cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of fixed subaortic stenosis: a retrospective study of 57 cases.

Abstract Although recommended by several investigators, the benefit of early surgery in patients with fixed subaortic stenosis has not been proved. Findings were reviewed of 57 patients with isolated fixed subaortic stenosis, including 27 surgically treated patients, with special emphasis on the occurrence of aortic regurgitation during a mean follow-up period of 6.7 years. The number of patients with aortic regurgitation increased preoperatively in the total group (23% at diagnosis to 54% after 3.7 years of follow-up). The prevalence of aortic regurgitation in the 27 surgically treated patients was higher (81%) than that in the nonsurgically treated group but remained unchanged after a mean postoperative period of 4.7 years. In all patients but one, aortic regurgitation remained of minor hemodynamic significance. One patient died during follow-up. After surgery, 15 patients (55%) showed a relapse; 11 redeveloped a subvalvular pressure gradient >39 mm Hg and discrete subvalvular ridges (range 6 months to 24 years after surgery, mean 7 years). In those patients with fixed subaortic stenosis, follow-up did not reveal any benefit from early surgery. The unpredictable course and sometimes very severe progression of this disease make frequent and careful follow-up necessary.
On the relation of oxidative stress to neuroinflammation: lessons learned from the G93A-SOD1 mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The central nervous system (CNS) presents both challenges and opportunities to researchers of redox biochemistry. The CNS is sensitive to oxidative damage during aging or disease; excellent transgenic models of specific neurodegenerative diseases have been created that reproduce oxidative stress components of the corresponding human disorder. Mouse models of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) based on overexpressed mutant human Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) are cases in point. These animals experience predictably staged, age-dependent motor neuron degeneration with profound cellular and biochemical damage to nerve fibers and spinal cord tissue. Severe protein and lipid oxidation occurs in these animals, apparently as an indirect consequence of protein aggregation or cytopathic protein–protein interactions, as opposed to aberrant redox catalysis by the mutant enzyme. Recent studies of G93A-SOD1 mice and rats suggest that oxidative damage is part of an unmitigated neuroinflammatory reaction, p...
PROMOTION OF PERITHECIAL INITIALS IN MONACROSPORIUM DOEDYCOIDES BY 6–METHYL PURINE

A B S T R A C T The promotion of perithecial initials in the imperfect fungus Monacrosporium doedycoides is enhanced by the addition of the RNA synthesis inhibitor 6-methyl purine (6-MP). The addition of two other RNA inhibitors (8-azaguanine and actinomycin-D) causes the promotion of initials but not at the magnitude observed with 6-MP. Application of a protein synthesis inhibitor (cycloheximide), a base analog (5-fluorouracil), or an amino acid analog (p-fluorophenylalanine) are not promotive on initial formation and can be inhibitory. The apparent cause for the promotion of perithecial initials in the imperfect fungus is that sexual structures are inhibited by mRNA's synthesized by the organism and the addition of 6-MP prohibits their synthesis.
Characterization of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae isolated from an opossum (Didelphis virginiana) with septicemia.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from a wild-caught opossum (Didelphis virginiana). The opossum was quarantined in isolation and removed from contact with other animals. After a 2-mo period it was found dead in its cage, and presented for postmortem examination. Pure cultures of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (SLU isolate) were recovered from heart blood, liver, spleen and lungs. To compare pathogenicity, an experimental infection was attempted in CF1 mice with a single dose of 1.5 × 107 organisms of both an ATCC standard strain and SLU isolate of E. rhusiopathiae. Similar signs, lesions and results of culture were found for both strains. The findings suggest that opossums can be infected with E. rhusiopathiae.
Dual protein trafficking to secretory and non-secretory cell compartments: Clear or double vision?

Approximately 18% of Arabidopsis thaliana proteins encode a signal peptide for translocation to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the gateway of the eukaryotic secretory pathway. However, it was recently discovered that some ER proteins can undergo both co-translational import into the ER/secretory pathway and trafficking to compartments outside of the secretory pathway. This phenomenon is observed among members of the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, which are traditionally regarded as ER enzymes involved in protein folding. Although classical PDIs possess an N-terminal signal peptide and a C-terminal ER retention signal, some also dual localize to secretory and non-secretory compartments, including mammalian PDI ERp57, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii PDI RB60, and A. thaliana AtPDI2. ERp57 is present in both the ER and nucleus where it influences gene transcription. RB60 localizes to the ER and chloroplast where it modulates the redox state of polyadenylate-binding protein RB47. AtPDI2, which interacts with transcription factor MEE8, localizes to the ER-secretory pathway and the nucleus. A model proposing secretory trafficking of AtPDI2 and nuclear co-translocation of an AtPDI2-MEE8 complex illustrates the diversity of dual targeting mechanisms, the multifunctional roles of some PDIs, and the potential co-translocation of other proteins to multiple subcellular compartments.
The effect of E. coli endotoxin on cardiac and skeletal muscle myofibrillar ATPase.

Abstract It has been reported that endotoxin has a direct depressant effect on myocardial contractility. It is reasonable to assume, therefore, that endotoxin might interact with and modify the contractile protein system of the heart. The results presented herein suggest that this does in fact happen in both cardiac and skeletal muscle systems.
Underutilized Resources, “Directed Demand,” and Deficit Financing (Illustrated by Reference to Nigeria)

Introduction, 33. I. Underutilized resources and directed demand, 634; simple capital goods, 636; handicraft production, 639; primary production, 640; other areas, 641. — II. Finances, 642.
Results of bioprosthetic versus mechanical aortic valve replacement performed with concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Background . Concomitant coronary artery disease with aortic valve disease is an established risk factor for diminished late survival. This study evaluated the results of bioprosthetic (BAVR) or mechanical aortic valve replacement (MAVR) performed with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods . From January 1984 through July 1997, combined AVR + CABG was performed in 750 consecutive patients; 469 received BAVR and 281 received MAVR. BAVR recipients were significantly older (mean age, 75 vs 65 years), and had more nonelective operations, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, preoperative intraaortic balloons, lower cardiac indices, more severe aortic stenosis, less aortic regurgitation, and more extensive coronary artery disease. Results . Early complications included operative mortality, 32 patients (4.3% total: 3.8% BAVR and 5.0% MAVR); perioperative infarction, 10 (1.3%); and perioperative stroke, 22 (2.9%). Significant multivariable predictors of early mortality were age, perioperative infarction or stroke, nonelective operation, operative year, ventricular hypertrophy, and need for intraaortic balloon. Ten-year actuarial survival was 41.7% for all patients. Predicted survival for age- and gender-matched cohorts from the general population versus observed survival were BAVR, 45% versus 36%; MAVR, 71% versus 48% (survival differences BAVR 9% vs MAVR 23%, p p = NS; thromboembolism, 86% versus 84%, p = NS; anticoagulant bleeding, 93% versus 88%, p p = NS. Conclusions . AVR + CABG has diminished late survival despite the type of prosthesis inserted. Although valve type did not predict late mortality, mechanical AVR was associated with worse survival compared with predicted and more valve-related complications due to anticoagulation requirements.
Extension of the Neglect of Diatomic Differential Overlap Method to Spectroscopy. NDDO-G Parametrization and Results for Organic Molecules

A new semiempirical scheme, referred to as NDDO-G, for calculating geometries and spectroscopic properties of molecules, is described. The method is based on the NDDO (neglect of diatomic differential overlap) approximation. It uses the point-charge model and the Mataga−Nishimoto formula to evaluate two-center two-electron integrals. The NDDO-G model has been parametrized for the elements H, C, N, and O. Molecular geometries of organic molecules are well predicted by NDDO-G; for 60 molecules, the mean absolute error of bond lengths is 0.014 A and that of bond angles is 1.9°. The spectroscopic variant of the NDDO-G scheme provides electronic excitations using configuration interaction of singly excited states (CIS). It has been applied to calculate absorption spectra (vertical transitions) of several dozens organic molecules and photoelectron spectra within Koopmans' approximation. These NDDO-G results are compared with experimental results and with results of high-level ab initio calculations. The mean ab...
Sequence information and preparation of resolved by; two-dimensional gel electrophoresis: no longer just spots on gels

In 1975 O'Farrell described, in detail, a procedure to separate proteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in two dimensions. This powerful new technique relied on two characteristics of proteins: charge and molecular mass. In the first dimension, proteins were separated on the basis of net charge in a pH gradient by isoelectric focusing, and in the second dimension the proteins were further fractionated exclusively on the basis of their molecular mass by SDS gel electrophoresis. Since two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DGE) has a resolving power of at least 20 fold greater than one-dimensional electrophoresis, it has found wide spread application in modern biological research. However, beyond the detection of a given protein, 2DGE provides little additional information about a specific protein other than molecular mass, isoelectric point, and approximate relative abundance. In recent years, the development of new technologies have made it possible to directly obtain sequence information, and produce specific antisera for proteins resolved by 2DGE. These new technological developments serve to further increase the power and utility of 2DGE in the analysis of proteins of importance to plant physiology.
Infectious vaccinia virus recombinants that express hepatitis B virus surface antigen

Potential live vaccines against hepatitis B virus have been produced. The coding sequence for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) has been inserted into the vaccinia virus genome under control of vaccinia virus early promoters. Cells infected with these vaccinia virus recombinants synthesize and excrete HBsAg and vaccinated rabbits rapidly produce antibodies to HBsAg.
Gamow state vectors as functionals over subspaces of the nuclear space

Exponentially decaying ‘Gamow state’ vectors are obtained from S-matrix poles in the lower half of the second sheet and are defined as functionals over a subspace of the nuclear space Φ. Exponentially growing ‘Gamow state’ vectors are obtained from S-matrix poles in the upper half of the second sheet and are defined as functionals over another subspace of Φ. On functionals over these two subspaces the dynamical group of time development splits into two semigroups.
Optical Scattering from Isolated Metal Nanoparticles and Arrays

Near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) is used to explore the optical scattering from isolated metal nanoparticles (MNPs) and arrays of MNPs. The optical excitation source is an evanescent wave created through total internal reflection of a continuous wave laser beam at the sample−air interface. For optical excitation of isolated Ag and Au MNPs, experimental results show that the scattered light propagates into the far field at an angle of 19° from the substrate. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations are used to study simpler but related metallic nanowire systems under evanescent wave excitation. The FDTD results are found to be similar to the experimental results, indicating the generality of the scattering phenomenon. NSOM characterization of plasmonic arrays that consist of closely spaced Ag MNPs are subsequently reported. Confined optical signals within the array are observed along with a reduction in the far-field scattered signal. Simultaneous collection of the atomic force micros...
Context-specific morphine tolerance on the paw-pressure and tail-shock vocalization tests: evidence of associative tolerance without conditioned compensatory responding.

Rationale: Demonstrations of associative tol- erance to the analgesic effects of morphine, not con- founded by practice or novelty effects, have been re- stricted to the tail-flick and flinch-jump tests. Objectives: Experiment 1 investigated whether associative tolerance would be found on two other nociceptive assessment methods: the paw-pressure withdrawal and tail-shock vo- calization thresholds. Experiment 2 tested the hypothesis that conditioned compensatory behavioral responses are the substrate of associative morphine tolerance in the paw-pressure, tail-shock, and tail-flick tests. Methods: Rats were given eight morphine injections (20 mg/kg, i.p.) explicitly paired or unpaired with a distinctive con- text. Control animals were given saline injections over the course of conditioning. Animals were then tested af- ter morphine (experiment 1) or placebo injections (ex- periment 2) in the context. Results: There was evidence of context-specific tolerance across both testing meth- ods, with a rightward shift of dose-response curves of paired relative to unpaired animals. No evidence of con- ditioned compensatory responding was found on any of the three testing methods. Conclusions: The data indicat- ed that, although Pavlovian processes can play a major role in tolerance acquisition, there was little support for the thesis that the conditioned tolerance response is a be- havioral effect that is opposite in direction to the direct effects of the drug.
Using Social Network Graphs as Visualization Tools to Influence Peer Selection Decision-Making Strategies to Access Information About Complex Socioscientific Issues

This study extends previous research that explores how visualization affordances that computational tools provide and social network analyses that account for individual- and group-level dynamic processes can work in conjunction to improve learning outcomes. The study's main hypothesis is that when social network graphs are used in instruction, students receive otherwise hidden information that influences more strategic decision making about whom to interact with in order to gain more knowledge. This in turn can influence a shift in how students interpret the nature of socioscientific issues toward a more complex understanding. Results of the intervention show that among this population of 76 Grade 7 students, rules by which students selected whom to talk to in paired discussions about a complex socioscientific issue shifted from nonreflective or socially driven mechanisms (e.g., waiting for any random person) to reflective or information-driven mechanisms (e.g., specifically choosing someone who had a lo...
Trust in health websites: a review of an emerging field

As people increasingly turn to health websites for the purposes of self-diagnosis and healthier living, we have an obligation to evaluate the factors that might affect a given user's assessment and their willingness to use such sites. Constructs such as quality, trust, and credibility need to be defined within this space in order for us to truly understand how and why people use health websites. In an effort to better understand these constructs we conducted a comprehensive analysis of all peer-reviewed empirical studies on trust in health websites -- this paper is the result. Work on this topic was provided from eleven fields including HCI, Informatics, Medicine, and Decision Making. Our findings show that authors often value different facets of trust, report different outcomes, and rarely cite each other. Without a coherence of terms and values, the task of presenting and understanding how users trust health information on the web will be intractable.
Measurement of the synthesis, turnover, and assembly of α- and β-erythroid and nonerythroid spectrins in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

Abstract We describe a method that has allowed us to measure the synthesis, turnover and assembly of α- and β-erythroid and nonerythroid spectrins in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. For these studies, rat hippocampal cultures containing 74.5–83.0% neurons were established. B-27 (Gibco) supplement has been used to obtain an excellent long-term viability (up to 5 weeks) of hippocampal neurons in culture. For the synthesis, turnover, and assembly experiments the neurons were labeled with [ 35 S]methionine, and chased with 10-fold excess of cold methionine for the turnover experiments. The cells were then lysed and immunoprecipitated with α, β-erythroid, α, and β-nonerythroid spectrin antibodies. Immunoprecipitated [ 35 S]methionine-labeled spectrins of hippocampal neurons grown in vitro produced bands in 5% polyacrylamide minigels strong enough to be detected by the high sensitivity screens of a phosphorimager to generate graphs from which the synthesis or half-lives of α, β-erythroid, α, and β-nonerythroid spectrins were calculated. This method can be used to study the role of calpain, caspase-3, and the ubiquitin–proteasome system on the synthesis and turnover of erythroid and nonerythroid spectrins in resting and depolarized rat hippocampal neurons in culture.
The role of television in childhood obesity

Abstract Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. Although causes are multi-factorial, television viewing has been consistently associated cross-sectionally, longitudinally, and in intervention studies to childhood obesity. The mediators explaining these relationships include increased calorie intake and poorer dietary quality, and to a lesser extent, reduced physical activity. Sophisticated marketing of high fat, high sugar, high calorie foods and beverages is increasingly being targeted to children and adolescents. These advertisements have been shown to affect children's preferences, requests, and short-term consumption of foods and beverages. Foods eaten as snacks or as meals while viewing television tend to be higher in fat and calories, and are less likely to include fruits, vegetables or dairy products, which are also the foods least likely to be advertised. Surveys find that television sets in children's bedrooms have been increasing, so that now some 50% to 70% of youth have a bedroom television set. They view more hours of television than those without a television in the bedroom and their viewing is underestimated and often not monitored by parents. Classroom curricula and focused parental efforts to reduce and limit children's television viewing can lead to decreased viewing, which in some cases has been associated with decreased obesity. Efforts to separate snacking or eating while watching television may also be beneficial. Public awareness efforts, such as TV (Screen) Turn-off Week are gaining momentum, as are local school, childcare and after-school policies to limit children's television viewing and use of other screen media. Pediatricians can play a role individually in educating their patients and parents or collectively in raising awareness and/or advocating for local, state or federal policies to limit children's exposure to television and to restrict marketing and advertising of high-fat, high sugar, high calorie foods to children and adolescents.
Uniform convergence to an effective Fokker-Planck equation for weakly colored noise

Uniform convergence to an effective Fokker-Planck equation for weakly colored noise is proved. Corresponding constraints on the correlation time for the colored noise are obtained. Examples of bistable nonlinearities are presented and discussed.
Teaching health centers: a new paradigm in graduate medical education.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 created the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program to provide graduate medical education (GME) funding directly to community-based health centers that expand or establish new primary care residency programs. The THCGME program was the legislation's only new investment in GME, and it represents a significant departure from the Medicare GME funding system. It provides payments to ambulatory care centers for both direct and indirect GME expenses, and mandates a level of reporting from recipients that is not required for Medicare GME support. This initial look at the 11 inaugural teaching health centers (THCs) shows that they are training primary care residents in relevant delivery models (e.g., interprofessional teams, patient-centered medical homes), developing educational initiatives that address primary care practice in underserved areas, and transforming organizational and funding structures to support community-based training. The THCs plan to evaluate and report resident performance, patient quality of care, and graduate outcomes. The work of the first THCs has implications for primary care training, the GME system, and future policies and legislation aimed at strengthening the health care workforce.
A novel prognostic nomogram accurately predicts hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation: analysis of 865 consecutive liver transplant recipients.

Background Although radiologic size criteria (Milan/University of California, San Francisco [UCSF]) have led to improved outcomes after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), recurrence remains a significant challenge. We analyzed our 30-year experience with LT for HCC to identify predictors of recurrence. Study Design A novel clinicopathologic risk score and prognostic nomogram predicting post-transplant HCC recurrence was developed from a multivariate competing-risk Cox regression analysis of 865 LT recipients with HCC between 1984 and 2013. Results Overall patient and recurrence-free survivals were 83%, 68%, 60% and 79%, 63%, and 56% at 1-, 3-, and 5-years, respectively. Hepatocellular carcinoma recurred in 117 recipients, with a median time to recurrence of 15 months, involving the lungs (59%), abdomen/pelvis (38%), liver (35%), bone (28%), pleura/mediastinum (12%), and brain (5%). Multivariate predictors of recurrence included tumor grade/differentiation (G4/poor diff hazard ratio [HR] 8.86; G2-3/mod-poor diff HR 2.56), macrovascular (HR 7.82) and microvascular (HR 2.42) invasion, nondownstaged tumors outside Milan criteria (HR 3.02), nonincidental tumors with radiographic maximum diameter ≥5 cm (HR 2.71) and Conclusions In the largest single-institution experience with LT for HCC, excellent long-term survival was achieved. Incorporation of routine pretransplantation biomarkers to existing radiographic size criteria significantly improves the ability to predict post-transplant recurrence, and should be considered in recipient selection. A novel clinicopathologic prognostic nomogram accurately predicts HCC recurrence after LT and may guide frequency of post-transplantation surveillance and adjuvant therapy.
Proton (deuteron) conductivity in Cs1.5Li1.5H(SO4)2 and Cs1.5Li1.5D(SO4)2 single crystals

Abstract Calorimetric (DSC), NMR and electrical studies of Cs 1.5 Li 1.5 X(SO 4 ) 2 (X=H, D) single crystals have been performed in the temperature range from 300 to 533 K. No phase transitions are observed upon heating and the conductivity follows an Arrhenius temperature dependence to the point of decomposition at ∼470 K. Despite the high protonic conductivity of Cs 1.5 Li 1.5 X(SO 4 ) 2 ( σ ∼10 −3 S cm −1 ) at high temperature, these compounds cannot be classified as superprotonic because of the large value of the activation energy ( E a ∼1 eV). The proton NMR studies confirmed that two crystallographic proton sites exist in Cs 1.5 Li 1.5 H(SO 4 ) 2 , presumably corresponding to two minima in the single, crystallographically distinct (and asymmetric) hydrogen bond. A measurable isotope effect in the conductivity data confirmed that protons/deuterons, as opposed to lithium ions, are the mobile species. The high activation energy for proton transport in Cs 1.5 Li 1.5 X(SO 4 ) 2 most probably results from the asymmetry of the hydrogen bonds, and from electrostatic repulsion between the protons and the Li + ions which likely hinders reorientation of XSO 4 − groups.
COMBINING TWO UNBIASED ESTIMATORS OF A COMMON MEAN OF TWO NORMAL POPULATIONS

Summary Consider estimating the common mean μ of two normal populations. Let () and () be the means and variances of two independent samples obtained from these populations. We give sufficient conditions for the choices of α1 and α2 in the unbiased estimator
Application of an Entropy-Assisted Optimization Model in Prediction of Agonist and Antagonist Muscle Forces:

Many existing optimization based biomechanical models fail to predict antagonist muscle activity. Some optimization models predict such a cocontraction, but either lack a compelling physiological basis or are computationally formidable. The current study takes advantage of the flexible definition of entropy as a scientific measure, and utilizes it in the objective function of an optimization formulation to construct a new optimization model for predicting agonist and antagonist muscle forces. In this model, the objective function of a nonlinear program consists of a weighted sum of two components: a linear or nonlinear term favoring agonist muscle exertions (reciprocal inhibition), and the entropy term enforcing cocontraction. The concept of the current optimization model is based on recent findings in neurophysiology that there exist two separate central nervous systems for generation of two motor patterns: agonist contraction and agonist-antagonist cocontraction.
Streamflow and suspended sediment yield following the 2000 Bobcat fire, Colorado

Postfire runoff and erosion are a concern, and more data are needed on the effects of wildfire at the watershed-scale, especially in the Colorado Front Range. The goal of this study was to characterize and compare the streamflow and suspended sediment yield response of two watersheds (Bobcat Gulch and Jug Gulch) after the 2000 Bobcat fire. Bobcat Gulch had several erosion control treatments applied after the fire, including aerial seeding, contour log felling, mulching, and straw wattles. Jug Gulch was partially seeded. Study objectives were to: (1) measure precipitation, streamflow, and sediment yields; (2) assess the effect of rainfall intensity on peak discharges, storm runoff, and sediment yields; (3) evaluate short-term hydrologic recovery. Two months after the fire, a storm with a maximum 30 min rainfall intensity I30 of 42 mm h−1 generated a peak discharge of 3900 l s−1 km−2 in Bobcat Gulch. The same storm produced less than 5 l s−1 km−2 in Jug Gulch, due to less rainfall and the low watershed response. In the second summer, storms with, I30 of 23 mm h−1 and 32 mm h−1 generated peak discharges of 1100 l s−1 km−2 and 1700 l s−1 km−2 in the treated and untreated watersheds respectively. Maximum water yield efficiencies were 10% and 17% respectively, but 18 of the 23 storms returned ≤2% of the rainfall as runoff, effectively obscuring interpretation of the erosion control treatments. I30 explained 86% of the variability in peak discharges, 74% of the variability in storm runoff, and >80% of the variability in sediment yields. Maximum single-storm sediment yields in the second summer were 370 kg ha−1 in the treated watershed and 950 kg ha−1 in the untreated watershed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A recombinant chimeric plasminogen activator with high affinity for fibrin has increased thrombolytic potency in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract A recombinant plasminogen activator with high fibrin affinity and specificity was expressed by transfecting hybridoma cells with a plasmid that combines sequence coding for low molecular mass (32 kDa) single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator [scuPA(32kDa)] and anti-fibrin monoclonal antibody 59D8. The expression of the recombinant molecule [r-scuPA(32kDa)-59D8] was optimized by replacing the 3' untranslated region (initially that of high molecular mass scuPA) in the plasmid with the 3' untranslated region of either beta-globin or mouse immunoglobulin. This modification resulted in a greater than 100-fold improvement in the level of protein expression. The 103-kDa r-scuPA(32kDa)-59D8 protein displayed catalytic activity indistinguishable from that of high molecular mass scuPA and fibrin binding comparable to that of native antibody 59D8. r-scuPA(32kDa)-59D8 was 6 times more potent than high molecular mass scuPA in lysing a human plasma clot in vitro and was 20 times more potent than high molecular mass scuPA in the rabbit jugular vein model of thrombolysis. Molecules of this type may serve as prototypes for highly specific, antibody-targeted enzymes suitable for human use.
Secrecy and reliability using Raptor codes in the presence of a wiretapper in a multiple path wireless network

We consider a multiple path wireless network and address the problem of coding and routing a message in a manner that guarantees both robustness and security. Each path in the network is assumed to be a wiretap channel that includes both a main channel and a wiretap monitored by an eavesdropper. We then show that Raptor codes can be used to achieve both perfect secrecy and zero error probability. This work is an extension of recent work by Thangaraj, Dihidar, Calderbank, McLaughlin, and Merolla in which they show the efficacy of using LDPC codes for similar purposes over a wiretap channel. We show how to simultaneously construct the parameters of the code and robustly route the codeword while minimizing information flow to the adversary.
A single amino acid substitution in CFTR converts ATP to an inhibitory ligand

Cystic fibrosis (CF), one of the most common lethal genetic diseases, is caused by loss-of-function mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes a chloride channel that, when phosphorylated, is gated by ATP. The third most common pathogenic mutation, a glycine-to-aspartate mutation at position 551 or G551D, shows a significantly decreased open probability (Po) caused by failure of the mutant channel to respond to ATP. Recently, a CFTR-targeted drug, VX-770 (Ivacaftor), which potentiates G551D-CFTR function in vitro by boosting its Po, has been approved by the FDA to treat CF patients carrying this mutation. Here, we show that, in the presence of VX-770, G551D-CFTR becomes responsive to ATP, albeit with an unusual time course. In marked contrast to wild-type channels, which are stimulated by ATP, sudden removal of ATP in excised inside-out patches elicits an initial increase in macroscopic G551D-CFTR current followed by a slow decrease. Furthermore, decreasing [ATP] from 2 mM to 20 µM resulted in a paradoxical increase in G551D-CFTR current. These results suggest that the two ATP-binding sites in the G551D mutant mediate opposite effects on channel gating. We introduced mutations that specifically alter ATP-binding affinity in either nucleotide-binding domain (NBD1 or NBD2) into the G551D background and determined that this disease-associated mutation converts site 2, formed by the head subdomain of NBD2 and the tail subdomain of NBD1, into an inhibitory site, whereas site 1 remains stimulatory. G551E, but not G551K or G551S, exhibits a similar phenotype, indicating that electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged side chain of aspartate and the γ-phosphate of ATP accounts for the observed mutational effects. Understanding the molecular mechanism of this gating defect lays a foundation for rational drug design for the treatment of CF.
High Strength Alumina Micro‐Beams Fabricated by Inkjet Printing

Freestanding ceramic microbeams were fabricated by inkjet printing of aqueous colloidal suspensions (up to 23 vol% alumina). Their high strength (920 MPa in bending) and stiffness (E ≈ 400 GPa) is attributed to low porosity (void fraction 0.03) and a paucity of microstructural flaws. A range of ink compositions and beam thicknesses were printed using a commercial inkjet cartridge and isostatically compacted prior to firing.
Production of Group IIA atomic and molecular negative ion beams in a cesium-sputter negative ion source

The results of an investigation on the production of Group IIA atomic and molecular negative ion beams formed in a cesium-sputter negative ion source are presented. The sputtering material was formed by pressing pellets of stoichiometric mixtures of the Group IIA element carbonates and 10% copper powder. Negative ions of several alkaline-earth elements and their oxides have been observed. Beam intensities as high as 180 pA have been observed for Sr- and 20 nA for SrC-.
Bulk breakdown of high field silicon-dielectric systems

Preliminary results on bulk breakdown in high field silicon-dielectric systems are reported. In most cases the total breakdown of the above systems takes place by surface flashover. Bulk breakdown in high field semiconductor-dielectric systems is supposed to be produced only when one or more large filaments are developed in the bulk of the material due to a particular defect configuration. The characteristics of the bulk breakdown of the system are totally different from surface flashover. These differences are explained by the different physical nature of the two kinds of the breakdown of the system, one located in the material bulk and other at the semiconductor-dielectric interface. >
Spinal amino acid release and precipitated withdrawal in rats chronically infused with spinal morphine

Glutamate receptors are implicated in the genesis of opioid tolerance and dependence. Factors governing release of amino acids in systems chronically exposed to opiates, however, remain undefined. Using rats, each prepared with a spinal loop dialysis catheter and with a chronic lumbar intrathecal infusion catheter connected to a subcutaneous minipump, the release of amino acids before and during antagonist- precipitated withdrawal in unanesthetized rats was examined. Spinal infusion of morphine (20 nmol/micro l/hr) for 4 d had little effect on resting release of amino acids. In morphine-infused, but not saline- infused, rats naloxone (2 mg/kg, i.p.) evoked an immediate increase in the release of L-glutamate (299 +/- 143%) and taurine (306 +/- 113%) but not other amino acids. The magnitude and time course of the release of these amino acids significantly correlated with behavioral indices of withdrawal intensity. Acute intrathecal pretreatment immediately before naloxone with clonidine (20 microg; alpha2 agonist), MK-801 (3 microg; noncompetitive NMDA antagonist), or aminophosphonopentanoic acid (AP-5; 3 microg; competitive NMDA antagonist) suppressed naloxone- induced increases in spinal L-glutamate and taurine release and behavioral signs of withdrawal in spinal morphine-infused rats. Results point to a correlated increase in spinal L-glutamate release, which contributes to genesis of the opioid withdrawal syndrome. Agents such as clonidine that suppress opioid withdrawal may owe their action to an inhibition of excitatory amino acid release. The effects of MK-801 and AP-5 suggest a glutamate-evoked glutamate release.
Long-term Toxicity of Cancer Treatment in Older Patients

With earlier cancer diagnosis among older patients with cancer, the possibility of curing cancer increases. However, cancer treatment may have a long-lasting impact on older cancer survivors. It is vital to screen, diagnose, and properly manage the long-term toxicities of cancer treatment in order to maintain the quality of life of older cancer survivors.
Autogenous and Allogeneic Bone Grafts in Periodontal Therapy

This article is limited to a review of bone autografts and allografts, as used in periodontal therapy. The various graft materials are discussed with respect to case reports, controlled clinical trials, and human histology. Other reviewed areas are wound healing with periodontal bone grafts, tissue banking and freeze-dried bone allografts, and the use of bone grafts in guided tissue regeneration.
Frontal-subcortical circuits: the anatomic basis of executive, social and motivated behaviors

A series of discrete, parallel frontal-subcortical circuits have been demonstrated to link specific areas of the frontal lobe to areas within the basal ganglia and thalamus. A variety of circuit-specific behaviors can be described involving the dorsolateral prefrontal, orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate circuits. Interruptions or imbalance occurring at various levels within these closed looped circuits is felt to underlie the characteristic behavioral patterns seen. The intricate neurochemical arrangement of the striatum and the complex neurotransmitter interactions that occur within these key subcortical structures form the basis for modulatory influences that can affect these circuits.
A least-squares method for the Helmholtz equation

Abstract We investigate the use of least-squares methods to approximate the Helmholtz equation. The basis used in the discrete method consists of solutions of the Helmholtz equation (either consisting of plane waves or Bessel functions) on each element of a finite element grid. Unlike previous methods of this type, we do not use polynomial based finite elements. The use of small elements (and relatively few basis functions per element) allows us to prove convergence theorems for the method and, to some extent, control the conditioning of the resulting linear sy stem. Numerical results show the efficiency of the new method and suggest that it may be possible to obtain accurate results with a coarser grid than is usual for standard finite element methods.
Rootstock and Training System Affect Sweet Cherry Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality

Traditional sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) training systems in the United States are based upon vigorous rootstocks and multiple leader vase canopy architectures. The sweet cherry research lab at Washington State University has been investigating the potential of new rootstocks and training systems to improve production efficiency and produce high quality fruit. This paper describes the effects of three rootstocks—Maz- zard (P. avium), 'Gisela 6', and 'Gisela 5' (P. cerasus × P. canescens)—and four training systems—central leader, multiple-leader bush, palmette, and y-trellis—on 'Bing' sweet cherry tree vigor, fruit yield and quality over a seven year period. Compared to trees on Mazzard, trees on 'Gisela 5' and 'Gisela 6' had 45% and 20% lower trunk cross-sectional areas after 7 seasons, respectively. Trees on 'Gisela 6' were the most productive, yielding between 13% and 31% more than those on 'Gisela 5' and 657% to 212% more than trees on Mazzard, depending on year. Both Gisela rootstocks significantly improved precocity compared to Mazzard, bearing fruit in year 3 in the orchard. Canopy architecture had only moderate effects on tree vigor and fruit yield. Across rootstocks, bush-trained trees were about 25% less productive compared to the other systems, which exhibited similar cumulative yields (102 kg/tree). Fruit weight was negatively and closely (r
Seasonal Changes in Adult Longevity and Pupal Weight of the Nantucket Pine Tip Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with Implications for Interpreting Pheromone Trap Catch

Pheromone trap catches of the Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana (Comstock), are often much higher during the first generation as compared with later generations, regardless of population density or damage levels. One hypothesis proposed to explain this phenomenon is reduced adult longevity during summer due to high temperatures. In this study, adult male and female moths placed in containers in the field during each generation showed significantly shorter life spans during the summer months compared with spring. Life spans were inversely related to the average number of daily degree-days accumulated during the investigations. In the laboratory, adult male moths under varying temperatures and constant humidity showed life spans similar to those observed in the field. Adult male moths that were provided with a sugar water solution in the laboratory did not have significantly longer life spans than those without. Male and female pupal weights showed little variation between generations and sites, and no observable changes in pupal weights occurred during the overwintering period. Some differences in female pupal weight between generations were found at some sites but these differences were not correlated with differences in adult life span. Temperature appeared to be the predominant factor affecting adult moth life span between generations, although other environmental and physiological factors may be important. An understanding of the lower trap catches for R. frustrana during summer may have important implications for using pheromone traps to predict population levels.
Temperature dependence of Cu+ luminescence in barium-phosphate glasses: Effect of rare-earth ions (Sm3 +, Nd3 +) and correlation with glass structure

Abstract Glasses activated with Cu+ ions and rare-earth (RE) metals are attractive as luminescent materials for down shifting in solar cells and various photonic applications. Yet, the thermal stability of the Cu+ emission in such, in connection with the effects of RE co-dopants has remained unexplored. Hence, this work reports on the influence of temperature on Cu+ luminescence in melt-quenched barium-phosphate glasses, where the effect on such of RE co-dopants Sm3 + and Nd3 + is evaluated. Further, the basic structural features of the Cu+ and RE-containing glasses is assessed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The data shows that the PO4 tetrahedra belonging to terminal units (Q1) increase upon RE addition, with the most significant structural modification being produced by the large-radius Nd3 + ions. Moreover, the data shows that the activation energy for the thermal quenching of Cu+ emission decreases after RE inclusion, most dramatically for the Cu+/Nd3 + co-doped glass. An observed correlation suggests that the distinct sensitivity of the Cu+ luminescence to temperature arises from an indirect effect, namely, the changes in glass structure induced by the RE ions.
Signaling pathways that suppress oncogenic ras

SY25-03 Pathways regulated by oncogenic mutants of Ras are potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Compounds targeting the Raf/MAPK and PI 3’ kinase pathways are being tested in the clinic. Sorafenib, a drug approved for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as renal cancer, has been shown to be more effective on hepatocellular carcinomas with high levels of P-ERK (1), consistent with its ability to inhibit Raf kinase activity. While hepatocellular carcinomas do not typically contain mutations in RAS or RAF genes, high levels of Raf kinase signaling have been reported, possibly through loss of function of Sprouty-related proteins (2). On the other hand, Sorafenib failed to show clinical activity in melanomas expressing V600E activating mutations in BRAF. The basis of this observation will be discussed. Do date, the clinical effects of targeting PI 3’ kinase or Akt directly are not known. An mTOR inhibitor, Temsirolimus, has been approved for treatment of renal cell cancer, however, and other compounds targeting mTOR and related proteins are under development. To identify other potential targets downstream of Ras, we are investigating intrinsic signaling pathways that appear to regulate signaling from Ras. One of these is driven by signals from activated ephrin receptors. These signals block Ras activation of MAPK and PI 3’ kinase pathways. As a result, the transformed phenotype of cancer cells can be reversed, despite the presence of mutant KRSAS or, in some cases, mutant BRAF (3). Potential mechanisms for these effects will be discussed. In addition, clinical responses to EGF-R inhibitors suggest that these receptors have a growth-suppressing effects in tumors with mutant KRAS. This unexpected result has major implications for cancer therapy using kinase inhibitors, and suggests signaling relationships that had not been previously recognized, even in a well studied pathway such as EGF-RAS. Recently, we identified a new step in this pathway by showing that signaling from EGF-R, and other receptors, to MAPK required co-recruitment of SCOC2/PP1C to the plasma membrane, through activation of R-Ras. As a result, negative regulatory phosphorylation sites on Raf kinase are removed, allowed efficient signal transmission. It has been shown in mouse models of cancer that normal Ras proteins block oncogenic Ras activity. Some of these effects might be mediated by proteins of the Sprouty/SPRED family, which have also been shown to interfere with Ras activity, at least in the Raf kinase effector pathway. The potential importance of these pathways will be discussed in the context of targets for cancer therapy. References 1. Abou-Alfa GK, et al. Phase II study of sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. J Clin Onc 2006; 24:4293-300 2. Yoshida T., et al. Spreds, inhibitors of Ras/Erf signal transduction, are dysregulated in human hepatocellular carcinoma and linked to the malignant phenotype of tumors. Oncogene 2006;25; 6055-66 3. Macrae M., et al. A conditional feedback loop regulates Ras activity through EphA2. Cancer Cell 2005; 8;111-8
Evaluation of perseveration in relation to panic-relevant responding: an initial test.

Background: Perseveration reflects the tendency to engage in a behavior even when it is no longer rewarding nor produces the expected consequences. Method: The current study explored whether (1) individuals endorsing a recent (past 2 years) history of nonclinical panic attacks would report greater levels of perseveration compared to individuals without such a history; (2) whether individuals endorsing higher levels of perseveration would evidence greater panic-relevant responding to a 4-minute 10% carbon dioxide-enriched air challenge. Results: Results indicated that individuals with, compared to without, a positive panic attack history endorsed significantly greater levels of perseveration. Additionally, greater pre-challenge levels of perseveration significantly predicted greater panic attack symptom severity as well as self-reported anxiety; these significant effects were evident above and beyond the variance accounted for by sex, trait-level negative affectivity, panic attack status, and distress tolerance as well as shared variance with the related constructs of persistence and perfectionism. Discussion: Together, the current findings provide initial, albeit preliminary, support for the utlity of investigating perseveration in relation to models of panic psychopathology specifically, and offer a further empirical context for perseveration-psychopathology relations in general.
Receptor Defects in Genetic Forms of Extreme Insulin Resistance

The responsiveness of target cells to insulin is carefully regulated under many physiological conditions (Grunberger et al., 1983; Olefsky, 1981). Thus, two mechanisms work in concert to regulate the biological effect of insulin upon target cells: (1) changes in circulating levels of insulin in plasma; and (2) alterations in the sensitivity of the target cell to insulin. Abnormalities in the regulation of insulin sensitivity contribute importantly to the pathophysiology of many disease states: e.g., obesity, type II diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), acromegaly, and Cushing’s syndrome.