cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel large-particle FACS purification of adult ventricular myocytes reveals accumulation of myosin and actin disproportionate to cell size and proteome in normal post-weaning development.

Abstract Rationale Quantifying cellular proteins in ventricular myocytes (MCs) is challenging due to tissue heterogeneity and the variety of cell sizes in the heart. In post-weaning cardiac ontogeny, rod-shaped MCs make up the majority of the cardiac mass while remaining a minority of cardiac cells in number. Current biochemical analyses of cardiac proteins do not correlate well the content of MC-specific proteins to cell type or size in normally developing tissue. Objective To develop a new large-particle fluorescent-activated cell sorting (LP-FACS) strategy for the purification of adult rod-shaped MCs. This approach is developed to enable growth-scaled measurements per-cell of the MC proteome and sarcomeric proteins (i.e. myosin heavy chain (MyHC) and alpha-actin (α-actin)) content. Methods and results Individual cardiac cells were isolated from 21 to 94 days old mice. An LP-FACS jet-in-air system with a 200-μm nozzle was defined for the first time to purify adult MCs. Cell-type specific immunophenotyping and sorting yielded ≥ 95% purity of adult MCs independently of cell morphology and size. This approach excluded other cell types and tissue contaminants from further analysis. MC proteome, MyHC and α-actin proteins were measured in linear biochemical assays normalized to cell numbers. Using the allometric coefficient α, we scaled the MC-specific rate of protein accumulation to growth post-weaning. MC-specific volumes (α = 1.02) and global protein accumulation (α = 0.94) were proportional (i.e. isometric) to body mass. In contrast, MyHC and α-actin accumulated at a much greater rate (i.e. hyperallometric) than body mass (α = 1.79 and 2.19 respectively) and MC volumes (α = 1.76 and 1.45 respectively). Conclusion Changes in MC proteome and cell volumes measured in LP-FACS purified MCs are proportional to body mass post-weaning. Oppositely, MyHC and α-actin are concentrated more rapidly than what would be expected from MC proteome accumulation, cell enlargement, or animal growth alone. LP-FACS provides a new standard for adult MC purification and an approach to scale the biochemical content of specific proteins or group of proteins per cell in enlarging MCs.
Scalable Synthesis of Mycocyclosin

We report herein the scalable total synthesis of the secondary metabolite, mycocyclosin, initially isolated from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mycocylosin bears a highly strained 3,3′-dityrosine biaryl system which arises biosynthetically from an intramolecular oxidative dehydrogenative cross-coupling of cyclo(l-Tyr-l-Tyr) (cYY) catalyzed by the P450 enzyme CYP121. CYP121 is found exclusively in M. tuberculosis. Scalable access to mycocyclosin and related derivatives via a Pd(II)-catalyzed macrocyclization is anticipated to facilitate the biological evaluation of these compounds as novel tuberculosis antimicrobials.
New Technologies for Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Hip Infection

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating mode of failure following total joint arthroplasty, imposing a serious burden on the healthcare system and society at large. Increasing demand for elective arthroplasty, as well as independent predictions demonstrating future rise in the prevalence of PJI, will lead to an increasing financial burden imposed by this dreadful complication. This challenge is further compounded by disturbing trends, such as drug-resistant organisms among others as a cause of PJI. The aim of this review is to provide the latest updates in the diagnosis of PJI, with a view to identifying areas in need of further research.
Species migrations and range shifts: A synthesis of causes and consequences

Abstract In increasingly changing environments, plant species are forced to either adapt to novel conditions or shift their ranges to track their ecological niches. Those species that can successfully track their niche may minimize extinction risks. However, establishment of new species into recipient communities will lead to species rearrangement and novel biotic interactions. Currently, we have a limited understanding of how these processes affect communities and ecosystems. In this review we synthesize current knowledge on range-expanding species. We start with addressing the many terms used for describing different aspects of range expansions, such as native-invasive, encroachers, and intra-continental invasive species. Thereafter, we describe the factors driving range expansions, and the effects on recipient communities and at the ecosystem level. Our research indicates that, similar to the study of biological invasions, current knowledge on range expansions is highly biased, with most of the studies focusing on Europe and North America. A large part of the available research targets trees and shrubs and the most investigated habitats are grasslands, savannas and high-elevation habitats. One potential consequence of such research bias is that range expansion of many herbaceous species (especially of those species not important for agriculture) may go undetected. Another important finding is that the same factor may promote or hinder range expansion depending on habitat, life form, spatial and temporal scale at which the process is studied. Finally, while many range expansions have negative consequences on local biodiversity and community stability, some of them have positive effects (e.g. mangroves). Although an increasing number of studies investigated the effects of range expansion on recipient communities, our research indicates that we still have a limited knowledge of such processes. Future efforts should integrate both empirical and modeling approaches to disentangle the joint effects of biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors on range expansion. Such research should focus both on the immediate- and longer-term implications of range expansions.
Influences: Sodium channel excitement

My training in southern California still shapes my sunny outlook on science. My journey began as a graduate student with Bill Clark (now an author and screenwriter) at the University of California, Los Angeles, researching T cell immunology and the phenomenon of membrane capping. Still a Los Angeles
Phosphoprotein-based drug target activation mapping for precision oncology: a view to the future.

Historically, genomic-based tumor analyses have yielded critical information impacting treatment, such as HER2 amplification and transcription-based tumor classification in breast cancer, and ident...
About Face: Reflexively Considering “Audience” in Hiring Situations:

Using data from 88 students, 20 advisers, and 24 hirers about U.S. resumes, this article focuses on face of the company, the concept of employers' evaluating how well applicants might represent a c...
A Paley–Wiener Type Theorem for Singular Measures on $$(-1/2, 1/2)$$ ( - 1 / 2 , 1 / 2 )

For a fixed singular Borel probability measure $$\mu $$ on $$(-1/2, 1/2)$$ , we give several characterizations of when an entire function is the Fourier transform of some $$f \in L^2(\mu )$$ . The first characterization is given in terms of criteria for sampling functions of the form $$\hat{f}$$ when $$f \in L^2(\mu )$$ . The second characterization is given in terms of criteria for interpolation of bounded sequences on $${\mathbb {N}}_{0}$$ by $$\hat{f}$$ . Both characterizations use the construction of Fourier series for $$f \in L^2(\mu )$$ demonstrated by Herr and Weber via the Kaczmarz algorithm and classical results concerning the Cauchy transform of $$\mu $$ .
Abstract 1491: Immune resistance emerges from tumor-initiating stem cells

The remarkable capacity of the long-lived stem cells-like population to self-renew, initiate and propagate a tumor placed these cancer stem cells (CSC) at the root of tumorigenesis. Many unique molecular features of stem cells endow these key population with specialized properties to drive tumor formation. However, in order to achieve these functions, the neoplastic stem cells must first overcome the immune barrier. Although it has long been postulated that, as the core of a tumor, CSCs must be superior at evading the immune detection, direct evidence is still lacking to demonstrate this stem cell trait. Another important feature of CSCs is that these cells are programed to resist traditional cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation. Yet, it is still unexplored how CSCs react to the immunotherapy, which just start to revolutionize the cancer treatments. In order to address these fascinating questions, we have designed a spontaneous skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) mouse model that can be effectively targeted by adoptive cell transfer (ACT)-based immunotherapy, without losing the targeted tumor antigen. Employing this model, we have lineage traced the fate of tumor-initiating stem cells during and after ACT treatment. In this study, we will present data demonstrating that a subset of TGFβ-responding CSCs, residing at the tumor-stromal interface, are always able to survive from the injected CD8+ T cell treatment and give rise to the relapsed tumor. Furthermore, the extensive profiling of ACT surviving stem cells revealed that multiple immune resistant pathways are highly up-regulated in these stem cells. In addition, TGFβ appears to orchestrate these immune resistant processes in the tumor-initiating stem cells. This study highlights CSCs as the core to mediate immune evasion. Citation Format: Yuxuan Miao. Immune resistance emerges from tumor-initiating stem cells [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 1491.
Coupling Mixed-Mode Size Exclusion Chromatography with Native Mass Spectrometry for Sensitive Detection and Quantitation of Homodimer Impurities in Bispecific IgG

Detection and quantitation of homodimer impurities in therapeutic bispecific antibody (bsAb) drug products is essential to support development and quality control (QC) release. LC-MS-based techniques have been frequently applied for this analysis. However, sensitive detection of low-abundance homodimer impurities can still be challenging for regular workflows, which is largely due to the lack of chromatographic resolution between the impurities and the main bsAb species. Here, we report the development of a novel analytical method, which couples mixed-mode size exclusion chromatography (mmSEC) with online native MS detection (mmSEC-MS) for highly sensitive detection and quantitation of homodimer impurities in bsAb samples. Secondary interactions between the protein analytes and the column matrix, which are typically unwanted in SEC applications, are utilized to separate mAb species with similar hydrodynamic volume but different surface characteristics. Using four different bsAbs as testing standards, we demonstrated the versatility of this method in separating homodimer species from bsAb based on either electrostatic interaction or hydrophobic interaction, which was easily achieved by utilizing SEC columns with different properties as well as modulating the salt concentrations. The chromatographic separation between homodimer impurities and bsAb, as achieved by the mmSEC method, was demonstrated to be critical for the improved sensitivity in detecting low-abundance homodimer impurities (LOD from 0.01% to 0.1%). To the best of our knowledge, this newly developed mmSEC-MS method represents the most sensitive MS-based technique in both detection and quantitation of homodimer impurities in bsAb samples.
Gradient Li-rich oxide cathode particles immunized against oxygen release by a molten salt treatment

Lithium-rich transition metal oxide (Li1+XM1−XO2) cathodes have high energy density above 900 Wh kg−1 due to hybrid anion- and cation-redox (HACR) contributions, but critical issues such as oxygen release and voltage decay during cycling have prevented their application for years. Here we show that a molten molybdate-assisted LiO extraction at 700 °C creates lattice-coherent but depth (r)-dependent Li1+X(r)M1−X(r)O2 particles with a Li-rich (X ≈ 0.2) interior, a Li-poor (X ≈ −0.05) surface and a continuous gradient in between. The gradient Li-rich single crystals eliminate the oxygen release to the electrolyte and, importantly, still allow stable oxygen redox contributions within. Both the metal valence states and the crystal structure are well maintained during cycling. The gradient HACR cathode displays a specific density of 843 Wh kg−1 after 200 cycles at 0.2C and 808 Wh kg−1 after 100 cycles at 1C, with very little oxygen release and consumption of electrolyte. This high-temperature immunization treatment can be generalized to leach other elements to avoid unexpected surface reactions in batteries. Critical issues such as oxygen release during battery cycling plague the development of high-energy Li-rich oxide cathodes. Here the authors report a Li-gradient structure of the oxides, obtained by a selective LiO leaching process via a molten salt treatment, displaying virtually zero oxygen loss.
Violence and Reconciliation in Colombia: The Personal and the Contextual:

In the aftermath of war and large-scale violence, how can nations function as societies? How can people learn to live together again? Or, have the foundations of trust, civility, and predictability...
μ-MIP: Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Modified Microelectrodes for the Ultrasensitive Quantification of GenX (HFPO-DA) in River Water

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging as a hazardous class of environmental micropollutant, and robust, sensitive, and inexpensive sensing modalities are needed to detect the earl...
Identifying the links between consumer food waste, nutrition, and environmental sustainability: a narrative review

Emerging research demonstrates unexpected relationships between food waste, nutrition, and environmental sustainability that should be considered when developing waste reduction strategies. In this narrative review, we synthesize these linkages and the evidence related to drivers of food waste and reduction strategies at the consumer level in the United States. Higher diet quality is associated with greater food waste, which results in significant quantities of wasted resources (e.g., energy, fertilizer) and greenhouse gas emissions. Food waste also represents waste of micronutrients that could otherwise theoretically fill nutritional gaps for millions of people. To make progress on these multiple fronts simultaneously, nutrition professionals must expand beyond their traditional purview, into more interdisciplinary arenas that make connections with food waste and environmental sustainability.
Imaging reveals distinct textures at three infant skin sites and reflects skin barrier status

Background Infant diaper dermatitis (DD) is a prevalent condition due to multiple, interactive factors including increased skin hydration, irritant exposure, and increased skin pH. We examined diaper dermatitis vs within diaper and non-diaper controls over time and characterized the association of skin color and texture relative to skin barrier integrity, hydration, and pH. Materials and methods The prospective study included 46 infants with DD at well-child visits. Skin integrity was evaluated over 15 days, including visual skin condition, rate of stratum corneum transepidermal water accumulation, hydration, pH, and skin color and texture from high-resolution digital skin surface images. Effects by site and time were evaluated with general linear models. Results Six distinct texture patterns were observed. All three sites differed significantly for texture class frequency. Normal dermatoglyphics were more frequent for non-diaper vs both within diaper and rash sites. Dermatoglyphics with marked furrows or lines (class 3) were common within diaper vs rash but not for non-diaper vs within diaper. Streaks were highest for DD and lowest for non-diaper. Flat regions were more frequent DD. Barrier integrity, that is, moisture accumulation rate, was lower for normal dermatoglyphics than streaks or flat texture. DD severity decreased over 15 days. Barrier properties of within diaper and non-diaper areas were not well-differentiated. Conclusion The incidence of streak texture in the within diaper high magnification images was high despite being visually normal. This finding suggests that it is an "early indicator" of skin damage and may be clinically useful for early detection and treatment.
Using the contextual language model BERT for multi-criteria classification of scientific articles.

Abstract Background Finding specific scientific articles in a large collection is an important natural language processing challenge in the biomedical domain. Systematic reviews and interactive article search are the type of downstream applications that benefit from addressing this problem. The task often involves screening articles for a combination of selection criteria. While machine learning was previously used for this purpose, it is not known if different criteria should be modeled together or separately in an ensemble model. The performance impact of the modern contextual language models on the task is also not known. Methods We framed the problem as text classification and conducted experiments to compare ensemble architectures, where the selection criteria were mapped to the components of the ensemble. We proposed a novel cascade ensemble analogous to the step-wise screening process employed in developing the gold standard. We compared performance of the ensembles with a single integrated model, which we refer to as the individual task learner (ITL). We used SciBERT, a variant of BERT pre-trained on scientific articles, and conducted experiments using a manually annotated dataset of ~49 K MEDLINE abstracts, known as Clinical Hedges. Results The cascade ensemble had significantly higher precision (0.663 vs. 0.388 vs. 0.478 vs. 0.320) and F measure (0.753 vs. 0.553 vs. 0.628 vs. 0.477) than ITL and ensembles using Boolean logic and a feed-forward network. However, ITL had significantly higher recall than the other classifiers (0.965 vs. 0.872 vs. 0.917 vs. 0.944). In fixed high recall studies, ITL achieved 0.509 precision @ 0.970 recall and 0.381 precision @ 0.985 recall on a subset that was studied earlier, and 0.295 precision @ 0.985 recall on the full dataset, all of which were improvements over the previous studies. Conclusion Pre-trained neural contextual language models (e.g. SciBERT) performed well for screening scientific articles. Performance at high fixed recall makes the single integrated model (ITL) more suitable among the architectures considered here, for systematic reviews. However, high F measure of the cascade ensemble makes it a better approach for interactive search applications. The effectiveness of the cascade ensemble architecture suggests broader applicability beyond this task and the dataset, and the approach is analogous to query optimization in Information Retrieval and query optimization in databases.
Renewable energy integration and system operation challenge: control and optimization of millions of devices

Abstract The electric power infrastructure, originally designed and built on large-scale power plants, is evolving into a more resilient power generation and delivery system in which millions of smaller units of distributed energy generation resources units will be installed in sub-transmission and distribution networks. In order to control, manage and optimize the future grid, a hierarchical design is presented in this chapter which enables the distributed control on grid edge while inheriting the existing centralized control structure. This layered design of large-scale power system operation and control uses the following principle: reactive power control is treated as a primary control for voltage stability, and the real power control is primarily a grid-level control but can also be a supplementary control for voltage support in the case of insufficient reactive power control capacity. For the purpose of active control and operation at the distribution level, a recursive power network model is derived from nodal injection and branch power flow models. Based on the model, the proposed algorithms of hierarchical control, grid-edge inference and dynamic hosting allowance are developed and presented for multi-level controlled operation. And, a co-simulation architecture of integrated T&D system is presented to validate and demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of proposed algorithms.
Green infrastructure, stormwater, and the financialization of municipal environmental governance

Municipalities large and small are grappling with how to address enduring water quality challenges stemming from the impermeability of much of the built environment and how to address shifting prec...
Package Power Distribution Current Density in Applications with Large Transient Currents

A method to model, measure, and characterize a high-transient current in an electrical packaging solution is described herein. These methods help overcome the challenge of generating model to hardware correlation in high current applications. A specialized test platform is developed and used to characterize current density in test hardware. The measurements are used to characterize a custom power distribution network and verify validity of current density predictions. This data is critical in high-current applications for finding and measuring current density through plane pinch points that can cause early failures in the field due to electromigration and delamination.
Developing Chenopodium ficifolium as a potential B genome diploid model system for genetic characterization and improvement of allotetraploid quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)

Background Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a high-value grain known for its excellent nutritional balance. It is an allotetraploid species (AABB, 2n = 4x = 36) formed by the hybridization between AA and BB genome diploid (2n = 2x = 18) species. This study reports genetic studies in Chenopodium ficifolium as a potential B genome diploid model system to simplify the genetic studies of quinoa including gene identification and marker-assisted breeding. Results Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Quebec City, Quebec accessions of C. ficifolium were used to develop an F2 population segregating for agronomically relevant traits including flowering time, plant height, the number of branches, branch angle, and internode length. Marker-trait associations were identified for the FLOWERING LOCUS T-LIKE 1 (FTL1) marker gene, where the alternate alleles (A1/A2) were segregating among the F2 generation plants in association with flowering time, plant height, and the number of branches. There was a strong correlation of the flowering time trait with both plant height and the number of branches. Thus, a possible multifaceted functional role for FTL1 may be considered. The parental Portsmouth and Quebec City accessions were homozygous for the alternate FTL1 alleles, which were found to be substantially diverged. SNPs were identified in the FTL1 coding sequence that could have some functional significance in relation to the observed trait variation. Conclusion These results draw further attention to the possible functional roles of the FTL1 locus in Chenopodium and justify continued exploration of C. ficifolium as a potential diploid model system for the genetic study of quinoa. We expect our findings to aid in quinoa breeding as well as to any studies related to the Chenopodium genus.
BONDED CONCRETE OVERLAYS

Laboratory tests to evaluate the bond between freshly overlaid concrete on an existing concrete surface were studied. Cement grout and epoxy were used separately as bonding agents on two parallel series of tests with preparation of existing surface as a variable. Static and repeated loadings were applied on freshly overlaid precracked concrete beams. The contribution of the bonded concrete overlay to the flexural rigidity of the beam at various stages of loading were determined. It was concluded that concrete overlays can be made to bond to existing concrete surfaces using cement grout or epoxy as bonding agents, and that repeated loadings within the working range will not cause bond failure between the two concretes. Thin bonded concrete overlays were found to increase considerably the flexural rigidity and the ultimate moment capacity of the existing concrete section.
A decentralized model for automated multi-attribute negotiations with incomplete information and general utility functions

This paper presents a decentralized model that allows self-interested agents to reach "win-win" agreements in a multi-attribute negotiation. The model is based on an alternating-offer protocol. In each period, the proposing agent is allowed to make a limited number of offers. The responding agent can select the best out of these offers. In the case of rejection, agents exchange their roles and the negotiation proceeds to the next period. To make counteroffers, an agent first uses the heuristic of choosing the offer on an indifference (or "iso-utility") curve/surface that is closest to the best offer made by the opponent in the previous period, and then taking this offer as the seed, chooses several other offers randomly in a specified neighborhood of this seed offer. Experimental analysis shows agents can reach near Pareto optimal agreements in quite general situations following the model where agents may have complex preferences on the attributes and incomplete information. This model does not require the presence of a mediator.
Grid Friendly TM Appliances - Load-side Solution for Congestion Management

This paper discusses the effectiveness of deploying grid friendlytrade appliances (GFAs) as a load-side solution for congestion management in a competitive electricity market, with a residential house ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) load as an example. A GFA can have a sensor and a controller installed to detect price, voltage, or frequency signals and then adjust its thermostat setpoint or turn on/off according to certain control logics. By using the congestion price as a signal to shift GFA power consumption from high-price periods to low-price periods to reduce load in load pocket areas, transmission line congestion can be successfully mitigated. The magnitude of GFA load reduction and the location of the GFA resources are critical to alleviating congestion on targeted transmission lines while not causing other lines to congest. Simulation results are presented, and the impact of implementing price-responsive GFAs on the power grid is also studied
Escaping the Kmara Box: Reframing the Role of Civil Society in Georgia’s Rose Revolution

This article examines the role of civic groups in Georgia’s Rose Revolution using Larry Diamond’s framework of the democratic functions of civil society. The author argues that the contribution of civil society to the peaceful transfer of power in 2003 is best understood by expanding the analytical focus out from the Kmara youth movement to include a larger set of organisations. Rather than focusing on the Kmara youth movement as the primary civil society actor in 2003, the author contends that Kmara was, in fact, a product of the coordinated involvement of a cohort of NGOs. The article stresses the highly interconnected nature of Georgian civic leaders and organisations, particularly regarding networks with other NGOs, opposition politicians, and journalists from the Rustavi 2 television station.
A History of Vector Magnetometry in Space

The first vector magnetic measurements in space were made with fluxgate sensors. In order to achieve higher accuracy a variety of vector magnetometers using alkali vapor cells were developed. These were abandoned as the ring core sensor was developed with improved offset and low noise performance. The improved ring core fluxgate magnetometer is used almost exclusively for vector measurements, with the exception of the vector Helium magnetometer which is used on some deep space missions. Over the years a variety of innovative sensor mounting configurations were designed to overcome the lack of spacecraft resources such as mass, power and telemetry bandwidth. The advent of modern integrated circuits such as the low power amplifier, the analog-to-digital converter and the microprocessor has enhanced data recovery from these instrument systems.
Azimuthal Color Gradients in M99

We present optical and IR surface photometry of M99 (NGC 4254) at g, r s, i, J and K’, A central motivation for our research is the fundamental idea of density wave theory that the passage of a spiral density wave triggers star formation as it shocks the molecular gas in the disk. If this is the case color gradients, due to stellar population age gradients, should occur across the spiral arms. We have found a gradient consistent with this scenario in a reddening-free Q-like parameter at 6 kpc galactocentric distance across one of the arms of M99; this photometric parameter, Q rs J gi , is very sensitive to red supergiants. We rule out that the change in Qr s J gi across the arm is mainly due to dust. We also see a difference in Q rs J gi going from the interarm regions to the arms that indicates that arms cannot be due exclusively to crowding of stellar orbits. We have measured the angular speed Ω P of the spiral pattern and the location of the corotation radius, for the first time from the drift velocity of the young stars away from their birth site. The measured Q rs J gi implies a star formation rate for M99 within the range of 10–20 M⊙yr-1, a disk stellar mass surface density of ~ 80 M⊙pc-2 and a maximum contribution of ~ 20 percent from red supergiants to the K’ light in the region under consideration.
Subclinical late cardiac toxicity in childhood cancer survivors: impact on self-reported health.

BACKGROUND The authors analyzed how self-reported health and self-reported modified New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function scores were related to cardiac systolic function, cardiac risk factors, and cancer treatment history in childhood cancer survivors who reported no symptoms of cardiac disease. METHODS Long-term survivors of pediatric cancer who were treated between 1971 and 1995 (current ages, 16–39.7 years) underwent noninvasive clinical and laboratory cardiac risk evaluation and responded to selected subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey. Results were compared with survivor history of anthracycline therapy alone or with radiotherapy (n = 127 patients; mean, 10 years after diagnosis) versus no anthracycline therapy (n = 32 patients; mean, 11 years after diagnosis). RESULTS Sex, current age, highest school grade completed, race, age at diagnosis, diagnostic group, years off therapy, fractional shortening (FS), heart rate, and smoking status were found to be independently predictive of self-reported health. Interaction between female sex and higher low-density lipoprotein values and between diagnosis and abnormal FS variably predicted low reported vitality and low reported modified New York Heart Association (NYHA) scores. Echocardiographic findings, cardiac risk factors, and treatment history explained 13% to 28% of the variance in perceived health and self-reported modified NYHA scores. CONCLUSIONS Systolic function and cardiac risk factors were linked to lower self-reported health and NYHA scores even in the absence of clinically evident cardiotoxicity. Cancer 2008. ©2008 American Cancer Society.
Female Agency and Early Modern Urbanism: The Paris of Maria de’ Medici

Female Agency and Early Modern Urbanism: The Paris of Maria de’ Medici analyzes the urban history of early modern Paris and the impact of the interventions promoted by Queen Maria de’ Medici during her regency (1610–17) over the long-term development of the city. On the basis of new archival evidence, Sara Galletti reinterprets the queen’s Parisian projects—among them the Luxembourg Palace and the Arcueil Aqueduct—as the constituents of an ambitious urban plan that radically transformed the Left Bank, left a permanent imprint on the city, and ultimately determined the direction of its future developments. Maria de’ Medici’s projects are discussed within the broader context of the interventions realized on the banks of the Seine by the royal family, the city government, and a number of private investors during the first half of the seventeenth century; these established a new relationship between the city and its river and drew the urban fabric out of its medieval boundaries.
Isolation and characterization of secretory vesicles in germinated pollen of Lilium longiflorum.

Secretory vesicles containing polysaccharide were isolated from germinated pollen of Lilium longiflorum and characterized by biochemical and ultrastructural investigation. Pollen tubes exhibit a secretory pathway in which the vesicles concentrated in the tube apex are produced by the Golgi apparatus and contributed to the cell wall at the apex upon fusion of the vesicle membrane with the plasma membrane. Secretory vesicles were isolated by a method involving the size discrimination of cytoplasmic components using Millipore filters. Cells were disrupted under conditions which minimized membrane vesiculation. Identification was made by electron-microscopic comparison of the periodic acid-silver hexamine (PASH) reactivities of in situ and isolated secretory vesicles. The secretory vesicles contained polysaccharides which were high in galacturonic acid and similar in sugar composition to those of the hot-water-soluble fraction of pollen tube cell wall. A hot-water-insoluble, non-cellulosic glucan was the major component of the cell wall. Less than 7% of the wall was cellulosic. Chitin was absent. Similarities in the ultrastructure and PASH staining of apical secretory vesicles and an amorphous component of the cell wall support a precursor-product relationship between these 2 cell components. Ultrastructural investigations revealed complexes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) associated with electron-translucent regions of cytoplasm, suggesting a possible function of the ER in cell wall formation. Additionally, patterns of PASH staining show that changes in polysaccharides occur in secretory vesicles after vesicles have been formed by dictyosomes. Therefore, secretory vesicles may have a role in polysaccharide synthesis as well as in membrane and product transport.
Widespread potential for microbial MTBE degradation in surface-water sediments.

Microorganisms indigenous to stream and lake bed sediments, collected from 11 sites throughout the United States, demonstrated significant mineralization of the fuel oxygenate, methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Mineralization of [U-14C]MTBE to 14CO2 ranged from 15 to 66% over 50 days and did not differ significantly between sediments collected from MTBE contaminated sites and from sites with no history of MTBE exposure. This result suggests that even the microbial communities indigenous to newly contaminated surface water systems will exhibit some innate ability to attenuate MTBE under aerobic conditions. The magnitude of MTBE mineralization was related to the sediment grain size distribution. A pronounced, inverse correlation (p < 0.001; r 2 = 0.73) was observed between the final recovery of 14CO2 and the percentage content of silt and clay sized grains (grain diameter < 0.125 mm). The results of this study indicate that the microorganisms that inhabit the bed sediments of streams and lakes can degrade MTB...
High-Resolution Kinetic Studies of the Reassembly of the Tetra-Manganese Cluster of Photosynthetic Water Oxidation: Proton Equilibrium, Cations, and Electrostatics†

The kinetics of pulsed-light photoactivation, the light-induced reassembly of the water-oxidizing complex (WOC) of PSII in the presence of essential inorganic cofactors, has been studied using two improvements: a new efficient chelator, N,N,N‘,N‘-tetrapropionato-1,3-bis(aminomethyl)benzene (TPDBA), for complete extraction of {Mn4} and Ca2+ and an ultrasensitive polarographic cell for O2 detection [Ananyev, G. M., & Dismukes, G. C. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 4102−4109]. Measurements have been made of the initial half-time, t1/2 (sum of the lag time for formation of the first intermediate, IM1, plus the half-time for formation of the second intermediate, IM2), and the steady-state yield, Yss, for recovery of O2 evolution (proportional to the number of active centers). The following conclusions have been reached: (1) cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+) slow the rate of photoactivation, even though Ca2+ is essential for activity. Two distinct mechanisms appear to be involved: binding to one or both of the first two...
PET–CT of mesenteric panniculitis: A potential confounder of lymphoma

Abstract Mesenteric panniculitis is an inflammatory condition involving the adipose tissue of the mesentery. Historically, this entity has been described with several names. Histologically, it can be categorized further according to pathological changes of chronic inflammation, fat necrosis and fibrosis. Mesenteric panniculitis was rarely diagnosed before the era of ultrasound and CT. With more modern imaging modalities such as 2-fluoro-18-deoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT), increased metabolism is expected due to its inflammatory component. This in turn can create potential pitfalls especially when restaging patients after treatment with co-existing lymphomas. Here, we will discuss the case of a patient with mesenteric panniculitis and coexisting lymphoma.
Energetics of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere and the SABER experiment

Abstract The energy budget of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere is governed by numerous sources and sinks of energy including radiative, chemical, and dynamical processes. The various radiative and chemical sources and sinks of energy, which occur far from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE), will be briefly reviewed in this paper. In addition, the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) Experiment, presently under development for the Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) mission, will be introduced. SABER is an infrared emission limb sounder which will observe, at high radiometric accuracy, emissions from carbon dioxide (15 μm), ozone (9.6 μm), and nitric oxide (5.3 μm) to assess temperature, radiative cooling, and ozone abundances. SABER will also observe the singlet-delta molecular oxygen emission (1.27 μm), the Meinel bands of the hydroxyl radical (1.6 and 2.0 μm), water vapor (6.7 μm), and carbon dioxide emission at 4.3 μm. From these measurements a virtually complete computation of the radiative and chemical heating and radiative cooling rates in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere can be obtained.
The Functional Output of the Mesolimbic Dopamine System

In summary, the nucleus accumbens, located at the interface of the limbic projections from the amygdala, hippocampus, and cingulate cortex, and receiving extrapyramidal fibers from midbrain DA-containing nuclei, is well situated to form neural circuitry that mediates the behaviorally activating properties of several stimulants. Efferent GABAergic fibers projecting from the nucleus accumbens to the ventral pallidum translate integrated limbic and extrapyramidal information to lower motor circuitry; some of this information appears to be carried by ventral pallidal efferent fibers projecting to the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus. It seems very possible that activation of this circuitry by positive reinforcing environmental stimuli, through the release of endogenous DA or opiate compounds, might contribute to motivated behavior. Indeed, environmentally generated locomotor activity can be blocked by disruption of this circuitry following destruction of N. Acc. DA terminals. It is also tempting to speculate that pathological changes in activity within this system might disrupt normal reinforcement contingencies, and contribute to the affective components of both psychiatric and neurologic disease states.
Using social networks to engage computer science students (abstract only)

Social Networking continues to be a popular past-time among high school and college students. In this birds of a feather session, we will share ideas on integrating social networking topics into computer science courses at the introductory and non-major levels. Additionally we will discuss approaches to integrating social network programming into upper level courses. Finally we will attempt to address the following questions: will social networking draw new students into the computing disciplines the way that video games did in the previous generation? Will it attract new types of students with different expectations? Is social networking just a fad that will have no effect on Computer Science programs? Or is social networking a topic that is better left to other academic disciplines?
Integrating CASE Technology into Software Engineering Education

Cost‐effective development of software has been extensively studied within the past decade, and a considerable number of technologies have been introduced, some of which have proven effective in practical cases. These technologies include software engineering methodologies, integrated environments, special purpose languages, and automated tools. Among these, automated or CASE tools have received significant recognition as having the potential to increase the productivity in software development and maintenance. We briefly discuss the role of CASE tools in both developing and maintaining software, but focus our attention on the role of CASE technology in the context of software engineering education and the importance of integrating CASE tools in software engineering courses. The qualitative and quantitative benefits of CASE tools for preparing our students to participate in large software projects and subsequent career growth are discussed. Our approach in and choice of CASE tools for use in the classroom...
Reactions of Cu(hfacac)2·H2O (hfacac = Hexafluoroacetylacetonate) with Bidentate Ligands. Preparation, Characterization, and X-ray Structures of the Molecular Complexes Cu(hfacac)2(pyrazine)2 and Cu(hfacac)2(3-cyanopyridine)2 and the One-Dimensional Coordination Polymers Cu(hfacac)2(1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane) and Cu(hfacac)2(4,4‘-trimethylenebipyridine)

Reactions of Cu(hfacac)2·H2O (hfacac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) with pyrazine, 3-cyanopyridine, 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, and 4,4‘-trimethylenebipyridine in methylene chloride have been studied. Two types of products were obtained and crystallographically characterized: compounds 1 (Cu(hfacac)2(pyrazine)2, orthorhombic, Pbca; a = 9.839(2) A, b = 17.984(2) A, c = 13.572(2) A, Z = 4) and 2 (Cu(hfacac)2(3-cyanopyridine)2, triclinic, P1, a = 13.175(2) A, b = 13.955(2) A, c = 7.936(2) A, α = 104.29(2)°, β = 105.90°, γ = 81.47(1)°, Z = 2) were isolated as molecular complexes, while compounds 3 (Cu(hfacac)2(1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, monoclinic, P21/c, a = 7.922(1) A, b = 16.266(4) A, c = 10.163(2) A, β =93.83(1)°, Z = 2) and 4 (Cu(hfacac)2(4,4‘-trimethylenebipyridine), monoclinic, Pc, a = 7.940(1) A, b = 9.691(2) A, c = 18.539(3) A, β = 95.83(2)°, Z = 2) were isolated as one-dimensional infinite polymeric chains. The structures were further characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and elemen...
A phase II trial of paclitaxel poliglumex in recurrent or persistent ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer (EOC): a Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

Abstract Objectives To estimate the anti-tumor activity and toxicity of paclitaxel poliglumex (PPX) in patients with persistent or recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer (EOC) in second or third line treatment. Method Twenty-five patients received PPX at 235 mg/m 2 every 21 days (Cohort 1). At a planned analysis following first stage accrual, the dose was reduced to 175 mg/m 2 Cohort 2) for additional accrual to 78 patients. RECIST and CTC toxicity criteria were used. Results Patients received PPX in the second line (15%) and third line (85%) setting. In cohort 2, 25 out of 47 determined cases (53%) were platinum resistant and 17 out of 43 determined cases (40%) were taxane-resistant. The overall response rates for cohort 2 were 0/49 (0%) CR, 8/49 (16%) PR, and 20/49 (41%) SD. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.8 months (95% CI 1.48–4.8 months) and median overall survival (OS) was 15.4 months. The most frequent grade III or IV toxicities in cohort 2 were: neutropenia (24%/20%), constitutional (8%/0%), gastrointestinal (6%/0%), and neuropathy (24%/0%). Conclusion PPX at 175 mg/m 2 every 21 days has a modest activity of limited duration when given as second or third line therapy in patients with epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer. The incidence of neuropathy using this dose in recurrent ovarian cancer is higher than predicted from studies in other tumors with PPX. The Gynecology Oncology Group (GOG) is currently exploring its use at 135 mg/m 2 every 28 days in a randomized trial evaluating maintenance chemotherapy in first remission.
Thermal Profiles in Silicon-On-Insulator (Sod Material Recrystallized With Scanning Light Line Sources

A two dimensional solution of the classical heat equation is obtained and used to predict thermal profiles during line source zone melting recrystallization of silicon on insulators. A macroscopic solidification model is used to find the extent of the molten zone in multilayered structures. The problems of convergence associated with moving phase boundaries are reduced by using transformed temperature and the enthalpy model The resultant isotherms, obtained at varying zone scan speeds, indicate optimum experimental conditions.
Adaptive estimation of third-order frequency domain Volterra kernels

Techniques for adaptive estimation of frequency domain Volterra kernels of non-linear systems up to the third order are investigated. A simple adaptive algorithm for identifying the frequency domain Volterra kernels is derived based on the assumption that the input is Gaussian. Compared with the conventional adaptive method based on the recursive least squares (RLS) technique, the proposed method requires substantially less computation and computer memory. The insensitivity of the proposed method to the Gaussianity assumption of the input is also demonstrated via computer simulation and application to experimental data. The results show that the proposed adaptive method is comparable in performance with the conventional RLS-based adaptive method even when the input is non-Gaussian.
Field ion microscope studies of exchange-mediated, atom-displacement processes on metal surfaces

Abstract The contributions of field ion microscopy to the discovery and understanding of exchange-mediated, atom-displacement processes on metal surfaces are reviewed. Experimental evidence leading to the confirmation of the exchange mechanism on the (110) and (100) surfaces of fcc metals is presented along with a discussion of the fundamental and technological implications of atomic exchange processes. Chemical trends in the preferred diffusion mode for various adatoms on fcc (100) surfaces are extracted from field ion microscope investigations. The results indicate that the propensity for exchange versus hopping motion is not correlated with macroscopic surface or bulk properties of the metals, but may be correlated with the amount of surface-atom relaxation induced by the presence of the adatom. Also discussed are the role of exchange processes in the diffusion of small clusters and the effect of an externally applied electric field on the exchange-displacement rate and transport mechanism.