cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical and CT Analysis of Lumbar Spine Arthrodesis: β-Tricalcium Phosphate Versus Demineralized Bone Matrix.

Background Bone graft substitutes have been developed to circumvent donor site morbidity associated with iliac crest bone graft, but sparse literature compares the efficacy of various substitutes. Two commonly used bone graft substitutes used in lumbar fusion are β-tricalcium phosphate (BTP) and demineralized bone matrix (DBM). Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent instrumented posterolateral lumbar fusion was conducted by a single surgeon from January 2013 to December 2016. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether DBM or BTP as graft in conjunction with local autograft. Clinical outcomes scores were collected at a minimum of 1-year follow-up. Postoperative CT scans were evaluated to assess fusion. Results Forty-one patients (DBM, 21 and BTP, 20) were reviewed. No significant differences were found in terms of age, sex, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, steroids, osteoporosis, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, number of levels fused, estimated blood loss, length of stay, or surgical time between the DBM and BTP groups. A trend was found toward lower revision surgery (zero versus 15%), improved visual analog scale scores (postoperative change of 1.81 versus 3.25; P = 0.09), and higher rates of fusion (90% versus 70%; P = 0.09) in the DBM group compared with the BTP group. Conclusions No significant difference was found in clinical outcomes at 1 year, with a trend toward a higher fusion rate and lower revision surgery with DBM.
Effect of Substrate Conductivity on Si Self-Assembled Field Emission Arrays

Ungated high-density Si field emitter arrays are fabricated using a self-assembly technique based on the Langmuir-Blodgett deposition method. A uniform monolayer of silica nanoparticles is deposited to replace the lithography steps prior to etching vertical Si nanowires to form field emission arrays. High-density arrays are fabricated on Si substrates with two different substrate conductivities. It is observed that both types of arrays operate at low turn-on voltages (<40V) with a measured maximum current of 21 mA limited by measurement capability. Such high current is achieved at average electric fields of 2.5 V/μm and 7 V/μm for the substrate conductivities of 0.2 S.cm-1 and 3.3 mS.cm-1, respectively. The fabricated low operating voltage field emission arrays achieve a maximum current density of 13 A/cm2.
A Plethora of Putative Phages and Prophages

Several facts enticed the author to look beyond Borrelia for undocumented prophages in other bacterial genome sequences. At the beginning the author was very uncertain about whether there would be any interest in prophages or, on the other hand, whether the prophage abundance he was finding was considered to already be known and thus boring. In addition to fully intact prophages, many bacterial genomes harbor "defective" prophages that have suffered deletions of genes essential for full phage functionality. The Salmonella prophages, whose genomic locations are shown in this chapter, are in fact very instructive cases. A curious observation regarding the prophages is that the genome-wide screen of Lawley and others for genes that are required for long-term systemic infection of the mouse was answered by mutations in (among many others) genes that encode virion assembly proteins in five of the above prophages. The remaining possibly phage-related genes in the LT2 chromosome consist of a few other fragmentary integrase-like sequences and phage lysis-like genes. These could be the remains of otherwise essentially completely deleted prophages, but the former could also be from other types of mobile elements. Another interesting feature that emerged from early prophage surveys was the fact that different isolates of the same bacterial species often have quite different prophage contents, indicating that prophages are coming and going rather quickly on the overall evolutionary scale.
Does Upper Extremity Training Influence Body Composition after Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to serious body composition adaptations characterized by increasing whole body fat mass and decreased soft tissue lean mass (LM). These adaptations in body composition may lead to several cardio-metabolic disorders that reduce the quality of life, increase patients' and caregivers' burden and eventually leads to mortality. Exercise, an appropriate dietary regimen, and an active lifestyle may alleviate several of the negative effects on body composition after a SCI. Today however, there is no established consensus on the recommended dose, frequency or type of exercise to ameliorate several of the body composition sequelae after an acute SCI. Resistance training has been previously recommended as an effective strategy to restore soft tissue LM and decrease fat mass (FM). The strategy can be simply implemented as a routine home-based training program using free weights or resistance bands after a SCI. Additionally, upper extremity (UE) circuit resistance training has been previously used to improve cardiovascular and metabolic parameters after a SCI; however compared to the vast knowledge regarding the able-bodied (AB) population, the effects of UE circuit resistance training on body composition after a SCI is not well established. In summary, the available evidence does not support the rationale that UE circuit resistance training can lead to positive adaptations in body composition after a SCI. Further studies are suggested to examine the effects of UE circuit resistance training on body composition.
Abstract 15890: Hornerin, a Multifunctional Protein Critical to Non-VEGF-Mediated Angiogenesis, Plays a Determining Role in Neovascularization of the Infarct Post-mi

Introduction: Pathological angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer and other ischemic/inflammatory diseases including remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) and diabetic retinopathy. Inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling have been tested for efficacy against various cancers in clinical trials, but have proven only moderately succesful. To identify factors other than VEGF involved in angiogenesis, we biopaned a phage display library against HUVECs in combination with negative selection against VEGF-mediated signaling. A separate phage display screen was carried out in vivo against the infarct border zone in mice at Day 4 post-MI. Methods: One of the few phage clones in common between the two screens bound to endothelium in the infarct zone at Day 4 post-MI in the mouse model. The molecular binding target of this clone was identified as hornerin (Hrnr) by means of a phage-based proteomics approach. Hornerin belongs to the S100 family, and like other proteins in this family, is relevant in wound-healing post-MI. To study its function post-MI, we performed knock-down studies using siRNA specific for Hrnr. Further, in an effort to identify the potential mechanism of hornerin-induced neovascularization, we performed in vitro proliferation and apoptosis studies using human microvasculature endothelial cells (HMVECs). Results: siRNA-mediated knock-down of Hrnr in post-MI mice prevented neovessel formation and further in vitro studies showed that Hrnr protected endothelial cells against ROS-induced apoptosis through activation of NF-kB (Fig. 1). Conclusions: Inhibitors of Hrnr hold promise as an alternative anti-angiogenic therapy for various diseases including cancer and diabetic retinopathy. The upregulation of hornerin might also serve as therapy to protect endothelial cells against oxidative stress in the healing infarct after MI. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Reactions of coordinated molecules : XXV. The preparation of several bis[(hydroxy)(methyl)]carbenoid complexes of rhenium

Abstract When the rhenium(I) complexes, XRe(CO)5 (where X is Cl, Br or I), are treated with two molar-equivalents of methyllithium, dianionic complexes of the type, fac-(OC)3(X)Re[C(CH3)O]2–, are formed. The diprotonation of these dianions with HX affords the neutral, bis-carbenoid complexes, fac-(OC)3(X)Re[C(CH3)(OH)]2. When X is methyl, the reaction with methyllithium gives only a monoanion. The iodo, bis-carbenoid complex decomposes in solution with the elimination of acetaldehyde and with the formation of the known dimeric complex, [Re(CO)4I]2. The X-ray molecular structure determination of this dimeric complex is reported. The 13C NMR data of the chloro and bromo biscarbenoid complexes are also presented.
Conventional fibrinolytic assays for the evaluation of patients with venous thrombosis: don't bother.

Hypofibrinolysis, as defined by an absent or deficient increase in blood or plasma fibrinolytic activity after an appropriate stimulus, has been known to be present in patients following an episode of deep venous thrombosis for over 30 years. The usual stimulus is 10 min of venous occlusion using a blood pressure cuff inflated to a pressure midway between systolic and diastolic pressures. The early screening fibrinolytic assays were relatively insensitive in detecting fibrinolytic system hypofunction and lacked standardization. The identification and purification of the components of the fibrino-lytic pathway, particularly tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and its major physiologic inhibitor, tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) facilitated the development of immunochemical and functional assays for these proteins. Using these methods, it was reported that defective synthesis or release of tPA or increased PAI-1 levels were present in up to one third of patients with a history of deep venous thrombosis (1-6). It is still not known whether these abnormalities are risk factors for the development of a first episode of venous thrombosis or the result of the disease process itself.
Staphylocidal action of thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein is influenced by microenvironment and target cell growth phase.

Thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein (tPMP) is a small, cationic peptide released from rabbit platelets following exposure to thrombin in vitro. This peptide exerts potent in vitro microbicidal activity against a broad spectrum of bloodstream pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus. It is known that the microbicidal actions of other cationic antimicrobial peptides (e.g., neutrophil defensins) are influenced by environmental factors and target cell growth phase. However, whether these parameters affect tPMP microbicidal activity has not been studied. Thus, we assessed the in vitro bactericidal activity of tPMP against two tPMP-susceptible strains, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and S. aureus 502A, in various target cell growth phases or under various microenvironmental conditions. The conditions studied included differing bacterial growth phase (logarithmic versus stationary), temperature (range, 4 to 42 degrees C), pH (range, 4.5 to 8.5), cationicity (range, 0.1 mM to 2 M), anionicity (range, 0.08 to 5 microM), and neutral carbohydrates ranging in molecular weight (MW) from 180 to 37,700 (range, 50 to 500 mM) as well as rabbit platelet-free plasma and serum. tPMP staphylocidal activity was greater against logarithmic- than stationary-phase cells. tPMP bactericidal activity against both B. subtilis and S. aureus was directly correlated with temperature and pH, with microbicidal activity exhibited near the physiological range (37 to 42 degrees C and pH 7.2 to 8.5, respectively). The presence of cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) decreased tPMP bactericidal activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, with complete inhibition at monovalent or divalent cation concentrations of > or = 250 or > or = 10 mM, respectively. Staphylocidal activity of tPMP was also inhibited by the polyanions polyanetholsulfonic acid and polyaspartic acid, at 0.1 and 0.4 microM, respectively. Coincident exposure with low-MW carbohydrates (glucose, sucrose, and melezitose) did not affect tPMP staphylocidal activity. However, higher-MW carbohydrates (raffinose and dextrans) decreased tPMP activity in a manner directly proportional to their concentration and MW. Solute-mediated inhibition of tPMP bactericidal activity was independent of solute osmolality but directly related to the duration of tPMP-solute coexposure. tPMP enhanced the staphylocidal activities of platelet-free plasma and heat-inactivated serum, while the activity of normal serum was not affected. These collective observations suggest that tPMP retains antimicrobial activities under physiological conditions which are likely to be relevant to host defense in vivo.
Allergy to insect stings: I. Diagnosis of IgE-mediated Hymenoptera sensitivity by venom-induced histamine release

Abstract The failure to distinguish sensitive from normal individuals by skin testing with whole body extracts of Hymenoptera led us to study whether "allergic" reactions to these insects were based on an immunologic mechanism and to attempt the development of a useful diagnostic test for this condition. Pure venoms of honeybee, yellow jacket, yellow and white-faced hornets, and bumblebees were used as antigens for leukocyte histamine release. The leukocytes from 1316 patients judged clinically to have had systemic reactions to a stinging insect released > 50 per cent of their histamine with 0.001 to 1.0 μg per milliliter of venom. Whether the few patients who had a negative response were truly allergic or sensitive to venoms not used for testing remains to be seen. None of the leukocytes of the 12 control patients, however, released histamine at 1,000-fold greater concentrations of venom. We confirmed previous studies which showed that skin testing with Hymenoptera whole body extracts failed to separate these two groups. Passive sensitization of normal leukocytes for venom-induced histamine release was accomplished with sera from several of the Hymenoptera-sensitive patients. Heating these sera to 56 ° C. or passing them through an IgE immunoabsorbent column markedly reduced their sensitizing ability. We conclude that venom-induced histamine release from the leukocytes of Hymenoptera-sensitive patients is mediated by antibodies of the IgE class and suggest that the great majority of reactions to Hymenoptera stings are truly allergic. The clear-cut diagnostic utility of pure venoms in vitro warrants further exploration of their diagnostic utility by in vivo skin testing.
The pigmented "black" neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas: a question of origin.

BACKGROUND Pigmented neoplasms are extremely rare in the pancreas, and, when black pigment is identified, it often suggests the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. The authors describe two patients with pigmented “black” neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas. One patient had an incidental (0.5 cm) finding, and the second patient had a well-demarcated, 4.5-cm mass identified by computerized tomography that was consistent with an islet cell tumor. METHODS The two neoplasms were resected surgically and studied by light microscopy using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Fontana–Masson, and iron stains. The neoplasms were examined immunohistochemically, and ultrastructural analysis was performed. RESULTS H&E stains revealed nests of well-differentiated cells with small, round, centrally placed nuclei. The cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells was pink and granular and contained abundant brown-black pigment. Angiolymphatic and perineural invasion were identified in the larger neoplasm. Both neoplasms demonstrated a positive reaction with a Fontana–Masson stain, which was susceptible to bleaching, and a negative reaction to an iron stain. Immunohistochemical stains showed that neoplastic cells expressed chromogranin and synaptophysin but did not express HMB-45, S-100 protein, glucagon, or insulin. Ultrastructural examination revealed regular neurosecretory granules (100–150 nm) and large, irregularly shaped, electron-dense granules with small lipid inclusions consistent with lipofuscin. CONCLUSIONS These pigmented pancreatic neoplasms are similar histologically and radiographically to the “black adenoma” of the adrenal gland. It is important to recognize these tumors, because they may mimic metastatic melanoma. Cancer 2001;92:1984–91. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Factors associated with residual breast cancer after re-excision for close or positive margins.

Background: Successful breast conservation surgery (BCS) requires complete tumor excision. Margin status of the initial specimen determines the need for additional surgery. We explored factors associated with residual cancer (RC) upon follow-up surgery in patients with close, positive, or undetermined margins following BCS.
Effects of carbon ion pre-implantation on the mechanical properties of ta-C coatings on Ti-6Al-4V

Abstract We report on our investigations of the effects of carbon ion implantation into Ti-6Al-4V as a pre-treatment process prior to deposition of ta-C coatings using a filtered cathodic arc plasma method. A transition layer is formed that can be either TiC or TiC+C, providing an excellent interface for highly adherent ta-C coatings. We find that a smoothly-graded interface leads to good film–substrate adhesion, while ta-C films formed without a graded interface show poor adhesion. The film microhardness and wear performance are related to the implantation parameters via the thickness of the transition layer. Carbon ion implantation provides an effective pre-treatment method for ta-C coated Ti-6Al-4V substrate material.
Measurement of anisotropy of crystal-melt interfacial energy for a binary Al–Cu alloy

Abstract The anisotropy of solid–liquid interfacial energy for an Al–4.0 wt% Cu alloy is determined through measurement of equilibrium shape. Measurements are performed using a fine dispersion of liquid particles entrained within a single-crystal single-phase solid. Specimens are sectioned normal to the 〈1 0 0〉 direction in the continuous phase, and the droplets are observed to exhibit four-fold symmetry on this plane. The radial variation on this plane is measured using optical and chemical techniques, and the normalized anisotropy parameter is determined to be 0.98%. Equilibrium conditions are validated, and quench effects are investigated using microchemical analysis techniques.
Effects of experience and reference tools on laparoscopic length measurements

The accuracy of surgeons, and surgeons-in-training performing laparoscopic intestinal measurements is unknown. We evaluated the accuracy and precision of laparoscopic length measurements using a box-trainer model with and without the aid of a measuring tool. Surgical attendings, residents, and medical students were studied. A 500 cm length of rope was placed within a laparoscopic box trainer. Subjects completed two length measurements (LM). Participants measured 150 cm of rope for LM #1 and repeated the task using a 10-cm suture as a reference for LM #2. Measurement accuracy was tested by comparing mean LM between training level groups using an independent t test. Measurement precision was tested by comparing the mean deviation of LM from 150 cm. 40 attendings, 40 residents, and 50 medical students were studied. In LM #1, there were no differences in mean length accuracy measured between training level groups. Residents significantly underestimated the true 150 cm length (p < 0.05). When LM #1 and LM #2 were compared, attending accuracy did not change but precision increased significantly (p < 0.01). Resident precision also significantly increased with the measuring tool (p < 0.001) and trended toward improved accuracy (p = 0.08). Student accuracy did not change, but a similar significant increase in precision was observed with the measurement tool (p = 0.001). Attendings performed both measurements faster than residents and students (p < 0.05). Residents performed faster than the students for both measurements (p < 0.05). Time for task completion significantly increased in medical students with the use of the measurement tool (p = 0.026). These data suggest that use of a measurement tool in laparoscopic length measurement will yield better precision with no effect on operative time or procedural flow in more experienced operators. Standardization of methods of use and optimal training techniques remains to be determined.
A software engineering training program for non-software engineers

This paper describes a software engineering training program that targets personnel with skills in other engineering disciplines. This intensive nine-week program was designed in the fall of 1995. It was offered three times during 1996 and 1997 with modifications that incorporate lessons learned from previous sessions. We will describe key features of the program, give an overview of its implementation, report on our experiences with graduates of the program, and note lessons learned.
Induction of Anchorage-independent Growth by Transforming Growth Factor-β Linked to Anchorage-independent Expression of Cyclin D1

Abstract Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was originally identified, characterized, and named on the basis of its ability to induce anchorage-independent growth (phenotypic transformation). This effect has received little attention in recent years, probably because the induction of anchorage-independent growth by TGF-β has been observed only in a few cell lines, of which NRK fibroblasts are among the best studied. We have previously reported that normal rat kidney cells have lost their normal adhesion requirement for expression of cyclin D1, and we now show that this loss is causal for the induction of anchorage-independent growth by TGF-β. First, we show that TGF-β fails to induce anchorage-independent growth in NIH-3T3 cells and human fibroblasts that have retained their adhesion requirement for expression of cyclin D1. Second, we show that TGF-β complements rather than affects cyclin D-cdk4/6 kinase activity in NRK cells. Third, we show that forced expression of cyclin D1 in suspended 3T3 cells renders them susceptible to transformation by TGF-β. These results may explain why the induction of anchorage-independent growth by TGF-β is a rare event and yet also describe a molecular scenario in which the mesenchymal response to TGF-β could indeed involve the acquisition of an anchorage-independent phenotype.
3478 Endoscopic gastroesophageal suturing: does addition of cautery aid plication persistence?

Background: Plication formation with the Swain endoscopic sewing device (BESS) ⁎ typically involves suturing together two gastric mucosal folds. Animal and human observations have rarely noted tissue growth between opposing folds of the plication. Application of limited cautery to such folds has been proposed as a method to promote tissue bridging growth and plication persistence. This theory was tested in the dog animal model. Methods: Mongrel dogs were studied in two series. 2.0 Proline suture was used for all animals. Group 1: 2 dogs underwent transoral endoscopic BESS plication placement in the gastric body and cardia. Two-thirds of the plications had 2-4 sec Bicap cautery (25 watts via 7Fr probe) between the folds. Dogs stayed on a liquid diet for 2 weeks and were sacrificed at 4 weeks. Group 2 dogs had open laparotomy and gastrotomy with BESS plication placement including placement of a 1 cm diameter metal ring between plications to later test plication adherence. Cautery was applied at the mucosal fold edges between plications variably at 30 or 50 watts applied for 3-6 sec. Animals received Zantac 150 mg b.i.d. at 30 days and were then sacrificed. See table. Summary: Addition of cautery to mucosal plications has a higher frequency of mucosal bridging in the short-term dog model when compared to historical controls (no bridging). Bridge formation frequency was variable occurring in 12-71% of subgroups. Conclusions: Studies assessing the therapeutic efficacy of similar studies in humans is awaited. Further studies defining optimal cautery or other scar-producing techniques are needed.
Experiences in Designing Solvents for the Environment

Solvents used throughout industry are chosen to meet specific technological requirements such as solute solubility, cleaning and degreasing ability, or utility as a medium for paints and coatings. With the increasing awareness of the human health effects and environmental risks of solvent use, the replacement of current solvents with more benign alternatives has become a necessity. In this paper, we initially outline the elements of a solvent design theory, and on the basis of this theory, we then discuss the PARIS II (Program for Assisting the Replacement of Industrial Solvents) solvent design algorithms and software. The PARIS II software designs technologically effective and environmentally benign substitute solvents. We finally present and discuss several cases of solvent substitutes developed using PARIS II. These cases include substitutes for pure chemicals and mixtures involving components from a wide range of chemical families, including normal hydrocarbons, ketones, alcohols, aromatics, and organ...
Polymeric coatings on silver nanoparticles hinder autoaggregation but enhance attachment to uncoated surfaces.

The propensity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) having two different polymer coatings (poly(vinylpyrrolidone), PVP, or gum arabic, GA) to aggregate, or to deposit to a reference surface (silica), was explored as a basis for differentiating the effect of surface coating on the stability of nanoparticles in aggregation and in deposition. Surface polymeric coatings stabilize nanoparticles against aggregation as shown by either an increased critical coagulation concentration as for PVP-coated AgNPs (AgPVP) or the absence of observable aggregation even at a high ionic strength as for GA-coated AgNPs (AgGA). In experiments of AgNPs deposition in a silica porous medium, dissimilar surfaces favored deposition, such as the case where polymer coatings were present on the AgNPs but were absent on the porous medium. The increased affinity of the AgNPs for the porous medium in this case may be explained by a shifted contact frontier where electrical double layer interaction is weaker. When coating polymers were introdu...
Sequences of human adenovirus Ad3 and Ad7 DNAs encoding the promoter and first leader segment of late RNAs.

Abstract DNA segments containing the major promoter at coordinate 16.5 for rightward transcription from human adenovirus serotypes 3 and 7 (Ad3 and Ad7), two closely related class B viruses, have been sequenced and found virtually identical. Furthermore, over 80% of the nucleotides of Ad3 and Ad7 in this entire region are homologous to their counterparts in the DNA of the more distantly related class C serotype Ad2. There are the same number of nucleotide pairs among these serotypes within the region compared. Most changes are transitions or transversions and the several single-base deletions are always compensated by nearby insertions. These few changes nonetheless result in 24 differences between Ad7 (or Ad3) and Ad2 in a total of 32 cleavage sites. The promoter for the rightward-transcribed RNAs and the first segment of the consanguinous tripartite leader found at the 5′-ends of all the later mRNAs derived from that promoter have been identified by analogy to the nucleotide sequences of Ad2. In particular, the “Hogness box” or RNA polymerase staging site for the major rightward transcription unit is completely homologous to that of Ad2. There are only six bp changes in the first late leader segment despite previous evidence suggesting that they might be quite heterologous. A prominent dyad axis of symmetry exists just upstream from the presumed 5′-end of the late RNA. However, unlike the stem-loop structure proposed for Ad2 by Ziff and Evans (1978), the base changes relative to Ad2 mandate a different potential stemloop structure in the single strand of Ad3 and Ad7 DNAs. This hairpin places the “Hogness box” immediately next to the 5′-end of the RNA at the base of stem. An analogous dyad axis of symmetry or stemloop structure can be found in a number of eukaryotic systems, including the major rightward transcription unit of Ad2. This feature may be of relevance to the positioning of RNA polymerase II on the DNA and to the promotion of transcription.
Alternatives and options in computer content analysis

Abstract First developed in the early 1960s, computer content analysis methods stimulated renewed interest in the quantitative analysis of verbal materials. Continued research and development of such methods produced a range of current alternatives and options. Investigators can choose between advanced systems varying widely in amount of theoretical prestructuring required and complexity of units of analysis, or they can devise less complex systems built upon basic work processing programs.
Cochlear progenitor number is controlled through mesenchymal FGF receptor signaling

The sensory and supporting cells (SCs) of the organ of Corti are derived from a limited number of progenitors. The mechanisms that regulate the number of sensory progenitors are not known. Here, we show that Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGF) 9 and 20, which are expressed in the non-sensory (Fgf9) and sensory (Fgf20) epithelium during otic development, regulate the number of cochlear progenitors. We further demonstrate that Fgf receptor (Fgfr) 1 signaling within the developing sensory epithelium is required for the differentiation of outer hair cells and SCs, while mesenchymal FGFRs regulate the size of the sensory progenitor population and the overall cochlear length. In addition, ectopic FGFR activation in mesenchyme was sufficient to increase sensory progenitor proliferation and cochlear length. These data define a feedback mechanism, originating from epithelial FGF ligands and mediated through periotic mesenchyme that controls the number of sensory progenitors and the length of the cochlea.
Reassessment of the Level of Theory Required for the Epoxidation of Ethylene with Dioxiranes

High level ab initio and CASSCF calculations on the epoxidation of ethylene with dioxirane (DO) and dimethydioxirane (DMDO) have been carried out to distinguish between a symmetrical versus an unsymmetrical spiro orientation of the dioxirane in the transition structure for oxygen atom transfer. The optimized C1 DO/ethylene unsymmetrical spiro CASSCF(12,12)/6-31G(d) transition structure is a first-order saddle point that is 5.5 kcal/mol lower in energy than the corresponding constrained Cs symmetrical approach (a second-order saddle point) after correction for dynamic correlation [CASSCF(MP2)]. However, a single-point energy correction at the BD(T)/6-311+G(d,p) level on these CASSCF geometries suggests that the C1 TS is only 0.6 kcal/mol lower in energy than an symmetrical spiro TS. Both the BD(T) correction to the CAS(8,8)/6-31+G(d,p) and RSPT2 energy correction on CAS(8,8)/6-31G(d) DO/ethylene structures slightly favors the Cs structures. BD(T)/6-311+G(d,p) single point calculations on the C1 and Cs tran...
Advances in Pore Structure Evaluation by Porometry

The principle and technique of porometry, the measurable pore structure characteristics, and the significance of the measured quantities are reviewed. Advances in porometry and their applications are considered. Recently developed innovative and novel techniques used for porometry are also discussed.
Domain-specific identity, epistemic regulation, and intellectual ability as predictors of belief-biased reasoning: A dual-process perspective

To explore the hypothesis that domain-specific identity development predicts reasoning biases, adolescents and young adults completed measures of domain-general and domain-specific identity, epistemic regulation, and intellectual ability and evaluated arguments that either supported or threatened their occupational goals. Biases were defined as the use of sophisticated reasoning to reject goal-threatening arguments and the use of cursory reasoning to accept goal-supportive arguments. Across two measures of bias, hierarchical regression analyses showed that domain-specific vocational identity and epistemic regulation best predicted reasoning biases. Neither age nor intellectual ability predicted significant variance in biases after vocational identity and epistemic regulation scores were entered into the regression equations. The results support the thesis that biases in specific domains can be explained both by domain-specific personality attributes and by domain-general metacognitive dispositions to monitor reasoning and decontextualize problem structure from superficial contents. A dual-process framework is proposed to explain the relationships among identity, epistemic regulation, age, intellectual ability, and reasoning biases.
Increased susceptibility of natural killer T-cell-deficient mice to acetaminophen-induced liver injury

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose causes severe, fulminant liver injury. The underlying mechanism of APAP-induced liver injury (AILI), studied by a murine model, displays similar characteristics of injury as those observed in patients. Previous studies suggest that aside from APAP-induced direct damage to hepatocytes, the hepatic innate immune system is activated and may contribute to the overall pathogenesis of AILI. The current study employed the use of two murine natural killer (NK) cells with T-cell receptor (NKT) cell knockout models (CD1d−/− and Jα18−/−) to elucidate the specific role of NKT cells in AILI. Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, NKT cell-deficient mice were more susceptible to AILI, as indicated by higher serum alanine transaminase levels and mortality. Increased levels of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) protein expression and activities, which resulted in increased APAP protein adduct formation, were observed in livers of APAP-treated NKT cell-deficient mice, compared to WT mice. Compared to WT mice, starvation of NKT cell-deficient mice induced a higher increase of ketone bodies, which up-regulate CYP2E1 through protein stabilization. Conclusion: Our data revealed a novel role of NKT cells in regulating responses to starvation-induced metabolic stress. Elevated ketone body production in NKT cell-deficient mice resulted in increased CYP2E1-mediated APAP biotransformation and susceptibility to AILI. (HEPATOLOGY 2013)
Preparation of 2‐azidoadenosine 3′,5′‐[5′‐32P]bisphosphate for incorporation into transfer RNA Photoaffinity labeling of Escherichia coli ribosomes

2-Azidoadenosine was synthesized from 2-chloroadenosine by sequential reaction with hydrazine and nitrous acid and then bisphosphorylated with pyrophosphoryl chloride to form 2-azidoadenosine 3′,5′-bisphosphate. The bisphosphate was labeled in the 5′-position using the exchange reaction catalyzed by T4 polynucleotide kinase in the presence of [γ-32P]ATP. Polynucleotide kinase from a T4 mutant which lacks 3′-phosphatase activity (ATP:5′-dephosphopolynucleotide 5′-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.78) was required to facilitate this reaction. 2-Azidoadenosine 3′,5′-[5′-32P]bisphosphate can serve as an efficient donor in the T4 RNA ligase reaction and can replace the 3′-terminal adenosine of yeast tRNAPhe with little effect on the amino acid acceptor activity of the tRNA. In addition, we show that the modified tRNAPhe derivative can be photochemically cross-linked to the Escherichia coli ribosome.
Global Variation of Meteor Trail Plasma Turbulence

We present the first global simulations on the occurrence of meteor trail plasma irregularities. These results seek to answer the following questions: when a meteoroid disintegrates in the atmosphere will the resulting trail become plasma turbulent, what are the factors influencing the development of turbulence, and how do they vary on a global scale. Understanding meteor trail plasma turbulence is important because turbulent meteor trails are visible as non-specular trails to coherent radars, and turbulence influences the evolution of specular radar meteor trails, particularly regarding the inference of mesospheric temperatures from trail diffusion rates, and their usage for meteor burst communication. We provide evidence of the significant effect that neutral atmospheric winds and density, and ionospheric plasma density have on the variability of meteor trail evolution and the observation of nonspecular meteor trails, and demonstrate that trails are far less likely to become and remain turbulent in daylight, explaining several observational trends using non-specular and specular meteor trails.
Effect of ethanol on hepatic acyl-coenzyme A metabolism.

Abstract Ethanol feeding to fed or fasted rats lowers the hepatic concentration of long chain acyl-CoA derivatives, despite large increases in hepatic triglyceride content. This effect is limited to the duration of ethanol metabolism and is associated with an increase in hepatic α-glycerolphosphate concentration. The data suggest that ethanol enhances the rate of incorporation of long chain acyl-CoA compounds into triglycerides, leading to a fall in acyl-CoA levels.
Avoiding sexism in early childhood education

Television, other media, and adults in their daily interactions give children cues about what's appropriate for girls and for boys. It is the daily, continual combination of these events, occurring without thought of the hidden messages they convey to children, which creates an environment organized around sex roles.
Are mitochondria mesoscopic

Abstract Systems whose length scales are small enough to be near the threshold where macroscopic thermodynamic descriptions fail are called mesoscopic. This is particularly appropriate for studies of mitochondrial function since basic and important ideas such as protomotive force, and models finding common applications, such as the Gouy–Chapman theory describing the diffuse ionic charge layer near the inner membrane, depend on the macroscopic thermodynamic notion of chemical potential. This paper shows that the length scales in Gouy–Chapman theory are not consistent with the premises upon which Gouy–Chapman theory was based, a failure typical of mesoscopic systems. Furthermore, while there are good reasons for a protomotive force to be a valid description for a collection of mitochondria, it is a marginal description even for an entire individual mitochondrion for similar reasons. Mitochondria are, therefore, physically mesoscopic systems.
Procedural justice and preferential treatment: a brief review and comment

To put Singer’s (1992) work on relative deprivation and responses to preferential treatment in context, studies from a procedural justice perspective are reviewed. That review suggests that the psychological dynamics of preferential treatment are well accounted for by concepts derived from theories of procedural justice. It is thus argued that, to be parsimonious, Singer’s work is best conceptualized in procedural justice rather than relative deprivation terms.
Changes in Nucleic Acid Metabolism of Excised Barley Leaves During Senescence and the Effect of Kinetin on these Changes

The changes in the amount, rale of synthesis and the nucleotide composition of different RNA fractions in excised barley leaves floated on water or kinetin (10 mg/l) in the dark were examined. In excised leaves floated on water all nucleic acid components declined and these declines were retarded by kinetin. Barley leaves floated on water showed a stimulation of 32P incorporation into various RNA fractions within 48 hours followed by a decline after 96–144 hours. The leaves floated on kinetin, however, showed an even higher incorporation of 32P into UNA by 48 hours which remained at a comparatively higher level throughout the experiment. In spite of the above changes in RNA synthesis significant differences in the 32P sucrose gradient profiles or in the 32P nucleotide composition of UNA from water and kinetin floated leaves were not noted. The results of this study show that important changes in nucleic acid metabolism occur during the early stages of leaf senescence and that alterations in nucleic acid metabolism during senescence and during kinetin treatment may involve quantitative and only subtle qualitative changes.
Psychogenic adipsia presenting as acute kidney injury: case report and review of disorders of sodium and water metabolism in psychiatric illness.

Received May 7, 2013; revised June 14, 2013; accepted June 17, 2013. From Department of Psychiatry (CH) and Department of Medicine (CH, KR), Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI; Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (JG). Send correspondence and reprint requests to Colin J Harrington, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, Alpert School of Medicine of Brown University, APC 9, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903; e-mail: colin_harrington@brown.edu & 2014TheAcademy of PsychosomaticMedicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Introduction
Soil Moisture and the Persistence of North American Drought

Numerical sensitivity experiments on the effects of soil moisture on North American summertime climate are performed using a 12-layer global atmospheric general circulation model. Consideration is given to the hypothesis that reduced soil moisture may induce and amplify warm, dry summers of midlatitude continental interiors. The simulations resemble the conditions of the summer of 1988, including an extensive drought over much of North America. It is found that a reduction in soil moisture leads to an increase in surface temperature, lower surface pressure, increased ridging aloft, and a northward shift of the jet stream. It is shown that low-level moisture advection from the Gulf of Mexico is important in the maintenance of persistent soil moisture deficits.
An enzymatic assay for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) via the chemical quantitation of NAD(+): application to the high-throughput screening of small molecules as potential inhibitors

The enzyme poly(adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1) catalyzes the formation of (ADP)-ribose polymers on a variety of protein acceptors in a NAD+ -dependent manner. While PARP-1 is activated by DNA damage and plays a critical role in cellular survival mechanisms, its overactivation leads to a depletion of NAD+/ATP energy stores and ultimately to necrotic cell death. Due to this dual role of PARP in the cell, small-molecule inhibitors of the PARP family of enzymes have been widely investigated for use as potentiators of anticancer therapies and as inhibitors of neurodegeneration and ischemic injuries. Unfortunately, standard assays for PARP inhibition are not optimal for the high-throughput screening of compound collections or combinatorial libraries. Described herein is a highly sensitive, inexpensive, and operationally simple assay for the rapid assessment of PARP activity that relies on the conversion of NAD+ into a highly fluorescent compound. We demonstrate that this assay can readily detect PARP inhibitors in a high-throughput screen using 384-well plates. In addition, the assay can be used to determine IC50 values for PARP inhibitors that have a range of inhibitory properties. As existing PARP assays utilize specialized reagents such as radiolabeled/biotinylated NAD+ or antibodies to poly(ADP-ribose), the chemical quantitation method described herein offers a highly sensitive and convenient alternative for rapidly screening compound collections for PARP inhibition.
The Pesharim and the Rise of Commentary in Early Jewish Scriptural Interpretation

Abstract This article is aimed at contextualizing the pesharim as commentaries within the history of early Jewish scriptural interpretation. Jews in the Second Temple period on the whole engaged with their sacred scriptures through the exegetical technique of rewriting the sacred base texts. In contrast, the pesharim make a clear distinction between the lemma that is the object of interpretation and the interpretation itself. This article addresses broadly the appropriateness of the classification of the pesharim as commentaries within the context of classical, Jewish, and Christian commentaries in the ancient world. It then seeks to account for the historical emergence of the pesharim as commentaries in the setting of early Jewish scriptural interpretation. This article argues for renewed attention to ancient Near Eastern dream and omen interpretation as the most plausible historical influence on the commentary form as encountered in the pesharim. It is suggested that the pesharim reflect a systematic incorporation of several recurring structural and formal elements found in ancient Near Eastern and Second Temple period dream and omen literature. The appropriation by the pesharim of formal features and hermeneutical techniques from dream and omen interpretation is further situated in the broader setting of the increased textualization of dreams and prophecy in Second Temple Judaism and its influence on methods of Jewish scriptural interpretation.
Dear Mr. Chairman: An open letter to the SEC

Our SEC columnist has some strong views about the sweeping Sarbanes- Oxley Act. He is especially skeptical of the Act's Code of Ethics. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of a Diverse Prey Assemblage on Stonefly Feeding

Abstract We examined seasonal and diel variation in the diet and prey selection (Chesson's α) of field-collected predatory stoneflies (Acroneuria abnormis). In the laboratory, we investigated how stoneflies feed on two morphologically and behaviorally distinct prey types (Baetis sp. and Hydropsyche sp.) commonly found in the diet of A. abnormis. One A. abnormis was presented with either: (1) 20 Baetis sp., (2) 20 Hydropsyche sp. added 30 hours prior to stonefly addition, thus having time to construct retreats, or (3) 20 Hydropsyche sp. added just prior to stonefly addition, thus having no time to construct retreats. Stonefly behavior was videotaped at night during 30 minute trials in circular, plexiglass streams illuminated by infrared light. Numbers of prey encounters, attacks, and captures were recorded, and handling time was determined. Field-collected A. abnormis primarily consumed Baetidae, Heptageniidae, Hydropsychdae, and Chironomidae in spring, and Isonychiidae, Hydropsychidae, and Philopotamidae ...
The role of technology in transforming higher education

More than 100 years ago, John Dewey, a major influence in American education, argued for the need to “stimulate the spirit of inquiry into actual fact” (Dewey, 2002, p. 118). The debate among politicians and educators about the structure, purpose, and goals of education and inquiry continues. Yet the world has changed, largely because of widely accessible and versatile technologies. We are unclear how Dewey's spirit of inquiry will grow, die, or reinvent itself through boundaryless tools of inquiry such as the Internet, but the technology is here and will not disappear while educators debate best methods. Twenty-first-century society demands new ways to learn and understand, and these new ways of learning require new ways of teaching (McPheeters, 2009/2010). For many students, especially the younger generations, technology intertwines with almost all daily activities, including social contact. Many educators lag behind the technological curve and express frustration at the challenge to shift their educational paradigms toward increasingly technological means of communication and interaction, or entertain “virtual realities” as legitimate educational forums. The purpose of this symposium is to examine the role of technology in transforming higher education. The goal is to seek best methods of using technology more effectively to educate learners for the 21st century. The shifts in society's focus and the characteristics of learners going into the future are also critical, and part of this discussion.