cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dominant Regimes of the Ross Ice Shelf Surface Wind Field during Austral Autumn 2005

Abstract An analysis of the surface wind field across the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica, is conducted for austral autumn 2005. The airflow is divided into dominant wind regimes identifying similar wind patterns and the associated typical atmospheric forcing. The results of previous research and a seasonal analysis of the recently expanded network of automatic weather stations in the Ross Ice Shelf region are used to define the dominant wind regimes. Events composing each wind regime are identified by matching wind speed and wind direction observations at several automatic weather station sites for durations of at least 10 h. The four different dominant wind regimes are barrier wind, strong katabatic, weak katabatic, and light wind. Each wind regime is studied through the use of wind rose plots and sea level pressure fields from the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System. The sea level pressure fields are used to characterize the forcing of the surface wind field by synoptic pressure gradients. The four domina...
The Colonization of (M)Others in Welfare-to-Work Education

This article argues that welfare reform policies colonize poor mothers. Using ethnographic data of a welfare-to-work educational program, the article analyzes how colonizing public and governmental discourses about welfare mothers infiltrate the program's educational policy and everyday practices. Using postcolonial theory that establishes an epistemological foundation of colonization, it is demonstrated that poor mothers are defined in public discourse and in the classroom as irreconcilable others whom colonizers have a moral obligation to colonize through efficient administration. As a form of welfare administration, welfare-to-work education neither fully colonizes nor fully educates, but rather produces a resistant student.
Echocardiographic Assessment of Pericardial Effusion: A Brief Review

Echocardiography is routinely used to evaluate diseases of the pericardium, including effusion, tamponade, and, to a lesser extent, constriction. Doppler evaluation provides information regarding the attendant alterations of cardiac filling. This review details the role of echocardiography in the diagnosis and management of common abnormalities of the pericardium.
Evaluation of the role of pudendal nerve integrity in female sexual function using noninvasive techniques

Objective Using quantitative sensory testing and a validated questionnaire, we investigated the role of pudendal nerve integrity in sexual function among women. Study design Participants completed the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ). Vibratory and pressure thresholds were measured at the S2 dermatome reflecting pudendal nerve distribution. Results A total of 56 women enrolled; 29 (51.8%) were asymptomatic and 27 (48.2%) had 1 or more forms of female sexual dysfunction (total sexual dysfunction) including: desire disorder 16.1%, arousal disorder 26.8%, orgasmic disorder 25%, and pain disorder 12.5%. Age, parity, menopausal status, and body mass index were similar between groups. PISQ scores were lower in symptomatic subjects compared with controls ( P Conclusion Pudendal nerve integrity may play a role in female sexual dysfunction.
Bacteriophage T7 DNA helicase binds dTTP, forms hexamers, and binds DNA in the absence of Mg2+. The presence of dTTP is sufficient for hexamer formation and DNA binding.

Abstract The role of Mg2+ in dTTP hydrolysis, dTTP binding, hexamer formation, and DNA binding was studied in bacteriophage T7 DNA helicase (4A′ protein). The steady state k cat for the dTTPase activity was 200–300-fold lower in the absence of MgCl2, but theK m was only slightly affected. Direct dTTP binding experiments showed that the K d of dTTP was unaffected, but the stoichiometry of dTTP binding was different in the absence of Mg2+. Two dTTPs were found to bind tightly in the absence of Mg2+ in contrast to three to four in the presence of Mg2+. In the presence of DNA there was little difference in the stoichiometry of dTTP binding to 4A′. These results indicate that Mg2+ is not necessary for dTTP binding, but Mg2+ is required for optimal hydrolysis of dTTP. Gel filtration of 4A′ in the presence of dTTP without Mg2+showed that Mg2+ was not necessary, and dTTP was sufficient for hexamer formation. The hexamers formed in the presence of dTTP without Mg2+ were capable of binding single-stranded DNA. However, the 4A′ hexamers formed in the presence of dTDP with or without Mg2+ did not bind DNA, indicating that hexamer formation itself is not sufficient for DNA binding. The hexamers need to be in the correct conformation, in this case in the dTTP-bound state, to interact with the DNA. Thus, the γ-phosphate of dTTP plays an important role in causing a conformational change in the protein that leads to stable interactions of 4A′ with the DNA.
Nature of the Low pH Alpha Synuclein Conformational State Revealed with Single Molecule Fluorescence

Alpha-Synuclein (αS) is a natively unstructured protein that is strongly implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. Aggregated αS is the main component of Lewy body plaques, a hallmark of PD, but smaller αS oligomers are thought to be the cytotoxic agent responsible for neuronal death in the disease. Thus, understanding how this monomeric, unstructured protein becomes a toxic oligomeric state is a vital question in understanding the role of αS in PD. Low pH has been shown to induce the formation of a partially folded structure in αS, which is likely the first step in αS aggregation pathways. We use single molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to study a low pH αS conformational state. smFRET measurements have shown that C-terminal residue 130 makes close contact with the central, hydrophobic region of αS at low pH. The N-terminal helix-forming region of αS undergoes little change from neutral to low pH. We have also used guanidine denaturation experiments monitored by smFRET to study the stability of the low pH state. Characterizing the nature of the low pH αS state is critical for understanding this transition, as therapeutic targeting of this state could stop the aggregation process before it even begins.
Anomalous Temperature Dependence of the Magnetic Susceptibility of Quasi-One-Dimensional Metals

The temperature dependence of the $g$ values measured for the series of alloys ${(\mathrm{TSeF})}_{x}{(\mathrm{TTF})}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}(\mathrm{TCNQ})$ (where TSeF is tetraselenafulvalene, TTF is tetrathiafulvalene, and TCNQ is tetracyanoquinodimethane), $0l~xl~0.68$, in the temperature range $60\mathrm{K}lTl300\mathrm{K}$ is presented. It is shown that the experimentally observed temperature dependence does not agree with the expected behavior based on significant effects of Peierls fluctuations on the magnetic susceptibility.
Adsorption/oxidation of CH3SH on activated carbons containing nitrogen

Activated carbons of different origins were impregnated with urea and heat-treated at 450 and 950 °C. Surface properties of adsorbents were evaluated using nitrogen adsorption, potentiometric titration, Boehm titration, elemental analysis, and thermal analysis. Then, the CH3SH breakthrough capacity tests were carried out and the adsorption capacities were evaluated. The results showed that the amount adsorbed depends strongly on the modification conditions of the carbon surface. It increased from 1.4 to 10 times after introduction of nitrogen species. Immobilization of methyl mercaptan on the surface is likely governed by the redox process, and basic nitrogen groups can act as catalysts for electron transfer from sulfur to oxygen. Dimethyl disulfide and methyl methanethiosulfonate are the main products of methyl mercaptan oxidation.
Preparations and reactions of some hydridodinitrogentrialkylphosphine complexes of rhodium(i). The structure of a dinitrogen-bridged rhodium(i) dimer, [RhH(P(i-Pr)3)2]2(μ-N2)

Abstract The reduction of RhCl 3 - 3 H 2 O by sodium amalgam in THF solution under an atmosphere of N 2 and in the presence of an excess of a phosphine ligand has resulted in the formation of the hydridodinitrogen complexes RhH(N 2 )-(PPh(t-Bu) 2 ) 2 (I), RhH(N 2 )(P(t-Bu) 3 ) 2 (II), and [RhH(P(cyclo-C 6 H 11 ) 3 ) 2 ] 2 (μ-N 2 )(V), and a hydridotrisphosphine complex RhH(P(i-Pr) 3 ) 3 (X). The dinitrogen coordination is stable in I but N 2 is readily lost from other dinitrogen complexes, permitting the isolation of three-coordinate hydridobisphosphine rhodium(I) complexes RhH(P(t-Bu) 3 ) 2 (VII) and RhH(P(cyclo-C 6 H 11 ) 3 ) 2 (VIII). Trihydrido complexes RhH 3 L 2 (L = PPh(t-Bu) 2 (XI), P(t-Bu) 3 (XII), P(cyclo-C 6 H 11 ) 2 (XIII), and P(i-Pr) 3 (XIV)) have been synthesized by the reaction of the above rhodium (I) compounds with H 2 . By treatment of the corresponding trihydrido complexes with N 2 we have been able to obtain RhH(N 2 )-(P(cyclo-C 6 H 11 ) 3 ) 2 (III) and RhH(N 2 )(P(i-Pr) 3 ) 2 (IV). Loss of N 2 from IV results in the formation of [RhH(P(i-Pr) 3 ) 2 ] 2 (μ-N 2 ) (VI) and RhH(P(i-Pr) 3 ) 2 (IX). The crystal and molecular structure of [RhH(P(i-Pr) 3 ) 2 ] 2 (μ-N 2 ) (VI) has been determined at —85°C. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group C P 1 with two molecules in a cell dimensions a 12.703(16), b 16.455(16), c 11.389(8) A, α 90.25(9), β 103.87(3), γ 97.58(3)°, V 2289 A 3 . The final conventional and weighted agreement indices on F o for F o 2 τ3σ( F o 2 ) are 0.051 and 0.060, respectively. The dinitrogen ligand of VI linearly bridges two planar RhHP 2 fragments with NN separation of 1.134(5) A and an average RhN bond distance of 1.977(6) A. The dihedral angle between the two RhHP 2 fragments is 55.2°. Overall, the dimeric complex effectively has D 2 (222) symmetry.
Chronic lithium downregulates cyclooxygenase-2 activity and prostaglandin E 2 concentration in rat brain

Rats treated with lithium chloride for 6 weeks have been reported to demonstrate reduced turnover of arachidonic acid (AA) in brain phospholipids, and decreases in mRNA and protein levels, and enzyme activity, of AA-selective cytosolic phospholipase A2(cPLA2). We now report that chronic lithium administration to rats significantly reduced the brain protein level and enzyme activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), without affecting COX-2 mRNA. Lithium also reduced the brain concentration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a bioactive product of AA formed via the COX reaction. COX-1 and the Ca2+-independent iPLA2 (type VI) were unaffected by lithium. These and prior results indicate that lithium targets a part of the AA cascade that involves cPLA2 and COX-2. This effect may contribute to lithium's therapeutic action in bipolar disorder.
tet and sul Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Livestock Lagoons of Various Operation Type, Configuration, and Antibiotic Occurrence

Although livestock operations are known to harbor elevated levels of antibiotic resistant bacteria, few studies have examined the potential of livestock waste lagoons to reduce antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and examine the behavior of tetracycline [tet(O) and tet(W)] and sulfonamide [sul(I) and sul(II)] ARGs in a broad cross-section of livestock lagoons within the same semiarid western watershed. ARGs were monitored for one year in the water and the settled solids of eight lagoon systems by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, antibiotic residues and various bulk water quality constituents were analyzed. It was found that the lagoons of the chicken layer operation had the lowest concentrations of both tet and sul ARGs and low total antibiotic concentrations, whereas sul ARGs were highest in the swine lagoons, which generally corresponded to the highest total antibiotic concentrations. A marginal benefit of organic and small dairy operations also was observed compared to conventional and large dairies, respectively. In all lagoons, sul ARGs were observed to be generally more recalcitrant than tet ARGs. Also, positive correlations of various bulk water quality constituents were identified with tet ARGs but not sul ARGs. Significant positive correlations were identified between several metals and tet ARGs, but Pearson's correlation coefficients were mostly lower than those determined between antibiotic residues and ARGs. This study represents a quantitative characterization of ARGs in lagoons across a variety of livestock operations and provides insight into potential options for managing antibiotic resistance emanating from agricultural activities.
A novel substituted poly(isothianaphthene)

Abstract Poly(5,6-dioxymethyleneisothianaphthene) (PDOMITN) was first synthesized as a poly(isothianaphthene) (PITN) derivative to improve the oxidation stability of PITN, which can be obtained by different polymerization routes in both electrochemical and chemical preparations from the monomers 5,6-dioxymethyleneisothianaphthene and 1,3-dihydro-5,6-dioxymethyleneisothianaphthene, respectively. We present the synthesis and the preliminary characterization of a new polymer. Cyclic voltammetry, in situ opto-electrochemistry, infrared absorption spectroscopy and thermal analysis were performed. An energy gap value (Eg ∼ 1 eV) of a thin film of PDOMITN obtained by electrochemical polymerization was observed in an opto-electrochemical study. PDOMITN is one of the smallest energy gap conducting polymers with an Eg comparable to that of PITN (Eg ∼ 1.1 eV) and smaller than that of poly(naphtho[2,3−c]thiophene) (Eg ∼ 1.5 eV).
A study of semantic and syntactic processing in monolinguals and fluent early bilinguals

The present study consists of two reaction-time experiments administered in English. These experiments were designed to compare semantic and syntactic processing in English monolinguals and fluent early French-English bilinguals. Results of both experiments revealed that the bilinguals did not function as the English monolinguals did. That is, their reaction times were slower and they made twice as many errors in response to certain sentences. These findings are especially important for two reasons: (1) The bilinguals were all highly fluent, and in most cases dominant, in English, and (2) the bilinguals exhibited systematic differences in two different linguistic components (the semantic and the syntactic). The results are viewed as evidence of the interdependence of the bilinguals' languages. Some note is made of individual patterns of response, and two interpretations of linguistic interdependence are provided.
Orofacial Pain and Headache: A Review and Look at the Commonalities

Headache and facial pain - in particular, temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) - are very prevalent conditions in the general population. TMDs are defined as a collection of symptoms and signs involving masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), or both. The pain reported by TMD patients is typically located in the muscles of mastication, in the preauricular area, or in the TMJs. In many cases, headaches and facial pain will occur in the same patient. Much of the research relative to the relationship of these disorders focuses on statistics of association and prevalence data. This review will provide a brief description of the types and classifications of orofacial pains (OFPs), as well as point to relevant research describing the commonalities and potential comorbid nature of these maladies. Finally, several recent papers describing morphologic changes to the brain in headache and TMD individuals will be discussed in an effort to stimulate further research into the potential common pathophysiologic mechanism that may explain the comorbid nature of these disorders.
The prevalence and correlations of medical student burnout in the pre-clinical years: a cross-sectional study.

Burnout is a psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and impaired personal accomplishment induced by repeated workplace stressors. Current research suggests that physician burnout may have its origins in medical school. The consequences of medical student burnout include both personal and professional distress, loss of empathy, and poor health. We hypothesized that burnout occurs prior to the initiation of the clinical years of medical education. This was a cross-sectional survey administered to third‐year medical students at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) in New York, New York (a traditional-style medical school with a marked division between pre-clinical and clinical training occurring at the beginning of the third year). Survey included an instrument used to measure job burnout, a sleep deprivation screen, and questions related to demographic information, current rotation, psychiatric history, time spent working/studying, participation in extracurricular activities...
Claiming health: mammography screening decision making of African American women.

Purpose/objectives To develop a substantive theory that explains how African American women aged 50 years and older of different socioeconomic status (SES) make decisions about mammography screening. Design Qualitative, grounded theory. Setting Churches, places of employment, or women's homes in a large city in Ohio. Sample 30 women aged 52-72 years; 16 in the initial sample and 14 in the theoretical sample. Methods Audiotaped interviews and extensive written field notes; interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the constant comparison method, resulting in saturation of data. Main research variables Decision-making processes explaining mammography screening. Findings "Claiming health" emerged as the substantive theory explaining decisions that affect mammography screening and was embedded in the social contexts of cultural heritage and learned kinship values, religious beliefs and supports, and prior negative experiences with healthcare professionals and the healthcare system. Claiming health involved sisterhood and fellowship relationships fostered in the church. Claiming health was differentiated by age and SES, with older women of lower SES reporting greater reliance on cultural heritage and negative recollections of the healthcare system when making decisions regarding mammography. Each subconcept of claiming health was equally important and influenced decision making. Conclusions Oncology nurses can benefit from the information presented by assisting older women of lower SES who may have encountered negative experiences in the healthcare system to develop effective assertiveness and communication skills when interacting with healthcare professionals. Implications for nursing Further research is needed to determine whether claiming health is a way of thinking about health generally or is used solely to explain experiences with mammography screening.
Morphology and pathogenesis of tumors of the thymus and stomach in sprague-dawley rats following intragastric administration of methyl nitrosourea (MNU)

Intragastric intubation of MNU (20 mg/kg twice weekly for 9 weeks) into young Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in a 100% incidence of thymic lymphomas and gastric carcinomas in animals surviving more than 14 weeks. Progressive thymic atrophy followed the successive MNU administration culminating in marked lymphoid depletion by the 5th week of MNU treatment. At 6 weeks, repopulation of the thymus with lymphoblastic cells was observed, which progressed to thymic neoplasia. The first thymic lymphoma appeared at the 6th week. By the 15th week all rats were either moribund or had succumbed to anoxia caused by pleural effusions associated with thymic neoplasia. Twenty-six of 31 thymic tumors were classified as lymphocytic lymphomas, 2 as histiocytic, 1 as mixed lymphocytic-histiocytic, 1 as bimorphic and 1 as an epithelial thymoma. All but 2 lymphomas were restricted to the thymus. Of these 2 (both histiocytic lymphomas), 1 involved the spleen, liver and abdominal lymph nodes and the other infiltrated locally into cervical and thoracic regions. Significant thymic enlargement occurred only after MNU treatment was stopped (MNU acting as an anti-cancer drug). The gastric carcinomas were restricted to the non-glandular portion of the stomach and developed as a final step following ulceration, hyperplasia and neoplastic transformation. The short latency period and the high incidence of thymic neoplasms represent valuable criteria for future use of this model for pathomorphogenetic as well as immuno-and chemotherapeutic investigations.
Isolation and characteristics of bovine pituitary secretory granules

Abstract Secretory granules containing primarily growth hormone and prolactin were isolated from bovine anterior pituitaries. Marker enzyme analysis and electron microscopy indicated that the secretory granule fraction did not contain measurable amounts of other intracellular organelles. Such isolated granules were resistant to a variety of chemical and physical challenges including variations in osmolarity, ionic strength, EGTA, sonication, boiling, etc. The only treatments that were found to routinely result in granules lysis were alkaline pH and 0.5% SDS. Nonspecific leakage of both groth hormone and prolactin was less than 9% of total hormone pool even after a 60-min incubation. The release of prolactin but not growth hormone could be increased by lowering the free calcium concentration. Conversely, 10 −5 M ionophore A23187 caused a decrease in nonspecific hormone leakage. This raises the possibility that a nonexocytosis secretory pathway might be involved in pituitary hormone release. The initial secretory granule fraction was further purified using discontinuous sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation to yield a subfraction highly enriched in prolactin granules. These granules had the same stability characteristics as the original secretory granule fraction. The use of such granules should prove useful in our efforts to understand how calcium regulates cellular secretion.
Effect of Socioeconomic Factors on Bovine Somatotropin Adoption Choices

Abstract Adoption and use of bST by dairy farmers will likely be influenced by socioeconomic factors. This article examines the effects of dairy farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics on the probability of adopting bST. Hypotheses that adoption is associated with herd size, specialization, financial status, management skills, educational level, and age of operator were tested. Potential adopters of bST are characterized as being young, having more formal education, having larger herds, and operating with relatively low net worth.
Arcobacter spp in food: isolation, identification and control

Abstract The genus Arcobacter was proposed to describe organisms previously classified as ‘aerotolerant campylobacters’. There have been reports of the organism being implicated in human illness although a definitive association has not, as yet, been established. The organism is routinely isolated from a range of foods of animal origin, such as pork and poultry, as well as water sources. This article reviews methods of isolation and identification of Arcobacter spp. from food, its control as a contaminant and discusses a possible role for this organism in human disease.
Endoscopic closure of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula using tisseel

The author reports on two patients who presented with recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. They were treated with the endoscopic application of fibrin sealant (Tisseel) directly to the fistula tract. The technique may require multiple applications before complete fistula closure is achieved. The procedure is associated with low morbidity and may eliminate the need for a second thoracotomy.
Mixing characteristics in strongly forced non-premixed methane jet flames

Abstract Previous and current work show that flame length and soot luminosity of laminar and turbulent non-premixed jet flames can be significantly reduced by high-frequency, high-amplitude forcing of the fuel flow rate. The current work focuses on understanding the physical mechanisms responsible for these changes to the flow/flame structure for the case where the forcing is sufficiently strong that significant reverse flow exists at the exit of the fuel delivery tube. The high-amplitude forcing is achieved by pulsing the flow at the organ-pipe resonant frequency of the fuel delivery tube. Quantitative mixture fraction imaging in non-reacting jets indicates that the strongly pulsed jets exhibit dramatically enhanced mixing as compared to unpulsed jets. In the pulsed jets, the mean mixture fraction falls below 0.08 in as little as 3 D downstream of the nozzle exit and no pure jet fluid exists outside of the nozzle due to in-tube mixing. Simultaneous OH and acetone PLIF performed in methane jet flames shows that the OH zones are much broader and more wrinkled in the resonantly pulsed jet as compared to the unpulsed jet, and are greatly contorted by the vortical structures. A unique feature of the pulsed flames is that the reaction zones appear to close downstream of a vortical structure, just a few diameters downstream of the nozzle exit, in a region where the mixture fraction imaging (for non-reacting flows) shows reduced mixture fraction. Furthermore, the flame anchors on the outer-upstream edge of the vortical structures where the fuel mixture fraction is reduced due to enhanced entrainment. The significant in-tube premixing and the enhanced entrainment appear to be the predominant mechanisms that cause the reduction in length and luminosity of high-amplitude, high-frequency pulsed non-premixed jet flames.
Abstract 3916: Inhibition of GREB1 mRNA and protein limits ER+ breast tumor cell proliferation

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Discovering the mechanism by which estrogen regulates breast cancer growth will aid in the identification of patients who will benefit from endocrine therapy. Estrogen (E2) binding to the estrogen receptor (ER) stimulates the proliferation of normal mammary cells and some breast cancers. Preventing ER expression or receptor-ligand interaction in hormone-responsive breast cancers inhibits cell division and promotes tumor cell death. However, the mechanism of E2-regulated breast cancer cell growth remains unclear. Although E2-regulated genes have been identified, those critically involved in growth regulation remain elusive. Identification of critical E2-regulated genes involved in mammary cell proliferation would elucidate the key pathway(s) supporting hormone-mediated tumor growth as well as provide insight into mechanisms of resistance to endocrine therapies and potential prognostic and therapeutic targets for ER+ breast cancer treatment. Gene regulated in breast cancer 1 (GREB1) is an estrogen-regulated gene that has been implicated in hormone-stimulated cell proliferation and is a candidate clinical marker for response to endocrine therapy. GREB1 mRNA and protein expression correlate with ER expression in breast tumors and the addition of estrogen to ER+ breast cancer cell lines leads to an increase in GREB1 expression and cell proliferation. The function of GREB1 and its role in ER+ breast tumors remains undefined. Experiments were designed to elucidate the role of GREB1 in ER+ breast cancer cell lines. ER+ breast cancer cell lines were transfected with GREB1-specific siRNA and control species. These tumor cell populations were evaluated for GREB1 mRNA and protein expression, cell growth and proliferation as well as invasion and migration in vitro. Sequence-specific siRNA effectively inhibited GREB1 mRNA and protein expression for more than 96 hours in MCF7 and T47D ER+ breast tumor cell lines. Utilizing the real-time Xcelligence system to monitor cell growth in culture suggested tumor cells treated with siRNA targeting GREB1 had significantly retarded cell proliferation. These observations suggest that GREB1 is a critical E2-regulated gene involved in breast tumor cell proliferation and is an exploitable target for novel breast cancer therapies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3916. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3916
A cytosolic activity distinct from Crm1 mediates nuclear export of protein kinase inhibitor in permeabilized cells

The leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) is used by a variety of proteins to facilitate their delivery from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. One of the best-studied examples, protein kinase inhibitor (PKI), binds to the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A in the nucleus and mediates its rapid export to the cytoplasm. We developed a permeabilized cell assay that reconstitutes nuclear export mediated by PKI, and we used it to characterize the cytosolic factors required for this process. The two-step assay involves an import phase and an export phase, and quantitation is achieved by digital fluorescence microscopy. During the import phase, a fluorescent derivative of streptavidin is imported into the nuclei of digitonin-permeabilized HeLa cells. During the export phase, biotinylated PKI diffuses into the nucleus, binds to fluorescent streptavidin, and mediates export of the complex to the cytoplasm. Nuclear export of the PKI complex is cytosol dependent and can be stimulated by addition of the purified NES receptor, Crm1. HeLa cell cytosol treated with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) or phenyl-Sepharose to inactivate or deplete Crm1, respectively, is still fully active in the PKI export assay. Significantly, the export activity can be depleted from cytosol by preadsorption with a protein conjugate that contains a functional NES. These data indicate that cytosol contains an export activity that is distinct from Crm1 and is likely to correspond to an NES receptor.
Microbial profile and drug resistance of Candida strains isolated from the blood of children: an 11-year study.

Summary The latest observations indicate a continuous increase in the frequency of fungal infections, particularly in hospital patients, accompanied by changes in both the profile of the isolated strains and their drug susceptibility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the trend in the incidence of candidaemia and susceptibility of antifungal drugs in the Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital over an 11-year period. Blood samples taken from the hospitalised children were sent to the Department of Clinical Microbiology for diagnostic purposes. A total of 195 Candida strains were isolated: 47.7%Candida albicans and 52.3% non-albicans. Candida parapsilosis was isolated in 65.7% of non-albicans strains. The prevalence of Candida spp. decreased from 16.9–20.5% in the years 1996–1997 to 3.1–2.1% in the years 2005–2006. In the years 2000–2005, non-albicans strains were more prevalent. All C. albicans strains were susceptible to amphotericin B, 2.94% of non-C. albicans strains were semisusceptible to amphotericin B, 98.92% of C. albicans and 85.29% of non-albicans strains were susceptible to 5-fluorocytosine. Candida spp. strains are predominant pathogens in fungaemia in children in our hospital. Over the last few years,C. albicans have been replaced by non-albicans strains (predominantly C. parapsilosis), which exhibit a higher level of drug resistance. The number of Candida spp. isolated from blood decreased during the 11-year study.
The dependence of axial dispersion on non-uniform flows in beds of uniform packing

Abstract Axial dispersion in packed beds in analyzed using both the dispersed plug flow model and a nonplug flow model which has been previously used successfully to treat dispersion in laminar and turbulent flow in tubes. The velocity profiles required for predicting dispersion with the nonplug flow model was based on a modified Navier—Stokes equation to account for the resistance of the packing to flow. This term allows radial variations in void fraction and predicts their effect on the velocity profile. Numerical solution of the flow model allows the prediction of dispersion coefficients for flow in packed beds. Experimental results obtained in this study compare favorably with predicted values and with dispersion data available in the literature.
Renal Function Studies and Kidney Pyruvate Garboxylase in Subacute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy (Leigh's Syndrome)

Extract: Proximal renal tubular acidosis has been observed in two infants who had lactic acidosis associated with subacute necrotizing encephalomyelitis. Reduced renal thresholds for bicarbonate (18–19.2 mM/liter) were found in both, in conjunction with the ability to excrete normal quantities of acid. In order to raise the level of serum bicarbonate, increasing rates of infusion of solutions containing bicarbonate were required, because of a progressive increase in serum lactate from 18 to 54 mg/dl. The infusion of sodium bicarbonate expanded the extracellular space, as measured by an increase in chloride space of 12.9%. Volume expansion was associated with a progressive fall in bicarbonate reabsorption from a maximum of 1.91 to 1.02 mM/100 ml glomerular filtration rate. In addition, the tubular reabsorption of phosphate fell from 80 to 60%, urate clearance increased from 8.7 to 20 ml/min/1.73 m2, lactate clearance increased from 0.23 to 22.9 ml/min/1.73 m2, and chloride excretion increased from 0.7 to 3.14 μEq/min/1.73 m2. At autopsy, reduced activity of renal pyruvate carboxylase was demonstrated for the first time in this disease.
Analysis of focused dismount signatures

The detection and characterization of dismount activity is of increasing interest, particularly using radar to allow for day/night operation from long range. Current RF dismount sensing concepts either employ short coherent intervals with fine range resolution or long coherent intervals with fine Doppler resolution. We propose use of both fine range resolution and long coherent intervals to achieve fine Doppler resolution. When dismounts are moving, this introduces the added complication of micro-range/Doppler signature drift through range-Doppler resolution cells. In this paper, we describe potential methods for focusing the signatures of moving dismounts, and then analyze the focused signature for potential features that might lead to the automatic classification of the dismounts into several categories.
Racial and ethnic disparities in hospitalizations and deaths associated with 2009 pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) virus infections in the United States.

PURPOSE: Concerns have been raised regarding possible racial-ethnic disparities in 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) illness severity and health consequences for U.S. minority populations. METHODS: Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Emerging Infections Program Influenza-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance, and Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality Surveillance, we calculated race-ethnicity-specific, age-adjusted rates of self-reported influenza-like illness (ILI) and pH1N1-associated hospitalizations. We used χ(2) tests to evaluate racial-ethnic disparities in ILI-associated health care-seeking behavior and pH1N1 hospitalization. To evaluate pediatric deaths, we compared racial-ethnic proportions of deaths against U.S. population distributions. RESULTS: Prevalence of self-reported ILI was lower among Hispanics (6.5%), higher among American Indians/Alaska Natives (16.2%), and similar among non-Hispanic blacks (7.7%) compared with non-Hispanic whites (8.5%). No racial-ethnic differences were identified in ILI-associated health care-seeking behavior. Age-adjusted pH1N1-associated Emerging Infections Program hospitalization rates were higher among all minority populations (range: 8.1-10.9/100,000 population) compared with non-Hispanic whites (3.0/100,000). The proportion of pH1N1-associated pediatric deaths was higher than expected among Hispanics (31%) and lower than expected among non-Hispanic whites (45%) given the proportions of the U.S. population they comprise (22% and 58%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Racial-ethnic disparities in pH1N1-associated hospitalizations and pediatric deaths were identified. Vaccination remains the primary intervention for preventing influenza.
Differential Genetic Aetiology of Reading Disability as a Function of Age

In order to test the hypothesis that the genetic aetiology of reading disability differs as a function of age (Stevenson et al., 1987). composite reading performance data from 99 pairs of identical twins and 73 pairs of same-sex fraternal twins in which at least one member of each pair was reading disabled were subjected to multiple regression analysis. A basic regression model that predicted a cotwin's score from the proband's score and the coefficient of relationship was fitted separately to data from younger (8.3 – 11.5 years) and older (11.5 – 20.2 years) twin pairs. Resulting estimates of h2g (an index of the extent to which the deficit of pro bands is due to heritable influences) were .60 ± .20 and .38 ± .19, respectively. Although these results are consistent with the hypOthesis that genetic factors may be less important as a cause of reading problems in older children. the difference between the two estimates was not significant. When the basic model was fitted to the data from twins in three diff...
An interdisciplinary approach to cost/benefit analysis of innovative electric rates

Abstract Contributions from many disciplines must be incorporated in a comprehensive framework if cost/benefit analysis is going to be both rigorous analytically and convincing to utility managers and regulators. This paper describes a new class of software tools available for evaluating the impact of innovative electric rates. The components of one such simulation model are briefly described and sample results presented. The policy recommendations that emerge from these simulation studies have important implications for the regulatory process, including the division of labor between regulators and companies, level of detail (and realism) needed to support proposed policies, and criteria for evaluating alternative scenarios. Although sophisticated methodologies can be a catalyst for improved decision-making in the electric utility industry, they may raise more issues than they resolve.
Regulation of extracellular fluid volume and osmolality.

In health, both the total amount and the distribution of water and electrolytes in the body are controlled within narrow limits. While intercompartmental water fluxes depend solely on physical driving forces, the latter are determined by complex circulatory feedback mechanisms that manipulate capillary pressure, and by active transport mechanisms that affect intracellular osmotic pressure. Fluid and electrolyte intake are determined by central neural mechanisms. However, the fine tuning of body fluid and elctrolyte contact is accomplished by alterations in renal excretion controlled by a variety of local (intrarenal) mechanical and endocrine processes, as well as external neural endocrine feedback systems that include the antidiuretic hormone and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems. Analysis of renal control is complicated by multiple interactions among the different control systems.
Group velocity correction to lunar laser ranging

The dispersive correction to the round trip lunar ranging distance is presented as a function of wavelength and humidity. For example, at 6943 A (ruby laser line), 11. secz cm must be subtracted from the ‘refractive distance’. The refractive correction decreases with humidity whereas the dispersive correction increases.
Adrenal hyperandrogenism: detection by adrenal scintigraphy

Hyperandrogenism Is a common endocrinopathy in women. Localization of the source of excess androgen production is mandatory for proper management. Ovarian hyperandrogenism has been implicated in the majority of patients studied, though the true prevalence of adrenal hyperandrogenism is not yet known. Adrenal scintigraphy is a simple non-invasive technique which detects adrenal functional abnormalities. The detection of adrenal hyperandrogenism by adrenal scintigraphy in three women with mild hirsutism is discussed.
Pharmacologic agents in the treatment of ischemia, hemorrhagic shock, and sepsis

Abstract The systemic inflammatory response to perfusion deficits, injury, and sepsis is characterized by a myriad of physiologic changes that appear to be mediated by numerous factors. It is not possible to implicate a single factor that is responsible for the pathologic process that leads to multiple organ failure. However, it is apparent that interruption of the systemic-inflammatory cascade at various points can attenuate and, in certain instances, ablate the damage to cells and organs and improve survival. At present, traditional therapy is directed at the effects of this pathologic process. The agents reviewed in this article have the potential to ameliorate or prevent cellular and organ dysfunction. Since many of the mediators have recognizable beneficial effects, the major challenge to any therapeutic intervention will be to allow the continuation of normal inflammation, which is critical for host defense, while limiting the pathologic process, which causes cellular and organ injury. With our increasing knowledge of molecular biology and cellular function in various organs during and following injury, the more directive and specific the therapy. One can envision multimodality therapy that will upregulate certain processes while others are attenuated. At present, clinical trials of ATP-MgCl 2 , pentoxifylline, calcium channel blockers, chloroquine, and nutritional immunomodulation seem indicated. Since tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 seem to be early mediators of this response, well-controlled and designed studies that modify their action should be undertaken in multi-institutional settings. In this regard, preliminary trials using antibodies to tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 receptor antagonists are ongoing.
Experimental Response of Precast Infill Panel Connections and Panels Made with DFRCC

This paper describes the results of an experimental investigation of an infill system that utilizes precast ductile fiber reinforced cementitious composite (DFRCC) panels in lieu of traditional materials. The system is intended for use as a retrofit strategy in steel framed hospital structures. Bolted connections are utilized both between individual panels and to the frames, allowing the system to be moved or altered in the event of changes in facility use. Results from laboratory tests of panel connections and panels are presented. The connection tests studied the effect of bolt orientation with respect to applied load, the effect of the DFRCC surface condition within the connection, and time-dependent bolt tension loss. The connection tests demonstrated the viability and the capacity of the proposed connections. DFRCC panels were tested to evaluate the cyclic load-displacement response and energy dissipation in the panels with various panel geometries, panel reinforcements and DFRCC materials. The panel tests also demonstrated the viability of the connection system used. Selected panel test results are presented here, indicating the variation in stiffness and energy dissipation possible with different panel reinforcement.
Comparison of interdiffusion at polystyrene–poly(vinyl methyl ether) and polystyrene–poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) interfaces

The effect of polymer-polymer compatibility on interdiffusion at polymer interfaces with dissimilar mobilities was investigated by attenuated total internal reflectance infrared spectroscopy. The polymer pair consisting of polystyrene and poly(vinyl methyl ether) was used to study interdiffusion at the interface of compatible polymers. The polymer pair consisting of polystyrene and poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) was used to study interdiffusion at the interface of incompatible polymers. Results indicate that the extent of interdiffusion is controlled by the polymer-polymer compatibility parameter, irrespectively of the differences in the mobility of the polymers.
Biphasic Poroviscoelastic Behavior of Hydrated Biological Soft Tissue

Hydrated biological soft tissue consists of a porous extracellular matrix (ECM) and an interstitial fluid. The poroelastic theory (Biot, 1962), which was originally developed for soil mechanics, has been widely used for mathematical modeling of such hydrated biological tissue. This theory assumes that the ECM is incompressible and purely elastic, and that the interstitial fluid is incompressible and inviscid. The overall viscoelasticity of the tissue is expressed as a result of the frictional interaction between the elastic porous matrix and the intersititial fluid. The poroelastic theory, also known as the biphasic theory (Mow et al., 1980) in the biomechanics field, has served well over the past 20 years as an excellent modeling tool for the interstitial fluid flow-dependent viscoelastic response of hydrated soft tissue. It has been demonstrated that hydrated soft tissue also possesses a significant intrinsic viscoelasticity, independent of the interstitial fluid flow. The biphasic poroviscoelastic (BPVE) theory, which was first introduced by Mak (1986a and 1986b), incorporates a viscoelastic relaxation function into the effective solid stress of the poroelastic theory thus accounting for both intrinsic fluid flow-independent and fluid flow-dependent viscoelasticity. The objective of the present study is to investigate the biphasic poroviscoelastic characteristics of hydrated soft tissue, with an emphasis on the relative contribution of fluid flow-dependent and fluid flow-independent viscoelasticity to the overall viscoelastic behavior of soft tissues.
A Boolean matrix method for the computation of linear precedence functions

A modified version of Bell's Boolean matrix method for the computation of linear precedence functions associated with a conflict-free matrix of precedence relations is given. This algorithm not only detects when the precedence functions do not exist, but also provides an indication of why they do not exist, so that corrective action can be taken if possible. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of precedence functions are given. The use of Boolean matrices to prove the existence of precedence functions associated with classes of conflict-free grammars is illustrated through an example.
Non-enzymatically derived minor lipids found in Escherichia coli lipid extracts.

Abstract Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is a powerful technique to analyze lipid extracts especially for the identification of new lipid metabolites. A hurdle to lipid identification is the presence of solvent contaminants that hinder the identification of low abundance species or covalently modify abundant lipid species. We have identified several non-enzymatically derived minor lipid species in lipid extracts of Escherichia coli; phosphatidylmethanol, ethyl and methyl carbamates of PE and N-succinyl PE were identified in lipid extracts of E. coli. Phosphatidylmethanol (PM) was identified by exact mass measurement and collision induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Extraction in the presence of deuterated methanol leads to a 3 atomic mass unit shift in the [M–H]− ions of PM indicating its formation during extraction. Ethyl and methyl carbamates of PE, also identified by exact mass measurement and MS/MS, are likely to be formed by phosgene, a breakdown product of chloroform. Addition of phosgene to extractions containing synthetic PE significantly increases the levels of PE-MC detected in the lipid extracts by ESI-MS. Extraction in the presence of methylene chloride significantly reduced the levels of these lipid species. N-succinyl PE is formed from reaction of succinyl-CoA with PE during extraction. Interestingly N-succinyl PE can be formed in an aqueous reaction mixture in the absence of added E. coli proteins. This work highlights the reactivity of the amine of PE and emphasizes that careful extraction controls are required to ensure that new minor lipid species identified using mass spectrometry are indeed endogenous lipid metabolites. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Lipodomics and Imaging Mass Spectrometry.