cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angioimmunoblastic T- Cell Lymphoma by Flow Cytometric Analysis.

Background: Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AILT) is a peripheral T- cell lymphoma characterized by systemic disease, a polymorphous infiltrate involving lymph nodes with prominent proliferation of high endothelial venules and follicular dendritic cells. We present a novel technique for the presumptive diagnosis of AILT cases by flow cytometric analysis. The diagnosis of AILT was confirmed by histolopathologic features, immunohistochemical stains and molecular studies. Method: Specimens: Fresh groin excision lymph nodes. Flow cytometric analysis utilizing side scatter versus CD45. Case 1 (figure 1): The gated population consists of 10–12% B cells and 56–61% T cells. CD3, CD4 and CD5 stain 56–61% of the gated cells, while CD7 stains 41% of the gated cells, consistent with aberrant partial loss of CD7 by T cells. A population of abnormal T cells expresses CD10 with CD2, CD3, CD4 and CD7 but not with CD19 (B cells) consistent with aberrant CD10 coexpression by a subset of the T cells (12–19% of the gated cells). Staining for CD34 highlights less than 2% immature cells staining while CD64 stains less than 2% monocytic cells. Surface kappa and lambda staining does not show restriction (kappa: lambda 1–2:1). Cytoplasmic kappa and lambda staining is not interpretable due to non-specific antibody binding. Case 2 (figure 2): The gated population consists of 69% T- cells and 28–33% B- cells. A population of abnormal T cells expresses CD10 with CD2, CD3, CD4 and CD7 but not CD19 consistent with aberrant CD10 expression by a subpopulation of T cells (8–11% of gated cells). Intracellular B cell kappa lambda light chain restriction is not present and there is no aberrant co-expression of CD5, CD10 or CD43 by B cells. The diagnosis of AILT was confirmed by standard morphologic, immunoperoxidase and molecular methods subsequently in both of these cases. Discussion: Aberrant CD10 expression on neoplastic T cells has been shown with immunohistochemical staining of paraffin embedded tissue in AILT. Our cases show aberrant coexpression of CD10 by CD2, CD3, CD4 and CD7 positive T cells in more than 10% of gated cells by Flow cytometric analysis. Conclusion: Flow Cytometric analysis is a useful and reproducible tool for immunophenotyping AILT cells and should be considered for presumptive diagnosis of AILT.
Irrigation Effects on Land–Atmosphere Coupling Strength in the United States

AbstractLand–atmosphere coupling strength describes the degree to which the atmosphere responds (e.g., via changes in precipitation) to changes in the land surface state (e.g., soil moisture). The Midwest and Great Plains of the United States have been shown to be “hot spots” of coupling by many climate models and some observations. However, very few of the modeling studies have reported whether the climate models applied irrigation in the Midwest and Great Plains, where 24%–27% of farmland is irrigated, leaving open the question of whether irrigation affects current estimates of coupling strength. This study used a regional climate model that incorporated dynamic crop growth and precision irrigation (WRF3.3–CLM4crop) to investigate irrigation effects on land–atmosphere coupling strength. Coupling strength was quantified using multiple indices and the irrigated land-induced precipitation was tracked using a back trajectory method. The indices showed a consistent and significant decline in local coupling s...
Assessment of electronic structure methods for the determination of the ground spin states of Fe(II), Fe(III) and Fe(IV) complexes

Our ability to understand and simulate the reactions catalyzed by iron depends strongly on our ability to predict the relative energetics of spin states. In this work, we studied the electronic structures of Fe2+ ion, gaseous FeO and 14 iron complexes using Kohn–Sham density functional theory with particular focus on determining the ground spin state of these species as well as the magnitudes of relevant spin-state energy splittings. The 14 iron complexes investigated in this work have hexacoordinate geometries of which seven are Fe(II), five are Fe(III) and two are Fe(IV) complexes. These are calculated using 20 exchange–correlation functionals. In particular, we use a local spin density approximation (LSDA) – GVWN5, four generalized gradient approximations (GGAs) – BLYP, PBE, OPBE and OLYP, two non-separable gradient approximations (NGAs) – GAM and N12, two meta-GGAs – M06-L and M11-L, a meta-NGA – MN15-L, five hybrid GGAs – B3LYP, B3LYP*, PBE0, B97-3 and SOGGA11-X, four hybrid meta-GGAs – M06, PW6B95, MPW1B95 and M08-SO and a hybrid meta-NGA – MN15. The density functional results are compared to reference data, which include experimental results as well as the results of diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) calculations and ligand field theory estimates from the literature. For the Fe2+ ion, all functionals except M11-L correctly predict the ground spin state to be quintet. However, quantitatively, most of the functionals are not close to the experimentally determined spin-state splitting energies. For FeO all functionals predict quintet to be the ground spin state. For the 14 iron complexes, the hybrid functionals B3LYP, MPW1B95 and MN15 correctly predict the ground spin state of 13 out of 14 complexes and PW6B95 gets all the 14 complexes right. The local functionals, OPBE, OLYP and M06-L, predict the correct ground spin state for 12 out of 14 complexes. Two of the tested functionals are not recommended to be used for this type of study, in particular M08-SO and M11-L, because M08-SO systematically overstabilizes the high spin state, and M11-L systematically overstabilizes the low spin state.
Home Treatment Devices and Water Quality

Drinking water quality is not uniform in its characteristics. While it may meet current government regulations for a safe supply, there can be pronounced differences in hardness, taste, odor, and other properties. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that groundwater quality in some small systems may have undesirable microbial, organic, inorganic, or radionuclide contaminants related to the source water characteristics of the supply. Periodic spills of a variety of pollutants into surface waters may also challenge the effectiveness of existing treatment processes in some public water supplies.
Smart building monitoring and ongoing commissioning: A case study with four canadian federal government office buildings

This paper presents a case study on the deployment of smart building monitoring and ongoing commissioning in Canadian federal government office buildings. The case study involved four office buildings with a total rentable space of about 100,000 m2. Based on the measurement and verification results over a reporting period of 12 to 24 months, the four pilot buildings have demonstrated an average energy saving of 15%, which resulted in significant energy cost savings of about $818,000 and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions of about 660 tons. The mechanism by which the savings are currently achieved in the pilot buildings is through the handling of the work orders generated by the deployed building energy management systems. These work orders are based on the detected faults, anomalies or inappropriate operations of the building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Further investigation is underway on the optimization of the HVAC controls according to building occupancy and weather conditions, and on the integration of HVAC and lighting controls.
The Russian Revolution: A New History. By Sean McMeekin. (New York, NY: Basic Books, 2017. Pp. xxxi, 496. $30.00.)

Perspective is part of the historian's craft—an interpretive point‐of‐view that serves as an organizing lens through which facts and events are given some order and sense. There is no history witho...
Reconfigurable Clock Generator with Wide Frequency Range and Single-Cycle Phase and Frequency Switching

Reconfigurable clock generators are critical for future heterogeneous VLSI systems. Often, system clock frequency is adapted to various working conditions, in order to improve performance under limited power budget. We propose a multiphase clock generator with reconfigurable phase spacing that allows adaptation to both phase and frequency, with fine resolution, of the synthesized clock. The phase spacing provides the base time unit to synthesize individual clock periods. The clock synthesis logic consists of a simple programmable shift register that generates individual clock periods with fine granularity and reduces the logic depth and delay, compared to previous Direct Period Synthesis (DPS) methods. The clock generator is implemented in 15 nm FinFET technology. The synthesized frequency can range between 1.57 to 13 GHz, with power consumption ranging from 0.7 to 3 mW. The frequency switching is achieved within one clock cycle, and the phase and period can be adapted with a theoretical resolution of 1 ps; however, the period jitter, which is less than 1ps in our design, limits the practical resolution to 1.5 ps.
Examining Underlying Relationships Between the ASDA-S and the AIR and the ASDA of Adolescents and Young Adults With and Without Disabilities

This study examined interrelationships of the Adolescent Self-Determination Assessment-Short Form (ASDA-S) from the following: (a) the ASDA-S and the AIR Self-Determination Scale and (b) the ASDA-S and the Adolescent Self-Determination Scale (ASDA; the original form of the ASDA-S). To identify the underlying relationship between latent constructs of measures of self-determination, structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques tested the proposed measurement model investigating the ASDA-S as distinct or similar constructs measured in the AIR-S and the ASDA, including 1786 adolescents and young adults with and without disabilities. The development of higher-order constructs of the ASDA-S and the AIR represented that domains statistically supported the theoretical perspectives in each measurement. In addition, the interrelationship between the ASDA-S and the ASDA reported a strong relationship. The magnitude of interrelationships between the ASDA-S with the AIR-S established concurrent criterion-related validity. By confirming the validity of the ASDA-S with youth with and without disabilities, the measurement ensured a potential usage for schoolwide and inclusive settings.
An advanced sensor platform for acoustic quantification of the ocean twilight zone

The ocean twilight zone (OTZ) is the vast, globe-spanning, layer of water between 200 and 1000 m depth—home to diverse communities of small fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans, and gelatinous organisms. Yet, little is known about the biology, abundance, biomass, and distribution of these organisms. The OTZ is difficult to sample due to a combination of organism patchiness and avoidance, and difficulties capturing fragile species. Recent evidence suggests that the global OTZ biomass may be sufficient to commercially harvest. Furthermore, much of this biomass performs daily vertical migration (DVM) and may play a potentially critical role in regulating Earth’s climate through the export of carbon to the deep ocean. Deep-See, an advanced senor platform, was developed to fill the technological void for characterizing the OTZ. This towed vehicle integrates wide-band, split-beam acoustics (1–500 kHz) with optical, environmental, and eDNA sensors that can address many of the challenges associated with sampling in the OTZ. Data from the inaugural cruise in August 2018 highlight that (i) a surprisingly high abundance of organisms can be found outside the dense sound scattering layers and (ii) the target strength of many organisms that perform DVM changes with the depth, which is critical to estimate biomass.
Bis-8-hydroxyquinoline-armed diazatrithia-15-crown-5 and diazatrithia-16-crown-5 ligands: possible fluorophoric metal ion sensors.

The synthesis and preliminary photophysical properties of a series of diazatrithia-15-crown-5 and diazatrithia-16-crown-5 ligands containing two 8-hydroxyquinoline sidearms are reported. The ligands were prepared by a two-step process. First, diazatrithiacrown ethers 11 and 12 were prepared by treating bis(α-chloroamide) 5 with various dimercaptans followed by reduction using a boron−THF complex. Hydroxymethyl-substituted macrocycle 12 was rearranged to hydroxy-substituted diazatrithia-16-crown-5 in refluxing aqueous HCl. Macrocyclic diamines 11−13 were converted to either 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinolin-7-ylmethyl-substituted diazatrithiacrown ethers 14−16 by a Mannich aminomethylation reaction or to 8-hydroxyquinolin-2-ylmethyl-substituted diazatrithiacrown ethers 17−19 by reductive amination using 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxaldehyde. Preliminary photophysical studies show that ligands 16 and 19 exhibit increased fluorescence in the presence of Zn2+, indicating that these ligands could be chemical sensors fo...
Recent shifts in shade tolerance and disturbance traits in forests of the eastern United States

Current forests of the eastern USA have the potential to succeed in composition to more shade-tolerant species. However, long-term processes of transition from fire-tolerant tree species to fire-sensitive species and effects of current land use on forests may interfere with successional progression. I examined if forests in three regions have increased in shade tolerance and if life history strategy groups that represent response to disturbance (i.e., fire-tolerance, early-successional species based on low shade tolerance, mid-successional species, late-successional species, and trees valued for traits related to short harvest rotations) have changed, using Forest Inventory and Analysis surveys, adjusted for comparison, and generalized linear mixed models to assess approximately 30 year trends, with adjustments to equalize different survey methods. Although statistically significant, a slight increase of 2 to 4% in regional mean shade tolerance may not be ecologically significant. In the central East, mid-successional species replaced early-successional species and early-successional species replaced fire-tolerant oaks, resulting in an overall shift from fire-tolerant oaks to mid-successional species. Decreased fire-tolerant pine species and increased planted pine species were the major changes in the northern Southeast and Coastal Plain. The successional process of increased composition by shade-tolerant species over time was overshadowed by land use changes that resulted in decreased fire-tolerant species and increased planted pine. Furthermore, frequent land use disturbance may continue to prevent the slow progress of compositional succession to very shade-tolerant species.
Assessing the Global Readiness of Organizations: An Experiential Approach

Despite the importance of assessing global readiness prior to internationalization, it is usually not addressed thoroughly in most business textbooks. This chapter sets forth an experiential approach for assessing the global readiness of organizations utilizing global diagnostic tools. This could be replicated with small- and medium-sized firms around the world through an academic project or course experience, as detailed in this chapter.
Walking in Berlin: A Flaneur in the Capital

This volume brings an important document of its times in Weimar Germany to the English-speaking readership. The translation by Amanda DeMarco does well in capturing Franz Hessel’s tone, and does th...
Utility of Comprehensive Assessment for Hepatic Fibrosis in Lung Transplant Candidates

Purpose We implemented a screening paradigm in lung transplant candidates to detect >=F3 hepatic fibrosis, which a priori was contraindicated. The main outcome was a number needed to screen Methods We included patients >18 years referred between 2015 - 2017. Patients with hepatic fibrosis risk factors (fig. 1) underwent specialized assessment including ultrasound, Fibroscan, FibroSure, CT/MRI, hepatology consult, and biopsy, if indicated. Analysis was performed using STATA v. 15.1. Differences were assessed using Fisher's Exact, Pearson's chi square, and Wilcoxon's rank sum tests. Results Of 500 patients referred, 336 underwent candidacy evaluation. 232 (69%) met criteria for hepatic assessment and of those patients 104 were transplanted. Patients requiring hepatic assessment were younger and had more prevalent pulmonary hypertension and cystic fibrosis (both p =F3 liver fibrosis in 1 in 28 patients evaluated. Conclusion This study demonstrates a benefit to specialized hepatic screening in high-risk patients referred for lung transplantation.
Chapter 12 – Psychotherapy Integration

This chapter begins by considering what must be done to convincingly demonstrate psychotherapy integration across the Big Five clinical orientations. Clinical orientations are broader and more tolerant of exclusion than are the theories upon which they are based. The guiding principle is that things equal to the same thing are equal to each other. Psychotherapy integration is achieved by showing how the proposed Bio↔Psychology Network Theory provides each of the Big Five clinical orientations with their conceptual must haves. This produces a Hegelian synthesis. A brief history of psychotherapy integration is presented to provide a context for this synthesis. Several changes in clinical practice are expected to result from adopting the recommended clinical perspective. Professional identity will shift. Clinicians will identify with psychological principles rather than people such as Freud, Skinner, Beck, Ellis, etc. because mature sciences are organized around principles rather than people. Clinicians will no longer identify with ‘isms’ of any kind. Clinicians will think about psychology and behavior in physical rather than mental terms. Their clinical practice will become more comprehensive. Their therapeutic goals will include enhancing psychological mindedness and emotion regulation in addition to symptom reduction/removal. Treatments can be selected from among all available empirically supported treatments; not just those authorized by their current primary theoretical orientation. Multiple treatments will be considered. Eclectic practice will finally have a theoretical basis.
Peritumoral/vascular expression of PSMA as a diagnostic marker in hepatic lesions

The differential diagnosis between primary cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma is histologically challenging due to lack of distinct morphological features and reliable molecular markers. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is expressed in prostate epithelium and upregulated on the surface of prostatic adenocarcinoma cells. Studies have shown PSMA enzymatic activity is involved in malignancy-driven neoangiogenesis in the endothelium of tumor-associated neovasculature in breast, lung, thyroid, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and urothelial cancer. Recently, PSMA-targeted imaging technology (PSMA PET-CT) detected the presence of PSMA in primary cholangiocarcinoma. However histological correlation with PSMA expression other mass lesions in the liver has not yet been studied. 72 cases of liver mass resection were collected at a tertiary hospital from 2011 to 2019. Immunohistochemical stains for PSMA and CD34 were performed. The expression of PSMA in tumor cells and associated neovascular endothelium were analyzed separately and the locations of vascular structures were confirmed by CD34 expression. Among 72 cases, 28 cases (22/72, 38.9%) showed PSMA peritumoral/vascular expression only, 3 cases (3/72, 4.2%) showed tumor cell expression only, and 2 cases (2/72, 2.8%) showed both tumor cell and peritumoral/vascular expression. The remainder (39/72, 54.2%) showed no expression. Particularly, most of primary cholangiocarcinoma showed PSMA vascular expression (13/15, 86.7%), while none of the 18 cases of metastatic pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma were positive for PSMA (0/18, 0%) (p < 0.01). Outside of pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma, none of the metastatic tumors, including colon and lung cancers, expressed PSMA. In 8 cases of metastatic prostate carcinoma, 3 showed PSMA expressions in tumor cells only (3/8, 37.5%) and 2 expressed PMSA in both tumor cells and neovasculature (2/8, 25.0%). Out of 22 HCC cases, 15 (15/22, 68.2%) were positive for PSMA in tumor vasculature. None of the 5 hepatic adenoma expressed PSMA (0/5, 0%). Significantly enhanced tumor-associated neovascular PSMA expression was identified in primary cholangiocarcinoma, compared to metastatic pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma. Our findings potentially provide a sensitive marker in differential diagnosis between otherwise morphologically indistinguishable cases.
Targeting a helix-in-groove interaction between E1 and E2 blocks ubiquitin transfer

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a highly regulated protein disposal process critical to cell survival. Inhibiting the pathway induces proteotoxic stress and can be an effective cancer treatment. The therapeutic window observed upon proteasomal blockade has motivated multiple UPS-targeting strategies, including preventing ubiquitination altogether. E1 initiates the cascade by transferring ubiquitin to E2 enzymes. A small molecule that engages the E1 ATP-binding site and derivatizes ubiquitin disrupts enzymatic activity and kills cancer cells. However, binding-site mutations cause resistance, motivating alternative approaches to block this promising target. We identified an interaction between the E2 N-terminal alpha-1 helix and a pocket within the E1 ubiquitin-fold domain as a potentially druggable site. Stapled peptides modeled after the E2 alpha-1 helix bound to the E1 groove, induced a consequential conformational change and inhibited E1 ubiquitin thiotransfer, disrupting E2 ubiquitin charging and ubiquitination of cellular proteins. Thus, we provide a blueprint for a distinct E1-targeting strategy to treat cancer.
Sustainable thermoplastic elastomers produced via cationic RAFT polymerization

Plastic production continually increases its share of global oil consumption. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are a necessary component of many industries, from automotive and construction to healthcare and medical devices. To reduce the environmental burden of TPE production on the world, we developed two new ABA triblock copolymers synthesized through cationic reversable addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization from renewable monomers. Using poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) (PIBVE) as the soft block and either poly(p-methoxystyrene) (PMOS) or poly(2,3-dihydrofuran) (PDHF) as the hard blocks, we produced triblock copolymers with varying volume fractions and characterized their material properties. PDHF-PIBVE-PDHF is sourced almost entirely from simple alcohols and exhibits mechanical properties comparable to those of commercial TPEs. This effort demonstrates the utility of cationic RAFT for the production of sustainable TPEs.
MO-A-BRD-00: Current Trends in Y90-Microsphere Therapy: Delivery and Dosimetry

Yttrium-90 (Y90) microsphere therapy, a form of radiation therapy, is an increasingly popular option for care of patients with liver metastases or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. The therapy directly delivers Y90 microspheres via the hepatic artery to disease sites. Following delivery, a vast majority of microspheres preferentially lodge in the capillary vessels due to their embolic size and targeted trans-arterial delivery – depositing up to 90% of its energy in the first 5 mm of tissue. There have been a number of advances in tomographic imaging within both interventional radiology and nuclear medicine that has advanced therapy planning techniques. Quantitative imaging of Y90 microsphere distribution post-therapy has also seen innovations that have led to improvements in tumor dosimetry and characterization of tumor response. A review of current trends and recent innovation in Y90 microsphere therapies will be presented. Learning Objectives: 1. To present the imaging requirements for Y90 microsphere therapy planning 2. To explain the standard dosimetry models used in Y90 microsphere therapy planning 3. To report on advances in imaging for therapy planning and posttherapy assessment of tumor dosimetry and response
Assessing the clinical utility of color Doppler ultrasound for ovarian torsion in the setting of a negative contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) in the assessment of ovarian torsion following a negative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination. This is a retrospective study of women who presented to the ED with abdominal pain and received both a contrast-enhanced CT and CDU within a 24-h period. The abdominal/pelvic CT examinations were evaluated for findings specific to torsion, including ovarian size greater than 5 cm, the presence of free fluid, uterine deviation, fallopian tube thickening, ovarian fat stranding, smooth wall thickening, the presence of the “twisted pedicle” sign, and abnormal ovarian enhancement. The results were compared to the presence or absence of ovarian torsion on the concurrent US. The initial query yielded 834 cases among 789 women. Of those 834 cases, 283 cases in 261 women received both imaging modalities within a 24-h period. The CT examinations demonstrated 48 cases with an ovarian size greater than 5 cm. 84 cases showed the presence of free fluid. Three cases of fallopian tube thickening were identified. One case of smooth wall thickening and a “twisted pedicle” sign were noted. Fifteen cases demonstrated stranding of the peri-ovarian fat. Twenty nine cases showed abnormal ovarian enhancement. A total of 111 cases showed at least one positive finding. Fourteen positive cases were identified on the CDU studies. Of the 14 positive cases, 11 had ovarian size greater than 5 cm. Twelve cases demonstrated the presence of free fluid. There was no uterine deviation or smooth wall thickening. One twisted pedicle was noted. Seven cases showed peri-ovarian fat stranding. Ten cases showed abnormal enhancement. Abnormalities on CT were noted in all cases suspicious for ovarian torsion on CDU. No negative CT examinations were associated with a positive CDU. In this small sample size, the negative predictive value of a negative CT examination was 100%. A negative contrast-enhanced CT examination of the abdomen and pelvis is sufficient to rule out ovarian torsion. Therefore, there is no utility in the addition of CDU specifically to evaluate for ovarian torsion following a negative contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis.
Mild Dietary Copper Insufficiency Depresses Blood Neutrophil Function in Dairy Cattle

Abstract Effects of dietary copper insufficiency on bovine blood neutrophil function were evaluated. Dairy heifers were maintained on a basal (6-7 mg Cu/kg diet) or copper-supplemented (20 mg Cu/kg diet) diet beginning 84 d prepartum. At approximately 35 d postpartum, heifers were bled for neutrophil isolation 1 d prior to and 2 d following intramammary infusion of endotoxin in 2 mammary quarters. Neutrophils were evaluated for in vitro production of superoxide anion, reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium, and bactericidal activity. Copper status did not affect neutrophil reduction of nitro-blue tetrazolium or production of superoxide anion. Neutrophil bacterial phagocytosis and number of bacteria ingested per neutrophil were similarly unaffected by diet. Prior to endotoxin infusion neutro-phils isolated from copper-supplemented heifers were significantly more effective at killing ingested bacteria than neutrophils from unsupplemented heifers. Endotoxin infusion eliminated diet-related differences in bacteri...
An optimal ordering strategy for a third-party managed supply chain

The rapid pace of new product introduction and global sourcing of raw materials and manufacturing facilities have created a complex and fragmented supply chain. Retailers in many consumer product industries are relying on third-party supply-chain managers (SCMs) to manage the global supply chain cost-effectively with short production lead times. To meet delivery requirements, the SCM must start the production process before receiving a firm order from retailers. We assume a two-stage production process where, in stage 1, a base product is produced. In stage 2, the base product is customised. The SCM absorbs the penalties associated with over- or underestimating retailers’ demand. Hence, the SCM has to decide on (a) the optimal production quantity of the base products and (b) the number of base products to be customised without delay. We develop a profit maximisation model for this strategy using a nonlinear objective function with two decision variables and one constraint. Applying Kuhn–Tucker conditions,...
A basement membrane‐associated glycoprotein from skeletal muscle

We have isolated a major glycoprotein that appears to be associated with rat skeletal muscle basement membrane. We determined that the glycoprotein was part of the muscle cell surface complex when we found it to be enriched in preparations of muscle ghosts. We isolate the glycoprotein from homogenized muscle preextracted with 4 M and 8 M urea. It elutes as a major component in the presence of 8 M urea/50 mM 2-mercaptoethanol. Its apparent molecular weight on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels is 130,000. Amino acid analysis indicates that it is not a collagen but that it does contain small amounts of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine. There may be collagenous domains in the glycoprotein molecule, for it is cleaved into three fragments by purified bacterial collagenase. Immunoperoxidase staining confirms that the 130,000-dalton protein is localized at the surface of adult skeletal muscle cells. It is probably a general basement membrane-associated glycoprotein because we found material immunologically cross-reactive with the muscle glycoprotein in basement membrane regions of kidney, liver, brain, and small intestine. We have shown the glycoprotein to be distinct from fibronectin, laminin, and types I, III, IV, and V collagens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Quantitative multiplexed analysis of ErbB family coexpression for primary breast cancer prognosis in a large retrospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of outcome using a single prognostic or predictive marker is the current basis of targeted therapy, but is inherently limited by its simplicity. Multiplexing has provided better classification, but has only been done quantitatively using RNA or DNA. Automated quantitative analysis is a new technology that allows quantitative in situ assessment of protein expression. The authors hypothesized that multiplexed quantitative measurement of ErbB receptor family proteins may allow better prediction of outcome. METHODS: The authors quantitatively assessed the expression of 6 proteins in 4 subcellular compartments in 676 patients using breast carcinoma tissue microarrays. Then using Cox proportional hazards modeling and unsupervised hierarchical clustering, they assessed the prognostic value of the expression singly and multiplexed. RESULTS: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER-2, and HER-3 expression were associated with decreased survival. Multivariate analysis showed high HER-2 and HER-3 expression maintained independence as prognostic markers. Hierarchical clustering of expression data defined a small class enriched for HER-2 expression with 40% 10-year survival, compared with 55% using conventional methods. Clustering also revealed a similarly poor-prognostic subgroup coexpressing EGFR and HER-3 (but low for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER-2) with a 42% 10-year survival. CONCLUSIONS: This work shows that the combined analysis of protein expression improved prognostic classification, and that multiplexed models were superior to any single-marker–based method for prediction of 10-year survival. These methods illustrate a protein-based, multiplexed approach that could more accurately identify patients for targeted therapies. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Functional Characterization of CitM, the Mg2+-Citrate Transporter

The CitM transporter from Bacillus subtilis transports citrate as a complex with Mg 2 + . In this study, CitM was functionally expressed and characterized in E. coli DH5α cells. In the presence of saturating Mg 2 + concentrations, the K m for citrate in CitM was 274 μM, similar to previous studies using whole cells of B. subtilis. CitM has a high substrate specificity for citrate. Other di- and tricarboxylic acids including succinate, isocitrate, cis-aconitate and tricarballylic acid did not significantly inhibit the uptake of citrate in the presence of Mg 2 + . However, CitM accepts complexes of citrate with metal ions other than Mg 2 + . The highest rate of citrate transport was seen in the presence of Mg 2 + . followed in order of preference by Mn 2 + , Ba 2 + , Ni 2 + , Co 2 + and Ca 2 + . Citrate transport by CitM appears to be proton coupled. The transport was inhibited in transport buffers more alkaline than pH 7.5 and not affected by pH at acidic values. Transport was also inhibited by ionophores that affect the transmembrane proton gradient, including FCCP, TCC and nigericin. Valinomycin did not affect the uptake by CitM, suggesting that transport is electroneutral. In conclusion, the cloned CitM transporter from B. subtilis expressed in E. coli has properties similar to the transporter in intact B subtilis cells. The results support a transport model with a coupling stoichiometry of one proton coupled to the uptake of one complex of (Mg 2 + -citrate) 1 - .
The Choice of Agrarian Contracts in Early Renaissance Tuscany: Risk Sharing, Moral Hazard, or Capital Market Imperfections?

Abstract Historians have advanced various hypotheses regarding the spread of sharecropping in late medieval Italy and early modern France. The risk-sharing hypothesis argues that, in times of labor shortages following the Black Death, landlords used share contracts to attract risk-averse tenants. The moral-hazard/multitasking hypothesis asserts that sharecropping was an ideal contract for monitoring a tenant's effort and protecting valuable assets on the farm. The imperfect capital market hypothesis maintains that imperfect capital markets favored the expansion of share contracts. Unlike previous work, this article simultaneously tests all three hypotheses thanks to a unique sample of landlords and tenants in 1427 Tuscany. We conclude that there is support for both the moral-hazard and the imperfect capital market hypotheses, but not for the risk-sharing hypothesis.
Fire and grazing in a shrub-invaded arid grassland community: independent or interactive ecological effects?

Abstract This study examined the response of summer and winter annuals and perennials in a shrub-invaded arid plant community to combinations of fire and grazing by cattle to determine their effects on individual abundances, species richness and diversity. Thirteen species differed significantly in abundance across the burn treatment while nine differed significantly across the grazing treatment. Summer and winter annual plants were significantly more abundant, and summer annual plant species richness and diversity were significantly higher on burn plots. Most species were affected either by burning or grazing indicating that these disturbances affect this plant community relatively independently.
Laser Tracker II: Sandia National Laboratories second-generation laser tracking system

Laser Tracker II has essentially one moving part. A double-gimbaled mirror directs two laser beams to a cooperative target. The mirror catches the return beams and an optical image for test information. The receivers for the return beams are image dissectors. During the test the dissectors sense a change in target position and generate an error signal to drive the mirror. To produce real-time three-dimensional position data, the tracker uses range, azimuth, and elevation readings. This raw data is shipped through the real-time control microcomputer system to a minicomputer which is also used to operate the tracker. A second minicomputer is used to produce finished trajectory data.
Domains required for in vitro association between the cellular p53 and the adenovirus 2 E1B 55K proteins.

Abstract The 55K protein encoded by the adenovirus 2 E 1 B gene is required for complete cellular transformation and binds the cellular protein p53. Using an in vitro immunoprecipitation assay, we mapped the domains in both 55K and p53 required for the interaction of the two proteins. The domain in p53 mapped to the amino terminal 123 residues. There are several domains in the 495 residue 55K polypeptide which contribute to stable association with p53, with the most essential region mapping between residues 224 and 354. Mutations which prevented 55K-p53 binding were not more defective for transformation than other mutations which did not affect binding.
Naming Block Structures: A Multimodal Approach

This study describes symbolic representation in block play in a culturally diverse suburban preschool classroom. Block play is multimodal and can allow children to experiment with materials to represent the world in many forms of literacy. Combined qualitative and quantitative data from seventy-seven block structures were collected and analyzed. The observed frequency of symbolism used for three levels of symbolism (1) pre-symbolism, (2) first level symbolism, and (3) second level symbolism was investigated. Results indicated significant differences for first level symbolism or real-world objects. Students reported making homes for Webkinz, indicating an ability to encode multimodally the Webkinz computer game played at home to their school block play. The implications from these findings suggest educators should consider both a sociocultural perspective on playing and children’s out of-school experiences on learning. A research agenda that includes multimodality as performance is critical to early childhood education.
Evidence on the risk-taking of price-setters

Abstract Alternative predictions are tested in examining how managers respond to the risk of changing price. We observe a substantial difference in the way that managers from self-reported volume-oriented and margin-oriented firms respond to a hypothetical problem which assesses risk-seeking in pricing. Particularly interesting is the finding that the goal of gaining customers provided volume priority respondents with a rationale for sticking with a price cut even after they received information that competitors would respond and that demand would be less than expected. Additionally, managers with a volume priority were substantially more risk averse in increasing price even though the price increase problem had the same expected profit outcomes. A significant proportion of the sample appeared to view customers as longer-term assets for which they were willing to give up short-term profit.
Flexural strength of feldspathic porcelain treated with ion exchange, overglaze, and polishing

Feldspathic porcelains, which are used in the construction of porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) restorations, have an inherent weakness because of their brittle nature and processing flaws. A relatively new product, the Tuf-Coat ion exchange system, claims to substantially strengthen feldspathic porcelains. This study compared the strengthening effect of the Tuf-Coat system with that of surface treatments such as overglazing, polishing, and finishing. Bend bars of Vita VMK 68 porcelain were made and randomly assigned to eight different surface treatment groups to examine these effects. The flexural strengths revealed that although Tuf-Coat treatment strengthened the porcelain, it was not significantly different from overglazing, and the strengthening effect was lost if the porcelain was subsequently self-glazed or finished.
Effects of incidental pictorial and verbal adjuncts on text learning.

Abstract In this study, college students read and studied texts on historical figures in psychology, which were supplemented by drawings and/or brief biographies of these persons. In Experiment 1, a 2 × 2 between-groups design was conducted in which students received one adjunct with each text, both adjuncts, or neither. In Experiment 2, a single group of students received a within-subjects manipulation of the same adjunct conditions. In the between-groups comparison, students receiving biographies learned less of the target text passages, with the group receiving illustrations and biographies performing least accurately. In the within-subject conditions, texts accompanied by an illustration were better learned, with these students doing best on the text with both picture and biography. The results suggest that adjuncts may emphasize some texts, at the expense of learning from the other texts, but that too much adjunct material interferes with the learning of the target passages.
Hard White Wheat and Gold Medal Flour: General Mills' Contracting Program

General Mills produces Gold Medal Flour, the largest branded flour product in the United States. General Mills wants to switch from using hard red wheat to hard white wheat to produce Gold Medal Flour. Hard white wheat is not widely produced in the United States. To ensure a stable supply, General Mills is creating an extensive contracting program in the northern and central Great Plains. The objective of this case is for students to understand alternative methods for procuring wheat and the importance of wheat variety functionality.
Penetration depth and impurity scattering in unconventional superconductors: T =0 results

The behavior of the penetration depth [lambda] at low temperatures is an important probe of the symmetry of the order parameter in superconductors. For this reason, the penetration depth in the high-[ital T][sub [ital c]] oxide has been the focus of much recent experimental and theoretical attention. In this paper we provide detailed results for the behavior of [lambda] at [ital T]=0, as a function of impurity scattering, for an unconventional order parameter.
PATTERNS OF VIOLENCE IN LATE SOUTHWESTERN PREHISTORY: A BIOARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE WARFARE MODEL OF PUEBLO AGGREGATION

Endemic warfare and the need for defensive settlement strategies have been suggested as one explanation for increases in site size during the Pueblo IV period of the American Southwest. This study evaluates the relationship between site size and community defensive capabilities during late Southwestern prehistory using the relative frequency and patterning of lethal and nonlethal cranial trauma in skeletal samples from Pueblo III and Pueblo IV period sites. It presents new data concerning the skeletal evidence of interpersonal violence from the Chavez Pass Ruin and embeds this information within a synthetic analysis of extant skeletal data for over 2,400 skeletons from 31 archaeological contexts across the Greater Southwest. Contrary to the expectations of a model in which increased site size conferred concrete defensive benefits to residents of large pueblo sites, patterns of skeletal trauma throughout the Southwest suggest no clear link between site size and defensive capability.
The transmembrane LRR protein DMA-1 promotes dendrite branching and growth in C. elegans

Dendrites often adopt complex branched structures. The development and organization of these arbors fundamentally determine the potential input and connectivity of a given neuron. The cell-surface receptors that control dendritic branching remain poorly understood. We found that, in Caenorhabditis elegans, a previously uncharacterized transmembrane protein containing extracellular leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains, which we named DMA-1 (dendrite-morphogenesis-abnormal), promotes dendrite branching and growth. Sustained expression of dma-1 was found only in the elaborately branched sensory neurons PVD and FLP. Genetic analysis revealed that the loss of dma-1 resulted in much reduced dendritic arbors, whereas overexpression of dma-1 resulted in excessive branching. Forced expression of dma-1 in neurons with simple dendrites was sufficient to promote ectopic branching. Worms lacking dma-1 were defective in sensing harsh touch. DMA-1 is the first transmembrane LRR protein to be implicated in dendritic branching and expands the breadth of roles of LRR receptors in nervous system development.
Temperature-dependent binding of hydrophilic β-adrenergic receptor ligands to intact human lymphocytes

Important differences in binding characteristics between agonists and antagonists of the beta-adrenergic receptor have been described. However, these observations have been complicated since most available antagonists are much more lipophilic than agonists. In order to separate out those binding characteristics of agonist vs. antagonist from those characteristics of lipophilic vs. hydrophilic ligands, we have studied competition of the hydrophilic ligands isoproterenol (agonist) and CGP-12177 (antagonist) with [125I]iodopindolol binding in intact human lymphocytes. Analyzing competition curves from assays performed at 13 degrees C, 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C we demonstrated that at lower temperatures there was a decrease in IC50 for isoproterenol but not for CGP-12177. Using cells preincubated with isoproterenol then extensively washed, competition curves with both isoproterenol and CGP-12177 were biphasic, and characterized by the appearance of a population of receptors with a low affinity for both hydrophilic ligands. Furthermore, at lower temperatures the biphasic nature of these curves was accentuated and was characterized by a 6-fold and 40-fold increase in the apparent KD of a population of low affinity sites for isoproterenol and CGP-12177, respectively.
Extruding Intentionality from the Metaphysical Flux

On the Origin of Objects (Smith 1996) is, at heart, an extended search for a non-circular and non-reductive characterization of two key notions: intentionality (the content or ‘aboutness’ distinctive of mental states) and computation (the familiar but elusive tool of much cognitive scientific explanation). Only a non-circular and non-reductive account of these key notions can, Smith believes, provide a secure platform for a proper understanding of the mind. The project has both a negative and a positive aspect. Negatively, Smith rejects views that attempt to identify the key notions with lower-level physical properties, arguing instead for a more abstract and systemic understanding. This negative effort occupies Part I of the book (Analysis). In Part II (Construction), we encounter the positive side of Smith's proposal: an attempt to develop a non-reductive analysis of computation and meaning able to meet the (rather severe) requirements laid out in Part I. One purpose of this critical review is to lay ou...
Structural, Dynamical, and Energetical Consequences of Rett Syndrome Mutation R133C in MeCP2

Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a progressive neurodevelopmental disease affecting females. RTT is caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene and various amino acid substitutions have been identified clinically in different domains of the multifunctional MeCP2 protein encoded by this gene. The R133C variant in the methylated-CpG-binding domain (MBD) of MeCP2 is the second most common disease-causing mutation in the MBD. Comparative molecular dynamics simulations of R133C mutant and wild-type MBD have been performed to understand the impact of the mutation on structure, dynamics, and interactions of the protein and subsequently understand the disease mechanism. Two salt bridges within the protein and two critical hydrogen bonds between the protein and DNA are lost upon the R133C mutation. The mutation was found to weaken the interaction with DNA and also cause loss of helicity within the 141-144 region. The structural, dynamical, and energetical consequences of R133C mutation were investigated in detail at the atomic resolution. Several important implications of this have been shown regarding protein stability and hydration dynamics as well as its interaction with DNA. The results are in agreement with previous experimental studies and further provide atomic level understanding of the molecular origin of RTT associated with R133C variant.