cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Registering Study Analysis Plans (SAPs) Before Dissecting Your Data—Updating and Standardizing Outcome Modeling

Public preregistration of statistical analysis plans (SAPs) is widely recognized for clinical trials, but adopted to a much lesser extent in observational studies. Registration of SAPs prior to analysis is encouraged to not only increase transparency and exactness but also to avoid positive finding bias and better standardize outcome modeling. Efforts to generally standardize outcome modeling, which can be based on clinical trial and/or observational data, have recently spurred. We suggest a three-step SAP concept in which investigators are encouraged to 1.) Design the SAP and circulate it among the co-investigators, 2.) Log the SAP with a public repository, which recognizes the SAP with a digital object identifier (DOI), and 3.) Cite (using the DOI), briefly summarize and motivate any deviations from the SAP in the associated manuscript. More specifically, the SAP should include the scope (brief data and study description, co-investigators, hypotheses, primary outcome measure, study title), in addition to step-by-step details of the analysis (handling of missing data, resampling, defined significance level, statistical function, validation, and variables and parametrization).
Ophthalmic changes in patients with hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome).

Parry–Romberg syndrome (PRS) is a rare condition characterized by progressive, unilateral facial atrophy. We hypothesize that patients with this condition may have involvement of the ocular structures. Here, we report our ophthalmic, clinical and anatomical findings in an observational study of six patients with long-standing PRS. Patients diagnosed with PRS were invited to participate in a clinic visit during which the following tests were administered and data recorded: best-corrected vision, refractive error, Ishihara color plates, Hertel exophthalmometry, gonioscopy, complete slit-lamp and dilated fundus examination, Intra Ocular Lens Master measurements and keratometry. Two-sample T tests were used to compare data between affected and unaffected eyes, as well as affected eyes and a normative population. Six patients underwent complete eye examinations. The mean spherical equivalent of the affected eye was + 3.83 D, while that of the unaffected eye was + 0.13 D. The atrophic hemiface averaged 2.8 mm of enophthalmos on Hertel exophthalmometry. The axial length of the atrophic eye was 0.91 mm shorter than the unaffected eye. Compared to normative data, in patients with PRS, the difference between eyes was statistically different for each of the following variables: visual acuity, spherical equivalent, corneal diameter, axial length and flat and steep keratometry. This is one of the first quantitative, exploratory studies with ophthalmic measurements in patients with PRS. Our results suggest the globe may demonstrate atrophic changes similar to other soft tissues in the face known to be affected by this condition.
Unscrambling Structured Chirality with Structured Light at the Nanoscale Using Photoinduced Force

We show that the gradient force generated by the near field of a chiral nanoparticle carries information about its chirality. On the basis of this physical phenomenon we propose a new microscopy te...
Plasma cell neoplasms of the bladder: a series of 9 cases

Abstract From 2009 to 2017, we identified 9 cases of plasma cell neoplasms on biopsies of the bladder in patients without a history of plasma cell myeloma or transplantation (6 men and 3 women). Four of the nine showed amyloid deposition, of which one additionally revealed a clear cell adenocarcinoma of the bladder. Follow-up was obtained in 7 cases. Of 3 cases (including 2 with amyloid) for which electrophoresis and immunofixation results were obtained, the 2 amyloid cases showed evidence of serum or urine paraproteins: serum IgM kappa in a patient with kappa light chain–restricted plasma cell neoplasm and urine IgA lambda in a patient with lambda light chain–restricted plasma cell neoplasm. By way of contrast, 1 case with kappa light chain–restricted plasma cell neoplasm in the absence of amyloid showed no serum monoclonal protein. Bone marrow biopsy results were obtained in the 2 amyloid cases revealing a population of 5% or less plasma cells with no assessment of clonality and, thus, were not diagnostic of plasma cell myeloma. In congruence, the 2 amyloid cases also showed no radiologic evidence of systemic plasma cell myeloma. One patient with plasma cell neoplasm only received chemotherapy and radiation without subsequent biopsies; one patient with plasma cell neoplasm, amyloid, and clear cell adenocarcinoma received radiation with an absence of neoplastic disease on subsequent biopsies. In addition, no evidence of systemic amyloid was found in the cases with bladder amyloidosis. Plasma cell neoplasms of the bladder, with and without amyloid deposition, are rare; this is the first known case series. In 7 cases with follow-up, plasma cell myeloma did not appear to manifest in a 1- to 127-month follow-up. However, paraproteins were identified on further testing in 2 cases with amyloid. Although bladder plasma cell neoplasms with and without amyloid tend to have a favorable prognosis in short-term follow-up, our study supports the need for additional workup for systemic disease, particularly in those with concurrent amyloidosis.
Changes in Fathers' Body Mass Index, Sleep, and Diet From Prebirth to 12 Months Postbirth: Exploring the Moderating Roles of Parenthood Experience and Coparenting Support.

BACKGROUND While research has examined prenatal to postnatal changes in women's weight, sleep, and diet, much less is known about these changes among fathers. PURPOSE This study aimed to (a) examine changes in fathers' body mass index (BMI), sleep, and diet from 1 month before birth to 5-6 months following birth, and from 5-6 months to 11-12 months following birth and (b) explore the moderating roles of parenthood experience and coparenting support. METHODS 169 fathers (mean age 35.5 years, 58.9% White) participated. Fathers completed an intake survey shortly after their infant's birth to recall their height and weight, nighttime sleep hours, fruit and vegetable intake, soda intake, and fast food intake for the month prior to birth. When their child was 6 and 12 months old, fathers reported their weight, sleep, and diet again for the past 4 weeks (i.e., 4 week periods spanning 5-6 months and 11-12 months following birth). Generalized estimating equations were used to answer our research questions. RESULTS Fathers reported higher BMI (Δ = 0.22 kg/m2; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06, 0.38; p = .008) and less nighttime sleep duration (Δ = -0.21 hr; 95% CI = -0.38, -0.05; p = .012) at 5-6 months following birth compared to 1 month prior to birth. Fathers' diet remained stable over the three timepoints. No evidence was found to support the moderating roles of parenthood experience and coparenting support on fathers' weight and behavior changes. CONCLUSIONS 5-6 months following birth may be an important point of intervention for fathers to promote a return to prebirth BMI and sleep levels.
Examining the relationship between skilled music training and attention

While many aspects of cognition have been investigated in relation to skilled music training, surprisingly little work has examined the connection between music training and attentional abilities. The present study investigated the performance of skilled musicians on cognitively demanding sustained attention tasks, measuring both temporal and visual discrimination over a prolonged duration. Participants with extensive formal music training were found to have superior performance on a temporal discrimination task, but not a visual discrimination task, compared to participants with no music training. In addition, no differences were found between groups in vigilance decrement in either type of task. Although no differences were evident in vigilance per se, the results indicate that performance in an attention-demanding temporal discrimination task was superior in individuals with extensive music training. We speculate that this basic cognitive ability may contribute to advantages that musicians show in other cognitive measures.
Modeling Iso-octane HCCI using CFD with Multi-Zone Detailed Chemistry; Comparison to Detailed Speciation Data over a Range of Lean Equivalence Ratios

Multi-zone CFD simulations with detailed kinetics were used to model iso-octane HCCI experiments performed on a single-cylinder research engine. The modeling goals were to validate the method (multi-zone combustion modeling) and the reaction mechanism (LLNL 857 species iso-octane) by comparing model results to detailed exhaust speciation data, which was obtained with gas chromatography. The model is compared to experiments run at 1200 RPM and 1.35 bar boost pressure over an equivalence ratio range from 0.08 to 0.28. Fuel was introduced far upstream to ensure fuel and air homogeneity prior to entering the 13.8:1 compression ratio, shallow-bowl combustion chamber of this 4-stroke engine. The CFD grid incorporated a very detailed representation of the crevices, including the top-land ring crevice and headgasket crevice. The ring crevice is resolved all the way into the ring pocket volume. The detailed grid was required to capture regions where emission species are formed and retained. Results show that combustion is well characterized, as demonstrated by good agreement between calculated and measured pressure traces. In addition, excellent quantitative agreement between the model and experiment is achieved for specific exhaust species components, such as unburned fuel, formaldehyde, and many other intermediate hydrocarbon species. Some calculated trace intermediate hydrocarbon species do not agree as well with measurements, highlighting areas needing further investigation for understanding fundamental chemistry processes in HCCI engines.
In vivo assembly of the tau-complex of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme expressed from a five-gene artificial operon. Cleavage of the tau-complex to form a mixed gamma-tau-complex by the OmpT protease.

Abstract A plasmid was constructed that encodes all five subunits of the Escherichia coli -complex on a single artificially constructed operon under the control of an inducible promoter. The proteins , , ′, , and overproduced from this artificial operon assemble efficiently in vivo, providing an efficient source of homogeneous -complex. The subunit is a truncated form of that is produced by a translational frameshift. When protein expression was induced in bacterial strains containing the outer membrane protein T (OmpT) protease, was proteolyzed after lysis to a -like protein, , and a peptide, C-, corresponding to the C terminus of . N-terminal sequencing of C- revealed a cleavage site between two lysines at positions 429 and 430 of . The deduced sequence of is, therefore, only two amino acids shorter than natural . The proteolysis by OmpT was also shown directly by using purified OmpT and -complex in an in vitro reaction. A -complex and a mixed --complex were purified from ompT cells. When the -complex proteins were overexpressed in ompT bacteria, intact -complex lacking could be purified.
Uninformed consent: mass screening for prostate cancer.

While medicine may agree in principle that cancer screening requires informed consent, such consent is not, in fact, common practice. In the case of prostate-cancer screening this means that men in large numbers undergo PSA testing with little understanding of its liabilities – in particular, that it may or may not decrease mortality, often detects cancer of questionable significance, and may lead to unnecessary surgery. Given that prostate cancer is known to be overtreated and that family history is a risk factor, it follows that a man diagnosed with prostate cancer, even if it is of no clinical significance, automatically promotes his son into the high-risk category; and given that those so categorized are subject to heightened medical surveillance and that the more diligently medicine searches for prostate cancer the more likely it is to find it, it follows that the sons of men diagnosed as a result of PSA testing are at risk of being overdiagnosed (and overtreated) precisely because their father was. Twenty years into the PSA revolution, its generational consequences have not been discussed in the medical literature.
IR Spectroscopy Via Difference-Frequency Generation

In this paper we discuss recent refinements to a visible-to-infrared difference-frequency converter for application to high-resolution molecular spectroscopy. These refinements include improved stabilization and calibration techniques, increased electronic tuning range and computerized data-processing. The system is capable of precision Doppler-limited spectroscopy of complete rotation-vibration bands of many hydrogenic and other interesting light molecules.
Thermoviscoplastic behaviors of anisotropic shape memory elastomeric composites for cold programmed non-affine shape change

Abstract Shape memory polymers (SMPs) can fix a temporary shape and recover their permanent shape upon activation by an external stimulus. Most SMPs require programming at above their transition temperatures, normally well above the room temperature. In addition, most SMPs are programmed into shapes that are affine to the high temperature deformation. Recently, a cold-programmed anisotropic shape memory elastomeric composite was developed and showed interesting low temperature stretching induced shape memory behavior. There, simple, uniaxial stretching at low temperature transformed the composites into curled temporary shapes upon unloading. The exact geometry of the curled state depended on the microstructure of the composite, and the curled shape showed no affinity to the deformed shape. Heating the sample recovered the sample back to its original shape. This new composite consisted of an elastomeric matrix reinforced by aligned amorphous polymer fibers. By utilizing the plastic-like behavior of the amorphous polymer phase at low temperatures, a temporary shape could be fixed upon unloading since the induced plastic-like strain resists the recovery of the elastomer matrix. After heating to a high temperature, the permanent shape was recovered when the amorphous polymer softened and the elastomer matrix contracted. To set a theoretical foundation for capturing the cold-programmed shape memory effects and the dramatic non-affine shape change of this composite, a 3D anisotropic thermoviscoelastic constitutive model is developed in this paper. In this model, the matrix is modeled as a hyperelastic solid, and the amorphous phase of the fibrous mat is considered as a nonlinear thermoviscoplastic solid, whose viscous flow resistance is sensitive to both temperature and stress. The plastic-deformation like behavior demonstrated in the fiber is treated as nonlinear viscoplasticity with extremely high viscosity or long relaxation time at zero-stress state at low temperature. The anisotropic viscoplastic property of the fibrous mat is captured by an isotropic fibrous network superimposed with an oriented fibrous network. The material parameters in the model are identified from the experiments on the fibrous mat and on the composites, respectively. The cold-programmed shape memory behaviors of the composite are predicted by simulations and compared with experiments without further adjusting the material parameters. Good agreement is observed, indicating the ability of the present model to capture the anisotropic viscoplastic and shape memory behaviors. By using the developed constitutive model, effects of loading rate and fiber volume fraction on cold programmed shape memory behavior are discussed. Furthermore, the constitutive relation is applied to a mechanical model to study the cold-programmed curling of the laminates.
Inviting Argument by Analogy: Analogical-Mapping-Based Comparison Activities as a Scaffold for Small-Group Argumentation.

This study invited small groups to make several arguments by analogy about simple machines. Groups were first provided training on analogical (structure) mapping and were then invited to use analogical mapping as a scaffold to make arguments. In making these arguments, groups were asked to consider three simple machines: two machines that they had built, used, and made measurements with and one that they had not yet studied. Finally, groups were to produce an argument in favor of the machine that worked most like another machine. Seven of these approximately 50-minute analogical-mapping-based comparison activities were given to 55 preservice elementary teachers working in 15 small groups over 7 weeks. When used as a scaffold for argumentation in small groups, these activities were found to generate a need for discernment, which allowed for simple machines and their parts to be understood in and connected to the context.
I—Rights against Harm

Some philosophers defend the fact-relative view of moral rights against harm: Whether B infringes A 's right not to be harmed by ϕ-ing depends on what will in fact occur if B ϕs. B 's knowledge of, or evidence about, the exact consequences of her ϕ-ing are irrelevant to the question of whether her ϕ-ing constitutes an infringement of A 's right not to be harmed by B. In this paper I argue that the fact-relative view of moral rights is mistaken, and I argue for an alternative view whereby our rights against harm depend on what we can reasonably demand of others. I illustrate the importance of this conclusion with a discussion of liability to defensive harm.
A survey of ancient Minoan water technologies

A survey is presented of water technologies used by the ancient Minoan civilization during the Bronze Age. This survey considers eleven Minoan settlements on the eastern part of Crete and is based upon a field assessment of the water technologies. While water systems had a monumental role in the life of the Minoans there has been little understanding of these ancient systems. Partially this can be explained by the multiple levels of modifications to the original structures since the demise of the Minoan civilization. In addition, post-excavation activities on archaeological sites obscure and mask features of the ancient structures making it difficult to discern their original purposes. Today, Minoan water technologies can serve as models for sustainable water management and adaptation to climatic fluctuations. Our present day practice of designing water systems in many developed parts of the world has forgotten the more sustainable practices, based upon traditional knowledge, such as rainfall water harvesting, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. In many developing parts of the world people overlook the technologies and know how that was used thousands of years ago by ancient civilizations, such as the Minoans. How do we overcome these modern day shortcomings and strive for water resources sustainability? Possibly one way is to study the past.
Common channel signalling system number 7 for ISDN and intelligent networks

Various functional parts of signalling system number 7 and the underlying concepts are described. The unique attributes of the lower and higher functional layers are discussed. Applications of signaling system number 7 for call control and for transaction services are presented. The signaling transfer point makes signalling networks possible. Using the lower layers of the protocol, it provides routing capability for signaling messages between the exchange offices and access of these exchange offices to the network databases. The author discusses the performance parameters associated with the signalling transfer point and examines its implementations. >
Fabrication of compositionally modulated ferromagnetic cobalt-palladium heterostructures by laser-induced OMCVD

Abstract We have fabricated compositionally modulated palladium-cobalt heterostructures from UV photolysis of cobaltocene and allylcyclopentadienyl palladium. The interfaces between cobalt and palladium layers, formed by this technique, are not believed to be compositionally abrupt. We find that the magnetization (in-plane) for the various palladium-rich spacer layers suggests that the magnetic attenuation length in palladium is 135 ± 10 A , consistent with interdiffusion at the interface. This is much larger than observed for heterostructures with abrupt interfaces. We also find evidence for enhanced moments due to the magnetic polarization of palladium in the vicinity of a ferromagnet, consistent with other investigators.
Agreeableness and brain activity during emotion attribution decisions

Within the Big 5 model of personality, Agreeableness is a trait-dimension associated with the tendency to behave prosocially; highly agreeable people tend to be highly cooperative and altruistic. This study was designed to test for associations between Agreeableness and the way people decide the cause of another person’s emotional reaction (emotion attribution). Behavioral and neuroimaging (fMRI) data were collected while participants (n = 72) performed an emotional attribution task. During the emotion attribution task, participants decided which of two social–emotional scenes they believed caused another person’s emotional reaction. Converging evidence indicated that highly agreeable people tend to make emotional attribution decisions more quickly and exhibit greater temporoparietal junction activity during emotion attribution decisions, compared to low agreeable people
On improving subspace spectral feature technique for the detection of weak scattering plastic antitank landmines

The detection of weak scattering plastic landmines using ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a challenging task. This paper presents a few enhancements to the previously proposed subspace spectral correlation feature (SCF) to improve the detection of weak scattering plastic landmines. Preliminary results indicate that the improved subspace SCF technique is able to reduce the false alarm rate by 28% compared to the original subspace SCF at 90% probability of detection, in a data collection obtained from three different test sites that contains about 460 weak-scattering plastic anti-tank landmines. Fusion results with edge histogram descriptor (EHD) confirm the performance improvement resulted from enhanced subspace SCF.
A finite element electrical impedance imaging system for binary media: 3. differential discrimination and separate effects for 2-d and 3-d objects

This paper, the third and final in this series, describes both two- and three- dimensional experimental methods and results. In addition it is shown that differing sensitivity produces differing contrast of similar targets and similar contrast of differing targets, depending on the location in the field being imaged. Furthermore, it has been found that the contrast contour which best describes the area of a target is correlated on the basis of contrast ratio – the ratio of the maximum target resistivity computed relative to that of the homogeneous background. Both quasi-three-dimensional and two-dimensional targets in both 2-D and 3-D phantoms produce virtually identical results. Truly 3-D targets, however, produce quite different results, presumably due to current flow in the third dimension around the target. Increasing the mesh-size and number of iterations, and utilizing boundary optimization are all shown to improve the resultant images. Finally, we show the ability of the system to image a “moving” ...
EBNA2 and Activated Notch Induce Expression of BATF

The immortalization of human B lymphocytes by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) requires the virus-encoded transactivator EBNA2 and the products of both viral and cellular genes which serve as EBNA2 targets. In this study, we identified BATF as a cellular gene that is up-regulated dramatically within 24 h following the infection of established and primary human B cells with EBV. The transactivation of BATF is mediated by EBNA2 in a B-cell-specific manner and is duplicated in non-EBV-infected B cells by the expression of mammalian Notch proteins. In contrast to other target genes activated by EBNA2, the BATF gene encodes a member of the AP-1 family of transcription factors that functions as a negative regulator of AP-1 activity and as an antagonist of cell growth. A potential role for BATF in promoting EBV latency is supported by studies in which BATF was shown to negatively impact the expression of a BZLF1 reporter gene and to reduce the frequency of lytic replication in latently infected cells. The identification of BATF as a cellular target of EBV provides important new information on how programs of viral and cellular gene expression may be coordinated to promote viral latency and control lytic-cycle entry.
Effect of Calcification Modulus and Geometry on Stress in Models of Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque

Large calcifications often develop in advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Prior computational studies showed these macrocalcifications to stabilize arterial wall stress with calcification moduli (E calc) of 2.5 MPa. However, recent nanoindentation studies measured E calc as 10–25 GPa, suggesting underestimation by up to 104 in previous models. This study investigated the effects of E calc and calcification geometry on stress in models of atherosclerotic plaque, with the modifying factor of fibrous component constitutive relation. Stress was calculated in idealized plane-strain finite element models of pressurized coronary arteries containing calcified lesions. Lesions were modeled as arc-shaped, circular, and elliptical regions with varying lumen separation, length, and thickness. E calc varied from 1.0 MPa to 10 GPa. Various orthotropic and hyperelastic constitutive relations for arterial wall and fibrous plaque were assigned, representing a range of literature values. In all models, stress concentration at the calcification-fibrous plaque interface increased with increasing E calc, with highest stresses in orthotropic models for higher Poisson’s ratios and lower radial and circumferential moduli. This effect was more pronounced in arc-shaped calcifications and was highly sensitive to geometry, with peak stress dependent on calcification distance from the lumen and increasing dramatically with increased length and decreased thickness. This study indicates the importance of using accurate material properties and geometries in models of atherosclerotic arteries. Results suggest calcification geometry, rather than calcification area, is a better predictor of high stresses in the arterial cross section and that some macrocalcifications, instead of providing a stabilizing influence, may predispose a plaque to rupture at the calcified interface.
Mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis and application to human cancer risk assessment

The distinction between DNA-reactive and epigenetic carcinogens and their roles in oncogenesis is reviewed. An approach to cancer hazard assessment based upon mechanisms is described.
ATLAS instrument characterization - Accuracy of the AASE and AAOE nitrous oxide data sets

The Airborne Tunabel Laser Absorption Spectrometer ATLAS was used to measure nitrous oxide in the 1987 Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment (AAOE) and in the 1989 Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (AASE). After the AASE, a detailed study of the ATLAS characteristics was undertaken to quantify the error inherent in the in situ measurement of atmospheric N2O. Using the latest calibration of the ATLAS (June 1989) and incorporating the recognized errors arising in the flight environment of ATLAS, it was established that, for both the AASE and the AAOE, most of the acquired N2O data sets are accurate to + or - 10 percent (2 sigma).
THE INFLUENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ATTACHMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTHER AND YOUNG CHILD

Eastern Michigan UniversityThis paper uses a case study from a longitudinal research project to illustrate theinsuence of domestic violence on the developing attachment relationship be-tween mother and child that begins during pregnancy. The case study illustratesparticular mechanisms involved in damaging the motherÐchild relationship inthe context of domestic violence, including maternal projection, projectiveidentiÞcation, as well as emotional dysregulation and dissociation. The paperincludes quotes from the Working Model of the Child interviews (Zeanah &Benoit, 1995) conducted with the mother during pregnancy and at the childOs 1stbirthday as well as descriptions of observed motherÐchild interactions andStrange Situation paradigms (Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters, & Wall, 1978) atages 1 and 4. The trajectory of this particular motherÐchild dyad is interpretedin the context of theory and research on the caregiving and attachment relation-ship and the effects of domestic violence on women and children. The discus-sion includes both theoretical and clinical implications for the insuence ofdomestic violence on the early and developing motherÐchild relationship.Keywords: domestic violence, internal representations, mother-child relation-ships, attachment
Quantitation of rate enhancements attained by the binding of cobalamin to methionine synthase

Cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase (MetH) catalyzes the methylation of homocysteine using methyltetrahydrofolate as the methyl donor. The cobalamin cofactor serves as an intermediate carrier of the methyl group from methyltetrahydrofolate to homocysteine. In the two half-reactions that comprise turnover for MetH, the cobalamin is alternatively methylated by methyltetrahydrofolate and demethylated by homocysteine to form methionine. Upon binding to the protein, the usual dimethylbenzimidazole ligand is replaced by the imidazole side chain of His759 [Drennan, C. L., Huang, S., Drummond, J. T., Matthews, R. G., and Ludwig, M. L. (1994) Science 266, 1669-1674]. Despite the ligand replacement that accompanies binding of cobalamin to the holo-MetH protein, a MetH(2-649) fragment of methionine synthase that contains the regions that bind homocysteine and methyltetrahydrofolate utilizes exogenously supplied cobalamin in methyl transfer reactions akin to those of the catalytic cycle. However, the interactions of MetH(2-649) with endogenous cobalamin are first order in cobalamin, while the half-reactions catalyzed by the holoenzyme are zero order in cobalamin, so rate constants for reactions of bound and exogenous cobalamins cannot be compared. In this paper, we investigate the catalytic rate enhancements generated by binding cobalamin to MetH after dividing the protein in half and reacting MetH(2-649) with a second fragment, MetH(649-1227), that harbors the cobalamin cofactor. The second-order rate constant for demethylation of methylcobalamin by Hcy is elevated 60-fold and that for methylation of cob(I)alamin is elevated 120-fold. Thus, binding of cobalamin to MetH is essential for efficient catalysis.
Burial tolerances of reef-building Sabellariid worms from the east coast of Florida

Abstract Sabellariid worms, such as Phragmatopoma lapidosa , are sessile suspension feeders that attach to exposed hard bottom and serve as foundation species for worm reefs which are complex, multifaceted habitats. While worm reefs are adapted to dynamic sedimentary environments, burial of these habitats by beach nourishment projects is a concern. This study determined duration and depth of burial that can be tolerated by P. lapidosa without death. Worm rock samples were buried in sand at 1–10 cm (1-cm intervals), and at 15, 25 and 40 cm for the duration of 72, 144, and 216 h and then surveyed for initial mortality after burial and one week after removal of sediment (latent effects). Initial mortality was similar across all burial depths for the 72-h duration with values ranging from 8.3% (±0.8 SE) for 1 cm to 24.0% (±8.0 SE) for 10 cm of sediment. As burial duration increased to 144 h, mortality generally increased as burial depth increased with an average mortality for 2 cm of sediment of 23.5% (±5.3 SE) increasing to 96.0% (±14.3 SE) with 40 cm of sediment. The mean percent mortality for burial samples in the 216 h treatment varied from a low of 71.2% (±3.3 SE) for 1 cm depth to a high of 100% (±0 SE) for 10, 15, 25, and 40 cm depths. Mortality for most treatments also increased over time after removal of sediment indicating latent effects of burial stress.
Smart Meter Privacy: A Theoretical Framework

The solutions offered to-date for end-user privacy in smart meter measurements, a well-known challenge in the smart grid, have been tied to specific technologies such as batteries or assumptions on data usage without quantifying the loss of benefit (utility) that results from any such approach. Using tools from information theory and a hidden Markov model for the measurements, a new framework is presented that abstracts both the privacy and the utility requirements of smart meter data. This leads to a novel privacy-utility tradeoff problem with minimal assumptions that is tractable. For a stationary Gaussian model of the electricity load, it is shown that for a desired mean-square distortion (utility) measure between the measured and revealed data, the optimal privacy-preserving solution: i) exploits the presence of high-power but less private appliance spectra as implicit distortion noise, and ii) filters out frequency components with lower power relative to a distortion threshold; this approach encompasses many previously proposed approaches to smart meter privacy.
Function for p300 and not CBP in the apoptotic response to DNA damage

The cellular response to ionizing radiation (IR) includes the induction of apoptosis. The p300/CBP proteins possess histone acetyltransferase activity and function as transcriptional coactivators of p53. We have prepared cells deficient in p300 or CBP to define the roles of these proteins in the cellular response to DNA damage. The present results demonstrate that p300, but not CBP, contributes to IR sensitivity of cells. The results also demonstrate that IR-induced apoptosis is impaired in the p300-, but not CBP-, deficient cells. These findings indicate that p300 functions in the apoptotic response to DNA damage.
Effect of the LRF-antagonist [D-pGlu1, D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6]-LRF on pregnancy in the rat.

The potent LRF-antagonist [D-pGlu1, D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6]-LRF (Antag.) has been examined for its effect in mated female rats. While 1.25 mg Antag. given b.i.d. for 7 days after mating prolongs pregnancy, the administration of 2.5 mg Antag. b.i.d. for the same period results in the complete absence of developing fetuses.
Analysis of Immune Markers in Human Cardiac Allograft Recipients and Association With Coronary Artery Vasculopathy

Background Because coronary artery vasculopathy (CAV) is a common cause of late cardiac allograft loss in humans, there is a need to develop and test non-invasive surrogate markers capable of detecting and predicting this disease entity. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of immune-based surrogate markers in 65 primary cardiac allograft recipients with or without angiographically documented CAV. Anti-donor cellular immunity was determined by interferon gamma (IFN)-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assays using donor HLA–derived peptides (indirect pathway), and anti-donor alloantibodies were detected by flow cytometry using HLA-coated beads. Results Anti-donor cellular and humoral immunity were detected more frequently in patients with CAV (17 of 32, 53.1%) than in controls (4 of 33, 12.1%) ( p Conclusions Immune reactivity in cardiac transplant recipients with CAV differs significantly from those without CAV and the detected responses are heterogeneous in nature. Serial assessments of anti-donor immunity using different methods will be required to detect and possibly predict outcome in cardiac transplant recipients.
Photophosphorylation associated with synchronous turnovers of the electron-transport carriers in chloroplasts

Two saturating single-turnover flashes spaced 100 ms apart are sufficient to achieve ATP formation in isolated chloroplast thylakoids. Two turnovers of the electron carriers result in the accumulation of about 7 nmol H+ / mg chlorophyll. Under the same conditions (i.e., ΔGATP = 38 kJ/mol) a solitary flash is inadequate to produce ATP. The electron flux from the third or any subsequent flash is coupled to ATP formation as efficiently as is observed in continuous light (i.e., ATP2e > 1.0) and produces 0.8 molecules of ATP per coupling factor on each turnover. The yield of ATP per flash increases with declining temperature being largest near 4°C, the lowest value tested. The number of H+ accumulated per flash is independent of temperature so the greater yields of ATP near 4°C indicate that fewer H+ are existing the membrane via nonproductive pathways. The yield of ATP per flash near 4°C is largely independent of flash frequency between 1 and 30 Hz. When the formation of an electrical potential difference is prevented by adequate amounts of valinomycin and potassium the accumulated effects of about eight flashes are required before ATP formation is achieved (i.e., about 26 nmol H+/mg chlorophyll), indicating an average ΔpH/flash in excess of 0.3 units. In the presence of the exchange carrier nigericin, the electrical component of the driving force for ATP formation is enhanced at the expense of the ΔpH. In this case, ATP formation is efficiently coupled to electron flux only at flash frequencies rapid enough to allow a summation of the electrical field. These results clearly demonstrate that any processes which are prerequisites for ATP synthesis (i.e., activation of coupling factor or generation of Δp) are fulfilled by a remarkably small number of charge separations.
The Scorpius OB2 Complex

The Sco OB2 complex is a member of the Local Association. The association contains pre–main-sequence stars in addition to objects some 3 × 107 yr old. If it is assumed that stars in wide binaries are coeval, then the He-weak variables in the supercluster are pre–main-sequence, elevated above that sequence by an amount similar to that of the 3 × 107 yr old, normal stars but contracting toward the sequence, not evolving from it. The apparent great depth of the association is probably a result of some foreground supercluster members, superposed on Sco OB2, and a rift in the absorption cloud between Scorpius and Ophiuchus. The adjoining Chamaeleon complex also appears to be a member of the supercluster.
Ten-Armed Fossil Cephalopod from the Pennsylvanian of Illinois

Jeletzkya douglassae Johnson and Richardson is described as the oldest known representative of an extant squid group. The species is known from a single specimen from the Middle Pennsylvanian of Illinois. This very unusual fossil consists of the complete tentacular crown and a fragile shell. The arms bear hooks in double rows.
Editorial comment on: MR-guided biopsy of the prostate: an overview of techniques and a systematic review.

[25] Stone NN, Roy J, Hong S, Lo YC, Stock RG. Prostate gland motion and deformation caused by needle placement during brachytherapy. Brachytherapy 2002;1:154– 60. [26] Dattoli M, Waller K. A simple method to stabilize the prostate during transperineal prostate brachytherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1997;38:341–2. [27] Hata N, Jinzaki M, Kacher D, et al. MR imaging-guided prostate biopsy with surgical navigation software: device validation and feasibility. Radiology 2001;220:263–8. [28] Zangos S, Eichler K, Engelmann K, et al. MR-guided transgluteal biopsies with an open low-field system in patients with clinically suspected prostate cancer: technique and preliminary results. Eur Radiol 2005;15:174–82. [29] DiMaio SP, Pieper S, Chinzei K, et al. Robot-assisted needle placement in open MRI: system architecture, integration and validation. Comput Aided Surg 2007;12:15–24. [30] Fichtinger G, Krieger A, Susil RC, Tanacs A, Whitcomb LL, Atalar E. Transrectal prostate biopsy inside closed MRI scanner with remote actuation, under real-time image guidance. Lecture Notes in Comput Sci 2002;2488:91–8. [31] Engelhard K, Hollenbach HP, Kiefer B, Winkel A, Goeb K, Engehausen D. Prostate biopsy in the supine position in a standard 1.5-T scanner under real time MR-imaging control using a MR-compatible endorectal biopsy device. Eur Radiol 2006;16:1237–43. [32] Anastasiadis AG, Lichy MP, Nagele U, et al. MRI-guided biopsy of the prostate increases diagnostic performance in men with elevated or increasing PSA levels after previous negative TRUS biopsies. Eur Urol 2006;50:738–49, discussion 748–9. [33] Roehl KA, Antenor JA, Catalona WJ. Serial biopsy results in prostate cancer screening study. J Urol 2002;167: 2435–9. [34] Krieger A, Susil RC, Menard C, et al. Design of a novel MRI compatible manipulator for image guided prostate interventions. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2005;52:306–13.
Island shapes and intermixing for submonolayer nickel on Au(111)

Abstract The growth of nickel on reconstructed Au(111) has been studied in the coverage range of 0.02 to 0.25 monolayers (ML) by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). As found in previous studies, submonolayer islands are two-dimensional, nucleating at the point dislocation elbows of the 22× 3 herringbone reconstruction, and with edges along close-packed directions. The present results show that the islands have a tendency towards threefold symmetry, and that the island shapes are correlated with the underlying substrate reconstruction. It is found that the island orientations rotate by 180° on alternate elbows, and that the island corners tend to lie on the partial dislocation lines of the herringbone. Noticeable structure exists within the islands, with topographic variations of approximately 0.3 A, due to intermixing of nickel and gold. Annealing the submonolayer growth at moderate temperatures (450–490 K) results in the formation of large, reconstructed gold islands via a ripening process, and is accompanied by an increase in the amount of gold in the surface layer, as determined by AES. Annealing at a sufficiently high temperature (510 K) results in nearly complete dissociation of the original islands and a disordered herringbone pattern on terraces. Deposition of nickel at 450 K is found to produce gold-rich islands via rapid exchange of nickel with substrate atoms, and subsequent binary (or higher-order) nucleation of gold adatom islands.
Carbon Tradeoffs of Restoration and Provision of Endangered Species Habitat in a Fire-Maintained Forest

Forests are a significant part of the global carbon cycle and are increasingly viewed as tools for mitigating climate change. Natural disturbances, such as fire, can reduce carbon storage. However, many forests and dependent species evolved with frequent fire as an integral ecosystem process. We used a landscape forest simulation model to evaluate the effects of endangered species habitat management on carbon sequestration. We compared unmanaged forests (control) to forests managed with prescribed burning and prescribed burning combined with thinning. Management treatments followed guidelines of the recovery plan for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW), which requires low-density longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forest. The unmanaged treatment provided the greatest carbon storage, but at the cost of lost RCW habitat. Thinning and burning treatments expanded RCW habitat by increasing the dominance of longleaf pine and reducing forest density, but stored 22% less total ecosystem carbon compared to the control. Our results demonstrate that continued carbon sequestration and the provision of RCW habitat are not incompatible goals, although there is a tradeoff between habitat extent and total ecosystem carbon across the landscape. Management for RCW habitat might also increase ecosystem resilience, as longleaf pine is tolerant of fire and drought, and resistant to pests. Restoring fire-adapted forests requires a reduction in carbon. However, the size of the reduction, the effects on sequestration rates, and the co-benefits from other ecosystem services should be evaluated in the context of the specific forest community targeted for restoration.
Influence of rehabilitation site on hip fracture recovery in community-dwelling subjects at 6-month follow-up.

Abstract Munin MC, Begley A, Skidmore ER, Lenze EJ. Influence of rehabilitation site on hip fracture recovery in community-dwelling subjects at 6-month follow-up. Objective To evaluate whether postacute rehabilitation after hip fracture influences recovery of prefracture function as detected by the FIM instrument motor scale. Design Inception cohort. Setting University-affiliated tertiary care hospital; inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Participants People with acute proximal femur fracture treated between March 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003. Intervention Post–hip fracture rehabilitation delivered at an IRF or SNF. Main Outcome Measure FIM motor score estimated prefracture and obtained at 2 weeks and 24 weeks after hospital discharge. Results Fifty-eight patients were treated at an IRF, whereas 39 were treated at an SNF. Controlling for baseline covariates, a mixed model showed a significant group by time interaction (F 3,57.1 =14.27, P Conclusions Even when controlling for important baseline covariates, community-dwelling hip fracture subjects treated in an IRF are more likely to attain 95% or more of prefracture functional status by 24 weeks postdischarge than subjects treated in an SNF.
New directions in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

ABSTRACTObjective: The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of treatment approaches for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), highlighting the multiplicity and heterogeneity of clinical symptoms that underlie therapeutic decisions. Discussion will focus on the spectrum of currently available therapies, their mechanisms and associated side-effects. Finally, recent developments with biologic treatments including rituximab, epratuzumab, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, and belimumab, will be discussed.Research design and methods: A MEDLINE literature search for ‘systemic lupus erythematosus’ and ‘damage’ and ‘treatment’ was undertaken for 1996–2008. Secondary citations were obtained from selected manuscripts. Individual case studies were excluded.Findings: SLE is an autoimmune disease involving multiple organ systems, a clinical pattern of flares and remissions, and the presence of anti-nuclear autoantibodies. Whereas early symptoms most frequently involve the skin and joints, disease...
At least two distinct epigenetic mechanisms are correlated with high-frequency "switching" for APRT phenotypic expression in mouse embryonal carcinoma stem cells.

A series of clones displaying high frequency “switching” phenotypes for expression of the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (aprt) gene were previously isolated from the P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma stem cell line. Most clones contained only oneaprt allele. We report here the characterization of each of these clones with regards to enzymatic activity, mRNA steady state levels, DNA methylation, and chromatin conformation. When clones were selected for resistance to the purine analog 2,6-diaminopurine, which requires markedly reduced levels of APRT enzymatic activity, two distinct classes were observed. The first class was associated with reduced or undetectable levels ofaprt mRNA, hypermethylation of the 5′ CpG island, and a closed chromatin conformation within this region. When clones of this class were selected for reacquisition of APRT enzymatic activity they were found to have increased mRNA levels, a hypomethylated CpG island, and an open chromatin conformation. In contrast, the second class of clones displayed wild-type levels of mRNA, CpG island hypomethylation, and an open chromatin conformation regardless of whether they were selected for the presence or absence of APRT enzymatic activity. The implications of these results for general mechanisms of epigenetic change in somatic cells and the possibility that expression of the mouseaprt gene may be developmentally regulated are discussed.