cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proteomic characterization of the arsenic response locus in S. cerevisiae

Arsenic exposure is a global health problem. Millions of people encounter arsenic through contaminated drinking water, consumption, and inhalation. The arsenic response locus in budding yeast is responsible for the detoxification of arsenic and its removal from the cell. This locus constitutes a conserved pathway ranging from prokaryotes to higher eukaryotes. The goal of this study was to identify how transcription from the arsenic response locus is regulated in an arsenic dependent manner. An affinity enrichment strategy called CRISPR-Chromatin Affinity Purification with Mass Spectrometry (CRISPR-ChAP-MS) was used, which provides for the proteomic characterization of a targeted locus. CRISPR-ChAP-MS was applied to the promoter regions of the activated arsenic response locus and uncovered 40 nuclear-annotated proteins showing enrichment. Functional assays identified the histone acetyltransferase SAGA and the chromatin remodelling complex SWI/SNF to be required for activation of the locus. Furthermore, SAGA and SWI/SNF were both found to specifically organize the chromatin structure at the arsenic response locus for activation of gene transcription. This study provides the first proteomic characterization of an arsenic response locus and key insight into the mechanisms of transcriptional activation that are necessary for detoxification of arsenic from the cell.
Making Sense of Smartness in the Context of Smart Devices and Smart Systems

Careless usage of the term smart in today’s world leads to wondering whether it means anything beyond involving a currently impressive application of IT. This paper characterizes smart and smartness in relation to describing, analyzing, and designing smart devices and systems. Examples of nominally smart devices and systems and principles that support thinking about smartness lead to a definition of smartness in the context of devices and systems. The definition leads to a classification matrix for smart capabilities organized around four categories: information processing, internal regulation, action in the world, and knowledge acquisition. Each category includes a set of separate capabilities that can be described on a continuum from not smart to somewhat smart to extremely smart based on the definition of smart. A concluding section describes how this multidimensional view of smartness can be applied in thinking about smartness while describing, analyzing, and designing devices and systems.
Vagus nerve stimulation during extinction learning reduces conditioned place preference and context-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking.

Abstract Background Drug use causes the formation of strong cue/reward associations which persist long after cessation of drug-taking and contribute to the long-term risk of relapse. Extinguishing these associations may reduce cue-induced craving and relapse. Previously, we found that pairing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with extinction of cocaine self-administration reduces cue-induced reinstatement; however, it remains unclear whether this was primarily caused by extinguishing the context, the instrumental response, or both. Objective /Hypothesis: We hypothesized that VNS can facilitate the extinction of both contextual cues and instrumental responding. Methods Extinction of context was first tested using Pavlovian conditioned place preference (CPP). Next, the impact of VNS on the extinction of instrumental responding was assessed under ABA and AAA context conditions. In each extinction context separate groups of rats were either provided the opportunity to perform the instrumental response, or the levers were retracted for the duration of extinction training. Reinstatement was induced by reintroduction of the conditioned stimuli and/or the drug-paired context. Data were analyzed using one-way or two-way repeated measures ANOVAs. Results VNS during extinction reduced reinstatement of CPP.VNS also reduced cue- and context-induced reinstatement of the instrumental response under both AAA and ABA conditions. The subjects’ ability to engage with the lever during extinction was crucial for this effect. P values Conclusions Craving occurs in response to a range of conditioned stimuli and contexts; VNS may improve outcomes of behavioral therapy by facilitating extinction of both an instrumental response and/or contextual cues.
Teaching the Town Hall: Incorporating Experiential Learning in a Large Introductory Lecture Course

Experiential learning has been shown to help cultivate habits of effective democratic citizens, but it is often seen as infeasible for large classes. This need not be the case. In this paper, we de...
OP23 Perceptions of reasons for discordance between current preferences and existing documentation: a qualitative study

Background Nursing homes throughout the United States use the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form to document resident treatment preferences as medical orders. Reasons for discordance between POLST orders and current preferences were explored in the context of a larger study of POLST discordance. Methods Nursing facility residents (n = 25) and surrogate decision-makers (n = 25) were interviewed using Respecting Choices Advanced Steps, a structured, advance care planning facilitation process, to elicit current values-based, informed preferences. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using qualitative descriptive methods. Results Reasons for discordance between current preferences and POLST orders included changes in preferences related to new experiences, observations of other residents, new insights, a re-evaluation of goals and values, or a change in condition. Several participants indicated that discordance occurred because they learned new information or developed a better understanding about the treatment options during the interview. A few reported that the decisions recorded on POLST were influenced by others, though this was infrequent. Other participants were unable to explain the discordance because they did not recall the original conversation, or had no insight. Facility process issues including documentation errors and being asked to make decisions hastily during admission to the nursing facility also contributed to discordance. Discussion Reasons for discordance are varied, but suggest a need for increased education, more frequent re-evaluation of treatment preferences, and improved practices in order to ensure nursing home documentation is concordant with the current, values-based informed preferences of residents.
The Appeal and Pitfalls of Cross-Disciplinary Dialogues

Crossing disciplinary boundaries, even if only to seek inspiration beyond the confines of familiar intellectual paradigms, is an arduous endeavor. Yet the participants in the Almagro Workshop, whose revised contributions appear in this volume, took an important step towards significant cross-disciplinary exchanges. This important step is the appreciation of how scholars in other disciplines couch research questions, what kinds of presuppositions underlie these questions, and what counts as evidence as they go about trying to answer them. It is unfortunate that this preliminary step is often overlooked in cross-disciplinary research, as scholars from one discipline simply borrow results, procedures, and approaches from another discipline without understanding the intellectual context surrounding them.
State of the Art: Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Treatment

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a clinical diagnosis characterized by symptoms due to irritation of extra-esophageal structures including the larynx, pharynx, and lower airway. Although there is not yet a gold-standard diagnostic technique to diagnose LPR, multiple treatment modalities, including lifestyle changes, medical therapies, and surgical therapies, have been proposed. This chapter will evaluate the evidence supporting the different treatment options for LPR.
Economic and environmental analyses of incorporating guar into the American southwest

Abstract CONTEXT Persistent drought is affecting the livelihood of American farmers in arid climates. Adopting drought-tolerant crops, such as guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.), is one potential solution for improving economic revenue and reducing the effect of drought on farms. Guar produces guar gum, which is a thickening and stabilizing agent in fluids used most recently in the hydraulic fracking of shale oil and gas recovery. OBJECTIVE This study was performed to investigate the economic and environmental feasibility of cultivating guar in the American Southwest and transporting it to a domestic processing facility for the primary product of guar gum. METHODS An integrated techno-economic (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA) was performed on the cradle-to-gate process of producing guar gum for domestic supply in the United States. TEA was performed to investigate the economic performance on the farm and downstream for the guar gum production facility. Similarly, the LCA investigated the environmental impact to the farm and the primary product of guar gum. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Baseline results indicate a minimum selling price of $1.44 per kg-guar gum, driven largely by irrigation, herbicides and associated equipment use. A best case economic scenario where irrigation and fertilizers were removed, low-cost herbicides were used and less intensive land management practices were adopted, highlights the feasibility of guar gum being produced for as low as $0.45 per kg-guar gum, which is lower than the five-year average U.S. import price of $0.99 per kg-guar gum. Environmental impacts of guar gum are largely attributed to irrigation and agricultural equipment use. The indicator, global warming potential, resulted in farm-level emissions of 1160 per hectare of guar grown. The combined farm, transportation and downstream processing production processes results in 2.67 kg CO2eq per kg-guar gum, or 806 kg CO2eq per hectare, which is lower than the farm emissions due to a co-product credit for animal feed. SIGNIFICANCE The economic results indicate that guar gum can be produced for less than average U.S. import prices. The environmental impact results indicate that growing guar would lead to lower emissions than existing crops when cultivated in the American Southwest.
The new services that opioid treatment programs have adopted in response to COVID-19

COVID-19 has exacerbated the opioid epidemic and transformed how programs treat opioid use disorder. In response to the pandemic, the federal government modified guidelines to allow opioid treatment programs (OTPs) greater flexibility in the provision of medication for opioid use disorder. We conducted a telephone survey of 31.10% of OTPs in the contiguous United States between June and July 2020. We contacted a random sample of 477 facilities and obtained responses from 373. The survey asked questions about new patient intake, screening for COVID-19, social distancing measures, as well as new treatments offered due to changes in federal government policy. We calculated percentages of positive and nonpositive responses to each survey question. We estimated logistic regressions of facility-, county- and state-level predictors of each treatment approach. Most OTPs are taking new patients (91%). Roughly 83% of them screen for COVID-19 symptoms for in-person visits and about 92% use social distancing measures. More than half of OTPs provide curbside treatment (83%) or telehealth (81%). Less than a quarter of OTPs offer medication drop off (21%) or pick up by a trusted person (32%) when patients need to quarantine due to COVID-19. Results from multivariable logistic regressions show that OTPs in states that had a shelter-in-place policy are more likely to socially distance for in-person visits than those in states without such a policy.
Second passage of chronic wasting disease of mule deer to sheep by intracranial inoculation compared to classical scrapie.

The origin of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids is unclear. One hypothesis suggests that CWD originated from scrapie in sheep. We compared the disease phenotype of sheep-adapted CWD to class...
Optimal decay rates and the global attractors of the 2D fully dissipative magnetohydrodynamics system

This focuses on the large time behavior of the solution to the IVP of the 2D fully dissipative magnetohydrodynamics system. We first compute the decay rates of the solutions, then, we show that these rates are sharp. Moreover, the explicit asymptotic profiles are identified. It turns out that these profiles resemble the Oseen vortices.
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease presenting in a patient with SARS-CoV-2: a case report.

BACKGROUND: We present a yet to be described association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old physician with history of SARS-CoV-2 infection presented to the emergency department with 2 weeks of fever, chills, and right sided cervical lymphadenopathy. He was treated empirically for presumed folliculitis with worsening of symptoms leading to repeat presentation to the emergency department. Extensive workup was unrevealing of an infectious cause and needle biopsy of the lesion was unrevealing. An excisional lymph node biopsy revealed follicular hyperplasia with necrotic foci showing abundance of histiocytes at the edge of necrosis with CD8 predominance of T-cells. Final diagnosis was deemed to be Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. Antibiotic therapy was discontinued, and the patient's symptoms resolved with steroid therapy and expectant management. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a patient developing Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinicians should be aware of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease as a possibility when approaching patients with hyper-inflammatory states who present with cervical lymphadenopathy.
Masking significantly reduces, but does not eliminate COVID-19 infection in a spatial agent-based simulation of a University dormitory floor

COVID-ADAPT is a stochastic, discrete-space, agent-based simulation model of airborne infection and public health interventions, capable of modeling SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Using a map of a real university dormitory floor, the model simulates agents moving about and potentially infecting each other. Health interventions tested are vaccination and masking, including whether the solitary initial infectious agent was masked. Universal masking with N95 masks and 100% vaccination of susceptible people resulted in significantly lower prevalence after 3 weeks compared to all other scenarios, but still led to a substantial number of infections. Increased vaccination levels from 52% to 100% by itself did not result in a significant difference in prevalence due to symptomatic and asymptomatic breakthrough infections. These results suggest that vaccination alone is insufficient to stem outbreaks, and the best way to reduce COVID-19 infections is to ensure that all infectious people are masked. However, because asymptomatic infections are common, the only way to ensure this is universal masking, which also reduces prevalence by protecting susceptible individuals from infection. Universal masking is the best way forward, especially under threat of the Delta variant, to keep facilities open and safe for occupants, while minimizing the number of infections.
Growth of II-VI Semimagnetic Semiconductors by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Two dimensional semiconductor systems in the form of quantum well structures and superlattices have attracted considerable attention over the past several years because of the many interesting properties that such layered multilayers exhibit. One of the reasons for the current interest in layered structures is that many of the optical and electronic properties can be tailored through the choice of materials and layer thickness. These structures are prepared by either molecular beam epitaxy or organometallic chemical vapor deposition and are usually composed of lattice-matched III–V compounds such as GaAs-AlAs and GaAs-GaAlAs.
EBV-Associated Lymphoproliferative Disorders in a Large Transplant Population

Infection of immunosuppressed transplant recipients by the Epstein-Barr virus can lead to a variety of lymphoproliferative states. These range from reactive proliferations to malignant lymphoma (1–3). Collectively we refer to this spectrum of lesions as posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD).
Turbulent Mixing Layers in Herbig-Haro and Embedded H2 Jets

Outflows arising from young stellar objects interact with their surrounding medium through different mechanisms, such as shocks, turbulence and /or entrainment. These two last mechanisms have recently begun to be fully developed in an effort to understand the coupling of the stellar jet gas (mostly atomic) with the molecular environment. Observationally a number of objects are being studied in the near infrared and millimeter wavelengths to map the warm (H2) and cold (CO) molecular gas, respectively. In this paper we discuss some of the properties in the near infrared of various embedded jets in the context of turbulent entrainment.
The Building Blocks for Private Investment in New York City's Underserved Communities

Remarks delivered at the February 2002 conference "Policies to Promote Affordable Housing," cosponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and New York University's Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy.
Acid-base status of the fetus and clinical condition of the newborn following cesarean section

Abstract Fetal acid-base status and neonatal clinical condition were assessed in 34 consecutive elective cesarean sections comparing the effects of (1) spinal analgesia with prevention of hypotension by forced hydration, (2) spinal analgesia with treatment of hypotension by forced hydration, and (3) thiopental—nitrous oxide—succinylcholine anesthesia. Spinal analgesia with prophylactic hydration produced more favorable biochemical and clinical conditions than spinal analgesia with therapeutic hydration. The thiopental-nitrous oxide-succinylcholine sequence was associated with a higher incidence of neonatal depression than either of the spinal analgesia groups; this, however, was not accompanied by an increase in acidosis of the neonate.
Involvement of Secretory and Endosomal Compartments in Presentation of an Exogenous Self-Glycolipid to Type II NKT Cells

Natural Killer T (NKT) cells recognize both self and foreign lipid Ags presented by CD1 molecules. Although presentation of the marine sponge-derived lipid αGalCer to type I NKT cells has been well studied, little is known about self-glycolipid presentation to either type I or type II NKT cells. Here we have investigated presentation of the self-glycolipid sulfatide to a type II NKT cell that specifically recognizes a single species of sulfatide, namely lyso-sulfatide but not other sulfatides containing additional acyl chains. In comparison to other sulfatides or αGalCer, lyso-sulfatide binds with lower affinity to CD1d. Although plate-bound CD1d is inefficient in presenting lyso-sulfatide at neutral pH, it is efficiently presented at acidic pH and in the presence of saposin C. The lysosomal trafficking of mCD1d is required for αGalCer presentation to type I NKT cells, it is not important for presentation of lyso-sulfatide to type II NKT cells. Consistently, APCs deficient in a lysosomal lipid-transfer protein effectively present lyso-sulfatide. Presentation of lyso-sulfatide is inhibited in the presence of primaquine, concanamycin A, monensin, cycloheximide, and an inhibitor of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein but remains unchanged following treatment with brefeldin A. Wortmannin-mediated inhibition of lipid presentation indicates an important role for the PI-3kinase in mCD1d trafficking. Our data collectively suggest that weak CD1d-binding self-glycolipid ligands such as lyso-sulfatide can be presented via the secretory and endosomal compartments. Thus this study provides important insights into the exogenous self-glycolipid presentation to CD1d-restricted T cells.
The cross-sectional and longitudinal association between perceived neighborhood walkability characteristics and depressive symptoms in older Latinos: the "¡Caminemos!" study

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal association between perceived walkability-related neighborhood characteristics (e.g., traffic safety) and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older Latino adults. METHOD: We used baseline, 12-month, and 24-month in-person interview data collected from Latinos aged ≥60 years participating in an exercise intervention at 27 senior centers (N = 570). RESULTS: In cross-sectional analyses, lower perceived neighborhood crime, indicative of greater neighborhood walkability, was associated with a lower odds of elevated symptoms of depression (odds ratio [OR] = 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.82, 0.996]; p =.04) after adjusting for demographic characteristics, linguistic acculturation, and medical comorbidities. Associations between Neighborhood Environment Walkability scales and incident depressive symptoms at 12- and/or 24-months were not statistically significant, but the point estimate for crime safety was consistent with cross-sectional findings (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = [0.64, 1.07]; p =.16), suggesting a protective effect for lower perceived neighborhood crime. DISCUSSION: Lower perceived neighborhood crime is associated with reduced presence of elevated symptoms of depression in older Latinos. Language: en
Asian Languages and Technology

Asian language education in English speaking countries has been expanding for over a decade, but CALL research and applications are more often aimed at ESL or European languages. This issue offers a unique collection of cutting edge CALL studies specializing in Asian languages. All systems introduced here run on the web and deal with Asian characters, a problem that has become considerably less daunting now that the English-language Macintosh and Windows operating systems come bundled with software for entering and displaying them. Although this CALICO issue focuses on learning and teaching Asian languages, the general concepts underlying the presented systems are applicable to all languages. A brief overview of the collection follows.
Arenas of Recovery for Persons with Severe Mental Illness

We analyzed informant narratives in terms of the benefits of spending time within various community arenas, including service user organizations, advocacy agencies, the bowling alley, and universities. Themes contributing to recovery from severe mental illness included the understanding and acceptance infromants both gave and received from others, spiritual fulfillment, and even experiences of anger as mechanisms of empowerment to counter social discrimination and neglect. Involvement across various community arenas and the themes it elicited relative to recovery were understood in terms of developing more durable and advantageous understandings of the self. #Affiliation reflects lead author.
CMP: a fast decision tree classifier using multivariate predictions

Most decision tree classifiers are designed to keep class histograms for single attributes, and to select a particular attribute for the next split using said histograms. We propose a technique where, by keeping histograms on attribute pairs, we achieve: a significant speed-up over traditional classifiers based on single attribute splitting; and the ability of building classifiers that use linear combinations of values from non-categorical attribute pairs as split criterion. Indeed, by keeping two-dimensional histograms, CMP can often predict the best successive split, in addition to computing the current one; therefore, CMP is normally able to grow more than one level of a decision tree for each data scan. CMP's performance improvements are also due to techniques whereby non-categorical attributes are discretized without loss in classification accuracy; in fact, we introduce simple techniques, whereby classification errors caused by discretization at one step can then be corrected in the following step. In summary, CMP represents a unified algorithm that extends the functionality of existing classifiers and improves their performance.
DSCAM localization and function at the mouse cone synapse

The Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (DSCAM) is required for regulation of cell number, soma spacing, and cell type-specific dendrite avoidance in many types of retinal ganglion and amacrine cells. In this study we assay the organization of cells making up the outer plexiform layer of the retina in the absence of Dscam. Some types of OFF bipolar cells, type 3b and type 4 bipolar cells, had defects in dendrite arborization in the Dscam mutant retina, whereas other cell types appeared similar to wild type. The cone synapses that these cells project their dendrites to were intact, as visualized by electron microscopy, and had a distribution and density that was not significantly different from that of wild type. The spacing of type 3b bipolar cell dendrites was further analyzed by Voronoi domain analysis, density recovery profiling (DRP) analysis, and nearest neighbor analysis. Spacing was found to be significantly different when wild-type and mutant type 3b bipolar cell dendrites were compared. Defects in arborization of these bipolar cells could not be attributed to the disorganization of inner plexiform layer cells that occurs in the Dscam mutant retina or an increase in cell number, as they arborized when Dscam was targeted in retinal ganglion cells only or in the bax null retina. Localization of DSCAM was assayed and the protein was localized near to cone synapses in mouse, macaque, and ground squirrel retinas. DSCAM protein was detected in several types of bipolar cells, including type 3b and type 4 bipolar cells.
Mining Predictive Process Models out of Low-level Multidimensional Logs

Process Mining techniques have been gaining attention, especially as concerns the discovery of predictive process models. Traditionally focused on workflows, they usually assume that process tasks are clearly specified, and referred to in the logs. This limits however their application to many real-life BPM environments (e.g. issue tracking systems) where the traced events do not match any predefined task, but yet keep lots of context data. In order to make the usage of predictive process mining to such logs more effective and easier, we devise a new approach, combining the discovery of different execution scenarios with the automatic abstraction of log events. The approach has been integrated in a prototype system, supporting the discovery, evaluation and reuse of predictive process models. Tests on real-life data show that the approach achieves compelling prediction accuracy w.r.t. state-of-the-art methods, and finds interesting activities’ and process variants’ descriptions.
Neoadjuvant radiation in primary extremity liposarcoma: correlation of MRI features with histopathology

To evaluate MRI features of response of primary extremity liposarcoma (LPS) to neoadjuvant radiation therapy (RT) with histopathologic correlation. In this IRB-approved study including 125 patients with extremity LPS treated with neoadjuvant RT from 2000 to 2013, MRI of the primary tumour in 18 patients (5 pleomorphic LPS, 13 myxoid LPS) before and after RT were reviewed by two radiologists by consensus. Histopathology of the surgical specimens was reviewed by a pathologist with expertise in sarcomas. In the pleomorphic LPS cohort, 3/5 tumours increased in size; 3/5 decreased in enhancing component; and 3/5 increased in peritumoral oedema, intratumoral haemorrhage, and necrosis. In the myxoid LPS cohort, 12/13 tumours decreased in size, 8/13 decreased in enhancing component, and 5/13 increased in internal fat following RT. Histopathology showed ≥50 % residual tumour in 1/5 pleomorphic LPS and 2/13 myxoid LPS. Hyalinization/necrosis of ≥75 % was noted in 4/5 pleomorphic LPS and 11/13 myxoid LPS. Cytodifferentiation was noted in 1/5 pleomorphic and 9/13 myxoid LPS. While pleomorphic LPS showed an increase in size, peritumoral oedema, intratumoral haemorrhage, and necrosis on MRI following neoadjuvant RT, myxoid LPS showed a decrease in size and enhancement with an increase in internal fat. • Pleomorphic LPS commonly increase in size and necrosis on MRI following RT. • Myxoid LPS commonly decrease in size and enhancement on MRI following RT. • Myxoid LPS often increase in fatty component on MRI following RT.
Switching policies for metastable walking

In this paper, we study an underactuated five-link biped walking on stochastically rough terrain. We propose a simple and powerful Sliding Mode Control scheme. By taking Poincare sections just before the impact, we accurately represent ten dimensional system dynamics of metastable walking as a Markov process. By switching between two qualitatively different controllers, we show that the number of steps before failure can be increased by more than 10 million times compared to using either one of the controllers only. To achieve this, only the current state and approximate terrain slope for a one step lookahead on geometrically rough terrain is needed. The analysis techniques in this paper are also designed for future application to a range of other simulated or experimental walkers.
What does Williams syndrome reveal about the determinants of social behavior

Growing evidence on autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) has begun to highlight aberrancies that may have important implications for the social profile characterized by enhanced social motivation and approach. In parallel, neurobiological investigations have identified alterations in the structure, function, and connectivity of the amygdala, as well as prosocial neuropeptide dysregulation, as some of the key neurogenetic features of WS. A recent social approach/withdrawal hypothesis (Kemp and Guastella, 2011) suggests that autonomic cardiac control may play a key role in regulating the relationship between oxytocin (OT) and social behavior. This article discusses evidence from these critical, new strands of research into social behavior in WS, to consider the extent to which data on WS may provide novel insight into the determinants of social behavior. Future research directions are suggested.
Role conflict and role ambiguity in information systems design

Abstract This paper examines the impact of information systems implementation on the social subsystem of organization. It presents theoretical support for the impact of IS design on role conflict and role ambigulty experienced by users of information systems. Results of an empirical survey are reported which evaluate the impact of information systems on RC/RA. The paper concludes with recommendations for systems design and training and skills required for systems analysts.
Monolithic fabrication of nanofluidic artificial gel media for DNA electrophoresis

A new technique for fabricating 2D artificial gels for DNA electrophoresis is presented. The technique differs from previous approaches in that the entire device is fabricated as a monolithic unit using exclusively planar processing techniques borrowed from semiconductor electronics fabrication. The height of the fluid gap between the dielectric floor and ceiling is determined by the thickness of a sacrificial layer which is removed by a wet chemical etch. This allows precise control and excellent uniformity of the gap over an entire silicon wafer. Gap control better than 5 nm has been demonstrated for floor-to-ceiling height for the fluid gap. The lateral resolution which can be attained is limited only by available lithographic techniques. In this work, 1 micrometers diameter pillars are defined with i-line photolithography. Fluid interconnects are established with a liquid meniscus to the hedge of the device.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Repair of retinal detachment caused by cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Twenty-two eyes of 19 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who had pars plana vitrectomy and silicone-oil injection after retinal detachment caused by cytomegalovirus retinitis were studied. All patients but one were monitored until time of death. The postoperative survival time and the factors that predicted anatomic success (retinal attachment) and functional success (visual acuity) were analyzed. No intraoperative complications were encountered. The mean survival time after surgery was four months. Of all of the preoperative and intraoperative factors studied, only the duration of cytomegalovirus retinitis was predictive of survival (P
Direct effects of chronic beta-adrenergic receptor blockade on left ventricular and myocyte function in a model of tachycardia-induced congestive heart failure.

Abstract Background: Chronic beta-receptor blockade (beta-blockade) has been reported to improvesymptoms and increase survival in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF); however, whether the mechanisms for the effects of beta-blockade in CHF are due to modulating chronotropy, inotropy, or both remains unknown. To address this issue, left ventricular function and isolated myocyte function were examined with chronic beta-blockade in a rapid pacing model of CHF, thereby eliminating potential chronotropic effects of beta-blockade. Methods and Results: Pigs were randomly assigned to three groups of six pigs each: supraventriculartachycardia (SVT): 3 weeks of atrial pacing at 240 beats/min; SVT/beta-blockade: 3 weeks of rapid pacing and beta-blockade (25 mg atenolol twice daily on days 14–21 of pacing); control group, sham control animals. This dosage schedule for beta-blockade was chosen because catecholamines are persistently elevated by day 14 in this model of CHF. Left ventricular fractional shortening and end-diastolic dimension were measured by echocardiography in the conscious state with a resting ambient heart rate. Isolated left ventricular myocyte function was examined using high-speed videomicroscopy. Supraventricular tachycardia caused left ventricular dilation (5.4 ± 0.1 vs 3.5 ± 0.1 cm) and reduced fractional shortening (12 ± 1% vs 35 ± 1%) compared with control animals (P Conclusions: In a model of CHF due to the maintenance of a chronically elevated heart rate,institution of beta- 1-selective blockade during the progression of the CHF process minimally affected left ventricular size and function. At the level of the myocyte, chronic beta- 1-recep for blockade prolonged the contraction interval and thereby increased myocyte shortening. These unique results suggest that a contributory mechanism for the effects of beta-blockade in the setting of CHF is chronotropic modulation.
The oriented scintillation spectrometer experiment for the gamma-ray observatory

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) for the Gamma Ray Observatory is described. OSSE uses four identical NaI(T1)-CsI(Na) phoswich detectors to provide gamma-ray line and continuum detection capability in the 0.05–10 MeV energy range. Additional gamma-ray and neutron detection capability is achieved above 10 MeV. Each detector has a CsI annular shield and a tungsten alloy collimator which define a 5° × 11° (FWHM) field-of-view. The detectors have independent, single-axis orientation systems which permit offset pointing to provide source-background subtraction. The sensitivity for line gamma rays in the 0.05–10 MeV region will be 2–3 × 10−5 photons/cm2-s for a 106-second observation period. The several modes of data acquisition and the emphases for the planned observational program are discussed.
Risk-Taking Preferences of College Students in Canada and the United States.

Measures of risk-taking preferences and need achievement have received considerable attention as indicators of economic development but few cross-cultural studies have examined differences on these variables between Canada and the United States. The present study employed Wallach, Kogan, and Bem's (1962) measure of risk-taking conservatism to determine whether Canadian and United States college students differ in their self-reported risk-taking preferences. Each national sample included 20 male and 20 female Ss taken largely from the middle socioeconomic classes of both countries. Median ages were 20.7 and 20.5 yr. for the Canadian and United States groups, respectively. Wallach, Kogan, and Bem's measure of risk-taking conservatism was administered individually to each S. Scores for 10 items were summed and analyzed in a 2 X 2 analysis of
Correction for incomplete labeling in the measurement of distance distributions by frequency-domain fluorometry☆

Measurements of time-resolved fluorescence are now being used to recover conformational distributions of biological macromolecules. The fluorescence data of the donor are easily corrupted by incomplete labeling of the macromolecules by the acceptor. In the present paper we describe a general procedure to correct for incomplete acceptor labeling in the determination of distance distributions from frequency-domain measurements of the donor fluorescence decay kinetics. The method can also be used to determine the extent of acceptor labeling. Simulated data were used to determine the effect of incomplete labeling on resolution of the distance distribution and the effect on the recovered distributions if one fails to account for incomplete labeling by the acceptor. The expressions and implemented algorithm were verified using known mixtures of donor-control and donor-acceptor pair molecules, which simulated the presence of a donor population lacking the acceptor. Finally, we present data on the distance distributions between two labeled sites in myosin S1 (Cys-697 to Cys-707) where it was not possible to obtain complete labeling of the acceptor site.
1012-102 Alteration of Rabbit Carotid Artery Vasomotor Function by Gene Transfer with a Replication Deficient Adenovirus

Gene transfer technologies offer great potential both to investigate and alter the course of vessel wall pathophysiology. Replication-deficient adenovirus vectors appear particularly useful for the transfection of blood vessels, because, of their ability to accommodate large cDNA inserts and to rapidly and efficiently infect mammalian cells. However, the potential effects of transfection with a replication-deficient adenovirus on vasomotor function have not been previously described. We performed gene transfer experiments with a replication-deficient adenovirus which contained a cytomegalovirus promoter and a nuclear-localizing variant of the bacterial β-galactosidase gene. Excised carotid artery segments from 6 rabbits were divided into multiple segments and infected in pairs, for 30 minutes with four different viral titers (0, 2.5 × 109.5 × 109, 1 × 1010 pfu/ml) at 37°C in serum free media. These segments were tested for β-galactosidase staining and vasomotor function 2 days later. Isometric tension studies were performed to examine the response of the vessel segments to the contractile agonist, norepinephrine (NE). The results are shown below as mean ± standard error, -log10 [EC50] with * p ≤ 0.04 between the lowest and the highest group. Viral Titer (pfu/ml) 0 2.5 × 109 5 × 109 1 × 1010 NE Dose 5.98 ± 009 5.77 ± 11 5.68 ± 0,145, 5.52 ± 0.13 * * p ≤ 0.04 In cell culture, rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells were infected in a similar manner. β-Galactosidase staining was present at all 3 viral concentrations but when a viral concentration of 1 × 1010 pfu/ml was used there were areas of cellular necrosis not seen at the lower viral concentrations. Conclusion Replication-deficient adenovirus vectors can rapidly and efficiently infect rabbit carotid vessels. However at doses often employed for gene transfer experiments in-vivo, there is a dose dependent alteration of vessel vasomotor function which may be mediated by a cytotoxic affect of the viral vector. This effect needs to be taken into account in studies involving adenoviral gene transfer.
Programmable Real-Time Acousto-Optic/CCD SAR Processor

The theory of operation of the Real-Time Acousto-Optic SAR Processor is reviewed and recent experimental results are presented. The results include a demonstration of the real-time imaging capability of the processor with simulated radar signals. An advanced version of this processor is then described in which a programmable reference function is entered via a second acousto-optic device to eliminate the need for a 2-D SLM. In this implementation the reference function is updated by electronic means to give the processor the flexibility to adapt rapidly to changes in the parameters of the radar/target geometry.
CHARACTERIZATION OF RNA PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH OR ABORTED BY A VIRAL RNA-DEPENDENT RNA POLYMERASE

Abstract Ternary RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complexes were arrested at various stages of synthesis in vitro by limiting one or more NTPs. The RNAs synthesized prior to/during the arrest of the complex were characterized and the ability of the arrested complexes to continue elongation of these nascent RNAs in the presence of all four NTPs was analyzed. Nascent RNAs of 10 nt and longer remained associated with the RdRp complex and could be extended into full-length RNAs while shorter nascent RNAs were released by the complex. These results establish that previously observed RdRp-synthesized oligoribonucleotides of 8 nt or less are abortive initiation products and confirms that RdRp undergoes a transition from initiation to elongation after the synthesis of 8 nt.
Pulse-like ruptures induced by low-velocity fault zones

Low-velocity fault zones (LVFZs) are found in most mature faults. They are usually 100–400 m wide and have ~20%–60% wave velocity reductions relative to the country rock. To study the effect of LVFZs on earthquake rupture and the radiated wavefield, we conducted two-dimensional (2-D) simulations of dynamic rupture on faults that bisect a LVFZ, considering a range of velocity reductions and widths. Most earthquakes apparently have slip rise times much shorter than their overall rupture duration. A number of dynamic mechanisms for such pulse-like ruptures have been proposed, including frictional self-healing, fault strength heterogeneities, and bimaterial effects. We find that ruptures in LVFZs with strong enough wave velocity contrast behave as pulses. These pulses are generated by fault locking induced by waves reflected from the boundaries of the LVFZ. This mechanism of pulse generation is robust to variations of initial stress, smoothness of the LVFZ structure, rupture mode, and exclusion of frictional healing. Moreover, we find that LVFZs can generate complex rupture patterns. LVFZs with low-velocity reduction induce multiple rupture fronts involving coexisting pulses and cracks. LVFZs with certain widths can accelerate the transition to supershear rupture speed. These additional effects of LVFZs on dynamic rupture can contribute to the complexity of high-frequency ground motions.
Novel metrics for evaluating improvement in discrimination: net reclassification and integrated discrimination improvement for normal variables and nested models.

Net reclassification and integrated discrimination improvements have been proposed as alternatives to the increase in the AUC for evaluating improvement in the performance of risk assessment algorithms introduced by the addition of new phenotypic or genetic markers. In this paper, we demonstrate that in the setting of linear discriminant analysis, under the assumptions of multivariate normality, all three measures can be presented as functions of the squared Mahalanobis distance. This relationship affords an interpretation of the magnitude of these measures in the familiar language of effect size for uncorrelated variables. Furthermore, it allows us to conclude that net reclassification improvement can be viewed as a universal measure of effect size. Our theoretical developments are illustrated with an example based on the Framingham Heart Study risk assessment model for high risk men in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Effect of an Ectoparasitic Nematode, Noctuidonema guyanense, on Adult Longevity and Egg Fertility in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract The effect of an ectoparasitic nematode, Noctuidonema guyanense Remillet & Silvain (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), on adult longevity and egg fertility in Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) was studied in the laboratory. Infestation of S. frugiperda was achieved by crossing field-collected, infested moths with virgin, laboratory-reared moths. In 1989-1990, adult longevity of infested male moths was reduced by about 30%, whereas female longevity was reduced by about 15%. Longevity of female moths also was decreased by the nematode in 1991. Survival of field-collected moths was 63% less in infested moths than in noninfested moths 3 days after their confinement in the laboratory. Fecundity for infested and noninfested moths was similar in 1989-1990. However, in 1990, fertility was depressed in infested female moths by up to 20%. Among insects held under three constant temperature regimes (20, 25, and 30°C) in 1991, egg hatch was affected most at the lowest temperature. This is the first evidence of an ectoparasitic nematode affecting the biology of adult S. frugiperda .
Kinetic studies of mitochondrial contraction

Abstract Mitochondria can be stimulated to swell by a variety of agents. The mechanism of action of these agents is unknown although it may be similar in some cases. Most swollen mitochondria can be contracted by ATP. The mechanism of contraction would appear to be similar for the various types of swollen mitochondria. The mechanisms by which ATP reverses mitochondrial swelling has yet to be elucidated, although it probably involves a contractile protein in the membrane (s). The kinetic data presented in the report support the existence of a contractile protein and describe some of its enzymic characteristics.
Estimating Upper Bounds for Improving the Filtering in Interval Branch and Bound Optimizers

When interval branch and bound solvers are used for solving constrained global optimization, upper bounding the objective function is an important mechanism which helps to reduce globally the search space. Each time a new upper bound UB is found during the search, a constraint related to the objective function fobj (x). < UB is added in order to prune non-optimal regions. We quantified experimentally that if we knew a close-to-optimal value in advance (without necessarily knowing the corresponding solution), then the performance of the solver could be significantly improved. Thus, in this work we propose a simple mechanism for estimating upper bounds in order to accelerate the convergence of interval branch and bound solvers. The proposal is validated through a series of experiments.