cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Urothelial Cancer Circulating Tumor Cells with a Novel Selection-Free Method

Objective To investigate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as biomarkers of urothelial carcinoma (UC). To date, the majority of work on this topic has utilized the CellSearch test, which has limited sensitivity due to reliance on positive selection for the cell surface protein epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). We used a novel selection-free method to enumerate and characterize CTCs across a range of UC stages. Materials and Methods Blood samples from 38 patients (9 controls, 8 nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer [NMIBC], 12 muscle-invasive bladder cancer [MIBC], and 9 metastatic UC) were processed with the AccuCyte-CyteFinder system. Slides were stained for the white blood cell markers CD45 and CD66b and the epithelial markers EpCAM and pancytokeratin. CTCs were defined as any cytokeratin postive and white blood cell marker negative cell. Separately, the more restrictive CellSearch definition was applied, with the additional requirement of EpCAM positivity. The Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test compared CTC counts by stage. Results Greater than or equal to 1 CTC was detected in 2 of 8 (25%) patients with NMIBC, 7 of 12 (58%) with MIBC, and 6of 9 (67%) with metastatic disease. No control had CTCs. Comparing CTC counts between groups, the only statistically significant comparison was between controls and patients with metastatic UC (P = .009). With EpCAM positivity as a CTC requirement, no CTCs were detected in any patient with NMIBC, and only 2 (17%) patients with MIBC had CTCs. CTCs tended to be larger in metastatic patients. Conclusion CTCs were detected at all UC stages and exhibited phenotypic diversity of cell size and EpCAM expression. EpCAM negative CTCs that would be missed with the CellSearch test were detected in patients with NMIBC and patients with MIBC.
Protocol for Identifying Natural Agents That Selectively Affect Adhesion, Thickness, Architecture, Cellular Phenotypes, Extracellular Matrix, and Human White Blood Cell Impenetrability of Candida albicans Biofilms

In the screening of natural plant extracts for antifungal activity, assessment of their effects on the growth of cells in suspension or in the wells of microtiter plates is expedient. However, microorganisms, including Candida albicans, grow in nature as biofilms, which are organized cellular communities with a complex architecture capable of conditioning their microenvironment, communicating, and excluding low- and high-molecular-weight molecules and white blood cells. Here, a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) protocol for testing the effects of large numbers of agents on biofilm development is described. The protocol assessed nine parameters from a single z-stack series of CLSM scans for each individual biofilm analyzed. The parameters included adhesion, thickness, formation of a basal yeast cell polylayer, hypha formation, the vertical orientation of hyphae, the hyphal bend point, pseudohypha formation, calcofluor white staining of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and human white blood cell impenetrability. The protocol was applied first to five plant extracts and derivative compounds and then to a collection of 88 previously untested plant extracts. They were found to cause a variety of phenotypic profiles, as was the case for 64 of the 88 extracts (73%). Half of the 46 extracts that did not affect biofilm thickness affected other biofilm parameters. Correlations between specific effects were revealed. The protocol will be useful not only in the screening of chemical libraries but also in the analysis of compounds with known effects and mutations.
Phonons and Photons

The objective of this chapter is to introduce the dramatis personae of the quantum measurement problem studied in this thesis.
Government and the Economic History of American Income Inequality

In the present paper, I intend to question the broad "U-Curve Narrative" of income inequality in the United States. First, I argue that a part of the rise of inequality in recent decades is overestimated but that it did nonetheless increase. Second, I argue that a part of that increase in inequality is not problematic in a normative sense as it results from mundane factors like population aging, immigration, innovation and the rise of increasingly heterogeneous preferences that cause a mild divorce between well-being and income. However, by arguing that a share of the increase stems from non-problematic causes, I must also argue that the remaining share emanates from reprehensible factors. These either come from those inherited at birth and those created by government intervention. This decomposition of inequality brings me to the third argument of this paper: that the high levels of the 19th century and early 20th century were not as problematic as emphasized by many and that the subsequent decline was largely led by mundane forces unrelated to government efforts whose role should be minimized. I also argue that the rise of inequality after 1970 is strongly related to state interventions in markets and societies.
Correction to: Strategies to Support the Education Goals of Youth and Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions: A Case Study.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The spelling of the fifth author’s name was incorrectly published as Masha Ellison.
Simple Polymethylglutarimide Microfluidic Channels With Hydrogel-Assisted Fluid Exchange

We present an experimental protocol for fabricating enclosed microfluidic channels using polymethylglutarimide (PMGI). PMGI is optically transparent, biocompatible, and can be used to readily fabricate micrometer-scale lateral and vertical dimension channels using conventional photolithography. The low auto-fluorescence intensity of PMGI facilitates imaging of analytes without interference. The hydrophilicity of PMGI allows fluid exchange in micrometer-scale channels using a hydrogel as an interface without an external pump. As a demonstration, we assemble fluorescently-labeled lipid bilayers in PMGI microfluidic channels and show that PMGI has negligible auto-fluorescence intensity compared to the lipid bilayer. PMGI channels together with hydrogel-assisted fluidic exchange provides a simple approach to fabricate micrometer and sub-micrometer scale fluidic channels for optofluidics, molecular biology, and other medical diagnostic and sensing applications.
Miscellaneous Cystic Lesions of the Liver

Cystic diseases of the liver and biliary tract are comprised of a heterogeneous group of disorders. The pathogenesis, clinical presentation, histological description, and radiographic appearance of several less common conditions, including biliary hamartomas, ciliated hepatic foregut cysts, cavernous hemangiomas, peliosis hepatis, and peribiliary cysts, will be discussed here.
Divorce Attitudes Among Older Adults: Two Decades of Change:

The authors used data from the 1994, 2002, and 2012 General Social Survey (N = 1,450) to examine whether support for divorce has increased among adults aged 50 and older. Consistent with the rise in the gray divorce rate, today's older adults were more accepting of divorce than their predecessors were two decades ago. Attitudinal change was modest between 1994 and 2002 but accelerated after 2002. The acceleration was primarily due to period rather than cohort change, signaling the role of broader shifts in the meaning of marriage as it has become deinstitutionalized. Older birth cohorts and individuals who were either divorced or remarried were especially likely to hold supportive attitudes toward divorce.
Critical Illness and Cardiac Dysfunction in Anthracycline-Exposed Pediatric Oncology Patients

Objectives:To determine if the presence of cardiac dysfunction in anthracycline-exposed pediatric oncology patients is associated with an increased frequency of PICU admission or mortality.Design:Retrospective parallel cohort study.Setting:PICU at an academic freestanding children’s hospital.Subject
Asthma self-management education in persons with work-related asthma - United States, 2012-2014.

Objective: According to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP), self-management education is an integral component of effective asthma care and should be offered to every pati...
An Approach to Frequency Selectivity in an Urban Environment by Means of Multi-Path Acoustic Channel Analysis

The improvement of quality of life in the framework of the smart city paradigm cannot be limited to a set of objective measures carried out over several critical parameters (e.g., noise or air pollution). Noise disturbances depend not only on the equivalent level LAeq measured, but also on the spectral distribution of the sounds perceived by people. Propagation modelling to conduct auralization can be done either with geometrical acoustics or with wave-based methods, given the fact that urban environments are acoustically complex scenarios. In this work, we present a first analysis of the acoustic spectral distribution of street noise, based on the frequency selectivity of the urban outdoor channel and its corresponding coherence bandwidth. The analysis was conducted in the framework of the data collected in the Milan pilotWASN of the DYNAMAP LIFE project, with the use of three simulated acoustic impulse responses. The results show the clear influence of the evaluated coherence bandwidth of each of the simulated channels over real-life acoustic samples, which leads us to the conclusion that all raw acoustic samples have to be considered as wide-band. The results also depict a dependence of accumulated energy at the receiver with the coherence bandwidth of the channel. We conclude that, the higher the delay spread of the channel, the narrower the coherence bandwidth and the higher the distortion suffered by acoustic signals. Moreover, the accumulated energy of the received signal along the frequency axis tends to differ from the accumulated energy of the transmitted signal when facing narrow coherence bandwidth channels; whereas the accumulated energy along the time axis diverges from the accumulated transmitted energy when facing wide coherence bandwidth channels.
Transformations, Changes, and Continuities in Conservation Governance: A Case Study of Wildlife Conservation in Kenya, 1980–2016

Global conservation policy and governance has undergone significant changes since the publication of World Conservation Strategy: Living Resource Conservation for Sustainable Development. The strategy sought to integrate conservation and development deviating from the practice under fortress conservation, which considers the two concepts incompatible. What has this significant shift in approach meant for conservation governance at lower levels (i.e., national and sub-national) of governance? This article explores this question in the context of wildlife conservation in Kenya. The article is premised on field data collected in the country during the months of June, July, and August 2016 using mixed methods: key informant interview, household survey, and document review. It documents transformation, change, and continuity in conservation governance in Kenya during 1980–2016. The article also identifies three emerging concerns that hinder sustainable wildlife conservation in Kenya: elitism, green grabbing, and donor-dependency.
Dietary Iron, Alcohol Consumption and Serum Ferritin Concentrations in African Americans.

Abstract We investigated the relationship of dietary iron and alcohol consumption with serum ferritin concentration among 143 inner-city African-Americans from the community. Seventy-one of the participants reported consuming an average of more than four alcoholic drinks per day and 72 less than two alcoholic drinks per week. The mean age was 47 years for the high alcohol group and 49 years for the low alcohol group. Thirteen (18%) of the participants in the high alcohol group were women compared to 27 (38%) in the low alcohol group. Body mass index and rates of positivity for HIV and hepatitis C virus were similar. Typical daily dietary iron and alcohol consumption was calculated based on a dietary questionnaire that has been validated for use among various ethnic groups (University of Hawaii). The relationship of dietary iron content and alcohol consumption with log10 serum ferritin concentration and with log10 ratio of serum ferritin to AST (ferritin/AST) was examined in multivariate linear regression models that adjusted for age, sex, ferroportin Q248H status, caloric intake and serum concentrations of CRP and ALT. Ferritin/AST has been shown to correlate with hepatic iron concentration in the setting of alcoholic liver disease. Both average daily dietary iron from meat, poulty and fish (P = 0.013) and average daily alcohol consumption (P = 0.015) correlated positively with log10 serum ferritin, but average daily non-heme iron content did not (P = 0.9). Similar findings obtained for log10 ferritin:AST. According to this modeling and holding other variables constant, a 70 kg individual with serum ferritin of 100 ng/ml associated with dietary iron from meat, poultry and fish of 3.5 mg/day would have serum ferritin of 135 ng/ml (95% c.i. 107–172) associated with dietary iron from meat, poultry and fish of 7.0 mg/day. Similarly, a 70 kg individual with serum ferritin 100 ng/ml associated with no alcohol intake would have serum ferritin 124 ng/ml (105–148) associated with alcohol consumption of 56 g/day. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the amount of dietary heme iron and the degree of alcohol consumption influence the amount of storage iron in the body as reflected by serum ferritin concentration.
Disability Identification and Educational Accommodations: Lessons From the 2019 Admissions Scandal:

A recent, widely publicized scandal involved students who obtained fraudulent diagnoses of learning disabilities in an effort to get accommodations on college admissions tests. Although the exact c...
The wrinkling of time: Aging, inflammation, oxidative stress, and the circadian clock in neurodegeneration

A substantial body of research now implicates the circadian clock in the regulation of an array of diverse biological processes including glial function, metabolism, peripheral immune responses, and redox homeostasis. Sleep abnormalities and other forms of circadian disruption are common symptoms of aging and neurodegeneration. Circadian clock disruption may also influence the aging processes and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The specific mechanisms governing the interaction between circadian systems, aging, and the immune system are still being uncovered. Here, we review the evidence supporting a bidirectional relationship between aging and the circadian system. Further, we explore the hypothesis that age-related circadian deterioration may exacerbate multiple pathogenic processes, priming the brain for neurodegeneration.
Chapter 1* – PREFERENCE RELATIONS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the preference relations. The relation at least as tall as applied to the set of all mountain peaks with measured heights. The relation is reflexive, as a peak is as tall as itself. It is complete, for if peak A is not at least as tall as peak B, then peak B will be at least as tall as peak A. It is transitive, as peak A, being at least as tall as peak B which is itself at least as tall as peak C, must imply that peak A is at least as tall as peak C. It is not anti-symmetric as peaks A, and B could be of the same height without being the same peaks. Nor is it asymmetric, as A being at least as tall as B does not preclude the possibility that B will be as tall as A. It may be easily checked that the relation taller than would satisfy transitivity, anti-symmetry, and asymmetry, but not reflexivity, completeness, and symmetry.
Unsupervised machine learning and prognostic factors of survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Objective Unsupervised machine learning approaches hold promise for large-scale clinical data. However, the heterogeneity of clinical data raises new methodological challenges in feature selection, choosing a distance metric that captures biological meaning, and visualization. We hypothesized that clustering could discover prognostic groups from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a disease that provides biological validation through well-understood outcomes. Methods To address this challenge, we applied k-medoids clustering with 10 distance metrics to 2 experiments ("A" and "B") with mixed clinical features collapsed to binary vectors and visualized with both multidimensional scaling and t-stochastic neighbor embedding. To assess prognostic utility, we performed survival analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model, log-rank test, and Kaplan-Meier curves. Results In both experiments, survival analysis revealed a statistically significant association between clusters and survival outcomes (A: overall survival, P = .0164; B: time from diagnosis to treatment, P = .0039). Multidimensional scaling separated clusters along a gradient mirroring the order of overall survival. Longer survival was associated with mutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region gene (IGHV) status, absent Zap 70 expression, female sex, and younger age. Conclusions This approach to mixed-type data handling and selection of distance metric captured well-understood, binary, prognostic markers in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (sex, IGHV mutation status, ZAP70 expression status) with high fidelity.
Differences in Early Immunosuppressive Therapy Among Liver Retransplantation Recipients in a National Cohort.

Background There is no unified consensus as to the preferred immunosuppression (IS) strategy following liver retransplantation (reLT). Methods This was a retrospective cohort study using the United Network for Organ Sharing database. Recipient, donor, and center characteristics associated with induction use and early maintenance IS regimen were described. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis evaluated induction receipt as a predictor of post-reLT survival. Results There were 3483 adult reLT recipients from 2002 to 2018 at 116 centers with 95.6% being performed at the same center as the initial liver transplant. Timing of reLT was associated with induction IS use and the discharge regimen (P 365 d), initial liver disease cause was a more important determinant of maintenance regimen than graft failure cause. Low-reLT volume centers used induction more often for late reLTs (41.1% versus 22.6% high volume; P = 0.002) yet were less likely to wean to calcineurin inhibitors alone in the first year (19.1% versus 38.7% high volume; P = 0.002). Accounting for recipient and donor factors, depleting induction marginally improved post-reLT mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.61-0.99; P = 0.08), whereas nondepleting induction had no significant effect. Conclusions Although several recipient attributes inform early IS decision-making, this does not occur in a uniform manner and center factors also play a role. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of early IS on post-reLT outcomes.
Dissecting the role of CB1 and CB2 receptors in cannabinoid reward versus aversion using transgenic CB1- and CB2-knockout mice.

Abstract Cannabinoids produce both rewarding and aversive effects in humans and experimental animals. However, the mechanisms underlying these conflicting findings are unclear. Here we examined the potential involvement of CB1 and CB2 receptors in cannabinoid action using transgenic CB1-knockout (CB1-KO) and CB2-knockout (CB2-KO) mice. We found that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) induced conditioned place preference at a low dose (1 mg/kg) in WT mice that was attenuated by deletion of the CB1 receptor. At 5 mg/kg, no subjective effects of Δ9-THC were detected in WT mice, but CB1-KO mice exhibited a trend towards place aversion and CB2-KO mice developed significant place preferences. This data suggests that activation of the CB1 receptor is rewarding, while CB2R activation is aversive. We then examined the nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine (DA) response to Δ9-THC using in vivo microdialysis. Unexpectedly, Δ9-THC produced a dose-dependent decrease in extracellular DA in WT mice, that was potentiated in CB1-KO mice. However, in CB2-KO mice Δ9-THC produced a dose-dependent increase in extracellular DA, suggesting that activation of the CB2R inhibits DA release in the NAc. In contrast, Δ9-THC, when administered systemically or locally into the NAc, failed to alter extracellular DA in rats. Lastly, we examined the locomotor response to Δ9-THC. Both CB1 and CB2 receptor mechanisms were shown to underlie Δ9-THC-induced hypolocomotion. These findings indicate that Δ9-THC's variable subjective effects reflect differential activation of cannabinoid receptors. Specifically, the opposing actions of CB1 and CB2 receptors regulate cannabis reward and aversion, with CB2-mediated effects predominant in mice.
Chapter 7 Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Ellipticine Alkaloids and Related Compounds

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the synthesis and biological properties of the relatively small family of pyrido[4,3-b]carbazole alkaloids, exemplified by ellipticine, 9-methoxyellipticine, 9-hydroxyellipticine, and olivacine, and of the much larger number of structural analogs that have been synthesized and studied following the initial discovery of the antitumor properties of these alkaloids. Ellipticine and 9-methoxyellipticine have been isolated from Ochrosia acurninata stems and from in vitro callus cultures derived from the stems of Ochrosia elliptica. The diversity of structural variation and substitution pattern in these molecules continues to fascinate and challenge synthetic chemists, while the myriad of pharmacologic activities have been revealed by the ellipticines to maintain their attraction to biochemists and pharmacologists.
Cell metabolism: Sugar for sight.

Retinitis pigmentosa causes the death of cone cells, leading to blindness. A factor secreted from rod cells, RdCVF, promotes cone survival in a mouse model of the disease. It now emerges that RdCVF works by increasing glucose uptake in cones.
A PDE Approach for Thickness, Correspondence, and Gridding of Annular Tissues

A novel approach for computing point correspondences and grids within annular tissues is presented based on a recently introduced technique for computing thickness in such regions. The solution of Laplace's equation provides implicit correspondence trajectories between the bounding surfaces. Pairs of partial differential equations are then efficiently solved within an Eulerian framework for thickness, from which concentric surfaces can be constructed. Point correspondences are then computed between the outer surfaces and any surface within, providing a gridding of the annular tissue. Examples are shown for two-dimensional short-axis images of the left ventricle and three-dimensional images of the cortex.
An architectural framework for detecting process hangs/crashes

This paper addresses the challenges faced in practical implementation of heartbeat-based process/crash and hang detection. We propose an in-processor hardware module to reduce error detection latency and instrumentation overhead. Three hardware techniques integrated into the main pipeline of a superscalar processor are presented. The techniques discussed in this work are: (i) Instruction Count Heartbeat (ICH), which detects process crashes and a class of hangs where the process exists but is not executing any instructions, (ii) Infinite Loop Hang Detector (ILHD), which captures process hangs in infinite execution of legitimate loops, and (iii) Sequential Code Hang Detector (SCHD), which detects process hangs in illegal loops. The proposed design has the following unique features: 1) operating system neutral detection techniques, 2) elimination of any instrumentation for detection of all application crashes and OS hangs, and 3) an automated and light-weight compile-time instrumentation methodology to detect all process hangs (including infinite loops), the detection being performed in the hardware module at runtime. The proposed techniques can support heartbeat protocols to detect operating system/process crashes and hangs in distributed systems. Evaluation of the techniques for hang detection show a low 1.6% performance overhead and 6% memory overhead for the instrumentation. The crash detection technique does not incur any performance overhead and has a latency of a few instructions.
Field monitoring study of an integral abutment bridge supported by prestressed precast concrete piles on soft soils

Abstract Integral abutment bridges (IABs) have been constructed during the past several decades around the world. The purpose was to eliminate expansion joints and minimize joints induced problems. Even though IABs have been widely accepted due to the satisfying performances, yet they have not been largely applied in practice. Some of the reasons may be attributed to the uncertainties of these bridges under different loading conditions, especially the daily and yearly varying temperature effects. In this paper, the behavior of the first IAB constructed on the soft soil condition in Louisiana is discussed. A field monitoring program is introduced and the measured results from 08/11/2011 to 03/15/2014 are presented. The field monitoring program leads to the following observations, (1) significant seasonal and daily temperature variations are observed on the bridge slabs but within the AASHTO temperature design specification; (2) the displacements and rotations of bridge components are well correlated with the temperature variations; (3) the thermal stresses generated in the slabs may exceed the allowable material cracking capacity; (4) the soil behavior behind the abutments is complicated and long term monitoring program is needed; (5) the integral abutment primarily behaves in translation rather than rotation; and (6) the pile inflection (zero bending) point is observed and the strong and weak axels bending are all important due to the bridge skewness.
Effects of simulated cosmological magnetic fields on the galaxy population

We investigate the effects of varying the intensity of the primordial magnetic seed field on the global properties of the galaxy population in ideal magnetohydrodynamic cosmological simulations performed with the moving-mesh code AREPO. We vary the seed field in our calculations in a range of values still compatible with the current cosmological upper limits. We show that above a critical intensity of $\simeq 10^{-9}\,{\rm G}$, the additional pressure arising from the field strongly affects the evolution of gaseous structures, leading to a suppression of the cosmic star formation history, \rev{which is stronger for larger seed fields. This directly reflects into a lower total galaxy count above a fixed stellar mass threshold at all redshifts, and} a lower galaxy number density at fixed stellar mass and a less massive stellar component at fixed virial mass at all mass scales. These signatures may be used, in addition to the existing methods, to derive tighter constraints on primordial magnetic seed field intensities.
The effect of vestibular and auditory stimulation on the rapid eye movements of REM sleep in normal children.

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of continuous vestibular and auditory stimulation during sleep on the rapid eye movement activity of REM sleep was studied in normal children. 2. 2. The total amount of rapid eye movement activity, several measures of the clustering of the rapid eye movements and their distribution were quantified and compared under conditions of vestibular stimulation, auditory stimulation, and no stimulation. 3. 3. Compared to nights with no stimulation, both vestibular and auditory stimulation increased the total amount of rapid eye movement activity, the measures of rapid eye movement clustering, and the variability of these measures. 4. 4. During the nights of continuous stimulation, vestibular stimulation had a cumulative influence on the clustering of the rapid eye movements. A maximum effect followed by a compensatory negative rebound occurred during the course of the night. 5. 5. The findings were discussed in relation to the hypothesis of the vestibular mediation of the phasic sensory and motor events of REM sleep.
Pulse pileup effects on plasma electron temperature measurements by soft X-ray energy analysis

Abstract The electron temperature of hot plasmas is conveniently derived from bremsstrahlung spectra obtained by pulse-height analysis using a lithium-compensated silicon detector. Time-resolved temperature measurements require high counting rates, with ultimate rate limited by pulse pileup. To evaluate this limit, spectral distortion due to pileup and consequent effects on temperature determination are investigated. Expressions for disto Maxwellian temperature and pileup fraction for both square and triangular pulse shapes. A comparison of temperatures obtained from distorted spectra with actual values indicates that measurements with less than 10% error can be made in the absence of line radiation, even from spectra containing 40% pileup.
Cybertheft, network security, and the library without walls

Le cyber-vol dont a failli etre victime JSTOR (Journal STORage), sous forme d'un telechargement d'une partie de ses collections d'articles electroniques, nous rappelle les dangers lies a l'utilisation des serveurs proxy, pourtant couramment employes pour ameliorer la securite et les performances du reseau. Dans le cas d'acces a distance, quand un serveur proxy n'est pas configure convenablement et quand l'authentification de l'utilisateur ne se produit pas, les portes sont grandes ouvertes aux abus. Plusieurs strategies permettent de contrer le probleme pose par les serveurs proxy ouverts. Dans l'interet de la recherche scientifique et academique, il faut fournir un environnement informatique sur aux editeurs de ressources electroniques.
Phosphate and succinate use different mechanisms to inhibit sugar-induced cell death in yeast. Insight into the Crabtree effect.

Stationary-phase Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells transferred from spent rich media into water live for weeks, whereas the same cells die within hours if transferred into water with 2% glucose in a process called sugar-induced cell death (SICD). Our hypothesis is that SICD is due to a dysregulated Crabtree effect, which is the phenomenon whereby glucose transiently inhibits respiration and ATP synthesis. We found that stationary-phase cells in glucose/water consume 21 times more O2 per cell than exponential-phase cells in rich media, and such excessive O2 consumption causes reactive oxygen species to accumulate. We also found that inorganic phosphate and succinate protect against SICD but by different mechanisms. Phosphate protects by triggering the synthesis of Fru-1,6-P2, which inhibits respiration in isolated mitochondria. Succinate protects in wild-type cells but fails to protect in dic1Δ cells. DIC1 codes for a mitochondrial inner membrane protein that exchanges cytosolic succinate for matrix phosphate. We propose that succinate depletes matrix phosphate, which in turn inhibits respiration and ATP synthesis. In sum, restoring the Crabtree effect, whether with phosphate or succinate, protects cells from SICD.
Analysis of velocity fields and dispersive cavity parameters as a function of building width to building height ratio using a 3-D computer model for squat buildings

Abstract The objectives of this work were to show that a three-dimensional turbulent kinetic energy/dissipation ( k – e ) computational model, FLUENT, can be used to facilitate modeling of fluid flow fields with stack geometry generated by a variety of building shapes, and to use the data sets to develop parameterizations useful to air quality modeling needs. Once the usefulness of the computational model was proven through comparisons with experimental results, and data generated for several ratios of building width to building heights, the flow field was examined to determine the length of the recirculation cavity as a function of the ratio of building width to building height both in front of and in the rear of the building. The dimensions of the recirculation cavity in the front of the building have previously not been included in regulatory models, so both the height and length of this front recirculation cavity were parameterized as a function of the ratio of building width to building height. The maximum of value downdraft was also parameterized as a function of the building width to building height ratio. Although FLUENT is less than a perfect match for all measured parameters in all parts of the flow field, it does reveal the areas of greatest variability (and hence interest) and will be a useful way to efficiently take the limited measurements for development and confirmation of future model improvements.
Environmental gradients and the horizontal distribution of microcrustaceans in lakes

1. The assemblage of suspension-feeding microcrustaceans in lakes changes along a habitat gradient from nearshore to offshore. This gradient of microcrustaceans was explored in relation to differences in macrophytes and the associated changes in water chemistry, food resources and types of predators. 2. Some microcrustacean species were littoral or limnetic specialists, while others changed their distribution along this horizontal habitat gradient on a diel or seasonal basis. Distribution patterns were similar in a lake and a pond which differed in extent of macrophyte habitat. 3. There was a large shift in the composition of sestonic food, indicating heterotrophic seston nearshore and more autotrophic seston offshore. Sit-and-wait predators of microcrustaceans (e.g. Enallagma spp.) dominated nearshore and cruising predators (e.g. Leptodora kindtii Focke) were more common offshore. 4. A reciprocal transplant experiment revealed that littoral specialists could survive equally well when fed littoral or limnetic seston, while limnetic specialists performed poorly when fed littoral seston. Food resources may be important in determining where some microcrustacean species live along this horizontal habitat gradient.
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Background The effectiveness in improving survival of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) in patients undergoing surgery for esophageal carcinoma remains unclear. Methods MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, BIOSIS Previews, and other resources were searched from January 1966 through January 2003. Randomized trials were selected on the basis of study design (NCRT followed by surgery vs surgery alone). Of 21 potential studies identified by abstract review, 6 (29%) met the inclusion criteria. Results Across 6 studies, a total of 374 patients underwent NCRT followed by surgery and 364 underwent surgery alone. In 5 of the 6 studies in our meta-analysis, there was a small, non—statistically significant trend toward improved survival with NCRT. Only 1 study demonstrated a statistically significant benefit to NCRT. In our summary measure for all 6 studies, we found a small, non—statistically significant trend toward improved long-term survival in the NCRT followed by surgery group (relative risk of death in the NCRT group [RR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74 to 1.01; P = .07). Conclusions NCRT followed by surgery is associated with a small, non–statistically significant improvement in overall survival. Whether this benefit is sufficient to warrant the considerable expense and risks associated with NCRT should be the subject of future larger randomized trials.
Association Between Pneumonia and Oral Care in Nursing Home Residents

Pneumonia remains the leading cause of death in nursing home residents. The accumulation of dental plaque and colonization of oral surfaces and dentures with respiratory pathogens serves as a reservoir for recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. Control of gingivitis and dental plaques has been effective in reducing the rate of pneumonia but the provision of dental care for institutionalized elderly is inadequate, with treatment often sought only when patients experience pain or denture problems. Direct mechanical cleaning is thwarted by the lack of adequate training of nursing staff and residents’ uncooperativeness. Chlorhexidine-based interventions are advocated as alternative methods for managing the oral health of frail older people; however, efficacy is yet to be demonstrated in randomized controlled trials. Development and maintenance of an oral hygiene program is a critical step in the prevention of pneumonia. While resources may be limited in long-term-care facilities, incorporating oral care in daily routine practice helps to reduce systemic diseases and to promote overall quality of life in nursing home residents.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement under monitored anesthesia care versus general anesthesia with intubation

Abstract Aims Most transcatheter aortic valve replacement (T-AVR) using the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) is done under general anesthesia. The present study aimed to examine the feasibility and safety of T-AVR under monitored anesthesia care and aimed to compare the clinical outcome to the outcome of patients who underwent general anesthesia. Methods The analysis included 92 consecutive patients undergoing T-AVR via the transfemoral approach guided by transesophageal echocardiography using the Edwards SAPIEN valve. The cohort was divided into two groups: I, monitored anesthesia care ( n =70; 76.1%) and II, intubation ( n =22; 23.9%). Monitored anesthesia care was given by anesthesiologists in one of two protocol regimens: Ketamine & Propofol or Dexmedetomidine. The crossover rate to general anesthesia and the clinical outcome of these two groups were compared. Results Baseline clinical characteristics of the two groups were similar, except for higher logistic EuroSCORE and prior stroke in the monitored anesthesia care group. Surgical access of the femoral artery was performed in 15 (68.1%) from the general anesthesia group and in 24 (34.2%) from the monitored anesthesia care group, p=0.05. The median procedure duration was significantly lower in the monitored anesthesia care group (91 vs. 155 min, p=0.008) and there was a trend to lower median intensive care unit stay and hospital stay (27 vs. 72 h, p=0.07 and 5 vs. 7.5 days, p=0.06, respectively). Of the patients with monitored anesthesia care, 8 (11.4%) converted to general anesthesia. Conclusion T-AVR using the Edwards SAPIEN valve can be performed in the majority of cases with controlled monitored anesthesia care, thereby avoiding the necessity of general anesthesia and resulting in shorter procedure time and in-hospital length of stay.
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF CELL ADHESION: NEW PERSPECTIVES FROM SURFACE FORCE MEASUREMENTS

This review highlights recent surface force measurements of the molecular interactions of protein adhesives. These studies identified novel molecular-binding mechanisms that are intimately linked to the protein structures. Central to these findings is the precise force and distance sensitivity achieved with the surface force apparatus. They illustrate that a mechanistic understanding of the nanomechanical properties of biomolecular adhesives requires measurements of both the strength of adhesion and the range of the protein interactions.
Computer modeling of methanotrophic oxidation of hydrocarbons in the unsaturated zone from an enhanced oil recovery/sequestration project, rangely, Colorado, USA

Abstract Measurements of CH 4 and CO 2 concentrations in soil gas, and as exchange rates (fluxes) with the atmosphere were made over the Rangely oil field, Colorado, USA. The Rangely field has been operated as a large CO 2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project since 1986, and may serve as a prototype for CO 2 sequestration in depleted oil/gas fields. The first of this pair of papers reported on the details of the methodology and results of field measurements of these gases, including light alkanes. The interpretation was enhanced by the extensive use of 13 C and some 14 C measurements. The fluxes of both CH 4 and CO 2 to the atmosphere were estimated. This research has demonstrated and quantified the methanotrophic oxidation of microseeping CH 4 in the unsaturated zone. Strong spatial variations were found and studied further by nested soil gas sampling in holes up to 9 m deep. Areas of microseepage were found, as well as areas where atmospheric CH 4 was the only source for methanotrophic oxidation. Computer modeling was used to determine rate constants for the oxidation process. Strong seasonal differences exist in the rates of CH 4 oxidation because of the semiarid and severe climate of Rangely. Rate constants of 1000 day −1 were determined. During the summer, the highest rates were near the surface, but shifted downward to about 2 m depth in the winter. Methanotrophic oxidation of CH 4 in the unsaturated zone will be the most important component of amelioration of CH 4 microseepage induced by overpressuring of the reservoir undergoing CO 2 injection. These types of measurements and interpretation will be necessary in order to fully understand the environmental effects of CO 2 sequestration in oil/gas fields.
Oxidation of p53 through DNA Charge Transport Involves a Network of Disulfides within the DNA-Binding Domain

Transcription factor p53 plays a critical role in the cellular response to stress stimuli. We have seen that p53 dissociates selectively from various promoter sites as a result of oxidation at long-range through DNA-mediated charge transport (CT). Here, we examine this chemical oxidation and determine the residues in p53 that are essential for oxidative dissociation, focusing on the network of cysteine residues adjacent to the DNA-binding site. Of the eight mutants studied, only the C275S mutation shows decreased affinity for the Gadd45 promoter site. However, both mutations C275S and C277S result in substantial attenuation of oxidative dissociation, with C275S causing the most severe attenuation. Differential thiol labeling was used to determine the oxidation states of cysteine residues within p53 after DNA-mediated oxidation. Reduced cysteines were iodoacetamide-labeled, whereas oxidized cysteines participating in disulfide bonds were (13)C2D2-iodoacetamide-labeled. Intensities of respective iodoacetamide-modified peptide fragments were analyzed by mass spectrometry. A distinct shift in peptide labeling toward (13)C2D2-iodoacetamide-labeled cysteines is observed in oxidized samples, confirming that chemical oxidation of p53 occurs at long range. All observable cysteine residues trend toward the heavy label under conditions of DNA CT, indicating the formation of multiple disulfide bonds among the cysteine network. On the basis of these data, it is proposed that disulfide formation involving C275 is critical for inducing oxidative dissociation of p53 from DNA.
The Relations between Sex-Typed Play and Preschoolers' Social Behavior.

For decades toy choice has been a very popular measure of children's sex-role adoption. In the present study, the relations between choice of masculine, neutral, or feminine toys and other social behaviors (sex typed and non-sex typed) were examined. The social behaviors (socializing, requesting assistance, prosocial behaviors, aggressive/defensive behaviors) and toy choices of 33 preschool children were observed in their classrooms. Only two behaviors were found to be sex typed (socializing with peers and spontaneous prosocial behavior), and both of these behaviors were related to toy choice. Toy choice was also related to helping. Among boys, masculine toy choice was associated with requesting assistance from teachers. When toy choice was classified as masculine, androgynous, and feminine, only sociability toward peers was related to toy choice. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for the continued use of toy choice as a measure of sex-role adoption.
Spectroscopic and electronic structure studies of symmetrized models for reduced members of the dimethylsulfoxide reductase enzyme family.

Enzymes belonging to the dimethylsulfoxide reductase (DMSOR) family of pyranopterin Mo enzymes have a unique active-site geometry in the reduced form that lacks a terminal oxo ligand, unlike the reduced active sites of other pyranopterin Mo enzymes. Furthermore, the DMSOR family is characterized by the coordination of two pyranopterin-ene-1,2-dithiolate ligands in their active sites, which is distinctive among the other pyranopterin Mo enzymes but analogous to all of the currently known tungsten-containing enzymes. Electronic absorption, resonance Raman, and ground- and excited-state density functional calculations of symmetrized analogues of the reduced DMSOR active site ([NEt4][MoIV(QAd)(S2C2Me2)2] where Ad = 2-adamantyl; Q = O, S, Se) have allowed for a detailed description of Mo-bisdithiolene electronic structure in the absence of a strong-field oxo ligand. The electronic absorption spectra are dominated by dithiolene S → Mo charge-transfer transitions, and the totally symmetric Mo−S Raman stretch is ...
Dynamical Response of the Tropical Total Ozone to Sea Surface Temperature Changes

Interannual variations of total ozone in the equatorial region are discussed in terms of the lower-stratospheric dynamical processes associated with sea surface temperature (SST) changes on an El Nino-Southern Oscillation time scale. Tropospheric diabatic heating by the latent heat release in convective systems drives the interannual variations of tropopause height and atmospheric vertical motions. The adiabatic cooling associated with the dynamically forced ascending motion is subject to radiative heating, which further extends the upwelling motion into the stratosphere. SST variations can thus influence total ozone amounts by changing the tropopause height and vertical advection through modulation of tropospheric diabatic heating. Mechanistic relationships that describe total ozone fluctuations through the advection effect and the tropopause effect of SST variations are derived using the equivalent potential temperature. Total ozone fluctuations are estimated using a quantitative formulation of these mechanistic equations together with the observed SST data. These results indicate that the interannual variations of the zonal wave component of equatorial total ozone are governed by the tropopause effect of SST variations. Preliminary investigation suggests that the annual cycle of tropical total ozone is coupled to the tropopause height changes under the influence of the planetary wave-induced lower-stratospheric temperature rather than local SST.
No more waiting for Superman: teaching DIY urbanism and reflexive practice

Self-made urbanity is not a new phenomenon. However, decades of economic restructuring and a neoliberalization of the city and state have made the public realm vulnerable to changes in the economic winds. Increasingly, such an environment poses limits to what can be done via formal planning and urban design processes while do-it-yourself (DIY) activities challenge basic assumptions of who and how spaces may be produced. We (the authors) have recognized this challenge and have worked to bring this awareness into our classroom. Through this paper, we illustrate how DIY approaches have been integrated into our interdisciplinary course, the Community Planning Workshop. We describe how the classroom environment can foster an appreciation for DIY approaches, how DIY practices bring the social and the physical into focus, and how grassroots’ strategies have transformational impacts upon students and their understanding of the roles of design and planning professions.