cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathological and genomic correlates of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) tumor proportion score (TPS) is the primary clinically-available biomarker of response to immunotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but factors associated with PD-L1 expression are not well understood. Materials and methods Consecutive nonsquamous NSCLCs with successful PD-L1 assessment and targeted next-generation sequencing were included in this retrospective study. Clinicopathological characteristics, gene mutations, and copy number changes in gene and chromosomal arms were compared among three PD-L1 expression groups: negative (TPS Results A total of 909 nonsquamous NSCLCs were included. High PD-L1 expression compared with low and negative PD-L1 expression was associated with increased tobacco exposure (median pack-years: 25 versus 20 versus 20, respectively; P = 0.01), advanced stage at diagnosis (76% versus 67% versus 61% with advanced stage of disease, respectively; P Conclusions PD-L1 expression is associated with specific genomic alterations and clinicopathologic characteristics in nonsquamous NSCLC.
Tomographic Reconstruction of the Hair Cell Ribbon Synapse

Hair cells, the mechanotransducers of the inner ears and lateral lines of vertebrates offer an excellent preparation for the study of presynaptic mechanisms at fast chemical synapses. They offer the compact, almost cylindrical shape of an epithelial cell without entangling dendrites and axons, and make afferent synapses directly from the cell body. The biology of hair cells demands an unusually high performance of the output synapse, requiring continuous, and very quickly modulated transmitter exocytosis. Release follows the small receptor potential generated by the transduction apparatus; more transmitter is released upon depolarization, less after hyperpolarization. In some hair cells, transmission can phase-lock to kilohertz stimulus frequencies, preserving temporal information across the synapse.We have exploited the synaptic terminal-like features of these cells to explore both the physiology and ultrastructure of the machinery underlying neurotransmitter release.
Effects of Quality Improvement Education in Diabetic Retinopathy on Routine Clinical Practice Patterns of Optometrists.

Significance Optometrists play a preventive role in diabetic care by detecting early signs of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness in adults. This study demonstrates that additional training can improve optometrists' ability to assess the presence and severity of DR in individuals with diabetes. Purpose This study aimed to determine the impact of a quality improvement intervention involving education, assessment, and feedback on improving the evaluation and referral patterns of optometrists with regard to their patients with diabetes. Methods A pre-interventional and post-interventional analysis of optometrist practices was conducted through a retrospective chart review of diabetic patient encounters from July 2018 to March 2019. Dilated fundus examination (DFE) documentation, follow-up scheduling, referral practices, and usage of various imaging modalities were collected from patient records. Concordance of DR severity recordings between DFE findings, assessment and plan notes, and International Classification of Diseases codes was calculated. Results After intervention, the proportion of optometrists who conducted a DFE significantly increased from 79.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 77.3 to 81.7%) to 84.4% (95% CI, 82.4 to 86.4%). In addition, the rate of improper follow-up instructions decreased from 13.8 (95% CI, 12.0 to 15.7%) to 10.8% (95% CI, 9.2 to 12.6%), and the decrease was significant (P = .02). Although overall referrals decreased from 19.8 (95% CI, 17.6 to 21.9%) to 14.6% (95% CI, 12.6 to 16.5%), optometrists were as likely to refer to retinal specialists. Finally, concordance between documented DFE findings, assessment and plan notes, and International Classification of Diseases codes significantly increased from 78.8 (95% CI, 76.5 to 81.0%) to 88.7% (95% CI, 86.9 to 90.4%). Conclusions Providing optometrists education in screening and assessing DR is effective in improving diabetic patient care.
Governments, Rebels, and the Use of Child Soldiers in Internal Armed Conflicts

Why do governments and rebel groups employ child soldiers in some internal armed conflicts but not in others? While previous studies have examined aspects of the causes and consequences of child soldier usage, to date there has never been a comprehensive empirical analysis that has examined their worldwide usage. In this study, we develop a theory that explains the use of child soldiers as a tactical military innovation that rebel groups have greater incentives and abilities to adopt as compared to governments. As we argue, however, governments’ incentives and ability to adopt child soldiers increase dramatically if rebels adopt the tactic. According to our theory, the decision to adopt child soldiers by governments and rebel groups will be primarily driven by tactical considerations rather than the socio-demographic factors typically highlighted in the literature. To test our theory, we collected global data on the usage of child soldiers by governments and rebel groups in 109 internal armed conflicts from 1987-2007. This new data shows that governments and rebels employed child soldiers in 45% of the internal armed conflicts that took place during this period, whereas governments were the only party to employ them in 10% of the cases and rebels were the only part to do so in 26% of the cases. Our analysis of these cases using binomial and multinomial estimation techniques reveal strong support for our tactically-driven explanation of child soldier usage, especially compared to the rival socio-demographic account. Our findings have salient implications for how this problem should be understood and the policy measures that may be effective in diminishing its occurrence.
Case Study Research: Principles and Practices

Case Study Research: Principles and Practices provides a general understanding of the case study method as well as specific tools for its successful implementation. These tools are applicable in a variety of fields including anthropology, business and management, communications, economics, education, medicine, political science, psychology, social work, and sociology. Topics include: a survey of case study approaches; a methodologically tractable definition of 'case study'; strategies for case selection, including random sampling and other algorithmic approaches; quantitative and qualitative modes of case study analysis; and problems of internal and external validity. The second edition of this core textbook is designed to be accessible to readers who are new to the subject and is thoroughly revised and updated, incorporating recent research, numerous up-to-date studies and comprehensive lecture slides.
How Swarms Build Cognitive Maps

Swarms of social insects construct trails and networks of regular traffic via a process of pheromone laying and following. These patterns constitute what is known in brain science as a cognitive map. The main difference lies in the fact that the insects write their spatial memories in the environment, while the mammalian cognitive map lies inside the brain. This analogy can be more than a poetic image, and can be further justified by a direct comparison with the neural processes associated with the construction of cognitive maps in the hippocampus. We investigate via analysis and numerical simulation the formation of trails and networks in a collection of insect-like agents. The agents interact in simple ways which are determined by experiments with real ants
Manifest dyality invariance in electrodynamics and the cabibbo-ferrari theory of magnetic monopoles

One of the intrinsic symmetry properties of the Maxwell-Lorentz theory of electrodynamics is the invariance of the theory under « dyality » transformation, that is, a dual transformation on fieldsand sourcessimultaneously. In this paper we give a manifestly dyality-invariant formulation of electrodynamics. This is done by expressing the electromagnetic-field tensors in terms of an antisymmetric tensor of rank two, called a Hertz tensor, consisting of electric and magnetic Hertz vector potentials. An equation is derived which relates the electromagnetic fields when sources consist of electric charges only, magnetic charges only, and both. The present formalism provides a natural physical basis for the Cabibbo-Ferrari theory in which two four-vector potentials and a mixed gauge transformation between them are introduced.
Some Reflections on Proof Transformations

Some general reflections on proof transformations lead to the abstract concept of a quintessential proof of a theorem. A quintessential proof embodies the essential features of many intertranslatable proofs of the theorem. While reasonable candidates for quintessential proofs for normal proofs have been developed, more work is needed with regard to non-normal proofs. Work on proof transformations seems likely to lead to important progress in understanding proofs.
Defined Benefits, Undefined Costs: Moving Toward a More Transparent Accounting of State Public Employee Pension Plans

State governments and public pension boards have failed to provide timely and meaningful information regarding the health of their pension plans. Because stakeholders disagree on the method of valuing these pension plans, the public lacks information necessary to develop policy alternatives. Thus, it is the responsibility of the federal government to step in, as it has done with private sector pension plans. An attempt was made with the Public Employee Pension Transparency Act, though that legislation falls short because it lacks a mandate of uniformity. Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements greatly influence state plans, but they too lack uniform standards. In this article, I propose the Uniform Pension Valuation and Reporting Act (UPVARA), which calls for mandatory uniform valuation and reporting standards. UPVARA also directs plans to report under three separate valuation assumptions, thereby decreasing the acrimonious nature of plan valuation and reporting. UPVARA is therefore a crucial step toward improving the valuation and reporting standards for state public sector pensions.
Weight loss during concomitant chemo-radiation therapy for squamous cell head and neck cancer: Possible role of transient hyperthyroidism

16531 Background: Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a standard treatment modality for locally advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer (HNC). This treament is often associated with signific...
RNA Transcription by the Virion Polymerases of Five Rhabdoviruses

The presence of a virion-associated RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in five serologically distinct rhabdovirus isolates (vesicular stomatitis virus [VSV] Indiana, VSV New Jersey, Cocal, Chandipura, and Piry viruses) has been demonstrated. The enzyme for each virus has been shown to be a transcriptase capable of synthesizing in vitro RNA which is complementary to the viral genome. By sequence analyses it has been shown that, for each rhabdovirus, transcription is multiply initiated with specific 5′ nucleotide sequences. The results indicate that, for all five viruses, the initiation of transcription involves similar sequences (e.g., pppApCpGp..., pppGpCp..., and possibly one or two other sequences), suggesting relatedness and some genome conservation among these viruses.
Preliminary Validation of the Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS)

Two studies investigated the psychometricproperties of the Brief MultidimensionalStudents' Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS: Huebner, 1994). In Study 1, 221 middle schoolstudents completed the Brief MultidimensionalStudents' Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS),Multidimensional Students' Life SatisfactionScale, Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS:Huebner, 1991a), Positive and Negative AffectSchedule-Children's Version (Laurent et al.,1999), Children's Social Desirability Scale(Crandall et al., 1965), and a one-item globallife satisfaction rating (GLLS). Students alsorated the importance of the BMSLSS five lifesatisfaction domains (Family, Friends, School,Self, Living Environment). The results revealedacceptable internal consistency reliability,criterion-related validity, and constructvalidity for the BMSLSS Total score forresearch purposes. Furthermore, evidence ofconvergent and discriminant validity for theBMSLSS domain scores was also obtained throughmultitrait-multimethod analyses. Finally, theresults failed to provide strong support forthe usefulness of importance scores inpredicting overall life satisfaction;unweighted BMSLSS scores were highly related toglobal life satisfaction (GLLS) scores. InStudy 2, 46 high school students completed theBMSLSS and MSLSS to test the generalizabilityof the convergent and discriminant validityfindings with older adolescents. The findingsrevealed stronger evidence of validity withthis age group. Overall, the findings offered preliminary support for the reliability andvalidity of the BMSLSS, suggesting that it canserve as a useful alternative to the longerMSLSS in studies with adolescents in whichbrevity is an important consideration.
Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase attenuates neuronal cell death by preventing extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation after transient focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

Recent studies have revealed that activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) may contribute to apoptosis, a cell death process involved in oxidative stress. We examined phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and oxidative stress after transient focal cerebral ischemia (FCI) using transgenic (Tg) mice that overexpress copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1). The mice were subjected to 60 min of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion by intraluminal suture blockade followed by 1, 4, and 24 hr of reperfusion. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis showed that phospho-ERK1 was markedly increased in the cortex within the MCA territory at 1 hr of reperfusion ( p < 0.01), followed by a decrease at 24 hr in wild-type mice. Double staining with phospho-ERK1/2 and neuron-specific nuclear protein showed that phospho-ERK1/2 was primarily expressed in neurons. In SOD1 Tg mice, phospho-ERK1/2 was prominently reduced compared with nonischemic controls, shown by immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis confirmed a significant decrease in phospho-ERK1/2 1 hr after FCI in the ischemic cortex ( p < 0.005). Apoptotic-related DNA fragmentation was reduced in the ischemic cortex of SOD1 Tg mice compared with wild-type mice using a cell death assay. These results suggest that phosphorylation of ERK1/2 may be involved in apoptosis or cell death after transient FCI and that SOD1 may attenuate apoptotic cell death mediated by the mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK pathway.
Impulsivity (Delay Discounting) as a Predictor of Acquisition of IV Cocaine Self-Administration in Female Rats

Previous research in humans suggests a relationship between drug abuse and impulsivity as shown by selection of a smaller immediate reward over a larger delayed reward. However, it is not clear whether impulsivity precedes drug abuse or drug abuse influences impulsivity. The hypothesis of the present experiment was that rats selected for choosing smaller, immediate over larger, delayed food would acquire IV cocaine self-administration faster than those choosing larger, delayed food rewards. Female rats were screened for locomotor activity and trained on a delay discounting procedure that allowed them access to two response levers and a food pellet dispenser. Under a fixed-ratio (FR) 1 schedule, responding on one lever resulted in immediate delivery of one 45 mg pellet, while responding on the other lever resulted in delivery of three 45 mg pellets after a variable delay that increased after responses on the delay lever and decreased after responses on the immediate lever. For each rat, a mean adjusted delay (MAD) was calculated for each daily session, and stability was defined as MADs varying less than 5 s across 5 days. Based on their average MADs, rats were separated into low impulsive (LoI) and high impulsive (HiI) groups, implanted with an indwelling IV catheter, and trained to lever press for cocaine (0.2 mg/kg) under an FR1 schedule. There were no differences in locomotor activity between the LoI and HiI groups; however, a greater percentage of the HiI group acquired cocaine self-administration, and they did so at a significantly faster rate than the LoI rats. Performance on the delay discounting model of impulsivity predicted vulnerability to subsequent acquisition of cocaine self-administration.
Correlation of iron and colon adenomas.

Summary Background and objective Better colon cancer screening guidelines are needed. This study was conducted to explore the relationship between serum transferrin saturation (as iron is a potential carcinogen) and presence of colon adenomas. This may aid to evolve better colon cancer screening guidelines. Methods This study is a retrospective review of computer records. Patients who had colonoscopy and iron studies done between May 1996 and December 2003 were included in the study. The adjusted odds ratio, derived from multiple logistic regression analysis, was used to measure the association between transferrin saturation and colon adenomas. Results Complete data were available for 124 subjects. The adjusted odds ratio, for predicting the presence of polyp in those patients with transferrin saturation above the median was 10.9 (CI 4.0–29.5, P P Conclusions Iron levels are directly linked to presence of colon polyps, and might help in evolving better screening guidelines.
Comparison of omental and pectoralis flaps for poststernotomy mediastinitis

Abstract Background . Pectoralis flaps are frequently used to treat poststernotomy mediastinitis. We compared the outcomes of omental transfer, an alternative treatment for mediastinitis, with those of pectoralis flaps. Methods . Patients treated for poststernotomy mediastinitis with isolated omental flaps ( n = 21) were compared with a group of consecutive patients treated with pectoralis flaps ( n = 38). Baseline characteristics were equivalent for the two groups, and both early and late outcomes were compared. Results . Length of procedure and length of postoperative hospitalization were reduced significantly and there were significantly fewer early complications in the group treated with omental flaps. Furthermore, there were no early or late flap failures or abscesses in the omental flap group. Conclusions . This study found that omental flaps had improved early outcomes and are a more effective therapy relative to pectoralis flaps for poststernotomy mediastinitis. Technical considerations for omental transfer that could optimize results are given.
Binding energies of protonated betaine complexes: a probe of zwitterion structure in the gas phase.

The dissociation kinetics of proton-bound dimers of betaine with molecules of comparable gas-phase basicity were investigated using blackbody infrared radiative dissociation (BIRD). Threshold dissociation energies were obtained from these data using master equation modeling. For bases that have comparable or higher gas-phase basicity, the binding energy of the protonated base·betaine complex is ∼1.4 eV. For molecules that are ∼2 kcal/mol or more less basic, the dissociation energy of the complexes is ∼1.2 eV. The higher binding energy of the former is attributed to an ion−zwitterion structure which has a much larger ion−dipole interaction. The lower binding energy for molecules that are ∼2 kcal/mol or more less basic indicates that an ion−molecule structure is more favored. Semiempirical calculations at both the AM1 and PM3 levels indicate the most stable ion−molecule structure is one in which the base interacts with the charged quaternary ammonium end of betaine. These results indicate that the measureme...
Computer improvement of Anger Camera images

Abstract Data from the Anger Camera were obtained by means of a data acquisition computer or high resolution film reader and stored on magnetic tape. Correction for nonuniformity was obtained for camera flood and stored for processing incoming data. In addition, a method of contrast enhancement which allows the user to visualize the resulting image and its histogram is described.
Teaching Mathematical Reasoning Principles for Software Correctness and Its Assessment

Undergraduate computer science students need to learn analytical reasoning skills to develop high-quality software and to understand why the software they develop works as specified. To accomplish this central educational objective, this article describes a systematic process of introducing reasoning skills into the curriculum and assessing how well students have learned those skills. To facilitate assessment, a comprehensive inventory of principles for reasoning about correctness that captures the finer details of basic skills that students need to learn has been defined and used. The principles can be taught at various levels of depth across the curriculum in a variety of courses.The use of a particular instructional process is illustrated to inculcate reasoning principles across several iterations of a sophomore-level development foundations course and a junior-level software engineering course. The article summarizes how learning outcomes motivated by the inventory of reasoning principles lead to questions that in turn form the basis for a careful analysis of student understanding and for fine-tuning teaching interventions that together facilitate continuous improvements to instruction.
Predicted 25-hydroxyvitamin D score and change in fasting plasma glucose in the Framingham offspring study

Data on the association between vitamin D status and actual change in glycemic measures are limited. We examined the prospective association between a predicted 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) score and change in fasting plasma glucose concentration over a mean follow-up of 7 years, in 2571 men and women (mean age 54 years) without diabetes in the Framingham Offspring Study cohort. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index and fasting plasma glucose at baseline, higher predicted 25(OH)D score at baseline was associated with a smaller 7-year increase in fasting plasma glucose concentrations (0.23 mmol/l versus 0.35 mmol/l for highest versus lowest tertile of 25(OH)D score, respectively, P-trend=0.002). Vitamin D status may be an important determinant for change in fasting plasma glucose concentration among middle-aged and older adults without diabetes.
Complications of Fourth-Ventricular Shunts

Fourth-ventricular shunting is commonly used to treat symptomatic posterior fossa cysts of the Dandy-Walker malformation and trapped fourth ventricle. Although the benefits of this procedure have been widely reported, there is a paucity of data on the pitfalls of posterior fossa shunting in the neurosurgical literature. During the 4-year period from July 1989 to June 1993, we placed fourth-ventricular shunts in 12 patients. Remarkably, 5 patients suffered complications related to posterior fossa catheter placement (42% rate). Three of these patients developed new cranial nerve dysfunction caused by direct injury to the floor of the fourth ventricle, 1 patient suffered an intracystic hemorrhage and acute shunt malfunction, and 1 patient had the catheter tip in the brainstem on postoperative studies without new neurological deficit. We conclude that placement of fourth-ventricular shunts can be fraught with complications which we believe is related to technique. We propose that altering the trajectory of the ventricular catheter from our usual midline technique to a more lateral position will lessen the chances for injury to the floor of the fourth ventricle. In this manner we hope to decrease our incidence of complications for this procedure.
Solvent Molecule Bondability and Effect on Mechanical Proteins Transition State and Stability - A Smd Study

The solvent environment plays an integral role in physiological processes in the living cell. Changes in solvent environment or properties are a chemical signal that may induce changes in the mechanical response in a protein system. In this steered molecular dynamics study, using simulations we stretch to unfold the mechanical protein titin in aqueous and non-aqueous environment and reveal the atomic details and mechanism of interactions between solvent and proteins when subjected to steering force. Titin is a mechanically stable protein which is able to resist force due to a force bearing topology element - antiparallel beta sheet, stabilized by 6 native hydrogen bond contacts. In our study we observe individual solvent molecules bridging the stabilizing native hydrogen bonds in the force bearing patch. Solvent molecules also modulate the distance to the transition state. We investigate the distance to transition state of the unfolding reaction as related to solvent molecule size and we also introduce the concept of solvent molecule bondability - the capability of a solvent molecule to bridge the native hydrogen bond contact in more than one way, as determined by solvent molecule polarity and topology. Features of the simulations were also matched with previously reported experimental results.Since The distance to transition state determines the mechanical stability of a protein, changing the solvent composition is a novel way to fine tune mechanical properties. Our investigation provides insights of the properties of the unfolding reaction pathway and possible mechanisms of mechanical protection when such proteins are subject to mechanical stress.
Stationary phase effects on the reversed-phase liquid chromatographic retention behavior of purine and pyrimidine compounds

Abstract The effects of stationary phase variables on the reversed-phase chromatographic behavior of nucleotides, nucleosides and bases were investigated. The parameters examined were the carbon chain length and bonded-phase polymericity as well as the per cent carbon coverage and loading, all known to affect the accessibility of the solute molecule to free silanols. As suggested by a previous study on mobile phase effects, solvophobic forces primarily govern the purine or pyrimidine nucleoside and base ring interaction with the hydrocarbonaceous packing. In addition, silanol—phosphate interactions seem to play a major role in the retention behavior of nucleotides at low eluent pH.
Transcription Factor ATF2 Regulation by the JNK Signal Transduction Pathway

Treatment of cells with pro-inflammatory cytokines or ultraviolet radiation causes activation of the c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK). Activating transcription factor-2 (ATF2) was found to be a target of the JNK signal transduction pathway. ATF2 was phosphorylated by JNK on two closely spaced threonine residues within the NH2-terminal activation domain. The replacement of these phosphorylation sites with alanine inhibited the transcriptional activity of ATF2. These mutations also inhibited ATF2-stimulated gene expression mediated by the retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor and the adenovirus early region 1A (E1A) oncoprotein. Furthermore, expression of dominant-negative JNK inhibited ATF2 transcriptional activity. Together, these data demonstrate a role for the JNK signal transduction pathway in transcriptional responses mediated by ATF2.
An enthalpic basis of additivity in biphenyl hydroxamic acid ligands for stromelysin-1

Fragment based drug discovery remains a successful tool for pharmaceutical lead discovery. Although based upon the principle of thermodynamic additivity, the underlying thermodynamic basis is poorly understood. A thermodynamic additivity analysis was performed using stromelysin-1 and a series of biphenyl hydroxamate ligands identified through fragment additivity. Our studies suggest that, in this instance, additivity arises from enthalpic effects, while interaction entropies are unfavorable; this thermodynamic behavior is masked by proton transfer. Evaluation of the changes in constant pressure heat capacities during binding suggest that solvent exclusion from the binding site does not account for the dramatic affinity enhancements observed.
Thoracoscopic pleurodesis with minocycline vs talc in the porcine model

Background: Eighteen adult pigs (Sus scrofa) underwent thoracoscopy and were placed into one of three groups: no sclerosant, talc pleurodesis, or minocycline pleurodesis. Methods: Animals were then sacrificed at matched time intervals. Gross inspection of the pleural cavity estimated percentage of pleural symphysis (>25% was considered substantial) and allowed assignment of a pleurodesis score based on a scale described by Bresticker. Microscopic examination evaluated degree of fibrosis as mild, moderate, or severe. Results: The talc group had significantly better pleurodesis than the minocycline group as determined by (1) the proportion of animals with substantial surface pleural symphysis (5/6 vs 1/6, p < 0.01), (2) a higher pleurodesis score (3 vs 1.3, p < 0.05), and (3) the proportion of animals with moderate fibrosis (5/6 vs 0/6, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The authors conclude that instillation of aerosolized talc produces significantly better fibrosis and pleural symphysis than atomized minocycline in this animal model.
Absolute determination of the wavelength and spectrum of an extreme-ultraviolet beam by a Young’s double-slit measurement

The interference pattern produced by irradiation of a pair of pinholes with a beam contains information on both the spatial and the temporal coherence properties of the beam, as well as its power spectrum. We demonstrate experimentally for what is believed to be the first time that the spectrum of an extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) beam can be obtained from a measurement of the interference pattern produced by a pinhole pair. This approach offers a convenient method of making absolute wavelength and relative spectral intensity calibrations in the EUV.
The role of Na+-Ca++ exchange in parathyroid hormone secretion

Changes in ionized Ca++ concentration are thought to be the main factor in the control of parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion from the parathyroid cell. In other secretory cells, functional Na+ channels and a Na+-Ca++ exchange have been shown to play a role in the regulation of hormone excretion. To assess the role of Na+-Ca++ exchange on PTH secretion by collagenase-dispersed bovine parathyroid cells, we examined the effects of 1) ouabain and harmaline, specific inhibitors of Na+-K+-ATPase; 2) an absence of K+ in the external medium, a maneuver known to inhibit the Na pump (and hence Na+ extrusion from cells); and 3) Na+-free media. Incubations were carried out at 37 C for 180 min, and under the conditions used, hormone secretion was linear for at least 240 min. The secretion of PTH decreased appropriately at a high (3.0 mM) Ca++ concentration as compared to that when a low Ca++ concentration (0.5 mM) was present in the medium. The mean decrease in PTH secretion at high Ca++ concentrations averaged 40.5 ...
Sarcocystis neurona: parasitemia in a severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) horse fed sporocysts.

Abstract Sarcocystis neurona was isolated from the blood of a 5-month-old Arabian foal with severe combined immunodeficiency. The foal had been inoculated approximately 3 weeks previously with 5×105 sporocysts that were isolated from the intestines of an opossum and identified by restriction enzyme analysis of PCR products as S. neurona. The isolate obtained from the blood of this foal was characterized by genetic, serologic, and morphologic methods and identified as S. neurona (WSU1). This represents the first time that S. neurona has been isolated from any tissue after experimental infection of a horse. This is also the first time a parasitemia has been detected during either natural or experimental infection. The severe combined immunodeficiency foal model provides a unique opportunity to study the pathogenesis of S. neurona infection in horses and to determine the role of the immune system in the control of infection with and development of neurologic disease. ■■■■ Index Descriptors and Abbreviations. Sarcocystis neurona; protozoa; horse; equine; EPM, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis; SCID, severe combined immunodeficiency; CNS, central nervous system; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; IFN-γ, interferon gamma; KO, knockout; DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; PID, post-infection day; DMEM, Dulbecco's modified essential media; SC, subcutaneous; IP, intraperitoneal; M, molar; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid.
Surface Structure and Reactivity of Rhodium Oxide

Density functional theory calculations have been performed in conjunction with ab initio thermodynamics and density of states analysis to investigate the stability and reactivity of the (0001) and (1102) Rh2O3 surfaces. A total of seven surfaces have been investigated using denisty functional theory (DFT) and the DFT+U extension. DFT and DFT+U (U = 3.5 eV) predicted nearly identical lattice parameters and similar trends in surface stability and reactivity. Using ab initio thermodynamics, the c-cut and r-cut surfaces were determined to be close in stability and the most thermodynamically stable surfaces were predicted to be among the most reactive. An oxygen-terminated c-cut surface and an oxygen-terminated r-cut surface were found to exhibit high Lewis acidity and to be close in stability at larger oxygen chemical potentials, possibly explaining the high experimentally observed catalytic activity of Rh2O3 at low temperatures. As compared to DFT, DFT+U predicted a crossover point in surface stability to o...
UV photolysis of nitrate: effects of natural organic matter and dissolved inorganic carbon and implications for UV water disinfection.

Nitrite (NO2-) formation during ultraviolet (UV) photolysis of nitrate was studied as a function of pH and natural organic matter (NOM) concentration to determine water-quality effects on quantum yields and overall formation potential during UV disinfection of drinking water with polychromatic, medium-pressure (MP) Hg lamps. Quantum yields measured at 228 nm are approximately 2 times higher than at 254 nm under all conditions studied. In the absence of NOM, NO2- quantum yields decrease with time. With addition of NOM, initial quantum yields increase, and the time-dependent decrease is eliminated. At 15 ppm dissolved organic carbon (DOC) as NOM, the quantum yield increases with time. Dissolved inorganic carbon significantly decreases NO2- yields at pH 8 but not pH 6, presumably by reaction of CO2(aq) with peroxynitrite, a major intermediate in NO2- formation. The results indicate important and previously unrecognized roles for NOM and CO2(aq) in nitrate photolysis. When photolysis was carried out using the full spectrum MPUV lamp and germicidally relevant UV doses, NO2- concentrations remained well below the U.S. maximum contaminant level of 1 ppm N, even with nitrate initially present at 10 ppm N. Under current U.S. regulations, NO2- formation should not pose a significant problem for water utilities during UV disinfection of drinking water with MP Hg lamps.
Prenatal screening for trisomy 21: recent advances and guidelines.

The performance of prenatal screening tests for the identification of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) has markedly improved since the 1970s and early 1980s when maternal age was the sole mode of screening the general pregnant population. With the discovery of second trimester serum markers in the 1980s and 1990s and implementation of double, triple, and quad marker testing; the discovery of first trimester serum and ultrasound markers in the 1990s and implementation of the combined test; and the development of the integrated test and sequential screening strategies over the past decade, the performance of screening has improved to a detection rate of 90%–95% at a false positive rate of 2%–5%. In this review, I will describe the advances in prenatal screening for trisomy 21, present current screening strategies, and discuss guidelines published by professional societies and regulatory bodies, with a focus on current prenatal screening practice in the USA.
A Microtiter Plate-Based High-Throughput DNA Purification Method

A fast, reliable, inexpensive, and high-throughput method to purify DNA has been developed. It is based on DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction utilizing a mini spin-column made from a 96-well membrane-bottomed assay plate. With this method, 50% of the DNA is recovered routinely using Sephacryl-500HR as filtration media. Purified DNA can then be used in various enzymatic manipulations, such as sequencing and hybridization. This provides an economical alternative protocol for routine large-scale purification of DNA templates for sequencing or other enzymatic manipulations.
Magnetic transitions and magnetodielectric effect in antiferromagnet SrNdFeO 4

We investigated the magnetic phase diagram of single crystals of SrNdFeO${}_{4}$ by measuring the magnetic properties, the specific heat and the dielectric permittivity. The system has two magnetically active ions, Fe${}^{3+}$ and Nd${}^{3+}$. The Fe${}^{3+}$ spins are antiferromagnetically ordered below 360 K with the moments lying in the $ab$ plane, and undergo a reorientation transition at about 35--37 K to an antiferromagnetic order with the moments along the $c$ axis. A short-range, antiferromagnetic ordering of Nd${}^{3+}$ along the $c$ axis was attributed to the reorientation of Fe${}^{3+}$ followed by a long-range ordering at lower temperature [Oyama et al., J. Phys.: Condens. Matter. 16, 1823 (2004)]. At low temperatures and magnetic fields above 8 T, the Nd${}^{3+}$ moments are completely spin polarized. The dielectric permittivity also shows anomalies associated with spin configuration changes, indicating that this compound has considerable coupling between spin and lattice. A possible magnetic structure is proposed to explain the results.
Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB) in an infant: Is the timing of an elective resection of neonatal lung lesions challenged? ☆

Abstract Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformations (CPAMs) are abnormalities of lung parenchyma that are often diagnosed upon prenatal imaging as opposed to postnatal symptoms. With a clinical presentation identical to CPAMs, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB) is a rare pulmonary neoplasm of highly malignant potential. We present a rare case of a female infant with a vague medical history of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) at birth, presenting with a tension pneumothorax at three months of age, thought initially to be secondary to CPAM, but found to be PPB upon surgical resection and histological analysis. PPB is a rare pulmonary neoplasm of childhood that originates from the primitive interstitium of the lung, resulting in lesions that can be highly malignant. It is classified as type I (cystic), type II (cystic/solid) or type III (solid), with a progression of disease and worsening prognosis from type I to type III. Due to the cystic nature of CPAM and PPB it is difficult to differentiate on imaging alone; diagnosis must be made based on histological analysis. The highly malignant nature and potential for morbidity and mortality of PPB should make clinicians consider early resection of cystic lung lesions preferentially on an elective basis.
Projection pursuit exploratory data analysis

Posse (1990) presented a projection pursuit technique, based on a global optimization algorithm and on a chi-squared projection index, for finding the plane in which the data are the most interesting. This paper extends and improves this algorithm providing an exploratory data analysis by projection pursuit that has important advantages over its competitors. The global optimization algorithm, when combined with a structure removal procedure due to Friedman (1987), allows a sequential identification of interesting bidimensional views of decreasing importance. The modified chi-squared index satisfies the five basic demands for a projection index. It is (1) uniquely minimized at the bivariate normal distribution, (2) approximately affine invariant, (3) consistent, (4) resistant to features in the tail of the distribution and, (5) simple enough to permit quick computation even for large data sets. The paper gives simple rules for judging the significance of a structure found by this algorithm. These rules define a stopping criterion for the search process. They are based on theoretical (asymptotic) arguments and are well-supported by simulations. The efficacy of the new algorithm is illustrated through several studies of real and simulated data.
Long‐Term Tillage Impacts on Soil Aggregation and Carbon Dynamics under Wheat‐Fallow in the Central Great Plains

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 77:594–605 doi:10.2136/sssaj2012.0125 Received 12 Apr. 2012. *Corresponding author (maysoon.mikha@ars.usda.gov). Mention of commercial products and organization in this paper is solely to provide specific information. It does not constitute endorsement by USDA-ARS over other products and organization not mentioned. The US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, is an equal opportunity–affirmative action employer and all agency services are available without discrimination.
Classification of the irreducible representations of semisimple Lie groups.

Abstract We obtain a classification of the irreducible (nonunitary) representations of a connected semisimple Lie group G, in terms of their restriction to a maximal compact subgroup K of G. (A classification in terms of analytic properties of the representations has been given by R. P. Langlands [(1973), mimeographed notes, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ] for linear groups.) We first define a norm on the representations of K: if μ ∈ K, ‖μ‖ is a nonnegative real number. Then if π ∈ Ĝ, μ is called a lowest K-type of π if ‖μ‖ is minimal among the K-types occurring in π. We announce a parameterization of the set of representations containing μ as a lowest K-type by the orbits of a finite group acting in a complex vector space (the dual of the vector part of a certain Cartan subgroup of G), and the result that μ necessarily occurs with multiplicity one in such representations.
Protein degradation in aged nematodes (Turbatrix aceti).

Abstract The rates of degradation of total soluble proteins in the free-living nematode, Turbatrix aceti , have been estimated by following the loss of acid-insoluble insoluble radioactivity from protein during a nonradioactive chase period after initial labeling with [35S]methionine. These proteins appear to lose label kinetically as a homogeneous class in age-synchronized nematode populations. However, proteins are degraded more slowly in senescent cultures than in young cultures. Protein degradation rates decline progressively during nematode aging. These findings suggest that the protein degradative system in T. aceti may become partially defective with advancing age which may result in the accumulation of aberrant protein molecules in senescent organisms.
Membrane protein variation in Dictyostelium mucoroides during sorocarp and macrocyst development

Abstract Significant differences appeared in the patterns of membrane proteins from Dictyostelium mucoroides amoebae at selected times during growth and development along two alternate courses. Synchronous development of amoebae in the sorocarp or macrocyst pathway was obtained by placing amoebae grown in liquid cultures onto premoistened filters and incubating under appropriate conditions. Membranes were isolated using a two-phase polymer system and proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The major change in protein banding patterns occurred immediately after vegetative growth. Proteins with apparent molecular weights of 15, 21, 30, 35, and 42 kDa showed the most pronounced differences during development. Proteins banding at 67 and 87 kDa were more prominent in amoebae developing in the sorocarp pathway than in amoebae developing as macrocysts.
Research on Monitoring of Machine Tools Based on Wireless Sensor Network

This paper discusses the structure of wireless sensor network (WSN) and the key technologies for the monitoring of machine tools. Multi-sensor is used to monitor the acoustic emission and vibration signal during the manufacturing process of machine tools. Vibration signals and acoustic characteristics are extracted by using wavelet analysis. Based on the fusion of BP artificial neural networks and multi-sensor information, the monitoring of machine tool is carried out in the environment of wireless sensor network.
Pacific steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to chlorpyrifos: Benchmark concentration estimates for acetylcholinesterase inhibition

Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were exposed for 96 h to the organophosphate chlorpyrifos to establish benchmark concentration (BMC) values in the low-effect range of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) benchmark dose software was used to model the data. Benchmark concentrations were determined for a range of inhibition levels at 5, 10, and 20%, at 1 and 2 control standard deviations (SD), and at an experimental limit-of-detection level of 2.5%. One contributing difficulty in establishing precise inhibition BMCs in the lower effect region is the variability associated with the AChE analytical method. To minimize this variability, the Ellman method was modified specifically for analysis of O. mykiss brain tissue. Laboratory-established BMCs for chlorpyrifos were then compared with the U.S. EPA 96-h water quality criteria and with the concentration levels detected in Northwest surface waters that are home to threatened steelhead trout. The U.S. EPA 96-h water quality criteria of 0.083 μg/L is below the BMC02.5, the limit-of-detection value for this study. The average chlorpyrifos concentration detected during a two-week period in one monitored stream was 0.127 μg/L, which approaches the BMC02.5. The peak chlorpyrifos concentration detected at 0.482 μg/L is near the BMC1SD estimate.
Regulation of High Affinity Nickel Uptake in Bacteria Ni2+-DEPENDENT INTERACTION OF NikR WITH WILD-TYPE AND MUTANT OPERATOR SITES

Abstract Escherichia coli actively imports nickel via the ATP-dependent NikABCDE permease. NikR, a protein of the ribbon-helix-helix family of transcription factors, represses expression of the nikABCDE operon in the presence of excessive concentrations of intracellular nickel. Here, the NikR operator site is identified within the nikABCDE promoter by footprinting and mutational analyses. The operator consists of two dyad-symmetric 5′-GTATGA-3′ recognition sequences separated by 16 base pairs. Mutations in the GTATGA sequences reduce NikR binding affinityin vitro and reduce repression of aP nik -lacZ fusion in vivo. Moreover, NikR is shown to be a direct sensor of nickel ions. Strong operator binding requires the continual presence of 20–50 μm nickel, indicating the presence of a low affinity nickel-binding site, and NikR dimers also contain two high affinity nickel-binding sites. In addition to both GTATGA sites and nickel, high affinity operator binding also requires the C-terminal domain of NikR.
Stochastic Stability of Short-Run Market Equilibrium under Variations in Supply

I. Introduction, 666. — II. Expectations and deterministic stability, 668. — III. Stochastic stability, 672. — IV. Stochastic stability of simple first order system, 675. — V. Stochastic stability of short-run fluctuations, 676. — VI. Stochastic stability with autocorrelated disturbances, 680. — VII. Concluding remarks, 681.
Nonuniqueness of transonic flows

The objective of this paper is to present nonunique (numerical) solutions of potential, Euler and Navier-Stokes equations for steady transonic flows over the same airfoil at the same Mach number. It seems, therefore, that the nonuniqueness is associated with the common inherent nonlinearity of the different models.