cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of ROMA (representational oligonucleotide microarray analysis) to patients with cytogenetic rearrangements.

Purpose: To demonstrate the accuracy and sensitivity of Representational Oligonucleotide Microarray Analysis (ROMA) to describe copy number changes in patients with chromosomal abnormalities. Methods: ROMA was performed using BglII digested DNA from two cases with cytogenetically detected deletions and one case with an unbalanced terminal rearrangement detected only by subtelomeric FISH. Hybridization was to an 85,000-probe oligonucleotide microarray, providing an average resolution of 35 kb. FISH was used to confirm some of the ROMA findings. Results: By ROMA, a del(13)(q14.3q21.2) was shown to be noncontiguous, with deletions extending from 53.08 to 61.40 Mb and from 72.88 to 74.83 Mb. The 10-Mb deletion contained only six known genes. FISH confirmed the noncontiguous nature of the deletion, as well as a small amplification in 6q that was also found in the patient's mother. A del(4)(q12q21.2) was found by ROMA to be 23 Mb in length, from 58.8 to 81.9 Mb on chromosome 4, in agreement with the cytogenetically assigned breakpoints. ROMA showed that an unbalanced “subtelomeric” rearrangement involved a 6-Mb deletion of 22q and an 8-Mb duplication of 16q. Conclusions: ROMA can define cytogenetic aberrations with extraordinary precision. Unexpected findings included the interrupted nature of the deletion in 13q and the large size of the imbalances in the “subtelomeric” rearrangement. Together with the information from the human genome sequence and proteomics, the ability to define rearrangements with “ultra-high” resolution will improve the ability to provide accurate prognosis both prenatally and postnatally to parents of offspring with chromosomal aberrations.
Pyrolysis of 2,4‐dimethylhexene‐l and the stability of isobutenyl radicals

2,4-Dimethylhexene-l has been decomposed in single-pulse shock tube experiments. Rate expressions for the initial reactions are and sec−1 at 1.5–5 atm and 1050°K. This leads to ΔH°f300 (CH2 = C(CH3)CH2) = 124 kJ/mol, or an allylic resonance energy of 50 kJ/mol. Rate expressions for the decomposition of the appropriate olefins which yield isobutenyl radicals and methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, t-butyl, and t-amyl radicals, respectively, are presented. The rate expression for the decomposition of isobutenyl radical is (at the beginning of the fall-off region). For the combination of isobutenyl and methyl radicals, the rate constant at 1020°K is Combination of this number and the calculated rate expression for 2-methylbutene-1 decomposition gives S. (1100) = 470 J/mol °K. This yields It is demonstrated that an upper limit for the rate of hydrogen abstraction by isobutenyl from toluene is
Relationship between obesity, insulin resistance, and coronary heart disease risk

OBJECTIVES The study goals were to: 1) define the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance in 314 nondiabetic, normotensive, healthy volunteers; and 2) determine the relationship between each of these two variables and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. BACKGROUND The importance of obesity as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and hypertension is well-recognized, but its role as a CHD risk factor in nondiabetic, normotensive individuals is less well established. METHODS Insulin resistance was quantified by determining the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration during the last 30 min of a 180-min infusion of octreotide, glucose, and insulin. In addition, nine CHD risk factors: age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, and glucose and insulin responses to a 75-g oral glucose load were measured in the volunteers. RESULTS The BMI and the SSPG concentration were significantly related (r = 0.465, p < 0.001). The BMI and SSPG were both independently associated with each of the nine risk factors. In multiple regression analysis, SSPG concentration added modest to substantial power to BMI with regard to the prediction of DBP, HDL cholesterol and TG concentrations, and the glucose and insulin responses. CONCLUSIONS Obesity and insulin resistance are both powerful predictors of CHD risk, and insulin resistance at any given degree of obesity accentuates the risk of CHD and type 2 diabetes.
An integrated model for intervention with infants, preschool children, and their maltreating parents

Les systemes offrant des services aux parents qui maltraitent leurs enfants doivent etre complets, integres et coordonnes de facon a faire face au besoins ecologiques, developpementaux et psychotherapeutiques des familles maltraitant leurs enfants. Cet article presente un modele (centre intensif) d'intervention pour les familles a problemes multiples qui maltraitent leurs enfants. Le programme qui est decrit remplit les besoins de la famille toute entiere, incorpore l'evaluation et le traitement de l'enfant ainsi que du parent, le developpement, et offre des services dans un milieu de groupe multi-familial
Effects of intracellular K+ and Rb+ on gating of embryonic rat telencephalon Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels

We have investigated the effects of intracellular K+ and Rb+ on single-channel currents recorded from the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ (BK) channel of the embryonic rat telencephalon using the inside-out patch-clamp technique. Our novel observation concerns the effects of these ions on rapid flickering of channel openings. Specifically, flicker gating was voltage dependent, i.e., it was reduced by depolarization in the -60 to -10 mV range with equimolar concentrations of K+ ions (150 Ko+/150 Ki+). Removal of Ki+ resulted in significant flickering at all potentials in this voltage range. In other words, the voltage dependence of flicker gating was effectively eliminated by the removal of Ki+. This suggests that a K+ ion entering the channel from the intracellular medium binds, in a voltage-dependent manner, at a site that locks the flicker gate in its open position. No effects of changes in Ki+ were observed on the primary, voltage-dependent gate of the channel. The change in flickering did not cause a change in the mean burst duration, which indicates that the primary gate is stochastically independent of the flicker gate. Intracellular Rb+ can substitute for--and is even more effective than--Ki+ with regard to suppression of flickering. Substitution of Rbi+ for Ki+ also increased the mean burst duration for V > or = -30 mV. Both effects of Rbi+ were removed by membrane hyperpolarization.
Demonstration of a macrophage migration enhancement factor in the sera of young rabbits

Abstract Alveolar macrophages (AM), harvested from the lungs of untreated normal young rabbits (New Zealand White) 14 days to 8 weeks of age, exhibited a state of migration stimulation compared to AM from normal adult rabbits (5 to 6 months of age). Migration of AM from normal adult rabbits (New Zealand White) was stimulated 2.0- to 2.5-fold when incubated with sera from 39-to 46-day-old rabbits compared with sera from normal adult rabbits. Furthermore, 4-day spleen cultures obtained from animals 28 to 59 days of age yielded supernatants that also stimulated the migration of adult AM. The spleen cell culture supernatants from 42- to 49-day-old animals had the greatest activity and stimulated the migration of adult AM 2.5- to 3.2-fold compared to the supernatants from adult normal rabbits. The peak production of migration enhancement factor (MEF) by splenic lymphoid cells coincided with the peak activities found in the sera. It was observed that nonadherent peanut agglutinable lymphoid cells produced MEF. When sera or culture supernatants containing MEF were mixed with MIF-containing adult sera or spleen cell culture supernatants, the respective activities were neutralized. The large migrations of normal neonatal AM were diminished by the addition of MIF-containing sera obtained from BCG-sensitized/challenged rabbits. In contrast, AM from BCG-sensitized rabbits, which exhibited a state of reduced migration, were enhanced by MEF-containing sera from untreated young rabbits. Three peaks of MEF activity were detected in Sephadex G-100 column fractionated sera from 42-day-old rabbits having MWs of approximately (Peak I) 80,000, (Peak II) 43,000, and (Peak III) 8000 to 18,000; most of the activity was found in peaks II and III. Two peaks of MEF activity were detected in Sephadex G-100 column-fractionated spleen cell culture supernatants from 42-day-old rabbits having MWs of approximately (Peak I) 35,000 to 43,000 and (Peak II) 10,000 to 14,000; most of the activity was in peak I which corresponds to peak II of the serum fractionation experiment. Collectively, these data indicate that MEF is a lymphokine that could be important in the modulation of cell-mediated immune effector responses.
Measuring energy savings — problems

Abstract The contribution of government energy conservation programmes to reducing national energy is an important but largely unresolved issue. This paper discusses estimating the energy-savings impact of US Department of Energy (DOE) conservation programmes. Programme-by-programme estimates of energy savings have been analysed, the results indicating that DOE conservation programmes have reduced US energy use by more than 0.5 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) annually since 1981. Limitations in the available evaluative information, however, preclude reaching unambiguous conclusions.
The Effects of Subject-Controlled Pacing and Task Type on Sustained Attention and Subjective Workload

Abstract The present study explored the effects of subject-controlled pacing in vigilance. One group of subjects (production) were given the opportunity to control the event rate (ER) during the course of a vigil. A second yoke-control (reception) group monitored the same presentation of events determined by those in the production condition, but were not permitted to alter the display. A third group (control) monitored a schedule of events that varied at random. Half the subjects in all conditions were assigned to a simultaneous discrimination task; the other half were assigned to a successive discrimination task. All the subjects rated the workload associated with the task. The performance of subjects in the production condition was superior to that of subjects in the reception condition, which in turn, was superior to that of subjects in the control condition. No main effects for task type or workload were observed. The results support the idea that allowing monitors to set their own pace of observing ...
Factors that influence telomeric oxidative base damage and repair by DNA glycosylase OGG1

Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes at the ends of linear chromosomes in eukaryotes, and are essential in preventing chromosome termini from being recognized as broken DNA ends. Telomere shortening has been linked to cellular senescence and human aging, with oxidative stress as a major contributing factor. 7,8-Dihydro-8-oxogaunine (8-oxodG) is one of the most abundant oxidative guanine lesions, and 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) is involved in its removal. In this study, we examined if telomeric DNA is particularly susceptible to oxidative base damage and if telomere-specific factors affect the incision of oxidized guanines by OGG1. We demonstrated that telomeric TTAGGG repeats were more prone to oxidative base damage and repaired less efficiently than non-telomeric TG repeats in vivo. We also showed that the 8-oxodG-incision activity of OGG1 is similar in telomeric and non-telomeric double-stranded substrates. In addition, telomere repeat binding factors TRF1 and TRF2 do not impair OGG1 incision activity. Yet, 8-oxodG in some telomere structures (e.g., fork-opening, 3'-overhang, and D-loop) were less effectively excised by OGG1, depending upon its position in these substrates. Collectively, our data indicate that the sequence context of telomere repeats and certain telomere configurations may contribute to telomere vulnerability to oxidative DNA damage processing.
Optimal constrained viscoelastic tape lengths for maximizing dampingin laminated composites

The results of experimental investigations conducted on glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy composite laminated beams with constrained layer surface-damping treatments are reported. A fast Fourier transform based impulse technique is used for identifying an optimal length of damping tape to be applied for maximizing the structural loss factor.
Immunopathogenesis of olmesartan-associated enteropathy

Summary Background Olmesartan-associated enteropathy (OAE) is characterised by diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss and severe sprue-like enteropathy, all of which are resolved after discontinuation of olmesartan medoximil. Aim To determine the mechanistic similarities of OAE with coeliac sprue. Methods Duodenal biopsies were extracted from OAE patients before (n = 11) or after (n = 17) discontinuation of olmesartan medoxomil (on or off olmesartan medoxomil). There were seven ‘on/off’ paired samples. Formalin-fixed biopsies were stained for CD8, CD4, FoxP3, IL-15R and psmad 2/3. Caco2 cells (human colonic epithelial line) were treated with olmesartan medoxomil and stained for IL-15, IL-15R and ZO-1. Results In the ‘on olmesartan medoxomil’ duodenal biopsies, a significant increase in the numbers of CD8+ cells and the number of cells that are FoxP3+ (a regulatory T-cell marker) are present in the duodenum as compared to the duodenal biopsies from patients who discontinued olmesartan medoxomil. IL15R expression is also increased with olmesartan medoxomil use. Evaluation of the effect of olmesartan medoxomil upon Caco-2 cells demonstrated that IL15 expression is increased in response to olmesartan medoxomil treatment. Further, ZO-1, a tight junction protein, is disrupted in olmesartan medoxomil-treated Caco-2 cells. Conclusions Olmesartan-associated enteropathy shares many features with coeliac disease, including symptoms and immunopathogenic pathways, such as increased numbers of CD8+ cells and corresponding overexpression of IL15 by epithelial cells. Taken together, the treatment of epithelial cells with olmesartan medoxomil induces a response by intestinal epithelial cells that is similar to the innate effects of gluten upon the epithelium of coeliac patients.
Resonant Third-Degree Diurnal Tides in the Seas off Western Europe

Third-degree diurnal tides are estimated from long time series of sea level measurements at three North Atlantic tide gauges. Although their amplitudes are only a few mm or less, their admittances are far larger than those of second-degree diurnal tides, just as Cartwright discovered for the M(sub 1) constituent. The tides are evidently resonantly enhanced owing to high spatial correlation between the third-degree spherical harmonic of the tidal potential and a near-diurnal oceanic normal mode that is most pronounced in the North Atlantic. By estimating the ocean tidal response across the diurnal band (5 tidal constituents plus nodal modulations), the period and Q of this mode and one nearby mode are estimated.
Osteoblastic differentiation and stress response of human mesenchymal stem cells exposed to alternating current electric fields

Electric fields are integral to many biological events, from maintaining cellular homeostasis to embryonic development to healing. The application of electric fields offers substantial therapeutic potential, while optimal dosing regimens and the underlying mechanisms responsible for the positive clinical impact are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to track the differentiation profile and stress response of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) undergoing osteogenic differentiation during exposure to a 20 mV/cm, 60 kHz electric field. Morphological and biochemical changes were imaged using endogenous two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) and quantitatively assessed through eccentricity calculations and extraction of the redox ratio from NADH, FAD and lipofuscin contributions. Real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) were used to track osteogenic differentiation markers, namely alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and collagen type 1 (col1), and stress response markers, such as heat shock protein 27 (hsp27) and heat shock protein 70 (hsp70). Comparisons of collagen deposition between the stimulated hMSCs and controls were examined through second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging. Quantitative differences in cell morphology, as described through an eccentricity ratio, were found on days 2 and days 5 (p < 0.05) in samples exposed to the electric field. A delayed but two fold increase in ALP and col1 transcript was detected by week 2 (p < 0.05) in differentiating hMSCs exposed to an electric field in comparison to the nonstimulated controls. Upregulation in stress marker, hsp27, and type 1 collagen deposition were correlated with this response. Increases in NADH, FAD, and lipofuscin were traced in the stimulation group during the first week of field exposure with differences statistically significant on day 10 (p < 0.05). Changes in hsp27 expression correlate well with changes in lipofuscin detected in the stimulation group, suggesting a connection with oxidative stress. Both differentiation factors and electrical stimulation improved hMSC differentiation potential to bone based on calcium deposition on day 28. Electrical stimulation is a useful tool to improve hMSC osteogenic differentiation, while heat shock proteins may reveal underlying mechanisms, and optical non-invasive imaging may be used to monitor the induced morphological and biochemical changes.
Skin cancer in immunosuppressed transplant patients: Vigilance matters

Liver transplantation (LT) is a widely-accepted, definitive therapy of irreversible liver diseases including hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease and metabolic liver disease. After transplantation, patients generally use a variety of immunosuppressive medications for the rest of their lives to prevent rejection of transplanted liver. Mortality after LT is mainly caused by recurrence of alcoholic hepatitis which is mostly seen in the patients who resume heavy drinking. On the other hand, de-novo malignancies after LT are not seldom. Skin cancers make up 13.5% of the de-novo malignancies seen in these patients. Malignancies tend to affect survival earlier in the course with a 53% risk of death at 5 years after diagnosis. We aimed to report a case who underwent LT secondary to alcoholic liver disease and developed squamous cell carcinoma of the skin eighteen years after transplantation. In summary, transplant recipients are recommended to be educated on self examination for skin cancer; health care providers should be further suspicious during routine dermatological examinations of the transplant patients and biopsies of possible lesions for skin cancer is warranted even many years after transplantation.
Survival of Rio Grande Wild Turkeys on the Edwards Plateau of Texas

Abstract The southeastern portion of the Edwards Plateau of Texas, historically a stronghold of Rio Grande wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia), has seen a decline in turkey numbers since the 1970s. Because adult and juvenile survival are key parameters affecting turkey population dynamics, we used radiotagged individuals to compare Rio Grande wild turkey survival in areas of suspected decline versus stable portions of the Edwards Plateau during 2001–2003. Reproductive period (breeding or nonbreeding) had an impact on survival, but differences in age, sex, or region did not influence survival. Model averaged estimates of monthly survival were 0.97 (SE = 0.005) for nonbreeding periods and 0.96 (SE = 0.007) for breeding periods. Our results indicate juvenile and adult survival in the declining areas was similar to survival in the stable areas of the Edwards Plateau. This suggests causes of the decline might be associated with differences during other life-history stages, such as nest success or pou...
Characterization of the hCG Variants Recognized by Different hCG Immunoassays: An Important Step Toward Standardization of hCG Measurements

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)1 is a dimeric glycoprotein hormone consisting of noncovalently associated α and β subunits. It is produced principally by the trophoblastic cells of the placenta but may also be produced by nontrophoblastic tissues including normal pituitary and neoplastic cells. Therefore, qualitative and quantitative measurement of hCG is clinically useful in the diagnosis of normal and abnormal pregnancy and the management of patients with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) and other hCG-secreting malignancies. The measurement of hCG is complicated by its molecular heterogeneity in both structure and carbohydrate content. Multiple molecular variants of hCG are present in serum and urine and include intact hCG, nicked hCG (hCGn), free β-subunit hCG (hCGβ), nicked free β-subunit hCG (hCGβn), free α-subunit hCG (hCGα), and the β-core fragment hCG (hCGβcf). In addition, hCG is differentially glycosylated in various tissues, resulting in a range of molecular forms from hypoglycosylated to hyperglycosylated. So-called hyperglycosylated hCG (hCG-h) is probably the best known of these glycosylated variants. This molecular heterogeneity has led to numerous problems, including use of a nonstandard nomenclature for hCG variants, absence of purified standards to achieve accurate calibration, and discrepant characterizations of hCG variants that are recognized by different hCG immunoassays. This, in turn, has led to misunderstandings about which hCG immunoassays are appropriately used in different clinical scenarios. For example, although intact hCG is the principal variant in serum throughout most of pregnancy (1), hCG-h accounts for a relatively higher proportion of total hCG in the first several weeks of gestation (2), and hCGβ is present in much lower abundance (3). Although most trophoblastic tumors produce intact hCG, unusually increased concentrations of the other hCG variants (particularly hCGβ) can also be present (4). Finally, among germ cell tumors that produce hCG, 20%–40% produce hCGβ alone (5). In 1994, in an …
Force Generation in RNA Polymerase

RNA polymerase (RNAP) is a processive molecular motor capable of generating forces of 25-30 pN, far in excess of any other known ATPase. This force derives from the hydrolysis free energy of nucleotides as they are incorporated into the growing RNA chain. The velocity of procession is limited by the rate of pyrophosphate release. Here we demonstrate how nucleotide triphosphate binding free energy can rectify the diffusion of RNAP, and show that this is sufficient to account for the quantitative features of the measured load-velocity curve. Predictions are made for the effect of changing pyrophosphate and nucleotide concentrations and for the statistical behavior of the system.
Fast methods for spatially correlated multilevel functional data

We propose a new methodological framework for the analysis of hierarchical functional data when the functions at the lowest level of the hierarchy are correlated. For small data sets, our methodology leads to a computational algorithm that is orders of magnitude more efficient than its closest competitor (seconds versus hours). For large data sets, our algorithm remains fast and has no current competitors. Thus, in contrast to published methods, we can now conduct routine simulations, leave-one-out analyses, and nonparametric bootstrap sampling. Our methods are inspired by and applied to data obtained from a state-of-the-art colon carcinogenesis scientific experiment. However, our models are general and will be relevant to many new data sets where the object of inference are functions or images that remain dependent even after conditioning on the subject on which they are measured. Supplementary materials are available at Biostatistics online.
Peptide toxin blockers of voltage-sensitive K+ channels: inotropic effects on diaphragm

Agents that block many types of K+ channels (e.g., the aminopyridines) have substantial inotropic effects in skeletal muscle. Specific blockers of ATP-sensitive and Ca2+-activated K+ channels, on t...
Epidemiologic characteristics and clinical course of patients with malignant eyelid tumors in an incidence cohort in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

Abstract Objective To determine the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of patients with malignant eyelid tumors in an incidence cohort. Design Cohort series. Participants A computerized retrieval system was used to identify all patients residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, who had a newly diagnosed malignant eyelid tumor during the 15-year interval from 1976 through 1990. The patients' medical records were reviewed for demographic and clinical data. Intervention Surgical excision with frozen-section histopathologic analysis, Mohs' micrographic excision, and electrodesiccation and curettage were the primary methods of treatment. Main outcome measures Survivorship free of tumor. Results The incidence cohort included 174 patients who each had 1 tumor; men and women were equally affected, and all patients were white. Tumors developed most commonly on the lower eyelid ( n = 85; 48.9%) and in the medial canthal region ( n = 48; 27.6%) but involved the right and left sides with equal frequency. Of the 174 tumors, 158 were basal cell carcinomas (90.8%), 15 were squamous cell carcinomas (8.6%), and 1 (0.6%) was a malignant melanoma. The age- and gender-adjusted incidence rates for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma were 14.35, 1.37, and 0.08 per 100,000 individuals per year, respectively. No cases of sebaceous gland carcinoma were identified. The 5- and 10-year recurrence rates for all tumors on the eyelid were 2% and 3%, respectively. The probability of an unrelated malignancy developing elsewhere in the body was approximately 9% at 5 years and 15% at 10 years. Conclusions Basal cell carcinoma is the most common malignant eyelid tumor in whites. The lower eyelid and medial canthus are the most frequent sites of origin. Men and women are equally affected. Recurrence after surgical excision is uncommon.
A New Look at Humility: Exploring the Humility Concept and Its Role in Socialized Charismatic Leadership

This theoretical piece advances humility’s role in socialized charismatic leadership by considering humility’s impact on the behaviors and effectiveness of this type of leadership. First, the autho...
A functional metagenomic approach for expanding the synthetic biology toolbox for biomass conversion

Sustainable biofuel alternatives to fossil fuel energy are hampered by recalcitrance and toxicity of biomass substrates to microbial biocatalysts. To address this issue, we present a cultureindependent functional metagenomic platform for mining Nature’s vast enzymatic reservoir and show its relevance to biomass conversion. We performed functional selections on 4.7 Gb of metagenomic fosmid libraries and show that genetic elements conferring tolerance toward seven important biomass inhibitors can be identified. We select two metagenomic fosmids that improve the growth of Escherichia coli by 5.7- and 6.9-fold in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of syringaldehyde and 2-furoic acid, respectively, and identify the individual genes responsible for these tolerance phenotypes. Finally, we combine the individual genes to create a three-gene construct that confers tolerance to mixtures of these important biomass inhibitors. This platform presents a route for expanding the repertoire of genetic elements available to synthetic biology and provides a starting point for efforts to engineer robust strains for biofuel generation. Molecular Systems Biology 6:360; published online 13 April 2010; doi:10.1038/msb.2010.16 Subject Categories: functional genomics; synthetic biology
Is It Possible to Construct Phylogenetic Trees Using Polypeptide Hormone Sequences

Because of the high degree of primary sequence conservation in neuropeptides and low molecular weight polypeptide hormones, these polypeptides are not useful for constructing phylogenetic trees based on maximum parsimony analysis. This review focuses on the organization of neuropeptide and polypeptide hormone precursors and discusses strategies for aligning polypeptide precursors for phylogenetic analysis. Examples are provided to support the hypothesis that some neuropeptide and polypeptide precursors and some high molecular weight polypeptide hormones can be used as data sets for resolving deep divergences among vertebrate taxa.
INFLUENCE OF PREDATION ON NEST-SITE REUSE BY AN OPEN-CUP NESTING NEOTROPICAL PASSERINE

Abstract Nest-site fidelity is associated with previous reproductive success in birds but is thought to be rare among territorial, open-cup nesting passerines. I investigated nest reuse decisions by Spotted Antbirds (Hylophylax naevioides) in central Panama. A quarter of all nest attempts were located at a previously used nest site, often within an extant nest structure. Within a breeding season, pairs preferred to reuse previously successful nest sites overall and were more likely to return to these sites for a consecutive nest attempt than they were to previously depredated nest sites. The fates of two nest attempts at the same location, however, were not associated with each other. The preference of Spotted Antbirds for reusing successful nests may be a short-term strategy to avoid sites recently discovered by predators, as pairs did reuse previously depredated nest sites for later nest attempts and did not prefer successful nest sites from previous breeding seasons. Influencia de la Depredacion sobre ...
Linking signaling pathways to transcriptional programs in breast cancer

Cancer cells acquire genetic and epigenetic alterations that often lead to dysregulation of oncogenic signal transduction pathways, which in turn alters downstream transcriptional programs. Numerous methods attempt to deduce aberrant signaling pathways in tumors from mRNA data alone, but these pathway analysis approaches remain qualitative and imprecise. In this study, we present a statistical method to link upstream signaling to downstream transcriptional response by exploiting reverse phase protein array (RPPA) and mRNA expression data in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) breast cancer project. Formally, we use an algorithm called affinity regression to learn an interaction matrix between upstream signal transduction proteins and downstream transcription factors (TFs) that explains target gene expression. The trained model can then predict the TF activity, given a tumor sample’s protein expression profile, or infer the signaling protein activity, given a tumor sample’s gene expression profile. Breast cancers are comprised of molecularly distinct subtypes that respond differently to pathway-targeted therapies. We trained our model on the TCGA breast cancer data set and identified subtype-specific and common TF regulators of gene expression. We then used the trained tumor model to predict signaling protein activity in a panel of breast cancer cell lines for which gene expression and drug response data was available. Correlations between inferred protein activities and drug responses in breast cancer cell lines grouped several drugs that are clinically used in combination. Finally, inferred protein activity predicted the clinical outcome within the METABRIC Luminal A cohort, identifying high- and low-risk patient groups within this heterogeneous subtype.
Ultrasensitive Detection of Drug-Resistant Pandemic 2009 (H1N1) Influenza A Virus by Rare-Variant-Sensitive High-Resolution Melting-Curve Analysis

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), an oral neuraminidase inhibitor, has been widely used to treat pandemic 2009 (H1N1) influenza A. Although a majority of 2009 (H1N1) influenza A virus remains oseltamivir susceptible, the threat of resistance due to the His275Tyr mutation is highlighted by the limitations of alternative therapies and the potential for rapid, global fixation of this mutation in the circulating influenza A virus population. In order to better understand the emergence of resistance, we developed a rare-variant-sensitive high-resolution melting-curve analysis method (RVS-HRM) that is able to detect the His275Tyr oseltamivir resistance mutation to 0.5% in a background of susceptible virus. We applied RVS-HRM to clinical specimens from patients who developed oseltamivir resistance and demonstrated the ultrasensitive detection of influenza A virus N1 neuraminidase quasispecies. Interestingly, we were unable to detect the oseltamivir resistance mutation in pretreatment samples, suggesting that resistant virus does not reach even this very low detection threshold until exposed to selective drug pressure. Thus, patients naive to oseltamivir are most likely to be susceptible when this drug is used as a first-line treatment modality.
A multi-channel ADC for use in the PHENIX detector

A custom CMOS analog to digital converter was designed and a prototype 8-channel ADC ASIC was fabricated in a 1.2 /spl mu/m process. The circuit uses a Wilkinson-type architecture which is suitable for use in multi-channel applications such as the PHENIX detector. The ADC design features include a differential positive-ECL input for the high speed clock and selectable control for 11 or 12-bit conversions making it suitable for use in multiple PHENIX subsystems. Circuit topologies and ASIC layout specifics, including power consumption, maximum clock speed, INL, and DNL are discussed. The ADC performed to 11-bit accuracy.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act at Fifty: Aspirations, Effects, and Limitations

The most important piece of education legislation in U.S. history, which had its fiftieth anniversary on April 11, 2015, is a law most people have never heard of. Parents do not discuss it on the sidelines of children's sports events. Teachers do not hear about it in professional development
Evidence - 2003-2004 Survey of New York Law

This article is a survey of developments in evidence rules in 2003-2004. This covers Procedure, Relevancy, Witnesses, Cross-examination and Impeachment, Hearsay, Expert Opinion, and Privileges.Procedure includes: Court Control, Juror Interrogation of Witnesses, Preservation, Judicial Notice, Presumptions, Res Ipsa Loquitur.Relevancy includes: "Opening the Door," Other Crimes, Other Accidents, and Non-Testimonial Proof.Witnesses includes: Opinions, Defendant Physician as Plaintiff's Witness, and Calling the Adversary's Expert.Cross-Examination and Impeachment includes: Prior Convictions and Bad Acts, Contradiction and Extrinsic Evidence, and Impeachment By Learned Treatise.Hearsay includes: Confrontation, Admissions, Business Records, Declarations Against Interest, and Prompt Outcry.Expert Opinion includes: Appropriateness, Qualified Expert, Basis For Expert's Opinion, and Frye.Privileges includes: Fifth Amendment, Attorney-Client, Spousal, and Physician-Patient.
Transplanting Sensitized Kidney Transplant Patients With Equivalent Outcomes Utilizing Stringent HLA Crossmatching.

OBJECIVES Elevated panel reactive antibody levels have been traditionally associated with increased acute rejection rate and decreased long-term graft survival after kidney transplant. In this study, our objective was to determine patient and allograft outcomes in sensitized kidney transplant recipients with advanced HLA antibody detection and stringent protein sequence epitope analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a subanalysis of a prospective, risk-stratified randomized controlled trial that compared interleukin 2 receptor antagonist to rabbit antithymocyte globulin induction in 200 kidney transplant recipients, examining outcomes based on panel reactive antibody levels of < 20% (low) versus ≥ 20% (high, sensitized). The study was conducted between February 2009 and July 2011. All patients underwent solid-phase single antigen bead assays to detect HLA antibodies and stringent HLA epitope analyses with protein sequence alignment for virtual crossmatching. Delayed graft function, acute rejection rates, and graft loss were the main outcomes measured. RESULTS Both the low (134 patients) and high (66 patients) panel reactive antibody level cohorts had equivalent induction and maintenance immunosuppression. Patients in the high-level group were more likely to be female (P < .001), African American (P < .001), and received a kidney from a deceased donor (P = .004). Acute rejection rates were similar between the low (rate of 8%) and high (rate of 9%) panel reactive antibody groups (P = .783). Delayed graft function, borderline rejection, graft loss, and death were not different between groups. Multivariate analyses demonstrated delayed graft function to be the strongest predictor of acute rejection (odds ratio, 5.7; P = .005); panel reactive antibody level, as a continuous variable, had no significant correlation with acute rejection (C statistic, 0.48; P = .771). CONCLUSIONS Appropriate biologic matching with single antigen bead assays and stringent epitope analyses provided excellent outcomes in sensitized patients regardless of the induction therapy choice.
Treatment of acute coronary syndrome: Part 2: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Objective Familiarize clinicians with recent information regarding the diagnosis and treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Data sources PubMed search and review of relevant medical literature. Summary Definition, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction are reviewed. Conclusions Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction benefit from prompt reperfusion therapy. Adjunctive antianginal, antiplatelet, antithrombotic, beta blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and statin agents minimize ongoing cardiac ischemia, prevent thrombus propagation, and reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events.
Conclusion: Chronopolis and Metropolis

Multiculturalism implies the Balkanization of diversity; spatial, religious, linguistic, racial, or temporal segregation; the homogeneity of ethnic groups so that they can be differentiated from one another in the name of cultural authenticity; and the presumed ethnic interaction that must go on to express the civic identity of the local community.1 Furthermore, it presupposes that the interaction is equal, carried out in a horizontal plane, instead of in a hierarchical axis between a dominant and dominated groups in which it is power that is the prevalent mechanism shaping the relationship.
Portmanteau Ascendant: Post-Release Regulations and Sex Offender Recidivism

The purported purpose of sex offender post-release regulations (e.g., community notification and residency restrictions) is the reduction of sex offender recidivism. On their face, these laws seem well-designed and likely to be effective. A simple economic framework of offender behavior can be used to formalize these basic intuitions: in essence, post-release regulations either increase the probability of detection or increase the immediate cost of engaging in the prohibited activity (or both), and so should reduce the likelihood of criminal behavior. These laws aim to incapacitate people outside of prison. Yet, empirical researchers to date have found essentially no reliable evidence that these laws work to reduce sex offender recidivism (despite years and years of effort), and some evidence (and plenty of expert sentiment) suggests that these laws may increase sex offender recidivism. In this Article, I develop a more comprehensive economic model of criminal behavior — or, rather, I present a simple, but complete model — that clarifies that these laws have at best a theoretically ambiguous effect on recidivism levels. First, I argue that the conditions that must hold for these laws to increase the legal and physical costs of returning to sex crime are difficult to satisfy. There are simply too many necessary conditions, some of which are at odds with others. Second, I contend that even when these conditions hold, our intuitions mislead us in this domain by ignoring a critical aspect of criminal deterrence: to be deterred, potential offenders must have something to lose. I conclude that post-release laws are much more likely to succeed if they are combined with robust reintegration efforts to give previously convicted sex offenders a stake in society, and therefore, in eschewing future criminal activity.
Biochemical Inhibition of Sulfate Reduction in Batch and Continuous Anaerobic Digesters

Two classes of biochemical inhibitors of sulfate reduction were tested in batch and continuous anaerobic digesters. At high phosphate concentrations, molybdate was an effective and selective inhibitor of sulfate reduction in fed-batch systems, although non-specific effects were observed at lower phosphate concentrations. Transition metal divalent cations were effective and selective inhibitors of sulfate reduction at all conditions tested in fed-batch digesters. In continuous digesters, molybdate inhibited sulfate reduction but also resulted in non-specific inhibition independent of phosphate concentration; transition metals proved to be ineffective in curbing sulfate reduction. Experiments were conducted to explain the non-success of inhibitors in continuous digesters.
Face recognition with contiguous occlusion using markov random fields

Partially occluded faces are common in many applications of face recognition. While algorithms based on sparse representation have demonstrated promising results, they achieve their best performance on occlusions that are not spatially correlated (i.e. random pixel corruption). We show that such sparsity-based algorithms can be significantly improved by harnessing prior knowledge about the pixel error distribution. We show how a Markov Random Field model for spatial continuity of the occlusion can be integrated into the computation of a sparse representation of the test image with respect to the training images. Our algorithm efficiently and reliably identifies the corrupted regions and excludes them from the sparse representation. Extensive experiments on both laboratory and real-world datasets show that our algorithm tolerates much larger fractions and varieties of occlusion than current state-of-the-art algorithms.
Measuring How Overlap Affects the Strength of Composite Tubes in Bending-Torsion

A novel design for composite tubes possessing bend-twist coupling has been presented. The design requires a series of layers overlapping at two locations around the tube. This was suspected to create a weak point in the strength of the composite structure. To test this, multiple tubes possessing bend-twist coupling were constructed out of carbon fiber/epoxy prepreg. The tubes were then cut and prepared for torsional loading. A combined axial-torsion loading machine was used to steadily rotate the specimens while measuring torque and adjusting the cross-head to keep the axial load zero. DIC was used to measure the strains on the surface of the tubes. The results show the tubes fracturing with a lengthwise crack during an average torque of 44.2 lb-in (5.00 N-m). The location of the cracks and the stress at failure are consistent with failure occurring where the inner layers overlap. Micrographs of cross-sections are needed to confirm this. Further testing is also needed for the case of tension-torsion and compression-torsion that occurs during the bending-torsion the shafts would normally be subject to.
Building an MLR Model

Building a multiple linear regression (MLR) model from data is one of the most challenging regression problems. The “final full model” will have response variable Y = t(Z), a constant x1, and predictor variables x2 = t2(w2, …, w r ), …, x p = t p (w2, …, w r ) where the initial data consists of Z, w2, …, w r . Choosing t, t2, …, t p so that the final full model is a useful MLR approximation to the data can be difficult.
Temporal Gradients of Responses to Subliminal Stimuli

This paper presents three experiments aimed at determining the duration of the effects of subliminal stimulation in a dis-crimination situation. Parts of two letters were shown supraliminally in a three-field tachistoscope. Subliminal completions of these letters were presented which were to be discriminated from two other equally likely alternatives not previously presented subliminally. The presentation of the response categories was delayed for 0, 100, 250, 500, 1000, or 2000 msec. The major results of each experiment indicated increased response probabilities after delays of 0, 100 and 250 msec. A tendency for more rapid responding to correspond to the selection of the subliminal stimulus was observed, however. Lengthening the time in which a response could be made did not increase response accuracy. A general model based on threshold changes of stimulated receptors is presented.
Comprehensive Care for Bariatric Surgery Patients

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic, and those suffering from obesity have increased morbidity and mortality rates. There are various causes of obesity and many treatment options for patients suffering from obesity, including nonsurgical treatments. However, bariatric surgery is often the best choice for optimal weight loss and the attenuation of comorbidities. Currently, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is the most common type of bariatric surgery in the United States due to its technical simplicity, feasibility, and overall positive outcomes. This article discusses bariatric surgical criteria and selection, expected perioperative course, potential complications after surgery, and nursing implications for the care of bariatric patients. A case report is used to exemplify stages of surgical care and follow-up treatment for patients who undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
The political geographies of religious sites in Moscow’s neighborhoods

AbstractThis paper addresses the spatial politics of Russia’s increased religiosity in Moscow. It analyzes the rights of minority Muslim communities within the context of increased political support for expressions of Russian Orthodoxy in Moscow’s public space. Moscow’s Russian Orthodox and Muslim religious leaders claim that their communities have a lack of religious infrastructure, with one church per 35,000 residents and one mosque per three million residents, respectively. The Russian Orthodox Church has been more successful than Muslim organizations at expanding their presence in Moscow’s neighborhoods. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, religious spaces are examined as sites of dissent as well as participatory, active citizenship at three different sites in Moscow. Protests over Russian Orthodox Church construction in one neighborhood are contrasted with the protests over mosque construction in two neighborhoods. This paper provides insights into how civil society and religious groups have increased...
Online Teaching of Public Health and Spirituality at University of Illinois: Chaplains for the Twenty-First Century

Our online course, Religion, Spirituality and Health: A Critical Examination, was developed as part of a project which is supporting chaplain-research fellows to get an MPH or MS degree. The course, which was taught for the first time in 2016, is offered in the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. Because the chaplain research fellows lived in cities around the United States, the course was taught using a teleconferencing format. The course had four broad aims: (1) to identify key findings and debates in the growing literature about religion and health, (2) to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of studies of religion, spirituality and health, (3) to explore the findings on religious diversity, and (4) to apply the studies to the research efforts and clinical work of chaplains and public health workers. Our students were MPH students from around the country, so an online format – that included weekly synchronous meetings and periodic asynchronous discussion boards – was key to the success of meeting these goals. Our preliminary evaluation of the course is that the online format, mixed synchronous asynchronous learning methods, and syllabus were effective ways of teaching content that bridges public health, religion, and spirituality.