cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence Index™ Q1 2019

The Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence Index™ (Bloomberg ticker symbol: SVVCCI) is based on a recurring quarterly survey (since Q1 2004) of Silicon Valley/San Francisco Bay Area venture capitalists. The Index measures and reports the opinions of professional venture capitalists on their estimations of the high-growth venture entrepreneurial environment in the San Francisco Bay Area over the next 6 - 18 months. The Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence Index™ for the first quarter of 2019, based on a March 2019 survey of 26 San Francisco Bay Area venture capitalists, registered 3.63 on a 5-point scale (with 5 indicating high confidence and 1 indicating low confidence). This quarter’s Index measurement climbed significantly from the previous quarter’s Index reading of 3.20 which was the lowest level since Q1 2009.
Sex Hormone Suppression and Physical Activity: Possible Implications for Transgender Individuals

Purpose: Transgender individuals tend to be less physically active than cisgender individuals, and the primary focus of these physical activity barriers have been psychosocial in nature. Very littl...
Surgical Management of Chordoma of the Occipitocervical Junction

Chordomas of the occipitocervical junction represent a unique clinical pathology in that they require an intimate knowledge of both oncologic principles and the unique anatomy of the highly mobile craniocervical junction. As with chordomas arising from other regions of the mobile spine, occipitocervical chordomas should receive en bloc R0 resection, where possible. However, anterior occlusion by the mandible makes anterior-only and staged approaches difficult. Consequently, multidisciplinary surgical teams are often required to achieve R0 resection, including surgeons from neurosurgery, orthopedic oncology, otolaryngology, and maxillofacial surgery. Not only is resection complex, but commonly results in destabilization of the craniovertebral junction. Post-resection reconstruction must attempt to stabilize the highly mobile occipito-atlanto-axial complex, which is the most mobile segment of the spine. Postoperative complications are common and include hardware failure, pharyngeal dehiscence (in cases employing an anterior approach), and vertebral artery injury.
Increased Performance of an all-Organic Redox Flow Battery model by Nitration of the [4]Helicenium Ion Electrolyte

Redox Flow Batteries (RFBs) through their scalable design and virtually unlimited capacity, are promising candidates for large-scale energy storage. While recent advances in the development of redox-active bipolar organic molecules satisfy the prerequisites for the pioneering Symmetrical all-Organic Redox Flow Batteries (SORFBs) emerging, problems of low durability or low energy density remain a bottleneck for their wide-spread application. The present work reports that nitration of the [4]helicenium ion core (DMQA+) result in a significant enhancement of the electrochemical performance of DMQA as electrolyte for SORFBs. The physical and kinetic properties of NO2C+ were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV-visible spectroscopy in acetonitrile and compared to those of its precursor HC+. The electrons storage ability of NO2C+ was investigated in three differents type of static H-cell experiments. In the first experiment, NO2C+ provided an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 2.24 V and demonstrated good stability, as well as high coulombic (>98%) efficiencies, over more than 200 charge/discharge cycles. In the second experiment, a charge-discharge cycling over the entire redox window of NO2C+ (OCV > 3 V) resulted in 80 cycles at a potential energy density above 12 Wh/L. During the last epxeriment, a bipolarization stress-test was performed during which NO2C+ demonstrated a remarkable durability of 90 cycles at 100% load with a perfect retention of capacity and coulombic efficiency. The electrochemical performance results of this enhanced redox material highlights that DMQA+ ions are robust and versatile materials for the emergence of symmetrical all-Organic ORFB
Management of Minimally Symptomatic Recurrent Hiatal Hernia

Recurrent hiatal hernias are a common and challenging clinical problem. The goal of this chapter is to provide guidance on the management of patients with minimally symptomatic recurrent hiatal hernias. To this end, we review the epidemiology and mechanisms of these recurrences and discuss the clinical features that are necessary to consider when deciding the appropriate management for patients with recurrent hiatal hernias.
Differences in Eccentricity Index and Systolic-Diastolic Ratio in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia at Risk of Pulmonary Hypertension.

Objective To compare the left ventricular eccentricity index (EI) and tricuspid valve systolic–diastolic (SD) ratio in infants at risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH). Study Design Review of echocardiograms performed on infants born at ≤ 28 weeks' postmenstrual age, categorized into the following three cohorts: BPD and PH (n = 13); BPD only (n = 16); and controls (n = 59). EI was measured from a parasternal short axis 2D image. The SD ratio was measured from the continuous wave Doppler tracing. Groups were compared using Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Result EI and SD ratios were successfully measured in all infants. There were no differences between controls and BPD cohort. In contrast, the BPD and PH cohort had increased systolic EI (1.46 vs. 1.00–1.01), diastolic EI (1.47 vs. 1.00), and SD ratio (1.12 vs. 0.97–1.00) compared with controls and BPD only cohort (p ≤ 0.01 for all). Conclusion The EI and SD ratio may be useful as a screening tool for PH in this population.
Cryobiology of platelets: II. Effects of freezing and storage at low temperatures on the survival of isolated human blood platelets as measured by assays for aminopeptidases

Abstract The effects of freezing and storage at low temperatures on isolated platelets suspended in potassium phosphate buffer only, phosphate buffer plus dimethyl sulfoxide, phosphate buffer plus sodium glycerophosphate, or combinations of the foregoing were studied. The effects of freezing on platelets suspended in 0.25 m phosphate buffer at different hydrogen ion concentrations were investigated also. The least disruption or destruction of platelets after freezing and thawing occurred at pH 7.4, a loss of 29%. No losses in the activities of aminopeptidases, as a measure of platelet intactness, were observed in preparations of platelets suspended in potassium phosphate buffer plus 0.50 to 1.00 m dimethyl sulfoxide and cooled at 1 °C per min to a terminal temperature of −70 °C; preparations of platelets suspended in 0.25 to 1.00 m sodium β-glycerophosphate and treated in a similar manner lost 32% of their numbers. A synergistic effect was observed when platelets were suspended in a combination of 0.05 m dimethyl sulfoxide and 0.25 m sodium β-glycerophosphate. Platelet numbers in preparations containing 1 m dimethyl sulfoxide and stored at −70 °C for 8 days were not significantly different from those of the control suspensions; a 6% decrease in the numbers of platelets was found after 16 days of storage. Platelets suspended in 0.05 m dimethyl sulfoxide plus 0.25 m sodium β-glycerophosphate in 0.25 m potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, did not decline significantly in numbers after 4 days of storage at −70 °C. A decline in the number of platelets occurred after the 4th day of storage at −70 °C, and by the 16th day of storage, these preparations had lost 19% of the number present before freezing and storing. A mixture of extremely low concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide plus sodium β-glycerophosphate in potassium phosphate buffer appears, therefore, to be suitable menstruum for the freezing and storage at low temperatures of platelets, with minimal losses of activities as measured by the levels of activities of aminopeptidases.
Wide-field J- and K-band galaxy counts in the ELAIS fields

New near-infrared galaxy counts in the J and K bands are presented over a total area of 0.70 and 0.97 degrees^2, respectively. The limiting magnitudes of the deepest regions are 19.5 in J and 18.0 in K. At J>16 and K>15 our J and K-band counts number counts agree well with existing surveys provided all data are corrected to a common magnitude scale. There are real differences from field to field, and the ELAIS N1 and N2 fields show an overdensity of J<16, K<15 galaxies. The slopes of log N(m) / dm are 0.40 to 0.45 at 15<K<18 and 16<J<19.5. Our counts favor galaxy models with a high normalization of the local luminosity function and without strong evolution.
Source localization with overlapping CW intercepts using multipath modeling

This paper addresses the problem of passively locating a CW pulse emitter without a priori information concerning the pulse duration or the number of overlapping paths being intercepted. It differs from a previous approach by Manickam [1], since it consists on jump online detections, with a single path being concerned each time. Basically, the method relies on a non-linear ML estimation of the sinusoid parameters and a jump detector based on for ward-back ward estimation residuals to compute the individual times of beginning/ending for each path. Using the sound speed profile, a non-linear (NL) least-squares fit between the measured time-delays and the guessed ones enables to locate the source in both range and depth. Monte-Carlo simulation in a deep Mediterranean like channel demonstrates the capability of the method for various signal to noise ratio. The Cramer-Rao bounds of the range-depth estimation are computed by using an analytic modelization of the ray propagation. At last, a 1-hour recorded signal experiment proves the at-sea efficiency of the method for a source located in the 20–30 km ranges of the deep Mediterranean channel.
Proteolytic dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the protein dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders. The intracellular mechanisms are involved in protein degradation and clearance, and the failure of these processes plays a role in the initiation, development, or progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Neurodegenerative disorders are neurological illnesses that manifest as movement disorder, cognitive impairment, and/or psychiatric disturbance. The clinical and pathological overlap that can occur between the various neurodegenerative disorders suggested that these illnesses share a similar pathogenic mechanism. Proteolytic dysfunction occurs in many neurodegenerative disorders and could be the pathogenic mechanism that unifies the illnesses. There are several types of proteases and proteolytic systems that degrade intracellular proteins including the cysteine proteases (cathepsins) that degrade membrane and extracellular components, following endocytosis into the lysosome and caspases that mediate the apoptotic cascade. The chapter outlines the neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, polyglutamine repeat diseases, and prion diseases. The emergence of proteolytic dysfunction as a common etiopathogenic mechanism in neurodegenerative disorders provides exciting opportunities for the development of neuroprotective therapies, such as activators of proteolysis that could prevent or impede the pathogenic process in these illnesses.
The destruction of 18O in red giants. A search for a sub-threshold resonance in the 18O + p system

The 18O(3He, d)19F reaction has been used to determine if a presumed sub-threshold resonance at Ec.m. = −94 keV in the 18O(p, α)15N reaction exists at an astrophysically significant level. No evidence for this state was observed which implies a dimensionless reduced width θ2p < 5 × 10−5. In addition, a proton width Γp = 2 × 10−19eV has been determined for a d-wave resonance located at Ec.m. = 20 keV. The resulting thermonuclear reaction rate is slow enough to ensure that 18O is not destroyed at red-giant temperatures.
Hysteresis in suspended sediment to turbidity relations due to changing particle size distributions

[1] Turbidity (T) is the most ubiquitous of surrogate technologies used to estimate suspended-sediment concentration (SSC). The effects of sediment size on turbidity are well documented; however, effects from changes in particle size distributions (PSD) are rarely evaluated. Hysteresis in relations of SSC-to-turbidity (SSC∼T) for single stormflow events was observed and quantified for a dataset of 195 concurrent measurements of SSC, turbidity, discharge, velocity, and volumetric PSD collected during five stormflows in 2009–2010 on Yellow River at Gees Mill Road in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. Regressions of SSC-normalized turbidity (T/SSC) on concurrently measured PSD percentiles show an inverse, exponential influence of particle size on turbidity that is not constant across the size range of the PSD. The majority of the influence of PSD on T/SSC is from particles of fine silt and smaller sizes (finer than 16 µm). This study shows that small changes in the often assumed stability of the PSD are significant to SSC∼T relations. Changes of only 5 µm in the fine silt and smaller size fractions of suspended sediment PSD can produce hysteresis in the SSC∼T rating that can increase error and produce bias. Observed SSC∼T hysteresis may be an indicator of changes in sediment properties during stormflows and of potential changes in sediment sources. Trends in the PSD time series indicate that sediment transport is capacity limited for sand-sized sediment in the channel and supply limited for fine silt and smaller sediment from the hillslope.
On a hierarchy of nonlinearly dispersive generalized KdV equations

We propose a hierarchy of nonlinearly dispersive generalized Korteweg--de Vries (KdV) evolution equations based on a modification of the Lagrangian density whose induced action functional the KdV equation extremizes. It is shown that two recent nonlinear evolution equations describing wave propagation in certain generalized continua with an inherent material length scale are members of the proposed hierarchy. Like KdV, the equations from the proposed hierarchy possess Hamiltonian structure. Unlike KdV, however, the solutions to these equations can be compact (i.e., they vanish outside of some open interval) and, in addition, peaked. Implicit solutions for these peaked, compact traveling waves ("peakompactons") are presented.
Quantification of defects in epitaxial metal film growth: a helium diffraction investigation of the Cu/W(110) system

Abstract Growth of Cu epitaxial films on W(110) has been studied by monitoring the specular helium intensity during film deposition. We observe oscillations in the elastic scattering intensity with coverage under both out-of-phase and in-phase conditions. The positions of maxima and minima do not always occur on integral and half integral layers. The deviation is due to departure from layer-by-layer growth or increased defect density. Due to the large scattering cross sections for the scattering from adatoms, clusters, step edges and vacancies, our study gives new information on the defect density during film growth. Our results indicate that no more than 5% of the Cu atoms are at defect positions for a 0.5 ML film deposited at 300 K. Thick films (3–5 ML) are very smooth and we estimate the number of atoms at defect sites to be less than 10%. Although more intensity oscillations with coverage are observed at 170 than at 300 K, the film quality is lower due to the higher defect density which occurs for deposition at low temperatures. In agreement with earlier work, we observe that the first layer is pseudomorphic, the second layer is a strained Cu(111) plane and the third layer has an undistorted Cu(111) structure. Diffraction is observed from the buckling of the bilayer and trilayer. Whereas the bilayer buckling amplitude is consistent with simple models, the trilayer buckling is less than expected and this buckling decreases further for thicker films. Deposition for T > 600 K results in nucleation of three-dimensional needle-like crystallites which have a very small contact area with the bilayer on which they are formed.
Clinical confusion of the Noonan syndrome with the Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome.

The diagnosis of Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome in a patient reported by Veall et al. (1979) is challenged. The clinical findings were compared with those in 32 patients with the Noonan syndrome using the extensive description, dermatoglyphics, photographs and anthropometric measurements provided in the paper. The patient's findings are compatible with the Noonan syndrome based on his overall phenotypic similarity to the 32 patients, even though the severity of his mental retardation is atypical.
Lysosomal and Microsomal Glucuronidase: Genetic Variant Alters Electrophoretic Mobility of Both Hydrolases

An electrophoretic variant of β-glucuronidase is present in certain inbred mouse lines. The variant simultaneously affects the mobility of the lysosomal and microsomal forms of the enzyme. The difference is inherited as a single gene mapping at the position of the structural gene on chromosome 5. This confirms that β-glucuronidase at both intracellular sites is coded by the same structural gene.
Crossing the boundaries of history: exploring oral history in researching Palestinian women in the mandate period [1 ]

Abstract This article explores the promise of, as well as the methodological and pedagogical problems inherent in, the use of oral history in research on Palestinian women, focusing on the author's personal experiences in her field research.The author critiques the field of history – specifically, Middle East history – for its neglect in utilizing oral history and training historians in it, particularly as it relates to Third World women.Oral history is not merely a choice of methodology, but rather, in many cases, a decision of whether or not to record their history at all.Historians need to move beyond the boundaries that rigidly define their discipline and incorporate methodologies of other fields in order to produce more inclusive history.
On the food of channel catfish stocked in farm ponds

Abstract Stomach contents of 382 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), ranging in length from 47 to 440 mm collected from farm ponds of Auburn University were examined. Fish in these ponds were fiven supplemental feed 6 days a week. Juvenile catfish below 100 mm fed more actively than other size groups. Channel catfish of all size groups were found to have eaten dipteran larvae and pupae more frequently than other natural food items. Dipterans contributed to a maximum of 47.7% and a minimum of 27.3% in the stomachs of 47–100 mm and 101–200 mm long fish, respectively. Supplemental feed was second in importance among other food items consumed by fish of all size groups. Other food items present in the stomachs in varying quantities were algae, molluscs, micro-crustaceans, coleopterans, trichopterans, fish remains and detritus, thus indicating the omnivorous feeding habit of channel catfish.
Defect groups in p-constrained groups

In many recent group theoretical investigations, the normalizers of all, or at least some, nontrivial p groups are p constrained. In particular, if these normalizers are p solvable they are p constrained. For the definition and a discussion of p constraint, see below (or [3], Section 8.1). Suppose B is a nonprincipal p block with nontrivial defect group D. In this paper we show that if the normalizer of D, N(D), isp constrained, then O,f[N(D)] # e. Here, O,(K) is the maximal normal subgroup of K of order prime to p. A similar result holds for the normalizer N(D,) of any p group D, , such that e # D, C D. This puts a restriction on the possible defect groups D when the normalizers of certain nontrivial p groups are p constrained. The results are essentially a restatement of ([11-I), when the p constraint is present. The notation is fairly standard. Let G be a finite group with identity element e. Define N,(K) to be the normalizer of K in H, C,(K) the centralizer of K in H. If K is a subgroup, Z(K) is the center of K. A group H is called p local, if it is the normalizer of a nontrivial p group. The concept of p constraint is defined in [3], Section 8.1, as follows. A finite group H is p constrained if C,(P) c O,,,,(H), w h ere P is a Sylow p group of O,,,,(H). Here, O,(K) is the maximal normal p group in K. If K is a subset of G, (K) denotes the group generated by the elements of K. An element is called p regular if its order is prime to p.
Corticotropin Releasing Factor in the Embryonic Mouse Cerebellum

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is a 41 amino acid peptide that has been localized throughout the mouse cerebellum on postnatal day (P0). The widespread distribution of CRF within this brain region at birth suggests that it likely is present during embryonic stages of development. Thus, the intent of this study was to use immunohistochemical techniques to determine when CRF is first present in the cerebellar anlage, to analyze its distribution within the developing cerebellum, and to correlate these findings with early events in cerebellar ontogeny. CRF can first be detected in the cerebellum on embryonic day (E) 10 in scattered puncta that appear to approximate cell bodies throughout the cerebellar plate. Between E11 and E14 the number of puncta increase in the intermediate zone and more dorsal aspect of the cerebellum and decrease in the ventricular zone. At E14, in addition to the puncta, lightly immunolabeled cell bodies are observed in the ventricular zone. Just prior to birth at E17, CRF-immunoreactive varicosities distribute along the multitiered Purkinje cell layer and the intermediate zone. The CRF-positive cell bodies increase in number and intensity of staining. The majority remain within the ventricular zone, although a few also are present in the intermediate zone; it is postulated that these may be glial cells or neurons that are transiently expressing CRF. In conclusion, CRF-positive punctate elements derived from an as yet unknown source are present in the embryonic cerebellum just prior to and during the birth of Purkinje cells and nuclear neurons. The presence of this peptide at this critical stage of cerebellar development and its continued expression throughout the postnatal period of ontogeny suggests that CRF may play an important developmental role.
Bone morphogenetic proteins and their antagonists in skin and hair follicle biology.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are members of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily regulating a large variety of biologic responses in many different cells and tissues during embryonic development and postnatal life. BMP exert their biologic effects via binding to two types of serine/threonine kinase BMP receptors, activation of which leads to phosphorylation and translocation into the nucleus of intracellular signaling molecules, including Smad1, Smad5, and Smad8 ("canonical" BMP signaling pathway). BMP effects are also mediated by activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway ("noncanonical" BMP Signaling pathway). BMP activity is regulated by diffusible BMP antagonists that prevent BMP interactions with BMP receptors thus modulating BMP effects in tissues. During skin development, BMPs its receptors and antagonists show stringent spatiotemporal expressions patterns to achieve proper regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation in the epidermis and in the hair follicle. In normal postnatal skin, BMP are involved in the control of epidermal homeostasis, hair follicle growth, and melanogenesis. Furthermore, BMP are implicated in a variety of pathobiologic processes in skin, including wound healing, psoriasis, and carcinogenesis. Therefore, BMPs represent new important players in the molecular network regulating homeostasis in normal and diseased skin. Pharmacologic modulation of BMP signaling may be used as a new approach for managing skin and hair disorders.
Virginia Ham: The Local and Global of Colonial Foodways

The Virginia ham, a regional delicacy, provides a unique opportunity to explore the local and global dynamics at play in the colonial foodways of the British North Atlantic. Moving beyond the simple question of origins, I ask why people ate this food with such gusto in this period and place and seek to explain the ham's development and rise to fame. Whereas earlier scholarly fixation on the food as object provides important insights, the interests of this article lie with the broader universe of people and practices within which production and consumption were embedded. Evidence demonstrates the transfer of Old World techniques to the Chesapeake Bay, and the fusing of these traditions with native practices in the creolizing social and physical environment of colonial Virginia. My contextualization provides for a deeper understanding of the historical and social processes that influenced the development of this food and the culinary heritage of Tidewater Virginia.
Mycobacterium bovis vertebral osteomyelitis and psoas abscess after intravesical bcg therapy for bladder carcinoma

Systemic complications of intravesicular BCG for bladder carcinoma are uncommon, and include fever, pneumonia, hepatitis, arthralgias, or skin rash. Local complications of BCG therapy for bladder cancer include cystitis, prostatitis, epididymo-orchitis, granulomatous lymphadenitis, or ureteral obstruction. We believe this is the first case of Mycobacterium bovis vertebral osteomyelitis and psoas abscess complicating intravesicular BCG therapy for bladder carcinoma.
Improving Website Usability with Latent Semantic Analysis

When people search for information on the Web, they rely on link descriptions to decide where to look. If the descriptions are not sufficiently accurate, people will have a hard time navigating. This difficulty is what is known as the vocabulary problem. The overall goal of this study was to develop a way of making the vocabulary problem less probable on websites: first by improving the information scent of links in websites, and second by investigating the relationship between information scent and website navigability. Information scent was defined as the semantic similarity between a link description and its target information, quantified using Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA). Lists of keywords related to web pages were obtained from human participants and from LSA, and then the keywords were used to make modifications to the links on web pages. Participants showed faster navigation when using the modified websites compared to using the original websites.
Tegüder’in Kalavun’a Ültimatomu

This article is the Turkish translation of Adel Allouche’s article “Teguder’s Ultimatum to Qalawun”.
Confined compression experiments on bovine nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus: sensitivity of the experiment in the determination of compressive modulus and hydraulic permeability.

Abstract The biphasic material properties for nucleus pulposus tissue in confined compression have not been reported previously, and are required for a better understanding of intervertebral disc function and to provide material properties for use in finite-element models. The aims of this study were to determine linear and non-linear material properties for nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus tissues in confined compression, to define the influence of swelling conditions on these properties, and to determine the changes in the compressive modulus and hydraulic permeability induced by the repetition of the stress-relaxation experiment after a return to swelling pressure equilibrium. Specimens from caudal bovine nucleus and annulus were tested in confined compression stress-relaxation experiments and analyzed to quantify the compressive modulus and hydraulic permeability using linear and non-linear biphasic models. Our results suggested the use of confined swelling pre-test condition and non-linear biphasic model, which provided the material parameters with lowest relative variance and water content most representative of physiological conditions. Smaller compressive modulus and higher hydraulic permeability were obtained for the nucleus ( H A0 =0.31±0.04 MPa, k 0 =0.67±0.09×10 −15 m 4 /Ns) than for the annulus ( H A0 =0.74±0.13 MPa, k 0 =0.23±0.19×10 −15 m 4 /Ns), with relatively weak non-linearities. Strains up to 20% resulted in material properties that were significantly altered upon retesting. These altered material properties are an effort to quantify non-recoverable damage that occurs in disc tissue and suggest that in vivo exposure of disc tissues to low strain-rate and high-deformation loading conditions which outpace biological repair may result in altered mechanical behaviors.
DermACELL: a novel and biocompatible acellular dermal matrix in tissue expander and implant-based breast reconstruction.

Background Acellular dermal matrices present a new alternative to supporting expanders and implants for breast reconstruction in breast cancer patients following mastectomy. However, some studies have suggested that acellular dermal matrix may increase the complication rates in certain clinical settings. DermACELL acellular dermal matrix offers advanced processing in order to attempt to decrease bio-intolerance and complications.
The role of ADAM-TS4 (aggrecanase-1) and ADAM-TS5 (aggrecanase-2) in a model of cartilage degradation.

Abstract Introduction Cleavage of aggrecan between residues Glu 373 –Ala 374 , which is believed to be a key event in aggrecan destruction in arthritic diseases, has been attributed to an enzymatic activity, aggrecanase. Two cartilage aggrecanases have been identified, aggrecanase-1 (ADAM-TS4) and aggrecanase-2 (ADAM-TS5) and both enzymes have been shown very efficiently to cleave soluble aggrecan at the Glu 373 –Ala 374 site. Objective To determine whether ADAM-TS4 and/or ADAM-TS5 are the aggrecanases responsible for aggrecan catabolism following interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment of bovine articular cartilage. Results (1) IL-1- and TNF-stimulated release of aggrecan was associated with cleavage of aggrecan within the C-terminus at the ADAM-TS4 and ADAM-TS5-sensitive sites, Glu 1480 –Gly 1481 , Glu 1667 –Gly 1668 , and Glu 1871 –Leu 1872 . (2) The order of cleavage following IL-1 stimulation of cartilage explants was the same as when soluble aggrecan is digested with recombinant human ADAM-TS4 and ADAM-TS5. (3) Both constitutive and stimulated cleavage of aggrecan at the ADAM-TS4 and ADAM-TS5-sensitive sites in cartilage was blocked by a general metalloproteinase inhibitor but not by a MMP-specific inhibitor, and this inhibition correlated with inhibition of aggrecan release from cartilage. (4) PCR and Western blot analysis indicated that both ADAM-TS proteases are expressed in cartilage explants; ADAM-TS5 is constitutively expressed whereas ADAM-TS4 is induced following IL-1 and TNF treatment. (5) Immunodepletion of both ADAM-TS4 and ADAM-TS5 from bovine articular cartilage cultures following IL-1 stimulation resulted in a 90% reduction of aggrecanase activity in the culture medium.
Playing by pair-rules?

Although in Drosophila pair-rule genes play crucial roles in the genetic hierarchy that subdivides the embryo into segments, the extent to which pair-rule patterning is utilized by different arthropods and other segmented phyla is unknown. Recent data of Dearden et al.1 and Henry et al.,2 however, hint that a pair-rule mechanism might play a role in the segmentation process of basal arthropods and vertebrates. BioEssays 25:425–429, 2003. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two-pion-exchange contributions to nucleon-nucleon scattering

Contributions to $N\ensuremath{-}N$ phase shifts are found, using Feynman diagrams through fourth order in the coupling constant in pseudoscalar-meson theory. The amplitudes are evaluated using Cutkosky's method to express them in dispersion-relation form, and geometric unitarization is applied to calculate phase shifts. In addition to pion and nucleon intermediate states, particles in the baryon and psuedoscalar octets are allowed, subject to $S{U}_{3}$ symmetry. The results indicate that there are features of the phase shifts, particularly in higher partial waves, that are due to two-pion-exchange effects. The addition of the $S{U}_{3}$-restricted intermediate states gives no improvement.
1985 International Lens Design Conference Lens Design Problem: A Reversible Lens

It has become traditional[1,2] at these International Lens Design Conferences to pose a problem for designers to tackle, on their own before the conference and during the conference using available computer facilities. The problems provide amusement and challenge to the participants, but in addition, discussion and comparison of the designs submitted can teach us about different approaches to the design process. In the recent past, progress has been made in several areas affecting design. New systematic approaches to the design process are being proposed. Technolo(xies such as the use of aspherics and gradient index materials are now available to the designer, requiring new approaches to optical system design. For the problem this time. the participant.: were asked to make all decisions about design form. They were asked how the designs were initiated and what factors were important to the design form decision. A first-order problem was posed with no suggested starting solution and no performance requirement. It was intended to be a problem with no well known "best" solution -- something sufficiently out of the ordinary to pique interest and encourage original thought. The participants were asked to design a finite conjugate lens with pupil-image symmetry: a reversible lens. This paper is intended to introduce the problem and, of course, to present the solutions submitted before the conference. Forty solutions were received from twenty-eight designers from eight countries, representing a wide variety of approaches to the problem. Two companion papers can be found elsewhere in this Proceedings: Walther[3] discusses the fundamental performance limitations of symmetric reversible systems and Hopkins presents his personal approach to the problem as a designer with many years of experience.
Local income taxation: An externality, Pigouvian solution, and public policies.

Abstract Traditionally, public finance economists have suggested that the migration incentives created by taxes on income make such taxes inferior to head taxes for local governments. This paper develops this argument in a model in which the choice of tax instrument is endogenously determined by majority rule in each jurisdiction. An asymmetric income distribution and majority rule can lead a local government to choose income taxes over head taxes. Although income is exogenous in the model, taxes on income are Pareto inefficient because of mobility. The inefficiency can be thought of as an externality created by local income taxes; the Pigouvian solution thus becomes a natural corrective mechanism to recommend. Public policies such as equalizing grants and the deductibility of local taxes are compared to the Pigouvian solution.
Prolactin Receptor Expression in the Developing Human Prostate and in Hyperplastic, Dysplastic, and Neoplastic Lesions

In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to localize and compare the expression of the long form of the human prolactin receptor in fetal, prepubertal, and adult prostate. Results were then compared with hyperplastic, dysplastic, and neoplastic lesions. Both receptor message and protein were predominately localized in epithelial cells of the fetal, neonatal, prepubertal, and normal adult prostate. In hyperplastic lesions the expression of the receptor was unchanged with respect to normal epithelial cells. Irrespective of grade, markedly enhanced expression of the receptor was evident in dysplastic lesions. In lower Gleason grade carcinomas the intensity of receptor signal at the message and protein levels approximated that found in normal prostatic epithelium. However, in foci within higher grade cancers, receptor expression appeared diminished. Results from our study suggest that prolactin action plays a role in the development and maintenance of the human prostate and may also participate in early neoplastic transformation of the gland. Diminution of receptor expression in high grade neoplasms could reflect the emergence of a population of cells that are no longer responsive to the peptide hormone.
Improving estimates of maximal organic carbon stabilization by fine soil particles

Organic carbon (C) associated with fine soil particles (<20 μm) is relatively stable and accounts for a large proportion of total soil organic C (SOC). The soil C saturation concept proposes a maximal amount of SOC that can be stabilized in the fine soil fraction, and the soil C saturation deficit (i.e., the difference between current SOC and the maximal amount) is presumed to affect the capacity, magnitude, and rate of SOC storage. In this study, we argue that predictions using current models underestimate maximal organic C stabilization of fine soil particles due to fundamental limitations of using least-squares linear regression. The objective was to improve predictions of maximal organic C stabilization by using two alternative approaches; one mechanistic, based on organic C loadings, and one statistical, based on boundary line analysis. We collected 342 data points on the organic C content of fine soil particles, fine particle mass proportions in bulk soil, dominant soil mineral types, and land use types from 32 studies. Predictions of maximal organic C stabilization using linear regression models are questionable because of the use of data from soils that may not be saturated in SOC and because of the nature of regression itself, resulting in a high proportion of presumed over-saturated samples. Predictions of maximal organic C stabilization using the organic C loading approach fit the data for soils dominated by 2:1 minerals well, but not soils dominated by 1:1 minerals; suggesting that the use of a single value for specific surface area, and therefore a single organic C loading, to represent a large dataset is problematic. In boundary line analysis, only data representing soils having reached the maximal amount (upper tenth percentile) were used. The boundary line analysis estimate of maximal organic C stabilization (78 ± 4 g C kg−1 fraction) was more than double the estimate by the linear regression approach (33 ± 1 g C kg−1 fraction). These results show that linear regression models do not adequately predict maximal organic C stabilization. Soil properties associated with soil mineralogy, such as specific surface area and organic C loading, should be incorporated to generate more mechanistic models for predicting soil C saturation, but in their absence, statistical models should represent the upper envelope rather than the average value.
Determination of numbers of lead-exposed American children as a function of lead source: Integrated summary of a report to the U.S. Congress on childhood lead poisoning

In 1986, the U.S. Congress [Section 118(f), Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)] directed the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to provide to it a quantitative assessment of the contributions of various sources of lead to childhood exposure. We provided both a quantitative response to the mandate and a critique of low-level lead sources for U.S. population segments. We also present here an integrated assessment of major and low-level lead sources. Significant sources of lead in childhood exposure include lead in paint, dust, soil, and drinking water. Approximately 6 million U.S. children
Foreign-domestic intersections in US food policy.

Abstract This essay probes the major points. of intersection between US domestic and foreign policies in the realm of food and agriculture. Five issue areas are of specific interest: the farm income/consumer price/food supply matrix; international agricultural trade relations; economic, strategic, and diplomatic applications of food resources; LDC agricultural development and global food security; and food assistance.
Induction of cytochrome P4501A1 by ozone-oxidized tryptophan in Hepa lclc7 cells.

The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether administration of O3 oxidized amino acids to mouse hepatoma cells, Hepa lclc7 (Hepa-1), in culture would effect Cyplal gene expression. The results demonstrate that, of all the amino acids tested, only O3-oxidized tryptophan caused a significant induction of CYP1 Al-dependent 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity compared to the controls (p < 0.01). CYP1 A1 mRNA and protein were markedly induced in the O3−oxidized tryptophan administered group compared to the controls. Gel mobility shift assays using nuclear extracts of Hepa-1 cells revealed that oxidized products of tryptophan can induce both aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transformation and binding of the liganded AhR complex to its specific DNA recognition site, thereby initiating transcription of the Cyp1a1 gene with concomitant increase of CYP1A1 protein and EROD activity in Hepa-1 cells.
Transfer function of an elliptical annular aperture.

The normalized transfer function of an elliptical annular aperture for incoherent illumination is derived. The relationship between the formulation developed here and a problem occurring in the diffraction from apertures illuminated with partially coherent radiation is shown. Results are discussed in terms of spatial-filtering concepts, with emphasis on the behavior of the cutoff frequency and the passband characteristics in the spatial-frequency plane.The effect of the aperture ellipticity for arbitrary annulus width is to introduce an asymmetry in the behavior of the cutoff frequency. The presence of a central obstruction, for arbitrary ellipticity, emphasizes the high-frequency transmission, with the region of emphasis dependent upon the angular orientation in the frequency plane.
Growth factor enhancement of intestinal function: dramatic response but lack of synergism.

Abstract Background/Purpose: The authors have shown that gastrin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) exert a trophic effect on intestinal epithelial cells. Because these peptides may have different mechanisms by which they stimulate these cells, this study was designed to determine the effect of gastrin and EGF on the intestinal epithelial cell and to evaluate their potential synergistic effect. Methods: Twenty young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent placement of jugular venous catheters that were connected to subcutaneously placed osmotic minipumps. The rats were divided into four groups based on the content of the osmotic pump: Group 1, saline (control n=5); Group 2, EGF at 150 μg/kg/d (n = 5); Group 3, gastrin at 13.5 nmol/kg/d (n = 5); and Group 4, EGF at 150 μg/kg/d plus gastrin at 13.5 nmol/kg/d (n = 5). After a 14-day intravenous infusion, [C 14 ] galactose and [C 14 ] glycine absorption (μmol/cm 2 intestine), mucosal DNA content (μg/mg mucosa), and protein content (μg/mg mucosa) were measured in the small intestine of each rat. Results: The galactose absorption, glycine absorption, DNA content, and protein content were significantly increased by EGF (69%, 28%, 64%, and 55%, respectively) and gastrin (72%, 60%, 93%, and 48%, respectively) when compared with control. Combining EGF and gastrin also significantly increased these parameters (61%, 44%, 96%, and 70%, respectively) when compared with control. However, these data demonstrate no further enhancement than the effect of each peptide alone. Conclusion: EGF and gastrin individually may be useful for patients who have inadequate intestinal function, but when combined did not exert a synergistic benefit.
Preparation, support, and satisfaction of adoptive families in agency and independent adoptions

Information gathered from over 1000 adoptions in the fourth year of a prospective study of adoptions finds satisfaction levels to be quite high, with those families adopting through private agencies to feel best prepared and satisfied. Differences by adoption auspice are detailed and discussed.
Calcium influx blocks the skeletal muscle acetylcholine receptor α-subunit gene in vivo

The transcriptional activity of the acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit gene was measured in denervated chick skeletal muscle in response to calcium-active drugs, using a ribonuclease protection version of the conventional run-off assay. The L-channel agonist (-)Bay-K6844 and the calcium ionophore A23187 mimicked, and the intracellular chelator BAPTA and the calcium channel blockers D600 and nifedipine blocked, the effect of electrostimulation. These results suggest that influx of extracellular calcium is an integral component of the membrane depolarization-receptor gene inactivation cascade.
A data fitting approach to series convergence acceleration

A method is shown to accelerate the convergence of a partial series. It is based on a generalized form of Kummer's comparison method in which a set of functions with unique properties are fitted to the summand values. This process subtracts off the tail of an infinite sum and accelerates the convergence of the remaining partial sum.
Dopaminergic modulation of short-term synaptic plasticity in fast-spiking interneurons of primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Dopaminergic regulation of primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity is essential for cognitive functions such as working memory. However, the cellular mechanisms of dopamine neuromodul...
Terminology of protein structure.

I WISH to suggest a revision in the practice of discussing proteins in terms of primary, secondary, andtertiary structures. This terminology, introduced by Linderstrom-Lang in his Lane Memorial Lectures1, served well in the few years since it was invented, and has thoroughly permeated the literature. Developments since that time have lessened its usefulness. Arguments to demonstrate this, and suggestions for a more useful general terminology, are the substance of this communication.
A practical method of predicting geomagnetic storms by using precursory enhancements of solar wind density

The solar wind density begins to become enhanced at the same time that azimuthal flow removes material from compressions built up by stream-stream interaction. This lateral flow delays the formation of a shock and the resulting onset of enhancement in the magnetic field. The density increases typically six hours before the field and velocity increase. Density enhancements in the ISEE 3 data are identified here by use of an algorithm that is based on both the three-hour averages of the density and daily averages of the density. In the ISEE 3 data from the first twenty weeks following launch on August 12, 1978, 25 density enhancements were picked out by the algorithm. The times at which these enhancements started were used for superposed epoch analyses. The variables examined were the geomagnetic activity index (Kp), the ring current index (Dst), the field magnitude, the absolute value of the north-south field component, (B/sub N/), the solar wind velocity and the composite standard deviation of the field components. These variables became enhanced six or more hours after the time when the density enhancement condition was first satisfied. The distribution of current sheet crossings showed no systematic behavior in a superposed epoch treatment. Themore » results of the superposed epoch analyses indicate that density enhancements can be used to anticipate the occurrence of enhanced geomagnetic activity.« less