cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vascular surgical site infection: risk factors and preventive measures

Surgical-site infection (SSI) after arterial intervention is the most common nosocomial vascular infection and an important cause of postoperative morbidity. Its prevention requires the vascular surgeon to be cognizant of its changing epidemiology, patient risk factors, and effective measures to reduce its incidence. The majority of vascular SSIs are caused by Gram-positive bacteria, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as the prevalent pathogen, now involved in more than one-third of cases. Nasal carriage of methicillin-sensitive or methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains, recent hospitalization, failed arterial reconstruction, and presence of a groin incision, are major risk factors for developing vascular SSI. Overall, the vascular SSI rate is higher than predicted by Center for Disease Control National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk category system, and ranges from 1% to 2% after open or endovascular aortic interventions to as high as 10% to 20% after lower-limb bypass grafting procedures. Use of preoperative measures to reduce S. aureus nasal and skin colonization in conjunction with appropriate, bactericidal antibiotic prophylaxis, meticulous wound closure, and postoperative care to optimize patient host defense regulation mechanisms (temperature, oxygenation, blood sugar) can minimize SSI occurrence.
Large-volume preparation of pyridoxylated hemoglobin with high P50.

A technique is described for the preparation of a stroma-free pyridoxylated hemoglobin solution in volumes of up to 20 liters and hemoglobin concentrations of 18–20 g%. The methemoglobin concentration is 3–7%; the phospholipid content is 5–10% of lysate; and normal values for prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time are obtained. Electrophoresis on cellulose acetate strips shows that 70% of the hemoglobin is covalently linked to pyridoxal-5′-phosphate. This proportion can be raised to greater than 85% (PLP fraction) by batch purification with DEAE-Sephadex. The final solution has an in vitroP50 of 22–26 mm Hg (pH = 7.40, pCO2 = 40 mm Hg, temperature = 37°C). Both the proportion of pyridoxylated to unmodified hemoglobin and the P50 remain unchanged throughout the course of total exchange transfusion in the baboon.
Letter from VGP President

To Members of the Section of Volcanology, Geochemistry and Petrology: The biennial changing of the guard for AGU officers has occurred once again. On behalf of the members of the VGP section, I thank Robin Brett for his admirable service as section president and Donald DePaolo for 2 years as secretary, with the principal responsibility for the scientific programs at AGU meetings. We welcome on board the new section officers: Bruce Marsh as president-elect and Timothy Grove as secretary.
Transfection of a DNA/protein complex into nuclei of mammalian cells using polyoma capsids and electroporation

We used empty capsids ofpolyoma virus to transfer DNA fragments and DNA/protein complexes into human cells. We encapsulated labeled and unlabeled single stranded DNA fragments by viral capsids. A complex of DNA with a DNA binding protein, recA, will also be taken up by the capsids, whereas the free protein is not incorporated. We further compared this gentle biological method of DNA transfection with a well-established physical method, electroporation. Electroporation also allows the transfer of DNA as well as protein into cells, although there is no proof that a DNA/protein complex can survive the procedure functionally. Whereas the viability of capsid transfected cells is unaffected (100%), electroporation reduces the viability to 90–95%. On the other hand, the amount of DNA found in the nucleus of electroporated cells is higher than for cells treated with loaded viral capsids.
Model or meal? Farm animal populations as models for infectious diseases of humans

In recent decades, theory addressing the processes that underlie the dynamics of infectious diseases has progressed considerably. Unfortunately, the availability of empirical data to evaluate these theories has not grown at the same pace. Although laboratory animals have been widely used as models at the organism level, they have been less appropriate for addressing issues at the population level. However, farm animal populations can provide empirical models to study infectious diseases at the population level.
Photo‐chemistry of pigments. Studies on the mechanism of chalking

Studies are presented which demonstrate that: (1) irradiation of titanium and zinc oxide pigments produces singlet oxygen; (2) irradiation of titanium dioxide pigments in water yields, hydrogen peroxide; and (3) the formation of singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide correlates with chalking tendencies of the pigments. These findings, together with the results of quenching studies, are interpreted in terms of a working hypothesis, for the generation of reactive oxidants, which ties together previous work into a unified scheme. The relative chalking rates of anatase and rutile titanium dioxide as well as the improvement of chalk resistance by surface treatment, are discussed within the framework of this scheme. The role of singlet oxygen in the chalking process, the importance of its presence with regard to the control of chalking, and possible mechanisms for its formation are also discussed.
Neurite extension by neuroblastoma cells on substratum-bound fibronectin's cell-binding fragment but not on the heparan sulfate-binding protein, platelet factor-4☆

Human and rat neuroblastoma cells extend neurites over plasma fibronectin (pFN)-coated substrata. For resolution of which fibronectin binding activities (the cell-binding domain (CBD), the heparan sulfate-binding domains, or a combination of the two) are responsible for neurite outgrowth, CBD was prepared free of heparan sulfate-binding activity as described by Pierschbacher et al. (Cell 26 (1981) 259-267). Neuroblastoma cells attached and extended neurites as stably and as effectively on CBD-coated substrata as on intact pFN, while cytoplasmic spreading was more extensive on pFN-coated substrata. The structures of growth cones on CBD or pFN were virtually identical. On substrata coated with the model heparan sulfate-binding protein, platelet factor 4 (PF4), cells attached and spread somewhat but never extended neurites. When cells were challenged with substrata coated with various ratios of CBD and PF4, PF4 was found to be an effective inhibitor of CBD-mediated neurite extension. Similarly, cells grown on substrata coated at different locations with CBD or PF4 in order to evaluate topographical dependence of growth cone formation extended neurites only onto the CBD-coated region or along the interface between these two proteins, but never onto the PF4 side of cells that bridged the interface. These studies indicate that (a) the CBD activity of pFN, and not its heparan sulfate-binding activity, is the critical determinant in neurite extension of these neural tumor cells from the central nervous system; (b) under some circumstances, heparan sulfate-binding activity can be antagonistic to neurite extension; (c) the chemical nature of the substratum controls the direction of neurite extension; (d) these neuroblastoma cells respond to these binding proteins very differently than fibroblasts or neurons from the peripheral nervous system.
Patronage of Śaivism and Other Religious Groups in Western India under the Dynasties of the Kaṭaccuris, Gurjaras and Sendrakas from the 5th to the 8th Centuries

Southern Gujarat and north-western Maharashtra constituted a highly contested region in the early medieval period, between the 5th and 8th centuries. The majority of the royal grants were in favour of Vedic Brahmins without any specific Śaiva, Vaiṣṇava, or other sectarian leanings, the rest in favour of Hindu temples. Whereas the Traikūṭakas had been Vaiṣṇavas, Kaṭaccuri Kṛṣṇarāja is described as ‘devoted to Paśupati’. Not only among the Kaṭaccuris, but also among the Gurjaras, Sendrakas, and Lāṭa Calukyas, there was a strong tendency to use the religious epithet paramamāheśvara, ‘worshipper of Śiva’, homogeneously. Individual Gurjara and Sendraka charters record endowments for the worship of Āśramadeva and Alaṅghyeśvara, and one prince of the Lāṭa Calukyas is said to have worshipped a religious mendicant whose name ended in °śivabhaṭṭāraka. But it was not before the 11th century that the epigraphic evidence for the institutionalization of Śaivism in the region increased remarkably.
Good news for the ageing beta cell.

Abbreviations GLP1 Glucagon-like peptide-1 GPCR G-protein-coupled receptor MAPK Mitogen-activated protein kinase MTOR Mammalian target of rapamycin PDGF Platelet-derived growth factor PDK1 PIP3-dependent kinase PI3K Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase PIP2 Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate PIP3 Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate PKB Protein kinase B PKC Protein kinase C PTEN Phosphatase and tensin homologue Raf Rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma Ras Rat sarcoma protein Rheb Ras homologue enriched in brain TSC1/2 Tuberous sclerosis proteins 1 and 2
The role of surveillance in the treatment of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer after chemotherapy.

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To determine the survival of patients at our institution who were clinically tumour-free (cT0) on re-staging transurethral resection (TUR) after treatment with chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 55 patients with muscle-invasive, organ-confined transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were treated with TUR followed by systemic chemotherapy, over a 10-year period. Patients were separated into two groups, those who were clinically T0 and those who showed persistent disease (>cT0) on re-biopsy after chemotherapy. Overall and disease-specific survival rates were calculated for the two groups. The cT0 group was further followed for tumour recurrence and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Thirty-one patients (56%) were clinically T0 on TUR after chemotherapy; of these patients, 22 (71%) either died from other causes (with no disease recurrence) or are alive and with no evidence of disease at a mean follow-up of 53 months. Twenty of the 31 patients (65%) have retained their bladder with no evidence of cancer recurrence at a mean follow-up of 46 months. Disease-free status (cT0) at the time of TUR after chemotherapy was associated with significantly higher overall and cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio 3.40, P = 0.003; and 8.63, P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION Previous studies suggest that surveillance can be a reasonable option for patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder who show no evidence of disease on TUR after chemotherapy. Patients with persistent bladder cancer on re-biopsy after chemotherapy tend to fare poorly even with immediate cystectomy.
Metabolism of 2-nitro-1-phenylpropane by rabbit liver microsomes

Abstract The in vitro metabolism of 2-nitro-1-phenylpropane by rabbit liver microsomes was examined. The metabolites, identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, were benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, phenylacetone, 1-phenyl-2-propanon-1-ol, and 1-phenyl-1,2-propanediol. The mass spectra of these compounds are discussed in terms of the major diagnostic peaks. the levels of the metabolites formed were determined by quantitative gas chromatography, and the major metabolites were phenylacetone and 1-phenyl-2-propanon-1-ol. the formation of these two compounds appears to be P-450 dependent since the reactions are sensitive to CO and 2,4-dichloro-6-phenylphenolxethylamine (DPEA) and inducible by phenobarbital pretreatment of the rabbits.
Are Teachers Responsible for Low Achievement by Poor Students

Abstract “The problems of achievement among America's poor are much more likely to be loca ed outside the school than in it.”
Stroke: Are antihypertensives beneficial in acute stroke?

Increased blood pressure is associated with poor outcomes in acute stroke, but studies assessing the use of antihypertensive agents have been inconclusive. The recent SCAST trial has found that the angiotensin receptor blocker candesartan does not benefit patients with acute stroke and elevated blood pressure, and might even be harmful.
Blood transfusion and the risk of recurrence in squamous carcinoma of the vulva

Objective: Our purpose was to determine if postoperative transfusion increases the risk of recurrence in patients who have undergone operation for squamous carcinoma of the vulva. Study Design: Data from 154 patients with squamous carcinoma of the vulva treated at Indiana University Medical Center from 1974 through 1988 were retrospectively analyzed to determine the influence of postoperative transfusion on recurrence risk. Patients were evaluated for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, lesion size, lesion depth, grade, patient age, number of transfusions, and recurrence with X 2 analysis, Fisher's exact test, and the Student t test where appropriate. Results: Transfusions were given to 57 patients (37%) with a mean of 2.2 units delivered (range 1 to 5 units). Transfused patients differed significantly from those not transfused in that they had more advanced stage ( p = 0.002), more positive nodes ( p = 0.03), and higher grade lesions ( p = 0.03), and they were older ( p = 0.005). Recurrences developed in 25 patients (16.2%). Recurrences were more common in those with positive nodes (10-39, 25.6%) than in those with negative nodes (8/99, 8%), ( p = 0.01). Only nodal status was predictive of recurrence in this series. Transfused patients had a 14% (8/57) rate of recurrence, whereas the recurrence risk was 17.5% (17/97) in those not transfused ( p = 0.65). Conclusions: We have been unable to confirm that postoperative transfusions increase the risk of recurrence in patients with squamous carcinoma of the vulva.
Efficiency evaluation with strong ordinal input and output measures

Abstract Data envelopment analysis (DEA) evaluates the relative efficiency of decision making units (DMUs) with multiple inputs and outputs. When inputs and outputs are only known as bounded data or in ordinal relations, the standard DEA model becomes a non-linear and non-convex program. Such a non-linear DEA model can still be solved by standard DEA models via converting bounded and ordinal inputs/outputs into exact data. The current paper shows that caution should be paid when strong ordinal inputs and outputs are present. Models are developed to identify the benchmark in selecting a positive scalar used in converting weak ordinal relations into strong ones. It is shown that extreme-efficient DMUs remain efficient when weak ordinal input/output relations are replaced by strong ones. The paper is illustrated with an application to a Korea telecommunication company.
A meshfree contact-detection algorithm

A new contact-detection algorithm is proposed, which is based on the moment matrix of the meshfree interpolation. This new contact-detection algorithm has several advantages over conventional contact-detection algorithms; they are ease of implementation, accuracy in detection. It is scalable in parallel computations, and applicable to a wide variety of problems. Because the moment matrix is computed in constructing meshfree approximation, the algorithm is very suitable for meshfree computations, though it can be used in finite element computations as well. Moreover, such contact-detection algorithm can be conveniently implemented to detect self-contact. Both algorithmic and mathematical aspects of the contact algorithm are discussed in the paper. To validate the proposed contact algorithm, the Taylor bar problem is computed using both meshfree method and finite element method (FEM) to simulate a viscoplastic projectile impacting with a rigid target at high speed. Numerical results obtained with the meshfree contact algorithm show that this new contact algorithm can accurately predict the contact as well as separation of projectile and target. In addition, the numerical results obtained show distinct and detailed shear band formations occurring in the impact event.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF SPECIES FORMED FROM SURFACES BY LASER VAPORIZATION

Spectroscopic measurements in laser-generated plumes are quite challenging. These are transient events, lasting the order of several milliseconds. In this time scale, material expands from the surface to reach levels one to several centimeters away depending on the amount of excitation and the ambient conditions. Each plume is slightly different. It is therefore important to provide spatial and temporal information in the interrogation of these plumes. Perhaps the most serious problem limiting the utility of laser-generated plumes is reproducibility. Laser energies are inherently unstable from one pulse to another. The surface optical properties can change depending on local composition and sample preparation, including alterations due to previous vaporization pulses. There needs to be an independent way to determine the amount of material removed on a per pulse basis. We will examine several recent developments in spectrometric measurements in laser-generated plumes. These studies have provided better understanding of the vaporization process, and have led to more reliable and more sensitive applications to elemental analysis.
A predictive risk index for nosocomial pneumonia in the intensive care unit

Abstract purpose: To develop a scoring system for stratifying patients in intensive care units (ICUs) by risk of developing nosocomial pneumonia (NP) and to identify the time period associated with the highest risk. patients and methods: Two hundred and three patients 18 years of age or older and residing in the ICU for 72 hours or more were followed until development of NP or death or for 48 hours after discharge from the ICU. After the identification of independent risk factors for NP, a scoring system was developed to arrive at a predictive risk index for NP. results: Twenty-six (12.8%) patients developed NP. The presence of a nasogastric (NG) tube [odds ratio (OR) = 6.48, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 2.11 to 19.82], upper abdominal/thoracic surgery (OR = 4.34, 95% CI=1.43 to 13.14), and bronchoscopy (OR = 2.95, 95% CI=1.02 to 8.52), most commonly performed for respiratory toilet, were identified as independent risk factors on multivariate analysis. The risks associated with endotracheal intubation and altered consciousness, although not independently significant, were highest when these factors were present for 1 to 4 days after the 72 hours required for study entry (endotracheal intubation, OR=2.2 to 2.5; altered consciousness, OR=1.4 to 2.0). The risk then declined; ORs of less than 1 were observed at 7 days. The risk associated with the NG tube was highest during the first 6 days (OR = 6.0 to 19.5). Although a subsequent decrease in risk was observed, the OR was still greater than 2 at 7 days. To obtain a predictive risk index for NP, a scoring system was developed using a multivariate model. This system has a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 66% in predicting NP in this ICU population. conclusion: ICU patients can be stratified into high- and low-risk groups for NP using a bedside scoring system. Endotracheal intubation, altered mental status, and NG tube are associated with the highest risk of NP during the first 1 to 6 days of their presence after 72 hours of stay in the ICU. After this time period, the risk associated with these factors decreases. Bronchoscopy may be an independent risk factor for NP that has not been previously recognized. This procedure, often done in the ICU for respiratory toilet, may be an avoidable risk in this group of patients.
Counseling and Behavior Change in Pediatric Obesity

To effectively intervene with overweight and obese youth, it is imperative that primary care providers and behavioral interventionists work in concert to help families implement healthy behaviors across socioenvironmental domains (i.e., family/home, peer, community). As health care providers are often the first line of intervention for families, one critical component to implementing the socioenvironmental approach is to infuse intervention strategies into the primary care setting. In this paper, we review current office-based counseling practices and provide evidence-based recommendations for addressing weight status and strategies for encouraging behavior change with children and families, primarily by increasing social support. By providing such collaborative, targeted efforts, consistent health messages and support will be delivered across children’s everyday contexts, thereby helping youth to achieve successful implementation of eating and activity behaviors and sustainable weight loss outcomes.
Rules for neural development revealed by chimaeric sensory systems in crickets

Many sensory systems are organized so that the afferent projection forms a topographic map of the sensory surface within the central nervous system (CNS)1,2. The information necessary to create such a map may be available to the neuronal cell body based on its position in the receptor array, and this ‘positional information’ is translated into an axonal arborization in the proper part of the CNS3–6. To study how the location of a cell body within the sensory surface determines the termination pattern of its axon within the CNS, we have transplanted epidermis, containing identified sensory neurones, from a black cricket to a tan cricket. As we report here, when epidermis is transplanted to an unusual location in the receptor array, newly generated neurones are produced along the borders of the graft. These neurones arborize in locations that are appropriate neither to their new position nor to their original position in the array, but rather to a position somewhere in between. This is direct evidence for the idea that positional information guides the differentiation and ultimately the synaptic connections of insect sensory neurones.
Early Oligocene paleovalleys in southern and central Wyoming: Evidence of high local relief on the late Eocene unconformity

Local relief in the mountains of southern and central Wyoming at the end of the Eocene was as great as if not greater than it is today. This is indicated by large valleys containing the lower Oligocene White River Formation that extend into the Precambrian cores of the Medicine Bow and Laramie mountains. There has been little deformation of White River rocks in the valleys or on the margins of the mountain ranges, precluding post-Eocene block uplift as a source of modern topographic relief. The regionally widespread low-relief subsummit surface was developed during the Miocene, and is not part of the late Eocene unconformity. Other Oligocene valley fils in the Rocky Mountains indicate that high local relief was widespread during the late Eocene.
Mass transfer to an accelerating multidrop system

Etude de plusieurs gouttes spheriques monodispersees en interaction et tombant dans une atmosphere polluee
Energy dependence of correction factors for the Victoreen Model 666 Portable Radiographic Health Survey System.

The energy dependence for each of three models of Victoreen 666 ionization chambers is characterized through an examination of the correction factors determined over the diagnostic x‐ray range (0.4–4.9 mm Al HVL) for many samples of each model. The results of an analysis of variance performed for each chamber model on the correction factors are reported as mean correction factors for the x‐ray beams evaluated, with a relative standard error of less than 0.6% in all cases. Energy‐dependence curves for the three chamber models are given, and their use is described.
Comparison of isoleucine epimerization in a model dipeptide and fossil protein

Abstract The dipeptide isoleucyl-glycine in aqueous solution has activation energies for isoleucine epimerization and hydrolysis of 23.1 and 20.9 kcal mol −1 , respectively. The activation energy for epimerization of NH 2 -terminal isoleucine is 5–8 kcal mol −1 less than activation energies reported for epimerization of isoleucine in the free state or in various protein systems. Furthermore, the rate of isoleucine epimerization in the NH 2 -terminal position exceeds the rate of hydrolysis at temperatures between 0 and 152°C. Consequently, a high rate of epimerization in fossils should only occur when isoleucine is in the terminal position. Partially epimerized isoleucine will be converted through hydrolysis from the terminal form to the slower epimerizing free isoleucine. Over the course of the total isoleucine epimerization reaction, either in dipeptides or proteins, the activation energy will increase and the reaction rate will decrease as terminal isoleucine is converted to free isoleucine. This process may explain the non-linear kinetics observed for isoleucine epimerization in carbonate fossils. The degree of isoleucine epimerization is low in different molecular weight fractions of a fossil protein from Mercenaria in all fractions greater than 500 mol. wt, where most isoleucine is likely to be in the interior position. In the less than 500 mol. wt peptide fraction, where a considerable portion of the isoleucine is likely to be in the terminal position, the degree of epimerization is significantly greater. These analytical results from fossil protein support the interpretation of isoleucine kinetics obtained by study of dipeptides.
The mental health associate: a new approach in mental health.

This paper presents and discusses extensive data obtained from 30 employed graduates of associate-degree programs in mental health. Some biographical data are included along with a summary of their objectives as mental health workers and their perception of the relevancy of their training to these objectives. Further, information is presented relative to the utilization of these mental health associates by agencies and institutions. The problems they encountered on entering the mental health field and the characteristics of their work situations that provided, or failed to provide, them with a feeling of satisfaction in their new roles are discussed.
Brahmi-derived scripts, script layout, and segmental awareness

In earlier work (Sproat 2000), I characterized the layout of symbols in a script in terms of a calculus involving two dimensional catenation operators: I claimed that leftwards, rightwards, upwards, downwards and surrounding catenation are sufficient to describe the layout of any script. In the first half of this paper I analyze four Indic alphasyllabaries — Devanagari, Oriya, Kannada and Tamil — in terms of this model. A crucial claim is that despite the complexities of layout in alphasyllabic scripts, they are essentially no different in nature than alphabetic scripts, such as Latin. The second part of the paper explores implications of this view for theories of phonology and human processing of orthography. Apparently problematic is evidence that “phonemic awareness” — the ability for literate speakers to manipulate sounds consciously at the phoneme level — is much stronger with alphabetic scripts, than with alphasyllabaries. But phonemic awareness is not categorically absent for readers of Indic scripts; in general, how aware a reader is of a particular phoneme is related to how that phoneme is rendered in the script. Relevant factors appear to include whether the symbol is written inline, whether it is a diacritic, and whether it is ligatured with another symbol.
The M. obturator internus sulcus on Middle and Late Pleistocene human ischia

Recent human ischia and those of Middle and Late Pleistocene hominids exhibit variation in the cranio-caudal location of the sulcus for the internal obturator muscle as it rounds the ischium through the lesser sciatic notch, from being fully cranial of the ischial tuberosity, to bordering the tuberosity, to crossing the superior tuberosity. Among two recent human samples, all three forms exist, with the cranial position of the sulcus being more common in a 20th century Euroamerican sample whereas the intermediate one predominates in a horticultural late prehistoric Amerindian sample. The available Pleistocene Homo fossil remains exhibit the full range of variation with no one form being dominant in Middle Pleistocene archaic humans and Middle Paleolithic late archaic and early modern humans. It is only within the Upper Paleolithic that the cranial and intermediate locations for the sulcus become predominant. These patterns therefore indicate that it is inappropriate to use this feature for distinguishing later Pleistocene hominid groups.
Identification and biochemical characterization of four wood-associated glucuronoxylan methyltransferases in Populus.

Wood is one of the promising bioenergy feedstocks for lignocellulosic biofuel production. Understanding how wood components are synthesized will help us design strategies for better utilization of wood for biofuel production. One of the major wood components is xylan, in which about 10% of xylosyl residues are substituted with glucuronic acid (GlcA) side chains. All the GlcA side chains of xylan in wood of Populus trichocarpa are methylated, which is different from Arabidopsis xylan in which about 60% of GlcA side chains are methylated. Genes responsible for methylation of GlcA side chains in Populus xylan have not been identified. Here, we report genetic and biochemical analyses of four DUF579 domain-containing proteins, PtrGXM1, PtrGXM2, PtrGXM3 and PtrGXM4, from Populus trichocarpa and their roles in GlcA methylation in xylan. The PtrGXM genes were found to be highly expressed in wood-forming cells and their encoded proteins were shown to be localized in the Golgi. When overexpressed in the Arabidopsis gxm1/2/3 triple mutant, PtrGXMs were able to partially complement the mutant phenotypes including defects in glucuronoxylan methyltransferase activity and GlcA methylation in xylan, indicating that PtrGXMs most likely function as glucuronoxylan methyltransferases. Direct evidence was provided by enzymatic analysis of recombinant PtrGXM proteins showing that they possessed a methyltransferase activity capable of transferring the methyl group onto GlcA-substituted xylooligomers. Kinetic analysis showed that PtrGXMs exhibited differential affinities toward the GlcA-substituted xylooligomer acceptor with PtrGXM3 and PtrGXM4 having 10 times higher Km values than PtrGXM1 and PtrGXM2. Together, these findings indicate that PtrGXMs are methyltransferases mediating GlcA methylation in Populus xylan during wood formation.
American Military Government Organization in Germany

In dealing with the organization of military government in Germany it is possible to start at the top and move down, or to consider the field detachments first and then work up to the higher levels. Considering the great importance of the detachments there is good argument for beginning at the bottom, but the military chain of command operates in the reverse direction and it is simpler to follow its lines. Inasmuch as this study deals only with military government in the European Theatre, especially in Germany, it is not appropriate to consider the Washington level in detail, though the chain of command obviously starts there. In passing it may be noted that the Civil Affairs Division of the War Department serves as the central agency for military government affairs of the Army throughout the world and that the JCS (Joint Chiefs of Staff) furnish the basic directives to theatre commanders. The Assistant Secretary of War has devoted considerable time to military government matters. Mention should be made of SWNCC, a coordinating committee made up of representatives of the State, War, and Navy Departments, and of the Assistant Secretary of State, who attends to policies of occupied areas. Finally, there is, of course, the President of the United States in his capacity as commander-in-chief. With military government so closely related to the highest political matters, the role of the President may be unusually important. Perhaps the most serious weakness at the Washington end is the lack of any single center of responsibility. Even during the early months of occupation this became apparent, but as time has passed and an integrated administration becomes more and more essential the weakness has
Rapid selective stimulation by growth factors of the incorporation by Balbc 3T3 cells of [35S]methionine into a glycoprotein and five superinducible proteins

Within four hours of adding fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, prostaglandin F2α, or serum to quiescent Balbc 3T3 cells we observe selective increases in the incorporation of [35S]methionine into six proteins; “major excreted protein” (MEP) and five “superinducible proteins” (SIPs). The mechanisms regulating the extracellular expression of MEP and the SIPs differ. 1) The levels of MEP but not SIPs are increased by NH4Cl; and 2) Cycloheximide increase SIP and decreases MEP production. These results suggest that production of MEP and the SIPs are controlled by other proteins; MEP by a positive, and the SIPs by a negative effector.
The kinetic interactions of metal ions with humic acids

Complexation of europium (III) and UO22+ by humic acid was found to be very fast (< 1 m). However, passage through ion exchange resin removed a fraction which decreased as the contact time increased over a 2–3 day period. The dissociation kinetics for UO22+-humate were described by an equation with five first order terms with rate constants ranging from 40.6 m−1 to 5.64×10−3 m−1. The percentage of UO22+ dissociating by the slower paths, comparable to that eluting with the humic acid through the ion exchange resin is assigned to internal site-bound cations (strong binding). The faster dissociating fraction corresponded roughly to the UO22+ removed by the cation exchange resin (weak binding). The time dependence of the weak to strong binding ratio was associated with change in the conformation of the macromolecular humic acid as the cations neutralized the charge repulsions of the anionic humate.
Experimental designs in software engineering: d-optimal designs and covering arrays

For over a century, Design of Experiment (DOE) techniques have been applied to testing in large problem domains such as agriculture, chemistry, medicine, and industrial design. Recently, the application of DOE has appeared in component-based software testing. This is a natural extension, as software testing is a complex problem that suffers from a combinatorial explosion. Exhaustive testing is not possible in most systems. In this paper, we focus on three areas: (1) the application of DOE techniques to software testing, (2) improved algorithms for screening tests involving categorical factors, and (3) construction methods for generating covering arrays.
Label-free porous silicon immunosensor for broad detection of opiates in a blind clinical study and results comparison to commercial analytical chemistry techniques.

In this work we evaluate for the first time the performance of a label-free porous silicon (PSi) immunosensor assay in a blind clinical study designed to screen authentic patient urine specimens for a broad range of opiates. The PSi opiate immunosensor achieved 96% concordance with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) results on samples that underwent standard opiate testing (n=50). In addition, successful detection of a commonly abused opiate, oxycodone, resulted in 100% qualitative agreement between the PSi opiate sensor and LC-MS/MS. In contrast, a commercial broad opiate immunoassay technique (CEDIA®) achieved 65% qualitative concordance with LC-MS/MS. Evaluation of important performance attributes including precision, accuracy, and recovery was completed on blank urine specimens spiked with test analytes. Variability of morphine detection as a model opiate target was < 9% both within-run and between-day at and above the cutoff limit of 300 ng ml−1. This study validates the analytical screening capability of label-free PSi opiate immunosensors in authentic patient samples and is the first semi-quantitative demonstration of the technology’s successful clinical use. These results motivate future development of PSi technology to reduce complexity and cost of diagnostic testing particularly in a point-of-care setting.
Does Presentation Style of Presidential Debates Influence Young Voters' Perceptions of Candidates?

In this study, college students were exposed to the final 2004 Bush—Kerry televised presidential debate. Participants were randomly assigned to one of five presentation conditions (i.e., ABC, CNN, C-SPAN, Fox News, and PBS). Using a pretest—posttest experimental design, participants rated the candidates on 12 personal and professional attributes. A feeling thermometer also assessed whether the participants' feelings toward the candidates changed following the debate. The results suggest that various presentation styles influenced perceptions of Kerry on the attributes of success and friendliness and on the feeling thermometer. Changes in perceptions on the attribute of strength were also found for Bush.
Carburization-Induced Passivity of 316 L Austenitic Stainless Steel

A low-temperature (450-500°C) gas-phase process for introducing substantial amounts of carbon, without carbide formation, into 316L austenitic stainless steel has been developed. This process, termed low-temperature colossal supersaturation (LTCSS), provides surface carbon concentration as high as 14 atom % and dramatically improves the localized corrosion resistance of 316L austenitic stainless steel in ambient temperature seawater. In particular, the LTCSS-treated steel increases the seawater breakdown potential by more than 600 mV. This result is remarkable, as traditional carburization methods have historically decreased the corrosion resistance of stainless steels.
The Role of Helix Topology and Counterion Distributions in RNA Interactions

RNA and DNA helices have the same charge, −2e/bp, but different helical structures. The 2′-OH present in RNA hinders duplex flexibility and promotes the A-form helix whereas the more malleable and polymorphic DNA duplexes prefer the B-form. Using a combination of experimental and computational approaches, we show that the topology of the A-form helix alters the spatial distribution of counterions and is essential in promoting the charge screening efficiency of RNA helices. Results from Anomalous Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (ASAXS) experiments suggest that monovalent and divalent cations are more closely localized to the RNA central axis due to A-form major groove penetration. This leads to very efficient change screening in RNA helices which has implications for ion-mediated RNA interactions in two important areas: RNA folding reactions and the design of short RNA helices for RNA interference applications.
Abstract A76: A novelin vivomodel for pancreatic restructuring and suppression of transformation

Our studies are focused on the identification and prevention of the initial transformation events associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) development, an extremely lethal malignancy with poor prognosis and ineffective treatments. PDA initiates through activating mutations in the KRAS proto‐oncogene ( Kras G12D ) and recent studies from our laboratory have determined that targeted expression of an endogenous Kras G12D allele in pancreatic acinar cells is sufficient to produce PDA precursor lesions (PanINs). These results suggest that PDA arises via acinar cells undergoing a process of acinar‐to‐ductal metaplasia (ADM) which is characterized by a loss of acinar cell properties with the acquisition of duct‐like characteristics. Several studies indicate that the process of ADM requires inactivation of the acinar‐specific transcription factor Mist1, since Mist1 null ( Mist1 KO ) mice display accelerated ADM and PanIN formation upon Kras G12D expression. Additionally, acinar cell polarity is disrupted in Mist1 KO mice with diffuse zymogen granule organization and mis‐localization of nuclei. These results suggest that Mist1 has a key role in suppressing PDA formation by maintaining the acinar cell differentiation program. To identify the downstream genes affected by the absence of Mist1, we have generated an inducible Mist1 transgenic mouse line (LSL‐Mist1 myc ) in which constitutive Mist1 expression is activated through Cre‐mediated recombination. When LSL‐Mist1 myc mice are crossed to Mist1 Cre‐ER mice, Mist1 myc expression can be induced in acinar cells upon Tamoxifen (TM) addition. Analysis of Mist1 Cre‐ER/Cre‐ER ; LSL‐Mist1 myc mice confirmed that exogenous Mist1 myc expression is detected as early as 6 hours post‐TM. Time course studies in a Mist1 KO background revealed that nuclear and zymogen granule organization can be restored within 24 hours of Cre activation. We conclude that Mist1 actively controls pancreatic acinar cell organization and that induction of Mist1 in Mist1 KO mice leads to complete reorganization of pancreatic tissues. Our current efforts are focused on establishing how Mist1 negatively regulates ADM and PanIN formation and to identify Mist1 targets that negatively regulate Kras‐induced pancreas metaplasia and transformation. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):A76.
ROLE OF MULTIPLE SCATTERING IN CROSS-CORRELATED LIGHT SCATTERING WITH A SINGLE LASER BEAM

Previous systems for measuring cross-correlated light scattering by small particles suspended in a liquid with multiple-scattering suppression have illuminated the particles with two laser beams. It is shown that multiple-scattering suppression should also occur in cross correlation for a system that employs a single laser beam and two closely spaced detectors with wide fields of view. The single-scattering, double-scattering, and single–double-scattering cross-term contributions to the intensity cross-correlation function are calculated. It is found that the two cross terms, when added together, are unimportant for both autocorrelation and cross correlation. The amplitude of the double-scattering term can be greatly diminished by judicious detector spacing because the spatial coherence area in the detector plane for double scattering is much smaller than that for single scattering.
Quitting the Game: Covert Disengagement from Butler County Eight Ball

This study of the Monday Nite Pool League is a continuation of earlier research into recreational tavern pool. We argue that the very competition that is the reason for the league's being contributes to the development of endogenous conflicts within the game that lead some players to quit because the original reasons for their involvement in the game have been eliminated or vitiated. This dynamic, the development of endogenous conflicts, probably holds for all voluntary associations that permit voluntary withdrawal, sponsor competitive activities, and meet expressive needs. This dynamic may hold for many other cultural contexts as well. BECAUSE ONLY A FEW OF THE WORLD'S CULTURES either lack or have lacked games in the recent past, the knowledge of games, that is, patterned expressive activities with winners and losers, is virtually panhuman. Moreover, within game-playing societies the knowledge of games tends to be widespread; it is a rare child in such societies who reaches adulthood without having played at least a few games. Statistically speaking, game playing is part of the common human experience. Infants do not play games, but individuals at all other developmental stages of life may engage in game playing. In game-rich cultures, such as our own, persons may be exposed to a substantial variety of games in the course of a lifetime. In part, this richness of experience is linked to various factors affecting the distribution and play of games, such as the seasonal nature of some games or the age-stratified array of games, but it is also associated with the human propensity to become involved in specific games, only to drop them at a later time, sometimes forever. Most game players in the world have experienced disengagement from the play of certain games.
Human AP endonuclease (APE1) demonstrates endonucleolytic activity against AP sites in single-stranded DNA

Abstract Human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE1) is an enzyme of DNA base excision repair (BER) which catalyzes endonucleolytic cleavage immediately 5′ to abasic (AP) sites. APE1 has long been thought to act on AP sites only in double stranded (ds) DNA, in order to generate the appropriate site for insertion of the correct nucleotide of DNA repair synthesis effected by DNA polymerase β. We now present evidence that APE1 also acts on AP sites in single-stranded (ss) DNA. The catalytic efficiency of this activity (defined within as k cat /Km) is ∼20-fold less than the activity against AP sites in ds DNA, with the disparity stemming largely from a difference in Km. Similar to its action on AP sites in ds DNA, catalysis of endonucleolytic cleavage of ss DNA by APE1 is Mg 2+ dependent, DNA N -glycosylase independent, and requires an active site aspartate. In contrast to its activity against AP sites in ds DNA, APE1 does not display product inhibition when acting on an AP site in ss DNA. We suggest that this novel activity is related to the processing of DNA N -glycosylase initiated BER in ss DNA perhaps during replication and/or transcription.
Cosmic-Ray Intensity Fluctuations at Sea Level

Geomagnetic and atmospheric influences on sea-level cosmic radiation have been studied at Berkeley, California (95-m elevation, 44\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} N geomagnetic latitude). The hard (20-cm lead absorber) and total intensities were measured with wide-angle triple-coincidence counter telescopes, and fluctuations of intensity were compared statistically with changes of barometric pressure, pressure-altitude, and temperature of the lower stratosphere. The atmospheric coefficients found by Duperier were verified for the 100-millibar region, but radiosonde data were not complete enough to permit calculations for higher strata of the atmosphere. The hard and total intensity data, corrected to constant barometric pressure, were examined for fluctuations that could be correlated with geomagnetic disturbances. No apparent cosmic-ray changes accompanied any of seven geomagnetic sudden commencements. Of eighteen magnetic storm periods occurring over eight months, only four appeared definitely to be accompanied by cosmic-ray intensity decreases. No increases of intensity occurred during these periods. Of the four decreases observed, two were unusual in that the decrease occurred an appreciable time before the measurable geomagnetic disturbance (May 27 and June 25, 1951). These two events occurred during times of very great sunspot activity, but only a loose genetic relationship could be established between the sunspot behavior and the prestorm cosmic-ray decreases.