cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cervical Cancer Screening Among Southeast Asian American Women

The incidence of cervical cancer is high among Southeast Asian American women, but their participation in preventive cervical cancer screening is alarmingly low. This paper reviews the literature on factors associated with participation in cervical cancer screening among women of Vietnamese, Cambodian and Hmong descent in the United States. These factors include acculturation, age, marital status, knowledge about cervical cancer, apprehension about cervical cancer screening, financial concerns, access to health care, and physician characteristics and recommendation. Suggestions for future research include the need to investigate the role of physicians treating Southeast Asian American women, the need for more extensive up-to-date studies on the current generation of young Southeast Asian American women, and the use of more advanced assessments of acculturation. Overall, much more work is needed in order to deepen our understanding of the various ways to improve the rate of cervical cancer screening among Southeast Asian American women.
Theory Building, Administrative Reform Movements, and the Perdurability of Herbert Hoover:

Prior research has offered significant insight into the politics, substance, and implications of administrative reform movements in the United States. However, a coherent theory for understanding the drivers, interactions, and implications of the evolution of U.S. administrative reform movements over time is still lacking. This interpretative essay begins to address this gap by reviewing prior scholarship assessing administrative reform movements in the United States, by using the insights of scholarship in American Political Development (APD) to illustrate its applicability to the evolution of administrative reform movements in the United States, and by teasing from APD literature an integrated process theory that incorporates the insights of prior public administration research on this topic. In doing so, it discerns the sources and implications of the repeated privileging, reflexivity, and amplifying effects of American exceptionalist, corporatist, and associationalist values on the trajectory and substance of administrative reform movements in this nation.
Do regional economies converge

Current interest in the new economic growth theory, linked with the development of new, innovative methods of measurement, has resurrected interest in spatial economic convergence. The primary objective of this paper is to examine the extent that regional economies seem to be converging or diverging. It explores the expanding theoretical literature in the field and examines the growing body of empirical evidence that has emerged in recent years not only in the U.S. but also internationally. The paper is retrospective but also embraces new findings relating to the United Kingdom and the U.S., putting particular emphasis on long- and short-term indicators of economic convergence.
FtsZ-ring stability: of bundles, tubules, crosslinks and curves

The first step in bacterial cytokinesis is the assembly of a stable but dynamic cytokinetic ring made up of the essential tubulin homolog FtsZ at the future site of division. Although FtsZ and its role in cytokinesis have been studied extensively, the precise architecture of the in vivo medial FtsZ ring (Z ring) is not well understood. Recent advances in superresolution imaging suggest that the Z ring comprises short, discontinuous, and loosely bundled FtsZ polymers, some of which are tethered to the membrane. A diverse array of regulatory proteins modulate the assembly, stability, and disassembly of the Z ring via direct interactions with FtsZ. Negative regulators of FtsZ play a critical role in ensuring the accurate positioning of FtsZ at the future site of division and in maintaining Z ring dynamics by controlling FtsZ polymer assembly/disassembly processes. Positive regulators of FtsZ are essential for tethering FtsZ polymers to the membrane and promoting the formation of stabilizing lateral interactions, permitting assembly of a mature Z ring. The past decade has seen the identification of several factors that promote FtsZ assembly, presumably through a variety of distinct molecular mechanisms. While a few of these proteins are broadly conserved, many positive regulators of FtsZ assembly are limited to small groups of closely related organisms, suggesting that FtsZ assembly is differentially modulated across bacterial species. In this review, we focus on the roles of positive regulators in Z ring assembly and in maintaining the integrity of the cytokinetic ring during the early stages of division.
Kinetics of Crystallization in Li2O‐SiO2 Glasses

The kinetics of crystallization of Li2Si2O5 from glasses in the Li2O-SiO2 system were studied using quantitative X-ray diffraction. Analysis of the data using the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation showed that crystallization occurred through the nucleation and growth of rods. The spherulitic nature of the crystals was substantiated by petrographic examinations of the partially crystalline glass. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the crystallization rate using a modification of the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation showed that the activation energy for nucleation was a function of composition and thermal treatment.
Three-dimensional electromagnetic cross-well inversion

An inversion algorithm for a vertical magnetic dipole source and a vertical magnetic field component receiver is presented. A three-dimensional integral equation algorithm is used for calculating the electromagnetic response of a particular trial reservoir model. The inversion formalism used is the Marquardt technique of nonlinear least-squares optimization. The system derivatives are calculated using an exact expression derived from reciprocity. The derivative calculation involves introducing sources at the receiver locations with subsequent back-substitution into the impedance matrix equation. The inversion algorithm was tested on data gathered with a laboratory scale model. Convergence to the neighborhood of the correct model from distant initial trial models is good. >
Neural stem cells as engraftable packaging lines can mediate gene delivery to microglia: evidence from studying retroviral env-related neurodegeneration.

The induction of spongiform myeloencephalopathy by murine leukemia viruses is mediated primarily by infection of central nervous system (CNS) microglia. In this regard, we have previously shown that CasBrE-induced disease requires late, rather than early, virus replication events in microglial cells (W. P. Lynch et al., J. Virol. 70:8896–8907, 1996). Furthermore, neurodegeneration requires the presence of unique sequences within the viral env gene. Thus, the neurodegeneration-inducing events could result from microglial expression of retroviral envelope protein alone or from the interaction of envelope protein with other viral structural proteins in the virus assembly and maturation process. To distinguish between these possible mechanisms of disease induction, we engineered the engraftable neural stem cell line C17-2 into packaging/producer cells in order to deliver the neurovirulent CasBrE env gene to endogenous CNS cells. This strategy resulted in significant CasBrE env expression within CNS microglia without the appearance of replication competent virus. CasBrE envelope expression within microglia was accompanied by increased expression of activation markers F4/80 and Mac-1 (CD11b) but failed to induce spongiform neurodegenerative changes. These results suggest that envelope expression alone within microglia is not sufficient to induce neurodegeneration. Rather, microglia-mediated disease appears to require neurovirulent Env protein interaction with other viral proteins during assembly or maturation. More broadly, the results presented here prove the efficacy of a novel method by which neural stem cell biology may be harnessed for genetically manipulating the CNS, not only for studying neurodegeneration but also as a paradigm for the disseminated distribution of retroviral vector-transduced genes.
Evaluation of Pheromone Release from Commercial Mating Disruption Dispensers

Pome fruit growers and crop consultants have expressed concerns about the seasonal release performance of commercial codling moth mating disruption dispenser products. Because of these concerns, we developed a laboratory flow-through volatile collection system (VCS) for measuring the volatile release of the codling moth sex pheromone, codlemone, from commercially available hand-applied dispensers. Under controlled air-flow and temperature conditions, the released vapor was trapped onto a polyurethane foam adsorbent followed by solvent extraction, solvent reduction, and GC/MS determination. Method recovery and breakthrough validations were performed to demonstrate system reliability before determining codlemone release from commercial dispensers field-aged over 140 days. The volatile collection was carried out in a consistent manner among five dispenser types most commonly used by growers, so that direct comparison of performance could be made. The comparison showed differences in the amount of pheromone released and in the patterns of release throughout the season between dispenser types. The variation in release performance demonstrates the need for routine evaluation of commercially marketed mating disruption dispensers. We believe that the simple and cost-effective volatile collection system can assist pheromone dispenser manufacturers in determining seasonal dispenser performance before new products are introduced into the commercial market and in rapidly verifying dispenser release when field-aged dispenser efficacy is in question.
Tool Support to Enable Evaluation of the Clinical Response to Treatment

Objective criteria for measuring response to cancer treatment are critical to clinical research and practice. The National Cancer Institute has developed the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1 method to quantify treatment response. RECIST evaluates response by assessing a set of measurable target lesions in baseline and follow-up radiographic studies. However, applying RECIST consistently is challenging due to interobserver variability among oncologists and radiologists in choice and measurement of target lesions. We analyzed the radiologist-oncologist workflow to determine whether the information collected is sufficient for reliably applying RECIST. We evaluated radiology reports and image markup (radiologists), and clinical flow sheets (oncologists). We found current reporting of radiology results insufficient for consistent application of RECIST, compared with flow sheets. We identified use cases and functional requirements for an informatics tool that could improve consistency and accuracy in applying methods such as RECIST.
Tanning accelerators: prevalence, predictors of use, and adverse effects.

Background Tanning accelerators are topical products used by indoor tanners to augment and hasten the tanning process. These products contain tyrosine, psoralens, and/or other chemicals. Objective We sought to better define the population using accelerators, identify predictors of their use, and describe any related adverse effects. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed 200 indoor tanners about their tanning practices and accelerator use. Primary analysis compared accelerator users with nonusers with respect to questionnaire variables. Descriptive statistics and χ 2 contingency tables were applied to identify statistically significant variables. Results Of respondents, 53% used accelerators; 97% were female and 3% were male with a median age of 22 years (range: 19-67). Users were more likely to spray tan, tan frequently, and be addicted to tanning. Acne and rashes were more common in accelerator users. Adverse reactions to accelerators prevented their further use 31% of the time. Limitations A limited adult population was evaluated; exact accelerator ingredients were not examined. Conclusions Tanning accelerator users are high-risk indoor tanners who tan more frequently and who are more likely addicted to tanning. Acne and rashes are more common with these products and act as only mild deterrents to continued use. Additional research should investigate accelerators' longer-term health effects.
A Computerized School-Based Health Assessment with Rapid Feedback to Improve Adolescent Health

Adolescent health problems are often undetected in physicians' offices. The Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project has developed a validated and reliable approach to identify adolescent health problems and initiate education in a school setting. A self-administered, anonymous, 26-item questionnaire was given to 204 students in a rural high school. Responses were scanned into PC-based software. Within one working day students were given individualized letters identifying their problem health issues as detected by the questionnaire and recommendations for education. Ninety-nine percent of students participated. Six weeks later 49% of a sample of 41 students reported reading the information and 50% planned to change behavior. This standardized, validated strategy of adolescent health assessment, feedback, and education was feasible for use in schools. The school responded to the data by employing a psychologist to address mental health needs.
Rate distortion efficiency of subband coding with crossband prediction

Traditional subband coding, where each subband is encoded independently, has been shown by Fischer (1992) to be suboptimum for encoding Gaussian sources in the rate-distortion sense. We show here that if we use prediction across subbands when encoding Gaussian sources, the resulting coder is asymptotically rate-distortion-optimum at high rate. We also show for Gauss-Markov sources that although the crossband prediction filter in this case is of infinite impulse response, the filter can be implemented very efficiently to high accuracy due to the fast decay of the filter coefficients.
Observations on Giant American Brook Lampreys (Lampetra appendix)

ABSTRACT The American brook lamprey (Lampetra appendix) does not feed after metamorphosis from the larval stage, and is typically much smaller than lampreys that feed as parasites or predators of other fishes. However, relatively large “giants” have occasionally been reported from Great Lakes tributaries, and one hypothesis is that they have fed parasitically after metamorphosis. I describe here two additional giant specimens from tributaries of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The presence of acanthocephalan parasites in the hindguts of both giants supports the hypothesis that they fed parasitically, because parasites of this group are known only from lampreys that have fed after metamorphosis.
Self-diffusion in the nematic and smectic A phases of an aligned fluid of hard spherocylinders

The short to moderate time behaviour of the velocity-time correlation function (TCF) has been examined by molecular dynamics and by kinetic theory for a nematic and a smectic A liquid crystalline phase of perfectly aligned spherocylinders in three dimensions. The kinetic theory is a generalized Langevin formulation in which the uncorrelated collisions are accommodated by means of an Enskog friction and the correlated caging recollisions via the memory function. In the nematic phase, the TCFs both parallel and perpendicular to the director are well described by the Enskog theory alone. In the smectic A phase, a second order parameter arises and the dynamics along the director are strongly caged (i.e., indicating the importance of correlated backscattering), whereas the perpendicular motions still adhere to an uncorrelated collision scenario. The interesting questions of the existence and the nature of long-time tails in the TCFs are left for a future study.
Is overlay error more important than interconnect variations in double patterning

Double patterning lithography seems to be a prominent choice for 32nm and 22nm technologies. Double patterning lithography techniques require additional masks for a single interconnect layer. Consequently, mask shift-induced overlay errors introduce additional variability into interconnect coupling capacitances. An important open question is whether overlay-induced performance impacts are more significant than performance variations caused by variability in interconnects. We provide TCAD as well as chip-level analyses to determine whether overlay error should receive more attention than interconnect variations during interconnect manufacturing. We develop conclusions to help determine which component should be given more importance in specific double patterning process variants.
Severe acidosis alone does not predict mortality in the trauma patient

Abstract Background : Because severe acidosis is an indicator of poor prognosis in trauma patients, medical records of these patients were analyzed to determine whether aggressive resuscitation was appropriate. Patients and methods : Data from a level 1 trauma center registry were reviewed retrospectively to identify patients with a pH ≤7.0. Thirty-seven patients were identified. Severely acidotic patients were compared to average trauma patients in terms of demographics, resuscitation, injury, and outcome. Surviving acidotic patients were also compared to nonsurviving acidotic patients. Results : Half of the severely acidotic group survived initial resuscitation with approximately one third surviving to leave the hospital. There were no chronically disabled survivors. Nonsurviving acidotic patients were more unstable, more neurologically depressed, and more severely injured. Resuscitation efforts did not consume excessive hospital resources. Conclusion : Severe acidosis alone is not a sufficiently powerful predictor of outcome to justify withholding resuscitation; however, when combined with coma and shock, this condition had no survivors in this small series.
Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridisation of the X and Y chromosomes in the human eye

AIM—To determine the sex of individual cells in paraffin sections of the human eye by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) of the X and Y chromosomes. METHODS—The authors developed a protocol for FISH of the X and Y chromosomes in paraffin sections of human eyes. RESULTS—In all the specimens that had been fixed in 10% formalin and with a fixation time of up to 3 days sex determination of individual cells was achieved. The percentage of cells with clearly identifiable signals was up to 98% for corneal epithelium, keratocytes, corneal endothelium, trabecular meshwork, lens epithelium, retina, and optic nerve. CONCLUSIONS—FISH allows the determination of the sex of single cells in paraffin sections of human eyes without destruction of the tissue structure. Its main application is the histological analysis of sex mismatched corneal, RPE, or neuroretinal transplants to distinguish host and donor cells.
A transparent electrode based on a metal nanotrough network

Transparent conducting electrodes are essential components for numerous flexible optoelectronic devices, including touch screens and interactive electronics. Thin films of indium tin oxide-the prototypical transparent electrode material-demonstrate excellent electronic performances, but film brittleness, low infrared transmittance and low abundance limit suitability for certain industrial applications. Alternatives to indium tin oxide have recently been reported and include conducting polymers, carbon nanotubes and graphene. However, although flexibility is greatly improved, the optoelectronic performance of these carbon-based materials is limited by low conductivity. Other examples include metal nanowire-based electrodes, which can achieve sheet resistances of less than 10Ω □(-1) at 90% transmission because of the high conductivity of the metals. To achieve these performances, however, metal nanowires must be defect-free, have conductivities close to their values in bulk, be as long as possible to minimize the number of wire-to-wire junctions, and exhibit small junction resistance. Here, we present a facile fabrication process that allows us to satisfy all these requirements and fabricate a new kind of transparent conducting electrode that exhibits both superior optoelectronic performances (sheet resistance of ~2Ω □(-1) at 90% transmission) and remarkable mechanical flexibility under both stretching and bending stresses. The electrode is composed of a free-standing metallic nanotrough network and is produced with a process involving electrospinning and metal deposition. We demonstrate the practical suitability of our transparent conducting electrode by fabricating a flexible touch-screen device and a transparent conducting tape.
The Legal Implications of Green Policies by State and Local Government Employers

Trends in policies and practices governing the workplace are showing an increasing demand for sustainable workplace environments. As a result, state and local governments across the country have implemented various policies that promote sustainability in the workplace, including alternative transportation to work, flexible work schedule, telecommuting, and e-communication policies, which have required and will continue to require employers to adapt their workplace policies. These policies provide substantial benefits employees, employers and society as a whole, but employers will be required to engage in a thoughtful process prior to implementation. Without careful consideration of the potential legal implications, including those identified in this chapter, the implementation of certain green policies could expose local and state government employers to unintended legal claims. This chapter identifies some potential legal issues that could result from the implementation of green workplace policies under the labor and employment laws. The first part of this chapter examines the potential legal implications under state public sector collective bargaining laws, including whether state and local government employers are required to negotiate with the employees’ union representatives prior to implementing green policies. Part II explores the implications of the implementation of (and eligibility to participate in) certain green policies under Title VII and/or similar state anti-discrimination statutes. The last section addresses possible privacy-related concerns related to teleworking and other workplace internet policies.
Fertilization and early embryology: Antral follicle development and in-vitro maturation of oocytes from macaques stimulated with a single subcutaneous injection of pregnant mare‘s serum gonadotrophin

A single s.c. injection of 1000 IU of pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) stimulates the growth of multiple antral follicles in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). The number of cumulus-enclosed oocytes (CEO) from six non-stimulated controls was 36 (mean = 6). In contrast, a total of 95 CEO (mean = 31.7) were recovered from three animals stimulated and ovariectomized 3 days later, while 385 CEO (mean = 128.3) were obtained from three animals stimulated and ovariectomized 4 days later. A comparison of the effects of highly purified human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), human luteinizing hormone (LH) and human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) on cultures of rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) CEO cultured in medium 199 for 48 h showed that FSH and LH stimulated cumulus expansion but had moderate effects on the progression of meiosis. The progression that did occur seldom proceeded beyond the metaphase I stage. Human TSH had no demonstrable effect on cumulus expansion and meiotic progression. In other experiments FSH, LH and oestradiol-17 beta were added jointly to medium CMRL 1066 in which CEO from non-PMSG-stimulated and PMSG-stimulated cynomolgus monkeys were cultured for 48 h. If the CEO were obtained from non-PMSG-stimulated monkeys the hormones caused a significant cumulus expansion, but had only a limited effect on meiotic progression. However, if the CEO were obtained from PMSG-stimulated monkeys there was a significant stimulation of cumulus expansion and meiotic progression. The hormone treatment resulted in a yield of 72.8% metaphase II oocytes compared with 40.9% in the controls.
Diffusion of Curatives. I

Abstract Curatives will readily migrate across a rubber-to-rubber interface following the classical laws of diffusion. The rate of diffusion increases with increasing temperature. The absolute change in curative concentration diminishes with increasing distance from the interface and increases with time. A test procedure using conventional analytical methods can be used to accurately determine the diffusion coefficients of curatives at various storage temperatures in standard rubber formulations. Diffusion profiles and coefficients are dependent on the curative type. There appears to be a general correlation with molecular weight, with the rate of diffusion decreasing with increasing molecular weight. There is a small, rationalizable effect of concentration on the diffusion coefficient. The diffusion of curatives can cause a significant change in the cure system at or near the interface of a plied rubber article. Diffusion profiles for a particular rubber formulation can be predicted from experimental dat...
Flow-cytometric method for simultaneous analysis of mouse lung epithelial, endothelial, and hematopoietic lineage cells

Flow cytometry is a powerful tool capable of simultaneously analyzing multiple parameters on a cell-by-cell basis. Lung tissue preparation for flow cytometry requires creation of a single-cell suspension, which often employs enzymatic and mechanical dissociation techniques. These practices may damage cells and cause cell death that is unrelated to the experimental conditions under study. We tested methods of lung tissue dissociation and sought to minimize cell death in the epithelial, endothelial, and hematopoietic lineage cellular compartments. A protocol that involved flushing the pulmonary circulation and inflating the lung with Dispase, a bacillus-derived neutral metalloprotease, at the time of tissue harvest followed by mincing, digestion in a DNase and collagenase solution, and filtration before staining with fluorescent reagents concurrently maximized viable yields of epithelial, endothelial, and hematopoietic lineage cells compared with a standard method that did not use enzymes at the time of tissue harvest. Flow cytometry identified each population-epithelial (CD326(+)CD31(-)CD45(-)), endothelial (CD326(-)CD31(+)CD45(-)), and hematopoietic lineage (CD326(-)CD31(-)CD45(+))-and measured cellular viability by 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) staining. The Dispase method permitted discrimination of epithelial vs. endothelial cell death in a systemic lipopolysaccharide model of increased pulmonary vascular permeability. We conclude that application of a dissociative enzyme solution directly to the cellular compartments of interest at the time of tissue harvest maximized viable cellular yields of those compartments. Investigators could employ this dissociation method to simultaneously harvest epithelial, endothelial, and hematopoietic lineage and other lineage-negative cells for flow-cytometric analysis.
The Substitution Approach To Intergovernmental Relations: The Case Of OSHA

Federal legislation of the last two decades has substantially reduced state autonomy in dealing with many regulatory issues. Participation in the implementation of these federal programs may, however, enable states to exert some leverage over policy outcomes. Variations in state leverage no doubt exist from one intergovernmental grant program to the next. Substitution authority may be one variable accounting for this variation. Under a substitution approach, a federal agency cannot only sever the flow of funds to a grantee; it can also step in and operate a program if states fail to meet expectations or choose not to participate. This article generates more basic propositions about the substitution approach by analyzing its implementation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The article examines the role played by substitution authority in motivating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to adopt an aggressive posture toward the states. The article then assesses whether OSHA's aggressiveness prompted state grantees to exert considerable effort on behalf of program goals. Finally, the implications of current reform proposals, which call for a sorting out offunctions between the states and the federal government, receive attention.
The Divine Flood: Ibrāhīm Niasse and the roots of a twentieth-century Sufi revival

The Divine Flood: Ibrāhīm Niasse and the roots of a twentieth-century Sufi revival, by Rudiger Seesemann, New York, Oxford University Press, 2011, xvi + 331 pp., US$65.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-19-...
Spectroscopic properties and hydration of the Cm(III) aqua ion from 10 to 85 °C.

The optical absorption, fluorescence excitation, and emission spectra of the Cm(III) aqua ion in 0.001 M perchloric acid were studied in pure H 2 O, pure D 2 O, and in mixtures of H 2 O-D 2 O at temperatures from 10 to 85 °C. The quantum yield of the fluorescence of the Cm(III) aqua ion in pure H 2 O and D 2 O was also measured in this temperature range and the radiative decay rate constant was obtained from these data. The results indicate that, from 10 to 85 °C, the effect of temperature on the absorption, excitation, and emission spectra is very small. By correcting the observed decay rate constant for the radiative rate constant, a set of correlations between the observed fluorescence decay rate constant and the hydration number of Cm 3+ in H 2 O at temperatures from 10 to 85 °C was developed. A weak temperature dependence was observed for the nonradiative decay rate constant for the 6 D' 7/2 -8 S' 7/2 transition and described by the Arrhenius equation. The activation energy of the nonradiative decay was measured to be 0.9 kJ mol -1 , approximately matching the energy gap between the first and the second (A 1 and A 2 ) levels of the metastable 6 D' 7/2 multiplet of the Cm(III) aqua ion. On the basis of these observations, it is postulated that the slight increase in the observed fluorescence decay rate constant as the temperature increases from 10 to 85 °C is due to the effect of thermal population of the A 2 level.
Kinematics of Eye Movements of Cats to Broadband Acoustic Targets

Operant conditioning was used to train cats with their heads immobilized to localize sound by directing their eyes to the location of the sources. The kinematics of those eye movements were studied and compared with eye movements to visual targets at the same locations. The main finding of this study is that eye movements to broadband long-duration acoustic targets have two components: an initial slow phase of variable duration and a fast, normal saccade. The slow component is characterized by a persistent, shallow velocity ramp, while the saccadic component of the response falls on the main sequence computed from eye movements to visual targets. The slow component was shorter before saccades to long-duration stimuli performed under the delayed-saccade task and practically absent before saccades to transient acoustic stimuli. The results suggest that the initial slow component is used by cats to deal with uncertainty associated with the location of long-duration broadband targets and that the input to the saccade integrator(s) is similar under both visual and acoustic conditions.
Receptor-Mediated Liposome Fusion Kinetics at Aqueous/Liquid Crystal Interfaces

Membrane fusion events are essential to cell biology, and a number of reductionist systems have been developed to mimic the behavior of these biological motifs. One such system monitors the DNA hybridization-mediated fusion of liposomes with the liquid crystal (LC) interface by observing changes in LC orientation using a simple optical detection scheme. We have systematically explored key parameters of this system to determine their effects on individual elementary steps of the complex fusion mechanism. The liposome composition, specifically the degree of lipid unsaturation and PE content, decreased the bilayer rigidity, thereby increasing the rate of vesicle rupture under the stress applied by DNA hybridization. In contrast, the presence of cholesterol had the opposite effect on the mechanical properties of the bilayer, and hence of the membrane fusion rates. The accessibility of receptor moieties (i.e., complementary DNA oligonucleotides) affected the fusion kinetics by modulating the rate of hybridizat...
Studies of murine megakaryocyte colony size and ploidization.

Megakaryocytes are the product of a series of proliferative and differentiative steps involving a complex cellular hierarchy. Pluripotent stem cells undergo a progressive narrowing in their differentiative potential eventually giving rise to unipotent progenitor cells committed to the megakaryocytic lineage. These cells, which are operationally termed colony-forming units — megakaryocyte (CFU-Meg), undergo varying numbers of mitotic divisions, giving rise to a class of cells often referred to as promegakaryoblasts. These diploid cells cease cell division but, instead, undergo a series of synchronous nuclear endoreduplications or endomitoses, giving rise to the unique polyploid cells megakaryocytes. Megakaryocyte colony formation represents an in vitro model of these processes in which colony size reflects the mitotic activity of megakaryocytic progenitor cells while the ploidy of colony cells is determined by the endomitotic activity of promegakaryoblasts and their descendants. Therefore, it might be expected that the analysis of megakaryocytic colony size and the ploidy of colony cells could provide insight into the cellular responses which underlie megakaryocytopoietic regulation in vivo.
Bridging the Gap: Using the Brief Student-Teacher Classroom Interaction Observation to Inform Classroom Practices

The brief Student–Teacher Classroom Interaction Observation (ST-CIO) is a direct observation assessment that evaluates interactions between teachers and students. The measure was developed for use in classrooms during academic instruction to determine the frequency of teacher use of reprimands and praise toward a student, as well as the frequency of a student disruptive behavior. This article summarizes the purpose, procedures, and evidence base currently available in the literature to support the ST-CIO and offers ideas for how this observation system can be used to improve classroom practices.
Structure and Function of the High-Affinity Receptor for Immunoglobulin E

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the structure and function of the high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E. Fc∈RI, the receptor for immunoglobulin ɛ (IgE) that is found on the surface of mast cells and basophils is widely recognized as an important model system for understanding the structural and functional aspects of immunoglobulin receptors in the immune response. The aggregation of IgE receptors by external cross-linking agents, including bivalent or multivalent antigens, anti-IgE antibodies, and anti-receptor antibodies in the absence of IgE, can serve to activate cellular degranulation and the synthesis of lipid mediators; however, binding of IgE itself or monovalent antigens and antibodies fails to stimulate any detectable response. This system has served as a paradigm for immunoglobulin functions that generally require an aggregation of individual antibody molecules into antigen–antibody immune complexes. Extensive cross-linking with multivalent antigens or polyclonal antibodies results in the formation of IgE receptor complexes that are resistant to solubilization and appears to be attached to the cytoskeletal/nuclear residue that remains after solubilization of cell membranes with nonionic detergents.
Performance evaluation of REOB-modified asphalt binders and mixtures

This study evaluated a limited number, but well-controlled group of asphalt binders of the same performance grade made with a wide range of recycled engine oil bottoms (REOB) contents; 0%, 2.5%, 6% and 15%. The most practical indicator of the possible presence of a considerable quantity of REOB with measureable changes to the rheological and performance characteristics was the difference between the bending beam rheometer (BBR) m-value temperature grade and the BBR S stiffness temperature grade, ΔTcritical. When a binder exhibited a large ΔTcritical, it was associated with larger differences in performance losses depending on the binder tests and to a lesser extent the mixture test. The ΔTcritical performance disruption was made worse by oxidative ageing by means of double pressure ageing vessel conditioning as well as holding the binder at extended low temperatures before testing. The impact of REOB on moisture damage resistance showed higher moisture sensitivity with increasing REOB content, but did not...
Probing the structural basis and adsorption mechanism of an enzyme on nano-sized protein carriers

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are important nano-sized, solid-state carriers/hosts to load, store, and deliver biological or pharmaceutical cargoes. They are also good potential solid supports to immobilize proteins for fundamental protein structure and dynamics studies. However, precaution is necessary when using SiNPs in these areas because adsorption might alter the activity of the cargoes, especially when enzymes are loaded. Therefore, it becomes important to understand the structural basis of the cargo enzyme activity changes, if there is any. The high complexity and dynamics of the nano-bio interface present many challenges. Reported here is a comprehensive study of the structure, dynamics, and activity of a model enzyme, T4 lysozyme, upon adsorption to a few surface-modified SiNPs using several experimental techniques. Not surprisingly, a significant activity loss on each studied SiNP was found. The structural basis of the activity loss was identified based on results from a unique technique, the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, which probes structural information regardless of the complexity. Several docking models of the enzyme on SiNPs with different surfaces, at different enzyme-to-SiNP ratios are proposed. Interestingly, we found that the adsorbed enzyme can be desorbed via pH adjustment, which highlighted the potential to use SiNPs for enzyme/protein delivery or storage due to the high capacity. In order to use SiNPs as enzyme hosts, minimizing the enzymatic activity loss upon adsorption is needed. Lastly, the work outlined here demonstrate the use of EPR in probing structural information on the complex (inorganic)nano-bio interface.
A Universality Property of Sobolev Spaces in Metric Measure Spaces

Current research on analysis in metric measure spaces has used alternative notions of Sobolev functions on metric measure spaces. We show that, under some mild geometric assumptions on the metric measure space, all these notions give the same class of functions.
Biomolecular Engineering of Reporters and Sensors for Noninvasive Imaging of Cellular Function

Many important biological processes – ranging from simple metabolism to complex cognition – take place deep inside living organisms, yet our ability to study them in this context is very limited. Technologies such as fluorescent proteins and optogenetics enable exquisitely precise imaging and control of cellular function in small, translucent specimens using visible light, but are limited by the poor penetration of such light into larger tissues. In contrast, most non-invasive technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound – while based on energy forms that penetrate tissue effectively – lack the needed molecular precision. Our work attempts to bridge this gap by engineering new molecular technologies that connect penetrant energy to specific aspects of cellular function in vivo. In this talk, I will describe molecular reporters for non-invasive imaging using MRI and ultrasound developed by adapting and engineering naturally occurring proteins. These proteins have physical properties, such as paramagnetism or self-assembly into hollow nanostructures, that allow them to be sensitively detected with MRI and ultrasound. By engineering them at the genetic level, we have adapted these natural constructs into noninvasive molecular reporters of biological processes ranging from gene expression to chemical neurotransmission and metabolism. In addition, I will describe recent work on the use of penetrant forms of energy to control cellular function within the body.
Differential mTOR pathway profiles in bladder cancer cell line subtypes to predict sensitivity to mTOR inhibition.

Abstract Background Molecular classification of bladder cancer has been increasingly proposed as a potential tool to predict clinical outcomes and responses to chemotherapy. Here we focused on mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition as a chemotherapeutic strategy and characterized the expression profile of mTOR signaling targets in representative bladder cancer cell lines from basal, luminal, and either basal/luminal (“non-type”) molecular subtypes. Materials and methods Protein and mRNA expression of mTOR signaling components from representative luminal (RT4 and RT112), basal (SCaBER and 5637), and nontype (T24 and J82) bladder cancer cell line subtypes were determined by Western blot and database mining analysis of the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia. Cell viability following treatment with either, Torin-2 or KU-0063794, 2 dual mTOR complex 1/2 inhibitors, was determined by MTT assay. Immunoblot analysis of cells treated with Torin-2 or KU-0063794 was performed to determine the effects of mTOR inhibition on expression and phosphorylation status of mTOR signaling components, Akt, 4E-BP1, and ribosomal protein S6. Results Molecular subtypes of bladder cancer cell lines each exhibited a distinct pattern of expression of mTOR-associated genes and baseline phosphorylation level of Akt and 4E-BP1. Cells with low levels of Akt Ser-473 phosphorylation were more resistant to the cytotoxic effects of mTOR inhibition with Torin-2, but not KU-0063794. Exposure to Torin-2 and KU-0063794 both potently and rapidly inhibited phosphorylation of Akt Ser-473 and Thr-308, and 4E-BP1 T37/46 in cell lines that included basal and nontype subtypes. Conclusions Differential gene expression and protein activity associated with mTOR signaling is observed among bladder cancer cell lines stratified into basal, luminal, and nontype subtypes. Urothelial carcinomas characterized by high baseline Akt Ser-473 phosphorylation may be best suited for targeted mTOR therapies.
Corrosion-induced embrittlement in ZK60A Mg alloy

Abstract A Diffusion-based Corrosion Layer (DCL) in Mg alloys composed of partially oxidized alloy is present between the corrosion product and the uncorroded bulk metal. This layer has different mechanical properties compared to the bulk (lower elastic modulus and ductility) that change gradually from the bulk to the surface. We investigate, experimentally and computationally, mechanisms that play a role in corrosion-induced embrittlement of ZK60A Mg alloys. We find that the DCL may assist in crack initiation and propagation under loading because of its graded mechanical properties and strong, seamless bonding to the bulk. Tensile tests on specimens with different post-treatments identify the role played by the DCL in lowering ductility, and separate it from the role played by hydrogen embrittlement (HE) or/and corrosion surface defects. The DCL effect on embrittlement dominates HE and other corrosion-induced effects in this alloy. A peridynamic model of a structure with a pit with various damage distributions through the surface damage layer reveals that this layer produces a structure with lower ductility. Remarkably, the model shows that the largest embrittlement occurs when the damage layer is seamlessly bonded to the bulk, which is what is observed experimentally in the case of the DCL.
Bilirubin in the Liver-Gut Signaling Axis.

Bilirubin is a component of the heme catabolic pathway that is essential for liver function and has been shown to reduce hepatic fat accumulation. High plasma bilirubin levels are reflective of liver disease due to an injurious effect on hepatocytes. In healthy liver, bilirubin is conjugated and excreted to the intestine and converted by microbes to urobilinoids, which are reduced to the predominant pigment in feces, stercobilin, or reabsorbed. The function of urobilinoids in the gut or their physiological relevance of reabsorption is not well understood. In this review, we discuss the relationship of hepatic bilirubin signaling to the intestinal microbiota and its regulation of the liver–gut axis, as well as its capacity to mediate these processes.
The allergic response to stinging insects: I. Preparation of extracts and their biochemical characterization

Abstract Potent allergenic extracts of three different species of stinging insects were prepared by a simple procedure. The types of Hymenoptera studied were the bee ( Apis mellifera ), the wasp ( Polistes exclamans ), and the yellow jacket ( Vespula pennsylvanicus ), and extracts of each were prepared from the whole body, from the sacless body, and from the venom sac. In order to facilitate the routine determination of protein concentration, light absorption methods were developed and an extinction coefficient for each type of extract was determined for both ultraviolet absorption, at 280 mμ, and for the biuret reaction at 540 mμ. The allergenicity of these preparations was determined by direct skin tests. Positive intradermal skin tests were elicited in sensitive patients with as little as a 1:10,000 dilution of the preparation of insect antigen. Most of the patients reacted to more than one type of insect. Commercial preparations gave similar results. Zone electrophoresis, by filter paper strip and by starch block, revealed two or three separate components. It was noted that the best pH for optimal resolution, over the range of 8.6 to 4.5, was 6.5 for bee and wasp and 4.5 for yellow jacket. This method seemed to have limited value for the possibilities of fractionation of these extracts. The extensive heterogeneity of these extracts was better shown by analytical ultracentrifugation. All three types of whole body extracts had characteristic patterns of five homologous sedimenting boundaries, although the proportions varied for each insect. The venom sac extracts showed varying patterns of minor fast components and major slow ones. At least some of the venom constituents seemed to be absent from the whole body extracts. It will require further study to identify any of these components with the allergenic substance.
Signaling Between Embryo and Endometrium: Normal Implantation

Implantation is a finely coordinated, species-specific orchestration of events between the nascent embryo and a receptive endometrium, culminating in the opportunity for new life. Implantation represents a stepwise progression of dynamic events that enjoins the embryonic proliferation and intrusion with endometrial differentiation to avoid excessive invasion, optimizing survival for both mother and offspring. The response to the embryo’s need to establish nutrition and waste management is achieved through eloquent endometrial accommodation that supplies the growing embryo with uterine milk from glandular secretions and later vascular integration through cytotrophoblast modification of those same vessels. This complex dance, as it progresses, provides ample opportunity for failure along the way. Indeed, success occurs in only a minority of pregnancies and occurs at a relatively low efficiency, particularly in Homo sapiens. Nonetheless, this process of acceptance of the fetal allograph and implantation is one of the most fascinating events in human biology. This chapter serves as an introduction to this book and provides an overview of that process.