cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Proteomics: Back to Basics?

The recent emergence of methods for rapidly profiling large numbers of protein markers by use of mass spectrometry (MS) has raised hopes for the rapid identification of novel cancer biomarkers (1). In particular, MS-based assays using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) have been used to compare serum proteomic patterns from healthy and diseased individuals in hopes of finding diagnostic signatures that can be adapted for use in the clinical laboratory. Early investigations in ovarian cancer patients suggested that panels of anonymous markers might substantially advance our current diagnostic capabilities (2)(3), although subsequent criticism has been directed at the primary data from these studies (4)(5) as well as at the SELDI time-of-flight (TOF) profiling approach itself (6)(7) [for summaries of this ongoing controversy, see Refs. (8)(9)]. Specific questions have been raised regarding the reproducibility of SELDI-TOF spectra, possible changes in protocols or inadequate calibration, and the ability of SELDI to detect low-abundance tumor markers. Additionally, observations that spectra can vary based on analytical factors such as the time of processing have been noted during large profiling experiments (10). Several of these issues have recently been addressed through the combined efforts of investigators in the National Cancer Institute–sponsored Early Detection Research Network (EDRN). This group has undertaken a systematic assessment of the interlaboratory reproducibility of SELDI-TOF measurements along with their potential applicability to prostate cancer diagnosis. Their initial results demonstrated that relevant portions of SELDI-TOF profiles can be measured reproducibly and used to distinguish a reference set of prostate cancer cases from controls (11). This study was an encouraging step toward defining the analytical reproducibility of serum proteome profiling, although it highlighted the need for rigorous calibration of instruments …
Thermal and electrochemical characterization of MCMB/LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 using LiBoB as an electrolyte additive

Abstract The gas generation associated with the use of the lithium bis(oxalate)borate—(LiBoB) based electrolyte at the elevated temperature were detected in the pouch cell (MCMB/LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 with 10% excess Li), which might prevent the LiBoB usage as a salt. However, the cell capacity retention was improved significantly, from 87 to 96% at elevated temperature, when using LiBoB as an electrolyte additive. The capacity fade during cycling is discussed using dQ/dE, area specific impedance, and frequency response analysis results. Most of the capacity loss in the cell is associated with the rise in the cell impedance. Moreover, results from the differential scanning calorimetry indicate that the thermal stability of the negative electrode with the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formed by the reduction of the LiBoB additive was greatly improved compared with that obtained from the reduction of LiPF6-based electrolyte without additive. In this case, the onset temperature of the breakdown of the LiBoB-based SEI is 150 °C which is higher than that of the conventional electrolyte without additive. Furthermore, the total heat generated between 60 and 170 °C is reduced from 213 to 70 J g−1 when using LiBoB as electrolyte additive compared to the one without additive. In addition, the thermal stability of the charged LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 with 10% excess Li was not affected when using LiBoB as an electrolyte additive.
Simulation and Reynolds stress modeling of particle-laden turbulent shear flows

Abstract Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is conducted of a homogeneous turbulent shear flow laden with mono-size particles. The dispersed phase is simulated in the Lagrangian frame and the carrier phase is considered in the Eulerian manner. The coupling between the two phases is `two-way' which allows investigation of the effects of the mass loading ratio and the particle time constant on both phases. A new Reynolds stress model (RSM) is developed based on a `two-fluid' methodology in which both the carrier phase and the dispersed phase are considered in the Eulerian frame. Closures are suggested for the unclosed terms (including the pressure–velocity gradient) which manifest the effects of two-way coupling. The results generated by DNS are used to determine the magnitudes of some of the empirical constants appearing in RSM. The final model predictions for all the components of the fluid, the particle, and fluid-particle Reynolds stresses are assessed via detailed comparisons against DNS data.
Integrity verification for path Oblivious-RAM

Oblivious-RAMs (ORAM) are used to hide memory access patterns. Path ORAM has gained popularity due to its efficiency and simplicity. In this paper, we propose an efficient integrity verification layer for Path ORAM, which only imposes 17% latency overhead. We also show that integrity verification is vital to maintaining privacy for recursive Path ORAMs under active adversaries.
Post-myocardial infarction arrhythmias.

Scenario: This electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm strip (leads II and V1) is from a 56-year-old African American man, 11 hours after admission to the coronary care unit (CCU) with chest pain and a non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) per cardiac troponin levels (> 0.10 ng/mL); this is his first MI. He was treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), during which a stent was placed in the circumflex coronary artery. While reviewing the alarm history at the central monitor, his CCU nurse found this rhythm strip and wonders if he should notify the patient’s cardiologist. A regular feature of the American Journal of Critical Care, the ECG Puzzler addresses electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation for clinical practice. To send an eLetter or to contribute to an online discussion about this article, visit www.ajcconline.org and click “Respond to This Article” on either the full-text or PDF view of the article. We welcome letters regarding this feature.
Assertion-oriented automated test data generation

Assertions are recognized as a powerful tool for automatic run time detection of software errors. However, existing testing methods do not use assertions to generate test cases. We present a novel approach of automated test data generation in which assertions are used to generate test cases. In this approach the goal is to identify test cases on which an assertion is violated. If such a test is found then this test uncovers an error in the program. The problem of finding program input on which an assertion is violated may be reduced to the problem of finding program input on which a selected statement is executed. As a result, the existing methods of automated test data generation for white box testing may be used to generate tests to violate assertions. The experiments have shown that this approach may significantly improve the chances of finding software errors as compared to the existing methods of test generation.
Differences in the log-transformed electromyographic–force relationships of the plantar flexors between high- and moderate-activated subjects

The present study examined the log-transformed electromyographic amplitude (EMG) versus force relationships for the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (SOL) in high- and moderate-activated subjects. Twenty-five (age = 21 ± 2 year; mass = 62 ± 12 kg) participants performed six submaximal contractions (30–90% maximal voluntary contraction [MVC]) with the interpolated twitch technique (ITT) performed at 90% MVC to calculate percent voluntary activation (% VA). Sixteen participants with > 90% VA at 90% MVC were categorized high-activated group; the remaining nine were the moderate-activated group. Linear regression models were fit to the log-transformed EMG–force relationships. The slope (b value) and the antilog of the Y-intercept (a value) were calculated. The b values from the MG EMG–force relationships were higher (P < 0.05) for the high-activated group (1.27 ± 0.13) than the moderate-activated group (0.88 ± 0.06). The a values and p–p M-wave amplitude values (collapsed across twitches [superimposed and potentiated]) were larger (P < 0.05) for the MG (1.17 ± 0.40 and 8.98 ± 0.46 mV) than the SOL (0.24 ± 0.07 and 4.48 ± 0.20 mV) when collapsed across groups. The b value from the log-transformed EMG–force relationships is an attractive model to determine if a subject has the ability to achieve high activation of their MG without muscle or nerve stimulation.
Endothelin-1 Stimulates Leptin Production in Adipocytes

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that regulates body fat stores and feeding behavior. In an effort to identify endogenous diffusible modulators of leptin production, we found that endothelin-1 (ET-1) up-regulates leptin expression in adipocytes. ET-1 is as potent and efficacious as insulin in stimulating leptin production in two different adipocyte cell lines. Endothelins stimulate leptin production via the endothelin-A receptor (ETA), as judged by a potency rank order of ET-1 ≫ ET-3. We detected expression of ETA but not ETB in both cell lines by Northern blot analysis. In addition, the ETA-selective antagonist FR139317 inhibited ET-1-induced leptin expression more potently than did the ETB-selective antagonist BQ788. ET-1 and insulin positively interact with each other in increasing leptin production in adipocytes. In primary mouse white fat cells, we detected expression of both ETA and ETB by Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses. We conclude that ET-1 stimulates leptin production via the ETA receptor in cultured adipocytes.
The Dyssynchrony in Predicting Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Call for Change

Thousands of articles have been published on cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with heart failure. Many of these articles focus on refining selection criteria for CRT to improve the rate of individual patient response, and arguably none have succeeded in improving clinical practice. The lack of standardization of both baseline predictors and outcome or ‘‘response criteria’’ is impairing progress in this field and must be addressed. Echocardiographic measures of dyssynchrony should undergo rigorous evaluation and comparison studies before testing their ability to help improve response to CRT. Additionally, a common end point to quantify ‘‘response to CRT’’ should be decided upon, as the many published end points do not agree with one another. The purpose of this editorial is to discuss these issues in the field of CRT research within the framework of an article showing that the oftenignored right ventricle may play a role in improving CRT for patients with heart failure. Much-needed studies to address shortcomings in this field are proposed, and echocardiography remains poised to play a crucial role in the continued development of this exciting field. The dilemma articulated by Claude Bernard in 1865 still haunts clinicians today: the response of the ‘‘average’’ patient to a therapy is not necessarily the response of the individual patient standing before the clinician. The ‘‘average’’ response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is undeniably favorable for the current criteria by whichwe select patients. CRT is a class IA recommendation for patients in sinus rhythm with QRS duration > 120 msec, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction # 35%, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or ambulatory class IV heart failure symptoms despite optimal medical therapy. Fourteen randomized controlled trials enrolling 4,420 patients have demonstrated that CRT improves LV ejection fraction, quality of life (QOL), and NYHA class while reducing hospitalizations by 37% and all-cause mortality by 22%. However, CRT is invasive, costly, and associated with rare but serious complications, including peri-implantation death (0.3%– 0.5%), wound or device infection (2%), and device or lead failure (5%). Additionally, the initial application for CRTsubmitted byMedtronic (Minneapolis, MN) to the US Food and Drug Administration showed that 32% to 55% of patients did not respond to CRTaccording to the primary end points of improved QOL, improved 6-min walking distance (6MWD), and improved NYHA class (Table 1). These factors demanded an attempt to limit CRT to those patients who will truly benefit, or ‘‘respond.’’ Although initial single-center
Comparative study of 4H-SiC and 2H-GaN MOS capacitors and FETs

We have comparatively characterized the electrical characteristics of 4H-SiC and 2H-GaN MOS capacitors and FETs. While progressive refinement of gate oxide processes, notably with NO anneal, has resulted in better threshold voltage control, reduced subthreshold slope and higher field-effect mobility for 4H-SiC MOSFETs, we have recently reported more superior MOS parameters for 2H-GaN MOSFETs. In addition, we have performed MOS-gated Hall measurements to extract the intrinsic carrier concentration and MOS mobility, indicating that both less channel electron trapping and scattering take place in 2H-GaN MOSFETs. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Infrared study of the adsorption of methanol, ethanol, ether, and water and the interaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen on a nickel surface

Abstract Stable surface complexes formed by the interaction of methanol, ethanol, water, and diethyl ether with a nickel surface at 20 °C were investigated. Exposure of the nickel surface to methanol gives infrared bands for surface species at 2040 and 1900 cm −1 . These bands are attributed to chemisorbed CO. Ethanol produced bands for surface species near 2960 cm −1 and 2030 and 1850 cm −1 . These bands are interpreted as indicating that ethanol decomposes on the clean surface to give chemisorbed CO and a hydrocarbon residue. H 2 O and diethyl ether produced no detectable surface species and did not poison the surface to CO chemisorption. Surface compounds formed by the interaction of CO and H 2 on nickel at temperatures up to 180 °C were looked for but not found even though products of the reaction of CO and H 2 were readily detected. In all cases studied the gases do not react with the silica support.
An evaluation of survey data on birthweight and prematurity status.

Abstract The 1986 experimental Demographic and Health Survey in the Dominican Republic was one of the first retrospective, population‐based surveys of a developing country to collect information on prematurity status as well as birthweight. We show that the relationships among birthweight, prematurity status, and infant mortality are consistent with corresponding patterns observed in other Latin American and Caribbean countries and in developed nations. Two notable irregularities in the birthweight data are the atypically high proportion of infants weighing 4,000 grams or more, and the high mortality rates among infants with missing birthweight. Problems with the prematurity status data include an unexpectedly low proportion of premature births, an unusually small proportion of low birthweight explained by premature births, and an extremely high neonatal death rate among premature compared to term infants. Inclusion of an explicit definition of “premature” may help avert similar problems in future health ...
Local entropy generation analysis on passive high-concentration DMFCs (direct methanol fuel cell) with different cell structures

In this paper, the local entropy generation analysis has been conducted based on a two-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) model, the entropy generation contributed by the chemical reactions, heat transfer, mass diffusion, and viscous dissipation is investigated. Then, the performance of fuel cells with different methanol barrier layers and electrolyte membranes have been studied based on the local entropy generation analysis. Results indicate that the entropy generation during cell operation is mainly caused by the irreversible electrochemical reactions, and that the entropy generated by mass diffusion and viscous dissipation can be considered negligible. The entropy generated by heat transfer is about two magnitudes less than the entropy generated by the electrochemical reactions in the passive DMFCs operating near room temperature. The overall entropy generation rate in a DMFC can be decreased by increasing the thickness of the methanol barrier layer and decreasing the thickness of the electrolyte membrane.
Viscous interaction between the solar wind and the earth's magnetosphere

Abstract Order of magnitude calculations are used to show that viscous interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere can satisfy the energy requirements of a typical magnetic storm. The viscous interaction is considered to be due mainly to turbulence of a compressible nature in the solar wind, and it is shown that this can provide the necessary drag forces, although other mechanisms are not excluded.
Within-socket myoelectric prediction of continuous ankle kinematics for control of a powered transtibial prosthesis.

Objective. Powered robotic prostheses create a need for natural-feeling user interfaces and robust control schemes. Here, we examined the ability of a nonlinear autoregressive model to continuously map the kinematics of a transtibial prosthesis and electromyographic (EMG) activity recorded within socket to the future estimates of the prosthetic ankle angle in three transtibial amputees. Approach. Model performance was examined across subjects during level treadmill ambulation as a function of the size of the EMG sampling window and the temporal 'prediction' interval between the EMG/kinematic input and the model's estimate of future ankle angle to characterize the trade-off between model error, sampling window and prediction interval. Main results. Across subjects, deviations in the estimated ankle angle from the actual movement were robust to variations in the EMG sampling window and increased systematically with prediction interval. For prediction intervals up to 150 ms, the average error in the model estimate of ankle angle across the gait cycle was less than 6°. EMG contributions to the model prediction varied across subjects but were consistently localized to the transitions to/from single to double limb support and captured variations from the typical ankle kinematics during level walking. Significance. The use of an autoregressive modeling approach to continuously predict joint kinematics using natural residual muscle activity provides opportunities for direct (transparent) control of a prosthetic joint by the user. The model's predictive capability could prove particularly useful for overcoming delays in signal processing and actuation of the prosthesis, providing a more biomimetic ankle response.
An Analysis of In-Hospital Major Morbidity and Early Mortality After Transplantation in the Lung Allocation Score Era

s S139 group was associated with significantly better physiological parameters; PO2/ FiO2, 392.2 ± 44.9 vs. 174.7 ± 20.8 mmHg, p < 0.05; Pulmonary vascular resistance, 264.8 ± 35.0 vs. 805.7 ± 256.0 dyn·s/cm5, p < 0.05; Dynamic compliance, 69.9 ± 12.7 vs. 30.6 ± 6.5 mL/cmH2O, p < 0.05; Lung weight change, -60.4 ± 31.7 vs. 216.8 ± 42.1 gram, p < 0.01. Four cases (80%) in the Nitrite group were judged as suitable for transplantation, while all five cases in the control was considered as not suitable. Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that sodium nitrite might improve the function of human donor lungs on the cellular ex vivo lung perfusion platform. This therapeutic option may be a significant adjunct in the recovery of rejected donor lungs when translated into the practice of clinical lung transplantation.
Acute toxicity and histopathological effects of certain glycoalkaloids and extracts of Alternaria solani or Phytophthora infestans in mice

Abstract The acute toxic effects of glycoalkaloids from Solanum tuberosum L. and extracts of Alternaria solani and Phytophthora infestans were investigated in mice. The i.p. LD50 values of α-chaconine and α-solanine were 19.2 and 32.3 mg/kg, respectively. Oral intubation of chloroform extracts of A. solani or P. infestans was associated with similar acute toxicities. The histopathological effects of the glycoalkaloids included severe renal and hepatic congestion and leukocytic infiltration. Renal tubular degeneration and hepatic centrilobular necrosis were evident in mice treated with extracts of A. solani. The extracts of P. infestans caused severe renal cortical damage, but lacked hepatotoxic effects.
Membrane reinforcement in concrete shells: A review

Abstract A historical evolution of the membrane reinforcement design in concrete shells is presented. Theoretical developments, experimental verifications and the history of US codes and standards have been traced. For two decades now, the evidence is converging towards application of the principle of minimum resistance. This principle is rational, and it can reasonably explain the experimental results.
Intrastriatal injection of sonic hedgehog reduces behavioral impairment in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Sonic hedgehog (Shh), a member of hedgehog (hh) family of signaling molecules, is necessary for normal axial patterning and cellular differentiation in the developing central nervous system. Shh also promotes the survival of fetal dopaminergic neurons and protects cultures of fetal midbrain dopaminergic neurons from the toxic effects of N -methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP + ), a neurotoxin that selectively injures nigral dopaminergic neurons. The mRNA expression of Shh and its putative receptor in the adult brain indicates an important role of Shh in the mature nervous system in addition to its roles during embryogenesis. In this study we examined the behavioral and anatomical effects of intrastriatal injection of singly myristoylated wild-type human Sonic hedgehog N-terminal fragment (Shh-M) in a rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Five groups of rats received a series of four intrastriatal injections of Shh-M (180 ng, 540 ng, or 4.275 μg per injection), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) (1 μg/injection), or vehicle on days 1, 3, 5, and 8. On day 4, the animals received an intrastriatal injection of 15 μg 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) free base. Intrastriatal administration of Shh (180 ng/injection) twice before and after a single intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA reduced apomorphine- and amphetamine-induced rotation and forelimb akinesia and partially preserved dopaminergic axons in the striatum. This is the first demonstration in vivo that Shh reduces behavioral deficits induced by intrastriatal 6-OHDA lesion and suggests that Shh may be useful in the treatment of disorders that affect the nigrostriatal system, such as PD.
Transfer between word processing systems

A study was conducted to examine knowledge transfer between word processing systems. The study examined the performance of naive subjects learning to use a word processing system, as well as performance of individuals with word processing experience as they learned to use a new system. Subjects initially familiar with one system carried out a series of tasks on this system and then were asked to carry out a similar series of tasks on a second system with which they were initially unfamiliar. The second systems varied in similarity to the first system along several dimensions. Subject performance was significantly slower on the second set of tasks for all groups compared to a control group using a single system. The reduced performance is attributed primarily to 'syntactic' differences in the user interfaces of the systems.
Epitaxial growth and structural properties of conductive RuO2 thin films

Abstract Metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) has been used to deposit conductive oxide RuO2 thin films at different temperatures on (100) MgO and (100) LaAlO3 substrates. The microstructural properties of the RuO2 films have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). Different growth and microstructural properties were observed for the films deposited on the two substrates. For example, the films on MgO are epitaxial at deposition temperatures as low as 350°C, and the films on LaAlO3 are epitaxial only at deposition temperatures of 600°C and above. The epitaxial films on MgO consist of two variants with an orientation relationship given by (110) RuO2//(100) MgO and [001] RuO2//[011]MgO. The epitaxial films on LaAlO3, on the other hand, contain four variants with an orientation relationship given by (200)RuO2//(100)LaAlO3 and [011] RuO2//[011] LaAlO3. The difference in gro...
Fingolimod therapy for multiple sclerosis.

Because of its potent efficacy and oral route of administration, the approval of fingolimod as treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) was highly anticipated. The therapeutic and adverse effects are mediated by modulation of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors. Fingolimod inhibits the egress of lymphocytes from lymph nodes and may also have direct effects on the central nervous system. The clinical trials that led to the approval of fingolimod demonstrated benefit on relapses, disability progression, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity, and brain volume loss in treatment-naive and previously treated patients with relapsing-remitting MS. The use of fingolimod in clinical practice has been limited by concerns for cardiac effects, infection, and macular edema as well as the relative lack of long-term safety data for this drug with a novel mechanism of action. Additional clinical trial and postmarketing data suggest that fingolimod is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatment option when patients are selected and monitored appropriately.
Use-dependent plasticity of the human motor cortex in health and disease

The adult brain can reorganize to accommodate environmental modifications and to compensate for lost function, a process known as plasticity. The last few years have provided extraordinary evidence regarding the mechanisms underlying plastic changes and have spurred the development of new strategies to modulate these processes. The ability of the mature brain to constantly reorganize has gained further credibility with the advent of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Plasticity is thought to be influenced by neurotransmitters and decreases substantially with normal aging. TMS has demonstrated that remarkable plastic changes occur in response to pharmacological agents and peripheral or central nervous system injury. Plastic changes are also associated with intense motor training such as constraint-induced therapy (CIT). For instance, premedication with amphetamine resulted in faster induction, increased magnitude, and prolonged duration of plasticity elicited by motor training compared to a placebo. Similarly, peripheral sensory stimulation resulted in enhancement of plastic changes. Finally, TMS cortical motor maps enlarge after CIT in stroke patients. This work discusses the potential of TMS as a useful tool to probe novel strategies to enhance plasticity in humans.
Fatty acid synthase impacts the pathobiology of Candida parapsilosis in vitro and during mammalian infection.

Cytosolic fungal fatty acid synthase is composed of two subunits α and β, which are encoded by Fas1 and Fas2 genes. In this study, the Fas2 genes of the human pathogen Candida parapsilosis were deleted using a modified SAT1 flipper technique. CpFas2 was essential in media lacking exogenous fatty acids and the growth of Fas2 disruptants (Fas2 KO) was regulated by the supplementation of different long chain fatty acids, such as myristic acid (14∶0), palmitic acid (16∶0), and Tween 80, in a dose-specific manner. Lipidomic analysis revealed that Fas2 KO cells were severely restricted in production of unsaturated fatty acids. The Fas2 KO strains were unable to form normal biofilms and were more efficiently killed by murine-like macrophages, J774.16, than the wild type, heterozygous and reconstituted strains. Furthermore, Fas2 KO yeast were significantly less virulent in a systemic murine infection model. The Fas2 KO cells were also hypersensitive to human serum, and inhibition of CpFas2 in WT C. parapsilosis by cerulenin significantly decreased fungal growth in human serum. This study demonstrates that CpFas2 is essential for C. parapsilosis growth in the absence of exogenous fatty acids, is involved in unsaturated fatty acid production, influences fungal virulence, and represents a promising antifungal drug target.
The impact of code switching on service encounters

Abstract Many service retailers, particularly those competing on speed of service with standardized encounters of short duration, rely on scripts to keep both employees and customers on-task and service operations running smoothly. While the benefits of such scripts are well known, what happens when customers do not stay on script? The authors analyze more than 2,000 service encounters and find evidence of two types of code switching suggested by sociolinguists: language and dialect. In addition, the concept of brand codes, the idiosyncratic terminology used in a service provider's script, is introduced. While on-script encounters are preferred, language code switching can also have positive outcomes at little cost to organizational efficiency. In contrast, dialect and brand code switching subvert the service script with negative consequences. Brand code switching is found to be particularly problematic for small market players attempting to compete against market leaders.
Kinetic effects of kinesin switch I and switch II mutations

We have examined several mutants in the switch I, switch II region of rat kinesin. Pre-steady-state kinetic analysis of association and dissociation of an N256K mutant with nucleotides and microtubules demonstrates that the mutation blocks microtubule stimulation of nucleotide release and ATP hydrolysis without affecting other kinetic parameters. The results suggest that ADP release on one head may be coupled to structural changes on the other head to stimulate ATP hydrolysis. Mutations at Glu237, a residue predicted to participate in a hydrogen-bond interaction critical for nucleotide processing, reduced or abolished microtubule-dependent ATPase activity with only minor effects on pre-steady-state rates of nucleotide release or binding. Mutations at Glu200, a residue that could serve as an alternate electron acceptor in the above-mentioned hydrogen-bond interaction, had small effects on microtubule-dependent ATPase activity despite modestly reducing the rate at which microtubule-stimulated nucleotide release occurs. These results further clarify the pathway of coupling of ATP hydrolysis to force production.
Pathological effects of Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda) in the domestic chick

Domestic chicks experimentally infected with Echinostoma caproni for 2 weeks showed a dilated ileum, unkempt feathers, watery diarrhoea, and weight loss. The ileum from infected and control chicks was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and prepared as 10 microns paraffin sections stained in haematoxylin and eosin, Papanicolau, periodic acid-Schiff, picro-ponceau, and alcian blue. The infected ileum showed atrophic villi, hypertrophied circular musculature with collagen-like fibres and haemorrhagic zones. The brush borders of epithelial cells and goblet cells were absent in the mucosa of the infected ileum. Worms in contact with host mucosa showed tissue plugs in the suckers. The cephalic spines of worms abraded the host mucosa.
Dimerization of the RU486-bound calf uterine progesterone receptor.

Abstract Dimerization of the RU486-bound progesterone receptor was studied by measuring the Hill coefficient of RU486 binding in calf uterine cytosol at receptor concentrations between 0.3 and 15 nM. The limiting value of the Hill coefficient at high receptor concentrations was 1.38±0.01. The limiting value of the Hill coefficient at high receptor concentrations was 1.05±0.03. The dimerization constant, defined as the concentration of receptor at which the Hill coefficient was midway between the limiting values, was 2.6±0.1 nM. In contrast, the dimerization constant of the progesterone-bound receptor, which was measured using the same approach, is 7 nM[Skafar, D.F. Biochemistry 30 (1991) 6148–6154]. The results presented here support and quantify the observation that the RU486-bound progesterone receptor will dimerize at lower receptor concentrations than the progesterone-bound receptor.
Let us take a Yale open course: a Chinese view of open educational resources provided by institutions in the West

This research examines selected online comments from open courses available on Chinese websites. These courses were created by universities in the West as an effort to build open educational resources (OER) and were recently translated into Chinese and were relocated to some popular Chinese websites. This research aimed to understand why the Chinese viewers value open courses offered by foreign institutions. A statistical cluster analysis was applied to identify patterns of viewers' behaviour. OER were analysed in a social context and the significance of cross-cultural communication in information sharing and knowledge delivery was explored. It finds that subject, rather than provider, of a course has a positive impact on the number of meaningful comments.
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of trigeminal chemosensation.

Three sensory systems, olfaction, taste, and somatosensation, are dedicated to the detection of chemicals in the environment. Trigeminal somatosensory neurons enable us to detect a wide range of environmental stimuli, including pressure, temperature, and chemical irritants, within the oral and nasal mucosa. Natural plant-derived irritants have served as powerful pharmacological tools for identifying receptors underlying somatosensation. This is illustrated by the use of capsaicin, menthol, and wasabi to identify the heat-sensitive ion channel TRPV1, the cold-sensitive ion channel TRPM8, and the irritant receptor TRPA1, respectively. In addition to TRP channels, members of the two-pore potassium channel family have also been implicated in trigeminal chemosensation. KCNK18 was recently identified as a target for hydroxy-α-sanshool, the tingling and numbing compound produced in Schezuan peppers and other members of the Xanthoxylum genus. The role of these channels in trigeminal thermosensation and pain will be discussed.
On "Modified constraint-induced therapy..." Page et al. Phys Ther. 2008;88:333-340.

Over the past 6 years, Stephen J Page, PhD, FAHA, has shown a remarkable level of research productivity with considerable efforts directed toward a modification of constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT)—or constraint-induced therapy (mCIT)—and its interfaces with other modalities or approaches, including functional electrical stimulation, electromyographic-triggered electrical stimulation, telerehabilitation, and mental practice. These efforts have resulted in the genesis of a perspective that mCIT is a reimbursable procedure1,2 or “a reimbursable protocol.”3(p339) Before this form of mCIT progresses toward the next logical step—a phase III randomized controlled study—a pause for reflection may be in order. This response is intended to offer a critical assessment and allows us to contemplate if, indeed, the cart is being placed too far before the horse. The “signature” form of CIT requires intensive practice, the primary factor that differentiates it from the distributed practice forms of CIT that generally have been referred to as “modified.” Undoubtedly, there are frustrations that might occur with such concentrated effort required over 10 or 15 weekdays of training for up to 6 hours per day. In the recently completed EXtremity Constraint-Induced Therapy Evaluation (EXCITE) Trial,4,5 the average duration of daily training (actual time on task) over 10 days using repetitive task practice and adaptive task practice (shaping) was 3 hours. Many of the 222 EXCITE participants simply did not possess the endurance to train for the entire 6 hours; in fact, the average time progressed from 1.5 hours to 4.5 hours. Given a mean of 3 hours over 10 days, the total on-task time was 30 hours for the signature CIT that characterized EXCITE. In contrast, the present study3 used approximately half that time (1.5 hours of clinic-based training per week over 10 weeks, for a total of 15 contact hours). However, …
Hash routing for collections of shared Web caches

Shared Web caches, also referred to as proxy Web servers, allow multiple clients to quickly access a pool of popular Web pages. An organization that provides shared caching to its Web clients will typically have a collection of shared caches rather than just one. For collections of shared caches, it is desirable to coordinate the caches so that all cached pages in the collection are shared among the organization's clients. In this article we investigate two classes of protocols for coordinating a collection of shared caches: the ICP protocol, which has caches ping each other to locate a cached object; and the hash routing protocols, which place objects in the shared caches as a function of the objects' URLs. Our contribution is twofold. First, we compare the performance of the protocols with respect to cache-server overhead and object retrieval latency; for a collection of shared caches, our analysis shows that the hash-routing schemes have significant performance advantages over ICP for both of the performance metrics. The existing hash-routing protocols assume that the cache servers are homogeneous in storage capacity and processing capability, even though most collections of cache servers are vastly heterogeneous. Our second contribution is to extend a robust hash-routing scheme so that it balances requests among the caches according to any desired distribution; the extended hash-routing scheme is robust in the face of cache failures, is tunable for heterogeneous caches, and can have significant performance advantages over ICP.
Analysis of Field-Assisted Binary Ion Exchange

A differential equation was derived for ionic migration in a system with two mobile ions. Stationary solutions were obtained for the case where the slower ion follows the faster, which reduce to those obtained when diffusion is ignored. When the faster ion is “behind” the slower no stationary solutions are possible, but the diffusion term is not important for this case and appropriate solutions are readily obtained. However, by taking account of diffusion at the boundaries, where it is important, infinite gradients are avoided and concentration equilibrium is permitted at the glass-salt interface. The concentration distributions predicted from this approach are compared with those measured on glass that has been ion exchanged with electric field assistance. Although the agreement is reasonable, there is some discrepancy, due in part to the assumption of concentration-independent species mobility.
A method for iodide balance studies in animals on low iodide diets.

RATS fed a low iodide diet until goiters developed utilized so little iodide that chemical methods were unsatisfactory for determinations of plasma PBI or of urinary and fecal iodide. A method was developed (Van Middlesworth, 1952) which involved feeding rats an I131-tagged diet until an equilibrium was established between the specific activity of the diet and the specific activity of all iodide pools of the animal. Then the I131 in any pool or compound of the animal was assumed to be proportional to the amount of chemical iodine in that pool, regardless of the relative rates of labeling. METHODS Young adult male Long-Evans rats were used throughout these investigations. The animals were maintained for 4-6 months on a low iodide, goiter-producing diet (Van Middlesworth, 1955) before they were used in these experiments.
Phosphorylation of GSK3α/β correlates with activation of AKT and is prognostic for poor overall survival in acute myeloid leukemia patients.

Abstract Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with highly active AKT tend to do poorly. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis are tightly regulated by AKT via phosphorylation of GSK3α and β isoforms which inactivates these kinases. In the current study we examine the prognostic role of AKT mediated GSK3 phosphorylation in AML. Methods We analyzed GSK3α/β phosphorylation by reverse phase protein analysis (RPPA) in a cohort of 511 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Levels of phosphorylated GSK3 were correlated with patient characteristics including survival and with expression of other proteins important in AML cell survival. Results High levels of p-GSK3α/β correlated with adverse overall survival and a lower incidence of complete remission duration in patients with intermediate cytogenetics, but not in those with unfavorable cytogenetics. Intermediate cytogenetic patients with FLT3 mutation also fared better respectively when p-GSK3α/β levels were lower. Phosphorylated GSK3α/β expression was compared and contrasted with that of 229 related cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis proteins. Consistent with p-GSK3α/β as an indicator of AKT activation, RPPA revealed that p-GSK3α/β positively correlated with phosphorylation of AKT, BAD, and P70S6K, and negatively correlated with β-catenin and FOXO3A. PKCδ also positively correlated with p-GSK3α/β expression, suggesting crosstalk between the AKT and PKC signaling pathways in AML cells. Conclusions These findings suggest that AKT-mediated phosphorylation of GSK3α/β may be beneficial to AML cell survival, and hence detrimental to the overall survival of AML patients. Intrinsically, p-GSK3α/β may serve as an important adverse prognostic factor for a subset of AML patients.
Should IACUCs Review Scientific Merit of Animal Research Projects

Whether IACUCs should review animal research protocols for scientific merit is not addressed in the federal regulations, resulting in ongoing confusion on the subject. The authors examine this issue, discuss the pros and cons, suggest how IACUCs can go about reviewing protocols for scientific merit, and question what effect recent changes in regulations will have on this issue.
Neurovascular development uses VEGF-A signaling to regulate blood vessel ingression into the neural tube

Neurovascular development requires communication between two developing organs, the neuroepithelium and embryonic blood vessels. We investigated the role of VEGF-A signaling in the embryonic crosstalk required for ingression of angiogenic vessel sprouts into the developing neural tube. As the neural tube develops, blood vessels enter at specific points medially and ventrally from the surrounding perineural vascular plexus. Localized ectopic expression of heparin-binding VEGF165 or VEGF189 from the developing avian neural tube resulted in supernumerary blood vessel ingression points and disrupted vessel patterning. By contrast, localized ectopic neural expression of non-heparin-binding VEGF121 did not produce supernumerary blood vessel ingression points, although the vessels that entered the neural tube became dysmorphogenic. Localized loss of endogenous VEGF-A signaling in the developing neural tube via ectopic expression of the VEGF inhibitor sFlt-1 locally blocked blood vessel ingression. The VEGF pathway manipulations were temporally controlled and did not dramatically affect neural tube maturation and dorsal-ventral patterning. Thus, neural-derived VEGF-A has a direct role in the spatially localized molecular crosstalk that is required for neurovascular development and vessel patterning in the developing neural tube.
Malignant phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor of the larynx

Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors are rare neoplasms predominantly originating in the trunk and extremities. Malignant variants are exceedingly rare, and can present significant diagnostic challenges to the pathologist and otolaryngologist alike. This report describes the first case of malignant phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor involving the larynx, and emphasizes the importance of vigilance in both histopathologic and clinical actions so that appropriate treatment can be provided in a timely manner. The clinical presentation, radiologic and histologic features, and management are discussed.
New insights into elastic fiber assembly

Elastic fibers provide recoil to tissues that undergo repeated stretch, such as the large arteries and lung. These large extracellular matrix (ECM) structures contain numerous components, and our understanding of elastic fiber assembly is changing as we learn more about the various molecules associated with the assembly process. The main components of elastic fibers are elastin and microfibrils. Elastin makes up the bulk of the mature fiber and is encoded by a single gene. Microfibrils consist mainly of fibrillin, but also contain or associate with proteins such as microfibril associated glycoproteins (MAGPs), fibulins, and EMILIN-1. Microfibrils were thought to facilitate alignment of elastin monomers prior to cross-linking by lysyl oxidase (LOX). We now know that their role, as well as the overall assembly process, is more complex. Elastic fiber formation involves elaborate spatial and temporal regulation of all of the involved proteins and is difficult to recapitulate in adult tissues. This report summarizes the known interactions between elastin and the microfibrillar proteins and their role in elastic fiber assembly based on in vitro studies and evidence from knockout mice. We also propose a model of elastic fiber assembly based on the current data that incorporates interactions between elastin, LOXs, fibulins and the microfibril, as well as the pivotal role played by cells in structuring the final functional fiber.
Controlling for the Impact of Variable Liquidity in Commercial Real Estate Price Indices

Liquidity in private asset markets is notoriously variable over time. Therefore, indices of changes in market value that are based on asset transaction prices will systematically reflect intertemporal differences in the ease of selling a property. We define and develop a concept of “constant-liquidity value” in the context of a model that is characterized by pro-cyclical volume of trading. We then present an econometric model that allows for estimation of both a standard transaction-based price index and a constant-liquidity index. Our application to the NCREIF database reveals that, in the case of institutional commercial real estate investment, constant-liquidity values tend to lead transaction-based and appraisal-based indices in time, and also to display greater volatility and cycle amplitude. The differences can be significant for strategic investment policy viewed from a mean-variance portfolio optimization perspective.
PROPANIDID VERSUS THIOPENTONE FOR INDUCTION OF GENERAL ANAESTHESIA IN ELECTIVE CAESAREAN SECTION

A comparison was made of the Apgar scores of ninety-four neonates born by elective Caesarean section. Propanidid was used to induce anaesthesia in forty women and thiopentone in fifty-four. Anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide and muscle relaxants. The incidence of neonatal depression was higher in the thiopentone group than in the propanidid group, particularly when induction-delivery time was prolonged more than 10 minutes. This is attributed to the different fates of these drugs: propanidid is rapidly hydrolyzed by esterases, while thiopentone is very slowly metabolized in the liver.
Extraction of EVM from Transmitter System Parameters

Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) is a system-level parameter that is specified for most advanced communication standards. EVM measurement often takes extensive test development efforts, tester resources, and long test times. Since EVM is analytically related to system impairments, which are typically measured in a production test environment, it can be eliminated from the test list if the relations between EVM and system impairments are derived in a manner that is independent of the circuit implementation and manufacturing process. In this paper, we focus on the WLAN standard, and derive the relations between EVM and three of the most detrimental impairments for QAM/OFDM based systems: IQ imbalance, non-linearity, and noise. Simulations and hardware experiments show that the accuracy of the analytical models is in par with a direct EVM measurement with a reasonable test time.