cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4869: Chromosomal and telomeric biomarkers of normal tissue injury to evaluate risk of secondary malignancy following IMRT for prostate cancer

An overall intent of radiotherapy is to precisely target tumor cells, while minimizing exposures to surrounding normal tissue. Despite successes, there is growing concern that an unacceptably large volume of normal tissue is unavoidably exposed. Chromosome aberrations provide a direct measure of ionizing radiation (IR)-induced DNA damage, as well as an indirect measure of future risk since they are associated with virtually all known cancers. Such structural variants (SVs) include translocations (rearrangements between chromosomes) and inversions (rearrangements within chromosomes), the latter being recently identified as part of a distinctive mutational signature associated with radiation therapy-induced second malignancies. Directional Genomic Hybridization (dGH), is a strand-specific cytogenomics-based methodology for cell-by-cell, high-resolution detection of all SVs, particularly inversions, which when combined with compatible subtelomere probes (Telo-dGH), can be used to distinguish inversions from recombination events (sister chromatid exchange) involving chromosomal termini. Telomeres are critical structural elements that serve to protect the physical ends of chromosomes. Dysfunctional telomeres are associated with instability and carcinogenesis, as well as with a variety of other age-related pathologies (e.g., cardiovascular disease). We are validating Telo-dGH as a prospective “personalized” approach of evaluating normal tissue injury, and therefore future risk, associated with radiation therapy - regardless of tumor type or treatment modality. Here, we report results of monitoring prostate cancer patients before and after intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to assess radiosensitivity (toxicity), as well as risk of secondary malignancy and other degenerative late effects. Such a strategy has the potential to better inform patient treatment and management decisions based on predicted individual risk. Citation Format: Jared J. Luxton, Miles J. McKenna, Lynn Taylor, Gregory P. Swanson, Susan M. Bailey. Chromosomal and telomeric biomarkers of normal tissue injury to evaluate risk of secondary malignancy following IMRT for prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4869.
Protection and Abuse: The Conundrum of Global Gender Inequality

Gender inequality is deliberate, universal, and exploitative by design. While gender is embedded in many types of inequality, such as vital inequality and resources inequality, it is also foundational to those other forms. Furthermore, gender inequality entails a seldom discussed form of inequality, which Kitch calls protective inequality. In this chapter Kitch validates these arguments through global examples and a historical case study of the gendered foundations of racial inequality in the United States. She also demonstrates the persistence of gender inequality over time through analyses of coverture, which mandated women’s dependence on men and denied them access to economic resources and opportunities in the United Kingdom and United States into the twentieth century, and sexual violence and harassment, which effectively impose analogous restrictions on women’s lifeways and economic prospects in the present day.
Surgical Restorative Decision Algorithm for Edentulous Condition in Implant Dentistry With Emphasis on Bone Augmentation

Ridge preservation and bone augmentation techniques in implant dentistry are designed to preserve and augment existing alveolar ridge to prepare it for implant treatment. Bone stock is an essential component for a long-term success of dental implants. This article provides a prosthetically driven step-by-step surgical restorative decision tree algorithm to diagnose and treat an edentulous condition in implant dentistry.
Importance-Performance Analysis of Local Resident Greenway Users: Findings from Three Atlanta BeltLine Neighborhoods

Abstract Urban greenways are growing recreation and transportation amenities around the world, providing users opportunities to increase physical health, interactions with nature, and community cohesion. Their linear, connective nature specifically helps greenways offer unique benefits to urban communities compared to parks. Though studies have investigated users’ perceptions and preferences of greenways, only scant attention has been paid to differences between residential and non-residential users’ perceptions of greenways. Arguably, those living near greenways are the most essential stakeholders because they have to live with both the positive and negative impacts of greenways in their neighborhoods. Additionally, many greenways are woven into the urban fabric of communities and become part of the daily infrastructure with which residents interact. This study focused solely on local residential users and their perceptions of the Atlanta BeltLine, a 22-mile greenway around the city’s core, using Importance Performance Analysis (IPA). Participants from three, heterogenous BeltLine-proximate communities in Atlanta, Georgia were asked about the importance of 25 greenway attributes and how their neighborhood’s portion of the BeltLine performed on that same set of attributes. Using IPA, we analyzed residential users’ satisfaction (performance minus importance) with trail attributes. Though each of the three neighborhoods had different levels of satisfaction for different attributes, residential BeltLine users overall were especially dissatisfied with various forms of safety (i.e., both environmental factors and physical harm) on the trail. On the other hand, participants were satisfied with having a smooth paved trail surface, a beautiful natural environment, and trail cleanliness. Given the unique histories of the various communities along the BeltLine, it is important to understand how BeltLine attributes may be perceived by people in various parts of the city. Additionally, findings suggest, safety (in all its forms) should be a priority for greenways managers and planners alike.
For real people in real places: the Copenhagen school and the other “little security nothings”

ABSTRACTThis article builds on most recent scholarship, increasingly critical of the uncritical, or non-critical in critical security studies. Through the empirical context of migration and the the...
Outcome Assessment and Function in Cerebral Palsy

Care and research in childhood cerebral palsy (CP) continue to evolve. As our understanding of CP grows more nuanced, so grows our need to describe function, activities, challenges, adaptations of children with CP. In CP, robust means of measuring outcomes are vital to understanding utility of treatments. Research must accurately measure meaningful constructs of children with CP as a reliable ruler to establish if interventions produce useful effects. This article addresses the challenges of outcome measurement in CP, current status of outcome measurement in CP, and issues of understanding change in childhood CP.
Generation of Third Dimension: Axial Patterning in the Developing Drosophila Eye

Axial patterning, a fundamental process during organogenesis, is required for transition of a single layer organ primordium to a three-dimensional organ in all multi-cellular organisms. Axial patterning involves delineation of antero-posterior (AP), dorsal-ventral (DV), and proximo-distal (PD) axes. Any deviation in this fundamental process of organogenesis results in patterning and growth defects in the organ. The Drosophila eye model has been extensively used to study axial patterning. In the developing Drosophila eye, dorso-ventral (DV) lineage is the first axis to be determined, which is followed by generation of the AP axis. The PD axis is not well defined in the Drosophila eye as the adult eye is located in a socket on the adult head. The default state of the Drosophila early eye primordium is ventral, and the dorsal fate is established by onset of expression of dorsal eye fate selector pannier (pnr) in a group of cells on the dorsal eye margin. The boundary between dorsal and ventral compartments is the site for activation of Notch (N) signaling and is referred to as the equator. Activation of N signaling is crucial for initiating the cell proliferation and differentiation in the developing Drosophila eye imaginal disc. This chapter will focus on (a) how axial patterning occurs in the developing Drosophila eye; (b) how the developing eye field gets divided into dorsal and ventral cell populations, and (c) how dorso-ventral (DV) patterning genes contribute towards the growth and patterning of the fly retina.
Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura Secondary to COVID-19

A 73-year-old female with past medical history of essential hypertension, hyperlipidemia, seasonal allergies, and chronic back pain presented to the hospital with complaints of headaches, fevers, fatigue, generalized body aches, shortness of breath, and diarrhea. Initial complete blood count was remarkable for leukopenia with an absolute lymph count of 0.60 K/µL and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 3 K/µL). She was tested for COVID-19 via nasopharyngeal swab polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and found positive. Additional labs showed an elevated D-dimer, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and lactate dehydrogenase. Vitamin B12 and folate levels were obtained and found to be normal. Peripheral smear showed no schistocytes or additional hematologic abnormalities apart from thrombocytopenia. The patient was transfused one unit of platelets with no improvement in platelet count. Fibrinogen count was obtained and found in normal range at 458 mg/dL. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and international normalized ratio (INR) were all found to be normal. Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) was suspected and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was administered at a dose of 1 g/kg/day for two doses. By day 4, the patient had marked response to treatment with platelet recovery to 105 K/µL and subsequently discharged by day 5 with complete resolution of symptoms and platelet count of 146 K/µL. Twenty-eight days after discharge, she presented to hematology clinic with platelet count of 8 K/µL. Repeat nasopharyngeal swab PCR COVID testing was negative and she was treated with IVIG and pulse dexamethasone with prompt response, confirming suspicion of underlying, undiagnosed ITP prior to COVID infection.
Abstract IA11: Detecting and targeting cellular heterogeneity of the lymphoid blood malignancies

Multiple lines of evidence have convincingly demonstrated tumor neoantigens as an important class of immunogenic tumor antigens, and have motivated the development of personalized cancer neoantigen targeting approaches. Neoantigens arise from amino acid changes encoded by somatic mutations in the tumor cell and have the potential to bind to and be presented by personal HLA molecules. Because the immune response has the capacity of addressing multiple tumor neoantigens simultaneously, immune-based therapy has a potential for directly address tumor heterogeneity. As a field, we have now successfully moved beyond the first wave proof-of-concept studies that have demonstrated the safety, feasibility and high immunogenicity of these personalized neoantigen-targeting vaccines. An imperative now is to address the challenges of discovering and optimizing the selection of antigens to target, the delivery approach, and extending this promising approach to a broader array of cancer settings. Citation Format: Catherine J. Wu. Detecting and targeting cellular heterogeneity of the lymphoid blood malignancies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Tumor Heterogeneity: From Single Cells to Clinical Impact; 2020 Sep 17-18. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(21 Suppl):Abstract nr IA11.
431 Distant metastatic spread and clonal evolution of high-grade endometrial cancers

Introduction The incidence and mortality of endometrial cancer (EC) is rising worldwide. The biological underpinnings of EC progression are poorly understood. We sought to characterize the genetic alterations and clonal evolution of two primary high-grade ECs and their matched multiple distant metastases. Methods Research autopsies were performed on two women: one with treatment-naive, widely metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma at diagnosis (case 1); and one with serous EC and heavily treated metachronous disease (case 2). Whole-exome sequencing of primary tumors, metastases (n=8 and n=7), and normal tissues was performed and analyzed using validated bioinformatics methods. Results In case 1, truncal hotspot PIK3CA p.Q546K and PTEN p.R130G mutations, chromosome 8 and 16p losses, and mutational aging signature 1 were present in the primary and all metastases. Low levels of genetic heterogeneity between all samples were observed (70% of mutations shared). In case 2, we found high levels of genetic heterogeneity and acquisition of mutations during progression. A truncal PIK3CA p.H1047L hotspot mutation was present in the primary tumor and all metastases, with a primary subclonal TP53 frameshift mutation becoming clonal in a subset of metastases (n=3). Evidence of clonal progression between metastatic sites was observed as well as a combination of aging and homologous recombination-deficiency mutational signatures. Conclusion Genetic alterations identified in case 1 were likely early events in the clonal expansion of the primary tumor, reflective of aggressive disease and absence of treatment. In case 2, evidence of clonal diversity and progression was observed, potentially representing clonal selection due to therapeutic effect.
BUILDING A BRIDGE

This article examines how family mediation training was used to construct a bridge between cultural and legal norms in an attempt to help heal a community struggling with assimilation challenges.
Social Network Analysis

Early search engines retrieved relevant pages for the user based primarily on the content similarity of the user query and the indexed pages of the search engines. The retrieval and ranking algorithms were simply direct implementation of those from information retrieval. Starting from 1996, it became clear that content similarity alone was no longer sufficient for search due to two reasons. First, the number of Web pages grew rapidly during the middle to late 1990s. Given any query, the number of relevant pages can be huge. For example, given the search query “classification technique”, the Google search engine estimates that there are about 10 million relevant pages. This abundance of information causes a major problem for ranking, i.e., how to choose only 30–40 pages and rank them suitably to present to the user. Second, content similarity methods are easily spammed. A page owner can repeat some important words and add many remotely related words in his/her pages to boost the rankings of the pages and/or to make the pages relevant to a large number of possible queries.
Targeting Zero—preventing Surgical Site Infections by Reducing Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS) of Surgical Instruments

Background This hospital went through a reorganization, at which time the IUSS (Immediately Use Steam Sterilization) rates were currently 25.95%, with an average of 200 cycles being ran each month. The SPD leadership made the decision, in partnership with Infection Prevention and hospital leadership, that the IUSS rates were a priority for the facility to prevent Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) and increase patient safety. The hospital defined the target of 2%, which the health system later followed as the system-wide target. Methods The facility made a “hard stop” date where IUSS cycles were no longer going to be allowed without OR (Operating Room) and SPD (Sterile Processing Department) leadership approval. Before the start date, education was given to surgeons, clinical teams, and SPD to ensure process understanding and risk of infection due to IUSS. The facility also recognized workflow as a large part of why instruments were being sent through IUSS, due to a backup in the department. Many items were purchased to increase workflow, such as a new washer, sonic, adding a pass-through window, a low-temperature sterilizer and replacing 3 sterilizers with newer models. The facility also purchased more instruments to create additional trays to accommodate the surgical volume. The Sterile Processing Department also underwent LEAN Kaizen events in both the clean and dirty sides to improve workflow and efficiency to prevent further IUSS. Results The facility saw an immediate reduction of IUSS cycles being performed and were able to drop below the goal of 2% after the first month of using the new process. The rate has continued to be below 2% for more than 5 months. Conclusions Communication and partnership between the OR, Infection Prevention and SPD proved to be beneficial and will continue to move the facility forward in a shared decision-making model in the future as improvement continues.
Hybrid Chalcogenide/Polymer Coherent Fiber Bundles for MWIR Image Relays

Coherent fiber bundles (CFBs) provide a convenient mechanism to relay high-resolution images for various applications. We draw small pitch MWIR CFBs from high-contrast step-index fibers of chalcogenide (ChG) cores and polymer claddings. We show that small core size differences minimize crosstalk in these CFBs.
Pathophysiology and Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection

The pathophysiology and treatment of hepatitis C infection, formerly known as non-A, non-B hepatitis, are discussed. The worldwide prevalence is approximately 1%. The majority of patients infected with hepatitis C virus will develop chronic infection, leading to cirrhosis in a significant percentage. Transmission of hepatitis C is primarily through parenteral routes. Those who use intravenous drugs or received blood transfusions prior to 1992 comprise the major risk groups for the infection. The progression of chronic hepatitis C infection is insidious with possible progression to an inflammatory hepatitis developing within 5–10 years, cirrhosis in 10–20 years, and hepatocellular carcinoma in 20–30 years. Combination therapy with interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin is currently the treatment of choice. Therapy for hepatitis C continues to evolve with newer forms of interferon and HCV antivirals under development.
IL-2 Protects Lupus-Prone Mice from Multiple End-Organ Damage by Limiting CD4−CD8− IL-17–Producing T Cells

IL-2, a cytokine with pleiotropic effects, is critical for immune cell activation and peripheral tolerance. Although the therapeutic potential of IL-2 has been previously suggested in autoimmune diseases, the mechanisms whereby IL-2 mitigates autoimmunity and prevents organ damage remain unclear. Using an inducible recombinant adeno-associated virus vector, we investigated the effect of low systemic levels of IL-2 in lupus-prone MRL/Fas(lpr/lpr) (MRL/lpr) mice. Treatment of mice after the onset of disease with IL-2-recombinant adeno-associated virus resulted in reduced mononuclear cell infiltration and pathology of various tissues, including skin, lungs, and kidneys. In parallel, we noted a significant decrease of IL-17-producing CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative T cells and an increase in CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) immunoregulatory T cells (Treg) in the periphery. We also show that IL-2 can drive double-negative (DN) T cell death through an indirect mechanism. Notably, targeted delivery of IL-2 to CD122(+) cytotoxic lymphocytes effectively reduced the number of DN T cells and lymphadenopathy, whereas selective expansion of Treg by IL-2 had no effect on DN T cells. Collectively, our data suggest that administration of IL-2 to lupus-prone mice protects against end-organ damage and suppresses inflammation by dually limiting IL-17-producing DN T cells and expanding Treg.
Electron microscopic studies of free and proteinase-bound duck ovostatins (ovomacroglobulins). Model of ovostatin structure and its transformation upon proteolysis.

Abstract Conformational changes of duck ovostatin (ovomacroglobulin) upon complexing with thermolysin have been studied by electron microscopy. Both free and thermolysin-bound ovostatin preparations were negatively stained with uranyl acetate, a series of three pictures were taken at 10 degrees specimen tilt intervals (+10 degrees, 0 degrees, and -10 degrees), and images of the inhibitor molecules were observed in three dimensions. Four approximately cylindrical subunits were observed in free ovostatin. Two subunits associated approximately midway from both ends to form a dimer of four arms. Two dimers associated with each other at the midpoint to form a tetramer. The proteinase susceptible "bait" regions were located near the center of the molecule. Eight arms of the tetramer take various configurations. The orthogonal extent of free tetrameric ovostatin in a two-dimensional micrograph averages 26.0 +/- 4.7 x 34.0 +/- 5.0 nm. Upon complexing with thermolysin, all eight arms curl toward the center of the molecule, having four arms upward and the other four downward. Thus, proteinase-bound ovostatin has a uniform structure with a 2-fold axis of symmetry. The overall structure of the complex is more compact with average dimensions of 16.9 +/- 0.6 x 16.9 +/- 0.6 x 19.9 +/- 0.4 nm. From these electron microscopic studies we propose that a proteinase reaches to the center of the free ovostatin molecule and attacks the bait region. Subsequent to proteolysis the subunit arms curl and entrap the enzyme within the ovostatin molecule. The results support the unique mechanism of inhibition of proteinases by alpha 2-macroglobulin and ovostatin postulated from biochemical observations (Barrett, A. J., and Starkey, P. M. (1973) Biochem. J. 133, 709-724; Nagase, H., and Harris, E. D., Jr. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 7490-7498).
Intercontinental Transport of Ozone from Tropical Biomass Burning

Photochemically reactive gases released by fires (e.g., NO, CO, hydrocarbons) interact as they do in an urban environment to form ozone. There has been interest in the impacts of tropical biomass fires on ozone since about 1980. Evidence for intercontinental transport of ozone from tropical burning appeared in the mid-1980s. Tropical meteorology plays a part in tropospheric ozone distributions in the tropics through interactions of pollution with large-scale circulation, deep convection, regional phenomena (e.g., Atlantic subsidence, the West African and Asian monsoons). Characteristics of dynamical patterns affecting tropical tropospheric ozone are described. Selected observations, mostly based on satellite views and soundings, illustrate regional influences and intercontinental-scale transport over the Indian Ocean region, the Pacific and the Atlantic.
Redemption, Forgiveness, and Resilience: Timeless Leadership Lessons From the Biblical Story of Judah

A number of leaders have been able to bounce back from major scandals. These include such political personalities as Barney Frank, Bill Clinton, David Vitter, and Mark Sanford. Clearly, a big scandal does not have to result in the end of one’s career. Currently, two well-known disgraced New York politicians – Elliot Spitzer and Anthony Weiner – are telling the electorate that their public humiliation has changed them and made them better people. This paper examines the story of Judah in the Book of Genesis to derive important lessons relating to leadership. Many leaders make huge blunders in their careers; some leaders manage to make a comeback after a huge setback, while others disappear. Judah made severe mistakes in his life yet managed to emerge as an important leader. A key lesson derived from the noteworthy life of Judah is the importance of being resilient, learning to be remorseful, and having the ability to change as circumstances change.
Sites of interaction between rod G-protein alpha-subunit and cGMP-phosphodiesterase gamma-subunit. Implications for the phosphodiesterase activation mechanism.

In photoreceptor cells of vertebrates light activates a series of protein-protein interactions resulting in activation of a cGMP-phosphodiesterase (PDE). Interaction between the GTP-bound form of rod G-protein alpha-subunit (alpha t) and PDE inhibitory gamma-subunit (P gamma) is a key event for effector enzyme activation. This interaction has been studied using P gamma labeled with the fluorescent probe, lucifer yellow vinyl sulfone, at Cys-68 (P gamma LY) and sites of interaction on alpha t and P gamma have been investigated. Addition of alpha tGTP gamma S to P gamma LY produced a 3.2-fold increase in the fluorescence of P gamma LY. The Kd for alpha tGTP gamma S.P gamma LY interaction was 36 nM. Addition of 1 microM alpha tGDP had no effect, but in the presence of A1F4-, alpha tGDP increased P gamma LY fluorescence by 85%. When P gamma LY was reconstituted with P alpha beta to form fluorescent holo-PDE, alpha tGTP gamma S increased the fluorescence of holo-PDE with a K0.5 = 0.7 microM. Also, alpha tGTP gamma S stimulated the activity of this PDE over an identical range of concentrations with a similar K0.5 (0.6 microM). alpha tGTP gamma S enhanced the fluorescence of a COOH-terminal P gamma fragment, P gamma LY-46-87, as well (Kd = 1.5 microM). We demonstrate that an alpha t peptide, alpha t-293-314, which activated PDE (Rarick, H. M., Artemyev, N. O., and Hamm, H. E. (1992) Science 256, 1031-1033), mediates PDE activation by interacting with the P gamma-46-87 region. Peptide alpha t-293-314 bound to P gamma LY (K0.5 = 1.2 microM) as well as to the carboxyl-terminal P gamma fragment, P gamma LY-46-87 (K0.5 = 1.7 microM) as measured by fluorescence increase, while other alpha t peptides had no effect. A peptide from the P gamma central region, P gamma-24-46, blocked the interaction between alpha tGTP gamma S and P gamma LY. The Kd for alpha tGTP gamma S.P gamma-24-46 interaction was 0.7 microM. On the other hand, P gamma-24-46 had no effect on alpha t-293-314 interaction with P gamma LY. Our data suggest that there are at least two distinct sites of interaction between alpha tGTP gamma S and P gamma. The interaction between alpha t-293-314 and P gamma-46-87 is important for PDE activation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Transcriptional regulation of MHC class II gene expression: are MHC class II genes coordinately regulated?

MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex) Class II antigens are polymorphic cell surface glycoproteins which bind foreign antigens and form a complex which is recognized by T lymphocyte antigen receptors. Presentation of foreign antigens by self MHC molecules to T cells triggers antigen-specific responses in the immune system. Thus, increasing the expression of MHC class II molecules on the surface of antigen-presenting cells contributes to the initiation and amplification of immune responses.
Impacts of Avidity and Specificity on the Antiviral Efficiency of HIV-1-Specific CTL

Although CD8 + CTLs are presumed to be an important mediator of protective immunity in HIV-1 infection, the factors that determine CTL antiviral efficiency are poorly understood. Two factors that have been proposed to influence CTL antiviral function are antigenic avidity and epitope specificity. In this study we evaluate these by examining the activity of HIV-1-specific CTL against acutely infected cells. The ability of CTL to kill infected cells is variable and depends more on epitope specificity than functional avidity within the range for the tested clones (50% of maximal killing, 50 pg/ml to 100 ng/ml); killing efficiency is similar for different clones recognizing the same epitope, despite their variation in avidity. When CTL clones are tested for their ability to suppress viral replication, similar results are observed. Inhibition is more dependent on epitope specificity than functional avidity among the tested clones (50% of maximal killing, 20 pg/ml to 20 ng/ml). Thus, CTL specificity can be an overriding factor in the ability of CTL to interact with HIV-1-infected cells, indicating that factors determining the process of epitope presentation on infected cells have a key influence on CTL efficiency. These results suggest that CTL specificity may have a pivotal role in the immunopathogenesis of infection, and that simple quantitative measures of CTL may be insufficient indicators of the CTL response to HIV-1.
Semejanzas de la muerte

Antologia. Jorge Isaacs. Miguel Mendez Camacho (seleccion). Universidad Externado de Colombia, Coleccion Un libro por centavos, num. 15, Bogota, 2005, 69 pags.
Are Advanced Information Technologies the Solution to Non-Point Source Pollution Problems?

There are increasingly important challenges associated with assessing the potential non-point source (NPS) pollution hazards which result from regionalscale agricultural activities. The increasing availability of geographic information system (GIS) technology to those involved in assisting with land-use decisions has resulted in the proliferation of multicolored maps for many environmentally sensitive issues. How useful are these maps to those in the decision-management arena? The focus of this chapter, relative to assessing NPS pollution in a GIS framework, is what the status and shortfalls of regional-scale NPS vulnerability assessments are and what still needs to be done to make them more useful in the decision-management arena.
A New QCD Correction to Gauge Boson Decay into Heavy Flavor

We find that, at order alpha_s, the partial width of Z^0 to heavy flavors receives a power correction from a novel QCD mechanism, which is not suppressed by inverse powers of M_Z, but only by two unknown O(\lambdaqcd/m) constants. The hadronic W width also receives a similar correction. These parameters may be fitted from the global electroweak analysis, and consequently the Standard Model predictions of various electroweak observables will be updated. This new mechanism is of no help to reconcile the discrepancy in b forward-backward asymmetry. We also point out the implication of this mechanism to heavy flavor production in other collider experiments.
Building Timelines from Narrative Clinical Records: Initial Results Based-on Deep Natural Language Understanding

We present an end-to-end system that processes narrative clinical records, constructs timelines for the medical histories of patients, and visualizes the results. This work is motivated by real clinical records and our general approach is based on deep semantic natural language understanding.
An inhibitor of p34CDC28 protein kinase activity from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The p34CDC28 protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a homolog of the p34cdc2 protein kinase, a fundamental regulator of cell division in all eukaryotic cells. Once activated it initiates the visible events of mitosis (chromosome condensation, nuclear envelope breakdown, and spindle formation). The p34CDC28 protein also has a critical role in the initiation of DNA synthesis. The protein kinase activity is regulated by cycles of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation and by periodic association with cyclins. An endogenous 40-kilodalton protein (p40) originally identified as a substrate of the p34CDC28 protein kinase was purified. The p40 protein bound tightly to p34CDC28 and inhibited the activity of the kinase. The p40 protein may provide another mechanism to regulate p34CDC28 protein kinase activity.
Palatability of monoterpenoid compositional types of Satureja douglasii to a generalist molluscan herbivore, Ariolimax dolichophallus

Abstract The differential palatability of monoterpenoid compositional types of Satureja douglasii to a native slug herbivore, Ariolimax dolichophallus, was determined. Types containing a high proportion of bicyclic monoterpenoids (camphene, camphor) were more palatable than those containing high proportions of p-menthane monoterpenoids (isomenthone, pulegone or carvone). In the case of individual monoterpenoids characteristic of these types, camphor proved to be most palatable and pulegone the least; carvone and isomenthone were intermediate. Differential herbivory on the compositional types was observed under field conditions. It is suggested that differential herbivory could have been important in determining the patterns of monoterpenoid variation and their distribution in S. douglasii.
Infinite Direct Sums of Lifting Modules

A module M over a ring R is called a lifting module if every submodule A of M contains a direct summand K of M such that A/K is a small submodule of M/K (e.g., local modules are lifting). It is known that a (finite) direct sum of lifting modules need not be lifting. We prove that R is right Noetherian and indecomposable injective right R-modules are hollow if and only if every injective right R-module is a direct sum of lifting modules. We also discuss the case when an infinite direct sum of finitely generated modules containing its radical as a small submodule is lifting.
How specific is immunity

Der vorstehende Artikel enthalt eine allgemeine Diskussion uber die Grenzen der Spezifitat, die der erworbenen Resistenz gegen Infektionskrankheiten zugrunde liegt. Es wird die These vertreten, dass spezifische Mechanismen von grosserer Bedeutung sind als haufig angenommen wird und dass sog. unspezifische Abwehrkrafte in vielen Fallen sich nicht von echten Antikorpern unterscheiden lassen.
Aberrant FGF signaling, independent of ectopic hedgehog signaling, initiates preaxial polydactyly in Dorking chickens

The formation of supernumerary digits, or polydactyly, is a common congenital malformation. Although mutations in a number of genes have been linked to polydactyly, the molecular etiology for a third of human disorders with polydactyly remains unknown. To increase our understanding of the potential causes for polydactyly, we characterized a spontaneous chicken mutant, known as Dorking. The hindlimbs of Dorkings form a preaxial supernumerary digit. During the early stages of limb development, ectopic expression of several genes, including Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) and Fibroblast Growth Factor 4 (Fgf4), was found in Dorking hindlimbs. In addition to ectopic gene expression, a decrease in cell death in the anterior of the developing Dorking hindlimb was observed. Further molecular investigation revealed that ectopic Fgf4 expression was initiated and maintained independent of ectopic Shh. Additionally, inhibition of Fgf signaling but not hedgehog signaling was capable of restoring the normal anterior domain of cell death in Dorking hindlimbs. Our data indicates that in Dorking chickens, preaxial polydactyly is initiated independent of Shh.
A combined nonparametric approach to feature selection and binary decision tree design

Abstract An efficient procedure which integrates feature selection and binary decision tree construction is presented. The nonparametric approach is based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov criterion which yields an optimal classification decision at each node. By combining the feature selection with the design of the classifier, only the most informative features are retained for classification.
Local realizations of time varying descriptor systems

A method of realizing a descriptor system E(t)x'(t)+F(t)x(t) = B(t)u(t) as a state space system y' = A(t)y(t) + ?i=0 lKi(t)u(i)(t) x = M(t)y(t) + ?i=0 lNi(t)u(i)(t) is developed. This realization has the important property that the coefficients A, Ki, M, N, are computed directly from arrays of derivatives of E, F, B, u. Thus no time varying coordinate changes need to be performed prior to any differentiations making the method easy to implement numerically.
Records and descriptions of oriental neoperlini (Plecoptera: Perlidae)

Three new species of Oriental Neoperla are described and N. microtumida Wu & Claassen is figured and recorded for the first time since the original description in 1934. N. han, sp. n. (Hong Kong), N. mnong sp. n. (Vietnam and Thailand) and N. yao, sp. n. (Vietnam and China) are described and holotype males are designated for each species. Additional records of Phanoperla malayana Zwick, P. simplex Zwick and N. gordonae Stark are given.
Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome in a person with dark skin

The expression of basal cell carcinoma tumors of the skin is blunted in individuals with dark skin and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. The occurrence of multiple basal cell carcinomas in these patients is a relatively rare finding. We describe a 25-year-old man of partial African-American descent with constitutive Fitzpatrick type IV pigmented skin and the clinical stigmata of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome including histopathologic evidence of 11 basal cell carcinomas.
Partial Purification and Characterization of Cucumber necrosis virus and Tomato bushy stunt virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases: Similarities and Differences in Template Usage between Tombusvirus and Carmovirus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases

Tombusviruses are small, plus-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses of plants. RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp) of two tombusviruses, Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) and Cucumber necrosis virus (CNV), have been partially purified from infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The obtained RdRp complexes are capable of de novo initiation of complementary RNA synthesis using either plus- or minus-strand templates derived from tombusvirus defective interfering (DI) RNAs. In addition to template-sized products, shorter than full-length products were also generated efficiently apparently because of internal initiation of RNA synthesis by the tombusvirus RdRp. This property could be important for the formation of DI RNAs that are observed in tombusvirus infections. The tombusvirus RdRp is also able to use heterologous RNAs derived from satellite RNAs associated with Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) as templates. Generation of full-length, complementary RNA by the tombusvirus RdRp suggests that it can correctly and efficiently recognize the heterologous TCV-specific promoters. Reduced generation of a 3′-terminal extension product in the preceding assay suggests that the previously characterized replication enhancer present in sat-RNA C (Nagy et al., 1999, EMBO J. 18, 5653–5665) does not stimulate tombusvirus RdRp activity. Taken together, these results suggest that template usage by the tombusvirus and carmovirus RdRps are similar, but not identical.
Characterization of Two Transposon Mutants from Haemophilus influenzae Type b with Altered Lipooligosaccharide Biosynthesis

Two isogenic mutants of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) strain A2 were prepared by random m-Tn3(Cm) insertions into the 7.4-kb lsg (lipooligosaccharide synthesis genes) region of Hib DNA, which consists of seven complete and one partial open reading frame (orfs). Compared to the parent A2 strain which produces a complex mixture of lipooligosaccharides (LOS), the mutant strains 281.25 and 276.4 produced only a few LOS species. The precise locations of transposon insertions into the lsg loci of these mutants were determined (base 3546 in orf 4 for strain 281.25 and base 4402 in orf 5 for strain 276.4), and the effects of these mutations on LOS biosynthesis and epitope expression were evaluated. When the O-deacylated LOS were analyzed by mass spectrometry, both strains contained major LOS species of M(r) 2601, 2439, and 2277, which consisted of a common heptose trisaccharide core structure [Hep3(PEA)Kdo(P)-lipid A, where Hep is L-glycero-D-manno-heptose, Kdo is 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid, and PEA is phosphoethanolamine] and four, three, or two hexoses, respectively. These species represent the smallest components of the wild-type LOS mixture. The major LOS oligosaccharide obtained from the strain 281.25 by mild acid hydrolysis was dephosphorylated and shown by composition analysis, methylation analysis, mass spectrometry, and 2D NMR studies to be a triantennary structure consisting of a heptose trisaccharide core with two glucose disaccharide branches: Hep alpha 1 --> (Glc beta 1 --> 4Glc alpha 1 --> 3) 2Hep alpha 1 --> (Glc beta 1 --> 4Glc beta 1 --> 4)3Hep alpha 1 --> anhydroKdo. Unlike the parent A2 strain, mutant strain 281.25 cannot add galactoses to the branches of this octasaccharide. Strain 276.4 is similarly deficient, except that it can still utilize a minor biosynthetic pathway leading to the addition of sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine.
Comparative effects of haloacetic acids in whole embryo culture.

A major class of disinfection by-products in drinking water are the haloacetic acids. Both dichlor- and trichloroacetic acids teratogenic when administered to rats throughout organogenesis. However, there is little information regarding the developmental toxicity of other haloacetic acids. Therefore, 3-6 somite staged CD-1 mouse embryos were exposed to acetic acid (AA) or mono- (M), di- (D), and tri- (T) substituted fluoro- (F), chloro- (C), or bromo- (B) acetic acids in whole embryo culture in order to evaluate the effects of these agents on development. A 24 hour exposure to the haloacetic acids produced dysmorphogenesis. Effects on neural tube development ranged from prosencephalic hypoplasia to non-closure defects throughout the cranial region. Exposure to the haloacetic acids affected optic development, produced malpositioned and/or hypoplastic pharyngeal arches, and resulted in perturbation of heart development. In order to determine the relative toxicities of these agents, benchmark concentrations were calculated as the lower 95% confidence interval of the concentration that produced a 5% increase in neural tube defects. The benchmark concentrations occurred over a wide range with DFA (5912.6 μM) and MBA (2.7 μM) at the extremes. Using the benchmark concentrations to compare the chemicals gives a ranking of the agents in order of increasing potency as: DFA < TFA < DCA < AA < TBA ≤ TCA < DBA < MCA < MBA. TCA and DCA have demonstrated ability to disrupt development in vivo but were among the least potent haloacetic acids in vitro. Because of the potential for widespread exposure to haloacetic acids in drinking water and the incomplete toxicity profile of these chemicals, further work on their developmental effects is warranted. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Kinetic isotope effect and extended pH-dependent studies of the oxidation of hydroxylamine by hexachloroiridate(IV): ET and PCET.

The oxidation of hydroxylamine by [IrCl6]2- has been studied spectrophotometrically in deoxygenated aqueous solutions in the range of pH 4−9 at 25 °C. The reaction is catalyzed by Cu2+, Fe2+, and impurities of aquochloroiridium complexes. Oxalate is a very effective inhibitor of catalysis by copper and iron ions. With excess hydroxylamine, the reaction follows pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the stoichiometric ratio (ΔnIr(IV)/Δnhydroxylamine) is 1.05 at pH 5.9. Over the pH range 4.2−8.8, the empirical rate law is −d[IrCl62-]/dt = k[IrCl62-][NH2OH]tot, with k = k1Ka1/([H+] + Ka1) + k‘Ka1/([H+]([H+] + Ka1)), where Ka1 is the dissociation constant of NH3OH+. Least-squares fitting yields k1 = (17.05 ± 0.47) M-1 s-1 and k‘ = (2.59 ± 0.09) × 10-6 s-1 at ionic strength of 0.1 M (adjusted by NaClO4) and 25 °C. The kinetic isotope effects (KIE) (kH/kD) for k1 and k‘ are 4.4 and 9.8, correspondingly. A mechanism is inferred in which k1 corresponds to concerted proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) and k‘ corresp...
Highly stable, all-solid-state Nd:YLF regenerative amplifier

A diode-pumped Nd:YLF regenerative amplifier (regen) has been developed and is in use in the 60-beam, 30-kJ UV Omega laser system's driver line. The high stability, the compactness, and the reliability of this all-solid-state modular design are the key features of this concept. Stable, millijoule-level output-pulse energies with an overall gain of 10(9) have been demonstrated. Excellent long-term output-pulse-energy stability of better than 1% rms fluctuations has been achieved with excellent beam quality (<1% ellipticity).
Teacher expectations, classroom context, and the achievement gap ☆

In two independent datasets with 1872 elementary-aged children in 83 classrooms, Studies 1 and 2 examined the role of classroom context in moderating the relationship between child ethnicity and teacher expectations. For Study 1 overall and Study 2 mixed-grade classrooms, in ethnically diverse classrooms where students reported high levels of differential teacher treatment (PDT) towards high and low achieving students, teacher expectations of European American and Asian American students were between .75 and 1.00 standard deviations higher than teacher expectations of African American and Latino students with similar records of achievement. In highly diverse low-PDT classrooms in Study 1 and highly diverse low-PDT mixed-grade classrooms in Study 2, teachers held similar expectations for all students with similar records of achievement. Study 3 estimated the contribution of teacher expectations to the year-end ethnic achievement gap in high- and low-bias classrooms. In high-bias classrooms, teacher expectancy effects accounted for an average of .29 and up to .38 standard deviations of the year-end ethnic achievement gap.
Multiscale modeling of the moist-convective atmosphere — A review

Multiscale modeling of the moist-convective atmosphere is reviewed with an emphasis on the recently proposed approaches of unified parameterization and Quasi-3D (Q3D) Multiscale Modeling Framework (MMF). The cumulus parameterization problem, which was introduced to represent the multiscale effects of moist convection, has been one of the central issues in atmospheric modeling. After a review of the history of cumulus parameterization, it is pointed out that currently there are two families of atmospheric models with quite different formulations of model physics, one represented by the general circulation models (GCMs) and the other by the cloud-resolving models (CRMs). Ideally, these two families of models should be unified so that a continuous transition of model physics from one kind to the other takes place as the resolution changes. This paper discusses two possible routes to achieve the unification. ROUTE I unifies the cumulus parameterization in conventional GCMs and the cloud microphysics parameterization in CRMs. A key to construct such a unified parameterization is to reformulate the vertical eddy transport due to subgrid-scale moist convection in such a way that it vanishes when the resolution is sufficiently high. A preliminary design of the unified parameterization is presented with supporting evidence for its validity. ROUTE II for the unification follows the MMF approach based on a coupled GCM/CRM, originally known as the “super-parameterization”. The Q3D MMF is an attempt to broaden the applicability of the super-parameterization without necessarily using a fully three-dimensional CRM. This is accomplished using a network of cloud-resolving grids with gaps. The basic Q3D algorithm and highlights of preliminary results are reviewed. It is suggested that the hierarchy of future global models should form a “Multiscale Modeling Network (MMN)”, which combines these two routes. With this network, the horizontal resolution of the dynamics core and that of the physical processes can be individually and freely chosen without changing the formulation of model physics. Development of such a network will represent a new phase of the history of numerical modeling of the atmosphere that can be characterized by the keyword “unification”.