cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methioninase cell-cycle trap cancer chemotherapy

Cancer cells are methionine (MET) dependent compared to normal cells as they have an elevated requirement for MET in order to proliferate. MET restriction selectively traps cancer cells in the S/G2 phase of the cell cycle. The cell cycle phase can be visualized by color coding with the fluorescence ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (FUCCI). Recombinant methioninase (rMETase) is an enzyme that effectively degrades MET. rMETase induces S/G2-phase blockage of cancer cells which is identified by the cancer cells' green fluorescence with FUCCI imaging. Cancer cells in G1/G0 are the majority of the cells in solid tumors and are resistant to the chemotherapy. Treatment of cancer cells with standard chemotherapy drugs only led to the majority of the cancer cell population being arrested in G0/G1 phase, identified by the cancer cells' red fluorescence in the FUCCI system. The G0/G1-phase cancer cells are chemo-resistant. Tumor targeting Salmonella typhimurium A1-R (S. typhimurium A1-R) was used to decoy quiescent G0/G1 stomach cancer cells growing in nude mice to cycle, with subsequent rMETase treatment to selectively trap the decoyed cancer cells in S/G2 phase, which made them highly sensitive to chemotherapy. Subsequent cisplatinum (CDDP) or paclitaxel (PTX) chemotherapy was then administered to kill the decoyed and trapped cancer cells, which completely prevented or regressed tumor growth. In a subsequent experiment, a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) model of recurrent CDDP-resistant metastatic osteosarcoma was eradicated by the combination of Salmonella typhimurium A1-R decoy, rMETase S/G2-phase cell cycle trap, and CDDP cell kill. Salmonella typhimurium A1-R and rMETase pre-treatment thereby overcame CDDP resistance. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the new chemotherapy paradigm of "decoy, trap, and kill" chemotherapy.
Continuous contractile activity induces fiber type specific expression of HSP70 in skeletal muscle

Continuous contractile activity of skeletal muscle elicits an early and dramatic increase in ribosomal RNA, suggesting that translational efficiency and/or capacity is enhanced during the adaptive ...
Surgical Management of Pulmonary Atresia With Ventricular Septal Defect and Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries: Part II—Midline Unifocalization and Unifocalization Revision

Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (PA/VSD/MAPCAs) is a rare and heterogeneous form of congenital heart disease. Despite improvements in the surgical management of this disease, there is still an ongoing controversy regarding the optimal treatment. Part II of this paper will focus on the surgical results of unifocalization and the need and techniques used for unifocalization revision at Stanford University. We have an experience with more than 300 patients undergoing primary surgical treatment of PA/VSD/MAPCAs. Out of this entire cohort, 80% were selected for a midline unifocalization approach. For patients undergoing a primary unifocalization, 85% underwent a single-stage complete repair, while 15% had a unifocalization and shunt. Ninety-five percent of these patients ultimately achieve complete repair status with a mean right ventricle to pulmonary artery pressure ratio of 0.36 ± 0.09. Of all the patients who undergo a primary unifocalization, 19% will subsequently require unifocalization revision. This was unequally divided into patients who had an initial single-stage complete repair (where 15% required revision) compared with those who had a unifocalization/shunt (46% required revision). The majority of patients (74%) who underwent unifocalization revision had a satisfactory outcome. The surgical treatment of PA/VSD/MAPCAs is complicated due to heterogeneity of MAPCA and pulmonary artery anatomy. The preponderance (80%) of patients treated at Stanford is selected for midline unifocalization. The results of midline unifocalization demonstrate that a high percentage of patients achieve full repair with satisfactory right ventricular pressure ratios.
Data from: FastMulRFS: Statistically consistent polynomial time species tree estimation under gene duplication

Species tree estimation is a basic part of much biological research, but can be challenging because of gene duplication and loss (GDL), which results in genes that can appear more than once in a given genome. To construct species trees from gene families, biologists typically pick one copy of each gene in each species (based on estimations of orthology), but orthology detection is not yet reliably accurate, and incorrect orthology inferences can result in incorrect species trees. Restricting datasets to single-copy genes is another common solution, but this reduces the amount of available data, which is undesirable (and even genes that appear to be single-copy may have evolved with duplication and loss). Thus, all common approaches in phylogenomics reduce available data and are error-prone, and methods that do not discard data and have high accuracy on large heterogeneous datasets are needed. Here, we present FastMulRFS, a method for estimating species trees from mul-trees. We prove that FastMulRFS is polynomial time and statistically consistent under a generic model of gene duplication and loss provided that only duplications occur or only losses occur. We present the results of an extensive simulation study where gene tree heterogeneity is due to gene duplication and loss, incomplete lineage sorting,and gene tree estimation error, and show that FastMulRFS matches the accuracy of MulRF (which tries to solve the same optimization problem) and has better accuracy than ASTRAL-multi (which is statistically consistent under GDL), while being much faster than both methods.
Neurostimulation techniques to enhance sleep and improve cognition in aging

Sleep plays a critical role in the process of memory consolidation. In particular, during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) slow wave sleep, slow-oscillations, spindles, hippocampal sharp wave ripples, and their phase coupling are involved in the process of transferring and consolidating information recently encoded and temporarily stored in the hippocampus into long-term memory stored in the neocortex. There is evidence that aging and neurodegenerative conditions, in particular Alzheimer's disease, are associated with changes to this transient grouping of NREM oscillations. Therefore, methods to enhance sleep, particularly slow wave sleep, have the potential to improve cognitive performance. Transcranial electrical and magnetic stimulation have been shown useful to enhance sleep slow-waves and sleep-dependent memory consolidation, however there is need for more information regarding proper protocols of application and applicability and efficacy in patients with neurodegenerative conditions. Acoustic stimulation during sleep has been proven particularly effective in enhancing sleep slow-waves and spindles with associated improvement in overnight memory consolidation. More importantly, preliminary data indicate that similar results can be achieved in healthy older adults and those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Studies are needed to optimize the modalities of acoustic stimulation during sleep, which may vary based on age group or clinical disorder. Overall, non-invasive techniques of neurostimulation may represent a valid approach to mitigate cognitive decline associated with aging and neurodegeneration. Furthermore, they offer the unique opportunity to improve our understanding of the physiology behind sleep-dependent memory consolidation.
Rapid detection of Pecan Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne partityla, in laboratory and field conditions using loop-mediated isothermal amplification

Meloidogyne partityla is the dominant root-knot nematode (RKN) species parasitizing pecan in Georgia. This species is known to cause a reduction in root growth and a decline in the yields of mature pecan trees. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of this RKN is required to control this nematode disease and reduce losses in pecan production. In this study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method was developed for simple, rapid, and on-site detection of M. partityla in infested plant roots and validated to detect the nematode in laboratory and field conditions. Specific primers were designed based on the sequence distinction of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-18S/5.8S ribosomal RNA gene between M. partityla and other Meloidogyne spp. The LAMP detection technique could detect the presence of M. partityla genomic DNA at a concentration as low as 1 pg, and no cross reactivity was found with DNA from other major RKN species such as M. javanica, M. incognita and M. arenaria, and M. hapla. We also conducted a traditional morphology-based diagnostic assay and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to determine which of these techniques was less time consuming, more sensitive, and convenient to use in the field. The LAMP assay provided more rapid results, amplifying the target nematode species in less than 60 min at 70°C, with results 100 times more sensitive than conventional PCR (~2-3 hrs). Morphology-based, traditional diagnosis was highly time-consuming (2 days) and more laborious than conventional PCR and LAMP assays. These features greatly simplified the operating procedure and made the assay a powerful tool for rapid, on-site detection of pecan RKN, M. partityla. The developed LAMP assay will facilitate accurate pecan nematode diagnosis in the field and contribute to the management of the pathogen.
Transcriptomic profiling of intestinal epithelial cells in response to human, bovine and commercial bovine lactoferrins (623.2)

Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in high concentration in human milk. It is a pleiotropic protein and involved in diverse bioactivities, such as stimulation of cell proliferation and immunomodulatory activities. Lf is partly resistant to proteolysis in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, Lf may play important roles in intestinal development. Due to differences in amino acid sequences and isolation methods, Lfs from human and bovine milk as well as commercially available bovine Lf (CbLf) may differ functionally or exert their functions via various mechanisms. To provide a potential basis for further applications of CbLf, we compared effects of Lfs on intestinal transcriptomic profiling using an intestinal epithelial cell model, human intestinal epithelial crypt-like cells (HIEC). All Lfs significantly stimulated proliferation of HIEC and no significant differences were found among these three proteins. Microarray assays were used to investigate transcriptomic profiling of intestinal epithelial cells in response to Lfs. Selected genes were verified by RT-PCR with a high validation rate. Genes significantly regulated by hLf, bLf, and CbLf were 150, 395 and 453, respectively. Fifty-four genes were significantly regulated by both hLf and CbLf, whereas 129 genes were significantly modulated by bLf and CbLf. Although only a limited number of genes were regulated by all Lfs, the three Lfs positively influenced cellular development and immune functions based on pathway analysis using IPA (Ingenuity). Lfs stimulate cellular and intestinal development and immune functions via various signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β-catenin signaling, interferon signaling and IL-8 signaling.
Tetrahydrobiopterin paradoxically mediates cardiac oxidative stress and mitigates ethanol-evoked cardiac dysfunction in conscious female rats.

Abstract Oxidation of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a cofactor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), by reactive oxidative species (ROS), leads to NOS uncoupling and superoxide production instead of NO. Further, oxidative stress plays a major role in ethanol-evoked cardiac dysfunction in proestrus female rats, and acute ethanol administration reduces brain BH4 level. Therefore, we discerned the unknown role of BH4 in ethanol-evoked cardiac dysfunction by pharmacologically increasing BH4 levels or inhibiting its effect in proestrus female rats. Acute ethanol (1.5 g/kg, i.v, 30 min) caused myocardial dysfunction (lowered dP/dtmax and LVDP) and hypotension, along with increases in myocardial: (i) levels of NO, ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA), (ii) activities of catalase, ALDH2 and NADPH oxidase (Nox), and (iii) phosphorylation of eNOS, nNOS. Further, ethanol suppressed myocardial arginase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and enhanced eNOS uncoupling. While ethanol had no effect on cardiac BH4 levels, BH4 (19 mg/kg, i.v) supplementation paradoxically caused cardiac oxidative stress, but mitigated the cardiac dysfunction/hypotension and most of the adverse molecular responses caused by ethanol. Equally important, the BH4 inhibitor DAHP (1 g/kg, i.p) exacerbated the adverse molecular and cardiovascular effects caused by ethanol. Our pharmacological studies support a protective role for the NOS co-factor BH4 against ethanol-evoked cardiac dysfunction and hypotension in female rats.
Nodal Irradiation after Breast-Cancer Surgery in the Era of Effective Adjuvant Therapy

Among women with breast cancer, rates of local recurrence in the ipsilateral breast, chest wall, or regional lymph nodes have decreased dramatically during the past 20 years.1 Contributing factors include standardized clinical approaches to breast imaging, surgery, pathological analysis, and radiotherapy, but a critical element has been the near universal application of adjuvant systemic therapy. Almost all patients with breast cancer now receive some form of adjuvant drug treatment. Systemic treatments have proved to be highly effective at reducing the risk of both distant relapse and local or regional recurrence, and stepwise innovations in systemic therapy have correspondingly further reduced . . .
Near field microscopy of vertical cavity lasers

We show that near-field optical microscopy (NFOM) can be a powerful tool for the diagnosis and characterization of semiconductor laser structures, since it can obtain optical spectra with a spatial resolution better than 100nm. The capabilities of NFOM are demonstrated by characterizing a VCSEL in which spatial nonuniformities in the material cause a multi-mode emission pattern.
The Influence of Texture on Strain Hardening

It is well known that the strain hardening behavior of metals is not the same in tension, compression, torsion and rolling, for example. The comparison is usually made on a basis of vonMises equivalent stress and strain. One reason for this difference lies in the development of deformation textures, which depends on the straining path. We report on a new set of experiments, comprising wire-drawing interrupted by tensile tests, free compression, channel-die compression, and short-tube torsion in aluminum, an Al-Mg alloy, copper, silver, and 70:30 brass. The texture was measured before straining and at vonMises strain levels of roughly 1.0 and 2.0. Computer simulations of the deformation, starting from a set of random grains weighted by the observed initial texture, predicted deformation textures in qualitative agreement with the observed ones in most cases. Quantitatively the simulations yielded the Taylor factors as a function of strain for all paths and, with an assumed hardening law for the representative grain, the macroscopic stress/strain curves. The grain hardening rate as a function of resolved shear stress was described in tabular form such as to match one of the macroscopic curves, and then used to predict the others. The eventual fit was quite good; we will describe what judgments needed to be made to achieve this result. The conclusion is that the strain-path dependence of work hardening can be explained simply as a consequence of texture development.
Transport of opioids from the brain to the periphery by P-glycoprotein: peripheral actions of central drugs

Many peptides and transmitters found within the brain also have peripheral sites of action. We now demonstrate that the brain releases functionally active neurotransmitters/neuromodulators directly from the brain into the blood through a saturable P-glycoprotein (Pgp) transport system. Downregulating Pgp1 expression with antisense reduced the brain-to-blood transport of morphine, β-endorphin and other opioids. Lowering Pgp expression significantly enhanced systemic morphine analgesia and prevented tolerance, but diminished the analgesic activity of centrally administered morphine, implying that supraspinal analgesia resulted from a combination of central and peripheral mechanisms activated by morphine transported from the brain to the blood. Similarly, mice with a disruption of the Mdr1a gene were more sensitive to systemic morphine and less sensitive to morphine given centrally. This ability of the Pgp transport system to pump functionally active compounds from the brain to periphery defines a potentially important mechanism for the central nervous system to modulate peripheral systems.
Advancing the Sovereign Trust of Government to Safeguard the Environment for Present and Future Generations (Part I): Ecological Realism and the Need for a Paradigm Shift

Modern environmental law has proved a colossal failure, despite the good intentions and the hard work of many citizens, lawyers, and government officials. Notwithstanding the most extensive and complex set of legal mandates the world has ever known, government is driving runaway greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Agencies use the discretion in their statutes to allow continuing damage to the atmosphere and other natural resources. At a time when society faces catastrophic climate heating and ecological collapse, leading thinkers should be setting their sights on a transformational environmental law principle. This Article is the first of two companion Articles that identify the public trust doctrine as the most fundamental legal mechanism available to ensure governmental protection of natural resources necessary for public welfare and survival. At the core of the doctrine is the principle that every sovereign government holds vital natural resources in “trust” for the public – i.e., present and future generations of citizen beneficiaries. This Article proposes a paradigm shift away from the current system of natural resource management, a system driven by political discretion, to one that is infused with public trust principles and policies across all branches of government and at all jurisdictional levels. Section II of this Article explains the necessity for an emergency response to arrest the hemorrhage of natural systems and stabilize climate by bringing down atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gas pollution. Section III explains the dysfunction of modern environmental law and the role of agencies in promoting natural damage. Section IV explores the depth of legal change needed to secure the resources essential to future survival and prosperity. Section V explains the role of government as trustee of natural resources. Section VI describes states and foreign nations as covenant trustees with respect to shared or transitory resources. Part II of this work presents the trust framework as it relates to the modern regime of statutory and administrative law.
A Generalized Model for Predicting Critical Deposition Velocity for Particle Entrained in Horizontal Liquid and Gas Pipe Flows

Critical deposition velocity, as it is used in this paper, is the velocity required to keep particles moving in horizontal pipes all times. There are many models that have been developed and reported in the literature, but they normally fail to agree with all available data. Thus, based on the previous work a generalized model is proposed to predict critical velocity in horizontal pipelines that can be generalized to handle many different flow conditions including particles moving in gas or liquids. The proposed model takes into account different physical parameters which are normally important in determining critical velocities. The results from this model are compared with experimental data available in the literature for particles entrained in gas or liquid flows. The experimental data that is considered includes particles such as sand, glass, coal, plastic, iron, magnate, PVC, Tuff and salt being transported in fluids like water, oil, kerosene, ethylene glycol and air. The model predictions are compared to other models that are available in the literature. For liquid flow the results are also compared with the Oroskar and Turian model as it was calibrated with many experimental data for particles transported in liquids. The model results for gas flow cases are compared with the Saks model that was specifically developed for gas and the Oroskar and Turian model. These comparisons show even the preliminary form of this generalized model improves the prediction of critical velocity for both liquid and gas flows.© 2013 ASME
Directional Type Checking of Logic Programs

We present an algorithm for automatic type checking of logic programs with respect to directional types that describe both the structure of terms and the directionality of predicates. The type checking problem is reduced to a decision problem on systems of inclusion constraints over set expressions. The solution to this decision problem provides an effective type checking procedure. We discuss some properties of the reduction algorithm, and present a proof of correctness. We present lower bound complexity results for the general type checking problem where types are given as arbitrary set expressions, as well as for the restrictive class of discriminative directional types. For discriminative directional types the type checking procedure is shown to be sound and complete.
Phonological Precedence in Dyslexia: A Case Study

Developmental dyslexia is believed to involve a phonological deficit of which the exact properties have not been clearly established. This article presents the findings of a longitudinal case study that suggest that, at least for some people with dyslexia, the fundamental problem involves a disturbance of temporal-spatial ordering abilities. A very frequent reading error of the case is to misread CVC syllables in word internal position as CV syllables instead. Specifically, there is a phonological conspiracy in her reading such that she avoids (word internal) codas and maps them as something else via epenthesis, deletions, metathesis, etc. It is noted that this overproduction of CV units evinces a problem with the temporal-spatial ordering of salient items (vowels) versus nonsalient items (consonants). This can be interpreted from a Minimalist perspective as the reflex of difficulties in linearizing phonological material at the sensorimotor (SM) interface. The analysis is couched in terms of the coupling ...
Synthesis of poly-O-acyl-amideoximes containing group IV A metals from poly(acrylonitrile)

Poly(acrylonitrile) was modified to give products of the form below via reaction with hydroxylamine and subsequently with group IV organometallic reactants: The products obtained with Cl2MR2 are crosslinked. Properties of the new polymers are briefly characterized. Durch Umsetzung von Polyacrylnitril mit Hydroxylamin und dann mit Organometallhalogeniden von Sn, Ge oder Si wurden modifizierte Polymere erhalten, die wahrscheinlich folgende Struktur aufweisen: Mit Cl2MR2 entstehen vernetzte Produkte. Die neuen Polymeren werden kurz charakterisiert.
The Corporate Income Tax: United States of America Report

In the context of a European project describing variations in the structure of the corporate income tax, this paper briefly describes the United States corporation income tax and contextualizes it within the broader category of business entity taxation. The paper identifies the various tax models that the United States uses for business entities and discusses the historical delinking of limited liability protection for owners and managers from traditional double taxation.
CI 101: Community Informatics as General Education

In some countries, university students fulfill a set of general education requirements in addition to the core requirements for their major program of study. The role of general education requirements is to broaden students, particularly with respect to general skills and knowledge such as reasoning, communicating, understanding the natural and social world, and appreciating cultures, the arts, and human values. In this paper, we propose that community informatics can be part of contemporary general education. We present a brief course outline for a notional CI 101 in order to promote more concrete consideration and critical analysis of this proposal.
A Review of the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test: An Advancement in Cognitive Assessment?

The Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test (KAIT), a new instrument for assessing cognitive functioning, is reviewed. This article provides a general description of the KAIT and its theoret...
Behind bars: personality disorders

Individuals with severe, function-impairing personality disorders comprise a large proportion of the difficult-to-manage inmates. Personality disorders are reliably diagnosable using standardized criteria (DSM-IV), and treatment options are now available. Through careful assessment, differential diagnosis, and differential therapeutic selection, clinicians have the opportunity to help these individuals gain more control over unstable affect, impulsive/ irritable aggression, and paranoid perceptual distortions. Appropriate intervention holds the possibility, if not the promise, of reduced morbidity and recidivism, and may reasonably contribute to the public safety mission of corrections and to the primary mission of clinicians, which is improved health.
Behavior therapy for weight control: long-term results of two programs with nutritionists as therapists

Two studies examined the effectiveness of behavior modification techniques utilizing nutritionists as therapists. In study 1, therapist training on the use of behavioral techniques was done by self-study. Fifty-seven females at least 10% overweight (X = 20%, SD = +/- 14.0) were placed in one of three 10-week treatment conditions; 1) a multiple technique behavioral program, 2) food exchange treatment, and 3) delay treatment control. End of treatment weight losses averaged 3.0, 2.2, and 0.1 kg, respectively. When treated, the delay group lost 2.7 kg. One year post-treatment the behavior therapy subjects were maintaining approximately 70% of the weight lost during treatment; the other two groups maintained less than half of their achieved loss. In study 2, 54 female subjects 15 to 60% overweight (X = 39%, SD = +/- 12.3) underwent one of two 14-week behavioral weight control treatments. One was the same behavioral treatment used in study 1; the other was built around the concept of stimulus control. Both treatments included nutrition information. The therapists were trained by a behavioral psychologist. Weight loss at the end of treatment was 8.4 and 7.3 kg for the stimulus control and multiple technique conditions, respectively. There was a significant difference in favor of the stimulus control treatment at 3 and 6 months posttreatment. At the 18-month follow-up the stimulus control subjects were maintaining 80% of achieved weight loss; the other group only 50%.
Age‐related increase in IL‐17 activates pro‐inflammatory signaling in prostate cells

Background A close relationship between aging, inflammation, and prostate cancer is widely accepted. Aging is accompanied by a progressive increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 17 (IL-17), a key pro-inflammatory cytokine that becomes dysregulated with age. However, the contribution of IL-17 to age-related prostate tumorigenesis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of age-related IL-17 dysregulation in prostate tumorigenesis. Methods Serum and splenic T-lymphocytes from young GPAT-1 knock-out aging-mimic T cell mice as well as young and aged wild-type mice were collected. shRNA was used to knock down the IL-17 receptor in LNCaP prostate cancer cells and RWPE-1 non-transformed prostate epithelial cells, which were then exposed to the mouse sera or conditioned media from stimulated T-lymphocytes. NF-κB activation, NF-κB target gene expression, and cell proliferation were all measured in these cells by luciferase assay, qPCR, Western blot analysis, and MTT assay, respectively. Results T-lymphocyte-secreted IL-17 from aging-mimic mice induced NF-κB activity and target gene expression in LNCaP and RWPE-1 cells. It also promoted proliferation of these cells. Conclusion Aging-mimic T cell mice produce increased levels of IL-17, which stimulates the pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway in prostate epithelial cells. NF-κB increases inflammation, carcinogenesis and metastatic potential in the prostate. These findings provide evidence that the dysregulation of cytokine production seen in aged T cells may directly contribute to the increased risk for prostate cancer in the elderly. Prostate 75: 449–462, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Can segregation distortion influence gametic disequilibrium

Effet de la distorsion de segregation sur le desequilibre gametique examine theoriquement dans le cas de l'allele t chez la souris
High scores but low skills

In this paper college admissions are based on test scores and students can exert two types of effort: real learning and exam preparation. The former improves skills but the latter is more effective in raising test scores. In this setting the students with the lowest skills are no longer the ones with the lowest aptitude, but instead are the ones closest to the borderline for college admission. Increased access to college leads to greater income inequality between college graduates and non-graduates. Overall, the ability to study for the test leads to higher expected test scores but lower skills.
Total knee arthroplasty in post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee

Total knee arthroplasty is an effective method of treatment for the majority of patients with a prior distal femoral or tibial plateau fracture and end-stage arthritis. There is a higher complication rate and overall poorer outcome when compared with routine primary total knee arthroplasty. In patients for whom the goals of optimal limb and implant alignment are achieved, the results are comparable with routine primary knee arthroplasty. Patients with suboptimal component positioning or residual deformity have a poorer outcome. The technical challenges encountered can require skills, implant systems, and methods usually reserved for complex revision arthroplasty.
Inheritance of frog lactate dehydrogenase patterns and the persistence of maternal isozymes during development.

A female Rana pipiens sphenocephala suspected of being heterozygous at a locus specifying the B or most negatively charged, subunit of the lactate dehydrogenase isozymes was back-crossed to a R. p. sphenocephala male and outcrossed to a R. p. pipiens male. The results of these crosses show that: (1) the structure of the B subunit of frog LDH is controlled by at least three allelic genes (LDBa, LDBb, and LDBc; (2) LDH of the offsprings' phenotype appears before hatching; (3) maternal-type enzyme, probably synthesized during oogenesis, persists until at least the eleventh day after the tadpoles begin to feed.
Discrete element analysis for characterizing the patellofemoral pressure distribution: model evaluation.

The current study was performed to evaluate the accuracy of computational assessment of the influence of the orientation of the patellar tendon on the patellofemoral pressure distribution. Computational models were created to represent eight knees previously tested at 40 deg, 60 deg, and 80 deg of flexion to evaluate the influence of hamstrings loading on the patellofemoral pressure distribution. Hamstrings loading increased the lateral and posterior orientation of the patellar tendon, with the change for each test determined from experimentally measured variations in tibiofemoral alignment. The patellar tendon and the cartilage on the femur and patella were represented with springs. After loading the quadriceps, the total potential energy was minimized to determine the force within the patellar tendon. The forces applied by the quadriceps and patellar tendon produced patellar translation and rotation. The deformation of each cartilage spring was determined from overlap of the cartilage surfaces on the femur and patella and related to force using linear elastic theory. The patella was iteratively adjusted until the extension moment, tilt moment, compression, and lateral force acting on the patella were in equilibrium. For the maximum pressure applied to lateral cartilage and the ratio of the lateral compression to the total compression, paired t-tests were performed at each flexion angle to determine if the output varied significantly (p < 0.05) between the two loading conditions. For both the computational and experimental data, loading the hamstrings significantly increased the lateral force ratio and the maximum lateral pressure at multiple flexion angles. For the computational data, loading the hamstrings increased the average lateral force ratio and maximum lateral pressure by approximately 0.04 and 0.3 MPa, respectively, compared to experimental increases of 0.06 and 0.4 MPa, respectively. The computational modeling technique accurately characterized variations in the patellofemoral pressure distribution caused by altering the orientation of the patellar tendon.
Bag6 complex contains a minimal tail-anchor-targeting module and a mock BAG domain.

BCL2-associated athanogene cochaperone 6 (Bag6) plays a central role in cellular homeostasis in a diverse array of processes and is part of the heterotrimeric Bag6 complex, which also includes ubiquitin-like 4A (Ubl4A) and transmembrane domain recognition complex 35 (TRC35). This complex recently has been shown to be important in the TRC pathway, the mislocalized protein degradation pathway, and the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation pathway. Here we define the architecture of the Bag6 complex, demonstrating that both TRC35 and Ubl4A have distinct C-terminal binding sites on Bag6 defining a minimal Bag6 complex. A crystal structure of the Bag6–Ubl4A dimer demonstrates that Bag6–BAG is not a canonical BAG domain, and this finding is substantiated biochemically. Remarkably, the minimal Bag6 complex defined here facilitates tail-anchored substrate transfer from small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein α to TRC40. These findings provide structural insight into the complex network of proteins coordinated by Bag6.
Bone counts and statisticians: A reply to Ringrose

Ringrose (Bone counts and statistics: a critique, Journal of Arachaeological Science 20, 121–157, 1993) argues that the data used in zooarchaeology are usually unsuitable for detailed quantitative analysis, and urges the use of simple methods. He criticizes a number of published papers to illustrate his point, including one of ours using multiple regression analysis (Marshall & Pilgram, Meat versus within-bone nutrients: another look at the meaning of body-part representation in archaeological sites, Journal of Archaeological Science 18, 149–163, 1991). We believe that the bulk of his criticisms of our work are incorrect, and that Ringrose's errors result from a failure to adequately consider either the goals of our analysis or those of zooarchaeology. Ringrose addresses abstract issues of statistical validity rather than empirical issues of the correctness of results. This distinction is an important one when choosing statistical approaches, and should be understood by researchers.
Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis spores by single-walled carbon nanotubes coupled with oxidizing antimicrobial chemicals.

In this study, we investigated the sporicidal effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and SWCNTs combined with oxidizing antimicrobial chemicals, H2O2 and NaOCl, on B. anthracis spores. The results indicated that treatment with SWCNTs alone exhibited little sporicidal effect on B. anthracis spores, while treatment with H2O2 or NaOCl alone showed moderate sporicidal effect. The combination treatment with SWCNTs (100 μg/mL) and H2O2 (1.5%) or NaOCl (0.25%) exhibited much stronger sporicidal effect on the spores, compared to treatment with H2O2 or NaOCl alone at the same concentrations, doubling the log reduction of viable spore number (∼3.3 log vs ∼1.6 log). Such enhanced sporicidal efficiency was due to the synergistic effect contributed by the two individual antimicrobial mechanisms of SWCNTs and the oxidizing antimicrobial chemicals. The ordered sequential treatment with SWCNTs and H2O2 or NaOCl revealed that SWCNTs played the key role in making the spores more permeable/susceptible to chemica...
Comparative responses to α,β-methylene-ATP in cat pulmonary, mesenteric, and hindquarter vascular beds

Responses to the P2X-purinoceptor agonist α,β-methylene-ATP (α,β-MeATP) were investigated in the pulmonary, hindquarter, and mesenteric vascular beds in the cat. Under constant-flow conditions, inj...
Replacement of C-Terminal Histidines Uncouples Membrane Insertion and Translocation in Diphtheria Toxin T-Domain

The translocation (T) domain plays a key role in the action of diphtheria toxin and is responsible for transferring the N-terminus-attached catalytic domain across the endosomal membrane into the cytosol in response to acidification. The T-domain undergoes a series of pH-triggered conformational changes that take place in solution and on the membrane interface, and ultimately result in transbilayer insertion and N-terminus translocation. Structure-function studies along this pathway have been hindered because the protein population occupies multiple conformations at the same time. Here we report that replacement of the three C-terminal histidine residues, H322, H323, and H372, in triple-R or triple-Q mutants prevents effective translocation of the N-terminus. Introduction of these mutations in the full-length toxin results in decrease of its potency. In the context of isolated T-domain, these mutations cause loss of characteristic conductance in planar bilayers. Surprisingly, these mutations do not affect general folding in solution, protein interaction with the membranes, insertion of the consensus transmembrane helical hairpin TH8-9, or the ability of the T-domain to destabilize vesicles to cause leakage of fluorescent markers. Thus, the C-terminal histidine residues are critical for the transition from the inserted intermediate state to the open-channel state in the insertion/translocation pathway of the T-domain.
Blade and Shaft Crack Detection Using Torsional Vibration Measurements Part 1: Feasibility Studies:

The primary goal of the development project was to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting changes in blade natural frequencies (such as those associated with a blade crack) on a turbine using non-contact, non-intrusive measurement methods. The approach was to set up a small experimental apparatus, develop a torsional vibration detection system, and maximize the dynamic range and the signal to noise ratio. The results of the testing and analysis clearly demonstrated the feasibility of using torsional vibration to detect the change in natural frequency of a blade due to a change in stiffness such as those associated with a blade crack.
On the performance of full duplex wireless networks

Half duplex radios use two separate frequency bands to enable simultaneous transmission and reception. Recently, full duplex radio that allows a wireless node to transmit and receive simultaneously in one frequency band was proposed. We propose a MAC protocol for full duplex radio networks, FDMAC, which is a simple and efficient protocol compatible with IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol. We analyze the performance of full duplex wireless networks with FD-MAC considering both the physical layer and the MAC layer.
Effect of Ni as a minority alloying element on the corrosion behavior in Al–Cu–Mg–(Ni) metallic glasses

The role of Ni in pitting corrosion in a NaCl solution was investigated by comparing near-eutectic amorphous Al–Cu–Mg alloys with and without Ni. The pitting resistance was enhanced significantly by a small Ni addition in both the amorphous and devitrified states. The minority Ni alloying element is beneficial to pitting resistance in addition to enhancing structural and chemical homogeneity by promoting glass formability. Ni is argued to be superior to Cu for improving the pitting resistance of Al.
Nitroglycerin reperfusion reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury in non-heart-beating donor lungs.

Background Lung transplantation is severely limited by an inadequate supply of lungs from brain-dead donors. A potential solution is use of lungs from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) with retrieval at intervals after circulatory arrest and death. A warm ischemic period with concomitant reperfusion injury is a major limiting factor in the transplantation of lungs retrieved from NHBDs. We hypothesized that the administration of the nitric oxide-donor nitroglycerin to lungs from NHBDs would reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury by activation of guanylate cyclase to form guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). Methods An in situ isolated perfused rat lung model was used. Lungs were retrieved from rats at varying intervals after circulatory arrest and death. Lungs were either ventilated with O2 in situ or not ventilated. Lungs were reperfused at intervals after death with Earle’s solution with or without nitroglycerin (0.1 mg/ml). Lung ischemia-reperfusion injury was assessed by capillary filtration coefficient, wet-to-dry lung weight ratio, and pulmonary hemodynamics. Tissue levels of adenine nucleotides and cGMP concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Results Reperfusion with nitroglycerin decreased capillary filtration coefficient compared with reperfusion without nitroglycerin at all post-mortem ischemic times, irrespective of pre-harvest ventilation. cGMP levels increased significantly with nitroglycerin-reperfusion and attenuated decreases in high-energy adenine nucleotides. Conclusions Reperfusion of lungs with nitroglycerin may facilitate safe lung transplantation from NHBDs by reducing capillary leak after reperfusion.
Joint Power Optimization of Data Center Network and Servers with Correlation Analysis

Data center power optimization has recently received a great deal of research attention. For example, server consolidation has been demonstrated as one of the most effective energy saving methodologies. Likewise, traffic consolidation has also been recently proposed to save energy for data center networks (DCNs). However, current research on data center power optimization focuses on servers and DCN separately. As a result, the optimization results are often inferior, because server consolidation without considering the DCN may cause traffic congestion and thus degraded network performance. On the other hand, server consolidation may change the DCN topology, allowing new opportunities for energy savings. In this paper, we propose PowerNetS, a power optimization strategy that leverages workload correlation analysis to jointly minimize the total power consumption of servers and the DCN. The design of PowerNetS is based on the key observations that the workloads of different servers and DCN traffic flows do not peak at exactly the same time. Thus, more energy savings can be achieved if the workload correlations are considered in server and traffic consolidations. In addition, PowerNetS considers the DCN topology during server consolidation, which leads to less inter-server traffic and thus more energy savings and shorter network delays. We implement PowerNetS on a hardware testbed composed of 10 virtual switches configured with a production 48port OpenFlow switch and 6 servers. Our empirical results with Wikipedia, Yahoo!, and IBM traces demonstrate that PowerNetS can save up to 51.6% of energy for a data center. PowerNetS also outperforms two state-of-the-art baselines by 44.3% and 15.8% on energy savings, respectively. Our simulation results with 72 switches and 122 servers also show the superior energy efficiency of PowerNetS over the baselines.
Efficacy of gemfibrozil in the primary prevention of atrial fibrillation in a large randomized controlled trial.

Background Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α (PPARα) activators reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Inflammation plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). It has been suggested that PPARα activators may have antiarrhythmic properties, but no clinical data exist. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the PPARα activator gemfibrozil prevents or delays the development of AF in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the electrocardiograms (ECGs) performed in the Veterans Affairs High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Intervention Trial, a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, secondary prevention trial of gemfibrozil and matching placebo. The ECGs were performed annually or biannually and when clinically indicated. Participants who were in AF on baseline ECG were excluded from the present analysis. Relative risk for AF was calculated from Cox regression with death as a competing risk factor. Results A total of 12,605 ECGs from 2,130 participants were interpreted (5.9 ± 2.1 ECGs per participant, range 2-20). At baseline, the gemfibrozil (n = 1,070) and placebo (n = 1,060) groups were well matched. Mean age was 64.1 ± 7.1 years. Over 4.4 ± 1.5 years of follow-up, 123 (5.8%) participants developed new AF. There was no difference in AF incidence between the gemfibrozil and placebo groups (64/1,070 vs 59/1,060, respectively; P = .33). In Cox regression, the risk of AF was similar between the 2 study groups (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% CI 0.73-1.49, P = .82). Conclusions In this post hoc analysis of a multicenter, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, the PPARα activator gemfibrozil did not reduce the 4-year incidence of AF among men with coronary heart disease.
Evidence Against Reduction of Cu2+ to Cu+ during Dioxygen Activation in a Copper Amine Oxidase from Yeast

The role of metal in copper amine oxidases was studied by removal and replacement of the copper in the enzyme from Hansenula polymorpha. The active-site cupric ion was reduced with the substrate, methylamine, and removed by anaerobic dialysis against cyanide and EDTA. Metal-free protein was found to have little or no activity in oxidizing methylamine and was unreactive toward phenylhydrazine. Addition of cobaltous ion to the metal-free protein restored 19% of the native specific activity and 75% of the native reactivity toward phenylhydrazine. A detailed kinetic study of the cobalt-substituted amine oxidase revealed that the major cause of the reduced specific activity was a 68-fold increase in the apparent Km for oxygen. Saturation of the cobalt enzyme with oxygen gave a kcat equivalent to the native kcat. This study of a cobalt-substituted amine oxidase supports the mechanism proposed by Su and Klinman [Su; Klinman Biochemistry 1998, 37, 12513−12525] in which electrons are passed directly from the reduc...