cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pituitary Origin as the Cause of Persistently Elevated Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in an Adolescent With Primary Amenorrhea Secondary to Frasier Syndrome

phallus. At age 6 she was referred for clitoral recession. Both physical examination and MRI suggested the presence of a gonad in each labioscrotal fold. Peripheral blood was sent for genetic analysis. The repeat karyotype of metaphase and interphase cells was confirmed as 46,XX. Molecular genetic analysis confirmed a normal SRY gene. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of chromosome X specific (Xp11.1eq11.1) and SRY specific (Yp11.3) DNA probes was performed and identified the presence of the SRY gene on the distal short arm of the X chromosome. There was no signal for the WT1 gene. The androgen receptor gene was identified and was normal. A multi-disciplinary team is having ongoing discussion about optimal gender assignment and counseling of the parents and child. Conclusion(s): This child appears to be a 46,XX sex-reversed male. It is likely this clinical picture was caused by translocation of the SRYgene from the father's distal Yp chromosome to the distal tip of the Xp chromosome during gametogensis. Such a translocation can result in a 46XX individual presenting with ambiguous or normal male genitalia. This case highlights the potential danger of premature gender assignment and surgery for ambiguous genitalia, as well as the potential pitfalls of relying on standard chromosomal analysis in determining gender. Evaluation for the presence of the SRY-gene should be considered in infants with ambiguous genitalia and in the intersex population as a possible explanation for incongruous phenotypic and karyotypic expression.
Protein kinase C negatively regulates Akt activity and modifies UVC-induced apoptosis in mouse keratinocytes.

Skin keratinocytes are subject to frequent chemical and physical injury and have developed elaborate cell survival mechanisms to compensate. Among these, the Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) pathway protects keratinocytes from the toxic effects of ultraviolet light (UV). In contrast, the protein kinase C (PKC) family is involved in several keratinocyte death pathways. During an examination of potential interactions among these two pathways, we found that the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) activates both the PKC and the Akt signaling pathways in cultured primary mouse keratinocytes as indicated by increased phospho-PKC and phospho-Ser-473-Akt. IGF-1 also selectively induced translocation of PKCδ and PKCϵ from soluble to particulate fractions in mouse keratinocytes. Furthermore, the PKC-specific inhibitor, GF109203X, increased IGF-1-induced phospho-Ser-473-Akt and Akt kinase activity and enhanced IGF-1 protection from UVC-induced apoptosis. Selective activation of PKC by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) reduced phospho-Ser-473-Akt, suggesting that activation of PKC inhibits Akt activity. TPA also attenuated IGF-1 and epidermal growth factor-induced phospho-Ser-473-Akt, reduced Akt kinase activity, and blocked IGF-1 protection from UVC-induced apoptosis. The inhibition of Akt activity by TPA was reduced by inhibitors of protein phosphatase 2A, and TPA stimulated the association of phosphatase 2A with Akt. Individual PKC isoforms were overexpressed in cultured keratinocytes by transduction with adenoviral vectors or inhibited with PKC-selective inhibitors. These studies indicated that PKCδ and PKCϵ were selectively potent at causing dephosphorylation of Akt and modifying cell survival, whereas PKCα enhanced phosphorylation of Akt on Ser-473. Our results suggested that activation of PKCδ and PKCϵ provide a negative regulation for Akt phosphorylation and kinase activity in mouse keratinocytes and serve as modulators of cell survival pathways in response to external stimuli.
Acquisition and maintenance of trusting behavior.

This study determined whether a two-person exchange situation contained natural contingencies for trusting behavior or whether external contingencies were necessary. Pairs of college students worked matching-to-sample problems for money. On each trial there was one problem and the subjects determined which of them would solve it. Trusting behavior was defined as an increase in the number of consecutive problems each subject allowed his partner to work during sessions that also ended with an equitable distribution. Simply, trust was a temporary deviation from equity. A subject could give the problem to the other person (cooperate), or not respond and let the other person take the problem (share). Other possibilities were for both subjects to try to take the problem (complete), or for neither subject to respond and thereby let the person who worked the last problem also work the next one (passive trust). When only four lever pulls were required to distribute a problem (no external contingencies to reach either equity or trust) subjects reached equity, but only minimal trust (strict alternation of single problems) developed in 18 sessions. When 30 or 60 lever pulls were required to distribute a problem (smaller response requirement for passive trust and therefore a contingency for trust), trusting behavior developed after a few sessions (fixed ratio 30) or after several trials of the first session (fixed ratio 60) and it ordinarily expanded gradually to 10 to 15 consecutive problems through passive trust. The aversiveness of the inequity involved in trusting appears to necessitate a contingency for acquisition. Once trust develops, however, this aversiveness is reduced as subjects learn the inequity is only temporary (e.g., once trust was acquired at fixed ratio 60 it was maintained at fixed ratio 4, which would not initially produce it), and the direction of the inequity appears to become of questionable importance (e.g., being behind was alternated over rather than within sessions and usually not in a systematic manner).
Are Ambulatory Surgical Patients as Healthy as We Think? Using a Self-Reported Health Status Questionnaire to Identify Unsuspected Medical Comorbidities

Over the last 30 years, there has been a strong trend toward the performance of surgery in the ambulatory, outpatient setting. In 1982, of all operations performed in the United States, 20% were performed as outpatient procedures; by 1995, this figure had increased to 60% [1]. This trend has been particularly evident in the field of orthopedic surgery. For example, at Hospital for Special Surgery, which focuses exclusively on musculoskeletal disease, there were over 7,000 ambulatory surgeries (AMS) performed in 2004. This is in contrast to ∼4,700 outpatient procedures performed in 1996. Although economically advantageous, AMS challenges the system of care in a variety of ways, perhaps most significantly in the arena of preoperative medical evaluation. Medical consultations on these patients are usually ordered at the discretion of the attending surgeon. In general, patients undergoing AMS are younger and healthier than those being admitted for inpatient procedures. However, given that an increasing proportion of surgery is being performed on an AMS basis, it is likely that older and potentially less healthy patients are being offered this option. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine if a simple self-reported health status questionnaire could be an effective tool to capture medical comorbidities that might impact perioperative care.
Review essay on the law enforcement response to spouse abuse: Past, present, and future

In this review article the authors critically assess the role of law enforcement in spouse abuse. After discussing definitional issues and tracing the evolution of attitudes and treatment of the physical abuse of wives, they examine the extent to which spouse abuse occurs. The role of law enforcement then is examined from both a historical and a theoretical perspective, and research studies of the law enforcement response are evaluated. Particular attention is paid to current pro-arrest policies. The article concludes with a discussion of policy issues and suggestions for the future.
Quality of life, health status, and health service utilization related to a new measure of health literacy: FLIGHT/VIDAS

Abstract Objective Researchers have identified significant limitations in some currently used measures of health literacy. The purpose of this paper is to present data on the relation of health-related quality of life, health status, and health service utilization to performance on a new measure of health literacy in a nonpatient population. Methods The new measure was administered to 475 English- and Spanish-speaking community-dwelling volunteers along with existing measures of health literacy and assessments of health-related quality of life, health status, and healthcare service utilization. Relations among measures were assessed via correlations and health status and utilization was tested across levels of health literacy using ANCOVA models. Results The new health literacy measure is significantly related to existing measures of health literacy as well as to participants’ health-related quality of life. Persons with lower levels of health literacy reported more health conditions, more frequent physical symptoms, and greater healthcare service utilization. Conclusion The new measure of health literacy is valid and shows relations to measures of conceptually related constructs such as quality of life and health behaviors. Practice implications FLIGHT/VIDAS may be useful to researchers and clinicians interested in a computer administered and scored measure of health literacy.
Evelyn Lord Pruitt, 1918–2000

Enamored of all places where crashing waves met ever-shifting sands; Having no patience with those who thought they could impose their structures on these fragile shores. She knew that, inexorably,...
Dynamics and stability of a rimless spoked wheel: a simple 2D system with impacts

We discuss the dynamics and stability of a rigid rimless spoked wheel, or regular polygon, confined to ‘rolling’ in a vertical plane uphill or downhill. The wheel has smooth inverted pendulum motions punctuated by repeated dissipative spoke impacts. It is a simple mechanical analogue to legged locomotion. The problem is completely soluble in closed form. We derive a return map for the full nonlinear system. The map has two asymptotically stable fixed points whose existence depends on slope angle: (1) standing still on two spokes and (2) limit cycle motion. For small slopes, only standing still exists; for intermediate slopes, the fixed points coexist; and, for large slopes, only limit cycles exist. We also completely define their basins of attraction. The rimless wheel's dynamical behaviour is analogous to two other dissipative systems, one smooth (a constantly forced, damped pendulum) and the other non-smooth (a 2D discrete skate).
Alleviation of inhibitory action of 5-bromode-oxyuridine by methionine in early chick embryos

Die hemmende Wirkung von 5-Bromodesoxyuridin auf die Entwicklung des Fruhstadiums von Huhnerembryonen konnte durch nachfolgende Behandlung mit Methionin in aequimolarer Konzentration, jedoch nicht mit Homocystein, aufgehoben werden.
Experience with partial breast irradiation for treatment of breast cancer at a community-based cancer center

Abstract Background Many patients after lumpectomy have barriers to whole breast radiation. Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) was introduced at our institution as an alternative. Methods Retrospective review of patients who were treated with ABPI from March 2003 to December 2011 was conducted. Results of demographics, tumor pathology, infection, and recurrence were reviewed. Results Two hundred ninety-four patients received 298 treatments of APBI. The mean follow-up was 58.5 months. Using the American Society for Radiation Oncology criteria, 101 patients were suitable, 142 cautionary, and 52 patients were unsuitable. The average age was 65 with a range of 37 to 93. In our study, true local recurrence occurred in only 1.0% (n = 3). Patients recurring in the same breast elsewhere was 2% (n = 6). Conclusions Outcomes after treatment with APBI were excellent, and breast recurrence was similar to whole breast irradiation. It may safely be offered to patients with less than suitable criteria or barriers to whole breast radiation.
Spin polarization and angular distribution of photoelectrons in the Jacob-Wick helicity formalism. Application to autoionization resonances

The spin orientation of photoelectrons and its angular distribution are studied by applying the Jacob-Wick helicity formalism. Applications are presented for photoelectrons ejected from rare-gas atoms, Ar and Xe, in their autoionization spectra. The spin polarizations and their angular distributions show pronounced variations with photon energy across autoionization resonances.
Experimental studies of electro-optic polymer modulators and waveguides.

The results of an experimental study of electro-optic modulators and waveguides based on polymeric materials are presented. Included are the design, fabrication, and testing of integrated Mach–Zehnder modulators, which are based on polymer films that contain a novel, nonlinear electro-optic chromophore. Studies also show the efficacy of photolithography or photobleaching by the use of this chromophore to form passive, branching waveguides, which are operated at the 1300-nm wavelength.
Selective metal cation activation of a DNA alkylating agent: synthesis and evaluation of methyl 1,2,9, 9a-Tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]pyrido[3,2-e]indol-4-one-7-carboxylate (CPyI).

The synthesis of methyl 1,2,9,9a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]pyrido[3,2-e]indol-4-one-7-carboxylate (CPyI) containing a one carbon expansion of the C ring pyrrole found in the duocarmycin SA alkylation subunit and its incorporation into analogues of the natural product are detailed. The unique 8-ketoquinoline structure of CPyI was expected to provide a tunable means to effect activation via selective metal cation complexation. The synthesis of CPyI was based on a modified Skraup quinoline synthesis followed by a 5-exo-trig aryl radical cyclization onto an unactivated alkene with subsequent TEMPO trap or 5-exo-trig aryl radical cyclization onto a vinyl chloride for synthesis of the immediate precursor. Closure of the activated cyclopropane, accomplished by an Ar-3‘ spirocyclization, provided the CPyI nucleus in 10 steps and excellent overall conversion (29%). The evaluation of the CPyI-based agents revealed an intrinsic stability comparable to that of CC-1065 and duocarmycin A but that it is more reactive than ...
Removal of Necrosed Bone by Irrigations with Weak Hydrochloric Acid: Read in the Section on Surgery at the Thirty-Eighth Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association, June, 1887.

In almost all cases of necrosis the dead bone can be removed without operation by the simple process of daily irrigation with diluted hydrochloric acid. This is especially important in spinal necrosis and caries; but is also applicable to necrosis in other parts of the body. Nearly all our authors are silent on this subject, for though Dupuytren and other older surgeons have spoken of brushing the cavity with strong sulphuric acid, they contemplated merely a caustic action to change the condition of the diseased living parts, and not the dissolving out of the sequestrum. Others, however, have proposed the solvent plan, but without gaining a serious hearing in surgical literature. Billroth, of Vienna, briefly alludes to the subject, but scouts the whole idea in the following strong, but ill considered language: "Chemical solution of the sequestrum is not to be thought of. If you were daily to pour muriatic
A Two-Level Model for the Wind- and Buoyancy-forced Circulation

Abstract The classic theory of deep circulation by Stommel and Arons is extended to a two-level model. Instead of specifying the interfacial upwelling a priori, it is calculated as part of the solution. The model shows strong upwelling along the southern and eastern boundaries, while the upwelling in the interior ocean is much weaker. With a medium rate of Ekman pumping, the basin is separated into western and eastern regions by critical characteristics. It is shown that across the boundary between the different regions temperature and velocity are continuous, but vorticity (or some higher-order quantity) is discontinuous.
Wind energy harvesting control for green cellphone towers with dSPACE implementation

Abundance of renewable energy sources at the location of cellphone antennas and the high cost of grid expansion to remote areas provide economic incentives for development of green cellphone towers. At the height of 15–60 meter, these towers experience a semi steady flow of air suitable to generate electric power. However, some technical challenges and sizing procedures need to be addressed when powering up the sensitive telecommunication loads with intermittent wind power. This paper provides the proper sizing procedure for electrical components used in a wind powered green cellphone tower. In addition, a supervisory control unit is designed and used to provide a high performance power delivery to the tower's electric loads. A small-scale system is implemented with dSPACE hardware to experimentally demonstrate the performance of supervisory controller.
Full field photothermal dynamics microscopy

We present here a novel full field pump-probe photothermal dynamics microscopy (PTDM) which uses a numerical lockin mechanism for capturing full field photothermal responses and is capable of imaging 2D thermal dissipation dynamics by varying the time delay between the probing and pump nano-second pulses. PTDM may find interesting applications in biology and medicine. As one example, we report PTDM imaging nuclei contained on intact hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained prostate cancer specimens may potentially be used to distinguish low grade and high grade prostate cancer.
Intracerebroventricular glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor improves motor function and supports nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in bilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats.

In order to evaluate the efficacy of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in a model of advanced Parkinson's disease, we studied rats with extensive bilateral lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway. Adult male F344 rats were injected bilaterally into the medial forebrain bundle with the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. Locomotor ability as measured by total distance traveled in an open field over 20 min, as well as von Frey hair testing of sensorimotor neglect, was monitored weekly. Rats demonstrating severe motor impairment and sensorimotor neglect were used for this study and were sorted to achieve similar average behavioral scores between the two treatment groups. After 2 weeks of pretesting, the rats received 250 μg GDNF or vehicle injected into the right lateral cerebral ventricle. Three weeks later, an additional 500 μg GDNF or vehicle was injected into the contralateral ventricle. The rats were monitored for another 2 weeks prior to sacrifice. Behavioral results indicated that von Frey hair scores were inconsistent between tests for each rat and were unchanged following GDNF treatment. However, GDNF recipients demonstrated significant improvement in locomotor ability compared to vehicle recipients. High-pressure liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection analysis of neurotransmitter levels revealed a significant increase in dopamine content within the substantia nigra and ventral tegmenta, but not the striata, of GDNF-treated rats. Further, immunohistochemical staining of tissues from matched pairs of rats revealed increased numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive ventral mesencephalic neurons in one of the two pairs of rats examined. These results suggest that intracerebroventricular GDNF administration improves motor ability and supports nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in a model of severe Parkinson's disease.
Association of a high‐molecular weight arginine‐binding protein of Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 10953 with adhesion to secretory immunoglobulin A and coaggregation with Streptococcus cristatus

Introduction: Fusobacterium nucleatum coaggregates with a diverse range of bacterial species, and binds to host tissues and proteins such as immunoglobulin. These interactions may support the attachment of a variety of organisms to oral surfaces and can facilitate the invasion of soft tissues. We hypothesized that coaggregation with streptococci and immunoglobulin binding may occur by a common adhesin sensitive to l-arginine. Methods: Repeated mixing of F. nucleatum with non-immune secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) and recovery of non-agglutinating cells isolated a spontaneous mutant (isolate 21) of F. nucleatum that was defective in S-IgA binding. Wild-type and mutant F. nucleatum were compared by coaggregation and adhesion assays. Results: Isolate 21 exhibited significantly reduced S-IgA binding and coaggregation with oral streptococci but not with Porphyromonas gingivalis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the mutant was deficient compared to wild-type for a single protein of approximately 360 kilodaltons. The corresponding protein was isolated from wild-type F. nucleatum protein preparations by coprecipitation with arginine–agarose beads. This protein was able to bind both Streptococcus cristatus and S-IgA. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated that this protein was closely related to putative autotransporter proteins in other F. nucleatum strains and was a 100% match to the deduced amino acid sequence of a 10,638-base-pair open reading frame in the incomplete genome sequence of F. nucleatum ATCC 10953. Peptides identified by MS-MS analysis spanned most of the predicted amino acid sequence, suggesting that the mature protein is not subject to postsecretory cleavage. Conclusion: Coaggregation represents a novel function within the autotransporter class of proteins, which are often associated with virulence.
Reducing false-negative and false-positive diagnoses in anatomic pathology consultation material.

Context.—Previous studies have shown that there are disagreements in interlaboratory consultation, including false-negative and false-positive diagnoses. To date, methods to reduce false-negative a...
Holding the hospital hostage.

Swidler et al. (2007) offer a variety of scenarios in which difficult patients demand specific and often unique applications of peace-making skills to accomplish the routine goal of achieving a saf...
4-Pi Non-Coplanar Converging Beams Yield Superior Therapeutic Ratio Than Conventional Coplanar Beams

The 4-Pi non-coplanar converging beam delivery system tends to reduce OAR doses and improve the PTV dose conformality. Given the collision-free feature of the proposed system, it can be further developed to a hypefractionation treatment modality with fast delivery, precise targeting as well as reduced radiation toxicity. • It has been derived and validated in our previous study that the orientation of a 4-Pi beam can be realized by a combination of LINAC gantry rotation and couch rotation in Pinnacle TPS [1].
ANALYSIS OF CLONAL CULTURES OF THE BROWN TIDE ALGAE AUREOCOCCUS AND AUREOUMBRA (PELAGOPHYCEAE) USING 18S rRNA, rbcL, AND RUBISCO SPACER SEQUENCES

Variability among clonal cultures of the brown tide algae Aureococcus anophagefferens Hargraves et Sieburth and Aureoumbra lagunensis Stockwell, DeYoe, Hargraves et Johnson was examined by DNA sequence comparisons. Nuclear-encoded 18S rRNA and plastid-encoded rbcL gene sequences were determined for six Aureococcus strains. RUBISCO spacer sequences were determined for 14 strains of Aureococcus. No differences among Aureococcus strains were found in the DNA regions examined. The rbcL and RUBISCO spacer sequences for three Aureoumbra strains were identical but differed from those of Aureococcus. These data indicate that blooms of these species are comprised of cells that are very similar and also imply that Aureococcus and Aureoumbra do not contain varieties or cryptic species. Separate and combined phylogenetic analyses of the 18S rRNA and rbcL gene sequences were performed. Results confirm that the brown-tide-causing algae of Long Island Sound, New York (Aureococcus), and Laguna Madre, Texas (Aureoumbra), are best classified in separate genera within the Pelagophyceae. Phylogenetic trees place Aureococcus and Aureoumbra within the Pelagomonadales and Sarcinochrysidales, respectively.
The Roaring Nineties: Can Full Employment Be Sustained? Edited by Alan B. Krueger and Robert Solow. New York: The Russell Sage Foundation and the Century Foundation Press, 2001. Pp. xlvi, 592. $49.95.

The 1990s, particularly the last half of the decade, presented a special challenge to the conventional wisdom. Few would have asserted that unemployment could be pushed much below (or possibly even to) 5.5 or 6.0 percent without an unacceptable acceleration in the rate of price inflation. This consensus came from the acceptance of the Phillips curve and the NAIRU (nonaccelerating inflation rate of unemployment), and so ingrained was this orthodoxy that most policymakers accepted it. Is the NAIRU dead? The Russell Sage Foundation and the Century Foundation believed that the 1990s required a closer examination to see what we could learn from this seemingly unusual period. They asked Robert Solow and Alan Krueger to assemble the set of topics and authors that resulted in this volume. The book is divided into four parts.
High capacity hydrogen storage materials: attributes for automotive applications and techniques for materials discovery

Widespread adoption of hydrogen as a vehicular fuel depends critically upon the ability to store hydrogen on-board at high volumetric and gravimetric densities, as well as on the ability to extract/insert it at sufficiently rapid rates. As current storage methods based on physical means—high-pressure gas or (cryogenic) liquefaction—are unlikely to satisfy targets for performance and cost, a global research effort focusing on the development of chemical means for storing hydrogen in condensed phases has recently emerged. At present, no known material exhibits a combination of properties that would enable high-volume automotive applications. Thus new materials with improved performance, or new approaches to the synthesis and/or processing of existing materials, are highly desirable. In this critical review we provide a practical introduction to the field of hydrogen storage materials research, with an emphasis on (i) the properties necessary for a viable storage material, (ii) the computational and experimental techniques commonly employed in determining these attributes, and (iii) the classes of materials being pursued as candidate storage compounds. Starting from the general requirements of a fuel cell vehicle, we summarize how these requirements translate into desired characteristics for the hydrogen storage material. Key amongst these are: (a) high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen density, (b) thermodynamics that allow for reversible hydrogen uptake/release under near-ambient conditions, and (c) fast reaction kinetics. To further illustrate these attributes, the four major classes of candidate storage materials—conventional metal hydrides, chemical hydrides, complex hydrides, and sorbent systems—are introduced and their respective performance and prospects for improvement in each of these areas is discussed. Finally, we review the most valuable experimental and computational techniques for determining these attributes, highlighting how an approach that couples computational modeling with experiments can significantly accelerate the discovery of novel storage materials (155 references).
Turing Oracle Machines, Online Computing, and Three Displacements in Computability Theory

Abstract We begin with the history of the discovery of computability in the 1930’s, the roles of Godel, Church, and Turing, and the formalisms of recursive functions and Turing automatic machines ( a -machines). To whom did Godel credit the definition of a computable function? We present Turing’s notion [1939, §4] of an oracle machine ( o -machine) and Post’s development of it in [1944, §11], [1948], and finally Kleene-Post [1954] into its present form. A number of topics arose from Turing functionals including continuous functionals on Cantor space and online computations. Almost all the results in theoretical computability use relative reducibility and o -machines rather than a -machines and most computing processes in the real world are potentially online or interactive. Therefore, we argue that Turing o -machines, relative computability, and online computing are the most important concepts in the subject, more so than Turing a -machines and standard computable functions since they are special cases of the former and are presented first only for pedagogical clarity to beginning students. At the end in §10–§13 we consider three displacements in computability theory, and the historical reasons they occurred. Several brief conclusions are drawn in §14.
A meta-analysis of information system success: A reconsideration of its dimensionality

Information quality, system quality (ease of use), perceived usefulness, and user satisfaction measure information system success. A meta-analysis shows only one common construct underlies these variables. This result implies a new way to view success surrogates.
A histochemical study of the cells of the ventral cord ganglia of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus (L.).

The ventral cord ganglia of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, contains six distinct cell types: three appear to be ordinary neurons and three exhibit the staining affinities of neurosecretory cells. The presumed neurosecretory cells have been termed neurosecretory cell I (NSC I), NSC II and NSC III. NSC I cells contain a colloid-like inclusion which may occur as a single small vacuole or occupy more than one-half of the cell volume. Colloid inclusions occur with greater frequency toward the periphery, although small cells of similar staining affinity occur in cords extending to the fibrous core. The histochemical tests suggest that the cytoplasm is positive for proteins, but contains no strong acidic groups which may have been derived from S-S or S-H groups. The presence of carbohydrate is also indicated. NSC II cells exhibit distinct secretory cycles. Early in the cycle the cytoplasm becomes phloxinophilic and progresses to a distinct fuchsinophilic stage. Small homogeneous irregular inclusions are found in the axon hillock during the latter stages of the cycle. Histochemical tests suggest the presence of a carbohydrate and strong acidic groups which may have been derived from S-S or S-H groups. There are small cells present which appear to be immature neurosecretory cells. NSC III cells are characterized by a perinuclear ring of cytoplasm which is stained by chrome alum hematoxylin but not by paraldehyde fuchsin. A secretory cycle may also be present in this cell type. The three cell types presumed to be ordinary neurons exhibit no particular staining affinity for the stains or tests used in this study.
Surface Defect Geometry/Tensile Failure Relationships of Aminolyzed Poly(ethylene Terephthalate) Fibers:

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers have been aminolyzed in aqueous n-butylamine and n-butylamine vapor. Aqueous aminolysis causes short cracks to form perpendicular to the fiber axis, whereas vapo...
Relationship between presenilinase and gamma-secretase.

Genetic and neuropathological studies suggest that processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) to yield amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). One of the current therapeutic efforts for AD is directed towards blocking the gamma-secretase activity that produces Abeta. Compelling evidence for presenilin (PS) possessing gamma-secretase activity includes a lack of Abeta production in PS knockout neurons and in cultured cells carrying a dominant negative mutation at either of two critical aspartate residues in PS, which may constitute the active site of gamma-secretase. In vitro studies have shown a binding of transition-state analog gamma-secretase inhibitors to PS N-terminal fragment (NTF) and C-terminal fragment (CTF), the functional form of PS detected in the high-molecular-weight gamma-secretase complex that also contains nicastrin, Aph-1 and PEN-2. Conversion of full-length PS into functional NTF and CTF is mediated by an unknown protease activity named presenilinase. Endoproteolysis of PS into NTF/CTF by presenilinase also requires two critical aspartate residues, suggesting that full-length PS may undergo autoproteolysis and PS itself is presenilinase. Similar to gamma-secretase, presenilinase seems to be an aspartyl protease, as aspartyl protease inhibitor pepstatin A is the most potent inhibitor toward presenilinase among different classes of protease inhibitors. While several well-characterized gamma-secretase inhibitors can block presenilinase activity in vivo and in vitro, the potency of inhibitors blocking presenilinase and gamma-secretase are not correlated. Lack of presenilinase inhibition by several potent gamma-secretase inhibitors suggests that these two protease activities are pharmacologically distinct.
Role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 in adipocyte signaling.

Increased adiposity due to energy imbalance is a critical factor of the epidemic crisis of obesity and type II diabetes. In addition to the obvious role in energy storage, regulatory factors are secreted from adipose depots to control appetite and cellular homeostasis. Complex signaling cross-talks within adipocyte are also evident due to the metabolic and immune nature of adipose depots. Here, we uncover a role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) in adipocyte signaling. We find that deletion of ERK5 in adipose depots (adipo-ERK5−/−) increases adiposity, in part, due to increased food intake. Dysregulated secretion of adipokines, leptin resistance, and impaired glucose handling are also found in adipo-ERK5−/− mice. Mechanistically, we show that ERK5 impinges on transcription factor NFATc4. Decreased phosphorylation at the conserved gate-keeping Ser residues and increased nuclear localization of NFATc4 are found in adipo-ERK5−/− mice. We also find attenuated PKA activation in adipo-ERK5−/− mice. In response to stimulation of β-adrenergic G-protein-coupled receptor, we find decreased NFATc4 phosphorylation and impaired PKA activation in adipo-ERK5−/− mice. Reduced cAMP accumulation and increased phosphodiesterase activity are also found. Together, these results demonstrate integration of ERK5 with NFATc4 nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling and PKA activation in adipocyte signaling.
Environmental causes of cancer among Native Americans

Age-adjusted mortality from cancer is steadily increasing among Native Americans, raising concern about environmental causes. Toxic waste dumps, mining activities, paper mills, military activities, agricultural chemicals, and urban pollution are common sources of carcinogen exposure on reservations and among the urban poor. Despite documented hazards, we do not see a pattern of cancer excess that might result if Native Americans were exposed to these carcinogens more than other Americans. Abuse of tobacco can be shown to be the most important contributor to cancer mortality among Native Americans. Although there are good reasons for environmental regulation and clean-up, the most cost-effective method of cancer prevention is tobacco control.
Effects of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist on Tumor Stroma in Experimental Uveal Melanoma

Metastatic disease will develop in as many as 40% of patients with uveal melanoma, the prognosis of which is poor; the median survival is approximately 6 months. Chemotherapeutics used to treat cutaneous melanoma rarely produce durable responses in patients with uveal melanoma, and new systemic treatments are needed.1 Interleukin (IL)-1, an endogenous mediator of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, has demonstrated antitumor activity, including the ability to enhance antitumor immune responses and chemotherapy cytotoxicity and to inhibit tumor migration and invasion.2–4 There is accumulating evidence, however, that both IL-1 isoforms (IL-1α and IL-1β) may play roles in tumor development, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastases, either directly or indirectly through the induction of other cytokines (see Ref. 5 for review). IL-1 may also contribute to the ability of tumors to escape immune surveillance by promoting M2-polarized macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC).6–9 Although several studies support inhibiting IL-1 in cancer therapy, little information is available regarding the role of IL-1 in uveal melanoma. During inflammatory responses in the eye, IL-1 is produced by macrophages and corneal cells and promotes a number of processes that may be tumor promoting, including angiogenesis.10 Among the transcripts found to be upregulated in the progression from intraocular to metastatic uveal melanoma was that of the IL-1 receptor.11 There is also evidence that providing IL-1 may be therapeutic in uveal melanoma. IL-1 has been shown to inhibit uveal melanoma migration and invasion.4 Gene expression for the IL-1 receptor accessory protein essential for IL-1 signaling is underexpressed in uveal melanoma manifesting monosomy 3, which is associated with metastasis.12 Moreover, there is evidence that IL-1 also does not promote, but rather abrogates, the immune-privileged nature of the ocular environment implicated in protecting uveal melanoma from destruction by immune effectors.13 A naturally occurring IL-1 antagonist, IL-1ra, competitively blocks IL-1α and IL-1β at the receptor level. A human recombinant IL-1ra is used clinically to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and its application to many ocular inflammatory diseases is also under investigation.14–16 Human recombinant IL-1ra has been shown to inhibit the development and growth of metastases in several animal tumor models, including mouse B16 melanoma and human cutaneous melanoma xenografts.9,17–20 Anti-inflammatory drugs are being tested to lessen the toxicity of plaque radiotherapy in patients with uveal melanoma.21 Given this and the potential contradictory roles of IL-1, we examined the effects of IL-1ra in two established uveal melanoma models, the highly invasive/aggressive MUM2B model and the poorly invasive/aggressive OCM1 model (see Ref. 22 for review). We focused on the modulation of tumor vascularity and myeloid suppressor cell populations.
On the Comparison of the Dynamic Performance of Open-Loop and Closed-Loop Mechanisms

In general, mechanical systems with closed-loop mechanisms can achieve significantly higher operating speeds as compared to open-loop mechanisms such as robots performing identical tasks. In this brief paper, the reason for the superior dynamic performance of closed-loop mechanisms as compared to open-loop mechanisms performing identical tasks is shown to be the inherent dynamic response limitations of the actuation devices in open-loop dynamic systems. Several examples are provided.© 2014 ASME
c-Jun Promotes whereas JunB Inhibits Epidermal Neoplasia

Deregulation of the activator protein 1 (AP1) family gene regulators has been implicated in a wide range of diseases, including cancer. In this study we report that c-Jun was activated in human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and coexpression of c-Jun with oncogenic Ras was sufficient to transform primary human epidermal cells into malignancy in a regenerated human skin grafting model. In contrast, JunB was not induced in a majority of human SCC cells. Moreover, exogenous expression of JunB inhibited tumorigenesis driven by Ras or spontaneous human SCC cells. Conversely, the dominant-negative JunB mutant (DNJunB) promoted tumorigenesis, which is in contrast to the tumor-suppressor function of the corresponding c-Jun mutant. At the cellular level, JunB induced epidermal cell senescence and slowed cell growth in a cell-autonomous manner. Consistently, coexpression of JunB and Ras induced premature epidermal differentiation concomitant with upregulation of p16 and filaggrin and downregulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). These findings indicate that JunB and c-Jun differentially regulate cell growth and differentiation and induce opposite effects on epidermal neoplasia. JID JOURNAL CLUB ARTICLE: For questions, answers, and open discussion about this article, please go to http://www.nature.com/jid/journalclub
Single-Crystal 40Ar/39Ar Dating of the Eocene-Oligocene Transition in North America

Explanations for the causes of climatic changes and associated faunal and floral extinctions at the close of the Eocene Epoch have long been controversial because of, in part, uncertainties in correlation and dating of global events. New single-crystal laser fusion (SCLF) 40Ar/39Ar dates on tephra from key magnetostratigraphic and fossilbearing sections necessitate significant revision in North American late Paleogene chronology. The Chadronian-Orellan North American Land Mammal "Age" boundary, as a result, is shifted from 32.4 to 34.0 Ma (million years ago), the Orellan-Whitneyan boundary is shifted from 30.8 to 32.0 Ma, and the Whitneyan-Arikareean boundary is now approximately 29.0 Ma. The new dates shift the correlation of Chron C12R from the Chadronian to within the Orellan-Whitneyan interval, the Chadronian becomes late Eocene in age, and the North American Oligocene is restricted to the Orellan, Whitneyan, and early Arikareean. The Eocene-Oligocene boundary, and its associated climate change and extinction events, as a result, correlates with the Chadronian-Orellan boundary, not the Duchesnean-Chadronian boundary.
Graphical interactions with an automatic programming system

ISFI, an automatic programming system, accepts a nonprocedural specification of the desired behavior of a computer program. This specification is augmented by ISFI until computations to accomplish this behavior can be derived, and then compilable code is generated. ISFI's graphical interface (IGI) permits input, modification, and exploration of the specification, including the part added by ISFI in the process of solving the programming problem. This interface supports the special requirements of an automatic programming system, the needs of programmers debugging any large complex computer system, the normal requirements of an interactive user interface, and the potential graphics to aid the visual thinking process of humans. The ways in which IGI addresses these issues are described and some enhancements are suggested. >
Peripheral administration of human corticotropin-releasing hormone: a novel method to increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation in man.

CRH increases energy expenditure and decreases food intake in experimental animals. We proposed the hypothesis that peripheral administration of CRH might increase energy expenditure in human subjects. Four men and four women (age, 19–39 yr) were randomized to a double blind, cross-over trial to test the effect of human CRH (hCRH), ovine CRH (oCRH), and placebo on resting energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry. CRH was administered by primed continuous infusion at progressively increasing doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0μ g/kg·h at 2-h intervals. hCRH increased resting energy expenditure by 13.9% at the end of the infusion. Respiratory quotient fell from 0.828 to 0.768 during the hCRH infusion compared with a fall from 0.836 to 0.807 during placebo infusion (P < 0.05). Fat oxidation increased by 55% compared with placebo at the highest dose of hCRH. Heart rate increased during hCRH to 10.7 bpm higher than placebo (P < 0.05). oCRH did not increase heart rate. oCRH also had no significant effect on r...
Thermodynamic zeta functions for Ising models with long-range interactions.

The use of cycle expansions for spin systems with long-range interactions is explored numerically. It is found that the thermodynamic \ensuremath{\zeta} function is an effective tool, both in practice and in principle, for the study of Ising models with power-law interactions. To deal with phase transitions the cycle expansion is factorized, and accurate phase-transition points for several power-law models are obtained, together with other thermodynamic quantities.
A generalized Johnson's rule for stochastic assembly systems

Johnson's rule gives the optimal order to schedule a set of jobs through a two-machine flow shop with deterministic processing times. We extend Johnson's rule to fork-join systems with random processing times. Most of the system may be an arbitrary network. We give conditions under which Johnson's rule is optimal in the stochastic sense, in the increasing convex sense, and in expected value. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 44: 211–220, 1997
YEASTS THAT FERMENT D-CELLOBIOSE AS WELL AS D-XYLOSE

Yeasts that ferment both D-cellobiose and D-xylose have been identified. Such organisms may have advantages in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cellulosics by obviating D-cellobiose inhibition of cellulase activity, and by allowing concurrent processing of the hemicellulose and cellulose.
Interdomain Communication in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Environmental Phosphatase Rv1364c

An "environmental phosphatase" controls bacterial transcriptional responses through alternative sigma factor subunits of RNA polymerase and a partner switching mechanism has been proposed to mediate phosphatase regulation. In many bacteria, the environmental phosphatase and multiple regulators are encoded in separate genes whose products form transient complexes. In contrast, in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis homolog, Rv1364c, the phosphatase is fused to two characteristic regulatory modules with sequence similarities to anti-sigma factor kinases and anti-anti-sigma factor proteins. Here we exploit this fusion to explore interactions between the phosphatase and the regulatory domains. We show quantitatively that the anti-sigma factor kinase domain activates the phosphatase domain, the kinase-phosphatase fusion protein autophosphorylates in Escherichia coli, and phosphorylation is antagonized by the phosphatase activity. Small angle x-ray scattering defines solution structures consistent with the interdomain communication observed biochemically. Taken together, these data indicate that Rv1364c provides a single chain framework to understand the structure, function, and regulation of environmental phosphatases throughout the bacterial kingdom.