cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low density lipoprotein activates monocytes to express tumor necrosis factor.

Abstract We analyzed the effect of acetylated low density lipoprotein (aLDL) incubation on tumor necrosis factor (TNF) mRNA and protein expression in isolated resting human monocytes in serum free DMEM. TNF mRNA expression was about one third that of PMA and was dose dependent. The maximum stimulatory effect on TNF mRNA was at 250 μg/ml, while 500 μg/ml induced downregulation. The maximum stimulatory effect occurred at 6 hours, and by 24 hours TNF mRNA expression returned to the resting state. Acetyl LDL also induced the expression ofimmunoreactive TNF, reaching a sevenfold maximum above control at 12 hours following a 6 hour exposure period. The results suggest that aLDL is a potent stimulator of TNF expression in resting monocytes. This mechanism may be operational in atheroma evolution.
HIV Neuropathogenesis: a Tight Rope Walk of Innate Immunity

During the course of HIV-1 disease, virus neuroinvasion occurs as an early event, within weeks following infection. Intriguingly, subsequent central nervous system (CNS) complications manifest only decades after the initial virus exposure. Although CNS is commonly regarded as an immune-privileged site, emerging evidence indicates that innate immunity elicited by the CNS glial cells is a critical determinant for the establishment of protective immunity. Sustained expression of these protective immune responses, however, can be a double-edged sword. As protective immune mediators, cytokines have the ability to function in networks and co-operate with other host/viral mediators to tip the balance from a protective to toxic state in the CNS. Herein, we present an overview of some of the essential elements of the cerebral innate immunity in HIV neuropathogenesis including the key immune cell types of the CNS with their respective soluble immune mediators: (1) cooperative interaction of IFN-γ with the host/virus factor (platelet-derived host factor (PDGF)/viral Tat) in the induction of neurotoxic chemokine CXCL10 by macrophages, (2) response of astrocytes to viral infection, and (3) protective role of PDGF and MCP-1 in neuronal survival against HIV Tat toxicity. These components of the cerebral innate immunity do not act separately from each other but form a functional immunity network. The ultimate outcome of HIV infection in the CNS will thus be dependent on the regulation of the net balance of cell-specific protective versus detrimental responses.
Special considerations in the management of erectile dysfunction in the HIV-positive patient

Restoration of sexual function to HIV-positive men with erectile dysfunction (ED) is a challenging problem with many faces. Interactions between the novel phosphodiesterase inhibitors for treatment of ED and the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) that currently forms the foundation of medical therapy for HIV infection require appropriate dose adjustment and familiarity with common medical conditions affecting the HIV-positive man. Urologists and general practitioners caring for this group of patients will also have to consider legal precedents governing delivery of care to HIV-positive patients in a new scenario in which the traditional physicianpatient encounter is affected by a third party—the patient’s current and future partner(s) and his or her respective rights.
Duplication of part of chromosome 1q: Clinical report and review of literature

We report a male infant with a 47,XY, + der(22),t(1;22)(q32;q11)pat karyotype. Thus, he has duplication of chromosomes 1(q32----qter) and 22(pter----q11). Six patients with dup 1(q32----qter) and eight with dup 1(q42----qter) have been described. These two groups of patients share several manifestations, including postnatal growth retardation; relative macrocephaly with widely separated sutures or large fontanelles; prominent forehead; highly arched palate; micrognathia; downward slant of the palpebral fissures; broad, flat nasal bridge; and apparently low-set, malformed ears. Although many of these abnormalities are nonspecific, partial duplication of 1q should be considered in infants with relative macrocephaly, large fontanelles, and downward slant of the palpebral fissures. Our patient had duplication of the part of chromosome 22 that may be associated with the clinically variable cat-eye syndrome. Patients with dup 22(pter----q11) may also have downward slant of the palpebral fissures, micrognathia, and apparently low-set, malformed ears. The structural gene locus for beta-glucosidase has been mapped to chromosome 1. beta-Glucosidase activity in fibroblasts from our patient was normal, and his parents' activities were not significantly different from those of control individuals. Therefore, either the locus for this enzyme is not present on 1(q32----qter) or the enzyme does not consistently show a substantial gene-dose effect.
Universal conventionalism and space-time

Geo-chronometric conventionalism (GC) is shown to be part of a more general thesis, universal conventionalism, stating that coordinative definitions are needed in order to compare two measurements of any physical quantity at different space-time points. Two fully elaborated examples of the use of non-standard coordinative definitions in physics are given, demonstrating that the use of these definitions can actually simplify the physical formalism.
The Issues Related To Student Authentication in Distance Education

As long as there has been distance education there has been the question how do you know the student turning in the work is the student registered for the course? As technology has been improving distance education course delivery, online education has been growing in leaps and bounds. The most recent Sloan-C report stated that in the U. S. alone there were almost 3.9 million students taking at least one online course during the fall of 2007 term Allen and Seaman, 2008. Legislators took a hard look at the issue of student authentication in distance education with the passage of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. This paper reviews the issues related to student authentication and reviews the current forms of student authentication, reviewing one institution's answer to student authentication in its online programs.
Delphinidin, an Anthocyanidin in Pigmented Fruits and Vegetables, Protects Human HaCaT Keratinocytes and Mouse Skin Against UVB-Mediated Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis

Solar UV radiation, in particular its UVB component, is the primary cause of many adverse biological effects, the most damaging of which is skin cancer. Here, we assessed the photochemopreventive effect of delphinidin, a major anthocyanidin present in many pigmented fruits and vegetables, on UVB-mediated responses in human immortalized HaCaT keratinocytes and SKH-1 hairless mouse skin. We found that pretreatment of cells with delphinidin (1–20 μ m for 24hours) protected against UVB (15–30mJ/cm 2 , 24hours)-mediated (i) decrease in cell viability and (ii) induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that pretreatment of HaCaT cells with delphinidin inhibited UVB-mediated (i) increase in lipid peroxidation; (ii) formation of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); (iii) decrease in proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression; (iv) increase in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage; (v) activation of caspases; (vi) increase in Bax; (vii) decrease in Bcl-2; (viii) upregulation of Bid and Bak; and (ix) downregulation of Bcl-xL. Topical application of delphinidin (1mg/0.1ml DMSO/mouse) to SKH-1 hairless mouse skin inhibited UVB-mediated apoptosis and markers of DNA damage such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 8-OHdG. Taken together our results suggest that treatment of HaCaT cells and mouse skin with delphinidin inhibited UVB-mediated oxidative stress and reduced DNA damage, thereby protecting the cells from UVB-induced apoptosis.
Isolation of circular viral and complementary strand DNA from bacteriophage f1 duplex replicative-form DNA

A general method has been developed for the large scale isolation of intact, circular, single-stranded DNA molecules of each strand from supercoiled duplex DNA. The method involves the conversion of the supercoiled duplex DNA to singly nicked, relaxed duplex DNA; denaturation of the duplex DNA; separation of circular DNA molecules from linear DNA molecules; and separation of circular plus and minus strands. All separations involve zone sedimentation. No isopycnic gradient centrifugation is required. The last step in the purification, the separation of plus and minus strands, can be easily adapted for small scale analytical measurements of the amounts of plus and minus strand DNA.
Prospective ke screening of potential carcinogens being tested in rodent bioassays by the US National Toxicology Program

Values of ke, the rate constant of electron attachment, were measured in cyclohexane for 31 of 44 chemicals now being screened for carcinogenicity in rodent bioassays conducted by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP). These kes provide a physico-chemical measure of electron-solute interaction in a non-polar medium which had been found to be correlated with solute carcinogenicity in our earlier studies of the kes of chemical carcinogens and putative noncarcinogens. The ke test yields 15 negative and 16 positive responses for the 31 chemicals that were screened in this study. These ke results are compared with the predictions of other carcinogen-screening methods that have been applied to the same chemicals and also reported in this Discussion Forum.
Serious ventricular dysrhythmias after intracoronary papaverine.

Abstract Papaverine administered by the intracoronary route is a potent microvascular vasodilator capable of causing a brief 5-fold increase in coronary blood flow velocity in normal coronary arteries. 1 Many investigators have recently used intracoronary papaverine to measure coronary flow reserve in a variety of diseases. 2–4 When we originally reported the use of papaverine, we noted that patients often developed transient lengthening of the QT interval, but that no significant arrhythmias occurred when ⩽12 mg of papaverine was administered. 5 After administering intracoronary papaverine to >300 patients, we observed 2 episodes of serious ventricular dysrhythmias immediately following small doses of intracoronary papaverine.
Fractal analysis of projectile fragments in nuclear collisions at (1–2) A GeV

Abstract Horizontal technique of multifractals has been employed to investigate the dynamical properties of the produced projectile fragments of charge Z ⩾ 2 in the interactions of 84Kr ions at 1.52 A GeV, 238U ions at 0.96 A GeV, and 56Fe ions at 2.1 A GeV in nuclear emulsion. The dynamical fluctuations in multiplicity distributions of projectile fragments are characterized by continuous multifractal spectra.
Dietary calcium, phytate and zinc interactions in channel catfish

Abstract Interactions among dietary calcium, phytate and zinc were investigated by feeding eight purified egg-white diets containing 0.5 or 2.0% Ca, 0.5 or 1.5% phytate and 20 or 200 mg Zn/kg in a factorial arrangement to triplicate groups of fingerling channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in aquaria for 12 weeks. A significant (P
Electron-stimulated desorption of positive ions from hexagonal α-SiC

Abstract Electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) of positive ions (H + , O + , + OH, F + and Cl + ) from the Si- and C-terminated surfaces of hexagonal α-SiC has been observed for electron energies in the 5–105 eV range. Comparison of these results with those for the ESD of the same ions from the surfaces of Si and condensed hydrocarbons leads to a model for the H + , + OH, F + and Cl + threshold desorption process based on transitions from deep valence Si and C “s-like” levels to states in the conduction band, followed by Auger decay to form a localized multiple valence-hole configuration. O + desorption, on the other hand, is initiated by O 2s ionization. Evidence is found for a strong dependence of the F + threshold on the local chemical bonding. The results indicate that the thresholds for ESD of these ions from SiC are determined more by the electronic excitation of the substrate than by direct excitation of the adsorbate bond.
CORR Insights®: High Early Failure Rate After Cementless Hip Replacement in the Octogenarian

This CORR Insights® is a commentary on the article “High Early Failure Rate After Cementless Hip Replacement in the Octogenarian” by Jamsen and colleagues available at: DOI: 10.1007/s11999-014-3641-7. The author certifies that he, or a member of his immediate family, has no funding or commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ® editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, and do not reflect the opinion or policy of CORR ® or the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons®. This CORR Insights® comment refers to the article available at DOI: 10.1007/s11999-014-3641-7.
Abstract A42: ALK and cMET expression in glioblastoma multiforme: Implications for therapeutic targeting.

Introduction: Mutations in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene result in aberrant tyrosine kinase signaling and are implicated in a variety of human cancers. In vitro and xenograft studies implicate pleiotrophin (PTN) signaling via ALK in growth and progression of glioblastoma (GBM). In addition, expression levels of the proto-oncogene cMET correlate with glioma malignancy and grade, with its overexpression linked to shorter survival time and poorer treatment outcomes. Antibody targeting of ALK or cMET inhibits GBM growth in xenograft models, suggesting both as potential therapeutic targets. The relative expression, mutation frequency, and clinicopathological features correlated with ALK, cMET, or both in GBM is unknown. Here we describe our preliminary results of the prevalence of these biomarkers in GBM patient tumor samples. Methods: GBM tumor samples were selected from patients seen at a single institution (DUMC) since 2010. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used for both cMET and ALK detection. Clone 5A4 was used for ALK and clone 8F11 for cMET (Novocastra). ALK positivity by IHC was defined as ≥10% focal or ≥ 25% overall staining. Positivity of cMET by IHC was defined as ≥ 25% overall staining. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for ALK employed a dual-color break-apart probe (Vysis, Abbott). Counting 100 cells, cases were classified as having an ALK gain or amplification as follows: Signal Scoring: ≤2 Intact; 3–5 Gain; >5 Amplified and ≥10% Amp; ≥15% Gain; Results: As shown in the Table, cMET expression by IHC was detected in 65%, ALK expression by IHC in 25%, and ALK gene amplification or gain by FISH in 60% of cases. Thus, the majority of cases were positive for cMET or ALK by FISH, with 55% positive for both. Conclusion: Our pilot results show cMET and ALK protein expression in a significant number of GBM samples, with 55% having concurrent ALK amplification/gain along with cMET expression. Consistent with preclinical models, these data suggest a role for cMET and/or ALK in the pathogenesis of GBM. With the advent of cMET and ALK inhibitors, our study provides important data on the prevalence of these biomarkers as possible drug targets in GBM. Our ongoing study will evaluate more cases and explore relationships between clinical characteristics and outcomes relative to ALK and/or cMET expression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A42.
Oxidant-increased proteolysis in rat liver slices: Effect of bromotrichloromethane, antioxidants and effectors of proteolysis

Proteolysis and lipid peroxidation were evaluated in rat liver slices incubated in the presence of the oxidant bromotrichloromethane and effectors of proteolysis. Proteolysis was evaluated by S-amino acids and lipid peroxidation by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) released into the incubation medium. The increased release of S-amino acids by BrCl3C depended on incubation time and oxidant concentration. S-Amino acid release increased 30% over control value and TBARS increased from 22 to 124 nmol/g liver by incubation for 120 min with 1 mM BrCl3C. Release of S-amino acids and TBARS was decreased when liver slices were treated with nor-dihydroguaiaretic acid (NDG), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), Trolox C, or N,N'-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (DPPD) immediately prior to addition of oxidant, suggesting participation of lipid-soluble free radicals. Oxidant-induced release of S-amino acids but not of TBARS was decreased by mannitol, suggesting participation of hydroxyl radical or a species with similar reactivity; and by superoxide dismutase and catalase, suggesting participation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. The decrease of S-amino acid release by sodium fluoride, sodium arsenate, 2,4-dinitrophenol, chloroquine, leupeptin, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, EDTA and o-phenanthroline was variable, suggesting the presence in liver of several proteases to remove oxidatively-modified proteins.
Steered Molecular Dynamics Study of Mechanical Response of Full Length and Short Collagen Molecules

Collagen is a fibrous protein that is responsible for structural integrity of various connective tissues such as bone, tendon, and skin. The mechanical properties of these hierarchical tissue structures are greatly influenced by presence of long and slender (~300 long and ~1.5 nm in diameter) collagen molecules that impart strength and elasticity. The current molecular dynamics studies of collagen are limited to the use of short collagen molecules that are approximately 8.5 nm in length. This study investigates the mechanical behavior of the full-length collagen molecule and the short collagen by using steered molecular dynamics. The simulations were carried out at various loading conditions corresponding to different rates of pulling and springs of different stiffness were used to pull collagen molecules. The underlying mechanisms with respect to unfolding of collagen molecules differ significantly between short and full-length molecules when stretched in molecular dynamics simulations. These differences...
The Flow of Layered Liquid Crystals in a Thin Wedge With Dislocations

The velocity, displacement, and stress field of layered liquid crystals with dislocations in a lubricating gap are investigated numerically. Galerkin’s weighted residual finite element method is employed to solve a set of five highly nonlinear coupled differential equations in terms of two spatial coordinates. In addition to the usual continuity and momentum equations, equations are required for a body force term governing permeation through the layers and elastic displacement of the layers. The last equation contains a fourth derivative term which gives rise to dislocations and numerical complications. The results show a strong increase in load relative to an equivalent viscous lubricant. The load increase depends strongly on the magnitude of a permeation parameter.
Yeast Frataxin Solution Structure, Iron Binding and Ferrochelatase Interaction

The mitochondrial protein frataxin is essential for cellular regulation of iron homeostasis. Although the exact function of frataxin is not yet clear, recent reports indicate the protein binds iron and can act as a mitochondrial iron chaperone to transport Fe(II) to ferrochelatase and ISU proteins within the heme and iron-sulfur cluster biosynthetic pathways, respectively. We have determined the solution structure of apo yeast frataxin to provide a structural basis of how frataxin binds and donates iron to the ferrochelatase. While the protein's alpha-beta-sandwich structural motif is similar to that observed for human and bacterial frataxins, the yeast structure presented in this report includes the full N-terminus observed for the mature processed protein found within the mitochondrion. In addition, NMR spectroscopy was used to identify frataxin amino acids that are perturbed by the presence of iron. Conserved acidic residues in the helix 1-strand 1 protein region undergo amide chemical shift changes in the presence of Fe(II), indicating a possible iron-binding site on frataxin. NMR spectroscopy was further used to identify the intermolecular binding interface between ferrochelatase and frataxin. Ferrochelatase appears to bind to frataxin's helical plane in a manner that includes its iron-binding interface.
Effects of K, O, and H adatoms on the adsorption kinetics of CO on Pt(111)

Abstract The sticking coefficient, S , of CO on clean and K-, O- and H-modified Pt(111) surfaces has been measured directly using a simple kinetic uptake method, as a function of CO and modifier coverage and surface temperature. A simple method is also introduced to determine the coverage-dependent desorption energy from these measurements without the need to know the pre-exponential factor or desorption order for those systems where S is only a function of coverage or only weakly dependent on temperature. The initial sticking coefficient of CO on clean Pt(111) is 0.9 and is independent of substrate temperature. The major influence of adsorbed K on the initial sticking coefficient of CO on Pt(111) at 320 K is site blocking, and the magnitude of this effect correlates well with the size of the adsorbed K ion or atom. The shape of S as a function of CO coverage for low K coverages in the ionic regime is similar to that of CO on clean Pt(111). A dramatic change occurs for K coverages near or greater than 0.24 ML, where S passes through a maximum at about case1 3 of the saturation CO coverage and coincident CO and K desorption is observed. This behavior of S , which has not been seen before, can be fit quite adequately by a simple model that incorporates the reduced site blocking effects of K due to the CO-induced transition of K from a metallic neutral to an ionic state and the accompanying size change of K atoms. These results are best described by a coverage-dependent alkali-CO interaction. In additional studies, we find that adsorption of 0.25 ML O on Pt(111) has no effect on S for low CO coverages at 100 K, and only the saturation CO coverage is reduced from 0.59 to 0.31 ML. In contrast, adsorbed H reduces not only the CO saturation coverage but also S even at low CO coverages.
Increased prevalence of subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism in persons with chronic kidney disease

Increased prevalence of subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism in persons with chronic kidney disease. Background Previous studies have suggested a higher prevalence of thyroid abnormalities in persons with end-stage renal disease. However, little is known regarding the epidemiology of thyroid disorders in persons with less severe kidney dysfunction. Methods We used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine the prevalence of hypothyroidism (clinical and subclinical) at different levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the association between GFR and prevalent hypothyroidism. Results Among 14,623 adult participants with serum creatinine and thyroid function test results, the mean age was 48.7 years, and 52.6% were women. The prevalence of hypothyroidism increased with lower levels of GFR (in units of mL/min/1.73m 2 ), occurring in 5.4% of subjects with GFR ≥90, 10.9% with GFR 60–89, 20.4% with GFR 45–59, 23.0% with GFR 30–44, and 23.1% with GFR P 2 , reduced GFR was associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism, after adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity: adjusted odds ratio 1.07 (95% confidence interval: 0.86–1.32) for GFR 60–89, 1.57 (1.11–2.22) for GFR 45–59, 1.81 (1.04–3.16) for GFR 30–44, and 1.97 (0.69–5.61) for GFR 2 ( P = 0.008 for trend). Conclusion Among a nationally representative sample of adults, reduced glomerular filtration rate was associated with a higher prevalence of hypothyroidism, with many subclinical cases. Future studies are needed to determine the potential adverse effects of subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism in persons with chronic kidney disease.
Selective estrogen-induced apoptosis in breast cancer

Abstract Antihormone therapy remains the gold standard of care in the treatment of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. However, development of acquired long term antihormone resistance exposes a vulnerability to estrogen that induces apoptosis. Laboratory and clinical studies indicate that successful therapy with estrogens is dependent on the duration of estrogen withdrawal and menopausal status of a woman. Interrogation of estradiol (E2) induced apoptosis using molecular studies indicate treatment of long term estrogen deprived MCF-7 breast cancer cells with estrogen causes an endoplasmic reticulum stress response that induces an unfolded protein response signal to inhibit protein translation. E2 binds to the ER and mediates apoptosis through the classical genomic pathway. Furthermore, the induction of apoptosis by estrogens is dependent on the conformation of the estrogen–ER complex. In this review, we explore the mechanism and the processes involved in the paradox of estrogen induced apoptosis and the new selectivity of estrogen action on different cell populations that is correctly been deciphered for clinical practice.
A Monte Carlo study of thirty internal criterion measures for cluster analysis.

A Monte Carlo evaluation of thirty internal criterion measures for cluster analysis was conducted. Artificial data sets were constructed with clusters which exhibited the properties of internal cohesion and external isolation. The data sets were analyzed by four hierarchical clustering methods. The resulting values of the internal criteria were compared with two external criterion indices which determined the degree of recovery of correct cluster structure by the algorithms. The results indicated that a subset of internal criterion measures could be identified which appear to be valid indices of correct cluster recovery. Indices from this subset could form the basis of a permutation test for the existence of cluster structure or a clustering algorithm.
Discovery of Brain-Penetrant, Orally Bioavailable Aminothienopyridazine Inhibitors of Tau Aggregation

Agents capable of preventing the misfolding and sequestration of the microtubule-stabilizing protein tau into insoluble fibrillar aggregates hold considerable promise for the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease. Because tauopathies are characterized by amyloidosis that is restricted to the central nervous system (CNS), plausible candidate compounds for in vivo evaluation must both prevent tau fibrillization and achieve significant brain levels. Recently, we reported the discovery of the aminothienopyridazine (ATPZ) class of tau aggregation inhibitors and now describe a series of new analogues that are both effective inhibitors of tau fibrillization and display significant brain-to-plasma exposure ratios after administration to mice. Further, two of the most promising examples, 15 and 16, were found to reach significant brain exposure levels following oral administration. Taken together, these results suggest that examples from the ATPZ class hold promise as candidates for in vivo efficacy studies in animal models of neurodegenerative tauopathies.
On secure and reliable communications in wireless sensor networks: Towards k-connectivity under a random pairwise key predistribution scheme

To be considered for an IEEE Jack Keil Wolf ISIT Student Paper Award. We study the secure and reliable connectivity of wireless sensor networks. Security is assumed to be ensured by the random pairwise key predistribution scheme of Chan, Perrig, and Song, and unreliable wireless links are represented by independent on/off channels. Modeling the network by an intersection of a random K-out graph and an Erdős-Renyi graph, we present scaling conditions (on the number of nodes, the scheme parameter K, and the probability of a wireless channel being on) such that the resulting graph contains no nodes with degree less than k with high probability, when the number of nodes gets large. Results are given in the form of zero-one laws and are shown to improve the previous results by Yagan and Makowski on the absence of isolated nodes (i.e., absence of nodes with degree zero). Via simulations, the established zero-one laws are shown to hold also for the property of k-connectivity; i.e., the property that graph remains connected despite the deletion of any k − 1 nodes or edges.
Knowledge and beliefs among brothers and sons of men with prostate cancer.

Abstract Objectives. To describe prostate cancer knowledge and beliefs, important predictors of screening behavior, in first-degree relatives of men with prostate cancer and to compare the knowledge with beliefs about familial risk. Methods. We sent a letter to 837 men with prostate cancer to invite their brothers and/or sons aged 40 to 70 years to participate in the study. Their first-degree relatives who responded received a survey to explore their prostate cancer family history, prostate cancer knowledge, self-efficacy, barriers to screening, perceived benefits, perceived vulnerability, social support, and sociodemographic and medical characteristics. Results. Of 139 participants (age 53 ± 9 years), 92% were white, and 27% had more than one relative with prostate cancer. Ninety-eight percent of men answered at least one half of the knowledge questions correctly. Older men responded correctly more often than did younger men. Physician recommendations did not appear to be associated with better knowledge about familial risk. Among the 105 subjects (76%) who knew about familial risk, only 65 (62%) believed they themselves were at higher risk of prostate cancer than the average American man. Most of the beliefs were favorable to screening. Conclusions. Prostate cancer knowledge appeared high, although, surprisingly, familial risk was not the best understood domain. Physician recommendations were not associated with better knowledge about familial risk. Many men underestimated their own risk of developing prostate cancer, even among those with good knowledge about familial risk.
Men of war: masculinity and the First World War in Britain

This book makes a fine contribution to an ever-growing corpus of literature on gender and war, histories of masculinity and more specifically on the lived experiences of British men in the First Wo...
Gene amplification in cancer

Gene amplification is a copy number increase of a restricted region of a chromosome arm. It is prevalent in some tumors and is associated with overexpression of the amplified gene(s). Amplified DNA can be organized as extrachromosomal elements, as repeated units at a single locus or scattered throughout the genome. Common chromosomal fragile sites, defects in DNA replication or telomere dysfunction might promote amplification. Some regions of amplification are complex, yet elements of the pattern are reproduced in different tumor types. A genetic basis for amplification is suggested by its relative frequency in some tumor subtypes, and its occurrence in ‘early' preneoplastic lesions. Clinically, amplification has prognostic and diagnostic usefulness, and is a mechanism of acquired drug resistance.
A New Model for the Origin of Bipedality

Scholars have long thought that bipedality evolved gradually in response to the opening of the savanna. Recently, both parts of this concept have come into question. A variety of benefits of bipedality have been posited as responsible, but a trait can not evolve unless a useful mutation appears. Perhaps we need to stop wondering about selective pressures and consider what kind of mutation might be involved in forming a bipedal pelvis. Work on the evolution of development has shown that there are segmental control genes, alterations in which have large effects. These include the hox genes, of which there are four sets in humans, referred to as the HOX A, B, C, and D sequences. Changes in their activation in embryogenesis alter the identity of vertebrae and limb structure. An alteration in the control region of certain of the distal HOX D genes may well be responsible for the sudden appearance of bipedality by moving the boundary between the lumbar and sacral vertebrae, and so moving the position of the pelvis and lower limb origin. Pongids usually have three lumbar vertebrae; early hominids, 6. Pongids also have 48 chromosomes while we have 46. HOX D is located on our 2nd chromosome, the one that is a fusion of two pongid chromosomes. If that fusion altered the onset of perhaps HOX D 10, so that it switched on a couple of segments later, then the sacrum would form further down the vertebral column and might be shorter. In this paper I look at the chromosomal location of HOX D and examine the likelihood that the fusion of two panid chromosomes could have given rise to alterations in its control resulting in the abrupt appearance of bipedality and accompanying changes in the limbs and in the chela in which the HOX sequences are reused.
The influence of the structure and function of the marine food web on the dynamics of contaminants in Arctic Ocean ecosystems

Abstract This paper examines some features of arctic marine ecosystems that may render them vulnerable to airborne pollutants. These features include the seasonal and spatial focus of primary productivity, the allocation of a relatively large proportion of the newly fixed carbon to the benthos, the prevalence of large mammals as apex consumers, and relatively high lipid levels in many arctic species. Sea ice is an important factor, since pollutants falling onto the ice surface during the winter months can be concentrated in epontic particulate matter (at the ice/seawater interface), or, more likely, be released through melting of the ice and enter the planktonic system in spring, reaching the benthos via sedimentation. Two ecosystems are discussed in which these processes are likely to be important — the highly productive Chirikov Basin of the northern Bering Sea and the sea ice-associated community north of Svalbard. There is evidence that pollutants are accumulating in arctic marine ecosystems. However, our predictive ability is constrained by the inability to delineate the sites of deposition.
Antagonistic roles of ubiquitin ligase HEI10 and SUMO ligase RNF212 regulate meiotic recombination

Crossover recombination facilitates the accurate segregation of homologous chromosomes during meiosis. In mammals, poorly characterized regulatory processes ensure that every pair of chromosomes obtains at least one crossover, even though most recombination sites yield non-crossovers. Designation of crossovers involves selective localization of the SUMO ligase RNF212 to a minority of recombination sites, where it stabilizes pertinent factors such as MutSγ (ref. 4). Here we show that the ubiquitin ligase HEI10 (also called CCNB1IP1) is essential for this crossover/non-crossover differentiation process. In HEI10-deficient mice, RNF212 localizes to most recombination sites, and dissociation of both RNF212 and MutSγ from chromosomes is blocked. Consequently, recombination is impeded, and crossing over fails. In wild-type mice, HEI10 accumulates at designated crossover sites, suggesting that it also has a late role in implementing crossing over. As with RNF212, dosage sensitivity for HEI10 indicates that it is a limiting factor for crossing over. We suggest that SUMO and ubiquitin have antagonistic roles during meiotic recombination that are balanced to effect differential stabilization of recombination factors at crossover and non-crossover sites.
Dynamic voice assessment using flexible laryngoscopy—how I do it: a targeted problem and its solution

Flexible laryngoscopy is a staple of the otolaryngologist’s office examination. This technique is frequently used for evaluation of gross pathologies of the larynx and pharynx as well as assessment of mobility of the vocal folds. By incorporation of a specific set of phonatory and vegetative tasks, the depth and detail of information gathered using flexible laryngoscopy can be greatly enhanced. Because the patient remains in a near-physiologic position, incorporation of these tasks into the flexible laryngoscopic examination provides essential information for the diagnosis of a variety of functional and neurologic disorders of the larynx and pharynx. Videostroboscopy can be performed by using the flexible laryngoscope, potentially circumventing the need for rigid endoscopic evaluation of small vocal fold lesions. By using this technique, subtle abnormalities of vocal fold motion can be detected, thus assisting in the diagnosis of vocal fold paresis and superior laryngeal nerve palsy. Here we describe a rapid but thorough method for evaluation of neurologic and functional voice and breathing disorders using flexible laryngoscopy (Table 1).
The expansion of conservation genetics

The 'crisis discipline' of conservation biology has voraciously incorporated many technologies to speed up and increase the accuracy of conservation decision-making. Genetic approaches to characterizing endangered species or areas that contain endangered species are prime examples of this. Technical advances in areas such as high-throughput sequencing, microsatellite analysis and non-invasive DNA sampling have led to a much-expanded role for genetics in conservation. Such expansion will allow for more precise conservation decisions to be made and, more importantly, will allow conservation genetics to contribute to area- and landscape-based decision-making processes.
CHLOROPHYLL MONOLAYERS AND MULTLLAYERS—II. EVIDENCE FOR THE PRESENCE OF ORDERED AGGREGATES*

— Results from measurements of the absorption spectrum and dichroism suggest that oriented chlorophyll aggregates can be prepared by the monolayer techniques described in the preceding paper.(1) On the longer wavelength side of the major red and blue absorption-band maxima the absorption decreased with time. For example, the peaks of the difference bands for monolayers prepared under 30 dyn/an were at 443·3 and 703 nm, respectively. The ratio of the red-to-blue difference band heights was approximately 1·35. The wavelength position of the red difference-band maximum is strongly dependent on the surface pressure used in preparing the monolayers. During the decay of absorption, the red-difference-band maximum shifted progressively toward shorter wavelengths. The chlorophyll layers showed linear dichroism in some regions of the visible spectrum. The wavelength regions in which maximal dichroism appeared coincided closely with the difference absorption bands. The dichroism disappeared with kinetics similar to those of the absorption decrease. The decrease in the blue and far-red absorption and dichkoism was taken as evidence that oriented chlorophyll aggregates were formed initially in the monolayers but disaggregated and disoriented with time. Some possible mechanisms for the formation and decomposition of oriented chlorophyll aggregates are discussed.
Ruthenium complexes as protein kinase inhibitors.

Replacing complex natural products with simple metal complexes could lead to a new class of metallopharmaceuticals in which the metal center plays mainly a structural role. A strategy is introduced for the creation of ruthenium complex-based protein kinase inhibitors 1 (X = CO or CH2), morphed out of the class of indolocarbazole inhibitors with the alkaloid staurosporine as its most prominent member.
Context-aware frame rate adaption for video chat on smartphones

As mobile video traffic is becoming dominant, balancing the mobile video quality and bandwidth usage is a relevant but hard problem. Particularly, in this project, we attempt to reduce the bandwidth usage of video chats through frame rate adaption. The key idea of this project is to save bandwidth through reducing frame rate at the sender and interpolate the `missing' frames at the receiver for a video chat. Additionally, the sender dynamically adapts the frame rate with respect to inertial sensor readings in order to keep the scene change between consecutive frames small and prevent strong artifacts from the frame interpolation.
Call options and the risk of underlying securities

Abstract Merton (1973) in his seminal article ‘Theory of Rational Option Pricing’ showed that the rationally determined price of a call option is a non-decreasing function of the ‘riskness’ of its associated common stock. In deriving his results, Merton made restrictive assumptions about the way the market prices payoff distributions, and used the Rothschild-Stiglitz (1970) measure to compare the riskiness of securities. I show by means of an example that the Merton result will not in general be true. I then derive a sufficient condition for the option on one stock to have higher market value than the option on another stock, when both the stocks have the same price, and explain why the Merton result is valid in the Black-Scholes environment.
Postsurgical Stage I Bronchogenic Carcinoma: Morbid Implications of Recurrent Disease

Abstract Three hundred forty-six patients with postsurgical non-small cell Stage I bronchogenic carcinoma were followed from 5.0 to 10.8 years (median, 7.0 years). Recurrent cancer developed in 135 patients (39%). Seventy-five recurrences were nonregional metastases (55.6%); 35 (25.9%), a subsequent primary lung cancer; and 25 (18.5%), local recurrence only. The rate of recurrent lung cancer decreased from 15.0 patients per 100 patient-years the first postoperative year to 2.3 the seventh and subsequent years. The rate of recurrence varied among the three different types of recurrent cancer. Five years after pulmonary resection, 70.0% of patients with T1 N0 neoplasms had no evidence of recurrence compared with 58.2% of patients with T2 N0 tumors ( p = 0.012) and only 31.8% of patients with T1 N1 neoplasms ( p
Fatigue Crack Growth in Integrally Stiffened Panels Joined Using Friction Stir Welding and Swept Friction Stir Spot Welding

Fatigue crack growth rates in AA2024-T3 sheet joined to AA7075-T6 stiffeners by friction stir welding have been compared with rates measured in panels joined with rivets and in unstiffened parent material panels. Friction stir panels were prepared with both continuous friction stir welding (FSW) and swept friction stir spot welding (FSSW). Fatigue cracks in edge crack panels with continuous FSW joints tended to grow into the parent material away from the stiffeners. This behavior was attributed to the reduced stress levels corresponding to the increased thickness of continuous FSW joints and the support of the attached stiffener. Fatigue cracks in edge crack panels were found to follow the joint line in panels made with discrete fasteners (both rivets and swept FSSW joints). The measured crack growth rates in riveted panels increased at an increasing rate as the crack approached the riveted joints. In contrast, crack growth rates in panels joined with FSSW decreased at a decreasing rate as the crack approached the swept spot joints. Test results indicate that the swept FSSW process produced favorable residual stresses that inhibited fatigue crack growth along the joint line.
Endodontic infection: some biologic and treatment factors associated with outcome.

Abstract Objective We sought to investigate the simultaneous effect of apical periodontitis, instrumentation level, and density of root canal filling on endodontic treatment outcome. Methods For this study, 200 endodontically treated teeth with 441 roots were used. A follow-up examination was conducted 4 ± 0.5 years postoperatively. Data were subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Periapical pathosis had the strongest effect on treatment outcome (P Conclusion Diseased periapex, level of working length relative to the radiographic apex, and fair/poor density all affect the outcome of endodontic treatment.
Continuous quality improvement in nursing homes: public relations or a reality?

This article makes the case that many nursing home programs labeled as continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts do not use trademark methods that have made CQI so effective in other settings. Confusion about the distinction between quality assurance and quality improvement is one barrier to implementing effective CQI programs in nursing homes. Another is that federal regulations and reporting systems prompt nursing homes to focus on outcomes as opposed to care processes. Indeed, data available about care process quality in nursing homes are useful only for regulatory compliance and, perhaps, quality assurance activities designed to avoid survey deficiencies. A radical change in how care processes are documented is needed if CQI is to become a reality in nursing homes, rather than an empty program label. This article discusses how care processes related to daily care provision can be efficiently measured and the data used in CQI programs. It focuses especially on daily care processes implemented by nurse aides because of their paramount importance for enhancing quality of care and life and because research suggests that consumers view this care as both important and problematic. CQI is widely considered the paradigm that guides quality improvement efforts in long-term care settings, at least partly because of its credibility as an effective approach to improving work quality in other settings. However, one of the most important components of CQI—a focus on process measurement—is often absent in nursing home programs, even those labeled as CQI efforts. A major reason why so-called CQI programs in many nursing homes fail to actually use CQI methods is confusion about the difference between quality assurance and quality improvement. Although nursing home providers have a long history of conducting quality assurance activities, they may fail to understand the important distinction between quality assurance and quality improvement because of the common use of the word “quality.” In fact, the approaches are quite different, and failure to understand their differences can be a barrier to implementing effective CQI programs. A first step toward
Cryotherapy does not impair shoulder joint position sense

Abstract Dover G, Powers ME. Cryotherapy does not impair shoulder joint position sense. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:1241–6. Objective To determine the effects of a cryotherapy treatment on shoulder proprioception. Design Crossover design with repeated measures. Setting University athletic training and sports medicine research laboratory. Participants Thirty healthy subjects (15 women, 15 men). Intervention A 30-minute cryotherapy treatment. Main outcome measures Joint position sense was measured in the dominant shoulder by using an inclinometer before and after receiving 30 minutes of either no ice or a 1-kg ice bag application. Skin temperature was measured below the tip of the acromion process and recorded every 5 minutes for the entire 30 minutes and immediately after testing. Three different types of error scores were calculated for data analyses and used to determine proprioception. Results Separate analyses of absolute, constant, and variable error failed to identify changes in shoulder joint proprioception as a function of the cryotherapy application. Conclusions Application of an ice bag to the shoulder does not impair joint position sense. The control of proprioception at the shoulder may be more complex than at other joints in the body. Clinical implications may involve modifying rehabilitation considerations when managing shoulder injuries.
On the convergence of the rational interpolation approximant of Carathe´odory functions

Let α = {zn,m}nm = 1 with |zn,m| < 1, n = 1,2,…, be an arbitrary sequence of complex numbers. We study the convergence of the rational functionpn−1/qn which interpolates the Caratheodory function F(z) = 1/ (2π)∫2π0u/(u − z) dμ(t), u = eit, at {zn,m, 1/zn,m}nm = 1, where dμ is a finite positive measure on the unit circle. We also consider the relations between pn − 1/qn and the orthogonal polynomials with respect to varying measures.