cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High frequency backscattering by a solid cylinder with axis tilted relative to a nearby horizontal surface

The backscattering spectrum versus azimuthal angle, also called the “acoustic color” or “acoustic template,” of solid cylinders located in the free water column have been previously studied. For cylinders lying proud on horizontal sand sediment, there has been progress in understanding the backscattering spectrum as a function of grazing angle and the viewing angle relative to the cylinder's axis. Significant changes in the proud backscattering spectrum versus the freefield case are associated with the interference of several multipaths involving the target and the surface. If the cylinder's axis has a vertical tilt such that one end is partially buried in the sand, the multipath structure is changed, thus modifying the resulting spectrum. Some of the changes in the template can be approximately modeled using a combination of geometrical and physical acoustics. The resulting analysis gives a simple approximation relating certain changes in the template with the vertical tilt of the cylinder. This includes...
Effects of Interface Conditions on Reflective Cracking Development in Hot-Mix Asphalt Overlays

ABSTRACT A three-dimensional finite element model was developed to investigate the fracture behavior of a hot-mix asphalt (HMA) overlay on a jointed concrete pavement (JCP). Moving vehicular loads were applied to the HMA overlay on top of a joint to develop reflective cracking. A bilinear cohesive zone model (CZM) was inserted in the HMA overlay right over the joint. An interface constitutive model was implemented to specify interfacial behaviors between HMA-concrete layers. This study primarily examined the effects of interface bonding conditions on reflective cracking. The local and global behaviors of reflective cracking were investigated under various interface conditions regarding interfacial stiffness and bonding strength. Reflective cracking potential is quantified with representative fracture area (RFA), which represents a fractured area in the cross section of the HMA overlay. As a result, the fractured area increases significantly as the interface bonding strength becomes lower. On the contrary,...
Long-Term Side Effects in Patients Who Have Been Treated Successfully for Cancer

Because an increasing number of cancer patients are surviving their illness for longer periods, the field of oncology has become concerned about the long-term effects (late effects) of the disease and its treatment and hence the quality of life of the survivors. This article reviews the literature on the physiological, psychological, and social late effects of various types of childhood and adult cancer. It points to the need to monitor survivors to prevent or ease many of the distressing later consequences that befall them.
What you see is what you test: a methodology for testing form-based visual programs

Form-based visual programming languages, which include commercial spreadsheets and various research systems, have had a substantial impact on end-user computing. Research shows, however, that form-based visual programs often contain faults. We would like to provide at least some of the benefits of formal testing methodologies to the creators of these programs. This paper presents a testing methodology for form-based visual programs. To accommodate the evaluation model used with these programs, and the interactive process by which they are created, our methodology is validation driven and incremental. To accommodate the users of these languages, We provide an interface to the methodology that does not require an understanding of testing theory. We discuss our implementation of this methodology and empirical results achieved in its use.
How to engage Cofilin

In HIV-infected people, resting CD4+ T cells are the main reservoir of latent virus and the reason for the failure of drug therapy to cure HIV infection. Still, we do not have a complete understanding of the factors regulating HIV replication in these cells. A recent paper in Cell describes a new trick that the virus uses to infect resting T cells. Interaction between the viral gp120 and cellular HIV co-receptor, CXCR4, during viral entry initiates signaling that activates cofilin, the main regulator of actin polymerization. As a result of this activation, actin is depolymerized, thus destroying the natural barrier to HIV replication. I discuss implications of this study for our understanding of HIV biology and development of novel anti-HIV therapeutic approaches.
Biofilms and the survival of opportunistic pathogens in recycled water

Microorganisms are likely to develop an organic film on pipes, water reservoirs and filters used for waste water reclamation during extended missions in space. These biofilms can serve to protect and concentrate potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Our investigation has emphasized the survival strategy of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria in distilled water. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were used as test organisms. Cultures were incubated at 10 degrees, 25 degrees, and 37 degrees C. No viable Staphylococcus cells were detected after the first week of incubation. P. aeruginosa, however, survived in distilled water up to 5 months at all three temperatures tested. The starved cells were able to form a biofilm layer on stainless steel. The cells exhibited a negative surface charge. The charge may be involved in the adhesion of this bacterium to metal substrata. We are currently investigating the importance of adhesion in the survival of this and other potential human pathogens found in water recycling systems.
Renin inhibitors containing esters at the P2-position. Oral activity in a derivative of methyl aminomalonate

A series of renin inhibitors containing ester side chains at the P2 subsite are potent inhibitors of primate renin. Derivatives containing the diol isostere (ACDMH) at P1-P1' were the most potent inhibitors. Moderate selectivity for renin was observed relative to the closely related aspartic proteinase cathepsin D. The prototype compound, 4 (PD 132002), inhibited pepsin only weakly. In both high-renin normotensive and high-renin renal hypertensive monkeys, 4 produced substantial reductions in blood pressure after oral administration of 30 mg/kg. The maximum drop in blood pressure observed (24 +/- 4 mmHg) in the renal hypertensive monkey model was comparable to the drop produced by an intravenous infusion of saralasin at a maximally effective dose. Both the magnitude and duration of the oral antihypertensive effect of 4 is greater than that produced by enalkiren, CGP-38560, or CP-80794 by direct comparison in the same hypertensive monkey model. The malonate ester derivatives were prepared as ca. 65:35 mixtures of epimers. The kinetics of epimerization of 4 were investigated in detail, and it was shown to equilibrate rapidly at physiological pH (t1/2 less than 2 min). Fractional crystallization was employed to obtain the individual diastereomers in greater than 98% purity, which were indistinguishable in terms of their activity in vitro or in vivo, presumably due to rapid epimerization under the testing conditions.
A framework of quality improvement interventions to implement evidence-based practices for pressure ulcer prevention.

Purpose To enhance the learner's competence with knowledge about a framework of quality improvement (QI) interventions to implement evidence-based practices for pressure ulcer (PrU) prevention. Target audience This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. Objectives After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to:1. Summarize the process of creating and initiating the best-practice framework of QI for PrU prevention.2. Identify the domains and QI interventions for the best-practice framework of QI for PrU prevention. Pressure ulcer (PrU) prevention is a priority issue in US hospitals. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel endorses an evidence-based practice (EBP) protocol to help prevent PrUs. Effective implementation of EBPs requires systematic change of existing care units. Quality improvement interventions offer a mechanism of change to existing structures in order to effectively implement EBPs for PrU prevention. The best-practice framework developed by Nelson et al is a useful model of quality improvement interventions that targets process improvement in 4 domains: leadership, staff, information and information technology, and performance and improvement. At 2 academic medical centers, the best-practice framework was shown to physicians, nurses, and health services researchers. Their insight was used to modify the best-practice framework as a reference tool for quality improvement interventions in PrU prevention. The revised framework includes 25 elements across 4 domains. Many of these elements support EBPs for PrU prevention, such as updates in PrU staging and risk assessment. The best-practice framework offers a reference point to initiating a bundle of quality improvement interventions in support of EBPs. Hospitals and clinicians tasked with quality improvement efforts can use this framework to problem-solve PrU prevention and other critical issues.
Pentameric assembly of phospholamban facilitates inhibition of cardiac function in vivo

Phospholamban has been proposed to coexist as pentamers and monomers in native sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. To determine its functional unit in vivo, we reintroduced wild-type (pentameric) or monomeric mutant (C41F) phospholamban in the hearts of phospholamban knockout mice. Transgenic lines, expressing similar levels of mutant or wild-type phospholamban, were identified, and their cardiac phenotypes were characterized in parallel. Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ transport assays indicated similar decreases in SERCA2 Ca2+ affinity by mutant or wild-type phospholamban. However, the time constants of relaxation and Ca2+ transient decline in isolated cardiomyocytes were diminished to a greater extent by wild-type than mutant phospholamban, even without significant differences in the amplitudes of myocyte contraction and Ca2+ transients between the two groups. Langendorff perfusion also indicated that mutant phospholamban was not capable of depressing the enhanced relaxation parameters of the phospholamban knockout hearts to the same extent as wild-type phospholamban. Moreover, in vivo assessment of mouse hemodynamics revealed a greater depression of cardiac function in wild-type than mutant phospholamban hearts. Thus, the mutant or monomeric form of phospholamban was not as effective in slowing Ca2+ decline or relaxation in cardiomyocytes, hearts, or intact animals as wild-type or pentameric phospholamban. These findings suggest that pentameric assembly of phospholamban is necessary for optimal regulation of myocardial contractility in vivo.
Role of learning in three-dimensional form perception

One of the most remarkable characteristics of the human visual system is its ability to perceive specific three-dimensional forms in single two-dimensional contour images. This has often been attributed to a few general purpose and possibly innately specified shape biases, such as those favouring symmetry and other structural regularities (Fig. 1). An alternative approach proposed by the early empiricists and since tested suggests that this ability may also be acquired from visual experience, with the three-dimensional percept being the manifestation of a learned association between specific two-dimensional projections and the correlated three-dimensional structures. These studies of shape learning have been considered inconclusive, however, because their results can potentially be accounted for as cognitive decisions that might have little to do with shape perception per se. Here we present an experimental system that enables objective verification of the role of learning in shape perception by rendering the learning to be perceptually manifest. We show that the human visual system can learn associations between arbitrarily paired two-dimensional pictures and (projectionally consistent) three-dimensional structures. These results implicate high-level recognition processes in the task of shape perception.
Within Breed Variations in Milk Composition and Estimating the Average Composition of Milk for the Lactation from Partial Records

Summary Milk composition using standard procedures was determined at monthly intervals for 4 yr on 178 purebred cows in the University herd to compare within breed variation of the components. The standard errors of estimate ( s y·x ) were 0.26, 0.20, 0.14, and 0.12% for per cent milk fat, solids-not-fat (SNF), protein, and lactose, respectively, when average composition of one record was used to estimate the average composition of the next record (62 pairs); similarly compared, repeatabilities were 0.76, 0.72, 0.67, and 0.65. Linear regression equations were computed comparing average composition of the milk for partial lactations with the completed lactation. The individual breed regressions were significantly different for single test periods 1-8 and for accumulative test periods 2-8 for per cent milk fat and per cent SNF; per cent protein did not differ significantly when six or more consecutive tests were used (accumulative), and the per cent lactose regression equations were similar when at least two consecutive tests were used. Average per cent SNF, protein, and lactose for 305-day lactation periods were satisfactorily estimated from partial records comprising accumulative averages for three or more consecutive tests at monthly intervals.
Use of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for evaluating treatment outcomes With TMJMD patients: A preliminary study

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMJMD) is one of the most prevalent types of musculoskeletal disorders. The major goal of the study was to more objectively quantify clinically meaningful relief for TMJMD treatment outcomes by using the new metric of minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Pre- to post-treatment changes on a number of self-report measures were evaluated in a cohort of 101 acute TMJMD patients. An anchor-based MCID approach was employed, with an objective chewing performance measure serving as the clinical outcome of interest. Using a Receiver Operating Curve analysis, it was found that the Physical Component Scale (PCS) of the SF-36 was the most robust self-report measure to use as the MCID in a TMJMD patient population.
FDE index for goodness‐of‐fit between measured and calculated response signals

A method is presented for determining the goodness-of-fit between measured and calculated structural response signals. The method is termed as the frequency domain error (FDE) index, which is a value between 0 and 1 where zero indicates a perfect correlation. The FDE is calculated from the Fourier spectra of the measured and calculated waveforms, using a relatively simple calculation procedure, readily implemented using standard fast Fourier transform (FFT) libraries. The FDE is demonstrated herein using three different types of problems: simple harmonic waves, a large number of earthquake response simulations, and a set of limited simulations. Along with the FDE concept, effective methods for displaying the results are presented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Variations in Question-Phrasing on True-False Answers by Grade-School Children:

A 72-item questionnaire was administered to 97 elementary school children in Grades 3 to 6. An attempt was made to assess the effect of asking the same basic type of question, when the following va...
FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE SURVIVAL OF VACCINE VIRUS SEPARATED FROM LIVING HOST CELLS BY COLLODION MEMBRANES

The survival of vaccine virus when incubated on the opposite side of a collodion membrane from a suspension of fresh minced rabbit kidney was not complete in these experiments, and passage in series was not successful. The degree of survival seemed somewhat greater if dead cells, killed by repeated freezing and thawing, were added to the virus during incubation, although the tissue was able to increase the intensity of the skin reactions. Extracts of dead kidney cells did not increase the degree of survival, as determined by the intensity of the skin reaction. No significant or constant increase in the intensity of the skin reactions resulted from the addition of cysteine hydrochloride to the virus in the dialyzing apparatus.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation of VARMA Models Using a State‐Space EM Algorithm

We introduce a state-space representation for vector autoregressive moving- average models that enables maximum likelihood estimation using the EM algorithm. We obtain closed-form expressions for both the E- and M-steps; the former requires the Kalman filter and a fixed-interval smoother, and the latter requires least squares-type regression. We show via simulations that our algorithm converges reliably to the maximum, whereas gradient-based methods often fail because of the highly nonlinear nature of the likelihood function. Moreover, our algorithm converges in a smaller number of function evaluations than commonly used direct-search routines. Overall, our approach achieves its largest performance gains when applied to models of high dimension. We illustrate our technique by estimating a high-dimensional vector moving-average model for an efficiency test of California's wholesale electricity market. There exists no closed-form solution to the problem of maximizing the likelihood of a vector autoregressive moving-average (VARMA) model. Consequently, applied researchers employ iterative gradient-based or direct-search optimization routines. Gradient-based methods may fail to find the maximum because of the highly nonlinear nature of the likelihood function. Direct-search methods usually require a large number of function evaluations because they use no information about the steepness and curvature of the function. As the model dimension increases, the instability of quasi-Newton and the slow convergence of direct searches become more severe problems. In this article, we develop a state-space representation that enables maximum likelihood (ML) estimation using closed- form expressions via the EM algorithm. Our state-space representation exploits two features of VARMA models. First, a vector moving-average (VMA) model possesses the same Wold representation as a VMA plus white noise. Thus, we add white noise to the MA component of the model, which preserves its time-series structure and permits a state-space representation with nontrivial noise in the observation equation. In turn, this observation noise allows implementation of the EM algorithm as in Shumway
TRAIL induces autophagic protein cleavage through caspase activation in melanoma cell lines under arginine deprivation

Arginine deprivation is a promising strategy for treating ASS-negative malignant tumors including melanoma. However, autophagy can potentially counteract the effectiveness of this treatment by acting as a pro-survival pathway. By combining tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) with arginine deprivation using ADI-PEG20 (pegylated arginine deiminase), we achieved enhanced apoptosis and accelerated cell death in melanoma cell lines. This implies a switch from autophagy to apoptosis. In our current investigation, we found that TRAIL could induce the cleavage of two key autophagic proteins, Beclin-1 and Atg5, in the combination treatment. Using specific inhibitors for individual caspases, we found that caspase-8 inhibitor could completely abolish the cleavage. Furthermore, caspase-8 inhibitor was able to fully reverse the enhanced cytotoxicity induced by TRAIL. Inhibitors for caspase-3, 6, 9, and 10 were able to block the cleavage of these two autophagic proteins to some extent and correspondingly rescue cells from the cytotoxicity of the combination of TRAIL and arginine deprivation. In contrast, calpain inhibitor could not prevent the cleavage of either Beclin-1 or Atg5, and was unable to prevent cell death. Overall, our data indicate that the cleavage of Beclin-1 and Atg5 by TRAIL-initiated caspase activation is one of the mechanisms that lead to the enhancement of the cytotoxicity in the combination treatment.
The Role of Sargramostim (rhGM-CSF) as Immunotherapy

GM-CSF stimulates the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors to monocytes and neutrophils, and reduces the risk for febrile neutropenia in cancer patients. GM-CSF also has been shown to induce the differentiation of myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) that promote the development of T-helper type 1 (cellular) immune responses in cognate T cells. This review summarizes some of the immunological effects of GM-CSF relevant to antitumor immunity in cancer patients. GM-CSF has been used to augment the activity of rituximab in patients with follicular lymphoma and to induce autologous antitumor immunity in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer. GM-CSF causes upregulation of costimulatory molecule expression on leukemia blasts in vitro, enhancing their ability to present antigen to allogeneic T cells, and, in combination with interferon-alpha, can induce antitumor immune responses in patients whose acute leukemia has relapsed following allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplant. Tumor cells engineered to secrete GM-CSF are particularly effective as antitumor vaccines, and the addition of GM-CSF to standard vaccines may increase their effectiveness by recruiting DCs to the site of vaccination. However, a significant limitation in the use of GM-CSF as an immunostimulatory agent is that objective antitumor responses are infrequent, and are often not durable. Effective and durable antitumor immunity will likely require novel methods to eliminate counterregulatory immune responses that limit activation and expansion of cytotoxic T cells with antitumor activity.
Millimeter-wave performance of ultrasubmicrometer-gate field-effect transistors: A comparison of MODFET, MESFET, and PBT structures

Device structures for the modulation-doped high-electron-mobility transistor (MODFET or HEMT), the metal Schottky-barrier gate transistor (MESFET), and the permeable-base transistor (PBT) With 0.1- to 0.25-µm gate lengths have been examined for their millimeter-wave performance. In particular, their unity-current-gain frequency (f T ), maximum oscillation frequency (f max ), and the stability of power gains are Compared. It is shown that in field-effect transistors with gate lengths below 0.25 µm, the high aspect ratio design approach, involving the ratio of the gate length to its associated depletion depth, needs to be extended to include the gate-to-drain separation in an effective gate-length concept. Using the charge-control approach in conjunction with the carrier velocity saturation effect, it is shown that the overall transit time delay across the total effective gate length results in an effective gate capacitance that is significantly larger than that due to the physical size of the gate itself. It is shown with specific examples that a successful design of these ultrasubmicrometer gate structures depends on the choice of the gate-to-drain separation (L GD ) and the separation (d o ) between the gate and the channel sheet Charge, with an appropriate choice of doping concentration consistent with the desired drain voltage operation. The designs have been based on practically obtainable values of the gate and source series resistances. When the actual gate length is much smaller than L GD , as in the case of PBT's, it is shown that the stable power gain margin in these devices is determined by the square of the aspect ratio (L GD /d o ). The results show that an f max of approximately 350 GHz can be achieved from a MODFET structure with an effective gate length of 0.14 µm. In a PBT structure an f max exceeding 500 GHz can be achieved with an effective gate length of 0.15 µm, and in a similar MESFET structure an f max of approximately 450 GHz can be achieved. The device design approach presented clearly indicates the possibility of achieving FET'S operating beyond 200 GHz with useful power gains.
The Theory of Secession and Emerging Democracies: A Constitutional Solution

Most schools of western political thought recognize the right of people to choose their own government. A corollary to this right is that a government must derive its legitimacy from the consent of the governed. But what can an individual or group within a polity do if they do not consent to the form or composition of their government and the opportunity to change that government is limited or non-existent? Dissatisfied groups or individuals can either choose to accept their situation, move to a jurisdiction more to their liking, or join other people in seceding from the state. Secession may be accomplished by forming a new state or by joining an existing state. The solution recommended can also be used by developed countries to relieve the dissatisfaction of segments of the population.
Activation of Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase by Cellular Heat Shock Protein 70 Is Enhanced by Phospholipids In Vitro

Similar to other positive-strand RNA viruses, tombusviruses are replicated by the membrane-bound viral replicase complex (VRC). The VRC consists of the p92 virus-coded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), the viral p33 RNA chaperone, and several co-opted host proteins. In order to become a functional RdRp after its translation, the p92 replication protein should be incorporated into the VRC, followed by its activation. We have previously shown in a cell-free yeast extract-based assay that the activation of the Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) RdRp requires a soluble host factor(s). In this article, we identify the cellular heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) as the co-opted host factor required for the activation of an N-terminally truncated recombinant TBSV RdRp. In addition, small-molecule-based blocking of Hsp70 function inhibits RNA synthesis by the tombusvirus RdRp in vitro. Furthermore, we show that neutral phospholipids, namely, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), enhance RdRp activation in vitro. In contrast, phosphatidylglycerol (PG) shows a strong and dominant inhibitory effect on in vitro RdRp activation. We also demonstrate that PE and PC stimulate RdRp-viral plus-strand RNA [(+)RNA] interaction, while PG inhibits the binding of the viral RNA to the RdRp. Based on the stimulatory versus inhibitory roles of various phospholipids in tombusvirus RdRp activation, we propose that the lipid composition of targeted subcellular membranes might be utilized by tombusviruses to regulate new VRC assembly during the course of infection. IMPORTANCE The virus-coded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which is responsible for synthesizing the viral RNA progeny in infected cells of several positive-strand RNA viruses, is initially inactive. This strategy is likely to avoid viral RNA synthesis in the cytosol that would rapidly lead to induction of RNA-triggered cellular antiviral responses. During the assembly of the membrane-bound replicase complex, the viral RdRp becomes activated through an incompletely understood process that makes the RdRp capable of RNA synthesis. By using TBSV RdRp, we show that the co-opted cellular Hsp70 chaperone and neutral phospholipids facilitate RdRp activation in vitro. In contrast, phosphatidylglycerol (PG) has a dominant inhibitory effect on in vitro RdRp activation and RdRp-viral RNA interaction, suggesting that the membranous microdomain surrounding the RdRp greatly affects its ability for RNA synthesis. Thus, the activation of the viral RdRp likely depends on multiple host components in infected cells.
Preexisting medical conditions in adult day services: an examination of nonmetropolitan and metropolitan admissions.

Background It is not known what health conditions are being managed by day services staff because, to date, there is virtually no research on the types of preexisting medical conditions that clients bring to these community-based settings. Furthermore, it is not known whether or how nonmetropolitan clients differ from their metropolitan counterparts. Methods Census data for 1,448 individuals who were admitted to adult day services in Maryland during 1993 were examined. Variables were included for client characteristics, medical diagnoses at admission (based upon ICD-9-CM categories), and adult day center location (metropolitan vs. nonmetropolitan). Results Persons admitted to nonmetropolitan centers were more likely than those entering metropolitan centers to be diagnosed as having musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, and endocrine conditions and as having a malignant neoplasm. Admissions to metropolitan centers were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. After using multiple logistic regression to control for a number of client characteristics, location of the facility remained significantly associated with all listed admission diagnoses except musculoskeletal conditions. Conclusion Nonmetropolitan centers are caring for a distinctly different type of long-term care client than metropolitan centers, perhaps because few other long-term care options are available to families in sparsely populated settings. The differences in the medical conditions of their clients should affect most aspects of the day services program, including budgets for appropriate professional staff, staff qualifications, resources for client/family education and counseling, and expected outcomes.
On the sampling theory of reliability estimation

Abstract This paper is intended as a contribution to the sampling theory of reliability estimation when a test has been divided into two, not necessarily parallel, parts. Under normality assumptions, a strict t test of a point hypothesis about the coefficient α parameter is derived. The test is then converted to yield confidence intervals for α. These techniques remain applicable even when the initial distributional assumption is considerably relaxed. The methods development here are complementary to certain large sample techniques of the same intent. Worked examples are appended by way of illustration.
Runaway cell death, but not basal disease resistance, in lsd1 is SA- and NIM1/NPR1-dependent

LSD1 was defined as a negative regulator of plant cell death and basal disease resistance based on its null mutant phenotypes. We addressed the relationship between lsd1-mediated runaway cell death and signaling components required for systemic acquired resistance (SAR), namely salicylic acid (SA) accumulation and NIM1/NPR1. We present two important findings. First, SA accumulation and NIM1/NPR1 are required for lsd1-mediated runaway cell death following pathogen infection or application of chemicals that mimic SA action. This implies that lsd1-dependent cell death occurs 'downstream' of the accumulation of SA. As SA application triggers runaway cell death in lsd1 but not wild-type plants, we infer that LSD1 negatively regulates an SA-dependent signal leading to cell death. Thus SA is both a trigger and a required mediator of lsd1 runaway cell death. Second, neither SA accumulation nor NIM1/NPR1 function is required for the basal resistance operating in lsd1. Therefore LSD1 negatively regulates a basal defense pathway that can act upstream or independently of both NIM1/NPR1 function and SA accumulation following avirulent or virulent pathogen challenge. Our data, together with results from other studies, point to the existence of an SA-dependent 'signal potentiation loop' controlling HR. Continued escalation of signaling in the absence of LSD1 leads to runaway cell death. We propose that LSD1 is a key negative regulator of this signal potentiation.
First-passage percolation on a ladder graph, and the path cost in a VCG auction

This paper studies the time constant for first-passage percolation, and the Vickrey-Clarke-Groves (VCG) payment, for the shortest path on a ladder graph (a width-2 strip) with random edge costs, treating both in a unified way based on recursive distributional equations. For first-passage percolation where the edge costs are independent Bernoulli random variables we find the time constant exactly; it is a rational function of the Bernoulli parameter. For first-passage percolation where the edge costs are uniform random variables we present a reasonably efficient means for obtaining arbitrarily close upper and lower bounds. Using properties of Harris chains we also show that the incremental cost to advance through the medium has a unique stationary distribution, and we compute stochastic lower and upper bounds. We rely on no special properties of the uniform distribution: the same methods could be applied to any well-behaved, bounded cost distribution. For the VCG payment, with Bernoulli-distributed costs the payment for an n-long ladder, divided by n, tends to an explicit rational function of the Bernoulli parameter. Again, our methods apply more generally. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 38, 350-364, 2011 © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Estradiol rates of change in relation to the final menstrual period in a population-based cohort of women.

Context/Objective: The aim was to characterize rates of change in serum estradiol (E2) levels across the menopausal transition and into early postmenopause. Setting/Participants: We studied the Michigan Bone Health and Metabolism Study cohort of 629 women with median age of 38 yr (interquartile range, 7) at the 1992–1993 baseline with annual assessment of E2 levels over the subsequent 15-yr period. Design/Main Outcome Measures: The purpose was to describe patterns of acceleration/deceleration in logE2 rates of change before and after the final menstrual period (FMP) using nonparametric and piecewise regression modeling. Results: Between −10 to −2 yr to the FMP, mean fitted serum E2 population values were relatively stable. The 95% confidence bands around the slight increase in E2 rate of change 5 yr prior to the FMP included the value of no change. The fitted population mean E2 value declined 67% from 64.5 pg/ml (se = 3.6) to 21 pg/ml (se = 1.2) in the 4 yr between −2 < FMP < +2. A second significant mean...
Biodegradable, phosphate-containing, dual-gelling macromers for cellular delivery in bone tissue engineering.

Injectable, biodegradable, dual-gelling macromer solutions were used to encapsulate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within stable hydrogels when elevated to physiologic temperature. Pendant phosphate groups were incorporated in the N-isopropyl acrylamide-based macromers to improve biointegration and facilitate hydrogel degradation. The MSCs were shown to survive the encapsulation process, and live cells were detected within the hydrogels for up to 28 days in vitro. Cell-laden hydrogels were shown to undergo significant mineralization in osteogenic medium. Cell-laden and acellular hydrogels were implanted into a critical-size rat cranial defect for 4 and 12 weeks. Both cell-laden and acellular hydrogels were shown to degrade in vivo and help to facilitate bone growth into the defect. Improved bone bridging of the defect was seen with the incorporation of cells, as well as with higher phosphate content of the macromer. Furthermore, direct bone-to-hydrogel contact was observed in the majority of implants, which is not commonly seen in this model. The ability of these macromers to deliver stem cells while forming in situ and subsequently degrade while facilitating bone ingrowth into the defect makes this class of macromers a promising material for craniofacial bone tissue engineering.
War Crimes and Genocide in History, and the Evolution of Responsive International Law

War crimes and genocide are as old as history itself. So are regulations and laws that protect individuals during time of war, whether they be combatants or civilians. The Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu wrote in the fifth century BCE that it was important to treat “captured soldiers well in order to nurture them [for our use]. This is referred to as ‘conquering the enemy and growing stronger.'” Yet several centuries later, Qin Shi Huangdi, China's first emperor, committed horrible atrocities during his military campaigns to unite China. Eric Yong-Joon Lee adds that it should be remembered that the Qin emperor also created that country's “first managed international legal order.” But, according to Robert Cryer, it was the West, not Asia, that created the world's first “international criminal law regime.” This “regime,” R. P. Anand argues, was, in many ways, a form of “Victor's Justice“ or “ruler's law,” since it was forced on Asia and Africa by the West in the nineteenth century.
Domain 5 of high molecular weight kininogen (kininostatin) down-regulates endothelial cell proliferation and migration and inhibits angiogenesis

We have demonstrated that high molecular weight kininogen (HK) binds specifically on endothelial cells to domain 2/3 of the urokinase receptor (uPAR). Inhibition by vitronectin suggests that kallikrein-cleaved HK (HKa) is antiadhesive. Plasma kallikrein bound to HK cleaves prourokinase to urokinase, initiating cell-associated fibrinolysis. We postulated that HK cell binding domains would inhibit angiogenesis. We found that recombinant domain 5 (D5) inhibited endothelial cell migration toward vitronectin 85% at 0.27 μM with an IC50 (concentration to yield 50% inhibition) = 0.12 μM. A D5 peptide, G486-K502, showed an IC50 = 0.2 μM, but a 25-mer peptide from a D3 cell binding domain only inhibited migration 10% at 139 μM (IC50 > 50 μM). D6 exhibited weaker inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.50 μM). D5 also potently inhibited endothelial cell proliferation with an IC50 = 30 nM, while D3 and D6 were inactive. Using deletion mutants of D5, we localized the smallest region for full activity to H441-D474. To further map the active region, we created a molecular homology model of D5 and designed a series of peptides displaying surface loops. Peptide 440-455 was the most potent (IC50 = 100 nM) in inhibiting proliferation but did not inhibit migration. D5 inhibited angiogenesis stimulated by fibroblast growth factor FGF2 (97%) in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay at 270 nM, and peptide 400-455 was also inhibitory (79%). HK D5 (for which we suggest the designation, “kininostatin”) is a potent inhibitor of endothelial cell migration and proliferation in vitro and of angiogenesis in vivo.
Abstract B24: Differential profiles of methylation in African American and Caucasian men diagnosed with prostate cancer

Background. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer in men. Risk factors include age, African race, and family history. Methylation has been associated with gene regulation and prostate cancer development. Here we compared the global methylation profiles in normal and malignant tissues of African American (AA) and Caucasian patients with PCa. Methods. DNA was extracted, treated with sodium bisulfite and hybridized to chips interrogating the status of more than 27,000 CpG sites in 14,000 genes. The β value (methylation fraction) was compared separately between normal and malignant tissues from AA and Caucasians to identify those CpG with at least 2-fold change (tumor/normal). The genes containing those differentially methylated CpG were analyzed in MetaCore to find cellular processes associated with either AA or Caucasians, or both. Results. Two hundred fifteen (215) CpG sites were associated with AA, 42 CpG sites were found exclusively in Caucasians, and 47 were found in both ethnic groups. Pathway and network analyses showed that the most prominent cellular processes associated with the genes harboring those significant CpG sites in AA are involved in tissue remodeling / wound repair (p=2.98 x 10-5) and neurogenesis (1.068 x 10-5), while neurotransmission (p=0.006) and regulation of proliferation (p=0.0004) were the most prominent in Caucasians. Calcium signaling and platelet aggregation were the most prominent common processes to both ethnic groups. Conclusion. Divergent pathways may exist in PCA in AA and Caucasians suggesting different targets for treatment Citation Format: Shahriar Koochekpour, Jovanny Zabaleta. Differential profiles of methylation in African American and Caucasian men diagnosed with prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B24. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-B24
No Place Like the Frontline: A Qualitative Study on What Participant CEOs Learned From Undercover Boss

Through an inductive study of 13 CEOs participating in the reality television program Undercover Boss, we unravel senior leaders’ interactions with frontline employees focusing on what CEOs learned about their employees, themselves, and the direct effects of these interactions on HRD policies and practices. These vertical interactions helped CEOs institute more responsive HRD policies and practices, and address operational deficiencies on the frontline. A core contribution of this study is the identification of vertical interactions between senior leadership and frontline employees as a meaningful concept for HRD professionals to pursue. We encourage vertical interactions between CEO and frontline employees as an important mechanism for improving communication and information exchange, as well as a learning opportunity for the CEO. HRD professionals can play an important role in developing such interventions that can facilitate high-quality exchanges between senior leaders and lower echelon employees. These interventions can help foster a positive climate and enhance employee morale, as well as improve the efficacy of HRD policies and practices.
Recent developments in intermediate moisture foods

The science and technology of intermediate moisture foods has advanced during the last 25 years. Developments during this period are reviewed. Knowledge of the relationship of water activity and food degradation has advanced considerably during this period. Many new intermediate moisture foods have been developed. Several methods have been developed to alter the water activity of foods.
Synthesis of phosphatidylserine catalyzed by phospholipases D.

The synthesis conditions of phosphatidylserine were studied using phospholipases D as biocatalyst.Results showed that the reaction time,the pH of water phase,the phosphatidylcholine concentration,the temperature of reaction and the ratio of organic phase to water phase had influence on the reaction.The orthogonal test showed that the best organic solvent-water ratio,phosphatidylcholine concentration,reaction temperature and time were 4/4,75 mg/mL,70 ℃,and 12 h,respectively,under which the yield of phosphatidylserine amount was 68.9%.
A Novel E. Coli-Based Assay for Rapid Screening of Hemichannel Function

Connexin hemichannels (HCs) are involved in the pathophysiology of several disorders including deafness, stroke and cardiac infarct. This makes HCs an attractive therapeutic target. Most available pharmacological inhibitors are either non-selective/non-isoform specific, which hampers their translational application. This is in part due to the absence of simple screening assays for the discovery of inhibitors. Here we report a simple bacterial growth-complementation assay to assess connexin HC function. We used the E. coli strain LB2003 as host-system. LB2003 cells cannot grow in low-[K+] medium due to the deletion of K+ import transporters, but growth can be complemented by supplementing the medium with [K+]O, or transforming the cells for expression of K+-selective channels or connexin HCs. We found growth-complementation by expression of functional human connexin 26 (Cx26) or 43 (Cx43). Connexin HCs function in the bacteria was validated using known inhibitors of HCs (Ca2+ and Mg2+). We found that aminoglycosides (kanamycin A & B) inhibit Cx26 and Cx43 HC function in a dose-dependent manner with IC50s in the low micro molar range. Our results present the first HC functional assay amenable for high-throughput scaling, and identified kanamycin as a connexin HC inhibitor with immediate translational potential since it is FDA approved.This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants R01GM79629 and 3R01GM079629- 03S1, the American Heart Association Texas Affiliate Inc. grant 14GRNT18750014, Welch Grant- BI-1757 and a Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Preliminary Data Program grant.
Operation for diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusions.

Une fenetre pericardique sous-xiphoidienne permet un diagnostic definitif et le traitement des epanchements de toutes causes avec des taux de morbidite faible tandis que la pericardiocentese est sure mais habituellement inefficace et improductive. De nombreux epanchements chez des malades cancereux ne sont pas en rapport avec une atteinte pericardique
SU‐G‐TeP3‐02: Determination of Geometry‐Specific Backscatter Factors for Radiobiology Studies

Purpose: Radiation biology research relies on an accurate radiation dose delivered to the biological target. Large field irradiations in a cabinet irradiator may use the AAPM TG-61 protocol. This relies on an air-kerma measurement and conversion to absorbed dose to water (Dw) on the surface of a water phantom using provided backscatter factors. Cell or small animal studies differ significantly from this reference geometry. This study aims to determine the impact of the lack of full scatter conditions in four representative geometries that may be used in radiobiology studies. Methods: MCNP6 was used to model the Dw on the surface of a full scatter phantom in a validated orthovoltage x-ray reference beam. Dw in a cylindrical mouse, 100 mm Petri dish, 6-well and 96-well cell culture dishes was simulated and compared to this full scatter geometry. A reference dose rate was measured using the TG-61 protocol in a cabinet irradiator. This nominal dose rate was used to irradiate TLDs in each phantom to a given dose. Doses were obtained based on TLDs calibrated in a NIST-traceable beam. Results: Compared to the full scattering conditions, the simulated dose to water in the representative geometries were found to be underestimated by 12-26%. The discrepancy was smallest with the cylindrical mouse geometry, which most closely approximates adequate lateral- and backscatter. TLDs irradiated in the mouse and petri dish phantoms using the TG-61 determined dose rate showed similarly lower values of Dw. When corrected for this discrepancy, they agreed with the predicted Dw within 5%. Conclusion: Using the TG-61 in-air protocol and given backscatter factors to determine a reference dose rate in a biological irradiator may not be appropriate given the difference in scattering conditions between irradiation and calibration. Without accounting for this, the dose rate is overestimated and is dependent on irradiation geometry.
Neural Mechanisms Supporting Successful Social Decisions in Simians

Vervet monkeys are an appropriate species to model aspects of the neurobiology of human social decision-making. Vervets are phylogenetically closely related to human beings and possess large brains that show substantial postnatal maturation, exhibit rich behavioral repertoires, and establish enduring and complex social relationships. This chapter describes two types of investigations that examined the links between monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems, frontal lobe function, and effective social decision-making in vervet monkeys. One set examined indices of serotonergic function while the other utilized positron emission tomography (PET) to evaluate cerebral glucose metabolism.