cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultraviolet Irradiation-Induced Volume Alteration of Corneal Epithelial Cells

Purpose The purpose of the study is to understand how extracellular stresses, such as ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, affect corneal epithelial cells. Cell volume changes, damage to corneal epithelial integrity, and cellular responses were assessed after exposure to UVC stresses. Methods Primary human and rabbit corneal epithelial cells were exposed to UVC light in culture conditions. Ultraviolet C irradiation-induced changes in cell size and volume were measured by real-time microscopy and self-quenching of the fluorescent dye calcein, respectively. The effects of UVC irradiation on Src and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation and FAK-dependent integrin signaling were detected by ELISA, immunoblotting, and immunostaining. Results Ultraviolet C irradiation induced both size and volume shifts in human and rabbit corneal epithelial cells. Ultraviolet C irradiation-induced decrease of cell volume elicited activation of Src and FAK, characterized by increased phosphorylations of SrcY416, FAKY397, and FAKY925. In addition, immunostaining studies showed UVC irradiation-induced increases in phosphorylation of FAK and formation of integrin β5 clustering. Application of Kv channel blockers, including 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), α-DTX, and depressing substance-1 (BDS-1), effectively suppressed UVC irradiation-induced cell volume changes, and subsequently inhibited UVC irradiation-induced phosphorylation of Src/FAK, and formation of integrin β5 clustering, suggesting UVC irradiation-induced volume changes and Src/FAK activation. Hyperosmotic pressure-induced volume decreases were measured in comparison with effects of UVC irradiation on volume and Src/FAK activation. However, Kv channel blocker, 4-AP, had no effect on hyperosmotic pressure-induced responses. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that UVC irradiation-induced decreases in cell volume lead to Src/FAK activation due to a rapid loss of K ions through membrane Kv channels.
Constitutive FLT3 Activation Results in Specific Changes in Gene Expression in Myeloid Leukemic Cells.

Constitutively activating internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations of the receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 play an important role in leukemogenesis. They are the most common genetic alteration in AML and their presence is associated with poor prognosis. To better understand FLT3 signaling in leukemogenesis, we have examined the changes in gene expression induced by FLT3/ITD or constitutively activated wild type FLT3 signaling by cDNA microarray analysis. In order to minimize gene expression changes that might be drug specific and not related to FLT3 inhibition or might be cell-type specific, we used three different FLT3 inhibitors, CEP-701, CEP-5214, and AG1296, and three different constitutively activated FLT3-expressing leukemia-derived cell lines, EOL-1, MOLM-14 and MV4-11. We considered to be FLT3 responsive only those genes whose expression consistently changed in response to FLT3 inhibition by each of the three FLT3 inhibitors in all of the cell lines. RNA for hybridization to the microarrays was harvested from cells both before and after increasing times of FLT3 inhibition to determine genes which decreased or increased in response to FLT3 signaling. In addition, because the inhibitors are all reversible, RNA was also harvested from the cells at increasing times after release from FLT3 inhibition. This enabled us to confirm that, for example, genes whose expression appeared FLT3 dependent and were thus down-regulated by FLT3 inhibition, returned towards normal levels after FLT3 signaling was allowed to resume. Statistical analysis of the microarray results indicated a limited set of genes are highly and consistently affected by FLT3 inhibition and return toward pretreatment levels after release from inhibitor. We confirmed the cDNA microarray data using quantitative real-time PCR. Several of the most significantly affected genes are involved in the Ras/MAPK pathway including DUSP6, DUSP7, MAPK6, TNF, and cMyc. Other sets of genes are involved in JAK/STAT or Wnt signaling pathways including Pim-1, cMyc, Cyclin D3, IL4 receptor, and CISH. These genes are all consistently down-regulated after FLT3 inhibition. These data further confirm the role of constitutively activating FLT3 in mediating multiple signal transduction pathways. We also found several transcriptional factors (RUNX1/AML1, MAFG, XBP1, TGFBI4, and BRD8), several genes involved in receptor-mediated signaling (IL1RAP, CDC42EP3, PLAUR, LY64), and several genes involved in cell proliferation, metabolism, or structure (BCL7A, APTX, GHRH, SET7, ATAD2, CLIC1, CRIP2, MRPL12, VIM) to be consistently differentially expressed. In summary, we have found by cDNA microarray analysis and confirmed by QPCR, a consistent pattern of FLT3 dependent gene expression. The alteration of the gene expression profile in these cells is likely the mechanism of FLT3-mediated leukemogenisis.
Synthesis and Applications of Catalysts Prepared by Sol-Gel Methods

The synthesis of catalysts using sol-gel methods is now a mature science. This brief review will center on several novel applications of catalysts prepared by sol-gel techniques. In particular, the following applications will be discussed: (1) the synthesis of thermally resistant supported metal catalysts; (2) improved selectivity through the use ceramic membrane reactors, and (3) catalysis by solid acid catalysts.
A Newer Form of Psycho-Spiritual Detachment to Support Those Suffering at Work

Psychological detachment is useful to those who suffer workplace stress or burnout. However, some literature notes that people still ruminate problematically while away from work. To assist individual’s sense-making and support meaningful detachment the research for the first time compares psychological detachment to a self-kindly form of spiritual detachment. The research using a bricolage-oriented approach draws on Weick’s sense-making motif and Richard Rohr’s spirituality. To assist the interdisciplinary approaches to suffering a preliminary conceptual model is suggested that combines theory and practical worker-centered choices although further work will be needed to establish its ongoing veracity.
On the Parity of the Rogers-Ramanujan Coefficients

The parity of g(n) and h(n), the enumerators of restricted partitions of n appearing in the Rogers-Ramanujan identities, is studied. The parity of g(n) for odd n and that of h(n) for even n are completely determined. It is shown that these numbers are almost always even.
Short communication: Circulating fatty acylcarnitines are elevated in overweight periparturient dairy cows in association with sphingolipid biomarkers of insulin resistance.

ABSTRACT Defects in mitochondrial fatty acid processing are associated with the development of fatty liver disease, inflammation, and insulin resistance in overweight nonruminants. Surplus fatty acids (FA) and defects in FA oxidation favor the accumulation of fatty acylcarnitines (FAC) and the sphingolipid ceramide. Moreover, elevated circulating FAC and ceramide concentrations are inversely related to insulin action. Because we have previously demonstrated that plasma ceramide levels increase during the transition from gestation to lactation, our aim was to determine whether changes in plasma medium- and long-chain FAC levels are related to circulating FA and sphingolipids in peripartal dairy cows. We hypothesized that plasma FAC levels would be higher in overweight cows experiencing increased lipolysis, and that FAC levels would be positively associated with elevations in plasma ceramides. Twenty-one multiparous Holstein cows were grouped according to body condition score (BCS) at d −30 prepartum as lean (BCS 4.0; n=11). Blood was collected at d −30, −15, −7, and 4, relative to parturition. Circulating FAC and ceramide levels were determined using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. To investigate the potential contributions of sphingomyelin (SM) hydrolysis to ceramide accrual, we also determined plasma SM levels during the peripartum period. Data were analyzed under a mixed model with the fixed effects of adiposity and time, and the random effect of cow. Relative to lean cows, overweight cows had elevated FAC during the transition from gestation to lactation. Circulating FAC levels were positively associated with FA, ceramide, and dihydro-SM levels. Although circulating FAC levels increased in all cows during the peripartum, enhanced prepartum adiposity contributed to a greater rise in plasma FA and FAC. Our results support on-going efforts to determine whether altered mitochondrial FA processing promotes the accumulation of the insulin resistance biomarker ceramide in blood and liver.
Residential preferences, transit accessibility and social equity: insights from the Denver region

AbstractOur work exploring preferences of Denver metropolitan area households in deciding where to live provides important insights for regions seeking to leverage investments in transit and promote social equity through transit-oriented communities (TOC). Through a choice-based approach, we find evidence of widespread support for characteristics of TOC, with similar preferences for transit- and pedestrian-accessible environments among low-income and more affluent households. However, despite similar preferences, we find that affluent households moved to station areas after the arrival of light rail in much larger proportions than low-income households, pointing to trends consistent with local and national evidence of increased housing prices (and, likely, gentrification) near transit. If these trends continue without additional supplies of housing affordable to low- and moderate-income households in transit-rich neighbourhoods, those who are most likely to benefit from and use transit are likely to face ...
Quest for Efficacious Next-Generation Taxoid Anticancer Agents and Their Tumor-Targeted Delivery

Paclitaxel and docetaxel are among the most widely used chemotherapeutic drugs against various types of cancer. However, these drugs cause undesirable side effects as well as drug resistance. Therefore, it is essential to develop next-generation taxoid anticancer agents with better pharmacological properties and improved activity especially against drug-resistant and metastatic cancers. The SAR studies by the authors have led to the development of numerous highly potent novel second- and third-generation taxoids with systematic modifications at the C-2, C-10, and C-3′ positions. The third-generation taxoids showed virtually no difference in potency against drug-resistant and drug-sensitive cell lines. Some of the next-generation taxoids also exhibited excellent potency against cancer stem cells. This account summarizes concisely investigations into taxoids over 25 years based on a strong quest for the discovery and development of efficacious next-generation taxoids. Discussed herein are SAR studies on dif...
The evolution of bladder cancer genomics: What have we learned and how can we use it?

Abstract Background With advancements in molecular biology techniques, great progress has been made in the understanding of urothelial carcinoma pathogenesis. Objective To examine the historic description of molecular alterations in bladder cancer and their evolution towards our current comprehension of the biology of the disease. Results Historically, a two-pathway model was described from histological and cytogenetic studies: low-grade papillary non-muscle invasive bladder cancers (NMIBC) were described to arise from epithelial hyperplasia with loss of chromosome 9 as an early event, whereas muscle-invasive bladder cancers (MIBC) were considered to develop from dysplasia, associated with genetic instability. Although there could be connections between the 2 pathways, NMIBC and MIBC were largely believed to develop secondary to different molecular alterations. Next-generation sequencing has allowed important insights into cancer biology and a better understanding of the pathways involved in bladder cancer pathogenesis and heterogeneity. Urothelial carcinoma has been found to have a high frequency of somatic mutations compared to other solid tumors, including several mutations in multiple signaling pathways, such as cell cycle regulators (TP53, RB1), RTK/RAS/RAF pathway, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and TERT gene promoter. Epigenetic changes and mutations in chromatin remodeling genes are especially frequent in bladder cancer. Mutations in FGFR3 and KDM6A are more common in NMIBC than in MIBC, whereas mutations in TP53 and KMT2D are more common in MIBC, suggesting the previously hypothesized 2 different pathways, with a subset of tumors progressing from NMIBC to MIBC. Using comprehensive RNA expression profiling studies, at least 5 subtypes of bladder cancer have been identified, the most fundamental division being Basal/Squamous-like and Luminal. These subtypes have different prognoses, natural histories and responses to systemic treatments: Luminal subtypes are enriched with papillary histology and have a better prognosis, while Basal/Squamous-like subtypes are enriched with squamous features, are associated with advanced stage at presentation, and portend a worse prognosis. Conclusion This new understanding of bladder cancer will optimistically translate into better understanding of this heterogeneous disease and lead to improvement in patient outcome and quality of life through better tailored treatments.
Tribology at Small Scales

The design of tribological interfaces is often motivated by a quest to minimize friction and wear. Many of the most important advances of recent years come from new techniques capable of characterization at small scales and even at the level of individual molecules. This talk will tests of the Stokes-Einstein equation in molecularly-thin films, of modifying the boundary conditions of fluid flow, from stick to slip, and of extending tribology research to the prominent two-dimensional fluids known as phospholipid bilayers. The issues discussed in this talk point the way to possible new strategies for energy-saving during fluid transport and have relevance to filtration, colloidal dynamics, and microfluidic devices.
Amputations of the lower extremity

Peripheral vascular disease due either to atherosclerosis and/or diabetes is the most common cause of amputation in the USA and Europe today. Curiously, the actual number of amputations has not decreased despite increasing use of arterial reconstructive procedures. Most major lower extremity amputations are performed only after failed femorodistal reconstructions’. Amputations are performed less often in the setting of acute arterial ischaemia where the ischaemic muscle mass becomes a metabolic threat to the patient. Finally, major amputations may be necessary in diabetic patients who may present with lower extremity infections that are beyond primary healing and may be life threatening when first seen’.
Proton Transfer Reactions in LOV-Domain Photochemistry

The phototropins (phot1 and phot2)are plant blue-light photoreceptors that mediate phototropism, chloroplast relocation, stomatal opening, leaf expansion, and rapid inhibition of hypocotyl growth ([Briggs and Christie 2002]). They contain two 10kDa FMN-binding LOV domains (LOV1 and LOV2)with a serine/ threonine kinase at the C-terminal region. Light absorbed by the flavin chro- mophore results in the transient formation of a covalent flavoprotein adduct and a localized protein structural perturbation. Intramolecular propagation of this conformational change results in activation of the kinase moiety and hierarchical autophosphorylation at several sites located in the protein region between the two LOV domains and near the N-terminus. Thus, adduct formation is viewed as a light-driven molecular switch that activates the subsequent molec- ular events.
Periprocedural Cardiopulmonary Bypass or Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review.

Background There are limited data on the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) or cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to provide hemodynamic support periprocedurally during tra...
Bacteriology of the Colon

The microflora of the colon is an extraordinarly complex ecologic niche, consisting of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Extensive microbiologic studies have revealed that a single individual harbors more than 400 different bacterial species in the colonic flora.1 Characterization of such a heterogenous mixture by classic bacteriologic techniques is a monumental task; it has been estimated that a complete microbiologic analysis of a single fecal specimen requires up to 1 year to complete. Fortunately, a reasonable description of the colonic microflora is possible to construct by considering only the most representative microorganisms (Table 1).
Evaluating the Impact of Various Modulation Schemes on WiMAX Quality of Service

In order to effectively analyze the QoS performance of WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability of Microwave Access), it is important to identify different types of modulation techniques that can lead to an increase in performance. Low throughput, high packet loss rate, delayed round trip time (RTT) for packets, increased retransmissions, and increased collisions are the main attributes to look for when analyzing poor network performance. The IEEE 802.16 technology (WiMAX) is a promising technology for prosviding last-mile connectivity by radio link due to its large coverage area, low cost of deployment and high speed data rates. The mobile WiMAX technology was drafted by the International Technological University (ITU) in late 2007. Officially, the IEEE 802.16e revisions promote standards for broadband wireless access systems and currently focus on performance through the PHY and MAC layers of the OSI model. However, the maximum number of channels defined in the current system may cause a potential bottleneck and limit the overall system capacity. We use the OPNET Modeler to simulate IEEE 802.16e WiMAX performance on a network with 35 mobile nodes and seven base stations. We construct a WiMAX deployment with scheduling type ertPS (extended real-time polling service) and different types of digital modulation and coding for both downlink (DL) and Uplink (UL) service flows. We made an assessment of the network performance based on WiMAX throughput and load in bits per second against different modulation schemes. WiMAX delay results are plotted over time (seconds). WiMAX network performance shows no signs of queuing with ertPS and QPSK½. The use of improper implementation of digital modulation and coding causes noticeable queuing to occur. WiMAX delay is significantly affected when forward error-correcting methods are enabled.
Photomodification of a Serine at the Active Site of Spinach RuBisCO by Vanadate

The enzyme D-ribulose-l,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) catalyzes the carboxylation and oxygenation of ribulose-l,5-bisphosphate (RuBP). While the former is the initial step in carbon fixation, the latter leads to photorespiration resulting in a net loss of carbon (1).
Evaluation of Burkholderia mallei ΔtonB Δhcp1 (CLH001) as a live attenuated vaccine in murine models of glanders and melioidosis

Background Glanders caused by Burkholderia mallei is a re-emerging zoonotic disease affecting solipeds and humans. Furthermore, B. mallei is genetically related to B. pseudomallei, which is the causative agent of melioidosis. Both facultative intracellular bacteria are classified as tier 1 select biothreat agents. Our previous study with a B. mallei ΔtonB Δhcp1 (CLH001) live-attenuated vaccine demonstrated that it is attenuated, safe and protective against B. mallei wild-type strains in the susceptible BALB/c mouse model. Methodology/Principal finding In our current work, we evaluated the protective efficacy of CLH001 against glanders and melioidosis in the more disease-resistant C57BL/6 mouse strain. The humoral as well as cellular immune responses were also examined. We found that CLH001-immunized mice showed 100% survival against intranasal and aerosol challenge with B. mallei ATCC 23344. Moreover, this vaccine also afforded significant cross-protection against B. pseudomallei K96243, with low level bacterial burden detected in organs. Immunization with a prime and boost regimen of CLH001 induced significantly greater levels of total and subclasses of IgG, and generated antigen-specific splenocyte production of IFN-γ and IL-17A. Interestingly, protection induced by CLH001 is primarily dependent on humoral immunity, while CD4+ and CD8+ T cells played a less critical protective role. Conclusions/Significance Our data indicate that CLH001 serves as an effective live attenuated vaccine to prevent glanders and melioidosis. The quantity and quality of antibody responses as well as improving cell-mediated immune responses following vaccination need to be further investigated prior to advancement to preclinical studies.
Structured Conflict Approaches Used in Strategic Decision Making: From Mason's Initial Study to Virtual Teams

Structured Conflict Approaches Used in Strategic Decision Making focuses on strategic planning processes which use structured conflict to aid in elicitating and exposing management’s underlying assumptions and how to stimulate management to adopt a broader view of the planning problem. The objective is to examine the whether structured conflict procedures are superior to expert or consensus-oriented procedures in face-to-face and virtual teams working on strategic decision-making tasks. The author begins with a brief background in section 2, then section 3 discusses structured conflict, followed by philosophical and empirical debate in section 4. Section 5 examines structured conflict: devil’s advocacy and dialectical inquiry studies in both case and field, and experimental studies. Section 6 presents an integrative analysis of the structured conflict studies. Section 7 focuses on leadership. Section 8 addresses structured conflict and leadership in virtual teams. Section 9 is the conclusion and addresses the issues of this paper and discusses potential future studies.
Green synthesis of reduced Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets with enhanced conductivity, oxidation stability, and SERS activity

Transition metal carbides (MXenes) are an emerging family of highly conductive two-dimensional materials with additional functional properties introduced by surface terminations. Further modification of the surface terminations makes MXenes even more appealing for practical applications. Herein, we report a facile and environmentally benign synthesis of reduced Ti3C2Tx MXene (r-Ti3C2Tx) via a simple treatment with L-ascorbic acid at room temperature. r-Ti3C2Tx shows a six-fold increase in electrical conductivity, from 471 ± 49 for regular Ti3C2Tx to 2819 ± 306 S m−1 for the reduced version. Additionally, we show an enhanced oxidation stability of r-Ti3C2Tx as compared to regular Ti3C2Tx. An examination of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity reveals that the SERS enhancement factor of r-Ti3C2Tx is an order of magnitude higher than that of regular Ti3C2Tx. The improved SERS activity of r-Ti3C2Tx is attributed to the charge transfer interaction between the MXene surface and probe molecules, re-enforced by an increased electronic density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level of r-Ti3C2Tx. The findings of this study suggest that reduced MXene could be a superior choice over regular MXene, especially for the applications that employ high electronic conductivity, such as electrode materials for batteries and supercapacitors, photodetectors, and SERS-based sensors.
Chapter 39 – Oral Tolerance: Immunologic Mechanisms and Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases

Publisher Summary Oral tolerance is a long-recognized method of inducing immune tolerance and refers to the observation that if one feeds a protein and then immunizes with the fed protein, a state of systemic hyporesponsiveness to the fed protein exists. Animals fed proteins such as ovalbumin or sheep red blood cells do not respond as well to these antigens when subsequently immunized, but do respond normally to other antigens. The phenomenon of oral tolerance has also been observed in humans fed and immunized with KLH. Investigators have begun to apply oral tolerance as a method to manipulate injurious immune responses, primarily in the area of autoimmune diseases, although its applications appear broader and have included transplantation as well. The term oral tolerance is in some ways misleading as it implies that there is one unique mechanism of tolerance induction when antigens are administered orally. This is not the case. Although the gut clearly has unique properties that favor tolerance induction, the type of tolerance induced must be defined when factors that influence oral tolerance are investigated. Orally administered antigen encounters the gut-associated lymphoid tissue or GALT, a very well developed immune network that not only evolved to protect the host from ingested pathogens, but also developed the inherent property of preventing the host from reacting to ingested proteins.
Minimally Invasive Intermetatarsal Nerve Decompression for Morton's Neuroma: A Review of 27 Cases

Abstract Minimally invasive nerve decompression for operative management of Morton's neuroma has been shown to be an effective alternative to neurectomy; however, little is known about postoperative outcomes. In this retrospective case series, we reviewed 27 procedures in 25 patients who underwent minimally invasive nerve decompression as primary surgical management for Morton's neuroma. Most subjects (22, or 88%) had 12 or more months of health plan enrollment postoperatively; 3 (12%) had 4 to 7 months of enrollment after the procedure. Postoperative patient satisfaction, complications and the need for a follow-up neurectomy were ascertained from medical record review. Additionally, demographic and clinical data were extracted from electronic sources. Patient satisfaction was unknown for 5 (18.5%) of the 27 procedures. Among the 22 (81.5%) procedures for which there were valid patient satisfaction data, patient satisfaction was excellent for 11 (50%); good for 2 (9.1%), and poor for 9 (40.9%). During the follow-up period, 5 (18.5%) patients required an open neurectomy. Among the 6 (22.2%) patients who presented without a Mulder's sign on physical exam preoperatively, 83% reported excellent results. Minimally invasive nerve decompression may not be as effective as previously seen; however, it may be indicated in patients presenting with absence of a Mulder's sign, a physically small or nascent neuroma.
Mercury concentrations provide an indicator of marine foraging in coastal birds

Abstract The transfer of nutrients between marine and terrestrial systems has important ecological consequences, and animal movement is an important driver of nutrient transfer. Coastal birds forage in marine environments and breed in terrestrial habitats, and thus serve as vectors moving nutrients from the sea to the land. However, urbanization can influence the extent to which coastal birds forage in marine or terrestrial environments due to the availability of human subsidies. Establishing a reliable and straightforward indicator of marine foraging would be useful for assessing changes in the use of terrestrial vs. marine habitats in the face of urbanization and broader environmental change, and for understanding the flow of nutrients and energy between terrestrial and marine environments. Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic heavy metal which bioaccumulates in marine food webs, and is a potential indicator of marine foraging. Methylmercury (MeHg), is present only in aquatic ecosystems and reaches elevated concentrations in the prey species of marine birds. Thus, high concentrations of MeHg would be expected for birds foraging in marine environments in comparison to those foraging on terrestrial sources. We hypothesized that the degree of marine foraging influences Hg uptake in coastal birds. To test this hypothesis, we combined GPS tracking data with measurements of Hg concentrations in the blood of herring gulls (Larus argentatus) along an urban gradient in the northeast United States. We examined Hg concentrations for 51 individual herring gulls tracked with GPS tags at study sites representing high, medium and low degrees of urbanization. Our results showed a strong and significant positive relationship between Hg concentrations and the proportion of herring gull foraging locations occurring in offshore waters. Hg concentrations differed significantly between herring gulls whose primary foraging habitat occurred in marine vs. terrestrial environments. Gulls in more urban colonies spent less time foraging in marine environments, and had significantly lower Hg concentrations than those at the more remote study. Our results suggest that Hg concentrations in blood can be used to reflect the extent of marine foraging for animals using both marine and terrestrial habitats. Hg concentrations could be valuable monitoring tool to assess how the use of marine foraging habitats changes through time (dietary shifts) or relative to environmental change such as urbanization.
Isolation of a Drosophila gene encoding glutathione S-transferase.

We have isolated aDrosophila gene,DmGST-2, that encodes glutathioneS-transferase, a homo- or heterodimeric enzyme thought to be involved in detoxification of xenobiotics, including known carcinogens. The encoded protein has a primary sequence that is more similar to mammalian placental and nematode GSTs than that of a previously describedDrosophila GST gene, herein referred to asDmGST-1. We provide a physical map of the gene and show that it specifies at least two mRNAs, measuring 1.9 and 1.6 kb, which differ only in the lengths of their 3′ untranslated regions. Both of the mRNAs are present during all developmental stages.In situ hybridization of theDmGST-2 gene to larval polytene chromosomes places it within the 53F subdivision of chromosome 2, and Southern blotting to chromosomal DNA indicates that the gene has no close relatives within theDrosophila genome. Our results make possible molecular genetic approaches for further elaborating the function of glutathioneS-transferases in insect development and physiology, in the metabolism of plant toxins, and in conferring insecticide resistance.
Risks and outcomes of adenovirus disease in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients –comparison of current antiviral treatment options

BACKGROUND Adenovirus disease (ADVd) is a significant burden in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. However, current knowledge of risk factors associated with poor clinical outcome and the effectiveness of antiviral therapy are not well understood. This study determined the relationship between transplant characteristics and risk of ADVd and also compared time to resolution of disease between pediatric patients who did and did not receive antiviral therapy. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, single-center cohort study of pediatric patients undergoing HSCT at Duke University (2005-2016). Cases of ADVd were defined a priori using a classification tool. Cox proportional hazards (CPH) regression models were used to compare the hazard of ADVd between HSCT recipients differing by type of transplant and type of conditioning regimen. The hazard of time to resolution of ADVd by antiviral therapy (cidofovir, brincidofovir, both, or neither) was compared. RESULTS Ninety-three of 830 subjects had ADVd post-HSCT (11.2%). Umbilical cord transplant (UCT) recipients had 2.30 (95% CI 1.57, 6.90, P = .002) higher hazard of developing ADVd compared to non-cord allogeneic transplants, and 6.30 higher (95% CI 2.70, 19.61, P < .001) hazard compared to autologous transplants. Subjects who did not receive antiviral therapy experienced earlier resolution of ADVd compared to subjects who received therapy, even after adjusting for subjects with disseminated disease (HR [95% CI]: 3.75 [1.57, 8.93], P = .003). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric UCT recipients are at a higher risk for ADVd. Antiviral therapy was not associated with an earlier resolution of ADVd, even in patients with higher disease burden.
Progenitor cell diversity in the developing mouse neocortex

In the mammalian neocortex, projection neuron types are sequentially generated by the same pool of neural progenitors. How neuron type specification is related to developmental timing remains unclear. To determine whether temporal gene expression in neural progenitors correlates with neuron type specification, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) analysis of the developing mouse neocortex. We uncovered neuroepithelial cell enriched genes such as Hmga2 and Ccnd1 when compared to radial glial cells (RGCs). RGCs display dynamic gene expression over time; for instance, early RGCs express higher levels of Hes5, and late RGCs show higher expression of Pou3f2. Interestingly, intermediate progenitor cell marker gene Eomes coexpresses temporally with known neuronal identity genes at different developmental stages, though mostly in postmitotic cells. Our results delineate neural progenitor cell diversity in the developing mouse neocortex and support that neuronal identity genes are transcriptionally evident in Eomes-positive cells.
Theoretical modelling and experimental characterization of composite material for ulna bone plate application

Abstract In the procedure, isolated fractures in the ulna bone shaft are normally handled with metal bone plates, which may result in “stress shielding” contributing to bone re fracture and bone mass decrease. For bone plate applications, fiber-reinforced composites with lower stiffness have been introduced to mitigate the above disadvantages. A new glass/jute/polyester hybrid composite material for bone plate whose structure is engineered to ensure lower rigidity than traditional metal plate is being established in the current investigation. In this research, many design guidelines were followed to take account of the strength of composite systems and to optimize the advantages of the properties of both fibers. Classical lamination theory (CLT) and rule of mixture models are used to test the composite elastic properties before processing. The determined elastic properties were used to determine the viability for further processing and characterization of developed composite material models. In this analysis, three separate laminates were manufactured by hand layup process. The impact of various stacking and orientation of fibers on different mechanical properties of composite has been studied through experimental studies. In order to simulate the major loads of bone plates, the composite was evaluated directly under tensile, flexural and compressive tests. The findings of experimental tests found that the composite material introduced showed greater flexural strength (95.37–161.48 Mpa) relative to axial tension (59.81–70.17 Mpa) and compression (72.06–95.28 Mpa). The proposed composite material is ideal for bone fracture plates that need sufficient bending rigidity with lower axial rigidity.
Attributive subcomparatives in Japanese

This paper aims to explain the difference in grammaticality between Japanese attributive subcomparatives with quantity adjectives (e.g., ooku/takusan ‘many’) and those with non-quantity adjectives (e.g., omosiroi ‘interesting’). My analysis assumes that Japanese clausal comparatives involve degree abstraction (Shimoyama 2012, see also Bhatt and Takahashi 2011). Degree abstraction is generally assumed to require movement of a null degree operator. In the case of attributive clausal comparatives, the movement takes place from the left branch position. If no operation that alleviates a left branch island violation is available, we would expect that the resulting sentences would be ungrammatical. I propose that in Japanese, quantifier float can play a role in ameliorating extraction out of the left branch islands. More specifically, I argue that (i) Japanese attributive subcomparatives with quantity adjectives involve quantifier float of the quantity adjectives, and that (ii) quantifier float carries the degree operators associated with the adjectives to a position where degree operator movement can originate.
Winter warm-up frequency and the degree of temperature fluctuations affect survival outcomes of spotted-wing drosophila winter morphotypes

Abstract Among overwintering Drosophila suzukii, discrete environmental changes in temperature and photoperiod induce a suite of biochemical changes conferring cold tolerance. However, little is known regarding how temperature fluctuations, which can influence metabolic and cellular repair activity, affect survival outcomes in this species. For that reason, we designed three experiments to test the effects of intermittent warm-up periods and the degree of temperature fluctuation on winter-morphotype (WM) D. suzukii survival. We found that at 5 °C, a temperature sufficient to induce reproductive diapause, but warm enough to allow foraging, increasing warm-up frequency (warmed to 25 °C at various interval schedules) was associated with decreased survival. In contrast, when the nightly low temperature was 0 °C, daily fluctuations that warmed the environment to temperatures above freezing (5, or 15 °C) appeared beneficial and resulted in improved survival compared to flies held at 0 °C during day and night. When we next evaluated cold tolerance using a 24-hour stress test assay (-5 °C), we found that again, thermal fluctuations improved survival compared to static freezing conditions. However, we also found that WM D. suzukii exposed to freezing temperatures during acclimation were less cold tolerant, regardless of the thermal fluctuation schedule, indicating that there may be tradeoffs between adequate acclimation temperature, which is required to induce cold tolerance, and the ensuing effects of incidental chill injury. Moving forward, these data, which account for the nuanced interactions between the thermal environment and in the internal physiology of D. suzukii, may help refine seasonal populations models, which aim to forecast pest pressure based on conditions the previous winter.
Quantum Random Number Generation via Dynamically-Controlled Coupled-Resonator-Based Kerr Oscillator

We demonstrate real-time quantum random number generation using an integrated silicon nitride coupled-ring-resonator-based degenerate optical parametric oscillator (DOPO). We achieve fast DOPO turn-on/off via dynamic modulation of the cavity decay time using integrated heaters.
A combined approach for stabilization and endoscopic/ endonasal odontoid and clivus resection for treatment of basilar invagination

Background Basilar invagination (BI) is a complex condition characterized by prolapse of the odontoid into the brain stem/upper cervical cord. This lesion is often associated with Chiari malformations, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Treatment options for BI typically include cervical traction, an isolated anterior transoral odontoidectomy, anterior endonasal odontoidectomy, an isolated posterior fusion, or combined anterior/ posterior surgical approach. Case description A 45-year-old female with a Chiari I malformation and RA underwent a combined posterior C0-C5 posterior decompression/fusion, followed by an anterior odontoidectomy (i.e. endoscopic/endonasal under neuronavigation). Postoperatively, the patient's symptoms and neurological signs resolved. Conclusion BI in was successfully managed with a combined posterior C0-C5 decompression/fusion followed by an anterior endoscopic/endonasal odontoidectomy performed under neuronavigation.
Control of Clostridium perfringens germination and outgrowth by buffered sodium citrate during chilling of roast beef and injected pork

Inhibition of the germination and outgrowth of Clostridium perfringens by buffered sodium citrate (Ional) and buffered sodium citrate supplemented with sodium diacetate (Ional Plus) during the abusive chilling of roast beef and injected pork was evaluated. Beef top rounds or pork loins were injected with a brine containing NaCl, potato starch, and potassium tetrapyrophosphate to yield final in-product concentrations of 0.85, 0.25, and 0.20%, respectively. Products were ground and mixed with Ional or Ional Plus at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%. Each product was mixed with a three-strain C. perfringens spore cocktail to obtain final spore concentrations of ca. 2.5 log10 spores per g. Chilling of roast beef from 54.4 to 7.2 degrees C resulted in C. perfringens population increases of 1.51 and 5.27 log10 CFU/g for 18- and 21-h exponential chill rates, respectively, while chilling of injected pork resulted in increases of 3.70 and 4.41 log10 CFU/g. The incorporation of Ional into the roast beef formulation resulted in C. perfringens population reductions of 0.98, 1.87, and 2.47 log10 CFU/g with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% Ional, respectively, over 18 h of chilling, while > or = 1.0% Ional Plus was required to achieve similar reductions (reductions of 0.91 and 2.07 log10 CFU/g were obtained with 1.0 and 2.0% Ional Plus, respectively). An Ional or Ional Plus concentration of > or = 1.0% was required to reduce C. perfringens populations in roast beef or injected pork chilled from 54.4 to 7.2 degrees C in 21 h. Cooling times for roast beef or injected pork products after heat processing can be extended to 21 h through the incorporation of > or = 1.0% Ional or Ional Plus into the formulation to reduce the potential risk of C. perfringens germination and outgrowth.
Scientific computing on commodity graphics hardware

Driven by the need for interactive entertainment, modern PCs are equipped with specialized graphics processors (GPUs) for creation and display of images. These GPUs have become increasingly programmable, to the point that they now are capable of efficiently executing a significant number of computational kernels from non-graphical applications. In this introductory paper we first present a high-level overview of modern graphics hardware's architecture, then introduce several applications in scientific computing that can be efficiently accelerated by GPUs. Finally we list programming tools available for application development on GPUs.
Nonresidential Father Postdivorce Well-Being: The Role of Social Supports

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the role that varying types of social support have on the psychological well-being of nonresidential fathers following divorce. The various sources of influences that were explored include support from: former spouse, parents of former spouse, fathers' parents, other relatives, friends, minister/clergy, intimate other, social workers, lawyer, therapists, teachers, other fathers, and support from the workplace. Data were collected from 101 fathers identified by means of a mandated divorce education program through the completion of a self-administered questionnaire. Analysis of the data indicated that the psychological well-being of the nonresidential fathers in this study was associated with a combination of support factors that included: (a) support from the father's workplace, (b) support from the father's new intimate other, (c) support from the father's former spouse, and (d) support from the fathers' former in-laws. The finding that the new “intimate ...
Biogeochemical drivers of the fate of riverine mercury discharged to the global and Arctic oceans

Rivers discharge 28 ± 13 Mmol yr−1 of mercury (Hg) to ocean margins, an amount comparable to atmospheric deposition to the global oceans. Most of the Hg discharged by rivers is sequestered by burial of benthic sediment in estuaries or the coastal zone, but some is evaded to the atmosphere and some is exported to the open ocean. We investigate the fate of riverine Hg by developing a new global 3-D simulation for Hg in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ocean general circulation model. The model includes plankton dynamics and carbon respiration (DARWIN project model) coupled to inorganic Hg chemistry. Results are consistent with observed spatial patterns and magnitudes of surface ocean Hg concentrations. We use observational constraints on seawater Hg concentrations and evasion to infer that most Hg from rivers is sorbed to refractory organic carbon and preferentially buried. Only 6% of Hg discharged by rivers (1.8 Mmol yr−1) is transported to the open ocean on a global basis. This fraction varies from a low of 2.6% in East Asia due to the barrier imposed by the Korean Peninsula and Japanese archipelago, up to 25% in eastern North America facilitated by the Gulf Stream. In the Arctic Ocean, low tributary particle loads and efficient degradation of particulate organic carbon by deltaic microbial communities favor a more labile riverine Hg pool. Evasion of Hg to the Arctic atmosphere is indirectly enhanced by heat transport during spring freshet that accelerates sea ice melt and ice rafting. Discharges of 0.23 Mmol Hg yr−1 from Arctic rivers can explain the observed summer maximum in the Arctic atmosphere, and this magnitude of releases is consistent with recent observations. Our work indicates that rivers are major contributors to Hg loads in the Arctic Ocean.
Discriminating Nature of the B. anthracis Aspartyl-tRNA Synthetases

Protein synthesis is essential for life and requires the correct pairing of amino acids to their cognate transfer RNA (tRNA). Two routes exist to attach asparagine (Asn), to tRNAAsn: the direct and...
A Simple Synthesis Method for Solving the Elements of Well-Detached Eclipsing Systems

A simple synthesis method for analyzing the light curves of detached eclipsing binaries exhibiting only small oblateness is outlined. The resulting computer program is flexible to use and faster than D.B. Wood’s widely-used program WINK, which was designed for systems with moderately distorted components. The basic indeterminacies of light curve solutions are mentioned.
Three-Dimensional Structure and Equivalence Rule of Transonic Flows

B-727 aircraft. In the frame of reference moving with the wind, the wind shear vortices normally move at half the wind speed in the direction opposite to the wind (i.e., 5 fps to the left in Fig. 3). The effect of the aircraft vortices on this motion is to speed it up on the up-wind side and to reverse it on the down-wind side. The wind shear vortices approaching from the right in Fig. 3 are swept up in the air and eventually induce the down-wind vortex to reverse its downward motion and move back up. After 60 sec, this vortex has captured wind shear vorticity of equal magnitude to its own and is moving upward at a speed comparable to its initial downward motion. The up-wind vortex, on the contrary, finds itself isolated from wind shear vorticity and therefore is influenced only by its image vortex. These motions are shown in Fig. 4 in the ground frame of reference. For comparison, the trajectories for a uniform wind are also shown. The trajectory of the up wind vortex is almost the same for the two cases, as one might expect. Although the model used here is crude, it gives a qualitative description of the observed difference in the motion of the two vortices. The effect is similar to but stronger than that proposed by Harvey and Perry1 to explain the rising of vortices. It should be noted that the effect discussed in this note is actually produced by the vertical gradient in the wind shear rather than by the wind shear directly. One can easily see that the wind shear vortices would not affect the aircraft vortex vertical motion at all if they were uniformly distributed in space. The phenomenon described in this Note pertains to relatively low cross winds. Both experimental observations and calculations indicate that other phenomena occur at much higher cross wind speeds (e.g. 30 fps instead of the 10 fps considered here).