cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction with model membrane systems induces secondary structure in amino‐terminal fragments of parathyroid hormone related protein

The secondary structure of amino terminal fragments of human parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) in aqueous solution, in trifluoroethanol solution and in the presence of model membrane systems has been studied by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Far-UV CD spectra of PTHrP 1-40, 1-34 amide, 7-34 amide and 1-16 are consistent with a predominantly unordered structure. Addition of trifluoroethanol stabilized alpha-helical structure in the 1-34 amide and 7-34 amide peptides. The effect reached a plateau at a trifluoroethanol concentration of approximately 40%, and a helix content of some 23 residues was determined. PTHrP 1-34 amide interacted with palmitoyloleoylphosphatidyl serine vesicles and exhibited an increased alpha-helix content of approximately 12 helical residues. Similar results were observed for monomyristoyllecithin micelles and sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles. No interaction with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles was detected by CD. The ability to bind to palmitoyloleoylphosphotidyl serine vesicles was also a feature of the 1-40 and 7-34 fragments, while the 1-16 fragment was apparently unaffected by interaction with this model membrane system. These results indicate that the conformational properties of the functionally significant amino terminal 1-34 region of PTHrP parallel those reported for the corresponding, but largely nonhomologous, region of parathyroid hormone. Conformational similarities may account for the ability of PTHrP to mimic the functional properties of parathyroid hormone.
Finding strongly connected components in distributed graphs

The traditional, serial, algorithm for finding the strongly connected components in a graph is based on depth first search and has complexity which is linear in the size of the graph. Depth first search is difficult to parallelize, which creates a need for a different parallel algorithm for this problem. We describe the implementation of a recently proposed parallel algorithm that finds strongly connected components in distributed graphs, and discuss how it is used in a radiation transport solver.
Short-term hemodynamic performance of the mitral Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT pericardial valve

BACKGROUND: Although long-term durability data exist, little data are available concerning the hemodynamic performance of the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT pericardial valve in the mitral position. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients who were implanted with mitral PERIMOUNT valves at seven international centers between January 1996 and February 1997 consented to participate in a short-term echocardiography follow-up. Echocardiographs were collected at a mean of 600+/-133 days after implantation (range, 110 to 889 days); all underwent blinded core lab analysis. RESULTS: At follow-up, peak gradients were 9.09+/-3.43 mm Hg (mean, 4.36+/-1.79 mm Hg) and varied inversely with valve size (p < 0.05). The effective orifice areas were 2.5+/-0.6 cm2 and tended to increase with valve size (p = 0.08). Trace mitral regurgitation (MR) was common (n = 48), 9 patients had mild MR, 1 had moderate MR, none had severe MR. All MR was central (n = 55) or indeterminate (n = 3). No paravalvular leaks were observed. Mitral regurgitation flow areas were 3.4+/-2.8 cm2 and were without significant volumes. CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter study, these mitral valves are associated with trace, although physiologically insignificant, central MR. Despite known echocardiographic limitations, the PERIMOUNT mitral valves exhibit similar hemodynamics to other prosthetic valves.
Characteristic resonance signatures for acoustical scattering from fish

Scattering from fish is an important issue for biologists, aquaculturalists, and the military community. One can track the habits of fish, determine their abundance, and learn to distinguish them from targets of military interest by accurate mathematical formulations of the problem. The aim of this work is to present a mathematical/physical formulation by coupling acoustical signals with fish bladder properties to describe the acoustical scattering from fish bladders. In this work we first develop the theory to describe acoustical scattering from a viscous spherical shell filled with air; and then use it to show how the scattering amplitude and Q of the monopole resonance are modified by the viscosity and thickness of the shell. We then show how the theory may be extended, using a mathematical formulation based on coupled boundary integral equations, to account for the systematics of fish bladder scattering when elongation and viscous effects are combined.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Aroclor 1242 and reproductive success of adult mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)

Abstract Twenty-four pairs of adult mallards were fed a diet containing 0 or 150 ppm of the PCB Aroclor 1242 for 12 weeks during which egg laying was induced. Laying started in both groups an average of 33 days after PCB treatment began. All hens were allowed to lay a 20-egg clutch; 15 eggs from each clutch were artificially incubated. Eleven hens from each group completed the clutch. There was no difference between the two groups in the time taken to lay the clutch, nor was there a difference in fertility, embryo mortality, or hatching success. Eggshell thickness decreased 8.9% with PCB ingestion; eggs from hens fed PCB contained an average of 105 ppm PCB wet wt. No difference in survival or weight gain to 3 weeks of age was observed between young mallards from eggs laid by PCB-treated hens and control hens.
Abdominal desmoid masses in Gardner's syndrome.

Abdominal masses, “desmoid tumors,” occur in approximately 4% of patients with Garnder's Syndrome, usually 1–3 years after total colectomy. Histologic sections usually resemble those of an infiltrating fibrous tumor, a desmoid lesion. The radiographic pattern may be similar to any diffuse abdominal retroperitoneal tumor, metastatic disease, lymphoma, or possibly retractile mesenteritis. The clinical setting usually differentiates these entities.
Transmission of planetary wave effects to the upper atmosphere through eddy diffusion modulation

Abstract Past observations have shown that the effects of planetary waves can travel beyond their dissipation region and into the thermosphere and ionosphere. One possible mechanism through which this event can occur is the modulation of turbulent mixing near the turbopause. Because turbulent mixing in the mesosphere–lower thermosphere is strongly dependent on the amount of wave dissipation, planetary wave filtering of gravity waves from below can indirectly modulate the amount of turbulent mixing. This study uses the NCAR TIE-GCM to investigate how this mechanism induces variability in upper atmospheric composition and density. It is shown that varying the amount of turbulent mixing at discrete planetary wave periods induces similar periodicities in neutral and electron density. This process is driven by species diffusive flux through isobaric (constant pressure) levels, resulting in atmospheric contraction or expansion. Results also indicate that the mechanism studied has a wave frequency dependence and is most effective for long period planetary waves.
Three Dimensional integration - memory applications

3D integration of memory for both memory and processor caches provide a fertile application space for 3D integration. A simple 2 strata stack can reduce individual die size by approximately half, improving chip yield. Multi chip memory stacks can ease packaging and can significantly reduce power for main memory. Such stacks are easily testable and repairable through redundancy The design of such 3D stacks is critically dependent on the TSV technology used and is expected to become more attractive as TSV diameters and TSV overhead reduce.
Effects of ramipril on contractile oscillations in arteries from genetically hypertensive rats.

We have tested the hypothesis that altered vascular reactivity, specifically the appearance of spontaneous and BayK 8644 (L-type voltage gated calcium channel agonist)-induced oscillations in the carotid artery and the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-induced oscillations in the aorta from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), are dependent upon angiotensin II production early in life. SHRSP and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were treated from 6–10 weeks of age with vehicle, hydralazine /hydrochlorothiazide (used as a control for lowered blood pressure) or the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril (3 mg/kg/day). Systolic blood pressures were measured weekly in rats from 6 to 17 weeks of age. In SHRSP (at 17 weeks of age), ramipril-treatment but not hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide attenuated the long term expression of elevated systolic blood pressure in adult SHRSP while blood pressures of all adult WKY rats were unaffected by any treat...
Strategies for Shortening the Dry Period

The decision to shorten the dry period is dependent on many factors, including milk yield and milk composition during the extra days of milking and into the subsequent lactation, calf survival, incidence of metabolic disorders, reproductive efficiency, and management factors, i.e. facilities and parlor capacity. Shortening the dry period to 30 days may be economically feasible due to only a 5 % loss in milk yield (vs. 60 days dry). However, eliminating the dry period results in a 20-25 % loss in milk yield in the subsequent lactation. Shorter dry periods can facilitate fewer group and diet changes and lead to increased dry matter intake and a more favorable energy balance. These beneficial changes may result in decreased metabolic problems, including reduced liver fat concentrations. Preliminary evidence indicates that reducing dry period length may increase conception rates, which can lead to greater flexibility in breeding programs. However, more replication is needed in field trials to verify potential benefits of short dry periods on reproduction.
Influences of benthic boundary-layer flow on feeding rates of ciliates and flagellates at the sediment-water interface

Heterotrophic protists are integral to sedimentary food webs, but influences on their activities are poorly understood, especially the role of benthic boundary-layer flow. Effects of flow on ingestion rates were measured for bacterivorous protists at the sediment surface in a flume. Results from four common, benthic suspension-feeding ciliates were species specific. Mean clearance rates of the scuticociliates Cohnilembus sp. and Paranophrys magna and the hypotrich Euplotes minuta increased by factors of two to three as friction velocity ( u*) increased from 0 to 1.0 cm s 21 . Above u* 5 1.0 cm s 21 , clearance rates of Cohnilembus sp. and P. magna were constant, whereas the clearance rate of E. minuta was reduced by 40% at u* 5 1.5 cm s 21 . E. minuta thus revealed an optimal flow regime for feeding. In contrast, the mean clearance rate of the scuticociliate, Cyclidium sp., was unrelated to u* .I n experiments with sediment cores from a subtidal, silty sand site, the mean clearance rate of the bacterivorous ciliate community of the sediment-water interface increased by a factor of five betweenu* 5 0 and 0.9 cm s 21 . The effects of flow were likely due to enhanced advection of prey to the ciliates. In contrast, the clearance rate of the nanoflagellate community in sediment cores was unrelated to u*. Tidal currents at the field site were estimated to increase the ciliate community’s daily integrated feeding by a factor of 3.2 compared to still water. Epibenthic ciliates create a dynamic link between planktonic and benthic food webs, mediated strongly by benthic boundary-layer flow.
A pilot study comparing the effectiveness of speech language therapy provided by telemedicine with conventional on-site therapy:

We compared the progress made by school children in speech language therapy provided through videoconferencing and conventional face-to-face speech language therapy. The children were treated in two groups. In the first group, 17 children received telemedicine treatment for 4 months, and then subsequently conventional therapy for 4 months. In the second group, 17 children received conventional treatment for 4 months and then subsequently telemedicine treatment for 4 months. The outcome measures were student progress, participant satisfaction and any interruptions to service delivery. Student progress reports indicated that the children made similar progress during the study whichever treatment method was used. There was no significant difference in GFTA-2 scores (Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation) between students in the two treatment groups. Satisfaction surveys indicated that the students and parents overwhelmingly supported the telemedicine service delivery model. During the study, a total of 148 of the 704 possible therapy sessions was not completed (21%); the pattern of cancellations was similar to cancellations in US public schools generally. Videoconferencing appears to be a promising method of delivering speech language therapy services to school children.
Opportunistic large arrays: cooperative transmission in wireless multihop ad hoc networks to reach far distances

The technique we propose in this paper allows efficient flooding of a wireless network with information from a source, which we refer to as the leader. At the same time, it permits us to transmit reliably to far destinations that the individual nodes are not able to reach without consuming rapidly their own battery resources, even when using multihop links (the reach-back problem). The synchronization constraints are extremely loose and can be fulfilled in a distributed manner. The key idea is to have the nodes simply echo the leader's transmission operating as active scatterers while using adaptive receivers that acquire the equivalent network signatures corresponding to the echoed symbols. The active nodes in the network operate either as regenerative or nonregenerative relays. The intuition is that each of the waveforms will be enhanced by the accumulation of power due to the aggregate transmission of all the nodes while, if kept properly under control, the random errors or the receiver noise that propagate together with the useful signals will cause limited deterioration in the performance. The avalanche of signals triggered by the network leaders form the so-called opportunistic large array (OLA). The main advantages of the OLA are its great flexibility and scalability.
Power of the Young—New Stem Cell Source for Treating Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune disorders—including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and type I diabetes—are a growing public health concern and directly impact 5 to 10% of the U.S. population. Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs), typically derived from adult bone marrow or adipose tissue, have emerged as a promising cellular immunotherapeutic and are currently being tested in a plethora of clinical trials worldwide. Despite their classical role as stem cells for connective tissues (bone, cartilage, and fat), hMSCs are also surprisingly capable to migrate to sites of injury and inflammation, where they stimulate endogenous tissue repair through a variety of paracrine and immunosuppressive effects. However, these properties of adult-derived hMSCs vary greatly from donor to donor and are often lost after in vitro expansion to the numbers required for clinical efficacy in human patients. Now, Wang et al. provide evidence that human embryonic stem cells may be a more potent and scalable source of hMSCs for clinical testing in autoimmune disorders. In the current study, the authors used a standard mouse autoimmune disease model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which reflects some of the T cell–mediated autoimmunity seen in multiple sclerosis patients. They demonstrated that hMSCs derived from four independent human embryonic stem cell lines and systemically delivered to EAE mice all exhibited potent therapeutic properties, including decreased disease severity and inflammatory activity in the central nervous system. The authors’ major advance was showing that the human embryonic stem cell–derived hMSCs exhibited more potent and consistent immunosuppressive and regenerative properties in the EAE mice as compared with six independent hMSC isolates from adult tissues. Given the extensive clinical safety data already available for adult-derived hMSCs, it is likely that human embryonic stem cell–derived hMSCs will rapidly progress to clinical testing for human autoimmune disorders. However, before this, it will be important to more thoroughly understand the differences between adult and human embryonic stem cell–derived hMSCs and to extend preclinical studies to additional models of human autoimmune diseases. Moreover, the direct comparison of adult-derived and human embryonic stem cell–derived hMSCs is somewhat confounded by genetic variation between the cells. Future studies with human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived hMSCs may provide a more accurate isogenic comparator to adult-derived hMSCs. X. Wang et al. , Human ESC-derived MSCs outperform bone marrow MSCs in the treatment of an EAE model of multiple sclerosis. Stem Cell Rep. , published online 5 June 2014 (10.1016/j.stemcr.2014.04.020). [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports/fulltext/S2213-6711(14)00127-1
Effectiveness of Optical Speed Bars in Reducing Approach Speeds to Rural Communities

Speed management has been a challenge in rural communities due to low budgets, and it is necessary to identify effective, low-cost approaches to reduce speeds. Accordingly, this research attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of optical speed bars (OSB) in reducing approach speeds on two-lane, rural undivided highways approaching small communities. Speed data were collected and analyzed before and after installation of the OSBs at five such sites. Effectiveness of the OSBs was evaluated using changes in mean and 85th percentile speeds under different categories by considering all vehicles, vehicle classification, days of the week, and time of day. Significant reductions in mean speeds and speed variance were observed at the end of the OSBs at four of the five sites, and one site showed no statistically significant change in speeds. Speed reductions were higher during daytime and weekdays. Higher speed reductions for two-axle vehicles were observed, with the exception of the Belvue test site. Speed increa...
The association between Harris lines and enamel hypoplasia in prehistoric California Indians

Hypoplastic defects of tooth enamel and Harris lines in the long bones have been heralded as potentially useful indicators of health conditions in prehistoric populations. Both result from temporary cessation of growth processes due to similar types of disease, malnutrition, or other metabolic insult. An association test for the first six years of life was conducted on a large series of prehistoric California Indians, using femora and canines from young adults. No significant association was found. This is ascribable to differences in etiology and stability.
Variability in the Management of Childhood Constipation

To assist primary care providers, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) published clinical practice guidelines for management of childhood constipation. A cross-sectional survey of pediatricians from across the United States was conducted to assess pediatricians' constipation management strategies, whether pediatricians are familiar with the NASPGHAN constipation guidelines, and reasons pediatricians refer constipated patients to a pediatric gastroenterologist. Overall, 75% of pediatricians used polyethylene glycol without electrolytes to treat childhood constipation, 8% of pediatricians were aware NASPGHAN had published constipation guidelines, and parental pressure was just one reason pediatricians referred constipated patients to a pediatric gastroenterologist.
Fast monitoring of traffic subpopulations

Network accounting, forensics, security, and performance monitoring applications often need to examine detailed traces from subsets of flows ("subpopulations"), where the application desires flexibility in specifying the subpopulation (e.g., to detect a portscan, the application must observe many packets between a source and a destination with one packet to each port). However, the dynamism and volume of network traffic on many high-speed links necessitates traffic sampling, which adversely affects subpopulation monitoring: because many subpopulations of interest to operators are low-volume flows, conventional sampling schemes (e.g., uniform random sampling) miss much of the subpopulation's traffic. Today's routers and network devices provide scant support for monitoring specific traffic subpopulations.This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of FlexSample, a traffic monitoring engine that dynamically extracts traffic from subpopulations that operators define using conditions on packet header fields. FlexSample uses a fast, flexible counter array to provide rough estimates of packets' membership in respective subpopulations. Based on these coarse estimates, FlexSample then makes per-packet sampling decisions to sample proportionately from each subpopulation (as specified by a network operator), subject to an overall sampling constraint. We apply FlexSample to extract subpopulations such as port scans and traffic to high-degree nodes and find that it is able to capture significantly more packets from these subpopulations than conventional approaches.
Generation of stable mixed-compact-toroid rings by inducing plasma currents in strong E rings

In the RECE-Christa device, hybrid-type compact toroid rings are generated by inducing large toroidal plasma currents I/sub p/ in strong electron rings using a thin induction coil positioned along the ring axis. Starting from field-reversal values delta /sub p/=50-120% of the original pure fast-electron ring, the induced plasma current I/sub p/ raises delta to a maximum value of up to 240% with I/sub p/ contributing more than 50% of the total ring current. The generated hybrid compact toroid configurations appear gross-stable during the full I/sub p/ pulse length (half-amplitude width about 100 mu s). >
Investigation and treatment of facial paralysis

Acute lower motor neurone facial paralysis is a common presentation in childhood. In most cases, an aetiological agent is not identified and the condition resolves spontaneously. A small number of cases are caused by a variety of underlying pathologies—some of which may have significant morbidity and mortality associated with them. The facial nerve (VII) leaves the pons at the pontomedullary junction, enters the skull via the internal auditory meatus, and passes along the facial canal. The nerve passes in close proximity to the medial wall of the inner ear and the mastoid cavity. During its course through the petrous temporal bone, branches leave to supply the lacrimal glands, the stapedius muscle in the inner ear, sensation for auricular skin, the sublingual and submandibular salivary glands, and taste fibres to the anterior two thirds of the tongue. The facial nerve exits the skull via the stylomastoid foramen and terminal branches supply the muscles of facial expression. Bilateral cortical innervation of the muscles of the upper face (orbicularis oculi and frontalis) means that complete facial paralysis is only seen with lower motor neurone lesions. The extent of additional impairment depends on the site of injury. Proximal lesions are associated with impaired lacrimation, hyperacusis, and loss of taste on the anterior two thirds of the tongue. The pathophysiology of idiopathic facial nerve palsy is uncertain. The condition often occurs two to three weeks following a viral illness. Active viral invasion of the nerve or immune demyelination may be responsible for the underlying neuropathy. It is unclear as to whether physical swelling of the nerve plays a significant pathological role. A variety of specific pathologies can also produce an acute lower motor neurone facial paralysis. Table 1 lists some important examples. Acute facial paralysis may manifest itself as a presenting …
Evidence for low-voltage-activated (LVA) calcium currents in the dendrites of tiger salamander retinal ganglion cells

We have evaluated the spatial distribution of low-voltage-activated calcium currents in ganglion cells of the tiger salamander retina. Whole-cell recordings were obtained from ganglion cells in a retinal slice preparation and from acutely dissociated ganglion cells that were identified through retrograde dye injection. In single dissociated cells, we estimated the magnitude (pA) and current density (pA/pF) of LVA currents in ganglion cells, both with and without dendritic processes. Ganglion cells that retained a portion of their dendritic arbor had larger LVA calcium currents and higher LVA current densities than those which lacked processes. When cell capacitance measurements were used to derive the surface area of the soma and dendritic processes, we concluded that a higher LVA current density was present in the dendrites; we estimate that, on average, the current density in the dendrites is approximately five times that of the soma. The presence of a significant density of LVA calcium channels in the dendrites of ganglion cells suggests that they could be involved in a number of cellular functions, including dendritic integration of synaptic currents, impulse generation, and homeostatic functions related to changes in the intradendritic calcium concentration.
Pathology and physiology of auditory neuropathy with a novel mutation in the MPZ gene (Tyr145→Ser)

We studied a family with hereditary sensory motor neuropathy and deafness accompanying a missense mutation in the MPZ gene. Pathological examination of the cochlea in one of the family members revealed marked loss of auditory ganglion cells and central and peripheral auditory nerve fibres within the cochlea. The inner hair cells were of normal number with preserved morphology. The outer hair cells were normal in number except for a 30% reduction in just the apical turn. Examination of the sural nerve and the auditory nerve adjacent to the brainstem showed marked loss of fibres with evidence of incomplete remyelination of some of the remaining fibres. Studies of auditory function in surviving family members using electrophysiological and psychoacoustic methods provided evidence that the hearing deficits in this form of auditory neuropathy were probably related to a decrease of auditory nerve input accompanying axonal disease. Altered synchrony of discharge of the remaining fibres was a possible additional contributing factor.
Phosphorus, nitrogen, and the redox evolution of the Paleozoic oceans

A new high-resolution Paleozoic d 13 Ccarb curve from the Great Basin shows an amount of variation that appears transitional between the highly unsettled Neoproterozoic and the increasingly stable Mesozoic to Cenozoic periods. Large positive excursions were common during cool periods (e.g., Late Ordovician‐Silurian and Late Devonian‐Early Mississippian), but rare during greenhouse climates. Some periods of stability in d 13 Ccarb lasted for .10 7 yr and are interpreted to reflect negative feedbacks on productivity in a nitrogen
Biomedical applications of the laser

Summary form only, as given. The destructive capabilities of pulsed lasers are already used widely in medicine and in biology, and CW lasers promise to be important in medical spectroscopy and communication.
The Concepts of Reasonableness and Good Faith in Russian Legislation and International Practice (Концепция Разумности и Добросовестности в Российском Законодательстве и Международной Практике)

We compare Russian company law with company laws in other countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, UK and USA), assess how the reasonableness and good faith conduct of directors and officers is determined, and propose changes to Russian law. This article is a revised, updated, and shortened version of Chapters 1.2 and 1.3 of the Report to Russian Center for Capital Market Development: Comparative Analysis on Legal Regulation of the Liability of Members of the Executive Organs of Companies, http://ssrn.com/abstract=1001990 (Russian version at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1001991 Краткое описание. В настоящей статье авторы попытались проанализировать законодательсво различных зарубежных стран (Канада, Франция, Германия, Италия, Корея, Великобритания и США) на предмет определения понятий добросовестности и разумности членов органов управления акционерных обществ. Особое внимание уделено анализу практического опыта применения этих норм корпоративного права судами в указанных странах и тому, что из международного опыта могла бы использовать Россия в своем корпоративном законодательстве. Настоящая статья является сокращенной и обновленной версией глав 1.2 и 1.3 Отчета «О результатах сравнительного анализа правового регулирования ответственности членов органов управления хозяйственных обществ» http://ssrn.com/abstract=1001991.
Abstract 4315: Extracellular signal regulated kinase 5 inpathogenesis of malignant mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a neoplastic disease of the pleural, peritoneal or pericardial cavity. Currently, there is no therapy for MM as it is resistant to most of the common chemotherapies and therefore, there is a need for new treatment strategies. In the present study we demonstrated that ERK5 is important in MM tumor growth and can potentially be targeted in combination with the chemotherapeutic drugs for more effective treatment. Human MM cell lines exhibit constitutive activation of ERK5. Addition of doxorubicin to these MM cell lines resulted in further activation of ERK5. ERK5 silencing by small hairpin RNA (shERK5) increased DOX-induced cell death and DOX retention in human MM cells. In addition, shERK5 MM lines exhibited both attenuated colony formation on soft agar and invasion of MM cells in vitro. Most importantly, injection of shERK5 MM cell lines into SCID mice showed significant reduction in tumor growth using both subcutaneous and intraperitoneal models. Finally, use of doxorubicin and cisplatin in combination with ERK5 inhibition showed further reduction in tumor weight and volume in the IP model of tumor growth, proving our hypothesis that ERK5 inhibition in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs is a beneficial strategy for combination therapy in MM patients. This work is supported by Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (AS), NIEHS-RO1ES021110 (AS) and T32 ES07122 (BM) grants. Citation Format: Arti Shukla, Jill Miller, Christopher Cason, Mutlay Sayan, Maximilian MacPherson, Stacie Beuschel, Brooke Mossman. Extracellular signal regulated kinase 5 inpathogenesis of malignant mesothelioma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4315. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4315
Cruise Ships: Continuity and Change in the World System

Cruise ships present a useful context to study contemporary developments in globalization. U.S.-owned cruise companies have managed to create the “ideal” context for contemporary corporations: very little government oversight of labor relations, an available pool of very cheap labor dispersed across the globe, lax environmental regulations, high profit margins, and corporate tax rates around 1%. A typical cruise ship leaving the U.S. contains workers from 75 to 90 nationalities. Crewmembers performing menial service work are recruited exclusively from “poor countries” in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Crewmembers typically sign 10-month contracts stipulating 10-14 hour workdays/7 days a week without vacation or sick days. There is a striking correlation between workers’ pay/status and their countries’ position within the world system. Staff members are usually white Westerners, while crewmembers are exclusively from the global south. On cruises the legacies of imperialism and colonialism are often the basis of workers’ racialization as appropriate servants.
Detection and Enhancement of Microseismic Signals with Correlation Operators: "Cross Product and Master Event" Methods

A class of more general polarization filters, referred to as rectilinear motion detectors (REMODE), is being developed in which the filter functions are based on the correlation functions for two components. Sometimes the correlation function is used between a selected signal describing a target seismic event and seismic data (Gibson and Ringdal 2006). In this study, two ―linear motion detector‖ type operators were applied to enhance the signal/noise ratio of the microseismic signal.
Temperature-dependent ion-beam mixing in amorphous SiOC/crystalline Fe composite

The irradiation stability of amorphous SiOC and crystalline Fe interface was investigated by in-situ Kr ion mixing. Results showed intermixing between Fe and SiOC was most severe for irradiation at 50 K and the intermixing decreases as irradiation temperature increases. These findings suggest two characteristic regimes of ion mixing: one regime is independent of temperature and due to ballistic mixing and the other regime is dependent on temperature and is referred to as radiation-enhanced demixing. The occurrence of the temperature-independent mixing and temperature-dependent demixing regimes indicates that the Fe/SiOC nanocomposite is thermodynamically stable and radiation tolerant at elevated temperatures.IMPACT STATEMENT This report reveals two characteristic ion mixing regimes in Fe/SiOC system: one temperature-independent regime and the other temperature-dependent demixing regime, indicating its thermodynamically stability and radiation tolerance at elevated temperatures.
Main Controlling Factors for Oil Displacement Efficiency by Single Sand Body in Meandering River Channel

In order to improve oil displacement efficiency of infusing agents and precisely to predict the three dimensional distribution about residual oil,taking the sand body of P Ⅰ 2 individual meandering river-channel in Putaohuareservior of Daqing Oilfield as an example,by analyzing the thin interbeds and vertical permeability discrepancy,this paper brings forward the space configuration of the thin interbeds in single sand body,the vertical permeability distribution and gravitational differentiation which control the distribution of residual oil and the vertical multisection model of displacement efficiency in the condition of excluding exploitation factors and identical single sand-body,.
Colonic Adenocarcinoma: A Delayed Complication of Ureterosigmoidostomy

Two cases are reported of adenocarcinoma of the colon developing 26 and 33 years after the patients had undergone ureterosigmoidostomy. The literature is reviewed and the clinical implications are discussed.
Impact of Canopy Representations on Regional Modeling of Evapotranspiration using the WRF-ACASA Coupled Model

This work is supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Awards No.ATM-0619139 and EF-1137306. The Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change is funded by a number of federal agencies and a consortium of 40 industrial and foundation sponsors. (For the complete list see http://globalchange.mit.edu/sponsors/current.html).
Monitoring the intracranial aneurysm patient.

AbstractThe perioperative management of aneurysmal subarachnoidal haemorrhage is challenging and often requires an extensive team work. Unfortunately, there is no uniform system applied for perioperative monitoring of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage. The new developing technology enhances our monitoring capability with subsequent impact on patient’s outcome. This article presents a review of current monitoring modalities applicable to patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage with emphasis on the central nervous system and some of the authors’ experience. [Neurol Res 1994; 16: 12-17]
Guinea pig infection with the intracellular pathogen Rhodococcus equi

Rhodococcus equi is an opportunistic intracellular pathogen that causes pyogranulomatous pneumonia in foals and immunocompromised people, and is clinically and microbiologically similar to tuberculosis (TB). Currently, no model exists of R. equi pneumonia other than intra-bronchial infection of foals with R. equi. Because infection of foals is labor-intensive and costly, a guinea pig (GP) model of R. equi pneumonia would be of great benefit for evaluating novel approaches for control and prevention of this disease (and possibly TB). Our objective in this study was to develop a GP model of R. equi pneumonia. Groups of 6 GPs were infected with either 101, 102, 103, or 104 CFU of virulent R. equi strain using a Madison aerosol chamber, and groups of 6 GPs were infected with either 106, 107, or 108 CFU of virulent R. equi intratracheally. GPs were observed daily for clinical signs of pneumonia, and were euthanized on days 1, 3, 7, 14, or 35 post-infection (PI). Necropsy was performed and lungs were weighed, homogenized with PBS, and plated onto selective agar to determine bacterial load. No clinical signs of the disease or gross pathologic changes were observed regardless of the inoculum or mode of infection; histopathological findings of lungs are pending. Viable bacteria recovered from the lungs increased on day 3 PI, but decreased on day 7. No bacteria were recovered from animals euthanized either 2 or 5 weeks PI. Despite being highly susceptible to the agent of TB, GPs appear to be resistant to pulmonary infection with virulent R. equi at high doses. These remarkable findings suggest that this model might reveal novel mechanisms of resistance to natural infection with R. equi, which could inform the development of prophylactic or therapeutic approaches.
Understanding the healthcare communication needs of pediatric patients through the My CHATT tool: A pilot study

Background: Communication is considered a key indicator for high-quality patient- and family-centered healthcare. However, few studies have assessed pediatric preferences for healthcare communicati...
Leveraging Human Genetics to Understand the Relation of LDL Cholesterol with Type 2 Diabetes

In a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association , Lotta and colleagues used human genetic data to address the link of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) 3 with type 2 diabetes (T2D) (1). They set out to investigate whether LDL-C–lowering alleles in or near genes encoding targets of 3 different lipid-lowering therapies (statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, and ezetimibe) were associated with risk of T2D. Human genetic studies have proven to be useful in predicting efficacy and adverse effects of perturbation of drug targets, such as cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) inhibitors. Previous studies have shown that LDL-C–lowering alleles in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase ( HMGCR ), 4 the gene encoding the target of statins, are associated with lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), but also an increased risk of T2D. These observations are consistent with metaanalyses of randomized clinical trials of statins, which show that while statins decrease LDL-C concentrations and risk of cardiovascular events, they are also associated with a slightly increased risk of T2D. In contrast, individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) caused by mutations in low density lipoprotein receptor ( LDLR ) seem to be protected against T2D. Similarly, studies of variation in proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 ( PCSK9 ) have consistently predicted an effect of PCSK9 inhibitors on LDL-C–lowering and decreased risk of CHD, and a study published soon after the JAMA paper by Lotta et al. showed that PCSK9 variants associated with lower LDL-C also were associated with higher fasting glucose, body weight, and waist-to-hip ratio, and an increased risk of T2D (2). This observation contrasts to the initial (small) clinical trial data on PCSK9 inhibitors that have not shown significant effects on T2D risk. The observations of LDL-C–lowering alleles in both HMGCR and PCSK9 being associated with T2D risk is especially intriguing in the …
Ce in the +4 oxidation state: Anion photoelectron spectroscopy and photodissociation of small CexOyHz− molecules

The anion photoelectron (PE) spectra of a range of small mono-cerium molecular species, along with the Ce2O4− and Ce3O6− stoichiometric clusters, are presented and analyzed with the support of density functional theory calculations. A common attribute of all of the neutral species is that the Ce centers in both the molecules and clusters are in the +4 oxidation state. In bulk ceria (CeO2), an unoccupied, narrow 4f band lies between the conventional valence (predominantly O 2p) and conduction (Ce 5d) bands. Within the CeO2−, CeO3H2−, and Ce(OH)4− series, the PE spectra and computational results suggest that the Ce 6s-based molecular orbital is the singly occupied HOMO in CeO2− but becomes destabilized as the Ce 4f-local orbital becomes stabilized with increasing coordination. CeO3−, a hyperoxide, undergoes photodissociation with 3.49 eV photon energy to form the stoichiometric neutral CeO2 and O−. In the CeO2−, Ce2O4− ,and Ce3O6− stoichiometric cluster series, the 6s destabilization with 4f stabilization i...
Studies of isolated, maintained oligodendroglia: biochemistry, metabolism, and in vitro myelin synthesis.

Oligodendroglia can be isolated in bulk from dissected white matter of lamb or bovine brain. Studies of the composition of the whole cell and of glial subfractions were performed to detect similarities to mature myelin. With care isolated oligodendroglia can now be maintained in culture for three to four days. While in culture the cells elaborate a form of glial myelin which has characteristics of both the intact cell and of mature myelin. Glial myelin reacts with both the antiserum to oligodendroglial surface components and with antiserum to galacto-cerebroside; it increases in amount with time in culture; if various radiolabeled substrates are added to the cells in culture, the glial myelin has both lipids and proteins which are extensively radiolabeled; the glial myelin has both basic protein and 2’,3’-cyclic AMPase associated with it. Thus this model system may be an excellent system for studying myelin assembly in vitro.
A Technical Note on Revenue Estimation for an Add-On VAT: The Fixed GDP Convention, Relative Prices, Income Offsets and Monetary Policy

Revenue estimates for tax policy changes are typically made under the convention of a fixed set of economic assumptions, with a given level of nominal GDP and aggregate income. For a tax policy change as large and significant as an add-on value-added tax (VAT) or other consumption tax that applies to a large share of consumption expenditures, the fixed GDP assumption requires careful calculation of the changes in relative prices and other relationships that result from the imposition of a VAT. This paper provides a technical analysis for issues associated with revenue estimation of an add-on VAT, notably relative price relationships, the role of compliance, income and revenue offsets, issues regarding assumptions about monetary policy, and total Federal budget effects.
Otolaryngology Service Usage in Children With Cleft Palate.

Objectives To determine the usage of otolaryngology services by children with cleft palate at a pediatric tertiary care facility. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Specialty clinic at a pediatric tertiary care hospital. Patients Children born between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2002, with the diagnosis of cleft palate or cleft lip and palate. A total of 41 female and 48 male patients were included. Main outcome measures Total number of otolaryngology clinic visits and total number of otolaryngologic surgeries (tympanostomy tube placements and other otologic or upper airway procedures). Results In the first 5 years of life, these children utilized an average of 8.2 otolaryngology clinic visits (SD = 5.0; range: 1-22) and underwent 3.3 tympanostomy tube surgeries (SD = 2.0; range: 0-10). Seventy-three had their first tube placed at the time of palate repair, and 4 at the time of lip repair. Fifty-one (57.3%) required other otologic or upper airway procedures, including tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy (27 children), removal of tympanostomy tubes (24 children), tympanomastoidectomy (3 children), and tympanoplasty (14 children). Of the children who underwent other procedures, they underwent a mean of 1.67 (SD = 0.84; range: 1-4) surgeries. Conclusions Children with cleft palate are at increased risk for eustachian tube dysfunction, frequently utilize otolaryngology care, and typically receive multiple sets of tympanostomy tubes. This study found that children with cleft palate receive on average of approximately 3 sets of tympanostomy tubes, and the majority required another otologic or upper airway surgery.
When is Reasoning Nonmonotonic

Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) emphasize the crucial importance of nonmonotonic reasoning in any adequate scheme of knowledge representation.1 As Nute (1984) observes, humans notoriously rely upon nonmonotonic reasoning, and any “automated reasoning system should also reason nonmonotonically in a way which people can easily understand”. Conclusions that can be inferred on the basis of a given set of premises may often be withdrawn or even overruled when new evidence is provided in the form of additional premises. Told only that a match has been struck, for example, humans will typically infer that that match did light and burn. But if they are also told that the match in question was wet when struck, they will tend to revise their inference and conclude that the match did not light. If told further that the match was wet but coated in paraffin when struck, most (reasonable) humans would infer that the match did light and burn after all, thus revising their inference once more — unless, of course, told no oxygen was present when the match was struck, in which case still another revision is called for. And this is precisely the character of nonmonotonic reasoning, as Nute suggests, i.e., “people draw conclusions based on incomplete information, but these conclusions are open to revision as better information becomes available”.2
Surgical Treatment of Onychocryptosis

Proper nail growth is dependent on a host of mechanical factors. Changes to the nail borders and forces affecting growth at the matrix often leads to pathology at the nail/skin interface. When conservative efforts fail there are a variety of surgical approaches and techniques available to the physician including: radical excision, rotational flap, wedge excision, partial nail avulsion (with/without matrixectomy), total nail avulsion (with/without matrixectomy). Treatment is ultimately up to the practitioner, however, the literature shows that nail removal with matrixectomy is the most effective response to a chronic ingrowing toenail. Current methods of treatment for onychocryptosis with matrixectomy are categorized either as a chemical ablation matrixectomy involving phenol or sodium hydroxide, or excisional matrixectomies which involve “cold steel” removal of the offending nail matrix with or without the nail bed. The Winograd and Frost procedures are examples of partial excisional matrixectomies indicated when an isolated nail border is affected. Some presentations may result in the need for total and permanent nail removal. These procedures involve nail plate avulsion followed by total matrixectomy by surgical excision or chemical cautery using phenol. The Zadik and Suppan procedures are examples of total excisional nail removal.