proposed to be the same form binding NADP+ and NADPH; NAD+ is assumed to bind to an isomeric form. A detailed study of the effect of varying pH from 5.74 to 9.90 was carried out for the NAD-linked reaction. From the changes in kinetic constants with pH some tentative suggestions emerged concerning enzyme groups which may participate in the binding of NAD+ and glucose 6-phosphate. Among these, the most clear-cut was the participation of a group on the enzyme with pK' = 8.9 in binding of glucose 6-phosphate. Evidence was obtained that this group is not a cysteine. Further evidence, using pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, suggested that the group may be the e-NH2 group of a lysine.
Glyphosate-rich air samples induce IL-33, TSLP and generate IL-13 dependent airway inflammation.

Several low weight molecules have often been implicated in the induction of occupational asthma. Glyphosate, a small molecule herbicide, is widely used in the world. There is a controversy regarding a role of glyphosate in developing asthma and rhinitis among farmers, the mechanism of which is unexplored. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms of glyphosate induced pulmonary pathology by utilizing murine models and real environmental samples. C57BL/6, TLR4−/−, and IL-13−/− mice inhaled extracts of glyphosate-rich air samples collected on farms during spraying of herbicides or inhaled different doses of glyphosate and ovalbumin. The cellular response, humoral response, and lung function of exposed mice were evaluated. Exposure to glyphosate-rich air samples as well as glyphosate alone to the lungs increased: eosinophil and neutrophil counts, mast cell degranulation, and production of IL-33, TSLP, IL-13, and IL-5. In contrast, in vivo systemic IL-4 production was not increased. Co-administration of ovalbumin with glyphosate did not substantially change the inflammatory immune response. However, IL-13-deficiency resulted in diminished inflammatory response but did not have a significant effect on airway resistance upon methacholine challenge after 7 or 21 days of glyphosate exposure. Glyphosate-rich farm air samples as well as glyphosate alone were found to induce pulmonary IL-13-dependent inflammation and promote Th2 type cytokines, but not IL-4 for glyphosate alone. This study, for the first time, provides evidence for the mechanism of glyphosate-induced occupational lung disease.
A Reason for Long Tales

Transcription Activator-Like Effectors (TALEs) are bacterial virulence factors containing a domain of repeats that recognize specific DNA sequences and reprogram transcription activation of invaded plant cells. TALE genes encode 5 to 30 repeats with average pairwise repeat identities greater than 91%. Most variability arises from only two positions termed Repeat Variable Diresidues (RVDs), which confer DNA binding specificity. Crystal structures of free and DNA-bound TALEs (Deng et al. Science 2012) show a large conformational change upon DNA binding. Thus, DNA binding is likely coupled to the free energy of tertiary structural change between the TALE repeats. We are interested in quantifying this relationship and relating it to folding cooperativity using nearest-neighbor (“Ising”) models.To investigate the length dependence of folding, we created a set of consensus TALE constructs of varying length. Solubilizing N- and C-terminal caps are needed to favor monomeric protein in solution as detected by sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation. Capped consensus TALE repeat constructs have alpha-helical secondary structure as measured by farUV CD. Urea-induced unfolding transitions of TALE repeat arrays were measured and show cooperative unfolding transitions as well as increases in stability with length. These data are well-fitted by an Ising model, which separates the contributions of intrinsic and interfacial free energies. TALE repeats have an unfavorable intrinsic folding free energy of 5.3 kcal/mol and a favorable interfacial free energy of −6.8 kcal/mol. Using these values, the length dependence of TALE stability can be modeled, and shows TALEs under 5 repeats to be unfolded. Using the Ising parameters, we find that partially folded states with a single repeat unfolded are energetically accessible. Population of these partially folded states may be important for DNA binding.
Miller, M. (2014). Minds Online: Teaching Effectively with Technology. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. 296 pp.

Research on cognitive theory is traditionally difficult to link to practical learning activities in the classroom. Minds Online: Teaching Effectively with Technology provides specific instructional...
Utilisation of press water from brewer's spent grains

Brewer's spent grain press water contains 3% solids, half of which can be removed by centrifugation. The clarified press water (CPW) obtained can be recycled to recover significant quantities of fermentable material. The beers obtained from adding CPW at 5, 10, and 20% levels to wort prior to boiling were judged indistinguishable from the control beer. This process constitutes an efficient recovery of soluble solids, saves water, and eliminates a serious water-pollution problem. Drying the sediment from centrifugation yielded a tan powder containing 50–55% protein which had a PER of 1.22 (casein 2.5). When this protein concentrate (PC) was extruded in combinations with soy, gluten, and/or wheat flour, it gave products that were suitable for extending hamburger meat. When it was used in cookies, (biscuits), the cookie spread and the quality of the top grain of the cookie was decreased. In bread, the PC increased the water absorption of the dough and substantially decreased overall bread quality.
Application of functional link neural networks in free form surface reconstruction

This paper presents a new technique for free form surface reconstruction using functional link neural networks. A comparative study is performed between classical methods used for interpolation and the proposed ones based on neural networks. We show that the neural networks approach provides good approximation for smoothly varying surfaces, and provides better results than classical techniques when used for free form surface reconstruction.
Partial purification of a translational repressor mediating hemin control of globin synthesis and implication of results on the site of inhibition.

Abstract A translational repressor which mediates the control of globin synthesis by hemin in rabbit reticulocyte lysates has been purified 3,000 fold. Analysis of the purified preparation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that it is still heterogeneous. A consideration of the specific activity and molecular weight of the repressor and the concentration of ribosomal components in protein synthesis indicates that one molecule of this repressor inhibits the activity of a minimum of several hundred reticulocyte ribosomes.
Recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates multiple follicular growth, but minimal estrogen production in gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist-treated monkeys: examining the role of luteinizing hormone in follicular development and steroidogenesis.

The two-cell theory predicts that follicular steroidogenesis requires the coordinate actions of both FSH and LH; however, the role of LH in follicular growth is less clear. The present study was designed to investigate the relative importance of LH and FSH in follicular growth and steroidogenesis. Cynomolgus monkeys were treated with a GnRH antagonist (antide; 3 mg/kg.day) for 20 days beginning in the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. After 10 days of antide administration, monkeys were injected with recombinant human FSH (rhFSH; 10 IU; n = 3), human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG; 10 IU; n = 3), or FSH plus 0.5 IU LH (n = 3) twice daily for 10 days. rhFSH stimulated multiple follicular development; however, peak serum estradiol levels were only 943 +/- 195 pmol/L. In contrast, monkeys treated with the same dose of hMG had significantly higher (P < 0.05) peak estradiol levels (6013 +/- 1322 pmol/L). The addition of 0.5 IU LH to the rhFSH treatment resulted in serum estradiol levels similar to those in...
S34-03 The relationship between streptococcal antibodies and the course of OCD and tics in a pediatric population

The clinical phenotype of pediatric OCD and tic disorders in relation to streptococcal antibody patterns will be discussed. Also, cellular and other immune findings will be presented on a group of children with OCD and tic disorders taking into account clinical phenotype data.
Recent developments in hot wire amorphous silicon

We present measurements of low temperature internal friction (Q−1) of amorphous silicon (a-Si) films designed to probe how their structure and formation affect low temperature vibrational properties. All a-Si films, whether produced by e-beam evaporation, sputtering, Si self-ion implantation, or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) show the well-known temperature-independent plateau (Q0−1) common to all amorphous solids. For hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) with about 1 at.% H produced by hot wire CVD; however, the internal friction is nearly three orders of magnitude less than any known amorphous material. For this material we find that Q−1 depends on H concentration (CH), and on deposition conditions. For CH>2 at.%, both a peak and a sharp transitional feature appear in Q−1 between 5 and 40 K. We identify the feature as H2, presumably in microvoids, undergoing a phase transition at the freezing point.
Dopamine receptors in human gastrointestinal mucosa

Dopamine is a putative enteric neurotransmitter that has been implicated in exocrine secretory and motility functions of the gastrointestinal tract of several mammalian species including man. This study was designed to determine the presence of dopamine binding sites in human gastric and duodenal mucosa and to describe certain biochemical characteristics of these enteric receptor sites. The binding assay was performed in triplicate with tissue homogenates obtained from healthy volunteers of both sexes using 3H-dopamine as a ligand. The extent of nonspecific binding was determined in the presence of a 100-fold excess of unlabeled dopamine. Scatchard analysis performed with increasing concentrations of 3H-dopamine (20-500 nM) revealed a single class of saturable dopamine binding sites in gastric and duodenal mucosa. Binding parameters obtained from the regression lines of the Scatchard plots of gastric mucosa of males were Bmax = 73.4 +/- 4.0 pmoles/mg protein; KD = 154 +/- 20 nM and Bmax = 95 +/- 13.6 pmoles/mg protein and KD = 826 +/- 200 nM in females. In duodenal mucosa of males these parameters were Bmax = 63.9 +/- 15.9 pmoles/protein; KD = 235 +/- 53 nM and Bmax = 83.2 +/- 19.4 pmoles/mg protein; KD = 568 +/- 104 nM in females. The results of this report demonstrate the presence of specific dopamine receptors in human gastric and duodenal mucosa. These biochemical data suggest that molecular abnormalities of these receptor sites may be operative in the pathogenesis of important gastrointestinal disorders.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Eviota santanai, a new Dwarfgoby from Timor-Leste (Teleostei: Gobiidae).

Eviota santanai is described based on four specimens from Timor-Leste, taken in 5–8 m depth. In general coloration pattern, the species is most similar to E. latifasciata , but differs in the cephalic sensory-pore system pattern, the absence of an occipital spot, and live color including pinkish-mauve bars. Eviota santanai has a dorsal/anal fin-ray formula of 8/8, 5 th pelvic-fin ray absent, some lower pectoral-fin rays branched, and IT and PITO pores absent.
Off-chip latency-driven dynamic voltage and frequency scaling for an MPEG decoding

This paper describes a dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) technique for MPEG decoding to reduce the energy consumption using the computational workload decomposition. This technique decomposes the workload for decoding a frame into on-chip and off-chip workloads. The execution time required for the on-chip workload is CPU frequency-dependent, whereas the off-chip workload execution time does not change, regardless of the CPU frequency, resulting in the maximum energy savings by setting the minimum frequency during off-chip workload execution time, without causing any delay penalty. This workload decomposition is performed using a performance-monitoring unit (PMU) in the XScale-processor, which provides various statistics such as cache hit/miss and CPU stall, due to data dependency at run time. The on-chip workload for an incoming frame is predicted using a frame-based history so that the processor voltage and frequency can be scaled to provide the exact amount of computing power needed to decode the frame. To guarantee a quality of service (QoS) constraint, a prediction error compensation method, called inter-frame compensation, is proposed in which the on-chip workload prediction error is diffused into subsequent frames such that run time frame rates change smoothly. The proposed DVFS algorithm has been implemented on an XScale-based Testbed. Detailed current measurements on this platform demonstrate significant CPU energy savings ranging from 50% to 80% depending on the video clip.
Immunization and reversibility of cognitive deficits due to learned helplessness

Abstract Predictions made from the learned-helplessness model received support in three experiments. The effects of response-outcome independence, as well as immunization and reversibility of such effects were demonstrated with human subjects. It was also demonstrated that differences in locus of control, sex and attribution, influenced those results. Furthermore, the effects of modeling and the use of cognitive tasks for both pretreatment and reversibility were examined.
Candidate pathway-based genetic association study of platinum and platinum–taxane related toxicity in a cohort of primary lung cancer patients

Abstract Background Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common toxicity secondary to chemotherapy. Genetic factors may be important in predisposing patients to this adverse effect. Patients and methods We studied 950 primary lung cancer patients, who received platinum or platinum-combination drug chemotherapy and who had DNA available for study. We analyzed epidemiological risk factors in 279 CIPN patients and 456 non-CIPN patients and genetic risk factors in 141 CIPN patients and 259 non-CIPN patients. The risk factors studied included demographic, diagnostic, and treatment data, as well as 174 tag SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) across 43 candidate genes in the glutathione, cell cycle, DNA repair, cell signaling, and apoptosis pathways. Results Patients who had diabetes mellitus were more likely to have CIPN ( p = 0.0002). Other epidemiologic risk factors associated with CIPN included number of cycles ( p = 0.0004) and type of concurrent chemotherapy ( p p values 0.0015 and 0.0028, unadjusted and adjusted) and in ATP-binding cassette sub-family C member 4 (ABCC4) gene ( p values 0.037 and 0.006, unadjusted and adjusted). We also found other suggestive associations in methyl-o-guanine-methyl-transferase (MGMT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) isoforms. Conclusions Epidemiological and genetic risk factors associated with CIPN in this cohort, included the type of chemotherapy drug, intensity of chemotherapy treatment, and genes known to be associated with chemotherapy resistance. These findings suggest that differentiating between cytotoxic and neurotoxic mechanisms of chemotherapy drugs is challenging but represents an important step toward individualized therapy and improving quality of life for patients.
Diblock Copolymer Thin Films: A Field-Theoretic Simulation Study

Using field-theoretic simulations, we study a symmetric diblock copolymer melt confined between two parallel neutral walls separated by a distance L. We consider two scenarios: a mean-field regime and a fluctuating case corresponding to a polymerization index N ∼ 10 5 . For both cases, we analyze the behavior of this system in the disordered and the ordered phases as a function of the film thickness L. In particular, we compute the structure factor for each case, and compare it to the predicted structure factor for a bulk system using the random phase approximation. In the disordered phase, we find qualitative agreement with the bulk system, except that the amplitudes are dependent on the modes perpendicular to the slit. The ordered structure in all cases was found to be a lamellar phase oriented perpendicular to the walls. Also, we studied the location of the order-disorder transition (ODT) in both cases. In the mean-field regime, it was found that the transition is insensitive to the width of the cavity, and occurs, as expected, at ΧN* = 10.5. For the fluctuating case, we find a shift in the ODT that becomes essentially constant for slit widths larger than the unperturbed radius of gyration of the copolymers. For thicknesses below this value, we observe a confinement induced melting of the film, for which a theoretical explanation is proposed.
Effects of cesium and chlorine on oxygen adsorption on promoted Ag/α-Al2O3 catalysts

Abstract Integral heats of oxygen adsorption were measured at 443 K on unpromoted and promoted Ag/α-Al 2 O 3 catalysts. Two unpromoted catalysts with average Ag particle sizes of about either 200 or 300 nm were utilized while the promoted catalysts had particle sizes in the range of 250–350 nm. The promoted catalysts were prepared with either CsNO 3 to study the effect of cesium, or CsCl to study the combined effect of cesium and chlorine. For both groups, the Cs content was around either 400 or 1200 ppm. Following a low-temperature pretreatment involving calcination at 523 K and reduction in H 2 at 473 K, the catalysts were characterized by volumetric measurements of oxygen chemisorption and subsequent hydrogen titration at 443 K. Unlike the unpromoted catalysts, the promoted samples exhibited varying amounts of reversible oxygen adsorption with a maximum of 30% reversible adsorption on a 1174 ppm Cs-only promoted catalyst; however, the presence of only Cs at either loading altered the total oxygen uptake by only ±10% compared to the unpromoted catalyst. Regardless, the H 2 /(O 2 ) irrev titration ratio was close to the stoichiometric ratio of 2.0 except for the catalyst with the highest Cl content. With this latter sample, there was additional hydrogen uptake beyond the titration of adsorbed oxygen. Several cycles of pretreatment/adsorption measurements were needed to ‘stabilize’ these catalysts and obtain reproducible results. Energy changes were measured with samples derived from these stabilized catalysts, and an exotherm was obtained for both the initial total uptake and the reversible uptake so that the energy change associated only with the irreversible oxygen uptake could be determined. This difference exotherm frequently exhibited a long tail which could not be explained by adsorption processes alone; consequently, time-dependent uptakes and energy changes were used to calculate heats of adsorption. These apparent heat of adsorption values for O 2 were higher for the Cl-containing catalysts than for the unpromoted and Cs-only promoted catalysts. The presence of Cl decreased both the rate of oxygen adsorption and the total oxygen uptake; however, with the catalyst containing the most Cl these two parameters increased as the catalyst was given a series of low-temperature pretreatment/adsorption cycles. In contrast, a single high-temperature pretreatment at 773 K with this sample was adequate to provide uptake rates and total oxygen uptakes comparable to those with the stabilized catalyst. This stabilization process appears to be associated with the removal of Cl from the silver surface.
Crystal Structures of Complexes between the R61 DD-peptidase and Peptidoglycan-mimetic β-Lactams: A Non-covalent Complex with a “Perfect Penicillin”

The bacterial d -alanyl- d -alanine transpeptidases (DD-peptidases) are the killing targets of β-lactams, the most important clinical defense against bacterial infections. However, due to the constant development of antibiotic-resistance mechanisms by bacteria, there is an ever-present need for new, more effective antimicrobial drugs. While enormous numbers of β-lactam compounds have been tested for antibiotic activity in over 50 years of research, the success of a β-lactam structure in terms of antibiotic activity remains unpredictable. Tipper and Strominger suggested long ago that β-lactams inhibit DD-peptidases because they mimic the d -alanyl- d -alanine motif of the peptidoglycan substrate of these enzymes. They also predicted that β-lactams having a peptidoglycan-mimetic side-chain might be better antibiotics than their non-specific counterparts, but decades of research have not provided any evidence for this. We have recently described two such novel β-lactams. The first is a penicillin having the glycyl- l -α-amino-e-pimelyl side-chain of Streptomyces strain R61 peptidoglycan, making it the “perfect penicillin” for this organism. The other is a cephalosporin with the same side-chain. Here, we describe the X-ray crystal structures of the perfect penicillin in non-covalent and covalent complexes with the Streptomyces R61 DD-peptidase. The structure of the non-covalent enzyme–inhibitor complex is the first such complex to be trapped crystallographically with a DD-peptidase. In addition, the covalent complex of the peptidyl-cephalosporin with the R61 DD-peptidase is described. Finally, two covalent complexes with the traditional β-lactams benzylpenicillin and cephalosporin C were determined for comparison with the peptidyl β-lactams. These structures, together with relevant kinetics data, support Tipper and Strominger's assertion that peptidoglycan-mimetic side-chains should improve β-lactams as inhibitors of DD-peptidases.
The determinants of oscillation points in a temporal decision conflict

The occurrence of an oscillation in a double-approach-avoidance conflict along a temporal dimension appears to be a stable proportion of the time distance rather than a stable consequence of absolute distance from the goal. The manipulation of the value of the positive goal object does not produce any shift in the relative height of the gradients, and leaves the locus of equilibrium unchanged.