cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND FACTORS AFFECTING THE PRODUCTION OF TOXIN OF CLOSTRIDIUM SEPTICUM.

A medium consisting of a complete acid hydrolysate of casein supplemented with cystine, tryptophan, growth accessory factors, glucose, and inorganic salts, has been developed for the cultivation of Clostridium septicum. Toxin equivalent to 400 to 700 L.D(50) per ml. has been obtained regularly in this medium. The principal factors found to affect the yield of toxin are:- (a) Phase of strain employed: Cultures of Cl. septicum may contain a number of variants. Some of these may be characterized by their colonial morphology on blood agar as: (1) rough, non-hemolytic colonies; (2) smooth, non-hemolytic colonies; (3) smooth, hemolytic colonies. Of these three variants, only the last produces toxin. (b) Quantity of growth and length of time cultures were incubated: The toxin and hemolysin content of cultures increases as the bacterial population increases, reaching a maximum value when the number of bacteria is at a maximum, or shortly thereafter. Upon further incubation, the toxin and hemolysin content decreases. (c) Presence of a hemolysin-inactivating factor: A substance, possibly lipid, and present in cooked meat, is capable of inactivating hemolysin produced in casein hydrolysate medium and can account for the absence of hemolysin from cultures grown in cooked-meat broth.
New Global Welfare: Excursus on Post-Industrial Development

Abstract While “freedom shock”1 has paralyzed the post-communist Russia, the Western triumphalism seems muffled by the state of a society “poised on the brink of self-destruction.”2 In the labyrinths of post-industrial development, life across nations is still mired in the banality of new and age-old problems: AIDS, poverty, unemployment, inequality, corruption, lassitude, war, crime, intolerance, and bigotry. The specter of new global development is both a challenge and illusion. This paper examines aesthetico-axiological bases of new global welfare.
The role of cancer stem cells and miRNAs in defining the complexities of brain metastasis.

Researchers and clinicians have been challenged with the development of therapies for the treatment of cancer patients whose tumors metastasized to the brain. Among the most lethal weapons known today, current management of brain metastases involves multiple therapeutic modalities that provide little, if any, for improving the quality of life and overall survival. Recently the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the development of cancer has been studied extensively, and thus its role in the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment is now being investigated even in the realm of brain metastasis. Recognizing the molecular make-up of CSCs as well as understanding the role of these cells in resistance to treatment modalities is expected to benefit cancer patients. Additionally, past decade has witnessed an increase in awareness and understanding of the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in various cancer types, and the deregulation miRNAs are critically important for the regulation of genes during the development and progression of human malignancies. The role miRNAs in brain metastasis is being investigated, and has also shown tremendous promise for future research. In this review, we discuss the problem and lethality of brain metastases and the current state of management, and further provide insight into novel avenues that are worth considering including the biological complexities of CSCs and miRNAs for designing novel therapies.
Necrotizing effects of kainic acid on neurons in the pigeon brain: Histological observations

Abstract The neurotoxin kainic acid (KA) has been shown to destroy neurons in the pigeon paleostriatal complex (PC), the avian analogue of the caudato-putamen and globus pallidus. In this earlier study the movement disorders in pigeons were strikingly similar to those reported by others in rats following intracerebral injection of KA into the corpus striatum. The toxic influences of KA on other parts of the pigeon brain have not been described. Therefore, KA was injected into areas of the telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon and cerebellum. Areas sensitive to KA showed a marked cell loss and the neuropil exhibited spaces that contained fragments of necrotic neurons. The injection sites were invaded by glia and granulocytes. Kainic acid had a local necrotizing effect; for example, it destroyed neurons in the PC, nucleus rotundus, nucleus spiriformis lateralis, nucleus ruber and neurons of the cerebellar cortex. An apparent long-distance effect of KA was also observed, since intracerebral injections of KA into the PC was followed by cell loss in the ipsilateral nucleus of the ansa lenticularis. Kainic acid has proved to be a potent neurotoxin with a pronounced necrotizing effect upon neurons of the pigeon brain.
Psychotogenic properties of benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonists.

The neurochemical, behavioral, and cognitive effects of the benzodiazepine receptor partial inverse agonist β-carboline FG 7142 (FG), a drug traditionally described as exhibiting 'anxiogenic' effects, are proposed to model core components of present theories of the neuronal mechanisms of schizophrenia. FG activates the mesolimbic dopaminergic system and, via increases in dopaminergic activity in the nucleus accumbens, disinhibits corticopetal cholinergic projections. The latter effect of FG is hypothesized to mediate the hyperattentional impairments that contribute to the development of psychotic cognition. Furthermore, the FG-induced abnormal overprocessing of conditioned stimuli and contexts provides an explanation of the 'anxiogenic' effects of FG. The FG-induced increases in the activity of cortical cholinergic inputs and the FG-induced cognitive impairments in rats and monkeys were demonstrated to be attenuated by the administration of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs. Compared to the classic psychotogenic drugs amphetamine and phencyclidine, the effects of FG serve as an alternative psychotogenic manipulation in research focusing on the cortical and cognitive aspects of current theories of schizophrenia.
Multinuclear NMR spectroscopic studies of some organometallic N-substituted anilines

Abstract Proton, carbon-13, nitrogen-15, fluorine-19, and silicon-29 NMR chemical shifts and coupling constants are reported for nine N -substituted anilines of the type XC 6 H 4 N(H)Y, where X  H and F, and Y  Si(CH 3 ) 3 , Ge(CH 3 ) 3 , Sn(CH 3 ) 3 , and P(BH 3 )(CH 3 ) 2 , and the 15 N isotopomer of N -trimethylsilylaniline. Resonances in the natural-abundance carbon-13 NMR spectra for both sets of derivatives are assigned on the basis of additivity relationships, proton-coupled spectra, and relative magnitudes of | J ( 31 P 13 C)| and | J ( 19 F 13 C)| coupling constants where appropriate. Carbon-13 and fluorine-19 chemical shifts, and | 1 J ( 13 C 1 H)| coupling constants indicate that the P(BH 3 )(CH 3 ) 2 group is substantially electron-withdrawing.
Determining the prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma: is it time for a re-evaluation?

Accurate prognostic indicators are of critical importance for patients with renal cell carcinoma. In this article, the authors argue that the arrival and application of new targeted therapies will necessitate a re-evaluation of the current prognostic systems to incorporate emerging molecular markers with existing clinical and pathologic staging constructs.
Cystic fibrosis: isolation and physical properties of a salivary cystic fibrosis factor.

Summary: A ciliostatic factor has been isolated from cystic fibrosis (CF) saliva by dialyzing it from purified α-amylase prepared by a glycogen-complex method. This method of isolating the CF factor is an improvement over the previously employed heparin procedure. The activity of the isolated factor is proportional with concentration using the oyster gill ciliostatic assay and in its inhibition of mammalian glycogen debranching enzyme. The ciliostatic action of the factor can be reversed by heparin under certain conditions. The type of inhibition of the debranching enzyme by the isolated CF factor indicates that its chemical structure is similar to that observed with hydroxyalkylamines and polyamine metabolites. Physical properties of the isolated factor indicate that it is of low molecular weight and is labile as a function of pH and temperature. At neutral pH the conditions under which it is maintained have a direct effect on the length of time that it is stable. Speculation: These studies indicate how the stability of the ciliostatic CF factor isolated from saliva is related to the physical conditions to which it is exposed. This information should be of value in evaluating its activity as well as in investigations into its chemical nature.
Reliability of nonhermetic bias-free LiNbO/sub 3/ modulators

Reliability for nonhermetic bias-free LiNbO/sub 3/ optical modulators is estimated from aging data in both dry and damp heat conditions. The two dominant failure modes for these devices are: 1) device performance degradation due to temperature-activated drift of the annealed proton-exchange waveguide; and 2) optical insertion loss increase due to humidity-induced deterioration of glued fiber joints. A total failure rate of 30 failures in time (FITs) is predicted for 20 years operation at 45/spl deg/C and moderate humidity conditions (40% RH). This estimate based on laboratory-test data is consistent with a field failure rate <5 FITs observed in fielded devices.
Experimental liver cancer: improved response after hepatic artery ligation and infusion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma.

Background. The aim of this study is to investigate whether regional infusion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) could improve the therapeutic results of hepatic artery ligation (HAL) on liver cancer in a rat model. Methods. Morris hepatoma 3924A was implanted intrahepatically in 50 ACI rats. Two weeks after tumor implantation, 40 rats underwent hepatic artery cannulation and ligation. The cannula was connected to an infusion port implanted subcutaneously. Animals were then divided into four groups of 10 each to receive seven daily intraarterial injections of IFN-γ 100,000 IU/rat/day (HAL + IFN group), TNF-α 30 μg/rat/day (HAL + TNF group), IFN + TNF (HAL + IFN + TNF group), or normal saline solution (HAL group). The remaining 10 rats received a laparotomy only and served as untreated controls. Tumor volume, viable tumor area, and histopathology were assessed after 3 weeks. Results. The tumor growth was significantly retarded in the HAL group compared with the controls (tumor volume 683 ± 245 mm 3 vs 2424 ± 596 mm 3 , p < 0.05 ANOVA). HAL + TNF (221 ± 93 mm 3 ) and HAL + IFN + TNF groups (74 ± 31 mm 3 but not the HAL + IFN group (493 ± 164 mm 3 ), were much more effective than the HAL group in controlling tumor growth (p < 0.05). HAL + IFN + TNF achieved the best tumor control resulting in a 60% tumor-free rate (p < 0.05 vs all other groups). Conclusions. These data suggest that HAL combined with regional infusion of TNF-α and IFN-γ significantly reduces tumor growth in a rat liver model. This attractive concept of combined modality therapy may have utility in the clinical setting in instances of unresectable liver cancer.
Translation invariance and localized states

The method originally suggested by Peierls and Yoccoz for treating localized states as approximate eigenstates of translation-invariant Hamiltonians is discussed in a general way. For many-body systems interacting via two-body potentials, it is shown that the effective mass is correctly given by the method. The translationally best localized state is shown to give the exact energy in the two-body problem. Finally, it is shown that both the strong-coupling and weak-coupling regimes of the polaron can be discussed easily in terms of localized coherent states.
Components of energy expenditure in tumor-bearing animals

Abstract Single snapshot measurements of resting energy expenditure (REE) suggest that hypermetabolism contributes to cancer cachexia, but tumor impact on total 24-hr energy expenditure (TEE) is unknown. Automated multicage indirect calorimetry was employed to measure daily energy expenditure in adult Buffalo rats (n = 16) randomized to tumor inoculation or controls. Measurements included baseline REE, activity EE (AEE), thermic response to food (TEF), and TEE. Rats (n = 16) were randomized. Metabolic measurements, tumor size, and body weight were recorded weekly. Animals were sacrificed at Week 5 for analysis of host and tumor composition. Significant depletion of total lean body mass occurred in TB rats (> 15% wt loss, ANOVA P
Confinement effects on the dynamic compressive properties of an epoxy syntactic foam

Abstract Dynamic compressive properties of an epoxy syntactic foam at various strain rates under lateral confinement have been investigated with a pulse-shaped split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The quasi-static responses were obtained with an MTS 810 materials test system. The quasi-static and dynamic stress–strain behavior of the foam under confinement exhibited an elastic–plastic-like response whereas an elastic–brittle behavior was observed under uniaxial stress loading conditions. The modulus of elasticity and yield strength, which had higher values than those in uniaxial stress case, were both sensitive to strain rates. However, the strain-hardening behavior under confinement was not strain-rate sensitive. A phenomenological elastic–plastic type of material model was employed to describe the strain-rate-dependent compressive properties of the syntactic foam under confinement, which agreed well with experimental results.
Developmentally regulated expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the superior olive

During postnatal development, the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and its mRNA was investigated in the superior olivary complex of the hamster in order to better understand its role in the development of the efferent olivocochlear (OC) pathway. Although both the peptide and its mRNA were expressed at birth in a few periolivary cells, neither CGRP mRNA nor any immunoreactivity could be detected in the lateral superior olive until after postnatal day (P) 5. By P9, CGRP expression had significantly increased and was mostly contained within the lateral superior olive. Between P7 and P18, there appears to be a transient increase in the transcript expression both in periolivary regions and in the lateral superior olive. Notably, both peptide and mRNA expression decreased precipitously throughout the superior olive after P18. In comparison, although both the facial and trigeminal motor nuclei had significant CGRP expression at birth, the facial motor nucleus demonstrated a decrease in the level of CGRP expression between P1 and P6, while the trigeminal motor nucleus reached a maximal level of expression around P18. If CGRP expression is related to synaptogenesis in OC neurons, as has been suggested for certain motor neurons, then we predict that the ephemeral increases in transcript expression in OC neurons are related to synaptogenetic mechanisms in the cochlear periphery. Importantly, the time course for CGRP expression in lateral OC neurons indicates that their OC terminals in the cochlear periphery may not begin forming synapses until near the end of the 1st postnatal week.
High-Energy Delayed Gamma Spectroscopy for Spent Nuclear Fuel Assay

High-accuracy, direct, nondestructive measurement of fissile and fissionable isotopes in spent fuel, particularly the Pu isotopes, is a well-documented, but still unmet challenge in international safeguards. As nuclear fuel cycles propagate around the globe, the need for improved materials accountancy techniques for irradiated light-water reactor fuel will increase. This modeling study investigates the use of delayed gamma rays from fission-product nuclei to directly measure the relative concentrations of 235U, 239Pu, and 241Pu in spent fuel assemblies. The method is based on the unique distribution of fission-product nuclei produced from fission in each of these fissile isotopes. Fission is stimulated in the assembly with a pulse-capable source of interrogating neutrons. The measured distributions of the short-lived fission products from the unknown sample are then fit with a linear combination of the known fission-product yield curves from pure 235U, 239Pu, and 241Pu to determine the original proportions of these fissile isotopes. Modeling approaches for the intense gamma-ray background promulgated by the long-lived fission-product inventory and for the high-energy gamma-ray signatures emitted by short-lived fission products from induced fission are described. Benchmarking measurements are presented and compare favorably with the results of these models. Results for the simulated assay of simplified individual fuel rods ranging from fresh to 60-GWd/MTU burnup demonstrate the utility of the modeling methods for viability studies, although additional work is needed to more realistically assess the potential of High-Energy Delayed Gamma Spectroscopy (HEDGS).
Acoustic Surface Wave Analog Filters

While the basic principles of surface wave device operation have been described previously, this paper describes the unification of this modeling information into a design synthesis procedure. Also, the excellent performance of the resulting devices is discussed. Emphasis is given to bandpass filters. The major advantages of acoustic surface wave filters are small size, low cost, reproducibility, wide dynamic range, high Q, great design flexibility, good temperature stability, and a center frequency range which extends from HF to L-band.
The sequence of U3 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe suggests structural divergence of this snRNA between metazoans and unicellular eukaryotes

We have cloned and sequenced one of the two genes encoding a 255 nucleotide small nuclear RNA from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Based on the presence of four regions of primary sequence conservation and a predicted secondary structure similar to that previously proposed for human U3, we conclude that this molecule is the fission yeast homologue of this mammalian snRNA. The 5' one-third of fission yeast U3 is, however, unable to form a single stable hairpin as proposed for this region of the human RNA, but rather folds into two stem-loop structures. By analogy to fission yeast U3, we propose revised secondary structures containing two hairpins for this portion of the U3-like snRNAs from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Dictyostelium discoideum. Thus, our data suggest that the structure of U3 snRNA has diverged in lower and higher eukaryotes.
A comparison of impulsivity, depressive symptoms, lifetime stress and sensation seeking in healthy controls versus participants with cocaine or methamphetamine use disorders

Previous research has focused on developing theories of addiction that may explain behavior in cocaine- and methamphetamine-dependent individuals. The primary goal of this report was to compare and contrast the prevalence of self-reported measures of impulsivity, depression, lifetime stress and sensation-seeking in healthy controls versus individuals with cocaine or methamphetamine use disorders. Twenty-nine individuals with cocaine use disorders and 31 individuals with methamphetamine use disorders were matched with 31 healthy control participants on several demographic variables. All participants were administered behavioral questionnaires including the Barrett Impulsiveness Scale (assessing impulsivity), Beck Depression Inventory II (assessing depression), Life Stressor Checklist-Revised (assessing lifetime stress) and the Impulsive Sensation Seeking Scale (assessing sensation-seeking). When compared to healthy controls, individuals with cocaine and methamphetamine use disorders had significantly higher levels of impulsivity and sensation-seeking. In addition, when compared to healthy controls, individuals with cocaine use disorders had significantly higher Beck Depression Inventory II scores, while individuals with methamphetamine use disorders had significantly higher Life Stressor Checklist-Revised scores. The results revealed that there were significantly higher levels of impulsivity, depression and sensation-seeking in cocaine users and significantly higher impulsivity, lifetime stress and sensation-seeking in methamphetamine users when compared to healthy controls.
Assessing gridded observations for daily precipitation extremes in the Alps with a focus on northwest Italy

Abstract. In this study we compare three gridded observed datasets of daily precipitation (EOBS, MAP and NWIOI) over the Great Alpine Region (GAR) and a subregion in northwest Italy (NWI) in order to better understand the past variability of daily climate extremes and to set up a basis for developing regional climate scenarios. The grids are first compared with respect to their temporal similarity by calculating the correlation and relative mean absolute error of the time series. They are then compared with respect to their spatial similarity to the climatology of the ETCCDI indices (characterizing total precipitation, dry and wet spells and extremes with short return periods). The results indicate first that most EOBS gridpoint series in northeastern Italy have to be shifted back by 1 day to have maximum overlap of the measurement period and, second, that both the temporal and spatial similarities of most indices are higher between the NWIOI and MAP than between MAP or the NWIOI and EOBS. These results suggest that, although there is generally good temporal agreement between the three datasets, EOBS should be treated with caution, especially for extreme indices over the GAR region, and it does not provide reliable climatology over the NWI region. The high agreement between MAP and NWIOI, on the other hand, builds confidence in using these datasets. Users should consider carefully the limitations of the gridded observations available: the uncertainties of the observed datasets cannot be neglected in the overall uncertainties cascade that characterizes climate change studies.
Silicon carbide coated MEMS strain sensor for harsh environment applications

We present poly-SiC coating and subsequent operation of a Si-based double-ended tuning fork (DETF) resonant strain sensor fabricated in the Bosch commercial foundry process. The coating is applied post release and, hence, has minimal impact on the front end of the microfabrication process. The deposition thickness of nanometer-thin SiC coating was optimized to provide enhanced corrosion resistance to silicon MEMS without compromising the electrical and mechanical performance of the original device. The coated DETF achieves a strain resolution of 0.2 mue in a 10 Hz to 20 kHz bandwidth, which is comparable to the uncoated device. The coated DETF is locally heated with an IR lamp and is shown to operate up to 190 degC in air with a temperature sensitivity of -7.6 Hz/degC. The devices are also dipped in KOH at 80 degC for 5 minutes without etching the structures, confirming the poly-SiC coating provides a sufficient chemical barrier to the underlying silicon. The results demonstrate that SiC-coated poly-Si devices are an effective bridge between poly-Si and full poly-SiC films for applications requiring a high level of corrosion resistance and moderate operating temperatures (up to 200 degC) without compromising the performance characteristics of the original poly-Si device.
Envelope Proteins Containing Single Amino Acid Substitutions Support a Structural Model of the Receptor-Binding Domain of Bovine Leukemia Virus Surface Protein

Functional domains of the strikingly conserved envelope (Env) glycoproteins of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) and its close relative, human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), are still being defined. We have used BLV Env protein variants to gain insights into the structure and function of this important determinant of viral infectivity. Each of 23 different single amino acid variants found in cDNA clones of env transcripts present after short-term culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from BLV-infected sheep was expressed in COS-1 cells and tested for the ability to mediate cell fusion and to be cleaved to surface (SU) and transmembrane (TM) protein subunits. Of 11 Env variants that failed to induce syncytia or did so poorly, 7 contained changes in amino acids identical or chemically conserved in the HTLV-1 Env protein. These seven included the four variants that showed aberrant proteolytic cleavage and poor cell surface expression, underscoring their importance for Env structure. Ten of 12 variants that retained wild-type syncytium-inducing ability clustered in the N-terminal half of BLV SU, which forms the putative receptor-binding domain (RBD). Several variants in the RBD showed evidence of subtle misfolding, as judged by reduced binding to monoclonal antibodies recognizing conformational epitopes F, G, and H formed by the N terminus of SU. We modeled the BLV RBD by aligning putative structural elements with known elements of the ecotropic Friend murine leukemia virus RBD monomer. All the variant RBD residues but one are exposed on the surface of this BLV model. These variants as well as function-altering, antibody-reactive residues defined by other investigators group on one face of the molecular model. They are strikingly absent from the opposite face, implying that it is likely to face inward in Env complexes. This surface might interact with the C-terminal domain of SU or with an adjacent monomer in the Env oligomer. This location suggests an orientation for the monomer of ecotropic Friend murine leukemia virus RBD.
JAK-STAT and intestinal mucosal immunology

The intestinal mucosal immune system is challenged with bacteria, viruses, and parasites, in addition to food and environmental antigens, that require dynamic immune responsiveness for homeostasis. One central signaling pathway is JAK-STAT, which regulates the adaptive and innate immune arms of mucosal immunity as well as epithelial repair and regeneration. Adaptive immunity includes lymphocyte mediated secretion of specific antibodies, while innate immune respones include secretion of non-antigen specific compounds. This review examines effects of specialized nutrition support on JAK-STAT in innate immune function and in lymphocyte modulation and epithelial antibody transport in gut-associated lymphoid tissue.
Comparing two correlated C indices with right-censored survival outcome: a one-shot nonparametric approach

The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve is often used as a summary index of the diagnostic ability in evaluating biomarkers when the clinical outcome (truth) is binary. When the clinical outcome is right-censored survival time, the C index, motivated as an extension of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, has been proposed by Harrell as a measure of concordance between a predictive biomarker and the right-censored survival outcome. In this work, we investigate methods for statistical comparison of two diagnostic or predictive systems, of which they could either be two biomarkers or two fixed algorithms, in terms of their C indices. We adopt a U-statistics-based C estimator that is asymptotically normal and develop a nonparametric analytical approach to estimate the variance of the C estimator and the covariance of two C estimators. A z-score test is then constructed to compare the two C indices. We validate our one-shot nonparametric method via simulation studies in terms of the type I error rate and power. We also compare our one-shot method with resampling methods including the jackknife and the bootstrap. Simulation results show that the proposed one-shot method provides almost unbiased variance estimations and has satisfactory type I error control and power. Finally, we illustrate the use of the proposed method with an example from the Framingham Heart Study.
Dynamics of Cytoskeletal Proteins during Fcγ Receptor-mediated Phagocytosis in Macrophages

Particle ingestion by phagocytosis results from sequential rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton and overlying membrane. To assemble a chronology of molecular events during phagosome formation and to examine the contributions of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) to these dynamics, a method was developed for synchronizing Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis by murine macrophages. Erythrocytes opsonized with complement component C3bi were bound to macrophages at 37°C, a condition that does not favor particle phagocytosis. Addition of soluble anti-erythrocyte IgG resulted in rapid opsonization of the bound erythrocytes, followed by their immediate internalization via phagocytosis. Cellular content of F-actin, as measured by binding of rhodamine-phalloidin, increased transiently during phagocytosis, and this increase was not diminished by inhibitors of PI 3-kinase. Immunofluorescence localization of myosins in macrophages fixed at various times during phagocytosis indicated that myosins II and IXb were concentrated in early phagosomes, myosin IC increased later, and myosin V appeared after phagosome closure. Other cytoskeletal proteins showed similar variations in the timing of their appearance in phagosomes. The PI 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin did not change the dynamics of PI 3-kinase or ezrin localization but prevented the loss of PAK1 from phagosomes. These results suggest that PI 3-kinase deactivates PAK1, and that this may be needed for phagosome closure.
Population Density and Mental Illness

(1994). Population Density and Mental Illness. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 134, No. 4, pp. 545-546.
Macrophage Uptake, Intracellular Localization, and Degradation of Poly-γ-d-Glutamic Acid, the Capsular Antigen of Bacillus anthracis

Bacillus anthracis is surrounded by a capsular polypeptide composed of poly-gamma-D-glutamic acid (PGA). This antiphagocytic capsule is an essential virulence factor and is shed into body fluids during a murine model of pulmonary anthrax. Our previous studies of a murine model for antigen clearance showed that purified PGA accumulates in the liver and spleen, most notably in splenic macrophages and the Kupffer cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells of the liver. Although the tissue and cellular depots have been identified, there is little known about the uptake and intracellular fate of PGA. As a consequence, we examined the cellular uptake and organelle localization of PGA in the murine macrophage-like cell line J774.2. We found that PGA binds to and is internalized by J774.2 cells and accumulates in CD71 transferrin receptor-positive endosomes. The receptor-mediated endocytosis inhibitors amantadine and phenylarsine oxide inhibited the binding and uptake of PGA in these cells. Cytochalasin D and vinblastine, actin and microtubule inhibitors, respectively, failed to completely inhibit binding and uptake. Finally, we found that PGA is degraded in J774.2 cells starting 4 h after uptake, with continued degradation occurring for at least 24 h. This degradation of PGA may explain the rapid clearance of PGA that is observed in vivo compared to the slow clearance noted with capsular polysaccharides.
Identification of Malpositioned Tubes and Lines in ICU Patients: An Automated Solution Utilizing the Electronic Medical Record

b s b q i A m i t R f I a t c c r S t c s DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM Portable intensive care unit (ICU) chest radiography is the mainstay in confirming proper placement and evaluating continued position and function of support catheters, lines, and tubes [1]. However, portable radiographs are often suboptimal because of patient positioning, severe cardiopulmonary disease, or body habitus. Additionally, multiple devices, overlying leads and wires, and dressings or bed sheets can further obscure imaging findings. Direct communication in the PACS era between clinicians and reading radiologists is often very limited, and this lack of communication can lead to serious consequences. Pikwer et al [2] investigated the umber of malpositioned central enous catheters and their correlaion with radiographic findings. he investigators found an approxmate 3.3% incidence of malposiioned central venous catheters. uhm et al [3] followed a series of hest radiographs that were obained for confirmation of central enous catheter placement. This roup found an overall 1.82% rate f catheter misplacement, using ortable radiography for identificaion. However, the group also reorted a case that was not identified n chest radiography; this case reulted in a life-threatening compliation. Giantsou and Gunning [4] performed a retrospective analysis of patients after nasogastric tube placement. In their analysis, the verall incidence of incorrectly ositioned nasogastric tube placeent was 1% to 3%, with approxmately half of these cases occurring n mechanically ventilated patients. erious complications, particularly neumothorax, occurred in 66% of hese cases. Hence, the presence of malpositioned catheter represents significant clinical issue. The failre of a radiologist to accurately dentify an inappropriately posiioned catheter can result in a igher risk for significant patient orbidity. This undertaking was prompted y a case in which a malpositioned upport device was not identified y a junior resident on call. Subseuent use of this catheter resulted n significant patient morbidity. multidisciplinary morbidity and ortality conference was held and ncluded discussion by represenatives from the Department of adiology, the Department of Proessional Risk Management, and CU nursing staff. All parties greed that improved communicaion among ICU staff members, linicians, and radiologists could derease the number of interpretive erors related to tube and line position. everal individuals inquired whether he electronic medical record (EMR) ould be used as a tool to facilitate uch communication.
Equilibrium Shelf Sedimentation, Rio De La Plata Shelf, Puerto Rico

ABSTRACT The steep, narrow (0.5 to 4 km wide) shelf off the Rio de la Plata on the north coast of Puerto Rico is a site of equilibrium shelf sedimentation. Recent sand and mud can be readily distinguished from relict material on the basis of color, texture, and carbonate fraction physical condition. Recent material contains abundant rock-fragments; relict sand is made up of worn calcareous particles. Boundaries between sediment types are very sharp. They usually occur within a 200-m-wide transition zone. No mixing of the relict calcareous central-shelf sand with the recent rock-fragment beach sand is evident. Fluvial sediment is contributed by river-mouth bypassing to this allochthonous shelf during floods only. Sand travels and is deposited in a band across the shelf to a depth of about 20 m and is then moved laterally both east and west. River sediment is also contributed to a beach-innershelf band east and west of the river mouth. Mud travels across the shelf to depths beyond 40 m, whereupon it either moves laterally on the outer shelf or moves seaward into a canyon system. The inner shelf is a zone of sand deposition and mud bypassing. The bypassing process is termed "mud hopping." Mud is initially deposited after major floods as a thin blanket across the shelf and is subsequently moved seaward by smaller storms in a series of hops.
Substance use and partner violence among urban women seeking emergency care

Growing evidence suggests intimate partner violence (IPV) and substance misuse are co-occurring problems that disproportionately affect low income urban women seeking care in emergency departments (EDs) and represent leading causes of injuries that result in ED visits. This paper examines temporal bidirectional associations between different types of drug and alcohol use and different types of IPV in a longitudinal study of a representative sample of 241 low-income urban women receiving emergency care from an ED in the Bronx, New York. After adjusting and matching for sociodemographics and potentially confounding multilevel risk and protective covariates, women who reported using heroin in the prior 6 months at Wave 1 were twice as likely as nonheroin-using women to indicate any physical, injurious, or sexual IPV at subsequent waves and were 2.7 times more likely to indicate experiencing an injury from IPV at subsequent waves. Crack or cocaine use in the past 6 months at Wave 1 was associated with an increased likelihood of injurious IPV and severe verbal abuse at subsequent waves. Findings also suggested that sexual IPV was significantly associated with subsequent use of crack or cocaine. The multiple bidirectional associations found linking these problems underscore the need for conducting routine screening for IPV and substance misuse among women in low-income urban EDs, and for improving linkages to services that will ultimately reduce the risk of morbidity, disability, and mortality related to these co-occurring problems.
Rheological properties of whey protein isolate gels determined by torsional fracture and stress relaxation

The effect of protein concentration on the rheological properties of whey protein isolate gels was investigated. Torsional fracture analysis was used to determine true shear stress and true shear strain at fracture, and initial Young's modulus (E o ) and equilibrium Young's modulus (E e ) were determined by stress relaxation. The power law equation provides an accurate description for the effect of protein concentration on shear stress at fracture and E o and E e moduli. The strain at fracture initially decreased with protein concentration and remained constant after a critical concentration was achieved
Boundary effects in stokes’ problem with melting

We discuss the use of the computer algebra system Maple ® to analyze the heat transport when a heated sphere melts its way through a solid medium. The combined power of symbolic computation and numerical simulation available in Maple is used to analyze a model in which the molten layer around the moving sphere is augmented by a surrounding thermal-layer. In particular, we carefully study the effects of imposing a variety of boundary conditions.
Optimized O-ACK: An adaptive wireless MAC protocol for multiple access points

In wireless LANs, MAC protocols perform one of the most important tasks: efficiently sharing the limited bandwidth among the contending stations. In IEEE 802.11, Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) is used as a default MAC protocol. Despite its wide acceptance, it has two major downsides: i) Channel idle time and ii) Collision overheads. Besides, the use of the explicit ack frames incurs extra overhead due to the preamble, packet headers etc. This paper presents an optimized version of the Overheard-ACK (O-ACK) protocol (presented in [2]) which incorporates piggybacking, packet overhearing and token based scheduling to significantly reduce the overheads. The previous version of O-ACK creates chains of transmissions, where consecutive transmissions are separated by SIFS interval, which increases the throughput. But on the downside, as two adjacent transmissions are separated by only SIFS idle time, a newly arrived station cannot start transmission. Our current version of O-ACK ensures higher throughput and fairness in multiple AP scenario by continuously adapting the chain creation process based on the surrounding environment. Our NS-2 based simulation results confirm that this protocol significantly outperforms the DCF protocol.
Origins of stereoselectivity in evolved ketoreductases.

Mutants of Lactobacillus kefir short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase, used here as ketoreductases (KREDs), enantioselectively reduce the pharmaceutically relevant substrates 3-thiacyclopentanone and 3-oxacyclopentanone. These substrates differ by only the heteroatom (S or O) in the ring, but the KRED mutants reduce them with different enantioselectivities. Kinetic studies show that these enzymes are more efficient with 3-thiacyclopentanone than with 3-oxacyclopentanone. X-ray crystal structures of apo- and NADP+-bound selected mutants show that the substrate-binding loop conformational preferences are modified by these mutations. Quantum mechanical calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to investigate the mechanism of reduction by the enzyme. We have developed an MD-based method for studying the diastereomeric transition state complexes and rationalize different enantiomeric ratios. This method, which probes the stability of the catalytic arrangement within the theozyme, shows a correlation between the relative fractions of catalytically competent poses for the enantiomeric reductions and the experimental enantiomeric ratio. Some mutations, such as A94F and Y190F, induce conformational changes in the active site that enlarge the small binding pocket, facilitating accommodation of the larger S atom in this region and enhancing S-selectivity with 3-thiacyclopentanone. In contrast, in the E145S mutant and the final variant evolved for large-scale production of the intermediate for the antibiotic sulopenem, R-selectivity is promoted by shrinking the small binding pocket, thereby destabilizing the pro-S orientation.
A comprehensive haplotype analysis of IGF-1 and breast cancer risk: the multiethnic cohort

2555 A number of experimental and epidemiologic studies support the role of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) in the etiology of breast cancer. We employed a haplotype-based association approach to examine the contribution of common genetic variation at the IGF-1 locus to breast cancer risk among African-American, Hawaiian, Japanese, Latina and White women in the Multiethnic Cohort Study (MEC). We characterized linkage disequilibrium and haplotype patterns at the IGF-1 locus by genotyping 64 densely spaced single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (1 SNP per 2.4 kb) spanning 156 kb in a multiethnic panel (N=69-70 for each ethnic group) (Cheng et al). Four distinct haplotype blocks, ranging from 11 to 60 kb, were identified and within each block, six to ten common haplotypes (i.e. frequency ≥ 5%) were observed. Twenty-nine haplotype-tagging SNPs (htSNPs) were selected to predict the common haplotypes with high probability (average Rh2=0.86) and genotyped in a large breast cancer case-control study of 1,716 cases and 2,505 controls. The frequency of the common haplotypes predicted by the htSNPs in the multiethnic panel were similar to those observed in the larger sample of cases and controls. Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals for each haplotype were estimated using all other haplotypes as the reference group. All analyses were adjusted for age and also for ethnicity in any analysis that combined all five ethnic groups. Global likelihood ratio tests of common haplotype effects in each block were not significant (P > 0.4). Assessment of individual haplotype effect within each block and single SNP analysis also yielded no significant association with breast cancer risk. Analysis of cases with advanced disease only (N=447) did not alter the results. Our findings suggest that common genetic variation in IGF-1 is not a major contributor to breast cancer susceptibility in this multiethnic cohort. We are currently examining the relationship between IGF-1 haplotypes and circulating IGF-1 levels and also between two genes that produce IGF binding proteins, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3, with breast cancer risk.
A Student'S Perspective: The Benefits Of Non-Traditional Methods Of Environmental Education On Environmental Policy

Non-traditional methods of environmental education allow us to better understand the natural environment in which we are living, learning, and working. In order to make the most beneficial and comprehensive environmental policy decisions, this “personal” knowledge, and therefore non-traditional approaches within environmental education, is crucial. While considering student responses to these methods, this paper will suggest definitions for traditional and non-traditional methods of environmental education, highlight examples of non-traditional methods from institutions of higher education, and embark on an exploration of the importance of these methods on fully understanding the unique setting in which the institution exists and making the most effective environmental policy decisions for the area. Concluding questions concern the successes of a general approach to environmental education versus a focused approach at the post-secondary level.
Direction for Generating Interest for Design for Construction Worker Safety—A Delphi Study

AbstractDecisions made prior to construction impact the safety of construction workers. Past research has shown that there is a link between design decisions and fatalities. Prevention through Design (PtD) is a concept that attempts to identify and mitigate hazards early in the design process with the goal of eliminating the risks of injury to workers and/or damage to facilities during construction. PtD is a required practice in some countries, primarily because of legislation. In the United States, however, PtD is not well known by design professionals and there is opposition to its practice. The objective of this paper is to present the results of a Delphi study, in which the Delphi panel was tasked to identify: (1) the construction industry group with the most influence to generate interest in PtD in the United States, (2) the method with which that interest can be achieved, and (3) the industry group that should be targeted with that method. The Delphi panel came to a consensus that owners have the gr...
An Analysis Platform for Execution-Based Model Generation

Generating models from binary execution outputscan result in efficient network system security analysis. Previouswork in execution-based model generation has shown success foranalyzing impacts of routing attacks, but requires a large amountof manual and expert-level intervention due to the lack of astructured analysis platform. In this document, we describe ourongoing work to build SEDAP, which is a plugin-based platformthat provides a flexible and efficient mechanism for the modelgeneration process. This platform consists of a web portal thatallows analysts to setup network scenarios, view resultant data, and execute analysis algorithms.
Salt After Adrenalectomy. IL Urinary Excretion of Radioactive Na and K in Adrenalectomized Rats Given Various Levels of Salt.

SummaryThe administration of sodium chloride to adult adrenalectomized rats in amounts varying from 650 mg to 1 g daily prevents the urinary sodium wastage and potassium retention which characterizes adrenalectomized animals.
Sums of Powers of Integers via the Binomial Theorem

(1980). Sums of Powers of Integers via the Binomial Theorem. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 53, No. 2, pp. 92-96.
Evolutionary Relationships of Kangaroo Mice, Genus Microdipodops

There is currently much controversy surrounding the issue as to whether kangaroo mice ( Microdipodops ) are more closely related to the kangaroo rats (genus Dipodomys ; subfamily Dipodomyinae) or to the pocket mice (genus Perognathus ; subfamily Perognathinae), or whether they represent a lineage distinct from both kangaroo rats and pocket mice. In an attempt to resolve this question, the two species of kangaroo mice were compared to seven other heteromyid taxa by means of cluster analyses based on a data matrix containing a broad spectrum of phenetic characters. The seven taxa selected for comparison with two species of Microdipodops include Perognathus intermedius, P. hispidus, P. flavus, P. longimembris, Dipodomys merriami, D. ordii , and D. panamintinus . Results of the analyses indicate clearly that Microdipodops is phenetically most similar to the silky pocket mice (subgenus Perognathus ) as represented by P.flavus and P.longimembris . It is hypothesized that Microdipodops was derived from perognathine stock and evolved largely in situ in the Great Basin of North America during the Blancan age. That Microdipodops may represent the end-point of a third lineage distinct from those giving rise to either Perognathus or Dipodomys is considered, but appears presently unanswerable in the absence of a fossil record of Microdipodops .