cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
C-Myc, but Not Akt, Can Substitute for Notch in Lymphomagenesis.

Abstract 7 Notch signaling is activated in ∼70% of human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL) samples and many human and mouse T-ALL cell lines require Notch signals for growth and survival. To gain insight into the role of Notch during induction of T-ALL, we used a fully penetrant, conditional, transgenic Kras G12D mouse model in which ∼80% of T-ALLs acquire activating Notch1 mutations in the endogenous locus. We crossed mice bearing this transgene with Rosa26-DNMAML f/f mice, which conditionally express the pan-Notch inhibitor DNMAML. T-ALL developed in these mice despite the expression of DNMAML throughout T-cell development. ∼75% of T-ALL tumors acquired activating Notch1 mutations and suppressed expression of DNMAML, which is consistent with frequent “escape” of Notch from inhibition for efficient T-ALL development. We next compared T-ALL cells that lacked DNMAML expression with T-ALL cells that continued to express DNMAML. T-ALL cells lacking DNMAML expressed the direct Notch target c-Myc at higher levels, proliferated at a higher rate, and contained ∼10-fold higher levels of leukemia-initiating cells. Moreover, DNMAML-positive T-ALLs lost DNMAML after transfer into secondary recipients. These data underscore the strong selective pressure for Notch signals during generation and maintenance of T-ALL. We next sought a mechanistic answer for the strong selective pressure for Notch activation. c-Myc and Akt have both been posited to be critical targets of oncogenic Notch signals. To compare the relative contributions of c-Myc and Akt to lymphomagenesis, we overexpressed c-Myc and activated AKT in the Kras G12D -driven mouse model. T-ALLs induced by Kras G12D and Akt acquired activating Notch1 mutations in ∼70% of tumors, which were sensitive to Notch inhibitors (gamma-secretase inhibitors [GSI]). In contrast, T-ALLs induced by Kras G12D and c-Myc did not acquire Notch1 mutations and were resistant to GSI. We conclude that upregulation of c-Myc is sufficient to substitute for Notch in lymphomagenesis, whereas activation of Akt signaling is not. These data identify c-Myc not AKT as the driving force behind Notch-induced lymphomagenesis. These data emphasize the Notch/c-Myc axis as an attractive, rational, therapeutic target in T-ALL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
L6.5 Personalized Medicine: An Update on 1,985 Patients with Advanced Cancer at Md Anderson Cancer Center

Abstract Background We hypothesized that use of targeted agents matched with tumor molecular aberrations would improve treatment outcomes (Tsimberidou et al, ASCO 2011, CRA 2500). Methods Tumor molecular analysis was performed at MD Anderson (CLIA; PCR-based sequencing, IHC, FISH). Patients were treated with matched therapy, when available. Results Of 1,985 patients (median no. of prior therapies, 3) with any tumor type, 993 (50 %) had ≥ 1 molecular aberration (1, 2, 3, and ≥ 4 aberrations in 753 [38 %], 195 [10 %], 41 [2 %], and 4 [.2 %] patients, respectively). Tumor types: CRC 20 %, melanoma 11 %, lung 9 %, ovarian 8 %, head and neck 8 %, breast 5 %, thyroid 4 %, endometrial 4 %, sarcoma 4 %, renal 1 %. Proportions of aberrations/no. of tests: PIK3CA 10 %, AKT 1 %, PTEN 15 %, KRAS 19 %, NRAS 7 %, BRAF 12 %, EGFR 5 %, MET 5 %, ALK .3 %, GNAQ 2 %, KIT 2 %, TP53 38 % and HER2 4 %. Overall, 743 patients were treated on phase I studies. Results are shown in Table 1. Time to treatment failure (TTF) on matched phase I therapy was longer than on prior systemic therapy (4·2 vs. 3·1 months, respectively; P = .0001). TTF on unmatched phase I therapy was shorter than on prior systemic therapy (2·0 vs. 3·1 months; P Conclusions These results continue to support use of a personalized molecular approach for patients with cancer. Complete molecular profiling to understand resistance mechanisms and new targeted agents are needed. Table . Outcomes by No. of Aberrations and Therapy (Non-Randomized) No. of Aberrations Therapy No. of patients CR + PR + SD ≥ 6 months (%) P Median TTF, months P Median survival, months P 1 Matched 273 104/264 (39) 4.2 11.3 .016 Not matched 291 41/278 (15) 2.0 8.6 2 Matched * 80 22/77 (29) .02 3.6 .06 11.6 .39 Not matched 60 6/57 (11) 2.3 8.6 ≥3 Matched 26 5/23 (22) .94 3.2 .09 7.4 .35 Not matched 13 3/11 (27) 1.6 12+
The Role of Childhood Executive Function in Explaining Income Disparities in Long-Term Academic Achievement.

This study utilized data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (N = 14,860) to examine whether early-life family income (age 0?5) predicted long-term academic achievement (age 16?18) and to investigate the role of executive function (EF) assessed multiple times across age 7?11 in explaining this association. Task-based EF was a significant mediator between early-life family income and later academic achievement in every model. This mediating pathway persisted when adjusting for a comprehensive panel of covariates including verbal IQ, sex, family income at ages 8 and 18, and early-life temperament. Additionally, teacher-rated and parent-rated EF mediated in some models. Overall, these findings suggest that childhood EF may play an important role in perpetuating income-based educational disparities.
Novel Biomarkers of Chronic Cardiorenal Disease

We are in the midst of chronic disease epidemics of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF). There is now widespread recognition that CKD contributes to the initiation and progression of HF and vice versa. Cardiorenal syndromes can be thought of as organ failure syndromes where one organ system influences the progression of disease in the other according to the primum movens and these pathogenic processes are amenable to the measurement of blood and urine biomarkers. Biomarkers can have clinical utility in screening and detection of disease, prognosis, diagnosis, and management. Because no signal biomarker can reflect the complexity of disease in both organs, this chapter proposes integration of biomarkers into summary scores as a better attempt to monitor and describe disease resolution or progression.
Peripherally misfolded proteins exacerbate ischemic stroke-induced neuroinflammation and brain injury.

Protein aggregates can be found in peripheral organs, such as the heart, kidney, and pancreas, but little is known about the impact of peripherally misfolded proteins on neuroinflammation and brain functional recovery following ischemic stroke. Here, we studied the ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced brain injury in mice with cardiomyocyte-restricted overexpression of a missense (R120G) mutant small heat shock protein, αB-crystallin (CryABR120G), by examining neuroinflammation and brain functional recovery following I/R in comparison to their non-transgenic (Ntg) littermates. To understand how peripherally misfolded proteins influence brain functionality, exosomes were isolated from CryABR120G and Ntg mouse blood and were used to treat wild-type (WT) mice and primary cortical neuron-glia mix cultures. Additionally, isolated protein aggregates from the brain following I/R were isolated and subjected to mass-spectrometric analysis to assess whether the aggregates contained the mutant protein, CryABR120G. To determine whether the CryABR120G misfolding can self-propagate, a misfolded protein seeding assay was performed in cell cultures. Our results showed that CryABR120G mice exhibited dramatically increased infarct volume, delayed brain functional recovery, and enhanced neuroinflammation and protein aggregation in the brain following I/R when compared to the Ntg mice. Intriguingly, mass-spectrometric analysis of the protein aggregates isolated from CryABR120G mouse brains confirmed presence of the mutant CryABR120G protein in the brain. Importantly, intravenous administration of WT mice with the exosomes isolated from CryABR120G mouse blood exacerbated I/R-induced cerebral injury in WT mice. Moreover, incubation of the CryABR120G mouse exosomes with primary neuronal cultures induced pronounced protein aggregation. Transduction of CryABR120G aggregate seeds into cell cultures caused normal CryAB proteins to undergo dramatic aggregation and form large aggregates, suggesting self-propagation of CryABR120G misfolding in cells. These results suggest that peripherally misfolded proteins in the heart remotely enhance neuroinflammation and exacerbate brain injury following I/R likely through exosomes, which may represent an underappreciated mechanism underlying heart-brain crosstalk.
Diversity in Reproductive Health and Human Sexuality: Assessing Attitudes Comfort and Knowledge in Learners Before and After Pilot Curriculum.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A majority of medical students believe that treating sexual concerns is important for their careers. However, a minority feel that they have received adequate instruction in medical school. This novel supplemental reproductive and sexual health curriculum at a large academic medical center aimed to address this gap and to improve attitudes, comfort, and knowledge about sexual and reproductive health topics among learners. METHODS: Students participated in a series of sexual and reproductive health workshops taught by interdisciplinary health care workers, with the first cohort in a classroom setting and the second cohort using a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We administered a novel pre- and postcourse survey to assess attitudes, comfort, and knowledge about the topics. We performed unpaired 1-tailed t tests and χ2 tests to compare the scores on the pre- and postcourse surveys. RESULTS: Sample size was 12 students for the first cohort and 23 students for the second cohort. Reported levels of comfort with taking sexual histories in different age groups and discussing reproductive and sexual health topics increased significantly: 0.92 for the classroom setting, and 0.50 for the virtual setting, with an average increase of 0.65 points on a 4-point Likert scale. There were no significant changes in student attitudes toward or knowledge of reproductive and sexual health. CONCLUSION: This course elaborated on topics to which medical students traditionally lack adequate exposure, with significant improvement in comfort counseling patients. A disparity between the classroom and virtual setting suggests limitations of online learning for these topics.
The Stealth Superpower: How China Hid Its Global Ambitions

“China will not, repeat, not repeat the old practice of a strong country seeking hegemony,” Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, said last September. It was a message that Chinese officials have been pushing ever since their country’s spectacular rise began. For decades, they have been at pains to downplay China’s power and reassure other countries—especially the United States—of its benign intentions. Jiang Zemin, China’s leader in the 1990s, called for mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, and cooperation in the country’s foreign relations. Under Hu Jintao, who took the reins of power in 2002, “peaceful development” became the phrase of the moment. The current president, Xi Jinping, insisted in September 2017 that China “lacks the gene” that drives great powers to seek hegemony. It is easy to dismiss such protestations as simple deceit. In fact, however, Chinese leaders are telling the truth: Beijing truly does not want to replace Washington at the top of the international system. China has no interest in establishing a web of global alliances, sustaining a far-flung global military presence, sending troops thousands of miles from its borders, leading international institutions that would constrain its own behavior, or spreading its system of government abroad. But to focus on this reluctance, and the reassuring Chinese statements reflecting it, is a mistake.
Recent changes to Arctic river discharge.

Arctic rivers drain ~15% of the global land surface and significantly influence local communities and economies, freshwater and marine ecosystems, and global climate. However, trusted and public knowledge of pan-Arctic rivers is inadequate, especially for small rivers and across Eurasia, inhibiting understanding of the Arctic response to climate change. Here, we calculate daily streamflow in 486,493 pan-Arctic river reaches from 1984-2018 by assimilating 9.18 million river discharge estimates made from 155,710 satellite images into hydrologic model simulations. We reveal larger and more heterogenous total water export (3-17% greater) and water export acceleration (factor of 1.2-3.3 larger) than previously reported, with substantial differences across basins, ecoregions, stream orders, human regulation, and permafrost regimes. We also find significant changes in the spring freshet and summer stream intermittency. Ultimately, our results represent an updated, publicly available, and more accurate daily understanding of Arctic rivers uniquely enabled by recent advances in hydrologic modeling and remote sensing. The authors combine satellite data with hydrologic models to investigate recent changes in pan-Arctic river discharge magnitude, trends, and seasonality for nearly half a million rivers. They reveal that these rivers likely exported 3-17% more water to the global ocean than previously thought from 1984-2018.
Limitation of the specific serum radioimmunoassay for human chorionic gonadotropin in the management of trophoblastic neoplasms

Abstract Two cases of recurrent trophoblastic disease are presented in which human chorionic gonadotropin was detected in assays of urine concentrates at a time when serum levels were undetectable by a sensitive and specific β-subunit radioimmunoassay. The potential greater usefulness of measurements of urinary concentrates is discussed.
Emergency medical service attitudes toward geriatric prehospital care and continuing medical education in geriatrics.

OBJECTIVES: To understand the opinions of emergency medical service (EMS) providers regarding their ability to care for older adults, the domains of geriatric medicine in which they need more training, and the modality through which continuing education could be best delivered. DESIGN: Qualitative study using key informant interviews. SETTING: Prehospital EMS system in Rochester, New York. PARTICIPANTS: EMS providers, EMS instructors and administrators, emergency physicians, and geriatricians. MEASUREMENTS: Semistructured interviews were conducted using an interview guide that addressed knowledge and skill deficiencies, recommendations for improvement of geriatrics continuing education, and delivery methods of education. RESULTS: Participant responses were generally congruous despite the diverse backgrounds, and redundancy was achieved rapidly. All participants perceived a deficit in EMS education on the care of older adults, particularly related to communications with patients and skilled nursing facility staff. All desired more geriatric continuing education for EMS providers, especially in communications and psychosocial issues. Education was desired in various modalities. CONCLUSION: Further geriatric continuing education for EMS providers is needed. Some specific topics relate to medical issues, but a large proportion involve communications and psychosocial issues. Education should be delivered in a variety of modalities to meet the needs of the EMS community. Emerging on-line video technologies may bridge the gap between learners preferring classroom-based modailities and those preferring self-study modules.
Costs related to promoting breastfeeding among urban low-income women.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the costs of providing support to breastfeeding low‐income women and compares costs to cost offsets of the intervention. Design Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial of an intervention to promote breastfeeding among low‐income women with full‐term infants. Setting A university hospital and a community hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) eligible breastfeeding women ( N = 328) were randomized to usual care or the community health nurse/peer counselor intervention. Methods The researchers collected and described personnel and mileage costs over the entire duration of the intervention (24 weeks). Researchers also compared (using t tests) change in resources associated with breastfeeding including the number of clinic visits, hospital nights, emergency room visits, prescriptions, and formula feedings per day up to 12 weeks. Results The cost of the personnel and travel required for the intervention was $296 per woman. The use of medical care and number of formula feedings per day were similar for the intervention and usual care groups. When differences in use of medical care and formula feeding were statistically significant, the intervention group used fewer resources. Conclusion Support for breastfeeding by community health nurses and peer counselors is partially offset by reducing medical care utilization and formula feeding costs.
The ImageJ ecosystem: An open platform for biomedical image analysis

Technology in microscopy advances rapidly, enabling increasingly affordable, faster, and more precise quantitative biomedical imaging, which necessitates correspondingly more-advanced image processing and analysis techniques. A wide range of software is available-from commercial to academic, special-purpose to Swiss army knife, small to large-but a key characteristic of software that is suitable for scientific inquiry is its accessibility. Open-source software is ideal for scientific endeavors because it can be freely inspected, modified, and redistributed; in particular, the open-software platform ImageJ has had a huge impact on the life sciences, and continues to do so. From its inception, ImageJ has grown significantly due largely to being freely available and its vibrant and helpful user community. Scientists as diverse as interested hobbyists, technical assistants, students, scientific staff, and advanced biology researchers use ImageJ on a daily basis, and exchange knowledge via its dedicated mailing list. Uses of ImageJ range from data visualization and teaching to advanced image processing and statistical analysis. The software's extensibility continues to attract biologists at all career stages as well as computer scientists who wish to effectively implement specific image-processing algorithms. In this review, we use the ImageJ project as a case study of how open-source software fosters its suites of software tools, making multitudes of image-analysis technology easily accessible to the scientific community. We specifically explore what makes ImageJ so popular, how it impacts the life sciences, how it inspires other projects, and how it is self-influenced by coevolving projects within the ImageJ ecosystem.
The Influence of Value Orientations, Personal Beliefs, and Knowledge about Resource Extraction on Local Leaders' Positions on Shale Development

Unconventional shale oil and gas production plays a prominent role in boosting economic growth and stimulating wealth creation in many communities. However, because of potential social and environmental drawbacks, including a lack of affordable housing and groundwater contamination from drilling, unconventional shale development is highly contentious in many areas and has resulted in many community conflicts. Hydraulic fracturing, which is a specific technology utilized in unconventional shale development, has proved especially contentious because of concerns about its long-term environmental consequences. Given the fast pace of shale development, coupled with the controversy that surrounds it, we seek to understand what factors affect a local government official's stance on shale development and hydraulic fracturing. To do this we draw from value-belief-norms theory while additionally examining knowledge and community-level factors that can influence an official's position. In this study, we survey 308 local government officials across six shale plays in the United States to examine local officials' positions on shale development and hydraulic fracturing. We find that the more positively officials perceive the consequences of shale development, the less likely they are to support banning hydraulic fracturing. Additionally, we find that networks to other shale communities are positively associated with favoring a ban. Further, leaders with a bachelor's degree or higher are more likely to favor a ban than those with lower than a bachelor's degree.
The first rotavirus vaccine and the politics of acceptable risk.

Context Vaccination in the United States is a frequent source of controversy, with critics alleging failures by public health officials to adequately identify, monitor, and respond to risks associated with vaccines. In response to these charges, the case of RotaShield, a vaccine withdrawn in 1999 following confirmation of a serious adverse event associated with its use, is regularly invoked as evidence of the effectiveness of current vaccine safety activities.
Does Culture Matter? Understanding educational outcomes in America ‘an experience driven information society’ by Revisiting Edward T. Hall

The problem addressed in this paper is whether or not there is a serious educational crisis in America- are American students falling behind academically or just a reflection of 21 st century American information society as a low context, monochronic culture? To illustrate this problem, I have chosen to look at culture and its role in an information society – basing on the premise that information society ‘equals’ social reality – information exchange experienced by a group in a place over time. By doing so, it is determined that the problem will be located in the ‘experience’ of exchange of information. The work of Edward T. Hall will be used as support toward the problem.
Returning the Gift of Life

AbstractThe gift of life argument, the claim that suicide is immoral because our lives are not ours to dispose of as we are their guardians or stewards, is a persistent theme in debates about the morality of suicide, assisted-suicide, and euthanasia. I argue that this argument suffers from a fatal internal incoherence. The gift can either be interpreted literally or analogically. If it is interpreted literally there are serious problems in understanding who receives the gift. If it is understood analogically the question arises whether the gift is understood to be a finite or everlasting existence. If it is finite then it is hard to see how one can be punished for bringing that existence to an end for one will not be around to be punished. If the existence is infinite it is impossible to see how one can be punished for ending one’s life because one cannot end it. However, there is still ethical mileage to be gained from the description of life as a gift and in the concluding section I indicate one way in ...
A Single Missense Mutation in the BR1 Movement Protein Alters the Host Range of the Squash Leaf Curl Geminivirus

Abstract The bipartite geminiviruses causing squash leaf curl disease, SqLCV-E and SqLCV-R, have a broad host range that includes Nicotiana benthamiana , pumpkin, squash, and beans. We have characterized a naturally occurring mutant of the SqLCV-R B component (B td1 R ) which has lost the ability to infect N. benthamiana , but still retains full infectivity for pumpkin and squash. The mutation responsible for this host range alteration was localized to the coding region of BR1 , a gene essential for viral movement. Sequence analysis identified three missense mutations in the BR1 gene encoded by B td1 R . By site-directed mutagenesis, one of these missense mutations, a substitution of Cys for Arg at position 98 in the BR1 protein, has been identified as responsible for the altered host range properties of B td1 R . These results establish a role for the BR1 movement protein in determining the host range properties of SqLCV.
Pericardial Tamponade With a Normal Cardiopericardial Silhouette Due to a Penetrating Metallic Projectile Propelled by a Lawnmower

This report describes a case of pericardial tamponade in a 6-year-old boy due to a penetrating projectile coat hunger wire propelled by a lawnmower. A dismissible dermal injury at the entry point and a normal initial cardiopericardial silhouette are reported. The report issues a new warning to be added to the warnings already listed in lawnmower manuals.
On-grid electricity tariffs in China: Development, reform and prospects

Abstract With the introduction of market-oriented measures in China's power sector in the mid-1980s, electricity sale prices to the grid companies—on-grid electricity tariffs—became the focus of the energy industry, thus affecting all related stakeholders, including fuel suppliers, power generators and end-use consumers. A number of changes have gradually been undertaken in terms of electricity tariff settings and their implementation to address specific requirements of the expansion of the power industry at each stage of its development. On-grid electricity tariffs had been used as a key lever to attract investment in power generation at an early stage of reform and then to encourage competition in the power industry. In response to the rising concerns about environmental protection and the promotion of clean energy utilisation, tariffs have progressively been developed for renewable electricity generation, which has contributed to massive expansion of the renewable power industry in China. This paper reviews key milestones of the development of on-grid electricity tariffs in China, examines the tariff-setting mechanisms of coal-fired power plants and renewable power generation, analyses the factors associated with the adjustments of the tariff levels and discusses the options for further reform and more effective electricity pricing.
Evaluation of the short-term toxicity of nitrogenous compounds to channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

Abstract The acute toxicity of un-ionized ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate to 50–76-mm fingerling channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) was investigated using a static bioassay system at 22, 26 and 30°C. The 96-h LC50 values at 30°C for un-ionized ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate were 3.8, 44, and 6 200 mg/l.
SYNTHESIS OF 2,3-DIDEOXY-2,2-DIFLUORO-L-GLYCERO-PENTOFURANOSYL NUCLEOSIDES

Various 2,3-dideoxy-2,2-difluoro- l - glycero -pentofuranosyl nucleosides were synthesized via the key intermediate, 5- O -benzoyl-2,3-dideoxy-2,2-difluoro- l - glycero -pentofuranose ( 6 ). 2,3- O -Isopropylidene- l -glyceraldehyde was coupled with ethyl bromodifluoroacetate under Reformatsky conditions to obtain the diastereomeric mixture of ethyl (4 S )-3-hydroxy-3-(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)-2,2-difluoro propionate ( 1 ). Treatment of compound 1 with carbon disulfide, sodium hydride and methyl iodide followed by reduction afforded ethyl (4 S )-3-(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)-2,2-difluoro propionate ( 3 ). Compound 3 was treated with 5% HCl in ethanol, followed by refluxing in benzene under Dean–Stark conditions, to afford the lactone 4 . The compound 4 was protected and reduced to afford the key intermediate 6 . For the synthesis of pyrimidine derivatives 8 – 21 , compound 6 was converted to the mesylate 7 and condensed with various silyl protected pyrimidine bases. The inosine and adenine derivatives 38 – 41 were obtained from compound 6 and 6-chloropurine using standard procedures. Compounds 22 – 35 and 38 – 41 were evaluated for their antiviral activity against HIV-1, HBV, HSV-1 and HSV-2, and for cellular toxicity. None of the synthesized compounds showed any significant activity or toxicity. Single-crystal X-ray structure of 1-(2,3-dideoxy-2,2-difluoro- β - l - glycero -pentofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine ( 34 ) suggested a 2′-exo/3′-endo conformation for the carbohydrate moiety.
Shifts in allochthonous input and autochthonous production in streams along an agricultural land-use gradient

Relative contributions of allochthonous inputs and autochthonous production vary depending on terrestrial land use and biome. Terrestrially derived organic matter and in-stream primary production were measured in 12 headwater streams along an agricultural land-use gradient. Streams were examined to see how carbon (C) supply shifts from forested streams receiving primarily terrestrially derived C to agricultural streams, which may rely primarily on C derived from algal productivity. We measured allochthonous input, chlorophyll a concentration, and periphyton biomass in each stream, and whole-stream metabolism in six streams. Our results suggest a threshold between moderate- and heavy-agriculture land uses in which terrestrially derived C is replaced by in-stream algal productivity as the primary C source for aquatic consumers. A shift from allochthonous to autochthonous production was not evident in all heavy-agriculture streams, and only occurred in heavy-agriculture streams not impacted by livestock grazing. We then compared our findings to rates of allochthonous input and GPP in streams with minimal human influences in multiple biomes to assess how land-use practices influence C sources to stream ecosystems. The proportion of C derived from allochthonous versus autochthonous sources to heavy-agriculture streams was most similar to grassland and desert streams, while C sources to forested, light-, and moderate-agriculture streams were more similar to deciduous and montane coniferous forest streams. We show that C source to streams is dependent on land use, terrestrial biome, and degradation of in-stream conditions. Further, we suggest that within a biome there seems to be a compensation such that total C input is nearly equal whether it is from allochthonous or autochthonous sources.
Participation: An Organizational Bandaid?

There is no subject so controversial and problematic as participation. It strikes at the very heart of a manager's style and at the very nature of an employee's job. Participation forces a manager to uncomfortable introspection about desires for control and alternatively openness to the influence of others. There is simultaneously the desire to help others and the desire to retain authority over them.
Predictors of Coronary Arterial Remodeling Patterns in Patients With Myocardial Ischemia

Preangioplasty intravascular ultrasound in 81 patients showed that adaptive remodeling occurred in 35% and constrictive remodeling in 34%. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking and fibrocalcific plaques were associated with constrictive remodeling, whereas small vessel size and hypercholesterolemia were associated with adaptive remodeling.
Electronics and its impact on energy and the environment

Technology's impact on human health has been a concern for at least 200 years. These concerns ranged from the waste and pollution due to mining and heavy manufacturing to emissions from the automobile and fossil fuel power plants. Now the proliferation of electronics products, their manufacture and disposal are posing additional threats to the fragile balance of the Earth's eco systems. Nevertheless, electronics can also be the solution to many of our current and future environmental and energy related problems. The environmental threats from electronics can be significantly reduced or eliminated through consciously environmentally responsible choice of materials, technology, design, manufacture, distribution, usage, and end-of-life disposal. In a similar way the application of electrical and electronics technologies and devices for power generation, electric and hybrid automobiles and solid-state lighting can significantly positively contribute to reducing mankind's carbon footprint and improve our environment. Thus, consciously and demonstrably, electronics technologies, devices and applications are making major contributions through the removal of toxins and pollutants; innovative materials enable reduction in use of other materials; new electronics energy sources will become the long-term major sustainable sources; solid state lighting is decreasing the consumption of energy whilst providing improved illumination. Nano-electronics products now enable more efficient use of energy in many walks of life
Identification and characterization of a proteoglycan in embryonic chicken skin that can interact with hyaluronic acid

Abstract Sulfated proteoglycans of the dorsal skin of 8.5-day-old chick embryos have been characterized in terms of their extractability from the tissue, solubility, and sedimentation and chromatographic behavior. The proteoglycans described in this communication are those that remain soluble after dialysis against 0.5 m NaCl. Two chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (PGCS-A and PGCS-C) and a heparan sulfate proteoglycan (PGHS) have been identified. PGCS-A is the only proteoglycan found in the medium in which the skins were cultured. Under associative conditions (0.4 m guanidine-HCl) PGCS-A and PGHS are extracted. The dissociative solvents (4 m guanidine-HCl) extract more PGCS-A and PGCS-C. PGCS-C has been shown to interact with hyaluronic acid to form aggregates. These proteoglycans have densities ranging from 1.49 to at least 1.59 g/ml. In contrast cartilage proteoglycans that can aggregate with hyaluronic acid have a density of at least 1.59 g/ml. It was not possible to determine if the PGCS-C aggregates exist in vivo.
Biocompatible stimuli-responsive hydrogel porous membranes via phase separation of a polyvinyl alcohol and Na-alginate intermolecular complex

Ion cross-linked porous alginate thin films were fabricated from mixtures of sodium alginate and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in an aqueous solution. A spinodal decomposition mechanism in a low immiscibility limit brings about the formation of phase separated spin-cast thin films that are characterized with a low size distribution of PVA phases. Rinsing of the films in calcium chloride solutions yields porous hydrogel films – membranes on solid substrates. The porous membranes are a pH-sensitive material whose pore diameter can be tuned by changes in pH. The membranes are mechanically robust and can be transferred onto the surface of porous substrates.
Strain-dependent β-adrenergic receptor function influences myocardial responses to isoproterenol stimulation in mice

Recently, we showed that compared with the A/J inbred mouse strain, C57BL/6J (B6) mice have an athlete's cardiac phenotype. We postulated that strain differences would result in greater left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in response to isoproterenol in B6 than A/J mice and tested the hypothesis that a differential response could be explained partly by differences in beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) density and/or coupling. A/J and B6 mice were randomized to receive daily isoproterenol (100 mg/kg sc) or isovolumic vehicle for 5 days. Animals were studied using echocardiography, tail-cuff blood pressure, histopathology, beta-AR density and percent high-affinity binding, and basal and stimulated adenylyl cyclase activities. One hundred twenty-eight mice (66 A/J and 62 B6) were studied. Isoproterenol-treated A/J mice demonstrated greater percent increases in echocardiographic LV mass/body weight (97 +/- 11 vs. 20 +/- 10%, P = 0.001) and in gravimetric heart mass/body weight versus same-strain controls than B6 mice. Histopathology scores (a composite of myocyte hypertrophy, nuclear changes, fibrosis, and calcification) were greater in isoproterenol-treated A/J vs. B6 mice (2.8 +/- 0.2 vs.1.9 +/- 0.3, P < 0.05), as was quantitation of myocyte damage (22.3 +/- 11.5 vs. 4.3 +/- 3.5%). Interstrain differences in basal beta-AR density, high-affinity binding, and adenylyl cyclase activity were not significant. However, whereas isoproterenol-treated A/J mice showed nonsignificant increases in all beta-AR activity measures, isoproterenol-treated B6 mice had lower beta-AR density (57 +/- 6 vs. 83 +/- 8 fmol/mg, P < 0.05), percent high-affinity binding (15 +/- 2 vs. 26 +/- 3%, P < 0.005), and GTP + isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity (10 +/- 1.1 vs. 5.8 +/- 1.5 pmol cAMP.mg(-1).min(-1)) compared with controls. High-dose, short-term isoproterenol produces greater macro- and microscopic cardiac hypertrophy and injury in A/J than B6 mice. A/J mice, unlike B6 mice, do not experience beta-AR downregulation or uncoupling in response to isoproterenol. Abnormalities in beta-adrenergic regulation may contribute to strain-related differences in the vulnerability to isoproterenol-induced cardiac changes.
Titration by estrogen receptor activation function-2 of targets that are downstream from coactivators.

Cross-interference (squelching) among nuclear receptors has been proposed to reflect the titration of coactivators that bind the receptors in a hormone-dependent manner. We have tested whether the coactivators are the only target titrated during squelching of one receptor by another, or whether proteins needed for coactivator function are titrated as well. That the coactivators are indeed one target of squelching is apparent. The isolated ligand-binding domain of the estrogen receptor (ER-LBD) squelches transcriptional activation by the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) only when the LBD is bound to ligands that promote coactivator interactions and only when regions of the LBD that promote coactivator interactions are undisturbed. Furthermore, the ER-LBD and the TR compete in vitro for the related p160 coactivators, SRC1a and GRIP1 (glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein 1), or the putative corepressor, RIP140. Finally TR action becomes more potent when coactivator levels are raised. Nonetheless, supplyi...
A 5 Gb/s Energy-Efficient Voltage-Mode Transmitter Using Time-Based De-Emphasis

In this paper, we present a time-based equalization scheme to implement transmit de-emphasis in voltage-mode drivers. Using two-level pulse-width modulation, this work decouples the tradeoff between impedance matching, output swing, and de-emphasis resolution in conventional voltage-mode drivers using voltage-based de-emphasis. A prototype PWM-based 5 Gb/s voltage-mode transmitter was implemented in a 90 nm CMOS process and characterized across different channels and output swings. The horizontal/vertical eye opening (BER=10 -12 ) at the end of 60 and 96 in stripline channels is 78 mv/0.6 UI and 8 mV/0.3 UI, respectively. Duty cycle distortion of the clock severely reduced the margins, so the overall performance can be improved by applying duty-cycle correction to clock signals. The transmitter consumes a total power 15.6 mW of which 2.5 mW is consumed in the digital PLL and 7.8 mW in the pre-/output drivers and regulators. This translates to a power efficiency of 3.1 mW/Gb/s, which compares favorably with the state of the art.
A fault-tolerant fully adaptive routing algorithm for collaborative computing in wireless mesh networks

This paper presents a fully adaptive store-and-forward routing algorithm in wireless mesh networks (WMNs). In this algorithm, each packet is assigned a specific turn scheme based on its source and destination locations. A full routing adaptivity is achieved for every packet propagated in the network. The deadlock and livelock problems are addressed and solved in this paper. A hierarchy routing structure is proposed to achieve deadlock freedom without introducing of virtual channels or buffer pools. The simulation results show that the proposed routing scheme provides a better fault tolerant performance in comparison with the conventional partially adaptive and dimensional ordered routing algorithms. The system throughput is analyzed theoretically and then validated by the simulations.
Daily, Week-Part, and Holiday Patterns in Consumers' Caloric Intake

Abstract The authors predict and demonstrate daily, week-part, and holiday patterns in consumers' caloric intake using a national food consumption panel data set. They show that daily caloric intake is characterized by intermeal carryover effects, such that balancing between a preceding and a subsequent meal is stronger when both the meals are from the same day than from adjoining days. They also show that panelists' caloric intake on weekends and holidays is systematically different from their intake on weekdays and nonholidays. Additional analyses reveal that the panelists are similar in their daily bracketing behavior and, to some extent, in their holiday bracketing behavior, but in terms of week-part bracketing behavior, panelists in the 25–35 age group, panelists in the 30-plus body mass index group, and panelists from professional heads of households show a large increase in weekend intake.
Thermodynamic investigation of hirudin binding to the slow and fast forms of thrombin: evidence for folding transitions in the inhibitor and protease coupled to binding.

Abstract Temperature dependent studies of the interaction of the clotting enzyme thrombin with the potent natural inhibitor hirudin reveal a large negative heat capacity change of −1.7(±0.2) kcal/mol per K associated with the formation of the thrombin-hirudin complex, independent of the allosteric state of the enzyme. Binding of N-terminal fragments of hirudin (hir1–49cand hir1–43) is characterized by heat capacity changes of −1.2(±0.1) and −0.9(±0.1) kcal/mol per K, respectively. The magnitude of these heat capacity changes is unprecedented for protease-inhibitor interactions. A thermodynamic analysis based on observed heat capacity and entropy changes predicts that binding is accompanied by substantial coupled folding transitions in both hirudin and thrombin. In the absence of a structure of free thrombin, analysis of differences in the predicted number of residues which fold upon binding hirudin and its fragments leads to the following structural model: three surface loops in thrombin (W60d, W148 and fibrinogen binding loops) are disordered in the free state and fold upon formation of the thrombin-hirudin complex. Molecular dynamics simulations, run over a time scale of 5 ps, are consistent with the hypothesis of large scale coupled folding transitions in both hirudin and thrombin upon formation of the complex. Comparison of the thermodynamics for the interaction of hirudin with the slow and fast forms of thrombin allows dissection of the coupling free energy for allosteric switching. The coupling free energy for the slow→fast transition increases linearly, in absolute value, with temperature. The coupling enthalpy and entropy terms for hirudin were found to be ΔHco=12(±1) kcal/mol andΔSco=47(±4) cal/mol per K. Preferential interaction with the fast form is therefore due to the balance of two opposite forces, both quite large in magnitude. The contribution of enthalpic effects opposes the slow→fast transition and stabilizes binding to the slow form. The contribution of entropic effects favors the slow→fast transition and stabilizes binding to the fast form. In the physiological temperature range the entropic effects prevail and result in preferential binding of hirudin to the fast form. The region of thrombin recognizing the N-terminal domain of hirudin contains most of the residues that are energetically linked to the slow→fast transition. This region is part of the "allosteric core" of thrombin and includes the W60d loop, shaping the specificity site S2, and the Na+binding loop connecting the last two β-strands of the B chain.
Observations on the separation factors of the rare earths with various ligands

Abstract A recent publication stated that the separation factors of the rare earths in the system HEHφP-HCl aq. showed some regularities when plotted as a function of the atomic number of the element. The properties apparent in the first subgroup LaGd, were repeated in the second subgroup GdLu. It was further suggested that a parallel was observed for the ligands HDEHP and EDTA and that correlations existed for the systems NTA, TBP, 1-hydroxyisobutyric acid and other hydroxy acids. While the conclusions may be valid for the phosphonic acid derivatives, it seems doubtful that the other ligands exhibit any regularities. Data representing fifteen complexing agents is presented in an attempt to clarify the position.
Edge dislocation in nonlocal elasticity

Abstract The solution is presented for the problem of straight edge dislocation in nonlocal elasticity. The stress field and elastic energy are calculated. Classical singularities in the expressions of the stress field and stored energy are found not present in the nonlocal model. An estimate is made for the critical shear stress which will produce a single edge dislocation of one atomic distance.
Complete pressure-dependent phase diagrams for SrFe 2 As 2 and BaFe 2 As 2

The temperature-dependent electrical resistivity of single-crystalline ${\text{SrFe}}_{2}{\text{As}}_{2}$ and ${\text{BaFe}}_{2}{\text{As}}_{2}$ has been measured in a liquid-medium modified Bridgman anvil cell for pressures in excess of 75 kbar. These data allow for the determination of the pressure dependence of the higher-temperature structural/antiferromagnetic phase transitions as well as the lower-temperature superconducting phase transition. For both compounds the ambient-pressure higher-temperature structural/antiferromagnetic phase transition can be fully suppressed with a domelike region of zero resistivity found to be centered about its critical pressure. Indeed, qualitatively, the temperature dependence of the resistivity curves closest to the critical pressures is the closest to linear, suggesting the possibility of quantum criticality. For pressures significantly higher than the critical pressure the zero-resistivity state is suppressed and the low-temperature resistivity curves asymptotically approach a universal low-temperature manifold. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that correlations/fluctuations associated with the ambient-pressure, high-temperature, tetragonal phase have to be brought to low enough temperature to allow superconductivity, but if too fully suppressed it can lead to the loss of the superconducting state.
Examining Trends in International Study: A Survey of Faculty-Led Field Courses within American Departments of Geography.

This paper presents the results of an online survey administered to chairs of American departments of geography to ascertain current trends and perceived value of international faculty-led field courses within their departments. The majority of reporting chairs indicated increased field course offerings over the past decade most often resulting from increased faculty interest in teaching these courses. Chairs attached a high value to such courses in enhancing students’ academic and personal growth. Despite the value placed on these courses, few departments require them for a geography degree or have an instrument to assess course learning outcomes.
Prediction of coronary heart disease mortality in blacks and whites: pooled data from two national cohorts.

Statistical models used to predict personal risk of death from coronary heart disease (CHD) have been based on studies among white populations. We compared the predictive functions derived from black and white men and women, using the pooled data of 2 national cohorts: the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) Epidemiologic Follow-up Study and the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II) Mortality Study. The participants included 6,937 white men, 940 black men, 9,202 white women, and 1,463 black women aged 30 to 74 years who were free of CHD at baseline. The 2 cohorts were followed for 20 and 15 years, respectively. There were no significant differences between blacks and whites in the magnitude of the Cox coefficients for most of the personal risk factors (i.e., age, systolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes mellitus status) for men and women. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, with all risk factors considered collectively, suggest that the models have similar ability to rank personal relative risk among blacks and whites. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.77 and 0.76 for white and black men, respectively, and 0.84 and 0.82 for white and black women, respectively. However, the equation derived from white men overestimated the 15-year cumulative CHD mortality in black men by about 60%. Thus, predictive functions derived from 1 demographic group (e.g., whites) can be applied to another subgroup (e.g., blacks) to rank personal risk. However, prediction of absolute risk is less accurate.