cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Idea of Sustainability to Evaluate Growth and Development in the Houston Region

From the 1970s to the present time, Houston has had prominent leaders and institutions engaged in research and sustainable development policy and reporting. In this chapter we show how the Houston region compares to other regions in the country. Notable thought leaders such as Gro Harlem Brundtland, Dennis and Donella Meadows, Lester Brown, Herman Kahn, Ian McHarg, and Herman Daly have come to Houston to engage in sustainability strategies. Despite this prominent engagement, the geographic size of the region and its fragmented governance has created major obstacles for sustainable development. In this article, we review major sustainability challenges, opportunities, and constraints for the Houston metropolitan region. We first cite past and present major efforts at developing sustainability programs in the region. Then we highlight unique challenges faced in the Houston region through a comparison to the top 100 most populous metros in the USA. This paper will set the stage for a major regional engagement to support the SDGs.
Lan: Learning to Augment Noise Tolerance for Self-report Survey Labels

The prevalence of mobile sensors makes it possible for researchers to collect and analyze the pervasive sensed human activity data with machine learning tools. These analyses and applications heavily rely on the self-report survey data that reflect human physical and psychological behaviors. However, many factors can affect the reliability of such self-report surveys, such as participants’ trusty and ambiguous descriptions in questionnaires. These inaccurate survey labels challenge the development of the models, especially when it comes to the case where deep learning approaches tend to memorize the noisy information from training data. In this paper, we set out to deal with the noisy self-report survey labels. We aim to address the following challenges: 1)the limited access to clean labeled data in real-world scenarios; 2)different noise ratio of the data from different participants; 3)various types of noise that appear in the data; 4)how to evaluate the reliability of participants. As such, we propose a generalizable model, Lan, for learning from multi-modal sensory data and noisy labels. The proposed model incorporates the temporal information from sensory data to guide the model training and thus to augment noise tolerance. Extensive experiments on a real-world dataset were conducted to show our model outperforms state-of-the-art benchmarks.
Convictions versus Conviction Rates: The Prosecutor's Choice

It is natural to suppose that a prosecutor's conviction rate�the ratio of convictions to cases prosecuted�is a sign of his competence. Prosecutors, however, choose which cases to prosecute. If they prosecute only the strongest cases, they will have high conviction rates. Any system that pays attention to conviction rates, as opposed to the number of convictions, is liable to abuse. As a prosecutor's budget increases, he allocates it between prosecuting more cases and putting more effort into existing cases. Either can be socially desirable, depending on particular circumstances. We model the tradeoffs theoretically in two models, one of a benevolent social planner and one of a prosecutor who values not just the number of convictions but the conviction rate and unrelated personal goals. We apply the model to U.S. data drawn from county-level crime statistics and a survey of all state prosecutors by district. Conviction rates do have a small negative correlation with prosecutorial budgets, but conditioning on other variables in regression analysis, higher budgets are associated both with more prosecutions and higher conviction rates.
Oncology patients' perception of physicians who use an integrated electronic health record (EHR) during clinic visits: PRIME-EHR double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Patients with cancer prefer and positively perceive physicians who communicate face-to-face without the use of a computer. However, the use of electronic health records (EHRs) in the examination room remains a practical necessity. On the basis of existing literature, the authors developed and tested an integration model, PRIME-EHR, that focuses on the best-practice guidelines. To their knowledge, no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted to test the effectiveness of such models. METHODS In this double-blind, crossover RCT, 120 eligible patients with cancer were enrolled between April 1, 2019 and February 15, 2020 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The objectives were to compare patients' perceptions of physicians' skills and their overall preference after they watched 2 standardized, scripted video vignettes of physicians: 1 portraying the use of a standard EHR and the other portraying the use of a PRIME-EHR. Actors and patients were blinded to the purpose of the study. Investigators were blinded to the sequence of videos watched by the patients. Validated questionnaires to rate physicians' compassion (0 = best, 50 = worst), communication skills (14 = poor, 70 = excellent), and professionalism (4 = poor, 20 = very good) were used. RESULTS PRIME-EHR, compared with the standard EHR, resulted in better scores for physician compassion (median score, 5 [interquartile range, 0-10] vs 12 [interquartile range, 4-25]; P = .0009), communication skills (median score, 69 [interquartile range, 63-70] vs 61 [interquartile range, 50-69]; P = .0026), and professionalism (median score, 20 [interquartile range, 18-20] vs 18 [interquartile range, 14-20]; P = .0058). The majority of patients preferred physicians who used PRIME-EHR (n = 70 [77%] vs n = 21 [23%]; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS The PRIME-EHR approach significantly improved patients' perceptions of and preference for the physicians. This integrated model of health care delivery has the potential to improve communication and compassion in cancer care.
Mixing, Control Maps, and Genetic Algorithm Success

On the face of it, the previous chapter would seem like good news. After all, solution accuracy and reliability were predictably controlled using nothing more than appropriate (sub- or near-linear) population sizing. Moreover, this happy circumstance appeared to occur on both easy and hard problems. But closer scrutiny of the presented results shows that all is not necessarily well. In the last chapter, and in previous works on population sizing, when difficult problems were tested, tight linkage was assumed. That is, alleles contributing to a difficult building block were assumed to be physically close to one another, and crossover operators such as single-point crossover were used to facilitate the necessary exchange of intact building blocks with high probability.
Exploiting genome variation to improve next-generation sequencing data analysis and genome editing efficiency in Populus tremula × alba 717-1B4

Populus species are widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. The genetic diversity makes the genus an ideal study system for traits of ecological or agronomic significance. However, sequence variation between the genome-sequenced Populus trichocarpa Nisqually-1 and many other Populus species and hybrids poses significant challenges for research that employs sequence-sensitive approaches, such as next-generation sequencing and site-specific genome editing. Using the routinely transformed genotype Populus tremula × alba 717-1B4 as a test case, we utilized established variant-calling pipelines with affordable re-sequencing (~20×) and publicly available transcriptome data to generate a variant-substituted custom genome (sPta717). The sPta717 genome harbors over 10 million SNPs or small indels relative to the P. trichocarpa v3 reference genome. When applied to RNA-Seq analysis, the fraction of uniquely mapped reads increased by 13–28 % relative to that obtained with the P. trichocarpa reference genome, depending on read length and sequence type. The enhanced mapping rates enabled detection of several hundred more expressed genes and improved the differential expression analysis. Similar improvements were observed for DNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq data mapping. The sPta717 genome is also instrumental in guide RNA (gRNA) design for CRISPR-mediated genome editing. We showed that a majority of gRNAs designed from the P. trichocarpa reference genome contain mismatches with the corresponding target sequences of sPta717, likely rendering those gRNAs ineffective in transgenic 717. A website is provided for querying the sPta717 genome by gene model or homology search. The same approach should be applicable to other outcrossing species with a closely related reference genome.
The syndrome of post-traumatic pericarditis. A case report.

Abstract A case of pericarditis after blunt trauma to the chest is described. Its relationship to the postmyocardial infarction syndrome of Dressler is discussed and the prompt response to steroid therapy is emphasized.
Threonine Metabolism in Vivo: Effect of Threonine Intake and Prior Induction of Threonine Dehydratase in Rats

The metabolic fate of threonine was investigated in young male rats fed 15% amino acid diets containing from 0.15% to 0.85% of L-threonine. Liver serine-threonine dehydratase (S-TDH) activity did not increase with increasing dietary threonine content. The level of threonine required for maximum weight gain was not greater than 0.55% of the diet (or about 600 mumoles/day). Tissue free threonine content of rats fed the diets with 0.15% or 0.3% of threonine was very low but increased sharply with increasing dietary threonine content above 0.3%. During ad libitum feeding of these diets containing L-[U-14C]threonine, rate of oxidation of threonine was low when intake was in the range of the requirement for maximum growth, but increased, thereafter as threonine intake increased. A 30-fold induction of liver S-TDH, by prior feeding of an 80% casein diet, did not result in increased oxidation of threonine when dietary threonine content was 0.15%. When dietary threonine content was increased to 0.5%, oxidation of threonine increased slightly but significantly. With 3% of threonine in the diet, rats previously fed a 15% casein diet had extremely high tissue threonine concentrations whereas those with high S-TDH activity, due to the previous feeding of the 80% casein diet, oxidized threonine rapidly and tissue threonine concentrations were elevated much less.
Invasions of Conscience and Faked Apologies

This comment responds to an essay by Jeffrie Murphy, which powerfully notes the limitations and dangers of using remorse and apology as metrics for punishment. But the state is more justified in teaching lessons than Murphy suggests, and retributivism ought to make more room for victim vindication and satisfaction. Gauging sincerity, while difficult, is not impossible. In the end, Murphy offers strong reasons to be cautious. But a humane society ought to be more willing to take chances and, having punished, to forgive.
Preferential response patterns of cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for fluorescein isothiocyanate-[FITC] modified autologous cells.

Murine cytotoxic responses to TNP-modified syngeneic cells (TNP-self) have been shown to exhibit preferential recognition of K or D end self products encoded by the H-2 complex. In the present study, a number of B10 congenic and recombinant mouse strains were investigated to determine the H-2K and H-2D-restricted FTC-self CTL response patterns, and these were compared with the CTL response patterns obtained for TNP-self. The results indicate that for strains possessing the H-2k,d,h2,h4 haplotypes, respectively, preferential CTL responses were observed against FTC recognized in association with Kk over Dk, Dd over Kd, and Kk over Db. These patterns of preferential CTL responses were the same as those reported for TNP-self as well as several anti-viral CTL responses. In contrast to the results obtained in the B10.A strain, in which Kk preference was observed over Dd for TNP-self CTL, no preferential CTL response was observed when FTC was recognized in association with Kk and with Dd. In this context, it was observed that the CTL response to FTC recognized in association with Dd was particularly strong. This strong D end-associated response was shown to involve D locus products, and no evidence was obtained indicating that L locus self products were involved. These studies are discussed with respect to the possibility that different haptens can be recognized by CTL in association with different self determinants encoded by the same H-2 gene products.
Congruence and Noncongruence Subgroups of Γ(2) via Graphs on Surfaces

There is an established bijection between finite-index subgroups Gamma of Gamma(2) and bipartite graphs on surfaces, or, equivalently, certain triples of permutations. We utilize this relationship to study both congruence and noncongruence subgroups in terms of the corresponding graphs. We show some elementary criteria which can be used to identify many noncongruence subgroups. Given a graph on a surface, we have a method to produce generators for the corresponding group Gamma in terms of the generators of Gamma(2). Given generators for Gamma(2n), we show how to determine whether or not a graph of level 2n corresponds to a congruence subgroup.
Organizational Storytelling for Librarians: Using Stories for Effective Leadership

A book review. A review of Organizational Storytelling for Librarians: Using Stories for Effective Leadership by Kate Marek.
Laser Vaporization and Photoionization of Group IV and V Intermetallic Clusters

Sn/Bi and Pb/Sb mixed-metal clusters have been produced in the gas phase with laser vaporization and studied with laser photoionization mass spectroscopy. Magic numbers are observed for certain neutral cluster species which are isoelectronic to stable post transition metal cluster ions studied previously in condensed phases. This correspondence between gas phase and condensed phase clusters has not been observed previously, and may have significant implications for the stability and structure of gas phase clusters.
Effect of Combined Forms of Al and Si on the Acid Leaching Performance of Fly Ash

Research on the leaching performance of fly ash of Shanxi, Chongqing and Western Inner Mongolia. Analyze the existing forms, crystallinity and package situation of Al-Si phase in fly ash from different areas by using SEM and XRD. Effect of fractionation of Al-Si phase in fly ash on the leaching performance from the view of mechanism was investigated as well. Leaching experiments and analysis indicate that: the leaching rates of Al203 in fly ash from the there different areas are 97.41%, 68.94% and 23.61% respectively, under the conditions of solid-liquid ratio 1:20, rotary speed 500rpm, leaching time 120min, sulfate concentration 20%, particle sizes −74µm. Leaching performance of fly ash in Western Inner Mongolia is better than that in other two areas. The main reason for different leaching performance of fly ash from different areas is the difference in crystallinity, encapsulated glass phase of Al-Si phase in fly ash. The crystallinity for Western Inner Mongolia is 75.98%, while there is no non-crystalline phase in fly ash from other tow areas, The average FWHM of XRD diffraction peak of Al-Si phase are 0.641, 0.3324 and 0.1107, respectively. The crystallinity of fly ash in Western Inner Mongolia is worst among the there areas, and its content of glass phase is also lowest among them, so its activity is obviously higher than that of other two areas.
History matters more when explaining genetic diversity within the context of the core-periphery hypothesis.

The core-periphery hypothesis (CPH) predicts that populations located at the periphery of a species' range should have lower levels of genetic variation than those at the centre of the range. However, most of the research on the CPH focuses on geographic distance and not on ecological distance, or uses categorical definitions of core and periphery to explain the distribution of genetic diversity. We use current climate data and historical climate data from the last glacial maxima to develop quantitative estimates of contemporary and historical ecological suitability using ecological niche models. We analysed genetic diversity using 12 polymorphic microsatellites to estimate changes in heterozygosity, allelic richness and population differentiation in 31 populations of the wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) spanning the species' entire eastern clade (33(o) to 45(o) latitude) from Alabama, USA, to Nova Scotia, Canada. Our data support predictions based on the CPH. Populations showed significant differences in genetic diversity across the range, with lower levels of genetic variation at the geographic range edge and in areas with lower levels of historical and contemporary ecological suitability. However, history and geography (not current ecological suitability) best explain the patterns. This study highlights the importance of examining more than just geography when assessing the CPH, and the importance of historical ecological suitability in the maintenance of genetic diversity and population differentiation.
Incidental thyroid nodules in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background It is desirable to detect neoplastic thyroid disease before proceeding with surgical therapy for hyperparathyroidism so that both conditions can be treated with a single operation. Methods Between March 1998 and June 2009, 227 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were treated with surgical therapy. Of these, 217 were evaluated preoperatively with a modified 4-dimensional CT and ultrasonography. The medical records of these patients were reviewed in order to document the incidence and significance of thyroid pathology in this cohort of patients. Results Thyroid nodules were identified in 159 of the 217 patients (73.3%). Nine of 217 patients (4.1%) were treated with either a partial or a total thyroidectomy at the time of parathyroidectomy. Three of these patients had papillary thyroid carcinoma, 1 had a Hurthle cell carcinoma, and 1 had an incidental micropapillary thyroid carcinoma. Conclusion The rate of clinically significant thyroid malignancy in patients undergoing surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism was 1.8%. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1763–1765, 2014
Determination of thyroxine-binding globulin. A simplified procedure utilizing dextran-coated charcoal.

A method for determining thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) concentration as the total thyroxine-binding capacity, has been developed. Prior electrophoretic separation of the three serum thyroxine-binding proteins is not required. Serum samples are diluted with a barbital-salicylate buffer pH 8.6, which inhibits thyroxine-binding by prealbumin. After incubation with 100 µg/100 ml thyroxine containing 131l-thyroxine, dextran-coated charcoal is added to the sample, which binds all the thyroxine not bound to TBG. The radioactivity in the supernatant solution is directly related to the concentration of TBG present. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the TBG results for this new assay and the polyacrylamide electrophoretic assay is 0.964. The mean TBG concentration and standard deviation for 80 normals was 19.2 ± 2.6 µg/100 ml. Pregnant women and women taking estrogens had a mean and standard deviation of 35.8 ± 4.8 µg/100 ml. Males from TBG-deficient families had TBG values of 5 µg/100 ml or less, and females from these families had values ranging from 8 to 12 µg/100 ml. The new assay is considerably simpler in equipment requirements and technic than the assays currently being used, and should be more practical for routine clinical laboratory use.
Moments of truth: Notes from a lesbian therapist

Abstract The course of psychotherapy consists of an ongoing relational process between client and therapist, which is marked by moments of profound affective connection. Relational theory has referred to them as experiences of mutual empathy, or simply, being in connection. This paper attempts to examine such moments in an effort to consider what actually happens between client and therapist, how it happens, what gets expressed, and what is left out. The question of who and what are transformed by these moments is a central one, as is the consideration of what constitutes authentic engagement in psychotherapy. A case example is presented which serves to illustrate one such moment. It involves the treatment over several years of a young adult woman who was a lesbian and who had a trauma history, which consciously emerged over the course of the therapy. Both of these factors were central to the work of the therapy and to the therapy relationship that evolved, which in turn, was instrumental to the outcome. ...
Endoscopic transgastric drainage of a retroperitoneal lymphocele

Transmural drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts is well described.1-3 Additionally, endoscopic transmural pseudocyst drainage techniques have been used to drain other types of intra-abdominal collections.4 Although percutaneous lymphocele drainage is also well described,5-10 to our knowledge endoscopic transgastric drainage has not been reported. We describe endoscopic drainage of a symptomatic retrogastric lymphocele that was initially thought to be a pancreatic pseudocyst.
α-Lipoic acid and heavy-metal inhibiton of the pyruvic oxidase enzyme system of S. faecalis 10C1

Abstract Catalytic quantities of dl -α-lipoic acid have been found to prevent the arsenite inhibition of pyruvate oxidation by S. faecalis 10C1 cells in vitro. This protection is not shared by the higher homolog 3-(6-carboxyhexyl)-1,2-dithiolane, the corresponding disulfhydryl compound (8,10-dimercaptodecanoic acid), nor by the intermediate homolog 7,9-dimercaptononanoic acid. Inhibition of pyruvate oxidation by inorganic mercury, copper, lead, and gold was not prevented by an excess of dl -α-lipoic acid nor of dihydrolipoic acid.
Relative effect of acetylene and PAHs addition on soot formation in laminar diffusion flames of methane with oxygen and oxygen-enriched air

Abstract The influence of the addition of acetylene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on soot formation was studied experimentally for nonpremixed, axisymmetric, coflowing flames of methane with oxygen and oxygen-enriched air. Four reference flames, containing 21, 35, 50, and 100% of oxygen in the oxidizer stream, were seeded with calibrated levels of acetylene, acenaphthene (C12H10), phenanthrene (C14H10), and pyrene (C16H10). It was found that all additives studied enhance soot formation in the reference flames, with the integral soot content increasing linearly with the additive concentration. The increases in the flames’ soot volume fractions induced by the addition of PAH compounds were significantly larger relative to the increase due to acetylene addition. The effect of PAH addition on soot growth became substantially stronger with oxygen enrichment of the oxidizer stream. Conversely the relative increase in soot concentration in the flames seeded with acetylene was nearly the same regardless of oxygen content in the oxidizer stream. Estimated additive-to-soot conversion ratios show high degrees of PAHs transformation to soot for all flames studied. The additive-to-soot conversion ratio for pyrene was found to be nearly 2 and remains practically constant with increase of oxygen content. Comparatively, the additive-to-soot conversion ratio for acetylene was close to 0.3 for methane/air flame and decreased with oxygen enrichment. These results suggest that conversion of PAHs to soot is controlled by a relatively fast kinetic mechanism. The conversion rate of acetylene is much slower and may involve a number of stages, including rate-limiting stage of PAHs formation.
The structure of developing bone marrow sinuses in extramedullary autotransplant of the marrow in rats.

The structure of the developing sinuses of the bone marrow was studied in extramedullary autotransplants of the marrow in rats just before the onset of hemopoiesis. Sinuses are highly branching channels with walls consisting of a single layer of endothelium. The wall thickness varies considerably but larger sinuses generally have a thinner wall. Endothelial cells may overlap and interdigitate displaying junctional densities. Abrupt thinning of endothelium was observed in some areas but no apertures were noted. The endothelium is sometimes surrounded by collagen, but no basement membrane is present. Twenty-four percent of the endothelial surface is covered by pericytes and often rarified cytoplasmic spurs extend into perisinus areas. Microfilaments were seen under the cell membrane of pericytes. Medium-sized lymphocytes are frequently seen in the sinal lumen and intersinal tissue and they may constitute hemopoietic stem cells.
Towards full automation of lexicon construction

We describe work in progress aimed at developing methods for automatically constructing a lexicon using only statistical data derived from analysis of corpora, a problem we call lexical optimization. Specifically, we use statistical methods alone to obtain information equivalent to syntactic categories, and to discover the semantically meaningful units of text, which may be multi-word units or polysemous terms-in-context. Our guiding principle is to employ a notion of "meaningfulness" that can be quantified information-theoretically, so that plausible variants of a lexicon can be judged relative to each other. We describe a technique of this nature called information theoretic co-clustering and give results of a series of experiments built around it that demonstrate the main ingredients of lexical optimization. We conclude by describing our plans for further improvements, and for applying the same mathematical principles to other problems in natural language processing.
Growth Hormone Deficiency Is Not Associated with Impaired Vagal Cholinergic Nervous System Activity in Children

Central cholinergic mechanisms mediate release of growth hormone (GH) as well as peripheral secretion of pancreatic polypeptide (PP). To determine if impaired ability to secrete GH is associated with defective PP response, we studied the PP, epinephrine, and norepinephrine responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in 31 children evaluated for GH deficiency by insulin-arginine stimulation (IATT) and 24-h integrated concentrations of GH (IC-GH). Eleven patients had normal GH by IATT and IC-GH (controls), 10 patients had normal GH by IATT but subnormal IC-GH, 10 patients had GH deficiency by both IATT and IC-GH. PP levels peaked at the time of glucose nadir, and remained elevated for 20 min thereafter. The peak PP and incremental PP change from baseline were not significantly different among the three groups. The log peak PP response was inversely correlated with the glucose nadir (r = -0.5, p less than 0.005). Peak PP levels were also significantly correlated with the peak epinephrine levels (r = 0.6, p less than 0.001) but not with norepinephrine. Our findings suggest that 1) GH deficiency disorders are not associated with impaired vagal cholinergic response to hypoglycemia; 2) in children the magnitude of PP response is inversely related to the degree of hypoglycemia; and 3) the peripheral hormonal manifestation of autonomic nervous system responses to hypoglycemia as measured by PP and epinephrine levels are closely correlated.
Automated synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of [68Ga]Ga-AMBA, and the synthesis and characterization of natGa-AMBA and [67Ga]Ga-AMBA

Ga-AMBA (Ga-DO3A-CH(2)CO-G-[4-aminobenzoyl]-QWAVGHLM-NH(2)) is a bombesin-like agonist with high affinity for gastrin releasing peptide receptors (GRP-R). Syntheses for (nat)Ga-AMBA, [(67)Ga]Ga-AMBA and [(68)Ga]Ga-AMBA were developed. The preparation of HPLC-purified and Sep-Pak purified [(68)Ga]Ga-AMBA were fully automated, using the built-in radiodetector of the Tracerlab FX F-N synthesizer to monitor fractionated (68)Ge/(68)Ga generator elution and purification. The total synthesis time, including the fractional elution of the generator, was 20 min for Sep-Pak purified material and 40 min for HPLC-purified [(68)Ga]Ga-AMBA. Both [(67)Ga]Ga-AMBA and [(177)Lu]Lu-AMBA showed comparable high affinity for GRP-R in the human prostate cancer cell line PC-3 in vitro (k(D)=0.46+/-0.07; 0.44+/-0.08 nM), high internalization (78; 77%) and low efflux from cells at 2 h (2.4+/-0.7; 2.9+/-1.8%). Biodistribution results in PC-3 tumor-bearing male nude mice showed comparable uptake for [(177)Lu]Lu-, [(111)In]In-, [(67)Ga]Ga- and [(68)Ga]Ga-AMBA.
Plasma membrane redox and regulation of cell growth

Gene expression can be activated by external oxidants which are reduced at the cell surface by plasma membrane electron transport. The signals generated in response to the plasma membrane electron transport include activation of proton release, internal calcium changes, and change in reductant/oxidant ratio in the cytosol. H2O2 generated in response to ligands which bind to plasma membrane receptors can also activate protein tyrosine kinases and gene expression. Inhibition of oxygen radical generation at the cell surface in response to the mitogen, phorbol myristate acetate by retinoic acid is consistent with a role for the plasma membrane electron transport as the source for H2O2 in Balb 3T3 cells. Agents which affect the binding of coenzyme Q to redox sites in the plasma membrane electron transport may increase formation of semiquinone radicals in the membrane which can be a source of oxygen radicals and H2O2. The generation of H2O2 by transformed cells indicates that oncogene product expression in the plasma membrane may also increase quinone-based oxygen radical generation.
Solid-phase synthesis of lysine vasopressin analogs: [1-β-mercaptopropionic acid, 8-lysine]-vasopression and [1-β-mercaptopropionic acid, 8-(ε-N- p -toluenesulfonyl)-lysine]-vasopressin

Mit Hilfe der Festkorpermethode nachMerrifield wird die Synthese von [1-β-Mercaptopropionsaure, 8-lysin]-Vasopressin und [1-β-Mercaptopropionsaure, 8-(e-N--tolualsulfonyl)-lysin]-Vasopressin, beschrieben. In diesen Analogen sind die potentiellen Kationenzentren des antidiuretischen Hormons Lysin-Vasopressin schrittweise entfernt worden.
A multilocus population genetic survey of the greater sage-grouse across their range.

The distribution and abundance of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have declined dramatically, and as a result the species has become the focus of conservation efforts. We conducted a range-wide genetic survey of the species which included 46 populations and over 1000 individuals using both mitochondria1 sequence data and data from seven nuclear microsatellites. Nested clade and STRUCTURE analyses revealed that, in general, the greater sage-grouse populations follow an isolation-by-distance model of restricted gene flow. This suggests that movements of the greater sage-grouse are typically among neighbouring populations and not across the species, range. This may have important implications if management is considering translocations as they should involve neighbouring rather than distant populations to preserve any effects of local adaptation. We identified two populations in Washington with low levels of genetic variation that reflect severe habitat loss and dramatic population decline. Managers of these populations may consider augmentation from geographically close populations. One population (Lyonl Mono) on the southwestern edge of the species' range appears to have been isolated from all other greater sage-grouse populations. This population is sufficiently genetically distinct that it warrants protection and management as a separate unit. The genetic data presented here, in conjunction with large-scale demographic and habitat data, will provide an integrated approach to conservation efforts for the greater sage-grouse.
Designing and Implementation of High Concurrent SSL VPN Server

This paper focuses on improving concurrent performance of a practical SSL VPN server program. Several common technologies were been used to achieve this, including processing network flow effectively by using readiness notification mechanism, using appropriate data structure to deal with I/O buffers, and implementing timers management module by priority queue. Through combining these technologies properly, the performance of the SSL VPN server program has been improved dramatically.
Inhibition of the kinetics of chelation of nickel (II) with malonate ion by β-cyclodextrin

Abstract Relaxation times, determined by the pressure-jump technique, for the kinetics of chelation of nickel (II) by malonate ion are significantly prolonged by the addition of β-cyclodextrin to aqueous solutions. The effect is due to inclusion of the malonate into the β-cyclodextrin cavity. In fact addition of glucose in a 7:1 ratio to malonate ion does not affect the kinetics of complexation with Ni 2+ . The effect is also specific to the size of the ring since α-cyclodextrin and γ-cyclodextrin do not show any effect on the above relaxation times. The kinetic data are interpreted to indicate a competitive inhibition process. β-cyclodextrin is bound to the anion and prevents its chelation reaction with Ni 2+ . The mechanism treats the data quantitatively with an inclusion formation constant between malonate and β-cyclodextrin of the order of 10 2 M −1 .
Regression of multifocal, skin-restricted, CD30-positive large T-cell lymphoma with interferon alfa and bexarotene therapy

We report the case of a 43-year-old male patient with persistent multifocal, skin-restricted, CD30-positive, large T-cell lymphoma. Combination therapy of systemic interferon alfa and oral bexarotene was initiated on an experimental basis in the hope of circumventing therapies such as methotrexate, radiotherapy, or multiple-agent chemotherapy that may be required in such cases. This treatment was associated with rapid and marked regression of the patient's cutaneous lesions.
Use of the carbon dioxide laser in guided tissue regeneration wound healing in the beagle dog

The concept of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) allowing cells from the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone to repopulate the treated root surface has shown the ability to obtain periodontal new attachment. Healing studies have also shown that conventional GTR therapy still does not exclude all the epithelium. This epithelial proliferation apically interferes with the establishment of the new connective tissue attachment to the root surface. The objective of this research study was to examine whether controlled de-epithelialization with the carbon dioxide laser during the healing phase after periodontal surgery, would retard the apical migration of the epithelium and thereby enhance the results obtained through guided tissue regeneration. Eight beagle dogs were used, the experimental side received de-epithelialization with the CO2 laser in conjunction with flap reflection and surgically created buccal osseous defects. Selected defects on each side were treated with ePTFE periodontal membranes. The laser de-epithelialization was repeated every 10 days until removal of the membranes. The control side received the same surgical treatment without laser application. This experimental design allowed histologic study of the new attachment obtained in defects treated with flap debridement with or without laser de-epithelialization and with or without ePTFE membranes. A statistical analysis was performed on the histometric data from 48 teeth in the 8 dogs after 4 months of healing. The results showed significant amounts of new attachment obtained from all four treatment modalities with no statistically significant differences for any one treatment. However, the trend towards enhanced regeneration with the combined treatment of laser and membrane vs. membrane alone or debridement alone was evident. The histologic analysis revealed a significant amount of newly formed `fat cementum' seen only on the laser treated teeth. This feature was the most remarkable finding of the study and warrants further research to understand the origin of this phenomenon.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mechanically gated channel activity in cytoskeleton-deficient plasma membrane blebs and vesicles from Xenopus oocytes.

In our previous studies we were unable to activate whole-cell MG channel currents in Xenopus oocytes despite the consistent recording of MG channel activity in patch-clamp recordings (Zhang & Hamill, 2000a,b). One hypothesis to explain such a discrepancy is that tight seal formation makes the patch hyper-mechanosensitive by disrupting the cortical cytoskeleton that otherwise protects the membrane bilayer (Morris & Horn, 1991; Small & Morris, 1994; Wan et al. 1999; see also Hamill & McBride, 1997). A variation on this hypothesis is that the cytoskeleton, by allowing complex membrane geometry, provides an immediate membrane reserve that can buffer tension changes in the bilayer (Zhang & Hamill, 2000b). To test the basic hypothesis, it would be useful to examine the biochemistry and structure of the underlying membrane cytoskeleton. However, it is difficult to apply biochemical and electron microscopy techniques to the small membrane patch sealed in the tip of a patch pipette. To circumvent this difficulty we have developed a new plasma membrane preparation from Xenopus oocytes involving membrane blebs and isolated plasma membrane vesicles (PMVs). We show that the blebs and PMVs lack cortical cytoskeleton structures, are deficient in cytoskeleton proteins and devoid of microvilli. Furthermore, we use patch-clamp recording to examine the properties of the MG channel currents that can be activated in blebs and PMVs.
Targeting GABAB receptors for anti-abuse drug discovery

Introduction: There is increasing evidence encouraging the development of drugs that positively modulate the γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB) receptor for combating addiction. Compounds that target GABAB receptors are unique as anti-abuse therapies because of their impact against multiple addictive drugs.Areas covered: The authors present the basic information concerning the drug actions of GABA and GABAB receptor orthosteric agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAM). Furthermore, they discuss several recent excellent reviews and newer results pertaining to GABAB receptor drug effects on responses to and self-administration of: alcohol (ethanol), nicotine, cocaine, (meth)amphetamine, and opioids. Preclinical and clinical data are considered.Expert opinion: Clinical data exist only for baclofen and mostly for alcohol use disorders. Additional trials are needed, but effects are promising. Whether PAMs, given alone or in combination with a direct GABAB receptor agonist, will be clinically effective...
Studies on the Glucocorticoid Feedback Control of ACTH Secretion

Implants of cortisol acetate in the median eminence of intact rats depressed all measures of adrenocortical function compared with rats which had received cholesterol in the median eminence or an equal amount of cortisol acetate implanted in the cerebral cortex. Lesions in the median eminence of intact rats also depressed adrenocortical function. In contrast, neither implants of cortisol acetate nor lesions in the median eminence depressed adrenocortical function in hypophysectomized rats bearing 10 heterotopic pituitaries (H-T). A large dose of dexamethasone (100 Mg/100 g) given systemically suppressed adrenocortical function in both intact and H-T rats. Additionally, implants of cortisol acetate in the median eminence were followed in 2 weeks by adrenal atrophy in intact rats, whereas the adrenal size of H-T rats was unaffected. These findings suggest that the median eminence does not play an important role in feedback control of heterotopic pituitary ACTH secretion. The median eminence may be of import...
Scaling and Self-Similarity of One-Dimensional Unsteady Suspended Sediment Transport with Emphasis on Unscaled Sediment Material Properties

AbstractCurrent methods utilized in scaling sediment transport in unsteady open-channel flow result in a number of model and scale effects, decreasing the accuracy and applicability of scale models. Identifying the conditions under which the governing equations of sediment transport are self-similar, and require no sediment diameter or density scaling, can reduce scale effects and increase model applicability. Conditions for self-similarity of one-dimensional unsteady suspended sediment transport are identified by applying the one-parameter Lie group of point scaling transformations, both for the general case and with unscaled sediment diameters. Under the scaling ratio relations found when holding sediment diameter to be unscaled, sediment diameter, density, critical and total shear, porosity, kinematic viscosity, and particle Reynolds number are all unscaled. It is shown that under Lie group scaling, the unsteady one-dimensional suspended sediment transport process as an initial-boundary value problem i...
High-resolution soil moisture mapping using operational optical satellite imagery

Soil moisture conditions have an impact upon virtually all aspects of Army activities and are increasingly affecting its systems and operations. Soil moisture conditions affect operational mobility, detection of landmines and unexploded ordinance, military engineering activities, blowing dust and sand, watershed responses, and flooding. This study explores a novel method for high-resolution (2.7 m) soil moisture mapping using remote satellite optical imagery that is readily available from Landsat and QuickBird. The soil moisture estimations are needed for the evaluation of sensors for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) using the Countermine Simulation Test Bed in regions where access is denied. The method has been tested in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, using a Landsat7 and a QuickBird image of April 23 and 24, 2009, respectively. The first implementation of the method yielded promising results.
Portfolios of Control in Outsourced Software Development Projects

This paper examines the evolution of portfolio of controls over the duration of outsourced information systems development (ISD) projects. Drawing on five cases, it concludes that many findings from research on control of internal ISD projects apply to the outsourced context as well, but with some interesting differences. The portfolios of control in outsourced projects are dominated by outcome controls, especially at the start of the project; although the precision and frequency of these controls varies across projects. Behavior controls are often added later in the project, as are controls aimed to encourage and enable vendor self-control. Clan controls were used in only two of the cases--when the client and vendor had shared goals, and when frequent interactions led to shared values. In general, the outsourced projects we studied began with relatively simple controls but often required significant additional controls after experiencing performance problems. Factors influencing the choice and evolution of controls are also examined.
CHARACTERISING A NOVEL ANTIBODY FOR FULL-LENGTH (ACTIVE) STROMAL DERIVED FACTOR-1α (1–67)

Rationale for study Stromal derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) is a chemokine that has been implicated in both acute cardioprotection from ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and chronic cardioprotection by regulating stem cell migration to sites of ischaemic myocardial injury. SDF-1α has a relatively short half-life due to cleavage by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) into inactive SDF-1α (3–67). However, no convenient method exists to specifically quantify active SDF-1α (1–67) in plasma, as all known antibodies recognize both the intact and cleaved forms. We describe for the first time the characterisation of a novel recombinant antibody for use in an ELISA assay for SDF-1α (1–67). Methodology A custom antibody against the N-terminus, which is specific to the active form of SDF-1α (1–67), was identified by screening the Human Combinatorial Antibody Library (HuCAL) using a phage-display method (AbD Serotec). After further screening, the best of eight candidate antibodies was chosen and optimised as the capture antibody in a sandwich ELISA. The newly developed ELISA was used to quantify the levels of active SDF-1α (1–67) in various samples. Results The new ELISA is both sensitive and specific for active SDF-1α (1–67). We report initial results quantifying the levels of active SDF-1α relative to cleaved, inactive SDF-1α in human and rat plasma after preconditioning and other conditions. Conclusions We describe the development of a specific antibody for active SDF-1α (1–67) and its application in ELISA. This will increase our understanding of the kinetics and enzymatic processing of SDF-1α in acute cardioprotection and stem cell therapy.
On the structural model of the COP9 signalosome.

In this issue, Sharon et al. (2009) determined the subunit organization of the COP9 signalosome by mass spectrometry. The structural features uncovered from this analysis are consistent with the multifunctionality of the complex and suggest tantalizing new clues about the inner workings of the CSN.
Triterpenoids from lipids of Rhodomicrobium vanniellii

Triterpenoids have been isolated from the lipids of the anaerobic, photosynthetic bacterium, Rhodomicrobium vannielii. These compounds constitute various hopanoids, including hydrocarbons, 22-, 29-and 3β-hydroxy, 3-keto-, C-3 and C-21 methyl-triterpenoids, as well as fernenes.
Structure-function analysis of D9N and N291S mutations in human lipoprotein lipase using molecular modelling.

Abstract Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays a central role in lipid metabolism. The D9N and N291S mutations in the LPL gene are associated with elevated triglyceride and decreased HDL-cholesterol levels. Published in vitro expression studies suggest that these two mutations are associated with reduced LPL enzymatic activity. We sought to gain further insight on the impact of these two mutations on the LPL structure and function by molecular modelling techniques. Homology modelling was used to develop a three-dimensional (3D) structure of LPL from human pancreatic lipase. Two separate LPL models for the D9N and N291S substitutions were constructed and compared with the wild type LPL for differences in hydrophobicity, atomic burial, hydrogen bond pattern, and atomic mobility. In comparison to the wild type model, the 9N model was associated with significantly increased atomic mobility of its neighboring residues, but the catalytic site was not affected. The region near residue 9 in the upper part of the N-domain was considered a candidate site for protein–protein interaction. In the N291S model, alterations in H-bonds and constrained atomic mobility were among conformational changes in the region where the substitution had occurred. These are hypothesized to cause an increase in the rate of dissociation in LPL dimerization, subsequently affecting the LPL enzymatic activity. We also modelled the C-domain of apoCII, the obligatory cofactor of LPL, from 2D NMR data and docked the model with LPL to explore their interaction site. These docking experiments suggest that the C-domain of apoCII interacts with the interface of N- and C-domains of LPL and part of the lid structure that covers the catalytic site. In summary, we provide molecular modelling data on two well-known mutations in the LPL gene to help explain the published in vitro expression findings and propose a possible LPL-apoCII interaction site. Our data indicate that molecular modelling of LPL mutations could provide a valuable tool to understand the effects of a mutation on the structure–function of this important enzyme.