cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incorporating functional inter-relationships into protein function prediction algorithms.

Functional classification schemes (e.g. the Gene Ontology) that serve as the basis for annotation efforts in several organisms are often the source of gold standard information for computational efforts at supervised protein function prediction. While successful function prediction algorithms have been developed, few previous efforts have utilized more than the protein-to-functional class label information provided by such knowledge bases. For instance, the Gene Ontology not only captures protein annotations to a set of functional classes, but it also arranges these classes in a DAG-based hierarchy that captures rich inter-relationships between different classes. These inter-relationships present both opportunities, such as the potential for additional training examples for small classes from larger related classes, and challenges, such as a harder to learn distinction between similar GO terms, for standard classification-based approaches. We propose a method to enhance the performance of classification-based protein function prediction algorithms by addressing the issue of using these interrelationships between functional classes constituting functional classification schemes. Using a standard measure for evaluating the semantic similarity between nodes in an ontology, we quantify and incorporate these inter-relationships into the k-nearest neighbor classifier. We present experiments on several large genomic data sets, each of which is used for the modeling and prediction of over hundred classes from the GO Biological Process ontology. The results show that this incorporation produces more accurate predictions for a large number of the functional classes considered, and also that the classes benefitted most by this approach are those containing the fewest members. In addition, we show how our proposed framework can be used for integrating information from the entire GO hierarchy for improving the accuracy of predictions made over a set of base classes. Finally, we provide qualitative and quantitative evidence that this incorporation of functional inter-relationships enables the discovery of interesting biology in the form of novel functional annotations for several yeast proteins, such as Sna4, Rtn1 and Lin1. We implemented and evaluated a methodology for incorporating interrelationships between functional classes into a standard classification-based protein function prediction algorithm. Our results show that this incorporation can help improve the accuracy of such algorithms, and help uncover novel biology in the form of previously unknown functional annotations. The complete source code, a sample data set and the additional files for this paper are available free of charge for non-commercial use at http://www.cs.umn.edu/vk/gaurav/functionalsimilarity/ .
Contact dermatitis and gastrointestinal symptoms from hydroxyethylmethacrylate

SUMMARY A laboratory technician developed allergic contact dermatitis to hydroxyethylmethacrylate associated with nausea, diarrhoea and persistent paresthesiae of the fingertips. The gastrointestinal symptoms were reproduced by patch testing. Hydroxyethylmethacrylate was demonstrated to pass through vinyl gloves. Cross reactions occurred to methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and isopropylmethacrylate but not to butyl- or isobutylmethacrylate.
Preliminary Evaluation of Operational Performance of Different Types of High-Occupancy Vehicle Facilities in California: Continuous Access Versus Limited Access

High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities have been regarded as an effective and environmentally friendly approach to improving the mobility and productivity of freeway systems in metropolitan areas. With 6 months of traffic data from more than 700 vehicle detector stations, the authors conducted a comparative study of the operational performance of continuous-access and limited-access HOV facilities at the route level in California. The evaluation results of both HOV lanes and adjacent general purpose (AGP) lanes include several operating characteristics of these lanes: (a) the ingress-egress areas in limited-access HOV facilities may affect the formation of bottlenecks along HOV lanes; (b) the speed on HOV lanes and the speed differential between the HOV and AGP lanes are statistically greater in continuous-access facilities than in limited-access facilities; and (c) the characteristics of speed-flow distribution of HOV lanes exhibit observable differences between the two types of HOV facilities, but thos...
Polymorphisms in the human paraoxonase (PON1) promoter

Paraoxonase (PON1) is a protein component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles that protects against oxidative damage to both low-density lipoprotein and HDL and detoxifies organophosphorus pesticides and nerve agents. A wide range of expression levels of PON1 among individuals has been observed. We examined the promoter region of PON1 for genetic factors that might affect PON1 activity levels. We conducted a deletion analysis of the PON1 promoter region in transient transfection assays and found that cell-type specific promoter elements for liver and kidney are present in the first 200bp upstream of the coding sequence. Sequence analysis of DNA from a BAC clone and a YAC clone identified five polymorphisms in the first 1000 bases upstream of the coding region at positions -108, -126, -162, -832 and -909. Additionally, the promoter sequences of two individuals expressing high levels of PON1 and two individuals expressing low levels of PON1 were analysed. The two polymorphisms at -126 and -832 had no apparent effect on expression level in the reporter gene assay. The polymorphisms at position -909, -162 (a potential NF-I transcription factor binding site) and -108 (a potential SP1 binding site) each have approximately a two-fold effect on expression level. The expression level effects of the three polymorphisms appear not to be strictly additive and may depend on context effects.
A note on the design of revolute-revolute cranks

Abstract The design equations for Revolute-Revolute cranks are reduced to a single cubic polynomial in one unknown. From this it is shown that there is generally one and only one pair of Revolute-Revolute cranks compatible with a set of three finitely separated, spatial, design positions.
The homestead and the garden plot: cultural pressures on land reform in nineteenth-century Britain and the USA.

(2001). The Homestead and the Garden Plot: Cultural Pressures on Land Reform in Nineteenth-Century Britain and the USA. The European Legacy: Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 159-175.
Interleukin-2 lipid microspheres. I. Development and evaluation of the colloidal drug carrier

AbstractUndesirable toxic effects associated with intravenous interleukin-2 (IL2) therapy have limited its use for the treatment of cancer. Therefore, we investigated properties of a colloidal carrier system intended for the delivery of IL2. Lipid microspheres (LMS) are 10% (v/v) soybean oil emulsions stabilized with block copolymers of the poloxamer and poloxamine type. Poloxamers 238, 338, 407 or poloxamine 908 LMS were evaluated for physical stability, in vitro toxicity, and in vivo biodistribution. With the exception of 2% poloxamer 238 LMS, all preparations displayed acceptable stability when stored for 3 months at 4° or 37°C. In addition, all LMS preparations exhibited physical stability when subjected to freeze-thaw cycling and extended periods of freezing. In vitro cellular toxicity was evaluated in a murine cytotoxic T lymphocyte cell line (CTLL-2) and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The calculated IC50 of LMS was approximately 30 and 10 mg/liter in CTLL-2 cells and PBMC, respect...
Backscattering enhancement of surface plasmons from multilayer rough surfaces

Backscattering enhancement is a phenomenon in rough surface scattering which manifests itself as a well-defined peak in the backscattering direction for certain media parameters. The study of backscattering enhancement is of tremendous interest to remote sensing and optics communities. In a small roughness regime, backscattering enhancement is induced by the excitations of surface plasmon waves along a certain path followed by retracing the same path in the reverse direction. In scattering from multilayer surfaces, only a few studies in the mechanisms of backscattering enhancement due to surface plasmon waves have been reported over the past decades. In the past works, the analysis of the incoherent and the coherent scattering physics of backscattering enhancement focused on the theoretical development of small perturbation methods to the second and forth orders. In this paper, an accurate solution to the two-dimensional scattering from multilayer rough surfaces based on extended boundary condition method (EBCM) and scattering matrix approach is presented, which in effect incorporates all orders of scattering. The criteria for backscattering enhancement using this method are discussed. Numerical simulations are performed on a dielectric slab deposited on a silver film and the emphasis is placed on the investigation of how layered rough interfaces affect the phenomenon of backscattering enhancement.
WHEN WOMEN PLAY THE BASS Instrument Specialization and Gender Interpretation in Alternative Rock Music

Drawing on interviews with women and men musicians, this study examines women's overrepresentation in an instrumental specialty, the electric bass, in alternative rock music. Structurally, this phenomenon may be explained by the instrument's greater ease of learning and lesser attractiveness to men, yet women bassists frequently advance an alternative theory of “womanly” affinity. The entrance of women into rock bands via the bass may provide them with new opportunities and help legitimate their presence in a male-dominated site of artistic production, yet it may simultaneously work to reconstruct a gendered division of labor and reproduce dominant gender ideologies.
Active power transfer capability of shunt family of FACTS devices based on angle control

The shunt FACTS devices like STATCOM are well adopted based on angle control structure. This control scheme allows a much better converter output voltage and line switching frequency (50/60 Hz). This paper will discuss the feasibility of enhancement in the operation region of these devices to accommodate the active power transfer. The concept will use general linear feedback method with single input (angle) two output system which has unique design limitations.
Silicon-Based Coatings on Niobium Metal

Silicon coatings on niobium substrates were subjected to thermal, ion beam and laser mixing, and the effectiveness of the different methods for the synthesis of graded interfaces was compared. The resulting metal/silicon interfaces were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and Rutherford backscattering (RBS).
Nanomaterial cytotoxicity is composition, size, and cell type dependent

Despite intensive research efforts, reports of cellular responses to nanomaterials are often inconsistent and even contradictory. Additionally, relationships between the responding cell type and nanomaterial properties are not well understood. Using three model cell lines representing different physiological compartments and nanomaterials of different compositions and sizes, we have systematically investigated the influence of nanomaterial properties on the degrees and pathways of cytotoxicity. In this study, we selected nanomaterials of different compositions (TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles, and multi-wall carbon nanotubes [MWCNTs]) with differing size (MWCNTs of different diameters 50 nm; but same length 0.5-2 μm) to analyze the effects of composition and size on toxicity to 3T3 fibroblasts, RAW 264.7 macrophages, and telomerase-immortalized (hT) bronchiolar epithelial cells. Following characterization of nanomaterial properties in PBS and serum containing solutions, cells were exposed to nanomaterials of differing compositions and sizes, with cytotoxicity monitored through reduction in mitochondrial activity. In addition to cytotoxicity, the cellular response to nanomaterials was characterized by quantifying generation of reactive oxygen species, lysosomal membrane destabilization and mitochondrial permeability. The effect of these responses on cellular fate - apoptosis or necrosis - was then analyzed. Nanomaterial toxicity was variable based on exposed cell type and dependent on nanomaterial composition and size. In addition, nanomaterial exposure led to cell type dependent intracellular responses resulting in unique breakdown of cellular functions for each nanomaterial: cell combination. Nanomaterials induce cell specific responses resulting in variable toxicity and subsequent cell fate based on the type of exposed cell. Our results indicate that the composition and size of nanomaterials as well as the target cell type are critical determinants of intracellular responses, degree of cytotoxicity and potential mechanisms of toxicity.
Association between Bacterial Vaginosis and Expression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 RNA in the Female Genital Tract

We assessed the effect of lower genital tract infections on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA shedding in the female genital tract. Bacterial vaginosis was significantly associated with HIV-1 RNA expression in the female genital tract of HIV-infected women.
A Globally Stable High-Performance Adaptive Robust Control Algorithm With Input Saturation for Precision Motion Control of Linear Motor Drive Systems

This paper focuses on the synthesis of nonlinear adaptive robust controller with saturated actuator authority for a linear motor drive system, which is subject to parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities such as input disturbances as well. Global stability with limited control efforts is achieved by breaking down the overall uncertainties to state-linearly-dependent uncertainties (such as viscous friction) and bounded nonlinearities (such as Coulomb friction, cogging force, etc.), and dealing with them via different strategies. Furthermore, a guaranteed transient performance and final tracking accuracy can be obtained by incorporating the well-developed adaptive robust control strategy and effective parameter identifier. Asymptotic output tracking is also achieved in the presence of parametric uncertainties only. Meanwhile, in contrast to the existing saturated control structures that are designed based on a set of transformed coordinates, the proposed saturated controller is carried out in the actual system states, which have clear physical meanings. This makes it much easier and less conservative to select the design parameters to meet the dual objective of achieving global stability with limited control efforts for rare emergency cases and the local high-bandwidth control for high performance under normal running conditions. Real-time experimental results are obtained to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed saturated adaptive robust control strategy
Spacing of the Tadpoles of Hyla versicolor and Rana clamitans

How individuals are located in space can impact their interactions. We investigated spacing behavior of tadpoles of Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) and Green Frogs (Rana clamitans) at two densities in the laboratory. Tadpoles of H. versicolor were more dispersed than those of R. clamitans. Spacing (e.g., random, dispersed, or aggregated) of tadpoles was not affected by density; however, dispersion tended to increase during the experiment. Our results suggest that spacing behavior in tadpoles is dynamic over time and may provide some insight into the outcome of intra- and interspecific interactions.
Authentication Melee: A Usability Analysis of Seven Web Authentication Systems

Passwords continue to dominate the authentication landscape in spite of numerous proposals to replace them. Even though usability is a key factor in replacing passwords, very few alternatives have been subjected to formal usability studies, and even fewer have been analyzed using a standard metric. We report the results of four within-subjects usability studies for seven web authentication systems. These systems span federated, smartphone, paper tokens, and email-based approaches. Our results indicate that participants prefer single sign-on systems. We report several insightful findings based on participants' qualitative responses: (1) transparency increases usability but also leads to confusion and a lack of trust, (2) participants prefer single sign-on but wish to augment it with site-specific low-entropy passwords, and (3) participants are intrigued by biometrics and phone-based authentication. We utilize the Systems Usability Scale (SUS) as a standard metric for empirical analysis and find that it produces reliable, replicable results. SUS proves to be an accurate measure of baseline usability. We recommend that new authentication systems be formally evaluated for usability using SUS, and should meet a minimum acceptable SUS score before receiving serious consideration.
Immune Responses to Varicella Zoster Virus Infections in Healthy Children

The immune responses to varicella zoster virus were studied in 67 otherwise normal children participating in a placebo-controlled trial of acyclovir for the treatment of chickenpox. No differences were observed between acyclovir and placebo groups. Children were studied longitudinally, at onset of chickenpox, and at 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years after infection. These data help define the natural history of the immune response to chickenpox in children.
Pediatric Endoscopic Cholesteatoma Surgery

Objectives(1) To describe and review a single center’s pediatric endoscopic cholesteatoma experience, including surgical and audiologic outcomes. (2) To assess the most common locations of residual cholesteatoma following endoscopic removal.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary otologic referral center.SubjectsPatients <19 years of age who underwent cholesteatoma removal with either endoscopic or microscopic visualization.MethodsIn a comparison of patients who underwent total endoscopic ear surgery (TEES), combined endoscopic-microscopic surgery, or microscopic surgery, analyzed outcomes included locations and incidence of recurrent and residual cholesteatoma, complications, and audiometric testing.ResultsSixty-six patients (mean age, 10.9 years; range, 4-18 years; 43.4% female) with 76 ears met inclusion criteria. The average overall follow-up was 18.8 months (range, 6.7-48.3). Forty-seven (61.8%) ears underwent microscopic removal of cholesteatoma; 29 (38.1%) ears underwent combined ...
THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF JEPSONIA HETERANDRA.

A century ago, the biological significance of heterostyly began to be investigated by workers as Darwin (1862) and Hildebrand (1864). As a result of these studies and more recent ones, subsequent workers generally have accepted the explanation that the reciprocal position of anthers and stigmas in heterostylous flowers is associated with an outcrossing mechanism mediated by pollinators. Although this functional interpretation of heterostyly has been accepted widely, there are few studies of the pollination biology of heterostylous plant species. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study of the reproductive system of Jepsonia heterandra Eastw. (Saxifragaceae), a self-incompatible heterostylous perennial herb that is endemic to a small area in California (Ornduff, 1961, 1969). A major concern of this report is a documentation of the floral morphology, population structure, incompatibility system, and mode of pollination of J. heterandra. The investigation was aimed at determining whether or not heterostyly influences pollen transfer according to the expectations that are based on the positional relationships of anthers and stigmas. In addition the study was concerned with establishing the presence of an incompatibility system and the relation of this system to the floral heteromorphism. Another objective was determining whether floral heteromorphism and an incompatibility system operate synergetically in conjunction with a pollination system that is mediated by insect visitors. This last point is of special importance because the origin, maintenance, and functional interpretation of floral heteromorphism all depend upon the behavior patterns of the pollinator fauna in relation to the phenology and floral morphology of the plants under study. Except where noted, the observations described in the text and tables in this paper were made on a population of J. heterandra located along Rock Creek Road, between Milton and the Salt Springs Reservoir, Calaveras County, California.
Detection by Direct Immunofluorescence of Antibodies to Treponema pallidum in the Cutaneous Infiltrates of Rabbit Syphilomas

By direct immunofluorescence, with use of fluorescein-labeled sonified Treponema pallidum, specific antibodies were detected in the tissue infiltrates of cutaneous syphilomas in rabbits. Specimens from cutaneous and mucosal inflammatory lesions induced by intradermal injection of a keratinous substance from an epidermal cyst served as controls. Granular fluorescence was detected in the dermis of 11 of the 12 syphiloma specimens and corresponded to areas of heavy plasma cell infiltrates, and some fluorescence was found directly on plasma cells identified by subsequent staining with hematoxylin and eosin. This fluorescence could be blocked by preabsorption. Control slides did not show any fluorescence. Immunopathologic techniques using labeled antigens may be of diagnostic value in syphilis and other infectious disorders which feature specific infiltrates.
Filtered Rayleigh Scattering Thermometry in a Premixed Sooting Flame

Filtered Rayleigh Scattering (FRS) is demonstrated in a premixed, sooting ethylene-air flame. In sooting flames, traditional laser-based temperature-imaging techniques such linear (unfiltered) Rayleigh scatting (LRS) and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) are rendered intractable due to intense elastic scattering interferences from in-flame soot. FRS partially overcomes this limitation by utilizing a molecular iodine filter in conjunction with an injection-seeded Nd:YAG laser, where the seeded laser output is tuned to line center of a strong iodine absorption transition. A significant portion of the Doppler-broadened molecular Rayleigh signal is then passed while intense soot scattering at the laser line is strongly absorbed. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of FRS for sooting flame thermometry using a premixed, ethylene-air flat flame. We present filtered and unfiltered laser light-scattering images, FRS temperature data, and laser-induced incandescence (LII) measurements of soot volume fraction for fuel-air equivalence ratios of φ = 2.19 and 2.24. FRS-measured product temperatures for these flames are nominally 1500 K. The FRS temperature and image data are discussed in the context of the soot LII results and a preliminary estimate of the upper sooting limit for our FRS system of order 0.1 ppm volume fraction is obtained.© 2004 ASME
Electrophysiological Evidence for Tetrodotoxin-Resistant Sodium Channels in Slowly Conducting Dural Sensory Fibers

A tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant sodium channel was recently identified that is expressed only in small diameter neurons of peripheral sensory ganglia. The peripheral axons of sensory neurons appear to lack this channel, but its presence has not been investigated in peripheral nerve endings, the site of sensory transduction in vivo. We investigated the effect of TTX on mechanoresponsiveness in nerve endings of sensory neurons that innervate the intracranial dura. Because the degree of TTX resistance of axonal branches could potentially be affected by factors other than channel subtype, the neurons were also tested for sensitivity to lidocaine, which blocks both TTX-sensitive and TTX-resistant sodium channels. Single-unit activity was recorded from dural afferent neurons in the trigeminal ganglion of urethan-anesthetized rats. Response thresholds to mechanical stimulation of the dura were determined with von Frey monofilaments while exposing the dura to progressively increasing concentrations of TTX or lidocaine. Neurons with slowly conducting axons were relatively resistant to TTX. Application of 1 microM TTX produced complete suppression of mechanoresponsiveness in all (11/11) fast A-delta units [conduction velocity (c.v.) 5-18 m/s] but only 50% (5/10) of slow A-delta units (1.5 <c.v.<5 m/s) and 13% (2/15) of C units (c.v. </=1.5 m/s). The mean TTX concentration that produced complete suppression of mechanoresponsiveness was approximately 270-fold higher in C units than in fast A-delta units. In contrast, no significant difference was found between C and A-delta units in the concentration of lidocaine required for complete suppression of mechanoresponsiveness, indicating that the greater TTX resistance of mechanoresponsiveness in C units is not attributable to differences in safety factor unrelated to channel subtype. These data offer indirect evidence that a TTX-resistant channel subtype is expressed in the terminal axonal branches of many of the more slowly conducting (C and slow A-delta) dural afferents. The channel appears to be present in these fibers, but not in the faster A-delta fibers, in sufficient numbers to support the initiation and propagation of mechanically induced impulses. Comparison with previous data on the absence of TTX resistance in peripheral nerve fibers suggests that the TTX-resistant sodium channel may be a distinctive feature of the receptive rather than the conductive portion of the sensory neuron's axonal membrane.
Relationship Among Crank Machining Process

This article describes the relationship among crank manufacturing process through analysising manchining process and location selection,which enlightens how to do KAIZEN in shopfloor and how to investigate quality issue in crank line step by step.
Organizational Justice and Voluntary Turnover: The Roles of Job Embeddedness and Equity Sensitivity

Talented and dedicated employees are critical for an organization to develop competitive advantage in virtually any economic or geographic context. Moreover,the personal and organizational cost of voluntary employee leave is high. Voluntary organizational turnover is costly for an organization in terms of financial cost associated with recruiting,staffing,and training new employees,and for employees in terms of switching costs such as new medical coverage and pension plans. Because of the potential negative effect on an organization,employee turnover is becoming an important issue to an organization.Management scholars have theorized about and empirically investigated the causes of voluntary employee turnover. The questions that challenge social scientists and practitioners alike are "Why do people leave? "and" Why do they stay?"Over the years,researchers have developed partial answers to these questions. More specifically,employees are more likely to stay with their company if they are satisfied with their jobs and committed to their organizations. However,previous studies show that work attitude plays only a relatively small role in overall employee turnover. Recently,Mitchell,Lee and their colleagues have introduced the new construct,job embeddedness or the degree to which individuals are embedded in their current job or organization,and provided a new perspective of understanding employee turnover issues.The major purpose of this study is to examine the influence of organizational justice( OJ) on employee's voluntary turnover( VT)in Chinese organizational settings. Based on individual-organization attachment theory and research of individual differences on the perception of equity,we further explore the mediating role of job embeddedness in the OJ-VT relationship and the moderating effect of equity sensitivity on the relationship between organizational justice and job embeddedness. Hierarchical regression analyses on a sample of 351 employee from 6 service firms in Hebei province show that:( 1) procedural and distributive justice relate positively to job embeddedness;( 2) job embeddedness is an effective predictor of voluntary turnover;( 3) job embeddedness fully mediates the relationship between distributive justice and turnover; and( 4) equity sensitivity moderates the relationship between procedural justice and job embeddedness. Our research contributes to the organizational justice literature by answering how and why OJ is related to employee turnover and to job embeddedness literature in Chinese context. Managerial implications and limitations of this study are discussed to conclude this study.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome

Effective tumor treatment of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome may induce remission. Active disease may respond to agents that enhance neuromuscular transmission or to immunosuppression. Combined therapy frequently is needed and control is often marginal despite this. It is expected that availability of 3,4- DAP will improve the response to treatment in most patients.
A Stem Cell-Based Replacement for the Inner Ear

A Stem Cell-Based Replacement for the Inner Ear Birds, fish, and other non-mammalian vertebrates can regenerate inner ear hair cells throughout life via two mechanisms; the nonmitotic transdifferentiation of supporting cells, and the mitotic proliferation and differentiation of a subset of supporting cells. A possible third mechanism is that non-mammalian vertebrates may regenerate inner ear hair cells through the differentiation of resident stem cells, but it is still controversial whether stem cells in adult sensory epithelia are from a specialized reserve pool of distinct cell type or from a subtype of supporting cells.
Design and analysis of multi-gate field-effect-diodes for embedded memory

Memory arrays consume a very large area in chip designs; yet memory cell scaling lags significantly transistor scaling. With transistor channel lengths in the nanoscale regime, the six transistor static random access memory cell (6T-SRAM) and the single transistor dynamic memory (DRAM) cell both suffer from excessive leakage current. Consequently, there is a widely recognized need for urgent progress in memory technology.
DNA of the oocyte cytoplasm

This chapter describes DNA of the oocyte cytoplasm. The eggs of many species, both deuterostome and protostome, contain quantities of DNA far in excess of the nuclear DNA content. Cytoplasmic DNA follows the distribution of mitochondria in cell fractionation studies in amphibian eggs and according to Bibring et al and Piko et al, this is true for sea urchin eggs as well. Thus, enucleate and nucleate halves of sea urchin eggs, each of which is expected to contain an approximately equal amount of mitochondria, have about the same DNA content. In the amphibian, over two-thirds of the total cytoplasmic DNA can actually be extracted from the purified mitochondria of eggs. The yolk spherules of sea urchin eggs as well as the mitochondria contain DNA. These spherules are about one-third as numerous as mitochondria, and they contain one-third as much D N A as do the purified mitochondria.
A phase I/II study of nintedanib and capecitabine in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer.

759Background: Refractory metastatic colorectal cancer patients (mCRC) have a poor prognosis with median survival of 4-6 months. Nintedanib is a TKI which inhibits VEGFR, PDGFR, and FGFR with preclinical efficacy in bevacizumab resistant CRC. This phase I/II study sought to evaluate the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and efficacy of nintedanib and capecitabine in refractory mCRC patients. Methods: Key eligibility criteria included histologically proven mCRC, ECOG PS of 0 or 1, progression/intolerance to a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and anti-EGFR therapy for RAS wt patients. Prior regorafenib, uncontrolled hypertension ( ≥ 160/90), recent clinically significant thrombosis/hemorrhage, or prior intolerance to capecitabine were exclusionary. Doses were escalated across 2 planned dose levels (DL) in a standard 3+3 design, with escalating doses of capecitabine. DLT observation window was the first 3 weeks after dosing. The primary endpoint was establishment of the RP2D. Results: 10 patients we...
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae: What we know and what we need to know

Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.1 CRE are defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (...
Using the modified matrix element method to constrain L μ − L τ interactions

In this paper, we explore the discriminatory power of the matrix element method (MEM) in constraining the ${L}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}\ensuremath{-}{L}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ model at the LHC. The ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ boson associated with the spontaneously broken $U(1{)}_{{L}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}\ensuremath{-}{L}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}}$ symmetry only interacts with the second and third generation of leptons at tree level, and is thus difficult to produce at the LHC. We argue that the best channels for discovering this ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ are in $Z\ensuremath{\rightarrow}4\ensuremath{\mu}$ and $2\ensuremath{\mu}+{\overline{)E}}_{T}$. Both these channels have a large number of kinematic observables, which strongly motivates the usage of a multivariate technique. The MEM is a multivariate analysis that uses the squared matrix element $|\mathcal{M}{|}^{2}$ to quantify the likelihood of the testing hypotheses. As the computation of the $|\mathcal{M}{|}^{2}$ requires knowing the initial and final state momenta and the model parameters, it is not commonly used in new physics searches. Conventionally, new parameters are estimated by maximizing the likelihood of the signal with respect to the background, and we outline scenarios in which this procedure is (in)effective. We illustrate that the new parameters can also be estimated by studying the $|\mathcal{M}{|}^{2}$ distributions, and, even if our parameter estimation is off, we can gain better sensitivity than cut-and-count methods. Additionally, unlike the conventional MEM, where one integrates over all unknown momenta in processes with ${\overline{)E}}_{T}$, we show an example scenario where these momenta can be estimated using the process topology. This procedure, which we refer to as the ``modified squared matrix element,'' is computationally much faster than the canonical matrix element method and maintains signal-background discrimination. Bringing the MEM and the aforementioned modifications to bear on the ${L}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}\ensuremath{-}{L}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ model, we find that with $300\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ of integrated luminosity, we are sensitive to the couplings of ${g}_{{Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}0.002{g}_{1}$ and ${M}_{{Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}}l20\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$, and ${g}_{{Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}0.005{g}_{1}$ and $20\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}l{M}_{{Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}}l40\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$, which is about an order of magnitude improvement over the cut-and-count method for the same amount of data.
Direct Formation of Carbon(sp3)-Heteroatom Bonds from RhIII To Produce Methyl Iodide, Thioethers, and Alkylamines.

Thermolysis of the RhIII–Me complex (DPEphos)RhMeI2 (1) results in reductive elimination of MeI. Mechanistic studies are consistent with SN2 attack by I− at the RhIII–Me group via two separate competing paths. Addition of sulfur and nitrogen nucleophiles allows effective competition and formation of C(sp3)–S and C(sp3)–N coupled products in high yields. C(sp3)–N bond formation is second-order in amine, consistent with amine substitution of iodide at the metal followed by nucleophilic attack at carbon by a second amine.
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome presenting as acute limb ischemia in pregnancy.

Abstract Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome typically causes calf claudication in young active adults. Acute limb ischemia from popliteal artery thrombosis, embolization, or aneurysmal degeneration is less common. Chronic compression, histologic changes, and predisposing factors, such as vigorous exercise or hypercoagulability, play a role in these cases. We present the case of a 32-year-old pregnant woman with acute limb ischemia found to have popliteal artery thrombosis as a result of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. Although many imaging modalities are available, pregnancy creates a unique situation in which consideration of irradiation and exposure to contrast material is important in diagnosis and treatment.
Reply to “Comments on ‘A CloudSat–CALIPSO View of Cloud and Precipitation Properties across Cold Fronts over the Global Oceans’”

AbstractIn Naud et al., a compositing method was utilized with CloudSat–CALIPSO observations to obtain mean transects of cloud vertical distribution and surface precipitation across cold fronts, and to examine their sensitivity to the large-scale properties of the parent extratropical cyclone. This reply demonstrates the value of compositing for evaluating numerical models, and presents additional results that address the issue of the sensitivity of the initial results to the frontal detection methodology and the potential misclassification of occlusions as cold fronts. Here a sensitivity study of the cold front composite transects of cloud cover to the input datasets or the method utilized to locate the cold fronts demonstrates that these composite transects are robust and only marginally sensitive to cold front location methods. The same conclusion is reached for the robustness of the contrast between Northern and Southern Hemisphere cloud transects. While occlusions cannot directly be flagged within th...
Autoimmune recognition of acetylcholine receptor and manipulation of the autoimmune responses by synthetic peptides.

A major activity of this laboratory has been focused on the determination and synthesis of the functional sites and regions of immune and autoimmune recognition of protein receptors and the use of the synthetic peptides for manipulation of receptor function. These studies have included insulin receptor (1,2), thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (3–5) and acetylcholine receptor (AChR). This paper describes some of our studies on the autoimmune recognition of AChR and the use of synthetic peptides corresponding to antibody and/or T-cell autoimmune recognition regions on AChR.
The Neuroprotective Effects of Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibition in a Mouse Model of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The CNS inflammatory reaction occurring after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) involves the upregulation of numerous cytokines and prostaglandins. Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition is a well-established pharmacological anti-inflammatory agent. Previous studies have shown marked increases in COX-2 expression in neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and endothelial cells following brain injury. COX-2 inhibition has been shown to be beneficial following various types of brain injury. This experiment investigates the role of COX-2 activity in early brain injury following SAH. CD-1 mice were subjected to an endovascular perforation model of SAH or SHAM surgery. Following experimental SAH animals were treated with the specific COX-2 inhibitor, NS398, in dosages of either 10 or 30 mg/kg. Neurological performance and brain edema were evaluated 24 and 72 h after SAH. NS398 at 30 mg/kg significantly reduced SAH-induced neurological deterioration. NS 398 at 30 mg/kg resulted in a trend toward the reduction of SAH-induced cerebral edema. Treatment had no effect on mortality. This experiment provides preliminary evidence that COX-2 inhibition is an effective pharmacological intervention for the prevention of brain edema and the preservation of neurological function following SAH.
Geometric role in designing pneumatically actuated pattern-transforming metamaterials

Abstract When a metamaterial, composed of an elastomer with periodic circular holes sealed by elastomeric membranes, is subject to a compressive load, it can undergo a pattern transformation, yielding a large transformation strain. Such pattern transformation can be broadly tuned by changing the geometric parameters of the metamaterial. We numerically, analytically and experimentally survey the design space of the geometric parameters, and investigate their effects on the pattern transformation. Our finite element simulations reveal that the slenderest wall thickness and the pattern of the holes play key roles in determining the critical load for the pattern transformation, the transformation strain, and the transformation type. To quantify the effects of these geometric parameters, we further analytically model the pattern transformation of the metamaterial by simplifying it to a network of rigid rectangles linked by deformable beams. Finally, we experimentally characterize the pattern transformation of the metamaterials with different geometric parameters. The experimental, numerical, and analytical results are in good agreement with each other. Our work provides design guidelines for this metamaterial.
Myasthenia Gravis and Pregnancy

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by fluctuating and fatigable weakness of skeletal muscle. MG is more common in women than in men, particularly in the second and third decades of life, resulting in a relatively high burden of MG in women of child bearing age. The disease and its treatment side effects may have considerable impact on women’s general and reproductive health. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can influence the presentation and severity of MG. MG and its treatments also carry implications for the fetus. This chapter reviews the existing literature on the presentation, disease course, treatment and possible complications of MG in women, with a focus on pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Type II Diabetes and Chromium

Chromium was shown to be an essential trace element by Mertz and Schwarz (1) who observed that rats fed a Torula yeast-based diet displayed impaired glucose tolerance. This intolerance was reversed by an insulin potentiating factor that was present in Brewer’s yeast, meat and other foods. This component was later shown to be a chromium complex (2). The essentiality of chromium in humans was demonstrated by Jeejeebhoy et al. (3) who reported that a 30-year old female on total parenteral nutrition developed peripheral neuropathy, unexpected weight loss and glucose intolerance that were refractory to the addition of 45 units of insulin per day. However, these symptoms could be alleviated by the inclusion of 250 μg daily of chromium as chromium chloride in the total parenteral nutrition solutions. Following chromium supplementation, no exogenous insulin was required and diabetic-like symptoms were reversed. This work has subsequently been confirmed in several laboratories (see review, 4).
Rapamycin attenuates liver injury caused by vinyl chloride metabolite chloroethanol and lipopolysaccharide in mice.

Abstract Vinyl chloride (VC) is a prevalent environmental toxicant that is rapidly metabolized within the liver. Its metabolites have been shown to directly cause hepatic injury at high exposure levels. We have previously reported that VC metabolite, chloroethanol (CE), potentiates liver injury caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Importantly, that study showed that CE alone, while not causing damage per se, was sufficient to alter hepatic metabolism and increase mTOR phosphorylation in mice, suggesting a possible role for the mTOR pathway. Here, we explored the effect of an mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, in this model. C57BL/6 J mice were administered CE, followed by rapamycin 1 h and LPS 24 h later. As observed previously, the combination of CE and LPS significantly enhanced liver injury, inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation. Rapamycin attenuated not only inflammation, but also restored the metabolic phenotype and protected against CE + LPS-induced oxidative stress. Importantly, rapamycin protected against mitochondrial damage and subsequent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The protective effect on mitochondrial function by rapamycin was mediated, by restoring the integrity of the electron transport chain at least in part, by blunting the deactivation of mitochondrial c-src, which is involved mitochondrial ROS production by electron transport chain leakage. Taken together, these results further demonstrate a significant role of mTOR-mediated pathways in VC-metabolite induced liver injury and provide further insight into VC-associated hepatic damage. As mTOR mediated pathways are very complex and rapamycin is a more global inhibitor, more specific mTOR (i.e. mTORC1) inhibitors should be considered in future studies.
The Measurement of Regular and Irregular Surface Cracks Using the Alternating Current Potential Difference Technique

The alternating current (AC) potential difference technique for measuring the growth of regular and irregular surface cracks is described. This technique is based on injecting high frequency alternating current into the metal specimen and measuring the change in voltage on the surface produced by the presence of a crack. The high frequency current tends to flow in a thin layer of the metal surface; therefore, low currents are required to produce measurable voltages on the specimen surface. Although AC techniques are increasingly employed for the measurement of surface cracks, one of the difficulties with the approach is the problem of interpreting the measured data in terms of crack shape and size. The objective of this paper is to present an inversion algorithm that can be used to determine the shape and size of surface cracks from measurements of the surfaces` voltage. This inversion algorithm is based on a model of the electromagnetic field problem, and the algorithm enables the voltage data obtained from measurements in the crack region to be interpreted directly in terms of the crack shape and size. Examples of the application of the inversion algorithm to the interpretation of voltage measurements obtained from a single semi ellipticalmore » and two semi elliptical intersecting surface cracks are described.« less
Hemorrhagic Cholecystitis in a Patient with Cirrhosis and Rectal Cancer.

Hemorrhagic cholecystitis is a rare presentation of acute calculous cholecystitis which presents with abdominal pain, jaundice, and gastrointestinal bleeding. It is a challenging diagnosis to make because it present similar to other common disorders such as calculous cholecystitis. We present a unique case of hemorrhagic cholecystitis in a patient with cirrhosis and rectal cancer. A 66-year-old male with a history of rectal cancer, alcohol-induced cirrhosis, esophageal varices, stroke, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and hypertension presented to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain. Patient's computed tomography (CT) scan revealed bleeding from the gallbladder with hemoperitoneum and thickening of the ascending colon. The patient underwent emergent surgery for hemorrhagic cholecystitis. Hemorrhagic cholecystitis is associated with risk factors, including trauma, malignancy, renal failure, cirrhosis, and anticoagulation therapy. Imaging is not always reliable, but ultrasound and CT scan are the preferred options. Treatment options are surgical or nonsurgical approach depending on patient's hemodynamic stability.
The Inverted-U Relationship Between Expertise and Accuracy Using Machine Learning Decision Tools

We ask how expertise of individuals influences the quality of decisions when using machine learning (ML) based decision support tools—an increasingly important question as algorithmic predictions b...