cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1585 AUTOREGULATION OF BRAIN BLOOD FLOW (BBF): REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN REDUCED BBP WITH HYPOTENSION

The potential use of a piglet as a model for investigation of brain blood flow (BBF) was evaluated by assessing the presence of autoregulation in 11 spontaneously breathing newborn piglets. MABP was altered by phlebotomy. Within the normotensive range (MABP=51-105 mmHg) no significant change in BBF (measured by the microsphere technique)occurred (r=0.03) indicating the presence of autoregulation. During hypotension (MABP=15-50 mmHg), a pressure passive relation exists between BBF and MABP (r=0.59). However, since the piglets breathed spontaneously and hyperventilated during hypotension, both the MABP and PaCO2 fell and both correlated with BBF during hypotension. Thus, it is uncertain which factor is responsible for the loss of autoregulation. The blood flow (BF) to three specific regions of the brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem) and MABP also showed no correlation during normotension. During hypotension each region demonstrates significant pressure passive relationships, but the reduction in BF is most pronounced in the cerebrum, less in the cerebellum, and least in the brainstem, (M±SE, 58±7%, 34±12%, 27±11% reduction from control respectively, p<.05). The study indicates that a newborn piglet may serve as an appropriate model for the study of brain hemodynamics particularly with regard to autoregulation. Furthermore, during hypotension, preferential protection of vital regions of the brain (cerebellum and brainstem) occur which may have important implication in interpreting the effect of hypotension on the newborn central nervous system.
Colloidal gold dispersions in polymeric matrices

Abstract We have studied the distributions of colloidal gold particles in poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PVP), at the surfaces of polystyrene (PS) and PVP, and at the interface between PS and PVP. Small (d = 20 nm) gold particles were deposited onto PS or PVP surfaces by adsorption from an aqueous colloidal gold suspension. The resultant gold distributions were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, scanning force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Contrary to the results obtained for PS surfaces, the particles adsorb strongly to poly(2-vinylpyridine) surfaces to form stable two-dimensional dispersions, even at temperatures at which the gold particles are quite mobile. The particles remain at the PVP surface during a high temperature treatment, consistent with our finding that the contact angle of PVP on an evaporated gold layer is finite (9 ± 1°). The gold particles are free to diffuse within a bulk PVP phase, where a quantitative measure of the gold particle dilfesion coefficient at 179°C is obtained. We also find that a certain fraction of the gold particles are trapped at the interface between PS and PVP, a result which we relate to the dynamics of polymer chains at the gold surfaces. The relationship between the behavior of the colloidal gold dispersions in polymer matrices and the fundamental process of segmental exchange at a polymer/solid surface is discussed.
Entropic origin of cobalt-carbon bond cleavage catalysis in adenosylcobalamin-dependent ethanolamine ammonia-lyase.

Adenosylcobalamin-dependent enzymes accelerate the cleavage of the cobalt–carbon (Co–C) bond of the bound coenzyme by >1010-fold. The cleavage-generated 5′-deoxyadenosyl radical initiates the catalytic cycle by abstracting a hydrogen atom from substrate. Kinetic coupling of the Co–C bond cleavage and hydrogen-atom-transfer steps at ambient temperatures has interfered with past experimental attempts to directly address the factors that govern Co–C bond cleavage catalysis. Here, we use time-resolved, full-spectrum electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, with temperature-step reaction initiation, starting from the enzyme–coenzyme–substrate ternary complex and 2H-labeled substrate, to study radical pair generation in ethanolamine ammonia-lyase from Salmonella typhimurium at 234–248 K in a dimethylsulfoxide/water cryosolvent system. The monoexponential kinetics of formation of the 2H- and 1H-substituted substrate radicals are the same, indicating that Co–C bond cleavage rate-limits radical pair formation...
A pH-Sensitive Polymer That Enhances Cationic Lipid-Mediated Gene Transfer

The efficient release of nonviral gene carriers from endosomes is an important step for the successful delivery of DNA into the cell nucleus. A synthetic pH-sensitive anionic polymer, poly(propylacrylic acid) (PPAA), was designed to aid in endosomal escape of nonviral vectors and improve the transfection efficiencies with these vectors. Transfection of NIH3T3 fibroblasts with ternary physical mixtures of the cationic lipid DOTAP, pCMVbeta plasmid DNA, and PPAA showed marked enhancement of both gene expression levels and fraction of cells transfected compared to binary control mixtures of DOTAP and DNA. PPAA also significantly improved the serum-stability of DOTAP/DNA vectors. The DOTAP/DNA/PPAA vectors maintained high levels of transfection in media containing up to 50% serum. The striking enhancement of transfection efficiency with cationic lipid/DNA/PPAA mixtures, along with the enhanced serum-stability, suggests that PPAA may provide significant improvements for the in vivo intracellular delivery of drugs such as DNA, oligonucleotides, proteins, and peptides.
Optimal Design of Complex Distillation Columns Using Rigorous Tray-by-Tray Disjunctive Programming Models

This paper presents a modeling procedure for the derivation of generalized disjunctive programming (GDP) models for the optimal design of complex or thermally coupled distillation columns. Optimiza...
Clinical severity in Lesch–Nyhan disease: The role of residual enzyme and compensatory pathways

Mutations in the HPRT1 gene, which encodes the purine salvage enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGprt), cause Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND) and more mildly affected Lesch-Nyhan variants. Prior studies have suggested a strong correlation between residual hypoxanthine recycling activity and disease severity. However, the relevance of guanine recycling and compensatory changes in the de novo synthesis of purines has received little attention. In the current studies, fibroblast cultures were established for 21 healthy controls and 36 patients with a broad spectrum of disease severity related to HGprt deficiency. We assessed hypoxanthine recycling, guanine recycling, steady-state purine pools, and de novo purine synthesis. There was a strong correlation between disease severity and either hypoxanthine or guanine recycling. Intracellular purines were normal in the HGprt-deficient fibroblasts, but purine wasting was evident as increased purine metabolites excreted from the cells. The normal intracellular purines in the HGprt-deficient fibroblasts were likely due in part to a compensatory increase in purine synthesis, as demonstrated by a significant increase in purinosomes. However, the increase in purine synthesis did not appear to correlate with disease severity. These results refine our understanding of the potential sources of phenotypic heterogeneity in LND and its variants.
High incidence of acute urinary retention associated with immediate catheter removal after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, a common treatment for medically refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease, is associated with a high rate of postoperative urinary retention. This study explored the incidence of urinary retention and external factors. A retrospective chart review was performed for inpatient records of patients who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for the treatment of reflux disease from 1 December 2004 through 31 December 2008 at a community teaching medical center. A review of 111 inpatient records found a 21.6% (n = 24) incidence of acute urinary retention after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Acute urinary retention was not significantly associated with a longer hospital stay (2.39 vs. 2.79 days). More importantly, 79.2% (n = 19) of the patients with postoperative acute urinary retention had removal of their Foley catheters immediately after surgery. Urinary retention rates after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication may be lowered by postponing the removal of the Foley catheter for several hours.
Effects of immobilizing antiserum and normal serum on Paramecium surface antigen synthesis.

SYNOPSIS. Rabbit antiserum can transform paramecia from one scrotype to a 2nd antigenic type. Altho homologous antisera made against antigens sharing the same specificity as that of a treated cell are most effective, other sera lacking crossreacting antibodies also can induce transformation. Furthermore, normal serum from unimmunized animals will often have the same effect. A 0-40% ammonium sulfate fraction of serum removes a lethal factor, leaving behind an efficient agent for transformation. The activily of this agent will vary from rabbit to rabbit, and apparently is characteristic of a particular rabbit.
Injury to the anteroinferior glenohumeral capsule during anterior dislocation

Abstract Background Glenohumeral dislocation commonly results in permanent deformation of the glenohumeral capsule. Knowing the location and extent of tissue damage may aid in improving diagnostic and repair procedures for shoulder dislocations. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the strain in the anteroinferior capsule at dislocation and (2) the location and extent of injury to the anteroinferior capsule due to dislocation by quantifying the resulting non-recoverable strain. Methods A robotic/universal force–moment sensor testing system was used to anteriorly dislocate six cadaveric shoulders. The magnitude of the maximum principle strain at dislocation and the resulting non-recoverable strain due to dislocation in the anteroinferior capsule were measured by tracking the change in the location of a grid of strain markers from a reference position. Findings The glenoid side of the capsule experienced higher strains at dislocation than the humeral side. The greatest strains at dislocation were found on the glenoid side of the anterior band (strain ratio of 0.60), but the greatest non-recoverable strains were found in the posterior axillary pouch (strain ratio of 0.34 on the glenoid side and 0.31 on the humeral side). Interpretation These findings suggest that even though the glenoid side of the anterior band undergoes more deformation during anterior dislocation, the most permanent deformation occurs in the posterior axillary pouch, and surgeons should consider also plicating the posterior axillary pouch when performing repair procedures following anterior dislocation. In the future, the mechanical properties of the normal and injured glenohumeral capsules will be compared.
Disordered Eating in Undergraduates: Does Gender Role Orientation Influence Men and Women the Same Way?

Previous studies have examined the influence of femininity on disordered eating behavior in female undergraduates, but few studies have examined the relation between gender roles and disordered eating in male undergraduates. The present study examined whether gender roles relate to disordered eating behaviors the same way in male and female undergraduates. 512 undergraduates (58% female) at a large university in the Pacific West region of the United States responded to a survey asking about eating behaviors and gender role orientation. Women displayed higher levels of disordered eating than did men. Undifferentiated and masculine women had higher levels of disordered eating than did androgynous women, whereas undifferentiated and feminine men had higher levels of disordered eating than did masculine and androgynous men.
Anthracyclines in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies.

Abstract Objective. The purpose of this article is to present a summary of the pharmacology of anthracyclines as well as to review the results of clinical trials including patients with gynecologic malignancies treated with anthracycline-based therapy. Methods. We performed a MEDLINE literature search of relevant clinical trials for the scope of this review that evaluated anthracycline-based therapy in gynecologic malignancies. Results. Doxorubicin has established activity in carcinomas that arise in the ovary, uterine cervix, and endometrium as well as in uterine sarcomas. However, doxorubicin has structural characteristics that limit its efficacy and safety. Newer anthracyclines with distinct structure, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity profiles have been developed to overcome the limitations of doxorubicin and to further exploit the activity of anthracyclines. Epirubicin is characterized by a structural formula that confers similar cytotoxic antitumor activity with fewer associated side effects than its analogue. Most recently, pegylated liposomal formulations, with distinct pharmacokinetic properties and a favorable toxicity profile, have shown antitumor activity as salvage therapy in ovarian cancer. Intraperitoneal mitoxantrone is also associated with activity in ovarian cancer; however, its clinical use is limited by the severity of local adverse effects. Conclusions. The role of anthracyclines in the management of advanced gynecologic malignancies is important as part of first-line therapy or as a salvage approach. Newer anthracycline agents such as epirubicin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin are associated with a more favorable toxicity profile. Clinical trials are under way to further explore the role of newer anthracycline-based regimens as first-line or salvage treatment in gynecologic malignancies.
Perceived Discrimination and Its Associations With Mental Health and Substance Use Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Undergraduate and Graduate Students

AbstractObjectives: Racial discrimination experiences can negatively affect health. This study examined perceived discrimination and its relationship with mental health and substance use among Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) undergraduate and graduate students. Participants: A total of 113 API students aged 18–35 completed the study during February–June, 2011. Methods: The authors conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous survey online. Dependent variables included mental health (depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms) and substance use (alcohol problems, use of tobacco, marijuana or hashish, and other illegal drugs). Results: Students’ perceived discrimination were significantly, positively associated with depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms, but not with substance use. Ethnic identity moderated the relationship between perceived discrimination and somatic symptoms, but not depressive or anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: These findings suggested the negative effect of racial discrimination o...
Comparison of 4 Giardia Diagnostic Tests in Diagnosis of Naturally Acquired Canine Chronic Subclinical Giardiasis

Background: The performance of Giardia diagnostic tests that detect either cysts or fecal antigens has not been thoroughly examined. Hypothesis/Objectives: We examined the concordance and agreement among 4 Giardia diagnostic tests (2 cyst and 2 coproantigen detection methods) in a colony of dogs chronically and subclinically infected with Giardia. Animals: Twenty dogs with chronic, subclinical Giardia infection. Methods: Giardia diagnostic tests were performed repeatedly on each dog over 120 days. Fecal cyst detection methods (ZnSO4 flotation and fluorescent antibody [FAB] coproscopy) were performed 3 times per week. Coproantigen methods (Giardia SNAP test and quantitative ELISA) were performed weekly. Results were analyzed and compared among methods. Results: When compared with FAB coproscopy, all of the in-house diagnostic tests had excellent positive predictive values (PPVs, 95–99%) at the study prevalence (89%). At lower prevalence rates, ZnSO4, SNAP, and ELISA tests all had good negative predictive values (NPVs), but poor PPVs. There was poor to good agreement among tests by κ analysis. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Our findings show that most commonly used in-house Giardia diagnostic tests have poor agreement with the gold standard method (FAB coproscopy). The in-house tests have good NPVs, but poor PPVs, at prevalence rates common in most clinical settings.
Simultaneous clock and data gate sizing algorithm with common global objective

We present an algorithm that performs gate sizing circuit optimization for VLSI designs. Contrary to existing approaches that usually target either clock or data gate sizing as separate optimization steps, our algorithm performs simultaneous optimization of both data and clock gate sizes with common global optimization objective. To do so, we extend traditional gate sizing by Lagrangian Relaxation method with clock-related formulations and use Dynamic Programming to solve those optimally. We demonstrate that on a set of industrial blocks such simultaneous optimization achieves superior results when compared to classical separate optimization flow.
Interaction between PARP-1 and ATR in mouse fibroblasts is blocked by PARP inhibition

Inhibition of PARP activity results in extreme sensitization to MMS-induced cell killing in cultured mouse fibroblasts. In these MMS-treated cells, PARP inhibition is accompanied by an accumulation of S-phase cells that requires signaling by the checkpoint kinase ATR [J.K. Horton, D.F. Stefanick, J.M. Naron, P.S. Kedar, S.H. Wilson, Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity prevents signaling pathways for cell cycle arrest following DNA methylating agent exposure, J. Biol. Chem. 280 (2005) 15773-15785]. Here, we examined mouse fibroblast extracts for formation of a complex that may reflect association between the damage responsive proteins PARP-1 and ATR. Co-immunoprecipitation of PARP-1 and ATR was observed in extracts prepared from MMS-treated cells, but not under conditions of PARP inhibition. Further, our experiments demonstrated PAR-adduction of ATR in extracts from control and MMS-treated cells. An interaction between purified ATR and PARP-1 was similarly demonstrated, suggesting that the observed co-immunoprecipitation of ATR and PARP-1 from cell extracts may be due to a direct interaction between the two enzymes. In addition, purified recombinant ATR is a substrate for poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation by PARP-1, and poly(ADP-ribose) adduction of PARP-1 and ATR resulted in an increase in PARP-1 and ATR co-immunoprecipitation.
Helicobacter pylori Usurps Cell Polarity to Turn the Cell Surface into a Replicative Niche

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) intimately interacts with the gastric epithelial surface and translocates the virulence factor CagA into host cells in a contact-dependent manner. To study how Hp benefits from interacting with the cell surface, we developed live-cell microscopy methods to follow the fate of individual bacteria on the cell surface and find that Hp is able to replicate and form microcolonies directly over the intercellular junctions. On polarized epithelia, Hp is able to grow directly on the apical cell surface in conditions that do not support the growth of free-swimming bacteria. In contrast, mutants in CagA delivery are defective in colonization of the apical cell surface. Hp perturbs the polarized epithelium in a highly localized manner, since wild-type Hp does not rescue the growth defect of the CagA-deficient mutants upon co-infection. CagA's ability to disrupt host cell polarity is a key factor in enabling colonization of the apical cell surface by Hp, as disruption of the atypical protein kinase C/Par1b polarity pathway leads to rescue of the mutant growth defect during apical infection, and CagA-deficient mutants are able to colonize the polarized epithelium when given access to the basolateral cell surface. Our study establishes the cell surface as a replicative niche and the importance of CagA and its effects on host cell polarity for this purpose.
Synuclein-γ (SNCG) protein expression is associated with poor outcome in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Objective Synuclein-γ (SNCG) is a marker for adverse and aggressive disease in breast cancer. In previous study, we found SNCG mRNA to be overexpressed in uterine serous carcinoma compared to uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study is to explore the prognostic value of SNCG in patients with endometrial cancer.
Transposition of the En/Spm transposable element system in maize (Zea mays L.): reciprocal crosses of a1-m(Au) and a1-m(r) alleles uncover developmental patterns

Transposition studies of the transposon, En/Spm, have dealt with general aspects of the timing of the excision event with regard to DNA replication and plant development, but without describing details of the process. By following the excision events of an En transposon inserted at the a1 locus [a1-m(Au)], several features of this process can be elucidated. In progenies from reciprocal crosses between the a1-m(Au) allele containing an En insert, and a nonautonomous En allele, [a1-m(r) is a deficiency derivative of En], several features of the En at the a1-m(Au) allele can be observed taking place during ear development and during microsporogenesis. First, it has long been known that the distribution of mutant kernel phenotypes on an ear indicates that En transposes late in most of the events during ear development. Second, the phase change of En (presence and absence of activity) is observed during cob development. Third, discordant kernel phenotypes of two ears, reported herein, resulting from a reciprocal cross with the parental phenotype can be deduced to arise from the transposition of En during microsporogenesis and subsequent fertilization, leading to a discordant genotype between endosperm and embryo. The phase change and discordance lead us to conclude that these events can arise from transposition after host DNA replication. It can also be concluded that the activity of the En inserted in this a1-m(Au) allele is not limited to a specific stage or timing during plant development. Further, this study illustrates the power of genetic analysis in the determination of cellular events.
Comparison of the sparse-grid quadrature rule and the cubature rule in nonlinear filtering

In this paper, the recently developed sparse-grid quadrature filter is compared with the cubature Kalman filter. The relation between the sparse-grid quadrature rule and the cubature rule is revealed. It can be shown that arbitrary degree cubature rules can be obtained by the projection of the sparse-grid quadrature rule. Since both rules can achieve an arbitrary high degree of accuracy, they are more accurate than the conventional third-degree cubature rule and the unscented transformation. In addition, they are computationally more efficient than the Gauss-Hermite quadrature rule and the Monte-Carlo method when they are used to calculate the Gaussian type integrals in the nonlinear filtering. The comparison of these rules is demonstrated by a benchmark numerical integration example.
Combining anti-VEGF approaches with oxaliplatin in advanced colorectal cancer.

Abstract Angiogenesis, the formation of blood vessels, is a vital process in tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potential target for antiangiogenic therapy because its overexpression has been associated with tumor vascularity, poor prognosis, and aggressive disease in many malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody against VEGF. It is the first angiogenesis inhibitor to show significant activity in patients and, when combined with chemotherapy, leads to a significant survival benefit in CRC. This monoclonal antibody has been approved for first-line therapy in combination with intravenous 5-fluorouracil–containing regimens in patients with metastatic CRC. Vatalanib (PTK787/ZK222584) is an oral antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the VEGF receptor. Currently, it is being evaluated in combination with FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil/leucovorin/oxaliplatin) in metastatic CRC. This article reviews the process of angiogenesis and the successful translation of antiangiogenic agents into the clinic. Specifically, studies evaluating VEGF-targeted agents in combination with oxaliplatin-containing regimens in CRC are discussed.
Protein A‐based antibody immobilization onto polymeric microdevices for enhanced sensitivity of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay

Highly efficient antibody immobilization is extremely crucial for the development of high-performance polymeric microdevices for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this article, a site-selective tyrosinase (TR)-catalyzed protein A strategy for antibody immobilization was developed to enhance the sensitivity of ELISA in poly-(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microchannels for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) assay. To effectively immobilize the target antibodies, oxygen plasma was first used to activate the inert PMMA. This is followed by poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) coating, an amine-containing functional polymer. For comparison, protein A was also immobilized through the commonly used amine-glutaraldehyde (GA) chemistry. Oxygen plasma treatment effectively increased the amount of PEI attachment and subsequent binding efficiency of the primary antibody. The antibody immobilized via TR-catalyzed protein A was able to provide much better specific antigen capture efficiency than GA chemistry due to the optimal spacing and orientation. Consequently, by using this new method, the detection signal and the signal-to-noise ratio of the ELISA immunoassay in microdevices were all significantly improved. In comparison to the standard assay carried out in the 96-well microtiter plate, the treated microchannels exhibited a broader detection range and a shorter detection time. And the detection limit was also decreased to 20 pg/mL, much lower than that obtained in other microdevices.
HLA antigens and acute angle-closure glaucoma.

An decreased incidence of nontasters of phenylthiocarbamide has been reported in patients with acute angle-closure glau­ coma.17 The locus of phenylthiocar bam­ ide tasting is thought to be on the sixth chromosome, as is the locus of the major histocompatibility (HLA) complex.18 Be­ cause a linkage between the HLA antigen loci and the phenylthiocarbamide locus was possible, HLA antigen typing was performed on 35 patients who had attacks of acute angle-closure glaucoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS
A model of English demographic changes: 1573–1873☆

Abstract This paper documents an analysis of English demographic change over the period 1573–1873. A simultaneous equations model is developed in order to test four alternative demographic theories—the constant equilibrium wage theory, the constant fertility theory, Lee's original (1973) synthesis theory, and a new, composite theory. Each is a special case of a general demographic model which provides both for exogenous technological change and for endogenous migration behavior. Two-stage least-squares estimation yields parameter estimates and test statistics, which provide evidence of the superiority of the composite theory of demographic change. By statistically affirming the composite theory of demographic change, this paper confirms that the mortality level played a dominant role in English demographic change during the preindustrial period. The analysis also provides support, however, for the classical notion that shifts in the labor demand function were a dominant cause of long-run population changes, subsequent to the beginning of British industrialization.
DEAR: a device and energy aware routing protocol for heterogeneous ad hoc networks

Energy efficient routing in ad hoc networks has been the subject of intensive study in recent years. Most work has been focused on residual battery power related cost metrics for a homogeneous ad hoc network, where all the nodes are considered identical in terms of functioning and available resources. In this paper, we propose a Device and Energy Aware Routing protocol (DEAR) for a heterogeneous wireless ad hoc network where there exist two different classes of nodes, battery-powered nodes and externally powered nodes. By embedding both the energy and the device-type awareness into the routing protocol, we force the externally powered nodes to forward more traffic and perform more routing functions than a battery-powered node. The simulation results show that DEAR protocol achieves better system lifetime when compared to the conventional energy efficient routing protocols.
An Automated System for monitoring the Quality and Quantity of Subsurface Drain Flow

Abstract An automated flow data collection system was installed in a subsurface drainage system to determine discharge volumes and drainage flow rates. An experimental site was established by installing a subsurface drainage system on 36 plots, each of 0·4 ha, to measure subsurface drain flows and collect drain water samples for water quality analysis. Subsurface drains from individual plots were intercepted at the end of plots and routed to individual sumps to collect drain water. Flowmeters connected to individual sump pumps measured the volume of water pumped from these sumps. Electronic outputs of the flowmeters were recorded with data loggers, and readings of the analog registers were recorded manually. The data loggers recorded the time when each sump pump started and stopped pumping water. Data collected by data loggers were used to calculate drain discharge volumes and drain flow rates. This monitoring system was evaluated by comparing the drain volume rates between flowmeter readings and the data collected by data loggers for some rain events. Subsurface drain flow measured by the data logger system was not significantly different from the manual readings taken by the flowmeters. The data logger system was an effective method for measuring changes in subsurface drain flow rates over short time periods and drain flow response to individual rainfall events. This automated system was also used to monitor the movement of nitrate–nitrogen (NO3–N) to subsurface drain water.
Knock in of the AKT1 E17K mutation in human breast epithelial cells does not recapitulate oncogenic PIK3CA mutations

An oncogenic mutation (G49A:E17K) in the AKT1 gene has been described recently in human breast, colon, and ovarian cancers. The low frequency of this mutation and perhaps other selective pressures have prevented the isolation of human cancer cell lines that harbor this mutation thereby limiting functional analysis. Here, we create a physiologic in vitro model to study the effects of this mutation by using somatic cell gene targeting using the nontumorigenic human breast epithelial cell line, MCF10A. Surprisingly, knock in of E17K into the AKT1 gene had minimal phenotypic consequences and importantly, did not recapitulate the biochemical and growth characteristics seen with somatic cell knock in of PIK3CA hotspot mutations. These results suggest that mutations in critical genes within the PI3-kinase (PI3K) pathway are not functionally equivalent, and that other cooperative genetic events may be necessary to achieve oncogenic PI3K pathway activation in cancers that contain the AKT1 E17K mutation.
2, 6-Dibromophenol and 2, 4, 6-tribromophenols-antiseptic secondary metabolites of Phoronopsis viridis.

On decrit l'isolement de deux metabolites antiseptiques secondaires, 2,6-dibromophenol et 2,4,6-tribromophenol, dePhoronopsis viridis Hilton 1930.
Multiple intercellular signalling systems control the development of the Caenorhabditis elegans vulva

Developmental, genetic and molecular studies indicate that multiple intercellular signalling systems interact to specify the types and spatial patterns of cells generated during the formation of the vulva of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Two classes of evolutionary conserved transmembrane receptors and a Ras protein function in these signalling systems. The biology of vulval development provides a framework for understanding how cell interactions control the development of animals as diverse as nematodes, insects and mammals.
Real-time dynamic thermal rating evaluation of overhead power lines based on online adaptation of Echo State Networks

To assist utilities in utilizing the overhead power lines more effectively and thus to optimize the utilization of the existing system, it is important to know how to accurately assess the real-time dynamic overload current capacity of lines down to a ‘per span’ level of granularity. Accurate prediction of the conductor temperature ahead of time subject to various conductor overload conditions is the most critical and challenging step when determining the line dynamic thermal rating. An Echo State Network (ESN) based identifier has been demonstrated to identify the overhead conductor thermal dynamics under different weather conditions in a batch learning mode with good accuracy [1]. Through the use of the ESN model, the prediction of conductor temperature can be obtained easily, which in turn helps determine the line dynamic rating in real time. This paper proposes a Sliding-Window (SW) based online learning algorithm to obtain the online adaptation of the ESN-based thermal dynamics identifier to any new/changed ambient weather conditions along the overhead conductor on a continuous base. Both simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the performance of the proposed algorithm. This method requires only temperatures and line current as inputs and its simplified calculation makes it an attractive and cost effective solution to real-time implementation.
Mechanisms of acquired resistance in mouse typhoid.

Experiments in vitro comparing normal mouse peritoneal macrophages with cells from Salmonella typhimurium -infected mice have shown that the "immune" macrophages have conspicuously enhanced microbicidal properties. Whereas normal macrophages could inactivate only 50 to 60% of intracellular S. typhimurium pretreated with immune serum, cells from infected animals killed virtually all ingested organisms and did so at an accelerated rate. Macrophages from Listeria monocytogenes -infected mice were shown to possess similarly enhanced microbicidal activity against S. typhimurium . Furthermore, the growth of S. typhimurium in the liver and spleen was more effectively restricted in Listeria -infected mice than in animals vaccinated with heat-killed S. typhimurium , even though the Listeria -infected animals possessed no demonstrable cross-reacting antibody to S. typhimurium . The lack of resistance in the mice vaccinated with heat-killed organisms could not be attributed to any deficiency of humoral factors, since the serum from these animals was as effective at promoting phagocytosis and killing by macrophages as serum from actively infected (and demonstrably resistant) mice. Conversely, Salmonella -infected mice were totally resistant to intravenous challenge with L. monocytogenes . The level of resistance in individual animals was related to the numbers of residual Salmonellae remaining in the tissues; mice with heavier residual infections being the more resistant. Specific antiserum from mice vaccinated with heat-killed S. typhimurium was found to be significantly protective only when the intraperitoneal route of challenge was employed. The foregoing studies have been interpreted to mean that enhancement of the microbicidal ability of macrophages is the mechanism of major importance in acquired resistance to S. typhimurium infection in mice.
Assistive Technology for Promoting Physical and Mental Exercise to Delay Progression of Cognitive Degeneration in Patients with Dementia

Alzheimer's disease is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. A recent study by The Johns Hopkins University estimated that by 2050, one in 85 people worldwide will be living with Alzheimer's disease. According to the study, if intervention could delay the progression of the disease by a modest one year, there would be about 3.7 million fewer patients with the disease who require high level of care such as a nursing home in 2050. Research suggests that the combination of physical and mental exercise reduces the progression of cognitive degeneration. The paper focuses on creating an assistive technology system to promote both physical exercise and cognitive stimulation for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. The system incorporates a portable mini stationary bike and an interactive visual multiple choice question game. Physical exercise is provided by the bike while cognitive stimulation is provided by the game that targets areas such as memory, judgment, problem solving, recollection, and matching, to impede dementia. Research has shown that certain multi-sensory stimulants such as fiber optic lights and selective colors can be used to relax and control agitation of patients with dementia. By incorporating these stimulants into the design, we have created a safe and fun way for patients with dementia to complete physical and mental exercise.
The polo-like kinase Plx1 is required for activation of the phosphatase Cdc25C and cyclin B-Cdc2 in Xenopus oocytes.

In the Xenopus oocyte system mitogen treatment triggers the G2/M transition by transiently inhibiting the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA); subsequently, other signal transduction pathways are activated, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and polo-like kinase pathways. To study the interactions between these pathways, we have utilized a cell-free oocyte extract that carries out the signaling events of oocyte maturation after addition of the heat-stable inhibitor of PKA, PKI. PKI stimulated the synthesis of Mos and activation of both the MAPK pathway and the Plx1/Cdc25C/cyclin B-Cdc2 pathway. Activation of the MAPK pathway alone by glutathione S-transferase (GST)-Mos did not lead to activation of Plx1 or cyclin B-Cdc2. Inhibition of the MAPK pathway in the extract by the MEK1 inhibitor U0126 delayed, but did not prevent, activation of the Plx1 pathway, and inhibition of Mos synthesis by cycloheximide had a similar effect, suggesting that MAPK activation is the only relevant function of Mos. Immunodepletion of Plx1 completely inhibited activation of Cdc25C and cyclin B-Cdc2 by PKI, indicating that Plx1 is necessary for Cdc25C activation. In extracts containing fully activated Plx1 and Cdc25C, inhibition of cyclin B-Cdc2 by p21Cip1 had no significant effect on either the phosphorylation of Cdc25C or the activity of Plx1. These results demonstrate that maintenance of Plx1 and Cdc25C activity during mitosis does not require cyclin B-Cdc2 activity.
Evolutionary distance estimation and fidelity of pair wise sequence alignment

Evolutionary distances are a critical measure in comparative genomics and molecular evolutionary biology. A simulation study was used to examine the effect of alignment accuracy of DNA sequences on evolutionary distance estimation. Under the studied conditions, distance estimation was relatively unaffected by alignment error (50% or more of the sites incorrectly aligned) as long as 50% or more of the sites were identical among the sequences (observed P-distance < 0.5). Beyond this threshold, the alignment procedure artificially inflates the apparent sequence identity, skewing distance estimates, and creating alignments that are essentially indistinguishable from random data. This general result was independent of substitution model, sequence length, and insertion and deletion size and rate. Examination of the estimated sequence identity may yield some guidance as to the accuracy of the alignment. Inaccurate alignments are expected to have large effects on analyses dependent on site specificity, but analyses that depend on evolutionary distance may be somewhat robust to alignment error as long as fewer than half of the sites have diverged.
Alkali Metal Salts of Hydroxy Acids as Catalysts in Durable Press Finishing with Butanetetracarboxylic Acid

Alkali metal salts of hydroxy acids have been investigated as catalysts for esterification cross-linking of cotton with 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic add to produce cotton fabrics with smooth drying properties. Of the sodium salts of several acids studied, the sodium citrates produce fabrics with the best appearance properties. The sodium citrates serve both as donors of citric acid for cross-linking and of sodium ions for catalysis of the esterification of cotton cellulose by the two polycarboxylic acids. Although the use of citric acid as an extender for the more expensive butanetracarboxylic acid has been reported in non-formaldehyde finishing of cotton fabrics for smooth drying properties the catalyst used was sodium hypophosphite. Comparisons are made between fabrics finished with the phosphorus-containing system and the butanetetracarboxylic acid/sodium citrate systems. Textile properties, fabric whiteness, effect of pad bath pH, and extent of esterification are discussed.
The Role of the Forebrain Glucocorticoid Receptor in Acute and Chronic Stress

Previous work has implicated the forebrain glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in feedback regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. The present series of experiments used male mice with a targeted forebrain-specific GR knockout (in which forebrain includes the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and basolateral amygdala) to determine the role of forebrain GR in HPA axis regulation after stress. The data indicate that the forebrain GR is necessary for maintaining basal regulation of corticosterone secretion in the morning, confirming its role in HPA axis regulation. Our data further indicate that the forebrain GR is necessary for negative feedback after both mild and robust acute psychogenic stressors but not hypoxia, a systemic stressor. In contrast, forebrain-specific GR knockout and control mice exhibit equivalent HPA axis hyperactivity and facilitation after chronic variable stress, suggesting that changes in forebrain GR are not essential for chronic stress-induced pathology. These studies provide novel and definitive evidence that the forebrain GR selectively contributes negative feedback regulation of HPA axis responses to psychogenic stressors. Moreover, the data indicate that chronic stress-induced alterations in HPA axis function are mediated by mechanisms independent of the forebrain GR. Overall, the data are consistent with an essential role of the forebrain GR in coordinating endocrine responses to stimuli of a psychological origin.
An Unexpected Heir: A Jewish Feminist Response to Letters from Pre-state Israel

Mordechai (Rabinowicz) Ben-Ami was a Russian journalist, writer and devoted Zionist. Letters he had written from 1924 to 1927 to his son are analyzed by his great-granddaughter from a variety of theoretical perspectives: their historical situadedness, the cultural politics involved in translating Russian Zionist letters from a postcultural American point-of-view, the gender aspects of reading and writing processes of the author and translator and the representation of the "other" in the letters.
Effects of Dietary Protein Level and Level of Feed Intake on the Apparent Bioavailability of Selenium for the Chick

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary protein level and level of feed intake on the apparent bioavailability of Se from Na2SeO3 and selenomethionine (DL-Se-Met) for protection from exudative diathesis (ED) of the Se- and vitamin E-depleted chick. Level of dietary protein (22.5 vs. 16.9%) significantly (P Further experiments were conducted to determine whether the effect of dietary protein level on the incidence of ED was due to effects on growth rate or feed intake. Chicks were fed the high or low protein basal diets at 75% of ad libitum rate of feed consumption. Sodium selenite was added to make Se intakes equivalent, either on a per day or a per unit gain basis, to ad libitum feeding controls receiving the Se-supplemented diets. Results showed that both a low level of dietary protein and a restricted level of feeding markedly reduced the incidence and severity of ED. The activity of Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (SeGSHpx) in plasma and liver varied inversely with the incidence of ED and was increased by feed restriction. These results suggest that growth rate affects both the clinical and biochemical manifestations of Se-deficiency in the chick. Because both parameters are used to assess the bioavailability of Se in feeds and foods, bioassays in which growth rate is different between test and reference treatments may yield incorrect results.
Implantable drug delivery system to control arrhythmia

The feasibility of automatic drug delivery in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia has been studied. In its clinical implementation this system consists of a computerized bedside rhythm monitor connected to an intravenous pump. It has been demonstrated in animals and in patients that therapeutic drug levels in the blood are rapidly established. An implantable version of such a system has been developed and tested in the experimental laboratory. Atrial fibrillation in the dog is recognized, and a pharmacokinetically based infusion is automatically delivered. Conversion to normal sinus rhythm occurs within minutes. >
Power utility maximization for multiple-supply systems by a load-matching switch

For embedded systems that rely on multiple power sources (MPS), power management must distribute the power by matching the supply and demand in conjunction with the traditional power management tasks. Proper load matching is especially critical for renewable power sources such as solar panels and wind generators, because it directly affects the utility of the available power. This paper proposes a power distribution switch and a source-consumption matching algorithm that maximizes the total utility of the available power from these ambient power sources. Our method yields over 30% more usable power than conventional MPS designs.
Basolateral amygdala inactivation by muscimol, but not ERK/MAPK inhibition,impairs the use of reward expectancies during working memory

Rats were trained on a delayed matching to position (DMTP) task that embedded either a differential outcomes procedure (DOP) or a non-differential outcomes procedure (NOP). The DOP, via Pavlovian conditioning (stimulus-outcome associations), results in the use of unique reward expectancies that facilitate learning and memory performance above subjects trained with a NOP that requires subjects to retain cue information for accurate choice behavior (stimulus-response associations). This enhancement in learning and/or memory produced by the DOP is called the differential outcomes effect (DOE). After being trained on the DMTP task, rats were implanted with two cannulae aimed at the basolateral amygdala (BLA) nuclei. Rats trained with the DOP, relative to those trained with the NOP, displayed enhanced short-term memory (STM) performance under vehicle conditions (i.e. the DOE). However, injections of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A) agonist muscimol into the BLA dose-dependently (0.0625 and 0.125 microg) impaired STM performance only in DOP-trained rats. These results support the role of the BLA in the use of established reward expectancies during a short-term working memory task. Despite the fact that extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK/MAPK) have been shown to be necessary for amygdala-dependent long-term potentiation and some forms of long-term and STM, inhibition of the ERK/MAPK signaling cascade by U0126 (2.0 or 4.0 microg) in the BLA was not critical for updating the STM of either spatial information or reward expectation.