cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Further studies with short duration ribavirin aerosol for the treatment of influenza virus infection in mice and respiratory syncytial virus infection in cotton rats.

Abstract Ribavirin aerosol administration has been shown to be effective in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in infants and in influenza A and B virus infections in young adults. Long treatment schedules and potential for environmental contamination have stimulated the search for alternative dosing schedules. Thus, we attempted to determine the length of time of ribavirin aerosol necessary for effective treatment of influenza and RSV. In RSV-infected cotton rats, aerosolization for just 30 min with high-dose ribavirin (HDR:60 mg ribavirin/ml in reservoir), 3 times daily, reduced viral lung titers/gm of tissue by 1.1 log 10 . In influenza virus-infected mice, 15 min of aerosolized HDR, 3 times daily, was effective in reducing both mortality and pulmonary virus titers (1.1 log 10 reduction). When the intervals between aerosol administration each day were equally divided (i.e., q.8 h), the treatments were most effective. Treatment for 45 min, once daily, was not as effective as divided doses. Calculations of ribavirin concentrations in respiratory secretions following 15 min treatment in mice with HDR indicated that drug levels dropped below the ED 50 for influenza viruses after about 9 h. A daily dosage of ribavirin, estimated to be 8–15 mg/kg, was effective for the treatment of influenza and RSV infections.
Use of Portable Monitoring for Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Sleep-Disordered Breathing Treated With Upper Airway Surgery

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition that affects up to 24% of men and 9% of women. When untreated, OSA increases risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, motor vehicle accidents, metabolic abnormalities, and cognitivedisturbances. Treatment is associated with improvement in daytime somnolence, neurocognitive function, hypertension, and left ventricular function, and a decrease in health care costs. Heightened awareness of effects of OSA on health has led to a burgeoning demand for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.However, uncertainty and controversy surround many available options.
Round-up of other E-metrics developments

L'article presente succintement diverses initiatives visant a developper des mesures d'utilisation des ressources electroniques dans les bibliotheques : le projet de la Digital Library Federation, le projet EQUINOX de la Commission Europeenne, l'examen des statistiques d'usage fournies par les vendeurs au Royaume-Uni, la revision du guide de l'ICOLC (International Coalition Of Library Consortia) sur les mesures statistiques d'utilisation des ressources du Web. L'article indique egalement quelques publications recentes sur le sujet.
A Linear Mode Avalanche Photodiode for Ion Detection in the Energy Range 5–250 keV

We investigated the response linearity and the energy resolution of a silicon based reach-through avalanche photodiode (APD) for low energy ions ranging from 5 keV to 250 keV. We found that space charge affects the APD gain, and that this could be compensated by applying a simple correction formula to the measured pulse height distributions. The comparison between former theoretical or experimental studies and our results showed that there was no evidence of additional performance degradation within the tested energy range in terms of the linearity and the energy resolution compared to conventional non-avalanching silicon detectors. Thanks to the low noise level (equivalent to 0.9 keV in silicon) at the room temperature even for a large detection area (15 mm2), APDs would be potentially used for detection of low-energy ions in various environments such as space plasma physics, particle physics, and many industrial applications.
The significance of nonvisualization of the cortical sulcal spaces on computed tomography

In 15 patients unilateral effacement of the cortical sulcal spaces was the only CT abnormal finding; 12 patients had an isodense chronic subdural hematoma, two had unilateral cerebral edema and one had subarachnoid inflammatory exudate only. Fifteen other patients had unilateral nonvisualization of the cortical sulcal spaces with abnormal densities and enhancement which were the more specific diagnostic findings to establish the diagnosis of an intracerebral lesion in 12 and in three this was due to subarachnoid blood with an accompanying hematoma.
Practical Enantioselective Synthesis of β-Substituted-β-amino Esters

A practical, large-scale synthesis of a β-amino ester 1 was developed. A chiral imine derived from (S)-phenylglycinol and 3-trimethylsilylpropanal was coupled with the Reformatsky reagent 3 with high diastereoselectivity (de > 98%) to give (SS)-4a as the major isomer. The amino alcohol residue of the coupling product 4 was oxidatively cleaved with sodium periodate in the presence of methylamine. An unusual selective oxidative cleavage of the (SS)-isomer was observed and the imine 6 was obtained with ee > 99% while the (RS)-4b isomer was not cleaved. Reaction with p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate allowed for the hydrolysis of the imine and the isolation of the amine as its salt. The title compound 1 was then obtained by transesterification, desilylation, and hydrochloride salt formation in a one-pot process. The method was successfully applied toward the synthesis of a wide variety of β-amino esters.
Image compression algorithm based on kriging

The semivariogram of the image is estimated. Based on this we estimate the zone of influence. If r is the zone of influence of the semivariogram function of the picture, then we sample the picture using a square sampling design with side length equal to a X r, where a is a factor less than one. A kriging estimator is used to estimate the pixels not included in the sample. Under the assumptions of the process being wide sense stationary this kriging estimator is best linear unbiased. The mean square error is calculated, and we prove that as a goes to zero the decompressed image converges to the original. The convergence is with probability one (convergence in probability). The algorithm is lossy, and tests using popular images are presented. Comparison of this algorithm with other popular image compression algorithms are made. The comparisons include compression ratio, and a measure of distance between the original image, and the decompressed image.
Explanation of Free-Electron Lasing with Classical Electrodynamics and Quantum Wiggler Electrodynamics (QWD), and the Justification of QWD based on Forward Raman Scattering of a Laser Light

It is found that the net work per unit time done by all electrons in the cavity is far smaller than the measured power of induced emission in the first free-electron laser (FEL). The measured powers of spontaneous and induced emissions in the first FEL are identified as those of spontaneous and net stimulated transverse-wiggling-driven free-electron two-quantum Stark (TWFETQS) emissions, respectively, which are conceivable only in quantum wiggler electrodynamics (QWD). The uncertainty principle prescribes that an electron plasma with density n cannot exhibit net stimulated emission of wavelength λ, and the reaction force arisen from laser radiation of wavelength λ is independent of the electron phase with respect to the laser radiation if n λ 3 ≫1. It is found from these facts, the concept of Lienard-Wichert potentials, and the momentum and energy conservations that in the Raman FEL lasing must be an amplified spontaneous TWFETQS emission, and the net work due to phase bunching by the laser field and the ...
Projection neurons and interneurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus undergo distinct forms of degeneration ranging from retrograde and transsynaptic apoptosis to transient atrophy after cortical ablation in rat

The cytological responses of thalamic interneurons to selective degeneration of thalamocortical projection neurons after cortical damage in the adult brain are poorly understood. We used a unilateral neocortical lesion model (occipital cortex ablation) in the adult rat to test the hypothesis that interneurons and projection neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus undergo distinct forms of degeneration. In situ nuclear DNA fragmentation in neurons in the lateral geniculate occurs maximally at 7 days postlesion. Geniculocortical projection neurons that are identified by the retrograde tracer Fluorogold die primarily with a morphology of endstage apoptosis prominent at 7 days postlesion. In contrast, interneurons, identified by their particular nuclear ultrastructure and by glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity, undergo an atrophic vacuolar pathology starting early during the period of projection neuron death and peaking after the projection neuron death is complete. This degeneration of interneurons is transient, because these neurons exhibit structural recovery and their numbers are not changed significantly postlesion. A rare subset of interneurons (less than one in 100 interneurons and less than one in 100 apoptotic cells) undergoes apoptosis concurrently with the projection neurons. We conclude that different types of neurons within the same thalamic nucleus respond differently to focal cortical target deprivation. Unlike the apoptosis-prone projection neurons, most interneurons undergo transient transsynaptic atrophy and recovery rather than cell death. Nevertheless, a small subset of lateral geniculate interneurons undergoes transsynaptic apoptosis in response to projection neuron apoptosis. The pathological responses of thalamic neurons to cortical trauma vary depending on cell type.
Accomplishments in maternal and child health and crippled children services under the social security Act

Summary There has been presented a review of accomplishments in maternal and child health and crippled children's services under the Social Security Act, including a description of administrative procedures, a brief presentation of the programs now being carried out by the states, the qualifications and training of personnel, and methods of cooperation with professional and lay groups.
Stiffness assessment from jagged force-deformation relationships

Brittle and crunchy foods are notorious for their irregular and irreproducible force-deformation relationships which cannot be converted to stress-strain relationships because of geometric considerations. However, a fairly consistent assessment of their stiffness can still be extracted from their jagged force-deformation curves. For example, either the averaged force at a given deformation (e.g., 20%), determined directly or calculated by fitting the curves of several specimens with a polynomial model, can be considered a legitimate stiffness measure albeit a relative one. But since the magnitude of such parameters is affected by occasional force lows and minima as well as failure and sliding events at preceding deformations, they can only provide a low estimate of the material actual stiffness. Application of an algorithm that identifies the peak forces in the force-deformation relationship produces a new relationship that has a fairly regular and much smoother shape. Derivation of stiffness parameters from such curves is not only easier because of the regular shape and reduced number of points but also provides a closer estimate of the material actual stiffness.
The relationship between ambient noise and dominant frequency of vocalizations in two species of darters (Percidae: Etheostoma)

Acoustic communication is used by many freshwater fishes for both courtship and aggressive interactions. Fish that live in shallow streams with fast moving water are often exposed to high levels of ambient noise, which could have an effect on the characteristics of their vocalizations. This paper investigates the aggressive vocalizations produced by two closely related species of darters. We measured ambient noise in their respective microhabitats, and found that both species produce aggressive drum vocalizations with a dominant frequency that corresponds to areas of low ambient noise. Previous studies have found quiet windows in shallow streams that have correlated to the dominant frequency of sounds made by fish that inhabit the streams. This is the first study, however, to show how the dominant frequencies of vocalizations of two closely related species occur in areas of low ambient noise within their respective microhabitats. This study supports other studies which show that ambient noise along with other physical features of the environment can affect vocal characteristics and behaviors in freshwater fish.
The effect of the configuration of histidine upon its metabolism.

Abstract To determine the influence of stereoisomerism upon the course of histidine metabolism, metabolite excretion in 24 hr was assayed in rats previously fed normal and ethionine-supplemented diets for 12 days, then fasted for 12 hr before being given normal or radioactive d - or l -histidine, subcutaneously or by mouth. When histidine-α-14C was given, contributions to carbon dioxide excretion and protein deposition were also measured. In rats fed normal diets, the greater outputs of histidine, imidazolepyruvic, imidazoleacetic, and imidazolelactic acids induced by d -histidine support its inversion via imidazolepyruvic acid, with imidazoleacetic and imidazolelactic acid produced secondarily by oxidative decarboxylation and reduction. The smaller yields of urocanic, formiminoglutamic, and glutamic acids from d -histidine undoubtedly reflect their production only from the l -histidine formed by inversion. The conclusions drawn are supported by the quantitative differences observed with l -histidine, by differences induced in ethionine-fed animals, and by those found in the carbon dioxide and protein assays. Metabolite separation was effected by thin-layer chromatography. Assays were made spectrophotometrically or by scintillation counting, or both. Specific activities of the metabolites indicated marked dilution only in the glutamic acid. Contributions to the carbon dioxide excreted and to the proteins precipitated were estimated by counting.
Scale Economies in American Retailing: A Cross-Industry Comparison:

Determination of the nature and scope of competition in the channel of distribution is of increasing interest to macromarketers because of the growing importance of marketing in the American econom...
A Study of the Effect of Deformation on the ESR, Luminescence, and Absorption of MgO Single Crystals

The effect of plastic deformation on the optical absorption, ESR, and thermoluminescent properties of MgO has been investigated. Plastic deformation produces an optical absorption band at about 217 nm whose intensity is proportional to the percent of deformation. No new ESR signals were detected in the deformed crystals. When deformed crystals are irradiated with 60CO γ-rays, however, the ESR signal from the F-center is observed and several new optical absorption bands also appear. Impurity ion ESR signals in γ-irradiated samples have been compared with thermoluminescence spectra. The results indicate that the blue thermoluminescence at 3.3 eV and 85°C is due to Fe2+ converting to Fe3+ and the red thermoluminescence at 1.7 eV and 85°C is due to the formation of Cr3+. Es wird der Einflus einer plastischen Verformung auf die optische Absorption, ESR und thermische Lumineszenz von MgO untersucht. Die plastische Deformation erzeugt optische Absorption bei 217 nm, deren Starke direkt proportional zur Verformung ist. In den verformten Kristallen wurden keine neuen ESR-Signale gefunden. Jedoch wurden ESR-Signale von F-Zentren und verschiedene neue optische Bander beobachtet, wenn die deformierten Kristalle γ-bestrahlt wurden. Die ESR-Signale von Fremdionen in den γ-bestrahlten Proben wurden mit den thermischen Lumineszenzspektren verglichen. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, das die blaue Lumineszenz bei 3,3 eV und 85°C beim Ubergang von Fe2+ in Fe3+ und die rote bei 1,7 eV und 85°C bei der Bildung von Cr3+ entsteht.
Halothane hepatotoxicity in Fischer 344 rats pretreated with isoniazid.

Abstract Male Fischer 344 rats were used to investigate the hepatic effects of exposure to halothane under normoxic conditions (F 1 O 2 = 0.21) in isoniazid-treated rats. Animals were treated with saline or isoniazid (50 mg/kg) for 7 days and then were exposed to either 1% halothane or air for 2 hr. One-half of the rats from each treatment and exposure group were killed 24 hr postexposure; the remaining were killed 4 days postexposure. Twenty-four hours following halothane exposure, serum transaminase levels were significantly elevated in isoniazid- compared with saline-treated rats (i.e., aspartate aminotransferase = twofold; alanine aminotransferase = seven-fold). Cholesterol levels were significantly depressed by halothane exposure in both saline- and isoniazid-treated rats. Other serum parameters indicative of hepatic and renal function were not different; alkaline phosphatase, total protein, total bilirubin, hematocrit, uric acid, creatinine, urea nitrogen, Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , and inorganic phosphate. Neither saline-treated nor isoniazid-treated rats exposed to air exhibited histologic evidence of hepatic damage. Halothane-exposed rats, however, showed a circumscribed disruption of cellular morphology. The most severe lesions were observed with isoniazid-treated animals with extensive pericentral hepatocellular necrosis and infiltration by leucocytes and Kupffer cells. Serum concentrations of two products of the oxidative metabolism of halothane, trifluoroacetic acid and bromide, were significantly elevated in isoniazid- compared with saline-treated rats. Serum levels of fluoride, a product of reductive metabolism, were not different. These results strongly suggest that hepatic injury following halothane administration can be produced by intermediates of oxidative metabolism.
A Numerical Study of Turbulent Axisymmetric Jets Flowing Into Closed Tubes

A numerical study is reported on the turbulent jet flowing into closed tubes. In the computation the finite volume method is employed to solve the continuity and momentum equations with the use of the second-order closure model of turbulence. The computations were made for tube depths and tube widths ranging from 2 to 30 jet diameters and from 2 to 8 jet diameters, respectively. The computed decay of the jet centerline velocity agrees reasonably well with the experimental data (within 10 percent). With the use of the second-order closure model, it became clear that an isotropic assumption is still valid in the main mixing region in the tube. Moreover, the wall shear stress distributions were obtained along the side wall of a tube. Finally, it was found that the terminal stagnation pressure at the tube bottom depends strongly on the diameter of the tube for D/sub T//D/sub N/ of less than 5.
Shrinking cardiovascular risk through bariatric surgery : application of Framingham risk score in gastric bypass

Background The Framingham risk score estimates 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk based on gender, age, smoking status, blood pressure, TC, HDL-C, and diabetes mellitus status. It was designed to be independent of weight, and as such it is the ideal model to estimate the impact of bariatric surgery on the change in this risk. Our study evaluates the effect of gastric bypass on the prevalence of CHD risk factors and then utilizes the Framingham risk score to estimate the postoperative reduction in 10-year CHD risk. Methods Retrospectively, 101 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were reviewed. The 10-year CHD risk was calculated using historic, biometric, and laboratory data. Results The mean body mass index decreased from 46.9 ± 5.8 kg/m 2 preoperatively to 28.7 ± 4.0 kg/m 2 one year postoperatively. All physical and biochemical markers of cardiac risk improved significantly. Systolic blood pressure fell from 143 ± 20 mmHg to 123 ± 18 mmHg (14%) and diastolic blood pressure fell from 81 ± 10 mmHg to 71 ± 11 mmHg (12%). Total cholesterol declined from 202 to 165 (18%); LDL-C declined from 118 to 97 (18%); and HDL-C increased from 45 to 51 (14%). The overall 10-year CHD risk decreased from 6.7 ± 5.5% to 3.2 ± 3.1%, representing an absolute risk reduction of 3.3% or relative risk reduction of 52%. This risk reduction was similar in subgroups based on preoperative CHD risk or on initial BMI. Conclusions Using the Framingham risk score we show that gastric bypass surgery reduces 10-year coronary risk by more than half. Additionally, to the increasing evidence of the salutary effect gastric bypass surgery has on CHD risk, we contribute assessment of 10-year risk in subjects at stable weight loss and within the Framingham model's validated parameters.
Kin recognition in vertebrates: what do we really know about adaptive value?

Abstract The ability of an animal to discriminate between kin and non-kin (kin recognition) has been the subject of numerous recent investigations. Grafen ( Anim. Behav. , 1990, 39 , 42–54) recently reported that the evidence in support of kin recognition is weak and the data illustrating a preference for kin to associate in the laboratory may be more consistently explained as species recognition. It is suggested here, however, that in many cases it may be impossible to distinguish between species recognition and kin recognition, but in some cases, kin recognition seems apparent. It is also emphasized that very little is known about the adaptive value of kin recognition.
Selective Functionalization of Silicon Micro/Nanowire Sensors via Localized Joule Heating

A novel approach to achieve localized surface functionalization of silicon-based micro and nanoscale linear structures (e.g., silicon nanowire sensors) is proposed in this paper. This method is based upon the protection of silicon surface by hydrophobic polymer layers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). These layers are used as a protective, patterning barrier against surface functionalization of silicon or silicon oxide surface. Subsequently, these polymer layers undergo selective thermal ablation along the silicon micro / nanowire sensors by localized Joule heating. This local ablation is then followed by a brief low power O2 plasma for activating the surface of silicon oxide with more hydroxyl (-OH) groups for further surface functionalization. Next, organosilane groups including amino-propyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and 3-mercaptopropyltri-methoxysilane (3-MPTMS) are used as a chemical linker between silicon oxide surface and protein or DNA molecules. We first present a finite element analysis (FEA) of localized Joule heating of silicon nanowires and experimental results of localized ablation of the protective polymer by Joule heating. We also verify localized surface modification of ablated surface of silicon with 3-MPTMS by selective binding of gold nanoparticles on the thiolized silicon surface. This localized functionalization is expected to have great advantages such as increasing the sensitivity and lowering the detection limit of silicon micro/nanowire-based sensors.
Topology optimization for light-trapping structure in solar cells

The limitation associated with the low optical absorption remains to be the main technical barrier that constrains the efficiency of thin---film solar cells in energy conversion. Effective design of light-trapping structure is critical to increase light absorption, which is a highly complex phenomenon governed by several competing physical processes, imposing a number of challenges to topology optimization. This paper presents a general, yet systematic approach exploiting topology optimization for designing highly efficient light-trapping structures. We first demonstrate the proposed approach using genetic algorithm (GA) based non-gradient topology optimization (NGTO), which is robust for achieving highly-efficient designs of slot-waveguide based cells with both low-permittivity and high-permittivity scattering material at single wavelength or over a broad spectrum. The optimized light-trapping structure achieves a broadband absorption efficiency of 48.1 % and more than 3-fold increase over the Yablonovitch limit. The fabrication feasibility of the optimized design is also demonstrated. Next, the gradient topology optimization (GTO) approach for designing light-trapping structure is explored based on the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) method. Similar designs are obtained through both GA based NGTO and SIMP based GTO, which verifies the validity of both approaches. Insights into the application of both approaches for solving the nanophotonic design problem with optimization nonlinearity are provided.
The totality of burn care

The overall improvement in mortality following severe burns has dramatically increased in the last half century with enhanced methods of resuscitation, treatment of inhalation injury, control of infection, early wound excision and novel methods of skin resurfacing. Although burn care begins at the onset of injury, reconstruction and rehabilitation feature highly throughout the various stages of treatment. Ultimately, we will have achieved little if the patient cannot be integrated back into society. For descriptive purposes burn care has been considered chronologically under the following headings: (1) First Two Minutes (Prehospital Care/First Aid), (2) First Two Hours (Emergency Room care), (3) First two days (resuscitation), (4) First Two Weeks (surgical excision and grafting), (5) First Two Months (rehabilitation and psychology), (6) First Two Years (reconstruction).
Hamilton-Jacobi approach to non-slow-roll inflation

I describe a general approach to characterizing cosmological inflation outside the standard slow-roll approximation, based on the Hamilton-Jacobi formulation of scalar field dynamics. The basic idea is to view the equation of state of the scalar field matter as the fundamental dynamical variable, as opposed to the field value or the expansion rate. I discuss how to formulate the equations of motion for scalar and tensor fluctuations in situations where the assumption of slow roll is not valid. I apply the general results to the simple case of inflation from an ``inverted'' polynomial potential, and to the more complicated case of hybrid inflation.
The Cost of Defensive Medicine on 3 Hospital Medicine Services

The overuse of tests and procedures due to fear of malpractice litigation, known as defensive medicine,1 is estimated to cost $46 billion annually in the US,2 but these costs have been measured only indirectly. We estimated the cost of defensive medicine on three hospital medicine services in a health system by having physicians assess the defensiveness of their own orders. We hypothesized that physicians who were concerned about being targeted by litigation would practice more defensively and have higher overall costs.
A first order theory of the p + -n-n + edge-illuminated silicon solar cell at very high injection levels

A first order theory of the edge-illuminated p+-n-n+silicon solar cell under very high injection levels has been derived. The very high injection level illuminated J-V characteristic is derived for any general base width to diffusion length ( W/L ) ratio and it includes the minority carrier reflection by the n-n+high-low junction. The beneficial effects of the high-low junction are shown to be significant until extremely high injection levels are reached. The theoretical dependencies of J sc and V oc on temperature, incident intensity, and base resistivity are derived and discussed in detail. Some experimental results are given and these are discussed in relation to the theory.
Neutral Sphingomyelinase 2 Is Palmitoylated on Multiple Cysteine Residues ROLE OF PALMITOYLATION IN SUBCELLULAR LOCALIZATION

The neutral sphingomyelinases (nSMases) are considered major candidates for mediating the stress-induced production of ceramide. nSMase2, which has two hydrophobic segments near the NH2-terminal region, has been reported to be located at the plasma membrane and play important roles in ceramide-mediated signaling. In this study, we found that nSMase2 is palmitoylated on multiple cysteine residues via thioester bonds. Site-directed mutagenesis of cysteine residues to alanine indicated that two cysteine clusters of the enzyme are multiply palmitoylated; one cluster is located between the two hydrophobic segments, and the second one is located in the middle of the catalytic region of the protein. When overexpressed in the confluent phase of MCF-7 cells, wild-type nSMase2 was strictly localized in the plasma membranes, and the cysteine mutants of each palmitoylated cysteine cluster were seen not only at the plasma membrane but also in some punctate structures. Furthermore, mutation of all potential palmitoylation sites resulted in a dramatic reduction in the plasma membrane distribution and an increase in the punctate structures. The palmitoylation-deficient mutant was directed to lysosomes and rapidly degraded. Palmitoylation had no effect on enzyme activity but affected membrane-association properties of the protein. Finally, the catalytic region of nSMase2 where palmitoylation occurs was found to be localized at the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. In summary, the results from this study reveal for the first time the palmitoylation of nSMase2 via thioester bonds and its importance in the subcellular localization and stability of this protein.
Abstract P2-08-05: Functional characterization of three novel breast cancer-related somatic mutations in metalloproteinase-disintegrin ADAM12

Six different somatic missense mutations in the human ADAM12 gene have been identified so far in breast cancer. Five of these mutations involve highly conserved residues in the extracellular domain of the transmembrane ADAM12-L protein. Two of these extracellular mutations, D301H and G479E, have been previously characterized in the context of mouse ADAM12. Three other mutations, T596A, R612Q, and G668A, have been reported more recently, and their effects on ADAM12-L protein structure/function are not known. Here, we show that ADAM12-L bearing the G668A mutation is largely retained in the endoplasmic reticulum in its nascent, full-length form, with an intact N-terminal pro-domain. The T596A and R612Q mutants are efficiently trafficked to the cell surface and proteolytically processed to remove their pro-domains. However, the T596A mutant shows decreased catalytic activity at the cell surface, while the R612Q mutant is fully active and comparable to the wild-type ADAM12-L. The D301H and G479E mutants, consistent with the effect of the corresponding D229H and G477E mutations in mouse ADAM12 protein described earlier, are not proteolytically processed and do not exhibit catalytic activity at the cell surface. Among all six breast cancer-associated mutations in ADAM12-L, mutations that preserve the activity - R612Q and L792F - occur in triple-negative breast cancers, while loss-of-function mutations - D301H, G479E, T596A, and G668A - are found in non-triple negative cancers. This apparent association between the catalytic activity of the mutants and the type of breast cancer supports a previously postulated role of ADAM12-L in the triple negative breast cancer disease. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P2-08-05.
Ideas, subjects, and cycles as lenses for understanding the software design process

In this paper, we provide an analysis of three pairs of professional software designers, each working on a provided design problem. To understand these sessions, we track the ideas that were generated, relate them to one another, and categorize them according to the subject being discussed. This data is then used to divide the sessions into design cycles, each of which represents a period of focus on a given aspect of the system being designed. We observe that the designers often consider two subjects at a time, and rotate through subjects in an effort to develop them evenly. The sessions are also characterized by a great deal of repetition, as the designers regularly reconsider previously stated ideas in new contexts.
Phylogenetic and narG analysis of a Hyphomicrobium isolate

An obligately methylotrophic organism was isolated from a water well that manifested symptoms of biofouling. The isolate was appendaged and utilized methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, or methanol as the sole carbon and energy source. The isolate exhibited hydroxypyruvate reductase activity, suggesting C1-assimilation via the serine pathway. Fatty acid profiling indicated the predominance of 18:1 cis-fatty acids. The isolate did not grow anaerobically with nitrate as the final electron acceptor. Genomic DNA from the isolate did not hybridize against the narG gene, which encodes the alpha subunit of dissimilatory nitrate reductase in Escherichia coli. The phenotypic data suggested the assignment of the isolate to the genus Hyphomicrobium. The identification was supported by phylogenetic characterization based on 16S rRNA sequence comparisons of the isolate.
Conjugal violence: A critical review of current research and clinical practices

Abstract This article reviews the existing research dealing with conjugal violence and critically evaluates the usefulness of these findings for clinical practitioners. The clinical literature concerning interspousal violence is then reviewed. The relative merits of the leading clinical approaches to treating conjugal violence are discussed, and a number of critical issues involved in working with violent relationships are outlined. Suggestions for joining with violent spouses, overcoming initial resistances, and keeping violent spouses in treatment are offered. Finally, those situations for which marital therapy may not be considered the treatment of choice are discussed.
What's in the closet: dress and appearance codes and lessons from sexual orientation

Purpose – Dress and appearance codes are often seen as trivial, both because they seem to fit within our notions of how people ought to behave, and because they appear to reflect legitimate employer concerns in running a business. But they are not constructed in a vacuum. They reflect and enshrine societal stereotypes and expectations of women and men and how they look – including assumptions about gender and sexuality and majoritarian norms. As such, they punish anyone who is an outlier by reason of gender, sexuality, race, religion, or culture. This paper seeks to identify the assumptions and effects on gender, sexuality, professionalism and class in appearance and behavior codes.Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper exploring US case law on dress codes and employee appearance standards to examine issues of gender and sexual orientation identity on the job. By combining insights from sexual orientation identity theories and visibility, the paper seeks to uncover some of the interactio...
Charge transfer, hybridization and local inhomogeneity effects in Na x Co O 2 ∙ y H 2 O : An x-ray absorption spectroscopy study

Co K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements have been performed on anhydrous Na{sub x}CoO{sub 2} (x=0.3,0.74,1.0), LiCoO{sub 2}, H{sub {delta}}CoO{sub 2}, and hydrated Na{sub 0.3}CoO{sub 2}{center_dot}yH{sub 2}O (y=0.6,1.2) layered cobaltates. Sealed environments were employed through the duration of the experiments to maintain phase purity. The XAS of anhydrous NaxCoO2 shows systematic changes with x indicative of a Co oxidation state increase with decreasing Na content. This trend is shown to correlate well with a detailed review of the structural parameters. In contrast, although the XAS results on the Na{sub 0.3}CoO{sub 2}{center_dot}yH{sub 2}O (y=0,0.6,1.2) materials show detectable spectral changes, they indicate that there is no Co valence change upon hydration. Here pre and post spectroscopy material characterization allows a unique certainty in these exceedingly sensitive materials. The XAS spectral changes which accompany hydration are discussed in terms of a homogenization of the electronic structure in the CoO{sub 2} planes and are correlated with structural properties and recent NMR results.
Field Isolates of Streptomyces Differ in Pathogenicity and Virulence on Radish.

ABSTRACT Common scab is a significant disease of potato, and affects root and tuber crops worldwide. Streptomycetes, a diverse group of soil-inhabiting gram-positive bacteria, cause common scab. To better understand the basis for variability in disease symptoms seen in field situations, strep-tomycetes were isolated from scabby potato plants. Isolates differed in morphology and pigmentation. Isolates were evaluated for pathogenicity and virulence in radish. Scab lesions varied in appearance and severity. Disease symptoms also included plant stunting, wilting, necrosis, and death. Some pathogenic isolates were missing genes from the putative pathogenicity island (PAI); several lacked the nec1 gene, and one was missing the txtA gene encoding thaxtomin biosynthesis, the most reliable pathogenicity determinant. Studies of disease severity over 5 logs initial inoculum density showed that there is a threshold inoculum density for disease. Disease severity increased with inoculum density over three logs, then re...
THE PROLONGED GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF OVARIAN TISSUE OF THE PROMETHEA MOTH (CALLOSAMIA PROMETHEA) IN VITRO

1. The ovarian tissues from diapausing pupae of the promethea moth (Callosamia promethea) have survived and grown for 186 days under in vitro conditions. There was continual cell migration and multiplication for a period of 53 days, followed by a period of 47 days during which no cells migrated from the tissues. Between the 100th and 105th days after setting up the cultures, cell migration was resumed, and by the 111th day 250 cells were present in the medium. A few cell divisions were observed between the 126th and 136th days. After the tissues were subcultured on the 140th day, the explant culture continued to survive, but the cell culture died 3 days later. 2. The tissues were subcultured a total of 6 times during the 186 days. By the introduction of a piece of live tissue into the cell cultures, the growth and survival of the cells were increased from 8 days to about 20 days. 3. It is possible that the tissues had become adapted to the medium during their long survival, as the cells which migrated from them after 100 days showed considerably longer survival than those in earlier cultures.
Initial clinical experience with a video-based patient positioning system.

Abstract Purpose: To report initial clinical experience with an interactive, video-based patient positioning system that is inexpensive, quick, accurate, and easy to use. Methods and Materials: System hardware includes two black-and-white CCD cameras, zoom lenses, and a PC equipped with a frame grabber. Custom software is used to acquire and archive video images, as well as to display real-time subtraction images revealing patient misalignment in multiple views. Two studies are described. In the first study, video is used to document the daily setup histories of 5 head and neck patients. Time-lapse cine loops are generated for each patient and used to diagnose and correct common setup errors. In the second study, 6 twice-daily (BID) head and neck patients are positioned according to the following protocol: at am setups conventional treatment room lasers are used; at pm setups lasers are used initially and then video is used for 1–2 minutes to fine-tune the patient position. Lateral video images and lateral verification films are registered off-line to compare the distribution of setup errors per patient, with and without video assistance. Results: In the first study, video images were used to determine the accuracy of our conventional head and neck setup technique, i.e., alignment of lightcast marks and surface anatomy to treatment room lasers and the light field. For this initial cohort of patients, errors ranged from σ = 5 to 7 mm and were patient-specific. Time-lapse cine loops of the images revealed sources of the error, and as a result, our localization techniques and immobilization device were modified to improve setup accuracy. After the improvements, conventional setup errors were reduced to σ = 3 to 5 mm. In the second study, when a stereo pair of live subtraction images were introduced to perform daily “on-line” setup correction, errors were reduced to σ = 1 to 3 mm. Results depended on patient health and cooperation and the length of time spent fine-tuning the position. Conclusion: An interactive, video-based patient positioning system was shown to reduce setup errors to within 1 to 3 mm in head and neck patients, without a significant increase in overall treatment time or labor-intensive procedures. Unlike retrospective portal image analysis, use of two live-video images provides the therapists with immediate feedback and allows for true 3-D positioning and correction of out-of-plane rotation before radiation is delivered. With significant improvement in head and neck alignment and the elimination of setup errors greater than 3 to 5 mm, margins associated with treatment volumes potentially can be reduced, thereby decreasing normal tissue irradiation.
Epidemiologic Evidence Linking Antioxidant Vitamins to Pulmonary Function and Airway Obstruction

Reduced pulmonary function and indicators of airway obstruction have been shown to be strong predictors of mortality in numerous epidemiologic studies (1—3). Interestingly, even mild reductions in pulmonary function in nonsmokers have been linked to increased mortality (4). Although smoking is the major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), several issues remain to be resolved (5). For example, why do only 10-20 percent of smokers develop COPD (6)? The balance between the negative effects resulting from exposure to oxidants, for example, from cigarette smoke and air pollutants, and the defense by antioxidants has been suggested to play a role in both the pathogenesis of airway obstruction and the link between reduced pulmonary function and mortality (7-12). In particular, the role of antioxidant vitamins in protection against lung disease has attracted considerable clinical and epidemiologic interest because diseases associated with airway obstruction, such as COPD and asthma, present immense public health problems (13-15). This subject, however, has not been reviewed systematically. The present article is a qualitative systematic review of the epidemiologic and other evidence that deals with the association of antioxidant vitamins with pulmonary function and airway obstruction (16-18).
Ischemia activates actin depolymerizing factor: role in proximal tubule microvillar actin alterations

Apical membrane of renal proximal tubule cells is extremely sensitive to ischemia, with structural alterations occurring within 5 min. These changes are felt secondary to actin cytoskeletal disruption, yet the mechanism responsible is unknown. Actin depolymerizing factor (ADF), a 19-kDa actin-binding protein, has recently been shown to play an important role in regulation of actin filament dynamics. Because ADF is known to mediate pH-dependent F-actin binding, depolymerization, and severing, and because ADF activation occurs by dephosphorylation, we questioned whether ADF played a role in microvilli microfilament disruption during ischemia. To test our hypothesis, we induced renal ischemia in the rat with the clamp model. Initial immunofluorescence and Western blot studies on cortical tissue documented the presence of ADF in proximal tubule cells. Under physiological conditions, ADF was distributed homogeneously throughout the cytoplasm, primarily in the Triton X-100-soluble fraction, and both phosphorylated (pADF) and nonphosphorylated forms were identified. During ischemia, marked alterations occurred. Intraluminal vesicle/bleb structures contained extremely high concentrations of ADF along with G-actin, but not F-actin. Western blot showed a rapidly occurring duration-dependent dephosphorylation of ADF. At 0-30 min of ischemia, total ADF levels were unchanged, whereas pADF decreased significantly to 72% and 19% of control levels, at 5 and 15 min, respectively. Urine collected under physiological conditions did not contain ADF or actin, whereas urine collected after 30 min of ischemia contained both ADF and actin. Reperfusion was associated with normalization of cellular pADF levels, pADF intracellular distribution, and repair of apical microvilli. These data suggest that activation of ADF during ischemia via dephosphorylation is, in part, responsible for apical actin disruption resulting in microvillar destruction and formation of intraluminal vesicles.
Mechanism of oxidative shuttling for [2]rotaxane in a stoddart-heath molecular switch : Density functional theory study with continuum-solvation model

The central component of the programmable molecular switch demonstrated recently by Stoddart and Heath is [2]rotaxane, which consists of a cyclobis-(paraquat-p-phenylene) ring-shaped shuttle [(CBPQT4+)(PF6-)4] encircling a finger and moving between two stations on the finger: tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and 1,5-dioxynaphthalene (DNP). We report here a quantum mechanics (QM) study of the mechanism by which movement of the ring (and in turn the on−off switching) is controlled by the oxidation−reduction process. We use B3LYP density functional theory to describe how oxidation of the [2]rotaxane components (in using Poisson−Boltzmann continuum-solvation theory for acetonitrile solution) induces the motions associated with switching (translation of the ring). These calculations support the proposal that oxidation occurs on TTF, leading to repulsion between two positive charge centers (TTF2+ and CBPQT4+) that drives the CBPQT4+ ring from the TTF2+ station toward the neutral DNP station. The theory also supports t...
Advertising Competition in a Dynamic Oligopoly with Multiple Brands

A model is developed that allows the derivation of feedback Nash equilibrium advertising strategies for oligopolistic competitors. The model is an extension of a modified Vidale-Wolfe model that incorporates multiple brands per competitor. The resulting expressions of feedback advertising strategies are combined with those for sales dynamics in an empirical model that is applied to the carbonated soft drink market, which involves three primary competitors and five primary brands. The research provides the following contributions: A modification of the Vidale-Wolfe model is extended to allow dynamic analysis of an oligopoly in which the competitors each offer multiple brands. The model extension permits the derivation of a feedback Nash equilibrium. The determination of a feedback Nash equilibrium enhances empirical analysis by allowing an expanded empirical model that includes the explicit modeling of endogenous advertising along with demand relationships.
An improved algorithm for the solution of discrete regulation problems

This paper describes an improved algorithm for obtaining the steady-state feedback-gain matrix from the discrete matrix Riccati equation. This is of importance in the steady-state optimization of discrete linear systems with quadratic performance criteria. The solution of the Riccati equation by the natural iteration technique suggested by its dynamic programming derivation requires, in general, n(3n^{2}+3r^{2}+3nr+n+2r)/2+r^{2}(r+1)/2 multiplications per step, where n is the order of the system and r is the number of inputs. The improved algorithm requires only r(n^{2}+2nr+n)/2+r^{2}(r+1)/2 multiplications per step, may converge in fewer iterations, and requires less storage. For the special case R = 0 (no weight on control effort), the number of multiplications can be reduced further to r(n-r)(n+r+1)/2+r^{2}(r+1)/2 per iteration. The simplifications described above are accomplished in two ways. First, the characteristics of recently published canonical forms for controllable systems are exploited to reduce the number of free parameters appearing in the system matrices. Second, the concept of feedback-gain equivalence of performance criteria is used to derive a simply computed canonical form for the weighting matrix.