cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laboratory assays of select candidate insecticides for control of Dendroctonus ponderosae

BACKGROUND: The mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), is the most destructive bark beetle in western North America. Dendroctonus ponderosae can be prevented from successfully colonizing and killing individual trees by ground-based sprays of insecticides applied directly to the tree bole. However, the future availability of several active ingredients, including carbaryl which is most commonly used in the western United States, is uncertain. Two novel insecticides, cyantraniliprole [Cyazypyr™-OD (oil dispersion) and Cyazypyr™-SC (suspension concentrate)] and chlorantraniliprole (Rynaxypyr®), and carbaryl were assayed in both filter paper and topical assays. RESULTS: Compared with 20 000 mg L−1 carbaryl (i.e. the maximum label rate for solutions applied to conifers for protection from bark beetle attack in the western United States), cyantraniliprole OD caused similar rates of mortality in D. ponderosae adults at 400-fold weaker concentrations in both bioassays, while cyantraniliprole SC caused similar rates of mortality at 40-fold weaker concentrations. Probit analyses confirmed that D. ponderosae is most sensitive to cyantraniliprole OD, while chlorantraniliprole was effective at concentrations similar to carbaryl. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that lower concentrations of carbaryl have merit for field testing than have been previously considered. While cyantraniliprole and chlorantraniliprole have similar modes of action, cyantraniliprole OD appears to have greater promise for protecting individual trees from mortality attributed to D. ponderosae attack and should be evaluated in field studies. Published 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality assessment of three species of commercially produced Trichogramma and the first report of thelytoky in commercially produced Trichogramma

Abstract Weekly shipments of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, Trichogramma minutum Riley, and Trichogramma brassicae (Bezdenko) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) from a single insectary were assessed to determine whether survivorship with and without honey, emergence rate, and sex ratio were consistent over a five-week period in 2000. At least one shipment was misidentified by the insectary. Emergence rates were over 75% in 15 out of 17 shipments, although emergence varied significantly over the experimental period for each species. Mean longevity of honey-fed individuals was 7.16 days for T. pretiosum, 6.71 days for T. minutum, and 4.02 days for T. brassicae; mean longevity of unfed individuals was 2.68 days, 2.42 days, and 1.96 days, respectively. Mean sex ratios (proportion of individuals that were male) were 0.029 for T. pretiosum, 0.465 for T. minutum, and 0.444 for T. brassicae. Seventeen out of 18 virgin T. pretiosum females produced daughters, and three out of a subset of six of these females produced sons after being fed the antibiotic tetracycline. These results are consistent with infection by a parthenogenesis-inducing strain of Wolbachia.
Pre-stack depth migration of the 1994 LARSE survey.

The Los Angeles Region Seismic Experiment (LARSE) is a series of passive and active seismic surveys designed to image crustal and upper mantle structures in the Los Angeles area. As part of the second phase of this project, a land seismic reflection survey was shot in October of 1994. The survey consists of 62 shots recorded by 649 receivers, along with 3 quarry blasts. Three component data were recorded at approximately one third of the receiver stations. The survey was run along a line approximately 160 km long trending northwest from Seal Beach, through the Los Angeles Basin and the San Gabriel mountains, ending in the Mojave Desert near Barstow, CA. The survey was designed to obtain high resolution images in the San Gabriel Mountains and northern San Gabriel Valley, and lower resolution images in the Los Angeles basin and Mojave Desert (Murphy et al. 1996). Previous processing of the 1994 LARSE survey, (Fuis et al 1996; Ryberg and Fuis 1998) has produced evidence of a reflective zone at depths of 20-30 kms. The processing techniques employed in these studies are appropriate for detecting large scale reflective zones, but not to achieve the higher resolution necessary for fault imaging. This paper presents new crustal images from the 1994 LARSE survey which show improved resolution of both shallow and deep structure. These images were obtained using a combination of first arrival tomography and pre-stack depth migration. First arrival tomography is used to estimate the velocity field necessary for depth migration. Shot ordered finite difference pre-stack depth migration is used to image reflectors in the presence of lateral velocity variations, elevation differences, and wide angle reflections. Method Several factors contribute to make imaging of the LARSE 1994 data set difficult. These are primarily acquisition related and must be addressed in planning an imaging strategy. The first difficulty is the generally poor signal strength. Very few reflection events can be identified in the raw shot gathers. In the CMP domain, no reflection events can be reliably identified. However, the first arrivals are of generally good quality throughout the survey. The second difficulty is the erratic acquisition geometry. Due to access limitations and imaging objectives, there are large variations in both shot and receiver spacing as well as deviations from a straight survey line. These variations in shot and receiver spacing result in an irregularly sampled wavefield. In order to reconstruct reflectivity, migration algorithms require an adequately sampled wavefield. In pre-stack migration, the problem is even more difficult since the wavefield needs to adequately sampled in each the pre-stack gather. The third difficulty is the large variation in shot and receiver characteristics. A wide variety of instrumentation and shot strength were used in the survey acquisition. Combined with a large variation in source and receiver coupling, these differences result in significant trace to trace variation in amplitude, frequency and signal-to-noise.
An analysis of the virtual value chain in electronic commerce

In electronic commerce, businesses require to integrate two kinds of activities – ones that are embedded into the physical value chains and the others that are built through information into the virtual chain. Although the relative importance of these two kinds of chain depends on the characteristics of the products and services, their integration, nevertheless, plays a critical role in the success of e‐commerce. In e‐commerce, more and more value chain activities are conducted electronically, therefore, businesses should understand the implication of the virtual value chain activities. The virtual chain offers a number of distinct advantages over the physical value chain. Some of these advantages lie in forging alliances between customers and manufacturers, advertising products and services selectively with effects of audio, video, and graphics, and saving time and money in efficiently processing customer orders and enquiries. Besides, e‐commerce offers flexibility in option pricing and customization of products and service, by reducing the constraints of time and space.
Anthracycline Dose Intensification in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Lack of Benefit in the Context of the Fractionated Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, and Dexamethasone Regimen

BACKGROUND: In previous studies of frontline therapy for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), early treatment with higher doses of anthracyclines has been reported to improve outcome. The current study was conducted to evaluate whether addition of anthracycline-based consolidation chemotherapy (Course 2) with liposomal daunorubicin (150 mg/m2 intravenously [IV] on Days 1 and 2) and cytarabine (1.5 g/m2 IV on Days 1 and 2) to the standard hyper-CVAD regimen (fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone alternating with high dose methotrexate and cytarabine) would improve outcome. METHODS: Sixty-eight consecutive adults with de novo ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma were treated with this modified hyper-CVAD regimen inclusive of rituximab for CD20 expression ≥20%. RESULTS: Sixty-three (93%) patients achieved complete response (CR). With a median follow-up of 90 months, the 5-year CR duration (CRD) and overall survival (OS) rates were 46% and 44%, respectively. Compared with 208 patients treated with standard hyper-CVAD (rates of 45% and 47%, respectively; P = not significant), outcome with the modified hyper-CVAD regimen was not improved overall. Outcome was improved by the addition of rituximab for the CD20-positive subset (rates of CRD and OS of 50% and 53%, respectively), whereas anthracycline intensification worsened outcome for the CD20-negative subset (rates of CRD and OS of 41% and 35%, respectively; P = .01) compared with standard hyper-CVAD. A high mortality rate related to infections in CR was noted among patients aged 60 years or older. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of the hyper-CVAD regimen, early anthracycline intensification did not improve outcome for adults with de novo ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
What Is Consumer′s Surplus Per Day of Use, When Is It a Constant Independent of the Number of Days of Use, and What Does It Tell Us about Consumers Surplus?

Abstract An individual′s consumer′s surplus per day of use for a change in the price of recreational site is the price change, so it is a constant, independent of the number of days of use. Consumer′s surplus per day of use for a change in a site′s characteristics is not, in general, a constant. When a constant compensating variation per day of use exists, it multiplied by the number of days at the site in the original state (proposed state) bounds the compensating variation, CV, from below (above). The average of these two approximations is an almost second-order approximation to the CV. Simulations indicate the approximation biases can be large.
Cognitive predictors of rapid picture naming

Abstract Deficits in rapid automatized naming (RAN) have been found to be a sensitive cognitive marker for children with dyslexia. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the construct validity and theoretical neuro-cognitive processes involved in RAN. Additionally, most studies investigating RAN include a narrow range of cognitive measures. The current study examined the cognitive correlates of RAN with a comprehensive battery of cognitive measures representing the entire Cattell–Horn–Carroll model of cognitive ability. Cognitive correlates of RAN were investigated for 1307 children across a range of developmental ages (5–12 years). Cognitive predictors of RAN differed by developmental age, which may partially explain inconsistencies in previous research studies. Despite developmental variation, lexical access tasks were related to RAN performance across all developmental ages. Results from this study suggest RAN performance likely consists of multiple cognitive processes, both those associated with lexical access and others that depend on developmental age.
Aminoglycosides plus beta-lactams against gram-negative organisms: Evaluation of in vitro synergy and chemical interactions

Combination antibiotic therapy has been used mainly to broaden the antibacterial spectrum and prevent the development of resistance. Antibiotic combinations proven to be synergistic in vitro are associated with a significantly better in vivo response, particularly in the compromised host in whom traditional treatment combines an antipseudomonal penicillin plus an aminoglycoside. Several investigators have examined combining new agents, such as the third-generation cephalosporins (cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftizoxime, ceftazidime, cefoperazone, and moxalactam), aztreonam, or the ureidopenicillins, with amikacin. When compared with combinations of an older cephalosporin, carbenicillin or ticarcillin, plus gentamicin or tobramycin, these newer combinations produce higher rates of clinically meaningful synergy and rapid enhancement of in vitro bactericidal activity against the difficult-to-treat Enterobacteriaceae (i.e., Serratia, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Providencia, and indole-positive Proteus species). This effect, without any evidence of antagonism, has been reported even for strains moderately or completely resistant to the former antibiotics. Unsatisfactory and unpredictable synergistic interactions against both resistant and susceptible strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa--the most difficult nosocomial pathogen to treat--have been noted with combinations of tobramycin or gentamicin plus cefotaxime, moxalactam, or cefoperazone. Conversely, the use of amikacin plus various beta-lactams against multi-resistant strains is more frequently synergistic. Agents have been observed to exhibit such synergy in the following order of activity, from most to least synergistic: ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, moxalactam, aztreonam, cefotaxime, azlocillin, cefoperazone, cefsulodin, and carbenicillin. The combination of amikacin plus imipenem or ciprofloxacin against strains of P. aeruginosa resistant to the former and moderately resistant to the latter was recently reported to have a low probability of synergy; the combination of two of the newer beta-lactams had mostly an unpredictable or even antagonistic result. In vitro studies have also demonstrated that high concentrations of the antipseudomonal penicillins can inactivate the aminoglycosides. Among the latter compounds, the inactivation order, from most to least inactivated, was as follows: tobramycin, gentamicin, netilmicin, and amikacin. To date, the reports of aminoglycoside inactivation by the newer cephalosporins have been rather contradictory; only moxalactam has been shown produce a significant decrease in activity.
Appropriate Protein and Specific Amino Acid Delivery Can Improve Patient Outcome: Fact or Fantasy?

Protein utilization and requirements in critical illness are much researched and debated topics. The enhanced turnover and catabolism of protein in the setting of critical illness is well described and multifactorial in nature. The need to preserve lean body mass and enhance nitrogen retention in this state to improve immunologic function and reduce morbidity is well described. Debates as to the optimum amount of protein to provide in such states still exist, and a significant amount of research has contributed to our understanding of not only how much protein to supply to these patients, but how best to do so. Small peptide formulations, intact protein formulations, branched chain amino acids, and specialty formulas all exist, and their benefits, drawbacks, and potential uses have been investigated. Specific amino acid therapy has become part of the concept of immunonutrition, or the modification and enhancement of the immune response with specific nutrients. In this article, we describe the changes in outcomes demonstrated through the provision of protein, both as a macronutrient and as specific amino acids.
Rubidium transport in human erythrocyte suspensions monitored by 87rb NMR with aqueous chemical shift reagents

Dysprosium(III) triethylenetraamine-N,N,N',N",N"',N"'-hexaacetic acid (DyTTHA3-) was used as an aqueous chemical shift reagent in conjunction with high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to monitor 87-rubidium (87Rb+) transport in human erythrocyte suspensions. NMR spectra demonstrated two resonances which were assigned to the intra- and extracellular compartments of the erythrocyte suspension. Uptake of 87Rb+ was shown to proceed via the [Na,K]-ATPase dependent pump as evidenced by the inhibition of uptake in the presence of ouabain. The steady state intra- to extracellular concentration ratio of 87Rb was 3.00 and 1.13 in the absence and presence of ouabain, respectively. The rate of uptake of 87Rb+ in the absence and presence of ouabain was found to be 1.3 and 0.5 mmol Rb+/L erythrocytes/h at 18 mM Rb+, respectively. Data are also presented which indicate that the intracellular component of 87Rb is less than 100% NMR visible.
Cultural values and performance appraisal: assessing the effects of rater self-construal on performance ratings

Much of the prior research investigating the influence of cultural values on performance ratings has focused either on conducting cross-national comparisons among raters or using cultural level individualism/collectivism scales to measure the effects of cultural values on performance ratings. Recent research has shown that there is considerable within country variation in cultural values, i.e. people in one country can be more individualistic or collectivistic in nature. Taking the latter perspective, the present study used Markus and Kitayama's (1991) conceptualization of independent and interdependent self-construals as measures of individual variations in cultural values to investigate within culture variations in performance ratings. Results suggest that rater self-construal has a significant influence on overall performance evaluations; specifically, raters with a highly interdependent self-construal tend to show a preference for interdependent ratees, whereas raters high on independent self-construal do not show a preference for specific type of ratees when making overall performance evaluations. Although rater self-construal significantly influenced overall performance evaluations, no such effects were observed for specific dimension ratings. Implications of these results for performance appraisal research and practice are discussed.
Electrophoretic patterns and kinetics of heart and muscle lactate dehydrogenase of the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus.

Abstract 1. 1. Five electrophoretically separable lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isozymes were found in muscle tissue while heart tissue exhibited variation in its isozyme number. 2. 2. Muscle LDH exhibited a higher pyruvate substrate optimum than did heart LDH, 4.0 and 1.6 mM respectively, and showed less substrate inhibition. 3. 3. The pH optimum for muscle LDH was lower than that for heart LDH, pH 7.2 and 7.6 respectively.
Micro hollow cathode discharges

Summary form only given, as follows. Hollow cathode discharges are glow discharges with the cathode fall and negative glow confined in a cavity in the cathode. For the discharge to develop the cathode hole dimensions must be on the order of the mean free path. By reducing the cathode hole dimensions it is therefore possible to increase the pressure. Stable hollow cathode discharges in air have been observed at almost one atmosphere when the cathode diameter was reduced to 20 micrometers. In order to study the electrical parameters of a micro hollow cathode discharge, a set of experiments has been performed in argon at pressures in the torr range and a cathode hole diameter of 0.7 mm in molybdenum. The current-voltage characteristics and the appearance of the discharge plasma showed two distinct regions. At lower voltage or pressure the current varies linearly with voltage and the hollow cathode plasma is concentrated around the axis of the cathode hole (low glow mode). At higher values of voltage or pressure the current increases nonlinearly, up to a point where a transition into a low voltage hollow cathode arc was observed, and the plasma column expands and fills almost the entire cathode hole (high glow mode). Spectral measurements showed that the transition from the low glow mode into the high glow mode is related to an increased density of electrode vapor in the hollow cathode discharge. Up to the breakdown into a hollow cathode arc, the current voltage characteristic of the discharge has a positive slope. In this range, hollow cathode discharges can be operated in parallel without a ballast resistor.
Glucagon injected in the lateral hypothalamus stimulates sympathetic activity and suppresses monoamine metabolism.

Abstract Glucagon injected in the lateral hypothalamus stimulates sympathetic activity and suppresses monoamine metabolism. The central hypothesis underlying this study is that there is a reciprocal relationship between food intake and sympathetic activity to IBAT. This hypothesis was tested by using intrahypothalamic microinjections of glucagon, a peptide that has been reported to decrease food intake. Sympathetic nerve activity to interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) was measured as electrophysiological discharges of sympathetic nerves to IBAT. The microinjection of glucagon into the lateral hypothalamus (LH) increased sympathetic nerve activity by + 103.8 ± 35.0% (mean±S.E.M.) from pre-injection basal level by 30 min after injection. There was a gradual return to baseline. Micro-injection of glucagon into the LH depressed food intake. Monoamine metabolism was measured by using a microdialysis probe attached to a guide cannula for microinjection of glucagon into the LH. After microinjection of glucagon, the dialysates were collected over 30 min intervals and assayed for norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and their metabolites (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglyucol (MHPG); 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA); and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). Glucagon suppressed both NE and MHPG concentrations in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), and the concentration of DOPAC was also decreased. There was no change of 5-HT concentration but 5-HIAA levels were reduced by glucagon treatment. These data show that glucagon injected in the LH stimulates sympathetic activity and suggest that this may have occurred by suppression of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin turnover in the LH of freely moving rats. These data support the hypothesis of a reciprocal relationship between food intake and sympathetic activity.
Variation-aware and self-healing design methodology for a system-on-chip

Due to high sensitivity to process, supply, and temperature variations, deep scaled technologies are losing appeal. Analog and mixed-signal circuits have failed to exploit high speed and low noise properties of these technologies due to marginalities, whereas variations in leakage current and delay have made digital design extremely challenging. Consequently, there is an increasing need for a new design methodology that can provide high yield and improved reliability under PVT variations. Among several post-fabrication calibration strategies, self-healing, which is based on real-time sensing and built-in feedback, has generated great interest because of the ability to dynamically adapt to parametric variations. This paper examines current built-in variation-aware and ad-hoc self-healing designs, and discusses the challenges and strategies in developing a coherent self-healing methodology for system-on-chip (SoC) design in deep-scaled CMOS technologies.
Spin torque transfer structure with new spin switching configurations

Spin torque transfer structures with new spin switching configurations are proposed, fabricated and investigated in this paper. The non-uniform current-induced magnetization switching is implemented based on both GMR and MTJ nano devices. The proposed new spin transfer structure has a hybrid free layer that consists of a layer with conductive channels (magnetic) and non-conductive matrix (non-magnetic) and traditional free layer(s). Two mechanisms, a higher local current density by nano-current-channels and a non-uniform magnetization switching (reversal domain nucleation and growth) by a magnetic nanocomposite structure, contribute in reducing the switching current density. The critical switching current density for the new spin transfer structure is reduced to one third of the typical value for the normal structure. It can be expected to have one order of magnitude or more reduction for the critical current density if the optimization of materials and fabrication processes could be done further. Meanwhile, the thermal stability of this new spin transfer structure is not degraded, which may solve the long-standing scaling problem for magnetic random access memory (MRAM). This spin transfer structure, with the proposed and demonstrated new spin switching configurations, not only provides a solid approach for the practical application of spin transfer devices but also forms a unique platform for researchers to explore the non-uniform current-induced switching process.
Astrocytes in Culture Produce Anandamide and Other Acylethanolamides

Anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide) is an endocannabinoid that belongs to the acylethanolamide lipid family. It is produced by neurons in a calcium-dependent manner and acts through cannabinoid CB1 receptors. Other members of the acylethanolamide lipid family are also produced by neurons and act through G-protein-coupled receptors: homo-γ-linolenylethanolamide (HEA) and docosatetraenylethanolamide (DEA) act through CB1 receptors, palmitylethanolamide (PEA) acts through CB2-like receptors, and oleylethanolamide (OEA) acts through receptors that have not yet been cloned. Although it is clear that anandamide and other acylethanolamides play a major role in neuronal signaling, whether astrocytes also produce these lipids is unknown. We developed a chemical ionization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method that allows femtomole detection and quantification of anandamide and other acylethanolamides. Using this method, we unambiguously detected and quantified anandamide, HEA, DEA, PEA, and OEA in mouse astrocytes in culture. Stimulation of mouse astrocytes with ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, enhanced the production of anandamide, HEA, and DEA, whereas PEA and OEA levels were unchanged. Endothelin-1, a peptide known to act on astrocytes, enhanced the production of anandamide, without affecting the levels of other acylethanolamides. These results show that astrocytes produce anandamide, HEA, and DEA in a calcium-dependent manner and that anandamide biosynthesis can be selectively stimulated under physiologically relevant conditions. The relative levels of acylethanolamides in astrocytes from rat and human were different from the relative levels of acylethanolamides in mouse astrocytes, indicating that the production of these lipids differs between species. Because astrocytes are known to express CB1 receptors and inactivate endocannabinoids, our finding strongly suggests the existence of a functional endocannabinoid signaling system in these cells.
Environmental fate of double-stranded RNA in agricultural soils.

A laboratory soil degradation study was conducted to determine the biodegradation potential of a DvSnf7 dsRNA transcript derived from a Monsanto genetically modified (GM) maize product that confers resistance to corn rootworm (CRW; Diabrotica spp.). This study provides new information to improve the environmental assessment of dsRNAs that become pesticidal through an RNAi process. Three agricultural soils differing in their physicochemical characteristics were obtained from the U.S., Illinois (IL; silt loam), Missouri (MO; loamy sand) and North Dakota (ND; clay loam), and exposed to the target dsRNA by incorporating insect-protected maize biomass and purified (in vitro-transcribed) DvSnf7 RNA into soil. The GM and control (non-GM maize) materials were added to each soil and incubated at ca. 22°C for 48 hours (h). Samples were collected at 12 time intervals during the incubation period, extracted, and analyzed using QuantiGene molecular analysis and insect bioassay methods. The DT50 (half-life) values for DvSnf7 RNA in IL, MO, and ND soils were 19, 28, and 15 h based on QuantiGene, and 18, 29, and 14 h based on insect bioassay, respectively. Furthermore, the DT90 (time to 90% degradation) values for DvSnf7 RNA in all three soils were <35 h. These results indicate that DvSnf7 RNA was degraded and biological activity was undetectable within approximately 2 days after application to soil, regardless of texture, pH, clay content and other soil differences. Furthermore, soil-incorporated DvSnf7 RNA was non-detectable in soil after 48 h, as measured by QuantiGene, at levels ranging more than two orders of magnitude (0.3, 1.5, 7.5 and 37.5 µg RNA/g soil). Results from this study indicate that the DvSnf7 dsRNA is unlikely to persist or accumulate in the environment. Furthermore, the rapid degradation of DvSnf7 dsRNA provides a basis to define relevant exposure scenarios for future RNA-based agricultural products.
Not free, but relatively inexpensive [academic publishing]

The author discusses how this Internet technology is destroying the economics of academic publishing. He was concerned that coverage of politics and news was concentrated in the hands of a few unscrupulous newspaper publishers. Printing technology (including inexpensive paper manufacturing) has taken "things with words" from precious works of art to fish wrappers. Print has made words cheap (though color is still relatively expensive). For academic publishers, the Internet is a very disruptive technology. Academic publishing (including professional societies like IEEE and commercial academic publishers) has long been an interesting niche. Research produces results of economic value, so society and commerce have long supported it. Academic publishing has been supported by singularly noneconomic model. The continued existence of the formal paper-based peer reviewed publication depends on the research community's resisting the powerful economic forces.
Potentiation of brain stimulation reward by morphine: Effects of neurokinin-1 receptor antagonism

Rationale The abuse potential of opioids may be due to their reinforcing and rewarding effects, which may be attenuated by neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) antagonists.
Determination of the mechanical properties of DOPC:DOPS liposomes using an image procession algorithm and micropipette-aspiration techniques

Abstract Quantification of the mechanical properties of liposomes is critical in helping to predict their behavior during various applications such as targeted drug delivery, response to mechanical characterization or their interactions with isolated cytoskeletal elements. A numerical implementation of the Evans aspiration technique, and an image processing algorithm for measuring deformation of spherical DOPC:DOPS liposomes is presented. Liposomes were aspirated to pressures of −10 mmHg (∼−1300 Pa). The area expansion and Young's moduli of the liposomes were found to be 0.067 N m−1 (67 ± 4 dyn/cm) and 15 ± 1 MPa.
Nuclear Factor κB- and Specificity Protein 1-dependent p53-mediated Bi-directional Regulation of the Human Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Gene

Tumor suppressor p53 is known to activate certain sets of genes while suppressing others. However, whether p53 can both activate and suppress the same gene is unclear. To address this question, concentration-dependent p53 effect on the manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene was investigated. By transfecting p53 in PC-3 cells, we demonstrate that low concentrations of p53 increase while high concentrations suppress MnSOD expression. The physiological relevance of this effect was determined in vitro and in vivo using combined UVB-mediated activation and small interference RNA-mediated suppression of p53. Results were consistent with the bi-directional effect of p53 on MnSOD expression. MnSOD-promoter/enhancer analysis demonstrates that p53 is suppressive to the promoter activity regardless of the presence or absence of putative p53 binding sites. However, a low level of p53 increases MnSOD gene transcription in the presence of the intronic-enhancer element, and this effect is dependent on nuclear-factor κB (NF-κB) binding sites. Expression of p53 enhances nuclear levels of p65 with corresponding increase in the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB as detected by electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Transfection of p65 small interference RNA reduces the positive effect of p53 on MnSOD gene transcription. These data suggest that p65 can overcome the negative effect of p53 on MnSOD expression. However, when the level of p53 was further increased, the suppressive effect of p53 outweighed the positive effect of p65 and led to the suppression of MnSOD gene transcription. These results demonstrated that p53 can both suppress and induce MnSOD expression depending on the balance of promoter and enhancer binding transcription factors.
Admissibility spectra and minimality

Demonstration d'un theoreme inspire de la theorie de la recursivite et de la theorie des ensembles
Coexistence of Fungi and Tubercle Bacilli

The sputa of all newly admitted patients were cultured for fungi during a period of 11 months. Four cases of histoplasmosis were detected among 505 patients. M. tuberculosis was not cultured from any one of these. However, Cryptococcus neoformans and Geotrichum candidum were coexistent with M. tuberculosis in one patient each.
Continence after posterior sagittal anorectoplasty.

Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) was introduced in 1982 by Pena and De Vries as a new operation for patients with a high anorectal malformation. The degree of postoperative continence is reported to be high. During the past decade, too, new insights have been gained into the embryology of anorectal malformations. Evaluation of PSARP in relation to current understanding of the development and anatomy of the anorectum and the pelvic floor has led us to conclude that optimal continence cannot be expected. Fifty patients with a high anorectal malformation underwent PSARP between June 1983 and May 1990. Postoperative follow-up consisted of anamnesis (subjective) and electrostimulation, defecography, and anorectal manometry (objective). All patients are alive, and all but one are being evaluated regularly. Subjectively, the majority of patients were more or less incontinent, with soiling of pants at least once a day. On the basis of objective criteria, virtually all patients appeared to be incontinent, and in only one patient was the mechanism of defecation almost unimpaired after PSARP. From this study, we conclude that although PSARP provides a good aesthetic result, patients will never acquire normal continence.
A targeted gene expression system using the tryptophan repressor in zebrafish shows no silencing in subsequent generations

The ability to visualize and manipulate cell fate and gene expression in specific cell populations has made gene expression systems valuable tools in developmental biology studies. Here, we describe a new system that uses the E. coli tryptophan repressor and its upstream activation sequence (TrpR/tUAS) to drive gene expression in stable zebrafish transgenic lines and in mammalian cells. We show that TrpR/tUAS transgenes are not silenced in subsequent generations of zebrafish, which is a major improvement over some of the existing systems, such as Gal4/gUAS and the Q-system. TrpR transcriptional activity can be tuned by mutations in its DNA-binding domain, or silenced by Gal80 when fused to the Gal4 activation domain. In cases in which more than one cell population needs to be manipulated, TrpR/tUAS can be used in combination with other, existing systems.
Root and shoot initiation by leaf, stem and storage root explants of sweet potato

Explants from stem, leaf, and storage root tissue of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cv. Jewel, were placed on media conaining 0.1, 1.0, and 10 mg/1NAA with 0.1, 1.0, or 10 mg/1BA in a factorial experiment. Some callus formed in every treatment, but the best callus growth was on media containing 1.0 mg/1NAA and 10 mg/1BA. Roots formed over a range of treatments but were most prolific on the medium containing 1.0 mg/1NAA and 0.1 mg/1BA. Some de novo formed roots subsequently produced shoot buds in culture. Shoot formation increased the longer the original explants remained in culture without subculture. Roots could be subcultured indefinitely on agar solidified medium, but shoot regeneration did not occur after two subcultures. Shoot formation was greatest when the roots were subcultured on medium containing 1.0 mg/NAA and 0.1 mg/1BA. The cultivar ‘Caromex’ followed the same regeneration pathway, but the number of shoots formed was considerably less. Regeneration in both ‘Jewel’ and ‘Caromex’ explants was enhanced by light.
Effects of low dose versus high dose human growth hormone on body composition and lipids in adults with GH deficiency: a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized trials.

Doses of growth hormone in adults with growth hormone deficiency are now lower than previously. However, it is not clear they are as effective as higher doses. The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess efficacy of low to moderate dose (LD) GH replacement on standard endpoints of GH compared to higher doses. A meta-analysis was carried out using PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases from 1960 to 9/23/12. Three reviewers identified randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of 6 months duration. Of 173 publications, 28 representing 22 trials (591 GH-treated patients and 562 placebo) were included. Data were independently extracted by three reviewers. Endpoints were analyzed if ≥4 studies per dose group reported baseline and 6 month data. Mean lean body mass (LBM) increased by 2.61 kg in GH-treated subjects versus 0.04 in the placebo group (P < 0.0001). Fat mass (FM) was reduced by −2.19 kg versus 0.31 (GH vs. placebo) (P = 0.0002). Changes in LBM and FM were dose-related (P = 0.02 and 0.007, respectively), high dose (HD) being more effective than low dose (LBM P = 0.03 and FM P = 0.04). In contrast, treatment with GH reduced total cholesterol −0.38 mmol/L versus. 0.01 (placebo) (P < 0.0001), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) −0.42 mmol/L versus −0.1 (P = 0.0009), but there were no differences between LD and HD GH. LDs of hGH improve total- and LDL-C, and body composition. Higher doses are more effective on body composition, but not lipids.
Finding the Best HPCMP Architectures Using Benchmark Application Results for TI-09

Time-to-solution and scalability of an application can vary greatly from one computer architecture to another. It is important then to consider the appropriateness of architectures with respect to applications to make the most efficient use of available resources. However, the number of applications currently used on systems within the High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) is very large. This paper, therefore, focuses solely on codes within the HPCMP Technology Insertion 2009 (TI-09) Applications Benchmarking Suite. These codes include Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR), Air Vehicles Unstructured Solver (AVUS), CTH, General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System (GAMESS), HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM), Improved Concurrent Electromagnetic Particle In Cell (ICEPIC), and Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS). This paper evaluates the parallel performance-per-processor of each of these seven codes on major systems within the Program. This, in turn, can guide users and developers in selecting appropriate architectures for each code.
Gleason score 7 prostate cancer: a heterogeneous entity? correlation with pathologic parameters and disease-free survival

Objectives. Gleason score 7, in different proportions of grades 3 and 4, is the score most frequently assigned to prostate cancer in our radical prostatectomy specimens (RPSs). We correlated the major grade component of score 7 tumors with clinicopathologic parameters and disease-free survival. Methods. All Gleason score 7 RPSs were classified as having a major grade of 3 or 4 carcinoma. The two groups were compared according to patient age, race, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, clinical and pathologic stage, tumor volume, and biochemical recurrence. Results. Of the 534 patients analyzed, 356 and 178 had major grade 3 or 4 tumors, respectively. Compared with patients with 3+4 tumors, those with 4+3 had significantly more advanced clinical and pathologic stages, larger tumor volume, higher preoperative PSA levels, and older age and a higher proportion were African American (P <0.05 for all above parameters). With a mean follow-up of 34.6 months, patients with 3+4 tumors experienced lower rates of PSA recurrence than did those with 4+3 tumors (P = 0.0021). Furthermore, for the subset of patients with organ-confined disease, multivariable analysis that included race, age, clinical stage, preoperative PSA level, tumor volume, and major grade component found only the latter to be a significant predictor of recurrence, with patients who had major grade 4 component tumors experiencing a higher incidence of PSA recurrence than those with major grade 3 tumors (P = 0.012). Conclusions. The major grade 4 component in Gleason score 7 carcinoma indicates a higher likelihood of biochemical recurrence, particularly for the increasing proportion of patients with organ-confined disease after radical prostatectomy.
Synchronized chaos and spatiotemporal chaos in arrays of coupled lasers.

A subset of lasers in an array of coupled lasers can produce identical, synchronized, chaotic signals. Beyond a critical coupling strength, synchronization fails, and spatiotemporal chaos results. The transition to spatiotemporal chaos is signaled by spatial symmetry breaking. Quantitative measures of the transition from synchronized chaos are provided by Lyapunov exponents, sub-Lyapunov exponents, and the mutual information content.
Somatotopic reorganization in the brainstem and thalamus following peripheral nerve injury in adult primates

Injury-induced reorganization of central somatotopic maps is a phenomenon that has proven to be useful for elucidating the mechanisms and time course of neural plasticity. To date, the overwhelming majority of this line of research has focused on such plastic events in cortical areas, at the expense of subcortical structures. In this study, we used multi-unit electrophysiological recording techniques to assess the somatotopic organization of brainstem and thalamic areas following chronic survival from paired median and ulnar nerve section in adult squirrel monkeys. We report that the extent of cutaneously-driven reorganization in both the cuneate nucleus of the brainstem and the ventroposterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus is comparable to that previously documented for area 3b of cortex. These observations are consistent with those previously reported in thalamus, and are unique for brainstem.
Optimization of culture conditions for the production of thermostable polygalacturonase by Penicillium SPC-F 20

Penicillium strain isolated from citrus fruit was found to produce thermostable polygalacturonases. Optimization of process parameters resulted in high levels of enzyme production after 3 days of incubation at a pH of 5.0 at 30 °C in the presence of 1% pectin. The optimum temperature for enzyme activity was 60 °C and a pH of 5.5 was found to be the optimal pH. The enzyme showed a high level of thermostability in the presence of substrate with a residual activity of 48% after 2 h of incubation at 60 °C. A thermostable nature with a high pH range for activity makes it an industrially important enzyme.
THE IMPRINT OF THE VERY LOCAL INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELD IN SIMULATED ENERGETIC NEUTRAL ATOM MAPS

The interaction of the solar wind with the very local interstellar medium (VLISM) forms the boundaries of the heliosphere. A strong asymmetry of the heliosphere was found both directly by the Voyager probes and indirectly from measurements of the deflection of neutral hydrogen. The most likely source of this asymmetry is from the interstellar magnetic field, the properties of which are highly unconstrained. Energetic neutral atom (ENA) images will provide an additional method to view the heliosphere and infer the interstellar magnetic field. This paper investigates the imprint of the interstellar magnetic field on simulated energetic neutral atom all-sky maps. We show that a significant source of 0.5-1 keV ENAs may originate from the outside of the heliopause, if a strong suprathermal population exists in the VLISM. In simulations, a strong outer heliosheath ENA feature appears near the nose of the heliosphere. A weaker, complementary feature is also present consisting entirely of inner heliosheath ENAs. From this feature the direction of the interstellar magnetic field can be easily inferred.
A synoptic assessment for prioritizing wetland restoration efforts to optimize flood attenuation.

The placement of wetland restoration projects in a landscape to optimize the functional performance of wetlands on a regional scale is often overlooked. To address this problem, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Landscape Function Project developed the synoptic approach to assign restoration priority to landscape subunits according to selected functional criteria. The approach provides a flexible, ecologically-based framework for allocating limited restoration-resources and preserving valued wetland functions on a landscape scale. We conducted a synoptic assessment of the Prairie Pothole Region of the northcentral U.S. to demonstrate application of the method for our assessment criterion—the marginal decrease in total downstream flood volume per restoration dollar. A criterion is often not directly measurable but can be represented by an index composed of measurements on related variables. In a synoptic assessment, these measured variables, referred to as indicators, are limited to variables for which data are existing, accessible, and uniformly available for the entire region. We developed a conceptual model to guide the development of an index of the assessment criterion. We then ranked landscape subunits based on index values and mapped the ranks to show relative priority for restoration among landscape subunits. We conducted a series of analyses to justify selection of indicators and some of our assumptions. The approach offers multiple options for processing and displaying information for use by wetland managers.
Clinical and immunologic features of 24 patients with transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy

Abstract Rationale THI is a heterogeneous disorder with several associated comorbidities. The clinical and immunologic features of a cohort of children with THI were examined. Methods 24 patients diagnosed with hypogammaglobulinemia defined by any Ig isotype level Results The mean at diagnosis of hypogammaglobulinemia was 12 mos (male:female=1.2). 18 patients were followed to resolution with 12/18 normalizing by 24 mos and the remainder by 59 mos. The mean age at resolution was 27 mos. The average z-score for IgG level at presentation was −2.4 with a mean level of 254 mg/dl. 13/24 patients had IgA levels 95% for age and the mean percentage and absolute counts of CD19+ B cells was greater than that expected for age-matched controls (p=0.01). All but 2 patients had evidence of tetanus-specific antibody production at their initial evaluation. 20/24 patients carried at least one atopic diagnosis, and 5/24 had some form of developmental delay. 19/14 patients received prophylactic antibiotics and 5 patients received gammaglobulin therapy due to clinically inadequate response to antibiotics. Conclusions THI is a heterogeneous disorder often presenting and resolving well beyond infancy. A notable number of these patients have significant comorbidities. Observed elevation in B-cells may be suggestive of particular immunologic mechanisms resulting in hypogammaglobulinemia.