cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TERMINAL DOMAINS OF LINEAR PLASMID‐LIKE DNA FROM THE GREEN ALGA ERNODESMIS (CHLOROPHYTA)

Terminal regions of linear plasmid-like DNA molecules from chloroplasts of the green alga Ernodesmis verticillata (Kutzing) Borgesen were cloned and structurally characterized. Phosphorylation experiments with polynucleotide kinase indicated the presence of a 5'-phosphate, but the data did not reveal any protective protein(s) at the 5' end. To characterize the 3' end of these molecules, homopolymer- (poly(G)-) tailed molecules were annealed to and cloned into a linearized vector that was poly(C) tailed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Sequencing analyses verified the heterogeneous nature of the molecules. Two distinct clones displayed extensive terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) at the 3' end (94 and 433 nt). Shorter TIRs (3-6 nt) were identified at the 3' end of most clones, which may serve to protect the ends. In fact, exonuclease III and λ exonuclease digested the plasmid-like DNAs only after heat denaturation, signifying that conformational changes due to such treatment potentially make the 3' and 5' ends (respectively) susceptible to degradation. Multiple tandem and direct repeats were evident near the 3' ends. A consensus sequence of 18 + nt was discovered in nearly every clone opposite the poly(G) tail, suggesting that this sequence has structural and/or functional significance. Pair-wise sequence comparisons and the presence of repeats indicated that these novel molecules may be highly recombinant.
Comparing efficiencies of genetic and minima hopping algorithms for crystal structure prediction.

In this work several crystal structure prediction problems which have been studied by first-principles evolutionary algorithms recently are revisited. We increased the system size to see how the search efficiency changes with respect to problem size. We find that the relative performance and underlying mechanism of genetic algorithms in crystal structure searches for AlxSc1−x strongly depend on the system composition as well as the size of the problem. Because of this strong dependence, caution should be taken in generalizing performance comparison from one problem to another even though they may appear to be similar. We also investigate the performance of the search algorithm for crystal structure prediction of boron with and without a priori knowledge of the lattice vectors. The results show that the degree of difficulty increases dramatically if the lattice vectors of the crystal are allowed to vary during the search. Comparison of the minima hopping algorithm with the genetic algorithm at small (<10 atoms) to larger problem sizes is also carried out. At the small sizes we have tested, both methods show comparable efficiency. But at large sizes the genetic algorithm becomes advantageous over minima hopping.
Systemic lupus erythematosus valve disease by transesophageal echocardiography and the role of antiphospholipid antibodies

Abstract Objectives. The aims of this study were to better characterize valve disease in systemic lupus erythematosus and to determine its association with antiphospholipid antibodies. Background. Estimates of the prevalence of valve disease in systemic lupus erythematosus have been higher in autopsy series than in clinical studies using transthoracic echocardiography. Antiphospholipid antibodies have been suggested to be a primary pathogenetic factor. Methods. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed on 1) 54 patients with lupus erythematosus, 22 of them with (group I) and 32 without (group II) antiphospholipid antibody; 2) on 10 patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (group III); and 3) on 35 normal subjects (group IV). Results. Patients in groups I and III had similar types and concentrations of antibodies. Leaflet thickeningwas found in 50% of group I, 47% of group II, 10% of group III and 9% of group IV patients (group I or II vs. group III or IV, p Conclusions. Lupus erythematosus valve disease is frequent (74%) regardless of the presence or absence of antiphospholipid antipodies. Therefore antiphospholipid antibodies may not be a primary pathogenetic factor. The characteristic appearance of leaflet thickening and masses in patients with lupus erythematosus may be unique.
Convergence of isoprene and polyketide biosynthetic machinery: isoprenyl-S-carrier proteins in the pksX pathway of Bacillus subtilis.

The pksX gene cluster from Bacillus subtilis is predicted to encode the biosynthesis of an as yet uncharacterized hybrid nonribosomal peptide/polyketide secondary metabolite. We used a combination of biochemical and mass spectrometric techniques to assign functional roles to the proteins AcpK, PksC, PksL, PksF, PksG, PksH, and PksI, and we conclude that they act to incorporate an acetate-derived β-methyl branch on an acetoacetyl-S-carrier protein and ultimately generate a Δ2-isoprenyl-S-carrier protein. This work highlights the power of mass spectrometry to elucidate the functions of orphan biosynthetic enzymes, and it details a mechanism by which single-carbon β-branches can be inserted into polyketide-like structures. This pathway represents a noncanonical route to the construction of prenyl units and serves as a prototype for the intersection of isoprenoid and polyketide biosynthetic manifolds in other natural product biosynthetic pathways.
Deletion Strains Reveal Metabolic Roles for Key Elemental Sulfur-Responsive Proteins in Pyrococcus furiosus

Transcriptional and enzymatic analyses of Pyrococcus furiosus previously indicated that three proteins play key roles in the metabolism of elemental sulfur (S0): a membrane-bound oxidoreductase complex (MBX), a cytoplasmic coenzyme A-dependent NADPH sulfur oxidoreductase (NSR), and sulfur-induced protein A (SipA). Deletion strains, referred to as MBX1, NSR1, and SIP1, respectively, have now been constructed by homologous recombination utilizing the uracil auxotrophic COM1 parent strain (ΔpyrF). The growth of all three mutants on maltose was comparable without S0, but in its presence, the growth of MBX1 was greatly impaired while the growth of NSR1 and SIP1 was largely unaffected. In the presence of S0, MBX1 produced little, if any, sulfide but much more acetate (per unit of protein) than the parent strain, demonstrating that MBX plays a critical role in S0 reduction and energy conservation. In contrast, comparable amounts of sulfide and acetate were produced by NSR1 and the parent strain, indicating that NSR is not essential for energy conservation during S0 reduction. Differences in transcriptional responses to S0 in NSR1 suggest that two sulfide dehydrogenase isoenzymes provide a compensatory NADPH-dependent S0 reduction system. Genes controlled by the S0-responsive regulator SurR were not as highly regulated in MBX1 and NSR1. SIP1 produced the same amount of acetate but more sulfide than the parent strain. That SipA is not essential for growth on S0 indicates that it is not required for detoxification of metal sulfides, as previously suggested. A model is proposed for S0 reduction by P. furiosus with roles for MBX and NSR in bioenergetics and for SipA in iron-sulfur metabolism.
Apparent correlation of palaeomagnetic intensity and climatic records in deep-sea sediments

Most reports of a correlation between Pleistocene climate and geomagnetic field intensity rely strongly on the assumption that sediment natural remanent magnetic (NRM) intensity provides a record of geomagnetic field strength and is not sensitive to local changes in properties of the sediment. Critical assessment of relevant data presented here and elsewhere1,2 from deep-sea sediment cores shows that a pronounced dependence of NRM intensity on sediment composition can occur which implies that this assumption is unlikely to be generally valid. As sediment composition often reflects varying depositional conditions induced by climatic change, the significance of correlations proposed between Pleistocene palaeomagnetism and climatic indicators in deep-sea sediments may be less dramatic than sometimes supposed.
Refining a key metabolic innovation in Escherichia coli

The origins of evolutionary novelty are notoriously difficult to predict in advance or even to pinpoint in retrospect. Qualitatively new traits can arise due to complex mutational events, such as regulatory changes (1), or exaptation of genes coding for existing functions (2). This often involves multiple mutations that are all required to produce a novel function, making evolutionary innovation historically contingent on the chance order of random mutational events (3). Lenski and colleagues recently discovered a striking example of this process in their long-term evolution experiment (LTEE) in Escherichia coli: after more than 31,000 generations of evolution, 1 of 12 replicate lines evolved the ability to metabolize citrate under oxic conditions (4). Inability to grow aerobically on citrate is often used to define E. coli as a species (5), so the spontaneous appearance of this citrate-metabolizing phenotype offers an unprecedented opportunity to study the mechanisms underlying a major evolutionary innovation. The work by Quandt et al. (6) in PNAS sheds new light on the genetic basis of this novel trait.
Surface-acoustic-wave resonators

The surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) resonator is the surface-wave equivalent of the crystal resonator now used extensively for stable frequency sources and filters. High-Q operation above 30 MHz, ruggedness, and small size characterize these devices. This paper reviews the current status of SAW resonator developments for the benefit of readers with interest or experience in either crystal resonators or SAW devices. Several typical device geometries are illustrated before providing a qualitative description of resonator operation. Some standard terminology and measurement procedures are proposed, based on similarities to crystal resonators but accounting also for some fundamental differences in loss and coupling mechanisms. Certain irreducible losses which limit the achievable Q of the intrinsic cavity are discussed. Applications are summarized with the aid of two filter examples. A variety of fabrication techniques are being used and none have been fully evaluated, especially with respect to reproducibility, tunability, and stability. Advances in theory, applications, and fabrication are occuring at a rapid rate in this exciting new area.
Patterns of Gene-Specific and Total Transcriptional Activity during the Plasmodium falciparum Intraerythrocytic Developmental Cycle

The relationships among gene regulatory mechanisms in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum throughout its asexual intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC) remain poorly understood. To investigate the level and nature of transcriptional activity and its role in controlling gene expression during the IDC, we performed nuclear run-on on whole-transcriptome samples from time points throughout the IDC and found a peak in RNA polymerase II-dependent transcriptional activity related to both the number of nuclei per parasite and variable transcriptional activity per nucleus over time. These differential total transcriptional activity levels allowed the calculation of the absolute transcriptional activities of individual genes from gene-specific nuclear run-on hybridization data. For half of the genes analyzed, sense-strand transcriptional activity peaked at the same time point as total activity. The antisense strands of several genes were substantially transcribed. Comparison of the transcriptional activity of the sense strand of each gene to its steady-state RNA abundance across the time points assayed revealed both correlations and discrepancies, implying transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation, respectively. Our results demonstrate that such comparisons can effectively indicate gene regulatory mechanisms in P. falciparum and suggest that genes with diverse transcriptional activity levels and patterns combine to produce total transcriptional activity levels tied to parasite development during the IDC.
Trends and Determinants of Market Liquidity in the Pre- and Post-Sarbanes-Oxley Act Periods

Investors and market makers rely heavily on the trustworthiness and accuracy of corporate information to provide liquidity and vibrancy to the capital markets. A rash of financial scandals during the turn of the 21st century eroded investor confidence in public financial information. In response, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) was enacted to reinforce accountability for public companies and rebuild investor confidence in public financial information. We investigate the trends and determinants of market liquidity in the pre-SOX period, particularly when the wave of financial scandals was reported, and in the post-SOX period when the Securities and Exchange Commission issued rules in implementing various provisions of SOX. We detect wider spreads, lower depths, and higher adverse selection component of spreads in the period surrounding the reported financial scandals, indicating that liquidity measures deteriorated as a result of those scandals. We find that liquidity measures improved following the passage of SOX. The observed improvement in market liquidity in the post-SOX period is positively associated with the quality of financial reports, several firm specific variables (e.g., size), market factors (e.g., price, volatility, volume), and microeconomic events (e.g., NYSE Open Book). The improvements in liquidity measures after the passage of SOX were more pronounced for companies that were closer to compliance than those that were far from compliance with their provisions prior to SOX.
Caenorhabditis elegans WASP and Ena/VASP Proteins Play Compensatory Roles in Morphogenesis and Neuronal Cell Migration

We report here that WASP and Ena/VASP family proteins play overlapping roles in C. elegans morphogenesis and neuronal cell migration. Specifically, these studies demonstrate that UNC-34/Ena plays a role in morphogenesis that is revealed only in the absence of WSP-1 function and that WSP-1 has a role in neuronal cell migration that is revealed only in the absence of UNC-34/Ena activity. To identify additional genes that act in parallel to unc-34/ena during morphogenesis, we performed a screen for synthetic lethals in an unc-34 null mutant background utilizing an RNAi feeding approach. To our knowledge, this is the first reported RNAi-based screen for genetic interactors. As a result of this screen, we identified a second C. elegans WASP family protein, wve-1, that is most homologous to SCAR/WAVE proteins. Animals with impaired wve-1 function display defects in gastrulation, fail to undergo proper morphogenesis, and exhibit defects in neuronal cell migrations and axon outgrowth. Reducing wve-1 levels in either unc-34/ena or wsp-1 mutant backgrounds also leads to a significant enhancement of the gastrulation and morphogenesis defects. Thus, unc-34/ena, wsp-1, and wve-1 play overlapping roles during embryogenesis and unc-34/ena and wsp-1 play overlapping roles in neuronal cell migration. These observations show that WASP and Ena/VASP proteins can compensate for each other in vivo and provide the first demonstration of a role for Ena/VASP proteins in gastrulation and morphogenesis. In addition, our results provide the first example of an in vivo role for WASP family proteins in neuronal cell migrations and cytokinesis in metazoans.
The Role of the Multinational Corporation

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of the multinational corporation in achieving economic efficiency and equity in international agricultural trade and development. In evaluating this institution, I prefer broad and rather imprecise definitions: "a cluster of corporations of diverse nationality joined together by ties of common ownership and responsive to a common management strategy" (Vernon, p. 114) or "all enterprises which control assets-factories, mines, sales offices and the like in two or more countries" (United Nations, p. 158). These institutions may be privately, publicly, cooperatively, or governmentally owned and have their principal headquarters in either a developed or a developing country. The strength of each entity depends on its ability to provide market access, raw material procurement, appropriate technology, management, financial packages, risk management, logistics, and coordination to a global food system in an efficient and profitable manner that is responsive to the economic, social, and political priorities of the governments of the nations in which it operates. The strategies of multinational entities are affected more by individual governmental actions than by any other factor.
Uterine inversion after nitroglycerin use during cesarean delivery

Intravenous nitroglycerin was used to provide uterine relaxation for cesarean delivery of a macrosomic infant. The procedure was complicated by uterine inversion, and subsequent uterine atony. While several other factors may have contributed to the uterine atony, nitroglycerin administration might have played a role. Further, while nitroglycerin was helpful in facilitating the delivery of the macrosomic infant, the risk of uterine inversion must be considered.
A 7.5/8.2 F actively deflectable, flexible ureteroscope: A new device for both diagnostic and therapeutic upper urinary tract endoscopy

Abstract Objective. To develop and employ in a prospective fashion a small-diameter, actively deflectable, flexible ureteroscope that could be easily placed into the upper urinary tract and would increase the overall therapeutic potential for this class of endoscope. Methods. A small-diameter, actively deflectable flexible ureteroscope was recently employed in clinical trials at two university centers. Improvements in fiberoptic engineering allowed endoscope miniaturization (7.5 F tip and 8.2 F shaft) while maintaining a relatively large (3.6 F) centrally located working channel. A variety of design modifications were employed through various prototype stages. Mechanical parameters included maximizing two-way active deflection, adequate secondary deflection allowing access to the lower pole caliceal system, and maintaining a sturdy (nonbuckling) durometer. Results. The 7.5 F flexible ureteroscope was employed in sixty-seven procedures (64 patients). Therapeutic rather than purely diagnostic maneuvers made up the majority of procedures. Thirty-one upper ureteral, renal pelvic, or caliceal calculi were treated with a variety of endoscopic lithotriptors placed through the ureteroscope. Six patients underwent both biopsy and endoscopic treatment of superficial papillary transitional cell malignancies. Retrograde endopyelotomy, incision or dilation of ureteral strictures, extraction of renal pelvic foreign bodies, and endoscopic access and treatment of obstructed caliceal diverticula were other applications. Endoscopic access to the upper urinary tract rarely required active intramural ureteral dilation (14%). Excluding patients with prior ureteral stents or those who underwent rigid distal third ureteral endoscopy prior to flexible proximal ureteroscopy, 31 patients (48%) required no intramural ureteral dilation prior to placing the endoscope. Conclusions. The increased therapeutic potential observed with the 7.5 F actively deflectable, flexible ureteroscope opens a variety of upper urinary tract pathologic states to minimally invasive (endoscopic) treatments.
Impacts of Participatory Safety Rules Revision in U.S. Railroad Industry: An Exploratory Assessment:

Increasingly, the proliferation of safety rules is viewed not just as a nuisance but also as a threat to safety itself. Indeed, voluminous and overlapping rules might contribute to poor compliance because of confusion and disagreement about which rules are to be followed. When combined with the existing regime of fault-based injury liability laws governing the industry, rules often become the focus of worker-management conflict rather than tools for communication about safety hazards and solutions. An exploratory assessment of participatory rules revision as an instrument of safety improvement in the U.S. railroad industry is presented. A key premise of the intervention is that rules proliferation is symptomatic of deeper problems with the organizational safety culture that can be addressed through extensive stakeholder participation in the revision process. Data for the study came from three railroads and one in-land barge line. While interview data provided evidence for an impact on the safety culture, initial statistical analysis of the incident data failed to find decreases in incident rates associated with the advent of the formal rules revision process. Further exploration, however, suggested that the intervention actually began earlier with various preparatory activities. Statistical analysis of this revised hypothesis found a significant impact of the intervention on incident rates at one rail carrier, while incident rate declines at two other carriers could not be attributed to the intervention with confidence.
Stressful life event experiences of homeless adults: A comparison of single men, single women, and women with children

This article describes stressful life events experienced by a multi-shelter sample of 162 homeless adults in the Central Florida area. Participants included homeless single men (n = 54), homeless single women (n = 54), and homeless women with children (n = 54). Subjects were interviewed with a modified version of the List of Threatening Experiences (Brugha & Cragg, 1990). Findings indicate that the two groups of women were more likely to have been both physically and sexually abused as children than single men. Single women were more likely to have experienced sexual violence over the age of 18, experienced domestic violence, and been hospitalized in a psychiatric facility. Single men were more likely to have abused drugs and alcohol, and to have been incarcerated. Women with children were more likely to have lived in foster care. Overall, single women experienced significantly more stressful life events than single men and women with children. These findings suggest that the three groups are unique and would benefit from prevention and/or treatment approaches developed for the specific subgroup. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 32: 643–654, 2004.
An electrical impedance tomograph using compound electrodes

The use of compound electrodes to improve the conditioning and sensitivity of an electrical impedance tomography imaging system is described. Effects of electrode-skin contact impedance are discussed and a model is proposed. Reconstructed static images from phantoms are shown. >
Purification and Specificity of Two α-Glucosidase Isoforms of the Parasitic Protist Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract Two isoforms of α-glucosidase were purified from the parasitic protist Trichomonas vaginalis. Both consisted of 103 kDa subunits, but differed in pH optimum and substrate specificity. Isoform 1 had a pH optimum around 4.5 and negligible activity on glucose oligomers other than maltose, while isoform 2 with a pH optimum of 5.5 hydrolyzed also such substrates at considerable rates. Neither had activity on glycogen or starch. Isoform 1 had a specific activity for hydrolysis of maltose of 30 U/mg protein and isoform 2 101 U/mg protein. The Km values were 0.4 mM and 2.0 mM, respectively. Isoform 2 probably corresponds to the activity detected on the cell surface.
Between History and Event: Rehearsing Nuclear War Survival

Performance historian Davis opens a window onto the civil defense movement that was a mainstay of Western governments from 1949 until the collapse of the Eastern Bloc from 1989 to 1991. Civil defense activities included playing out many "as if" scenarios wherein a "time out of time" reality was created, something that NATO members referred to as the "scope of play" (portee du jeu) and the "play of decisions" (jou des decisions). These activities, Davis argues, are inherently performative. But are they history?
The Inflation Rate and the Actuarial Balance of the OASDI Trust Funds

This paper examines the effects of varying just the inflation rate assumption on the Social Security program's actuarial balance over a 75-year period when all other assumptions are held constant. It finds that changing the assumed inflation rate by as little as 0.2 percentage points can cause the actuarial balance to change by 0.1 percentage points over this period. The PDF for the above title, published in the June 2004 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another June 2004 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: "The Impact on Employment-Based Health Benefits of the Shift from a Manufacturing Economy to a Service Economy."
BREAST CANCER AND THE CONSUMPTION OF COFFEE

The hypothesis has been raised that coffee consumption may increase the incidence of breast cancer, based on the report that fibrocystic breast disease, a risk factor for breast cancer, regresses after abstention from coffee and other methylxanthines. The relation between recent coffee consumption and the risk of breast cancer was evaluated in a case-control study, based on interviews conducted 1975-1982 at several mainly eastern US teaching and community hospitals. The responses of 2,651 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer were compared with those of 1,501 controls with nonmalignant conditions and 385 controls with cancers at other sites. The relative risk estimates for levels of coffee drinking up to seven or more cups daily, relative to none, approximated 1.0 with narrow 95% confidence intervals. After allowance for confounding, the relative risk estimate for drinking at least five cups a day was 1.2 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-1.6) using the noncancer controls and 1.1 (0.7-1.6) using the cancer controls. Coffee consumption was not associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer among women with a history of fibrocystic breast disease, nor were tea or decaffeinated coffee associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer. The results suggest that the recent consumption of coffee does not influence the incidence of breast cancer.
Fieldworker experience and single-episode screening as sources of data recovery bias in archaeology: a case study from the Central Pacific Northwest coast

Despite increasing concern with the effects of archaeological data recovery methods on the types and quantity of objects extracted from the material record, archaeologists rarely discuss recovery biases attributable to the most basic excavation procedures. In this study I examine how several factors, including variable artifact identification skills, can affect artifact recovery rates in the field. Data from household-level investigations at the Sto:lō (Coast Salish) village of Welqamex (DiRi 15) are presented to show how interobserver variation can compromise interpretations of past behavior when opportunities for artifact recovery are limited to observations at the excavation unit and single-episode (field-only) sieving. Laboratory sorting of screen residue retained in 3.2-mm (one-eighth-inch) mesh sieves is shown to account for the recovery of as much as 87.5 percent of lithic artifacts and nearly 90 percent of archaeofaunal remains. Rates of artifact recovery in the field are highly variable among excavation crews working at Welqamex, and I argue that the application of correction factors is inappropriate unless the magnitude of recovery bias can be measured for specific excavation teams and particular depositional contexts. The results of this study further highlight the importance of documenting and mitigating the unintended effects of methodological decisions on archaeological assemblages.
The relation of pancreatic extract to the sugar of the blood

In January, 1912, I reported preparation of pancreas which when injected intravenously into dogs that had been rendered diabetic by pancreatectomy, lowered both the output of sugar and the D/N ratio. This preparation seemed to offer a ready means of attack for several of the problems bearing on the relation of the pancreas to sugar metabolism. Possibly the simplest of these is the relation between the amount of sugar present in the blood and the abundance of the pancreatic hormone present, and this is a preliminary report of my work on this subject.Cats were killed and their blood was collected. The protein was removed and the blood was decolorized by a modification of the phosphotungstic acid method reported by Oppler. In determining the amount of sugar Munson and Walker's “Uniform method of sugar determination” was used and gave consistent results. In order to test its efficiency the method was controlled by division of a sample of blood into two portions. In one of these the glucose was estimated direc...
FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR-23 AND CARDIAC MRI INDICES OF MYOCARDIAL FIBROSIS IN THE MULTI-ETHNIC STUDY OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is associated with myocardial fibrosis in animal studies. We examined the association between FGF-23 and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) indices of myocardial fibrosis [i.e. Extracellular Volume Fraction (ECV)] using T1 mapping. A total of 6537 study
The Effect of Dietary Cholesterol and Different Dietary Fats on Cholesterol Content and Lipid Composition of Egg Yolk and Various Body Tissues

Abstract THE effect of dietary lipids on the lipid composition of the egg and tissues of the hen has recently received much attention. The type or amount of dietary fat appears to have no effect on total lipid content of egg yolk according to Reiser et al. (1951), and Marion and Edwards (1962). Dietary fat also has very little influence on cholesterol deposition in the egg yolk (Reiser et al., 1951; Fisher and Leveille, 1957; Wheeler et al., 1959; Daghir et al., 1960; Edwards et al., 1962). However, when cholesterol is included in the diet of the hen, the egg yolk cholesterol level is increased according to the findings of Dam (1928), Budowski et al. (1961), Wood et al. (1961) and Harris and Wilcox (1963). Leveille and Fisher (1958) found that the iodine number of egg fat from hens receiving dietary corn oil was significantly higher than when animal fat or…
Joint representation of translational and rotational components of optic flow in parietal cortex

Terrestrial navigation naturally involves translations within the horizontal plane and eye rotations about a vertical (yaw) axis to track and fixate targets of interest. Neurons in the macaque ventral intraparietal (VIP) area are known to represent heading (the direction of self-translation) from optic flow in a manner that is tolerant to rotational visual cues generated during pursuit eye movements. Previous studies have also reported that eye rotations modulate the response gain of heading tuning curves in VIP neurons. We tested the hypothesis that VIP neurons simultaneously represent both heading and horizontal (yaw) eye rotation velocity by measuring heading tuning curves for a range of rotational velocities of either real or simulated eye movements. Three findings support the hypothesis of a joint representation. First, we show that rotation velocity selectivity based on gain modulations of visual heading tuning is similar to that measured during pure rotations. Second, gain modulations of heading tuning are similar for self-generated eye rotations and visually simulated rotations, indicating that the representation of rotation velocity in VIP is multimodal, driven by both visual and extraretinal signals. Third, we show that roughly one-half of VIP neurons jointly represent heading and rotation velocity in a multiplicatively separable manner. These results provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, for a joint representation of translation direction and rotation velocity in parietal cortex and show that rotation velocity can be represented based on visual cues, even in the absence of efference copy signals.
Nano-radiosynovectomy for osteoarthritis treatment.

363 Objectives Aim was to evaluate gold nanoparticles coated with FDA-approved epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), a phytochemical in green tea. We hypothesized that upon intra-articular injection, the EGCg-coated gold nanoparticles (EGCg-198AuNP) would be retained in the joint due to their optimum size (120-130 nm, hydrodynamic diameter), decrease inflammation due to β emission and produce an anti-inflammatory effect to alleviate osteoarthritis pain. Methods We studied the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of EGCg-198AuNP in normal guinea pigs, as well as its retention and efficacy in inflamed joints of guinea pigs with induced and natural osteoarthritis. EGCg-198AuNP was injected into the left stifle of 6 guinea pigs to evaluate retention. They were planar imaged from 15 min out to 7 days. For efficacy studies 5 arthritic guinea pigs were injected in the left stifle with 100 uCi of EGCG-198AuNP, 5 with non-radioactive EGCg-AuNP and 3 with saline. The animals were monitored monthly by radiographs and euthanized after 6 months. Results The 7 normal guinea pigs showed a high retention of the radioactivity with no leakage from the joints. For efficacy studies the left stifle and right stifle were imaged and compared. Those guinea pigs injected with saline showed disease progression, those guinea pigs injected with EGCg-198AuNPs 2 showed stabilization, one showed improvement and one showed disease progression. For those injected with the non-radioactive NP 4 showed stabilization in the left joint compared to the right and one showed progression. Conclusions Intraarticular administration of 198AuNP-EGCg demonstrated no leakage from joints. Guinea pigs were alive for over 6 months post administration of both non-radioactive and radioactive EGCg-AuNP both showed stabilization of osteoarthritis as compared to the un-injected right stifle and saline controls. These studies demonstrated no lymphatic drainage, and decreases in inflammation in tissue joints with no overall toxic side effects. Research Support Coulter Foundation
Canopy Visible and Near-infrared Reflectance Data to Estimate Alfalfa Nutritive Attributes Before Harvest

Canopy reflectance (i.e., remotely sensed) data may allow rapid assessment of nutritive values, such as total N, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF), as well as nutritive quality indicators such as relative feed value (RFV) and a forage energy/protein ratio of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Remotely sensed data were acquired over seven alfalfa cultivars in the 2005 to 2008 growing seasons (n = 580) to develop and test calibration equations to predict concentrations of total N, NDF, and ADF. About 31% of the canopy reflectance dataset and corresponding measured values of total N, NDF, and ADF were used in calibration equation development while the remaining samples (69%) were used to validate the calibration equations. The remote sensing based values of NDF, ADF, and crude protein (CP = total N × 6.25) were used to calculate RFV and the total digestible nutrients/crude protein (TDN/CP) ratio. Measured total N, NDF, ADF, RFV, and the TDN/CP ratio were used to assess the accuracy of the corresponding predicted values from the remotely sensed canopy reflectance data. The remotely sensed based prediction equations explained from 78 to 83% of the variation in measured total N, NDF, and ADF, correctly predicted about 80% of the RFV-based hay grade classifications, and about 78% of the measured TDN/CP ratios. This technology could help improve profit margins by timing the cutting or harvesting of alfalfa, in rapid assessment of nutritive values over large areas devoted to growing alfalfa, and assessing nutritive quality in real time.
[Evolutionary genomics confirmed Darwin's selfing model: an adaptation revealed by DNA analysis].

Bioorganisms have acquired eye-openingly many adaptive forms and actions by natural selection. Since it has now thrusted into post sequence age, it becomes possible to study the adaptation by DNA level by fusing evolutionary genomic science with molecular genetics and ecology. As a concrete example, here is explained the research on Darwin's selfing evolution of Arabidopsis thaliana. A selfing gene,. PSI. SCR1, is influenced by natural selection, and its evolutionary period agrees with the distribution expansion stage after the [...]
Tracking Vaccination rates among HIV-positive patients with a computerized reminder system

Objective: This study deterimined vaccination rates at a Veterans Affairs HIV clinic before and after the 1997 implementation of a computerized reminder system. Methods: Before implementation of a computerized reminder system, vaccinations were not always recorded on patients' medical records. After implementation, vaccinations were documented in the computer record and the system alerted providers when patients became due for a pneumococcal vaccine, tetanus booster, or other immunization. Charts for all patients (n = 211) enrolled in the HIV clinic were assessed for vaccination dates. Vaccination rates for patients (n = 71) enrolled before 1997 were compared with rates for patients (n = 140) enrolled after the computerized system was installed. The new system enabled the clinical pharmacist to monitor vaccination rates on a quarterly basis and facilitate patient appointments. Results: Vaccination rates for patients enrolled before 1997 were 100% for initial pneumococcal vaccination and 100% for tetanus. Seventy-six percent of patients due for a pneumococcal vaccine booster had received it. In contrast, patients enrolled after 1997 had vaccination rates of 94% for pneumococcal vaccine; eight recently enrolled patients did not have documentation of vaccination. The clinical pharmacist scheduled these patients and the rate increased to 97%. Due to a product shortage, only 61% of patients enrolled after 1997 had received tetanus vaccine. Conclusions: A computerized reminder system allows for reliable tracking of vaccination rates and can be used by pharmacists to improve preventive care for HIV-positive patients. Overall vaccination rates were well above the national norm.
Bonneville Basin Avifaunal Change at the Pleistocene/Holocene Transition: Evidence from Homestead Cave

Abstract Although recent research of the faunal and floral remains of the Bonneville basin has increased our knowledge of biotic change at the end of the final regression of Lake Bonneville, our knowledge of avifaunal change during this period remains poorly understood. This study focuses on the bird remains from the lower strata (especially Stratum I) of Homestead Cave, the only site in the Bonneville basin that provides a substantial, well-dated avifaunal record dating to the terminal Pleistocene and early Holocene. Analysis of the entire Stratum I avifauna produced a sample of 4613 identified specimens; the fauna is dominated by aquatic taxa including ducks, grebes, gulls, and shorebirds. Terrestrial taxa are also well represented, most notably by Greater Sage-Grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ). We examine change in the taxonomic composition of the Bonneville basin aquatic avifauna as anticipated from previous research and find significant declines from 13.1 to 9.5 cal ka BP in piscivorous or deep-water taxa, such as diving ducks and Aechmophorus grebes. Our analysis captures the transition from the freshwater conditions associated with the terminal regressive phase of Lake Bonneville to the warmer hypersaline context that has characterized Great Salt Lake for much of the Holocene. We also document a dramatic loss of Greater Sage-Grouse across this period. This ~ 4000-year record of avifaunal change may prove useful in modern conservation efforts, most notably for that of Greater Sage-Grouse, as xeric conditions are forecasted to increase in the future.
Instrumentation and Principles of CT

The words computed tomography (CT) refer to a method of tomographic imaging in which a “tomographic,” or cross-sectional, slice is imaged with the aid of computer processing to obtain an exact representation of the slice. Tomographic imaging is important since in conventional projection imaging, such as plane-film x-ray imaging, a small feature may be difficult to visualize because of the confusing superposition of many overlying layers of different structures. X-ray tomographic imaging was developed more than 50 years ago as an approach to cross-section slice imaging. One of the most successful commercial devices was the axial tomograph developed by Takahashi,1 which in some ways is the precursor to modern CT scanners. The x-ray tube and a plane film positioned at a nearly perpendicular angle rotated around the body, exposing a single cross-section slice. The x-ray projections at each angle were recorded as crossing the film, and were accumulated. Today we call this a simple backprojection image. Although these images were useful, they were somewhat blurred because simple backprojection is only a first-order solution to the problem of reconstructing a cross-section image from rotational projections. This is where the computer part of the name computed tomography becomes critical: to provide digital processing to remove the tomographic blur. The projection data are gathered and backprojected using digital data rather than film. The resulting backprojection image is then “deblurred,” or reconstructed, by applying a simple sharpening filter, which is sometimes referred to as a convolution kernel. You can think of this process as a kind of edge-enhancement process, and it is sometimes referred to as filtered backprojection. In the end, the marriage of computer filtering and axial tomography resulted in the new field of computed tomography.
Clinical Features and Management of Gastric Varices, Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy, and Ectopic Varices

Approximately 10% of portal hypertension-related gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurs from lesions in the stomach. These lesions are mainly gastric varices and, less commonly, portal hypertensive gastropathy and gastric vascular ectasia. Bleeding from varices other than esophageal or gastric, termed ectopic varices, is infrequent and accounts for fewer than 5% of all portal hypertension-related bleeding.
Predictors and implications of unplanned conversion during minimally invasive hepatectomy: an analysis of the ACS-NSQIP database.

Abstract Background Minimally-invasive hepatectomy (MIH) is increasingly utilized; however, predictors and outcomes for patients requiring conversion to an open procedure have not been adequately studied. Methods The 2014–15 ACS-NSQIP database was analyzed. Unplanned conversion was compared to successful MIH and elective open hepatectomy. Results Among 6918 hepatectomies, 1062 (15.4%) underwent attempted MIH: 989 laparoscopic, 73 robotic. Conversion occurred in 203 (19.1%). Compared to successful MIH, patients requiring unplanned conversion experienced higher rates of complications (34.5% vs 14.6%, p Conclusion Analysis of this national database revealed unplanned conversion during MIH is associated with greater morbidity and mortality. MIH should be approached cautiously in patients requiring major hepatectomy.
Assaying RNA Localization in Situ with Spatially Restricted Nucleobase Oxidation

We report herein a novel chemical-genetic method for assaying RNA localization within living cells. RNA localization is critical for normal physiology as well as the onset of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Despite its importance, there is a real lack of chemical methods to directly assay RNA localization with high resolution in living cells. Our novel approach relies on in situ nucleobase oxidation by singlet oxygen generated from spatially confined fluorophores. We demonstrate that our novel method can identify RNA molecules localized within specific cellular compartments. We anticipate that this platform will provide the community with a much-needed methodology for tracking RNA localization within living cells, and set the stage for systematic large scale analysis of RNA localization in living systems.
Spatial and temporal variability of bacterial indicators and pathogens in six California reservoirs during extreme drought.

Abstract California has one of the largest systems of surface water reservoirs in the world, providing irrigation water to California's agriculturally productive Central Valley. Irrigation water is recognized as a vehicle for the microbial contamination of raw produce and must be monitored according to new federal regulation. The purpose of this study was to further understanding of the variability of fecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and fecal coliforms) and pathogens (E. coli O157:H7 (O157), non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella) along both horizontal and vertical profiles within California reservoirs. Monthly sampling was conducted in six reservoirs located in the foothills of the Western Sierra Nevada during the summer irrigation season and extreme drought conditions of 2014 (n = 257). Concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria were highly variable between reservoirs (p 0.05) or any one particular depth strata (p
MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ESTROGEN AGONISTS AND ANTAGONISTS

The relationship between estrogen agonists and antagonists and the nuclear binding of the estrogen receptor was investigated in the immature rat uterus. Estriol (and other short acting estrogens) are antagonistic when administered as a single injection due to the inability of the receptor-estriol complex to be retained by uterine nuclei for a critical period necessary to stimulate true uterine growth. This failure of the receptor-estriol complex to be retained appears to be due to rapid clearance of estriol from uterine tissue following a single injection of the hormone. When estriol is present in a chronic fashion, it acts as an agonist because receptor estriol complex is retained at nuclear sites for long periods of time. Nonsteroid estrogen antagonists, such as Nafoxidine, also cause long term nuclear retention of the estrogen receptor and act as estrogen agonists after a single injection. However, after multiple injections these drugs are antagonistic and this effect is correlated with decrease availability of cytoplasmic estrogen receptors. In addition, these compounds appear to specifically stimulate the growth of uterine epithelial cells while minimally affecting other cell types which results in hyperestrogenization of the epithelium.
Teaching to varied disciplines and educational levels simultaneously: An innovative approach in a neonatal follow-up clinic

Purpose: Across various health conditions and geographic regions, there remains a dearth of clinicians with the expertise and confidence to identify and manage children with disabilities. At the front line of this crisis are clinician-educators, who are tasked with caring for these unique patients and with training the future workforce. Balancing patient care and clinical instruction responsibilities is particularly challenging when trainees of varied educational levels and specialties report simultaneously. The lack of a standard curriculum further compounds the clinician-educator’s teaching demands and threatens the consistency of trainees’ learning. Recognizing these challenges in their work in a neonatal follow-up clinic, the authors sought a solution through an established curriculum development process.Materials and methods: A needs assessment survey was conducted to gauge medical trainees’ knowledge, skills, and experiences. Applying needs assessment findings, the authors developed a curric...
Social Networks in Nonlinear Dynamics, Chaos and Fractals

We show how the seeds of twentieth century mathematical Chaos Theory grew in the networks associated with the internal combustion engine and radio electronics. We trace the mathematical discoveries of Henri Poincare in France at the beginning of the twentieth century to the fluid mechanics weather models of Edward Lorenz at MIT and electrical circuits of Yoshisuke Ueda in Kyoto a half-century later. This example was chosen because of the author’s close familiarity with chaotic and nonlinear dynamics. This example and the radio network show that the ideas of a network community for innovation go beyond the examples from mechanical science in Chaps. 1– 4.