cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The importance of the Maillard-metal complexes and their silicates in astrobiology

The Maillard reaction occurs when sugars and amino acids are mixed together in the solid state or in the aqueous solution. Since both amino acids and sugar-like compounds are found on meteorites, we hypothesized that they would also undergo the Maillard reaction. Our recent work supports this idea. We have shown previously that the water-insoluble Maillard products have substantial similarities with the insoluble organic materials from the meteorites. The Maillard organic materials are also part of the desert varnish on Earth, which is a dark, shiny, hard rock coating that contains iron and manganese and is glazed in silicate. Rocks that are similar in appearance to the desert varnish have been observed on the Martian surface. They may also contain the organic materials. We have undertaken study of the interactions between the Maillard products, iron and other metals, and silicates, to elucidate the role of the Maillard products in the chemistry of desert varnish and meteorites. Specifically, we have synthesized a series of the Maillard-metal complexes, and have tested their reactivity towards silicates. We have studied the properties of these Maillard-metal-silicate products by the IR spectroscopy. The astrobiological potential of the Maillard-metal complexes is assessed.
Two-Nebulizer Automatic System for Solid Surface Room-Temperature Phosphorescence Analysis

Since Schulman and Walling reported the emission of intense phosphorescence at room temperature from ionic organic compounds adsorbed on solid substrates, solid surface room-temperature phosphorescence (SSRTP) has been growing as a promising technique for the trace determination of compounds of environmental, biological, and clinical interest.
Giant Cell Tumor of Bone in the Foot and Ankle

Giant cell tumor of bone has been shown to behave more aggressively when located in the wrist and hand. Although nearly 4% of giant cell tumors arise in the foot and ankle, biological features specific to this location have not been identified. In our experience with more than 300 cases of giant cell tumor, 12 arose in the foot and ankle and were followed for more than 2 years. These included nine females and three males ranging in age from 15 to 52 years (mean age, 29.5 years). All patients presented with pain of 5.0 months' mean duration and 9 of 12 tumors demonstrated aggressive radiographic features, including bone erosion and destruction; five had either invasion of a joint or a soft tissue mass present. Unlike the hand, where metacarpal and phalangeal lesions are common, no tumors arose in the forefoot and nine of the tumors were present in the ankle region. Four patients were treated with resection (no recurrence), two with curettage and cement packing (one recurrence), and six with curettage and autologous bone graft (two recurrences), which resulted in an overall recurrence rate of 25%. None of the recurrent tumors have returned after additional treatment, which consisted of curettage and cement packing in two cases and resection in one case. Five tumors (four primary, one recurrent) were treated with local resection and reconstruction with no major complications and with no amputations performed. Thus, giant cell tumors of the foot and ankle can be treated with local procedures, which result in recurrence rates similar to those found in more common locations.
Introgression Between Typha Latifolia And T. Angustifolia

Throughout much of their range in the northern United States and southern Canada, T. latifolia and T. angustifolia occupy the same regions; many colonies consist of both species, in company with individuals combining characteristics of the two. In many colonies that apparently consist of but one species, some individuals show characteristics of the other species. The cat-tails of the United States have been referred to four species, T. latifolia L., T. angustifolia L., T. glauca Godr. and T. domingensis Pers., by Hotchkiss and Dozier (1949) and their treatment has been followed by Fernald (1950) in the eighth edition of Gray's Manual. The present study would suggest that T. glauca, described as somewhat intermediate between T. latifolia and T. angustifolia by Hotchkiss and Dozier, is not a definite entity, but rather a' series of individuals in hybrid swarms. T. domingensis ranges south of the area covered in the present study.
HUMAN MAZE LEARNING AS A FUNCTION OF STRESS AND PARTIAL REINFORCEMENT

Summary.-96 Ss learned a 23-row button maze under 1 of 3 stress conditions and partial or continuous reinforcement. Stress conditions were error, error and speed instruction, or error and speed instruction plus irrelevant shock. Number of errors were an increasing function of stress, but rate (responses per second) suggcsred a non-monotonic function. Reinforcement schedule was not an effecrivc variable. Results were discussed with relation to competing response tendencies associated with motivation. The present sn~dy was designed to investigate the effecrs of stress and partial reinforcement (PR) on acquisition and performance of human Ss in a complex button maze. Amsel (1962) has recently reviewed the extensive research concerned with PR-induced frustration effects (FE) with animals. PR over trials has generally been shown to produce an initial decrement in response speed followed by a facilitating effect when compared with concinually reinforced behavior t Weinstock, 1954). However, little has been done with FE in combination with different levels of motivation. The results of the few animal studies investigating FE as a function of dr~ve (D) are equivocal. McHose and L~tdvigson (1964), employing a double alley situation, found an FE by D interaction with high D Ss demonstrating a reliably greater magnirude of FE. Badia ( 1965), in 3 single straight alley, failed to obtain an FE X D interaction. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of PR in complex human learning under several levels of stress. There is no implication that the parameters employed for investigating human behavior in this area are directly analogous to those used in the animal studies. However, as long as the operations for defining the parameters are specified in each case, research on the behavior of one type of organism may serve as a basis for hypothesis about the behavior of a different type of organism. A second question, ad hoc to the results of the study, concerned a discrepancy berween the two measures of response strength used; rate of response and number of errors. Certain questions were raised and are elaborated in the discussion section, pertaining to the interpretation of rate of response as a measure of motivational effecrs.
Novel capillary channel fiber scaffolds for guided tissue engineering.

Abstract A novel type of capillary channel fibers (CCFs) containing eight open grooves with depth of 5–15 μm and width of 10 μm were tested for their use in tissue engineering as matrices that provide topographical guidance to neo-tissue development. The matrices fabricated from fibers of poly( l -lactic acid) (PLA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were seeded with rat skin fibroblasts (RSFs) and rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) for up to 4 weeks. Cells attached and extended their cytoplasmic lamellapodia within the grooves. The cells were proliferating within the grooves and were highly aligned parallel to the direction of the grooves. RASMCs and RSFs showed highly aligned actin and vimentin cytoskeleton, respectively. The cells also deposited extracellular matrix proteins such as laminin and collagen within the grooves parallel to the groove direction. These CCFs also have the unique ability to move fluids instantaneously by capillary action, thus, have the potential to transport oxygen and nutrients deep within the scaffolds. Such CCF matrices would be useful for creating highly organized tissues such as tendon, ligament, nerve, and cardiac muscle.
Oxidative, alkaline degradation of 3-deoxyaldosuloses☆

In alkaline solutions, the 3-deoxyaldosuloses are degraded by two distinct reaction pathways: (1), rearrangements to isomeric saccharinic acids, and (2) to aldonic acids by an oxidative carbon—carbon bond cleavage. Thus, 3-deoxy-d-erythro-hexosulose gave 3-deoxy-d-ribo and d-arabino-hexonic (“α”- and “β”-d-glucometasaccharinic) acids in a ratio of approximately 1 to 4 by a benzyl—benzilic acid type of rearrangement and was oxidized to 2-deoxy-d-erythro-pentonic acid. Similarly, 3-deoxy-d-threo-hexosulose was rearranged to 3-deoxy-d-xylo and d-lyxo-hexonic (“α”- and “β”-d-galactometasaccharinic) acids in the same ratio and was oxidized to 2-deoxy-d-threo-pentonic acid. The preponderant pathway, even under oxidative conditions, was found to be the rearrangement reaction. The effects of cation, alkali concentration, and temperature were also determined.
Properties of expanding SOC/epoxy copolymers for dental use in dental composites

The objective of this work was to develop copolymers of alicyclic spiroorthocarbonates (SOCs) and epoxies that would yield hard non-shrinking matrix resins suitable for formulating dental composites. Several reactant ratio combinations of a four-component SOC/epoxy comonomer system were developed that demonstrated a copolymer expansion of between 0.1 and 0.8% on polymerization. The physical properties of tensile strength (29-48 MPa), water solubility of less than 5 microgram/mm(3), and water sorption of less than 50 microgram/mm(3) for the copolymer containing 5% SOC suggest that these materials have potential as matrix resins for dental composites.
Heat transfer by internal convection in turbulent He II forced flow

Steady-state temperature profiles in turbulent He II forced flow in a heated tube in the temperature range 1.6–2.0 K are measured and compared with calculated profiles based on the two-fluid model with vortex lines and mutual friction. To make measured and calculated profiles agree, a vortex line density component that is created by normal fluid turbulence, even in the absence of mean thermal counterflow, is postulated.
Energy Barriers at the Ends of Carbon Nanotube Bundles: Effects on Interstitial Adsorption Kinetics

We investigate the presence of adsorption sites and energy barriers near the ends of carbon nanotube bundles to determine their consequences on gas adsorption in the interstitial channels between the tubes. In the case of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ molecules adsorbing in bundles of closed (10,10) tubes, a high binding energy site followed by a potential barrier lie right before the entrance to the interstitial channels, producing a dramatic slowing down of interstitial adsorption kinetics.
A perturbed Lagrangian formulation for the finite element solution of contact problems

Making use of a perturbed Lagrangian formulation, a finite element procedure for contact problems is developed for the general case in which node-to-node contact no longer holds. The proposed procedure leads naturally to a discretization of the contact interface into contact segments. Within the context of a bilinear interpolation for the displacement field, a mixed finite element approximation is introduced by assuming discont~naous contact pressure, constant on the contact segment. Because of this piece-wise constant approximation, the gap function enters into the formulation in an ‘average’ sense instead of through a point-wise definition. Numerical examples are presented that illustrate the performance of the proposed procedure. Current finite element formulations for contact problems based on either the classical Lagrange parameter procedure [l-3, 12, 203 or the penalty-function method [4-6,11], are characterized by a point-wise enforcement of the contact-constraint condition, in the sense that penetration of the bodies is established on a nodal basis. Moreover, in this methods the recovery of the contact pressure over the element from the contact nodal forces generally requires an additional procedure. Within the framework of classical Lagrange multiplier methods the contact condition is exactly satisfied by transforming the constrained problem into an unconstrained one with the introduction of additional variables (Lagrange multipliers). These extra variables add computational effort to the solution process which often requires special procedures to handle the presence of zero diagonal terms. Penalty methods, on the other hand, enable one to transform the constrained problem into an unconstrained one without introducing additional variables. The constraint condition is now satisfied only approximately for finite values of the penalty parameter. The main difhculty associated with these methods, however, lies in the poor conditioning of the problem as the penalty is increased to more accurately enforce the constraint condition. This is a well-understood phenomenon, particularly in the context of the incompressible and nearly incompressible problem in solid and fluid mechanics (e.g. see [l&22,25] for a review). Recently, augmented Lagrangian procedures have been proposed as a promising way to partially overcome these difficulties and ‘regularize’ the penalty formulation (e.g. see the survey in [7,8]). Within the framework of Zinearited ~~~e~u~~c~, it is possible to restrict the finite element formulation of contact problems by assuming that node-to-node contact occurs. This is in fact the case often considered in the literature [l, 2, 4, 6, 12, 20, 211. In the general context of fully
Targeted molecular therapy for renal cell carcinoma.

M T R i g t enal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a prototype of a chemorefractory tumor. It remains the most lethal of the common urologic cancers, with aproximately 40% of patients eventually dying of disease rogression.1 Surgical treatment is curative for localized isease, yet 25% of patients present with locally adanced or disseminated disease and 20% to 30% of paients with localized disease at presentation will develop ystemic recurrence.1 Few patients respond to interleuin-2 or interferon (IFN)-based immunotherapy, and hese treatments can be associated with considerable oxicity.2 However, the incidence of advanced RCC is ncreasing by 2% to 3% annually, similar to localized CC, and this malignancy was responsible for 12,000 ancer-related deaths in the United States in 2005.3 Novel treatment approaches for patients with adanced RCC are greatly needed and appear to be on the orizon. RCC is now known to be a heterogeneous alignancy, with several subtypes that exhibit distinct linical and histologic features.4,5 The unique molecular efects that are pathogenic for each subtype have been efined, allowing targeted molecular approaches to be eveloped and tested and moving RCC to the forefront f molecular therapeutics.5,6 Most importantly, genetic tudies have elucidated the central role of the von Hipel-Lindau (VHL) gene in the pathogenesis of clear cell CC, the predominant form of RCC. Dysregulation of ypoxia-inducible factor-alpha (HIF) by alterations in HL creates a vasculogenic environment favoring tumor rowth. New agents targeting several pathways that deive directly or indirectly from HIF, including vascular ndothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet derived rowth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor receptor, nd mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), have roven effective in Phase II and Phase III clinical trials. wo small-molecule VEGF receptor (VEGFR) inhibiors, sunitinib and sorafenib, have recently been aproved by the Food and Drug Administration for the
Antibody-Mediated Neutrophil Depletion Preserves Pulmonary Vasomotor Function

Neutrophil depletion is commonly used to examine the role of neutrophils in lung injury. However, the effect of neutrophil depletion per se on mechanisms of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle relaxation is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of neutropenia on the following mechanisms of cGMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation: (1) receptor-dependent endothelium-dependent relaxation (response to acetylcholine (ACh)), (2) receptor-independent endothelium-dependent relaxation (response to the calcium ionophore A23187), and (3) endothelium-independent relaxation (response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP)). Neutropenia (<75 neutrophils/mu l) was induced with anti-neutrophil antibody serum 24 hr prior to lung harvest in five rats. Saline-injected rats were controls (n = 5). Dose-response curves to ACh, A23187, and SNP were generated in isolated pulmonary artery rings preconstricted with phenylepherine. Statistical comparison was performed using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni-Dunn, and P < 0.05 was accepted as significant. Relaxation to ACh, A23187, and SNP was complete in both control and neutropenic rats. Thus, antibody-mediated depletion does not impair endothelial-dependent or -independent cGMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation.
Characterization of platinum electrodes by infrared spectroscopy

The surface of a Pt electrode has been examined as a function of applied potential with reflection-adsorption infrared spectroscopy and linear sweep voltammetry. In a 1 M HClO4 solution, adsorbed hydronium was present on the surface at potentials less than 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Adsorbed hydronium reduced CO adsorption, and caused an upward shift in the CO stretching frequency. At potentials greater than 0.5 V, OH adsorbed on the surface. The hydroxyl groups blocked CO adsorption on the electrode surface. Anodic oxidation occurs at potentials above 1.2 V in 1 M HClO4 with the formation of a partially hydrated platinum hydroxide surface layer. The thickness of the surface layer increased with increasing applied potential. Adsorption on the Pt electrode from 1 M NaOH solutions resembled that observed with acid solution. However, anodic oxidation of the Pt electrode in basic solution produced a surface film with less incorporated water than was observed in acid solution.
Bariatric Surgery in the Era of Personalized Medicine

Obesity represents a public health crisis. While the Food and Drug Administration approved two weight loss drugs in 2012, bariatric surgery will likely remain the most efficacious treatment for the morbidly obese. Bariatric surgery is prescribed for class III obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2] or class II obesity (BMI 35–39.9kg/m2) associated with life-threatening co-morbid disease, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cardiopulmonary problems. Rouxen-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), the most commonly utilized bariatric operation, divides the stomach into a small upper pouch and rearranges the small intestines producing dramatic weight loss primarily by reducing food intake1. RYGB is being used with increasing frequency in the United States. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery estimated that 220,000 of these procedures were performed in 2005.
Finite-Horizon Near Optimal Design of Nonlinear Two-Player Zero-Sum Game in Presence of Completely Unknown Dynamics

In this paper, a novel time-based finite-horizon near optimal design is proposed for nonlinear two-player zero-sum game with completely unknown system dynamics. First, an online neural network (NN) identifier is developed to learn the dynamics of the nonlinear continuous-time system. Then, a novel online NN-based approximator is proposed to estimate the time-varying solution, or referred to as value function, of the Hamilton–Jacobi–Isaacs equation in a forward-in-time manner. Subsequently, by utilizing the estimated time-varying value function from the NN-based approximator and system dynamics from the online NN identifier, the near optimal strategies for nonlinear two-player zero-sum game are derived. To deal with time-varying property of value function, a NN structure with constant weights and time-varying activation functions is considered, and a suitable NN update law is proposed based on normalized gradient descent approach. In order to ensure the stability and satisfy terminal cost at the fixed final time, two novel additional terms, one corresponding to terminal cost, and the other to stabilize the nonlinear two-player zero-sum game are introduced to the update law of the NN-based approximator. Eventually, standard Lyapunov theory is utilized to verify the uniformly ultimately boundedness of the closed-loop system, and the simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed scheme.
Structure and Electronic Properties of Complex Solids

Dramatic advances in computational chemistry and materials science have generated an excitement, enthusiasm and fervor among its practitioners not seen for many decades. There has now been achieved a high level of reliability concerning predictions of physical and chemical properties and phenomena – thanks in large part to the continued rapid development and availability of computing power (and its easy accessibility) and the new computational methods/algorithms which this permitted to be generated. A prime area continues to be electronic structure theory where new computational/theoretical methods have been developed that permit highly precise solutions of complex many body systems at the level of the local density approximation. This talk illustrates some aspects of the present state of the field by means of several examples, notably aluminum intermetallics and semiconductor heterojunctions.
New Insights and Modern Treatment of AL Amyloidosis

Systemic amyloidosis is a rare disease that is rarely cured. Systemic immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis (AL) is the most common type, usually the result of monoclonal light chains produced by a relatively indolent small plasma cell clone in the bone marrow. In AL, the direct toxicity of light chains, their misfolded intermediates, and deposition as amyloid fibrils in vital organs cause organ dysfunction and death. Often the diagnosis is delayed and the disease is advanced at presentation. Early diagnosis is possible with vigilance in clinical situations such as for patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance who develop albuminuria or elevated cardiac biomarkers. Treatment is aimed at eradicating the clonal disease and restoring organ function; options include high dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplantation, oral melphalan and dexamethasone, bortezomib-based combination chemotherapy and immunomodulatory agents such as lenalidomide or pomalidomide combined with dexamethasone. Cardiac involvement at baseline and the free light-chain hematologic response to therapy determine overall survival. Following measures of organ disease with cardiac and other biomarkers and of hematologic disease with serum free light chains is necessary to gauge organ and hematologic responses to therapy.
Seasonal ovarian histology of the ovoviviparous iguanid lizard Sceloporus jarrovi cope

Histological analyses of monthly collections of Sceloporus jarrovi ovaries are presented. The ovaries undergo a cycle in which yolk deposition occurs in September-October and is followed by ovulation in late November. One corpus luteum forms from each ruptured follicle and undergoes progressive cytoplasmic depletion until mid-June parturition, after which time rapid degeneration commences. Follicular atresia is common during the spring and absent during the summer and early fall. Granulosa cells play an active role in follicular atresia luteal cell formation, and may also be involved in yolk deposition.
654 EFFECT OF FEEDING VARIOUS MONOSACCHARIDES ON THE ACTIVITY AND THE IMMUNOREACTIVE AMOUNT OF LACTASE AND SUCRASE IN ADULT RAT JEJUNUM

654 EFFECT OF FEEDING VARIOUS MONOSACCHARIDES ON THE ACTIVITY AND THE IMMUNOREACTIVE AMOUNT OF LACTASE AND SUCRASE IN ADULT RAT JEJUNUM
Gene(s) affecting the expression of qa-1.

Lymphocytes from different strains vary in their expression of antigenic determinants encoded by the Qal locus. Thus, a lower percentage of cells from strains bearing H-2Dk are lysed in antibody-mediated cytotoxic tests. These cells fail to completely absorb anti-Qal activity from antisera. The unexpressed determinants are present in unactivated cells when subcellular fractions are tested and are detectable on the membrane of mitogen-activated lymphocytes. The gene(s) controlling this phenomenon are dominant and map to a region between H-2S and Tla.
Organization and evolution of the human epidermal keratinocyte transglutaminase I gene.

Abstract Transglutaminases (TGases; protein-glutamine:amine gamma-glutamyltransferase, EC 2.3.2.13) are calcium-dependent crosslinking enzymes that modify proteins posttranslationally. Several distinct types of TGases have been identified, which appear to be encoded by a family of closely related genes. We isolated the gene encoding human keratinocyte-specific type I TGase (TGase I) and characterized its chromosomal organization. The TGase I gene consists of 15 exons separated by 14 introns and exhibits a restriction fragment length polymorphism. Exons appear to encode functional and/or structural domains: exon I and part of exon XV encode untranslated regions, whereas exons VII and XI contain the active site and a presumptive calcium-binding domain, respectively. Interestingly, exon VI of TGase I contains a consensus Arg-Gly-Asp tripeptide sequence whose presence suggests an intriguing extracellular function for the enzyme. We present a likely phylogenetic tree for seven known members of the TGase family based on amino acid sequence similarity. Arguments presented suggest that the active enzyme evolved first and the structural human erythrocyte membrane protein 4.2 (band 4.2) has undergone a rapid change in amino acid sequence. It follows that band 4.2 evolved from the type II TGases, whereas factor XIII subunit a evolved from the type I group.
Effect of dietary selenium levels on methylbenzylnitrosamine-induced esophageal cancer in rats

Abstract Male Sprague-Dawley rats fed selenium deficient diets received either 0 ppm, 0.15 ppm or 4.0 ppm selenium in the drinking water. Animals were treated with methylbenzylnitrosamine (MBN). Dietary selenium deficiency had no effect on MBN-induced esophageal carcinogenesis. Animals treated with 4 ppm selenium in the drinking water during the initiation and postinitiation period had the same number of tumors as the group which received 0.15 ppm selenium for the entire experimental period. The incidence and frequency of carcinomas was lowest in the group which was supplemented with extra selenium (4.0 ppm) during the period of carcinogen administration and highest in the group which received 4.0 ppm selenium during the postinitiation period.
Interstitial pneumonitis after lung or heart-lung transplantation in very young recipients.

2121672). There were 78 episodes of acute rejection, 29 in 13 DR patients (2.2 episodes/patient), and 49 in 21 NR patients (2.3 episodes/patient). ISHLT grades in 38 biopsies were A1 (9), A2 (19), A3 (8), lymphocytic bronchiolitis (1), acute rejection 1 cytomegalovirus (1). Multiple, often recurrent infections caused by a wide spectrum of organisms occurred in 13 DR patients (81.3%) and in 24 NR patients (82.8%). Nine patients (3 DR, 6 NR) developed obliterative bronchiolitis, causing death in 5 patients (1 DR, 4 NR). Fifteen patients (33.3%) died, 4 (25%) of 16 with DR and 11 (37.9%) of 29 with NR. In 1 DR patient death was due to sarcoidosis in the graft and the native lung. Mean time to death after tx for DR was 1483 days (6423280) and for NR was 1128 days (3222547). Mean time to death after DR was 1227 days (33-3155). Our findings of DR in 16 (35.5%) of 45 patients surviving . 30 days after tx is probably conservative given the limitations of our study. Although the frequency of acute rejection and infections is similar in both groups, DR may confer a slight survival advantage due to better control of subclinical rejection which warrants further study.
De Novo Prediction of the Structures of M. tuberculosis Membrane Proteins

The structures of four integral membrane proteins from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) gene, Rv2433c, Rv1861, Rv1616, and Rv3069, have been de novo predicted by combining a generalized Born implicit solvent/membrane model with replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations to sample the conformational space of each protein.
Marriage and Family Therapy with Low-Income Clients: Professional, Ethical, and Clinical Issues

Economic stress greatly increases the likelihood of mental health issues occurring within a family. Although this is widely known within the mental health profession, there is a lack of literature that assists therapists in working effectively with low-income clients. As a result, marriage and family therapists may be ill equipped to meet the needs of those in poverty, and may even be conducting therapy that is ethically unsound. The authors of this article discuss several ethical and professional issues regarding therapy with families in poverty. A number of suggestions are presented for improving the effectiveness of therapy with low-income clients.
Alkaloids from Hippeastrum equestre Herb. —5. Circular dichroism studies

Abstract A survey of the CD spectra of eight Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14) isolated from Hippeastrum equestre Herb. and six Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10) of related structure indicates that this technique can provide useful structural information regarding the basic heterocyclic ring system and the stereochemistry of the dominant ring junction, respectively.
A Gradient Ferrite Pulsed Inflector for 130 MeV Electrons

The injection path at the Cambridge Electron Accelerator requires a 10 milliradian inflection to insert the 130 MeV electrons into the synchrotron orbit. A fast pulsed ferrite magnet has been constructed, and is in routine use as the inflector. The ferrite is shaped to provide a magnetic field gradient of 38% per inch required by the design of the injection transport system. The pulser uses coaxial cable as a delay line, switched by a deuterium thyratron. The 750-nanosecond 400-ampere pulse has a fall time of less than 200 nanoseconds, allowing a synchrotron orbit fill of approximately 75%.
Integration of a computer vision system with an IBM 7535 robot

A robot is a powerful production tool, however, an "intelligent robot" with flexible control is often needed to acomplish complex tasks and to adapt to changes in its working enviroment. This paper describes the integration of machine vision with a robot to accomplish this. The system integrates an IBM 7535 industrial 7535 Industrial Robot, with four degrees of freedom, with its own programming language, AML/Entry, and a Vision System from Intelledex Inc. The IBM has its own programming language AML/ENTRY, as does the Intelledex vision system, Vision BASIC. The major objective of the project was to interface the controller of the IBM 7535 robot with host processor (a compatible IBM AT) to a vision system. In an operational scenario, the vision system is tasked with the responsabilities of recognizing an object and determining its location and orientation. Based on this information, the robot is able to pick up the object and transfer it to a pre-defined destination. The paper describes how the interfaces were developed.
FcγRs Muscle Up Dendritic Cell Cross-Presentation

Methods of training the immune system to outsmart cancer cells and viral infections center on rational design: harnessing and targeting specialized immune cells to best solicit and optimize function. One commonly sought strategy is to deliver viral and tumor proteins to dendritic cells, potent
N-terminal flanking region of A1 domain in von Willebrand factor stabilizes structure of A1A2A3 complex and modulates platelet activation under shear stress.

Abstract Von Willebrand factor (VWF) mediates platelet adhesion and thrombus formation via its interaction with the platelet receptor glycoprotein (GP)Ib[alpha]. We have analyzed two A1A2A3 tri-domain proteins to demonstrate that the amino acid sequence Q1238-E1260 in the N-terminal flanking region of A1 domain together with the association between the A domains modulate VWF-GPIb[alpha] binding and platelet activation under shear stress. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, we have described that sequence Q1238-E1260 stabilizes the structural conformation of the A1A2A3 tri-domain complex. The structural stabilization imparted by this particular region inhibits the binding capacity of the tri-domain protein for GPIb[alpha]. Deletion of this region causes a conformational change in A1 domain that increases the binding to GPIb[alpha]. Only the truncated protein was capable of effectively blocking ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination (RIPA). To determine the capacity of activating platelets via the interaction with GPIb[alpha], whole blood was incubated with the N-terminal region truncated or intact tri-A domain protein prior perfusion over a fibrin(ogen)-coated surface. At high shear rate of 1500s-1, platelets from blood containing the truncated protein rapidly bound covering >90% of the fibrin(ogen) surface area, while the intact tri-A domain protein induced platelets to bind < 10%. The results obtained in this study ascertain the relevant role of the structural association between the N-terminal flanking region of A1 domain (a.a. Q1238-E1260) and the A1A2A3 domains complex in preventing VWF to spontaneously bind to GPIb[alpha] in solution under high shear forces.
TOWARDS A MOLECULAR DEFINITION OF KERATINOCYTE ACTIVATION AFTER ACUTE INJURY TO STRATIFIED EPITHELIA

While in recent years we have come to increasingly appreciate the multifaceted role of skin, probably none of these novel contributions is as vital as its barrier function, inferred centuries ago. In human skin this function is fulfilled nearly entirely by the epidermis, a thin stratified squamous epithelium made up primarily of keratinocytes and located at the skin surface. Disruption of the integrity of epidermis triggers a homeostatic response involving blood-derived elements and resident skin cell types that is designed to rapidly restore a functional epithelial lining over the wound site. This article is focused on the process of recruitment of keratinocytes from intact skin tissue at the proximal wound edges to participate in re-epithelialization.
Paretic Thyroid Myopathy

Abstract Reports of vertical deviation in Graves' disease in recent years have always been associated with restrictive phenomena and positive forced duction testing, usually related to a tight inferior rectus. Two cases of medically proven Graves' disease of ten-year duration are presented with increasing vertical disparity. Forced duction testing showed no restriction. Saccadic velocity tests using electro-oculography confirmed paresis of the inferior rectus in both cases. No cases of "true" vertical extraocular muscle paresis in chronic Graves' disease have been reported in the American literature.
Differential Pressures Across the Bovine Teat Canal During Three Methods of Milk Removal

Abstract Two cows and their 10- and 15-day-old calves were used to compare the differential pressures and the sequence of events during mechanical milking, hand milking, and calf suckling. A pulsator rate of 48 per minute and a milking vacuum of 12.5 in. Hg were used during mechanical milking. The average frequency of hand milking and calf suckling was 67 and 117 cycles per minute, respectively. Average differential pressures across the teat canal were 310 mm Hg for hand milking, 352 mm Hg for mechanical milking, and 535 mm Hg for calf suckling. The udder appeared to be evacuated most rapidly during calf suckling, which was attributed to the rapid suckling cycle and the high differential pressure across the teat canal.
Micro-Teaching: A Promising Medium for Teacher Retraining

Micro-teaching is a recent development. To this author's knowledge, Robert L. Politzer is the only one to have discussed its use in the training of language teachers.1 A modified2 version of micro-teaching was used during the 1966 NDEA Institute for Advanced Studies in French at the University of Michigan. This Institute was designed to equip the high school language teacher to meet some of the problems he faced in teaching advanced level courses dealing with literature, style, and culture.3
TU-F-12A-05: Sensitivity of Textural Features to 3D Vs. 4D FDG-PET/CT Imaging in NSCLC Patients.

Purpose: Neighborhood Gray-level difference matrices (NGLDM) based texture parameters extracted from conventional (3D) 18F-FDG PET scans in patients with NSCLC have been previously shown to associate with response to chemoradiation and poorer patient outcome. However, the change in these parameters when utilizing respiratory-correlated (4D) FDG-PET scans has not yet been characterized for NSCLC. The Objectives: of this study was to assess the extent to which NGLDM-based texture parameters on 4D PET images vary with reference to values derived from 3D scans in NSCLC. Methods: Eight patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy were included in this study. 4D PET scans were reconstructed with OSEM-IR in 5 respiratory phase-binned images and corresponding CT data of each phase were employed for attenuation correction. NGLDM-based texture features, consisting of coarseness, contrast, busyness, complexity and strength, were evaluated for gross tumor volumes defined on 3D/4D PET scans by radiation oncologists. Variation of the obtained texture parameters over the respiratory cycle were examined with respect to values extracted from 3D scans. Results: Differences between texture parameters derived from 4D scans at different respiratory phases and those extracted from 3D scans ranged from −30% to 13% for coarseness, −12% to 40% for contrast, −5%more » to 50% for busyness, −7% to 38% for complexity, and −43% to 20% for strength. Furthermore, no evident correlations were observed between respiratory phase and 4D scan texture parameters. Conclusion: Results of the current study showed that NGLDM-based texture parameters varied considerably based on choice of 3D PET and 4D PET reconstruction of NSCLC patient images, indicating that standardized image acquisition and analysis protocols need to be established for clinical studies, especially multicenter clinical trials, intending to validate prognostic values of texture features for NSCLC.« less
AKAP350C targets to mitochondria via a novel amphipathic alpha helical domain

Mitochondria regulate metabolism and homeostasis within cells. Mitochondria are also very dynamic organelles, constantly undergoing fission and fusion. The importance of maintaining proper mitochondrial dynamics is evident in the various diseases associated with defects in these processes. Protein kinase A (PKA) is a key regulator of mitochondrial dynamics. PKA is spatially regulated by A-Kinase Anchoring Proteins (AKAPs). We completed cloning of a novel AKAP350 isoform, AKAP350C. Immunostaining for endogenous AKAP350C showed localization to mitochondria. The carboxyl-terminal 54-amino acid sequence unique to AKAP350C contains a novel amphipathic alpha helical mitochondrial-targeting domain. AKAP350C co-localizes with Mff (mitochondrial fission protein) and mitofusins 1 and 2 (mitochondrial fusion proteins), and likely regulates mitochondrial dynamics by scaffolding PKA and mitochondrial fission and fusion proteins.
Graphs with Projective Linear Stabilizers

We investigate the structure of the free amalgamated productP1*P1?P2P2in whichP1andP2are isomorphic projective linear groups andP1?P2is a one-point stabilizer in the natural action ofPion the points of a projective space of dimensionn? 2. We apply the results to graphs admitting a vertex-transitive automorphism group such that the subgroup stabilizing a vertex is a projective linear group. In particular, graphs of girth 4 with projective linear stabilizers are characterized.
Determination of receptor specificities for whole influenza viruses using multivalent glycan arrays

Influenza viruses bind to mucosal glycans to gain entry into a host organism and initiate infection. The target glycans are often displayed in multivalent arrangements on proteins; however, how glycan presentation influences viral specificity is poorly understood. Here, we report a microarray platform approximating native glycan display to facilitate such studies.
Heat Stabilities of Ribosomal Subunits and Reassociated Ribosomes from Bacillus stearothermophilus

Absorbance-temperature profiles reveal that both the 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits from Bacillus stearothermophilus are more thermostable than the comparable Escherichia coli particles. Thermophile ribosomes formed by the reassociation of subunits do not display functional heat stability.
Impact of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease on Patient Survival and Disease-Free Survival in Patients Receiving Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

We combined data from two transplant centers to determine the impact of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) allocation system on outcomes in patients undergoing liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We compared 55 patients listed before MELD to 117 patients in the MELD era. Patients before MELD were less likely to receive a transplant (67% vs 91%) and waited a median of 127 days vs 20 days (P < .001). On an intention to treat (ITT) basis, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survivals for patients before MELD were 79%, 60%, and 48%, and in the MELD era were 84%, 73%, and 73% (P = .055). On an ITT basis, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year tumor-free survivals before MELD were 58%, 58%, and 55% vs 83%, 74%, and 70% in the MELD era (P = .018). In patients who received a transplant, however, there were no differences in overall or tumor-free survival. In these patients, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survivals were 92%, 84%, and 67% before MELD, and 90%, 81%, and 81% in the MELD era (P = .57). In transplanted patients, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year tumor-free survivals before MELD were 88%, 88%, and 83% vs 92%, 83%, and 78% in the MELD era (P = .403). On explant, patients listed before MELD had lower grade tumors (P = .046). We concluded that patients with HCC listed in the MELD era had higher and more rapid rates of transplantation with improvements in survival. However, the more efficacious rates of transplantation did not result in lower rates of tumor recurrence.
The effect of BSC on PCM picture quality

We report some results on the subjective effect of noise introduced in the received pictures of a PCM system by a binary symmetrical channel. More specifically, such noise was compared with noise introduced by an additive white Gaussian channel to a PAM system. It was found that for high signal-to-noise ratios, the Gaussian noise is more objectionable than the BSC noise, while the reverse is true for low signal-to-noise ratios. The crossover point lies in the range 16-20 dB peak signal-to-noise ratio, and tends to occur at a higher signal-to-noise ratio for a picture containing more details.
The translational challenge in the development of new and effective therapies for endometriosis: a review of confidence from published preclinical efficacy studies

background: Endometriosis is a benign gynaecological condition that presents symptoms of chronic pelvic pain and the ectopic growth of endometrial lesions at sites on the peritoneum. Few new approaches to the management of the disease symptoms and progression have emerged in decades. The cornerstone of developing new therapies is the confidence and translational value placed in the preclinical models used to assess efficacy of emerging approaches. methods: We systematically reviewed preclinical efficacy data from rodent and non-human primates, evaluating the effects of an inves- tigational agent or target reported in PubMed between 2000 and 2010. We evaluated the reports for which model and end-points had been used to determine efficacy, whether there was evidence of independent replication, whether techniques had been incorporated into the experimental design to eliminate potential bias and whether there was a confirmation of drug exposure or target engagement in the study. results: We identified 94 publications that met our criteria for review. Efficacy studies were conducted in a wider range of different models with no clear consensus on which model or end-point has the most translational value. The large majority of studies either did not report what measures were incorporated into the design to address potential bias or account for it or did not confirm whether the specified target was engaged. conclusions: Greater scrutiny of the preclinical efficacy models, end-points and experimental designs is needed if the desire of translating novel treatment approaches is to be realized for women with endometriosis.
Comparing Surface Height Used in NCAR Climate Model with That Observed by ICEsat: Effects on Skin Temperature Simulation

This paper tries to identify one of the reasons for the poor land skin temperature simulated by a climate model over Greenland. It first compares ICEsat surface height measurements over Greenland with those used by the model and reveals that the surface height of Greenland prescribed in the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Climate System Model/Community Land Model version 3 (CCSM/CLM3) differs greatly from the satellite measurements from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) ICEsat at edges and central glacier regions. This deficiency, in part, leads to underestimated skin temperatures at coastal regions—the areas where significant ice sheet melt is observed. Furthermore, sensitivity studies reveal that surface skin temperature simulations of Greenland would be significantly improved if the more accurate surface height is used. The problem of the height used in current global climate model is mainly due to the fact that the model has to use coarse grid size, and within one grid, land surface height has high heterogeneity. How to assign a proper surface height for each model grid and meanwhile adequately present the high heterogeneity of land surface is a great challenge in current model development.
A Simple Algorithm to Predict Incident Kidney Disease

Background Despite the growing burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD), there are no algorithms (to our knowledge) to quantify the effect of concurrent risk factors on the development of incident disease. Methods A combined cohort (N = 14 155) of 2 community-based studies, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and the Cardiovascular Health Study, was formed among men and women 45 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) exceeding 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 at baseline. The primary outcome was the development of a GFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 during a follow-up period of up to 9 years. Three prediction algorithms derived from the development data set were evaluated in the validation data set. Results The 3 prediction algorithms were continuous and categorical best-fitting models with 10 predictors and a simplified categorical model with 8 predictors. All showed discrimination with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in a range of 0.69 to 0.70. In the simplified model, age, anemia, female sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and history of congestive heart failure or cardiovascular disease were associated with the development of a GFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . A numeric score of at least 3 using the simplified algorithm captured approximately 70% of incident cases (sensitivity) and accurately predicted a 17% risk of developing CKD (positive predictive value). Conclusions An algorithm containing commonly understood variables helps to stratify middle-aged and older individuals at high risk for future CKD. The model can be used to guide population-level prevention efforts and to initiate discussions between practitioners and patients about risk for kidney disease.