cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeted Proteomic Analyses of Histone H4 Acetylation Changes Associated with Homologous-Recombination-Deficient High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinomas.

Approximately 20% of high-grade serous ovarian cancers are homologous-recombination (HR)-deficient due to genetic and epigenetic mutations of HR pathway genes including the tumor suppressor genes BRCA1 and 2. HR deficiency (HRD) compromises cells’ ability to efficiently repair DNA damage, but it also increases sensitivity to chemotherapeutic treatment strategies; however, not all ovarian cancer patients with HRD tumors exhibit positive responses to chemotherapy. Our previous iTRAQ-based comprehensive proteomic characterization of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas found that lower levels of histone H4 acetylation at Lys12 and Lys16 (H4-K12acK16ac) were associated with HRD tumors compared with non-HRD tumors. In the current study, we developed and validated an H4-K12acK16ac parallel-reaction-monitoring (PRM)-targeted mass-spectrometry-based assay to analyze acetylation changes of histone H4 and to determine the association of these changes with total H4, histone acetyltransferase, and histone deacetylase...
The IRIS Consortium (Florence, Italy) and RDA: Perspectives and Possibilities from a Loyal (Non!) Opposition

The IRIS consortium of Florentine area art history and humanities libraries with its American, Dutch and Italian partners accommodates in its union catalogue RDA records currently arriving from the Berenson Library (Villa I Tatti, The Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies) and the Library of Congress via the Z39.50 protocol. This brief paper will describe what steps the consortium is taking to assure that our rich specialized bibliographic patrimony does not find its end in a bibliographic “silo”. With reference to the evolving situation in Italy regarding the transition to RDA: the decision taken by the Vatican Apostolic Library and URBE (Unione Romana Biblioteche Ecclesiastiche) to move to RDA in 2017 could be for IRIS consortium a precious source of guidance based on shared experience.
Microsomal cytochrome P450 levels and activities of isolated rat livers perfused with albumin.

Purpose. We recently showed that the perfusion of isolated rat livers with perfusates containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) would significantly stimulate the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Here, we hypothesize that BSA-induced increase in the release of TNF-α, and possibly other cytokines, would affect cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated drug metabolism.
Clinical Cancer Research: Patient, Parent and Physician Interactions

The impressive progress and improved prognosis in childhood cancer obtained during the past decade are related to more precise diagnostic tools, more effective multimodality therapy and improved supportive care. Whereas fewer than 5 or 10 percent of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were long-term survivors in 1965, nearly 60% of children with ALL diagnosed between 1972 and 1975 and treated with a “modern” protocol are alive and free of disease in 1982. A similar record of success is being achieved in the treatment of other hematopoietic malignancies and solid tumors in the pediatric age group. Of the estimated 7000 children diagnosed with cancer in the United States in 1981, at least 3500 will survive their disease and its treatment. In fact, Anna Meadows (1980) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has estimated that by 1990, one of every 1000 adults will be a survivor of childhood cancer.
Does Knowledge of Financial Concepts Equate to Smarter Financial Decisions

Prior research has typically focused on either retirees or high school students, and have focused on either financial literacy knowledge or the use of their financial literacy knowledge. We look at first-year college students and focus on both their knowledge and use of financial literacy. We survey 1,148 first year students and find that while improved financial literacy knowledge does impact the students’ smart financial decision making (or use), it is not the sole determinant. We find that where students primarily received their information on how to pay for college, their race, and sex have an impact on their financial decision making.
Associations between Parental Psychopathology and Sexual Behavior in an Outpatient Psychiatric Sample.

Early age of sexual debut is associated with an increase in negative outcomes, including higher incidence of nonconsensual sexual experiences, higher rates of sexually transmitted infections, and risky sexual practices. Little research has examined the role of parental psychopathology as a predictor of adolescent sexual activity, however. The current study aims to close this gap by examining the relationship between parental psychopathology and sexual activity in a longitudinal sample of youth. Participants were 685 adolescents from the Longitudinal Assessment of Manic Symptoms study, the majority of whom were male (67%) and White (65%). Analyses considering likelihood of sexual initiation included the full sample, whereas analyses considering predictors of the age of sexual debut included the 162 participants who reported ever having sexual intercourse (62% male, 51% White) via the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance–High School version. Cox regression analyses suggested that maternal generalized anxiety di...
No impact of increased EPSPS gene copy number on growth and fecundity of glyphosate-resistant kochia (Bassia scoparia).

The level of glyphosate resistance in kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Scott] was reported to be due to an increase in 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene copy number. A field study was conducted near Manhattan, KS, in 2014 and 2015 to evaluate the relationship between EPSPS gene copy number and growth and fecundity variables of B. scoparia individuals within suspected glyphosate-resistant (GR) populations from western Kansas. Initial assays of EPSPS gene copy and in vivo shikimate accumulation showed that B. scoparia populations from Finney (FN-R), Scott (SC-R), and Thomas (TH-R) counties were segregating for glyphosate resistance, with some individuals still being glyphosate susceptible (GS). A target-neighborhood competition approach was used to evaluate the competitive response of individual target plants with relatively low (classified as GS) and high (classified as GR) EPSPS gene copy number within the populations. There was no relationship observed between EPSPS gene copy number and vegetative or fecundity variables. There was no differential competitive response of target plant biomass to increasing neighbor density between individuals with low and high EPSPS gene copy number within each population. Lack of associated vegetative growth and fecundity cost to the increased EPSPS gene copy in the GR B. scoparia plants suggests that the plants are likely to persist in field populations, except when effective weed management strategies are adopted that would prevent their growth and seed production.
Cutaneous Gamma-Delta T-Cell Lymphoma

Primary cutaneous gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma is an uncommon, aggressive primary cutaneous cytotoxic lymphoma composed of gamma-delta T cells. Any (or all) of the layers of the skin may be involved. Ulceration is common. It is important to differentiate cutaneous gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma from cases of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma and mycosis fungoides with gamma-delta phenotype.
The Use of a Stimulus Control Transfer Procedure to Teach Motivation-Controlled Mands to Children with Autism.

Social participation of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in natural environments can be enhanced by teaching them to communicate spontaneously, at least in situations where they have...
Rates of Total Joint Replacement in the United States: Future Projections to 2020-2040 Using the National Inpatient Sample.

Objective To project future total hip and knee joint arthroplasty (THA, TKA) use in the United States to 2040. Methods We used the 2000–2014 US National Inpatient Sample (NIS) combined with Census Bureau data to develop projections for primary THA and TKA from 2020 to 2040 using polynomial regression to account for the nonlinearity and interactions between the variables, assuming the underlying distribution of the number of THA/TKA to be Poisson distributed. We performed sensitivity analyses using a negative binomial regression to account for overdispersion. Results Predicted total annual counts (95% prediction intervals) for THA in the United States by 2020, 2025, 2030, and 2040 are (in thousands): 498 (475, 523), 652 (610, 696), 850 (781, 925), and 1429 (1265, 1615), respectively. For primary TKA, predicted total annual counts for 2020, 2025, 2030, and 2040 are (in thousands): 1065 (937, 1211), 1272 (1200, 1710), 1921 (1530, 2410), and 3416 (2459, 4745), respectively. Compared to the available 2014 NIS numbers, the percent increases in projected total annual US use for primary THA and TKA in 2020, 2025, 2030, and 2040 are as follows: primary THA, by 34%, 75%, 129%, and 284%; and primary TKA, 56%, 110%, 182%, and 401%, respectively. Primary THA and TKA use is projected to increase for both females and males, in all age groups. Conclusion Significant increases in use of THA and TKA are expected in the United States in the future, if the current trend continues. The increased use is evident across age groups in both females and males. A policy change may be needed to meet increased demand.
Next-Generation Robots for taTME

Although colorectal cancer incidence and death rates have declined over the years, mainly due to advances in early detection and treatment, colorectal cancer still remains one of the most common cancers affecting humans. Further, recent studies have shown an increase in the incidence rates in individuals of a younger age [1]. The goal of rectal cancer treatment remains complete cancer removal while preserving rectal and sphincter function, and, throughout the years, this has undergone various advancements with improved morbidity and mortality rates.
Motivational Climate Profiles, Pubertal Status, and Well-Being Among Female Adolescent Aesthetic Sport Athletes.

Purpose: Girls participating in aesthetic sports may be at risk for disordered eating and low self-esteem. Informed by self-determination theory, the authors examined motivational climate profiles ...
Preoperative Narcotic Use, Impaired Ambulation Status, and Increased Intraoperative Blood Loss Are Independent Risk Factors for Complications Following Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion Surgery.

Author(s): Badiee, Ryan K; Chan, Andrew K; Rivera, Joshua; Molinaro, Annette; Doherty, Brianna R; Riew, K Daniel; Chou, Dean; Mummaneni, Praveen V; Tan, Lee A | Abstract: ObjectiveThis retrospective cohort study seeks to identify risk factors associated with complications following posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion (PCLF) surgery.MethodsAdults undergoing PCLF from 2012 through 2018 at a single center were identified. Demographic and radiographic data, surgical characteristics, and complication rates were compared. Multivariate logistic regression models identified independent predictors of complications following surgery.ResultsA total of 196 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The medical, surgical, and overall complication rates were 10.2%, 23.0%, and 29.1% respectively. Risk factors associated with medical complications in multivariate analysis included impaired ambulation status (odds ratio [OR], 2.27; p=0.02) and estimated blood loss over 500 mL (OR, 3.67; p=0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed preoperative narcotic use (OR, 2.43; p=0.02) and operative time (OR, 1.005; p=0.03) as risk factors for surgical complication, whereas antidepressant use was a protective factor (OR, 0.21; p=0.01). Overall complication was associated with preoperative narcotic use (OR, 1.97; p=0.04) and higher intraoperative blood loss (OR, 1.0007; p=0.03).ConclusionPreoperative narcotic use and estimated blood loss predicted the incidence of complications following PCLF for CSM. Ambulation status was a significant predictor of the development of a medical complication specifically. These results may help surgeons in counseling patients who may be at increased risk of complication following surgery.
Circadian Clock Regulation of Developmental Time in the Kidney.

Summary We report the emergence of an endogenous circadian clock that regulates organogenesis in mouse fetal kidney. We detect circadian rhythms both in vivo with transcriptional profiling and ex vivo by bioluminescence. High-resolution structural analysis of embryonic explants reveals that global or local clock disruption results in defects that resemble human congenital abnormalities of the kidney. The onset of fetal rhythms strongly correlates with the timing of a distinct transition in branching and growth rates during a gestational window of high fetal growth demands. Defects in clock mutants typically have been attributed to accelerated aging; however, our study establishes a role for the fetal circadian clock as a developmental timer that regulates the pathways that control organogenesis, branching rate, and nephron number and thus plays a fundamental role in kidney development.
Two sets of candidate crustacean wing homologues and their implication for the origin of insect wings

The origin of insect wings is a biological mystery that has fascinated scientists for centuries. Identification of tissues homologous to insect wings from lineages outside of Insecta will provide pivotal information to resolve this conundrum. Here, through expression and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) functional analyses in Parhyale, we show that a gene network similar to the insect wing gene network (preWGN) operates both in the crustacean terga and in the proximal leg segments, suggesting that the evolution of a preWGN precedes the emergence of insect wings, and that from an evo-devo perspective, both of these tissues qualify as potential crustacean wing homologues. Combining these results with recent wing origin studies in insects, we discuss the possibility that both tissues are crustacean wing homologues, which supports a dual evolutionary origin of insect wings (that is, novelty through a merger of two distinct tissues). These outcomes have a crucial impact on the course of the intellectual battle between the two historically competing wing origin hypotheses.
Study on the interfacial thermal resistance between CNTs and Al with a TTM-MD model

Interfacial thermal resistance between adjacent parts is important in the design of electronics and MEMS/NEMS devices as well as packaging. In this paper, the two-temperature model (TTM) along with...
The great reversals: the politics of financial development in the twentieth century

Abstract The state of development of the financial sector does not change monotonically over time. In particular, by most measures, countries were more financially developed in 1913 than in 1980 and only recently have they surpassed their 1913 levels. To explain these changes, we propose an interest group theory of financial development where incumbents oppose financial development because it breeds competition. The theory predicts that incumbents’ opposition will be weaker when an economy allows both cross-border trade and capital flows. This theory can go some way in accounting for the cross-country differences in, and the time-series variation of, financial development.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Adults With a History of Heart Failure Hospitalized for COVID-19.

Background: It is important to understand the risk for in-hospital mortality of adults hospitalized with acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection with a history of heart failure (HF). Me...
Transient Receptor Potential Channel 4 Small-Molecule Inhibition Alleviates Migraine-Like Behavior in Mice

Migraine is a common neurological disorder with few available treatment options. Recently, we have demonstrated the role of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 4 (TRPC4) in itch and the modulation of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a biomarker and emerging therapeutic target for migraine. In this study, we characterized the role of TRPC4 in pain and evaluated its inhibition as anti-migraine pain therapy in preclinical mouse models. First, we found that TRPC4 is highly expressed in trigeminal ganglia and its activation not only mediates itch but also pain. Second, we demonstrated that the small-molecule inhibitor ML204, a specific TRPC4 antagonist, significantly reduced episodic and chronic migraine-like behaviors in male and female mice after injection of nitroglycerin (NTG), a well-known migraine inducer in rodents and humans. Third, we found a significant decrease in CGRP protein levels in the plasma of both male and female mice treated with ML-204, which largely prevented the development of chronic migraine-like behavior. Using sensory neuron cultures, we confirmed that activation of TRPC4 elicited release of CGRP, which was significantly diminished by ML-204. Collectively, our findings identify TRPC4 in peripheral sensory neurons as a mediator of CGRP release and NTG-evoked migraine. Since a TRPC4 antagonist is already in clinical trials, we expect that this study will rapidly lead to novel and effective clinical treatments for migraineurs.
Limitation of C4 photosynthesis by low CA activity increases with temperature but does not influence mesophyll CO2 conductance.

The CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) in C4 plants is initiated by the uptake of bicarbonate (HCO3 -) via phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC). Generation of HCO3 - for PEPC is determined by the interaction between mesophyll CO2 conductance (gm) and the hydration of CO2 to HCO3 - by carbonic anhydrase (CA). Genetic reduction of CA was previously shown to not limit C4 photosynthesis under ambient atmospheric partial pressures of CO2 (pCO2). However, CA activity varies widely across C4 species and it is unknown if there are specific environmental conditions (e.g. high temperature) where CA may limit HCO3 - production for C4 photosynthesis. Additionally, CA activity has been suggested to influence gm but this has not been experimentally tested. We hypothesize CA activity can limit PEPC at high temperatures, particularly at low pCO2, but does not directly influence gm. Here we tested the influence of genetically reduced CA activity on photosynthesis and gm in the C4 plant Zea mays under a range of pCO2 and temperatures. Reduced CA activity limited HCO3 - production for C4 photosynthesis at low pCO2 as temperatures increased but did not influence gm. Therefore, high leaf CA activity may enhance C4 photosynthesis under high temperature when stomatal conductance restricts the availability of atmospheric CO2.
Analyzing Survival Trends in Multiple Myeloma Patients in Pre and Post-Bortezomib Era Using the SEER Database

Background: Bortezomib is an antineoplastic agent that acts through protease inhibition. Since, its approval in 2003 by U.S. Food and Drug administration, it has been used religiously for multiple myeloma. There is no current population based study that assesses the survival benefit in multiple myeloma from bortezomib. We conducted a population based study to evaluate the relative survival rates in multiple myeloma patients in pre and post-Bortezomib era in the United States. Methods: We analyzed the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 registry database to compare five-year relative survival rates (RS) among multiple myeloma patients. The study arms were categorized by gender (male and female), race (Caucasians and African-Americans) and age (20-59, ≥60 years). The RS were compared between pre-bortezomib era (1991-2002) and post-bortezomib era (2004-2011). The survival rate accompanied standard errors and the statistical significance was defined as p value <0.05. Results: The database comprised of 57,328 patients. The RS have improved significantly during post-bortezomib era in all cohorts under consideration. There was no significant difference in survival rate between male and female and between the African American and Caucasian. However, the relative survival was much better with the young adult (20-59 years) as compared to adult ≥60 years. The table detailing the relative survival is given below. Conclusion: The Primary treatment protocols for Multiple Myeloma have changed dramatically since the approval of Bortezomib in 2003. Other novel agents introduced in the last decade include thalidomide, Lenalidomide and liposomal doxorubicin that are used in conjunction with Bortezomib. Survival trends continue to improve and we believe this modest improvement in survival rate is mainly due to the introduction of Bortezomib and other novel agents. The next challenge is to find new drugs which would prevent relapses and further prolong survival. | Study arm | Subclass of cohorts | Pre-bortezomib era (1991-2002) | Post- bortezomib era (2004-2011) | Z score | P Value | | ---------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | ------- | -------------------------------- | ---- | | N | RS (%) | Relative Standard Error (SE) (%) | N | RS (%) | Relative Standard Error (SE) (%) | | Gender | Male | 13,066 | 34.6 | 0.5 | 17,765 | 46.1 | 0.6 | 15.904 | <0.0001 | | Female | 11,580 | 32.1 | 0.5 | 14,917 | 43.7 | 0.6 | 14.765 | <0.0001 | | Race | Caucasian | 18,836 | 32.9 | 0.4 | 23,981 | 45.0 | 0.5 | 19.259 | <0.0001 | | African American | 4,274 | 34.7 | 0.8 | 6,391 | 45.1 | 0.9 | 8.488 | <0.0001 | | Age group | 20-59 | 6,358 | 48.1 | 0.6 | 9,439 | 60.2 | 0.7 | 12.920 | <0.0001 | | >=60 | 18,288 | 27.8 | 0.4 | 23,243 | 38.4 | 0.5 | 16.606 | <0.0001 | Abstract 2639. Table. Total: male and female: 1991-2002; 24,646, RS 33.4%; SE 0.3%; 2004-2011; 32,682, RS 45.0%, SE 0.4%; Z score 21.766, P value <0.0001. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Channels Formed in Planar Lipid Bilayers by Amyloid Peptides

Abstract At least 16 biochemically distinct proteins and peptides misfold into aggregated amyloid structures to cause disease. Many of these peptides have been shown to form ion-permeable channels in planar lipid bilayer membranes (BLMs) and other membrane systems. Our laboratory has demonstrated that peptides from prions (PrP 106–126), diabetes (islet amyloid polypeptide), AA amyloidosis (serum amyloid A), dialysis-associated amyloidosis (beta-2 microglobulin), senile cardiac amyloidosis (transthyretin) and Huntington's disease (polyglutamine) form channels in BLMs at physiologically relevant concentrations. These channels are heterodisperse (in single channel conductance), relatively long lived and poorly selective amongst physiologic ions. Channel formation is enhanced by treatments such as ‘aging’ and acidic pH which enhance peptide aggregation and is inhibited by Congo red which binds to amyloid and inhibits aggregation. Channel formation may underlie the pathogenic mechanisms of amyloid disease, perhaps by inducing the apoptotic pathway in mitochondria or by creating an ionic leakage pathway in the plasma membrane.
An Interview with János Kornai

Most of us are armchair economists. Whether our opinions are right or wrong, we can proffer them at little personal cost—the most we can lose is our reputation. Not so for Janos Kornai. For much of his life, speaking freely would have led him to land in jail, or worse. He faced a difficult choice. He could publish illegally, take the samizdat route, but reach a very small number of readers. He could instead respect a number of official taboos, publish legally, and reach a much wider readership. These difficulties have not prevented him from giving us the most informed and deepest critique of the socialist system to date. This interview is, I hope, successful in showing the degree to which Kornai's life and work have been intertwined, and how he came to believe what he believes today. Kornai is sharing his time between Harvard and Collegium Budapest. The interview took place in my office when I was visiting Harvard University in June 1998.
Evaluation of a novel canine activity monitor for at-home physical activity analysis

Background Accelerometers are motion-sensing devices that have been used to assess physical activity in dogs. However, the lack of a user-friendly, inexpensive accelerometer has hindered the widespread use of this objective outcome measure in veterinary research. Recently, a smartphone-based, affordable activity monitor (Whistle) has become available for measurement of at-home physical activity in dogs. The aim of this research was to evaluate this novel accelerometer. Eleven large breed, privately owned dogs wore a collar fitted with both the Whistle device and a previously validated accelerometer-based activity monitor (Actical) for a 24-h time period. Owners were asked to have their dogs resume normal daily activities. Total activity time obtained from the Whistle device in minutes was compared to the total activity count from the Actical device. Activity intensity from the Whistle device was calculated manually from screenshots of the activity bars displayed in the smartphone-application and compared to the activity count recorded by the Actical in the same 3-min time period.
Wood anatomy of the dicotyledons indigenous to New Zealand 7. Santalaceae

Abstract Anatomical features of the secondary xylem of Mida salicifolia A. Cunn. and Exocarpus bidwillii Hook.f. are described. These woods are diffuse-porous with slightly distinct to indistinct growth rings. The vessels are mostly solitary in E. bidwillii but in M. salicifolia they also occur in radial multiples. Vessels have simple perforation plates with sparse scalariform plates in M. salicifolia. Fine spiral thickening is occasionally present in vessel tails of E. bidwillii. An unusual thickening associated with bordered pits on tangential and radial walls of vessels is found in E. bidwillii. Pits on vessel walls are scattered in E. bidwillii but in M. salicifolia they are compactly arranged in opposite to alternate pattern. Vessel pits to rays are mostly bordered with some simple to almost simple pits. Some vessel pits to rays are large and have irregular shape. Axial parenchyma, which is mainly apotracheal, is moderately frequent to abundant. Poorly developed boundary parenchyma is sometimes prese...
Genomic characterization of a turkey reovirus field strain by Next-Generation Sequencing

The genome of a turkey arthritis reovirus (TARV) field strain (Reo/PA/Turkey/22342/13), isolated from a turkey flock in Pennsylvania (PA) in 2013, has been sequenced using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) on the Illumina MiSeq platform. The genome of the PA TARV field strain was 23,496bp in length with 10 dsRNA segments encoding 12 viral proteins. The lengths of the genomic segments ranged from 1192bp (S4) to 3959bp (L1). The 5' and 3' conserved terminal sequences of the PA TARV field strain were similar to the two Minnesota (MN) TARVs (MN9 and MN10) published recently and avian orthoreovirus (ARV) reference strains. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of all 10 genome segments revealed that there was a low to significant nucleotide sequence divergence between the PA TARV field strain and reference TARV and ARV strains. Analysis of the PA TARV sequence indicates that this PA TARV field strain is a unique strain and is different from the TARV MN9 or MN10 in M2 segment genes and ARV S1133 vaccine strain.
A biological price of antibiotic resistance: major changes in the peptidoglycan structure of penicillin-resistant pneumococci.

Abstract Pneumococcal strains with greatly elevated levels of resistance to penicillin have by now been described with increasing frequency worldwide. The mechanism of antibiotic resistance in these strains involves the molecular remodeling of cell wall synthetic enzymes (penicillin binding proteins). We have now analyzed the peptidoglycan structures of 10 penicillin-susceptible and 10 penicillin-resistant clinical isolates (4 of intermediate and 6 of high level resistance) with a high-resolution HPLC technique. Cell wall peptidoglycan of the susceptible strains contained monomeric and oligomeric forms of primarily (70% or more) linear stem peptides with the sequence of L-Ala-D-iGln-L-Lys-D-Ala (where iGln is isoglutamine). In contrast, the major peptide species (70% or more) of resistant cell walls were abnormal branched-stem peptides carrying Ala-Ser or Ala-Ala dipeptides on the epsilon-amino groups of the stem peptide lysine residues. The structural alteration in the peptidoglycan was not related to serotype, date, or site of isolation but showed strong correlation with penicillin resistance and was cotransformed with high-level penicillin resistance during genetic transformation. We suggest that the remodeling of the active site of penicillin binding proteins in the resistant bacteria, which results in the reduced affinity for penicillin, also changes the substrate preference of these enzymes for the more hydrophobic branched peptides (instead of linear peptides) for cell wall synthesis.
An Effective Equation Governing Convective Transport in Porous Media

The fine structure of disordered porous media (e.g., fully saturated randomly packed beds) causes microscopic velocity fluctuations. The effect of the spatial and temporal randomness of the interstitial velocity field on the convective transport of a scalar (heat or mass) is investigated analytically. For a uniform mean velocity profile, the effective heat transport equation is obtained as the equation governing the transport of the ensemble average of the scalar under conditions of steady or unsteady random fields (with given statistics). In both cases, it is shown that the effective transport coefficient is enhanced by a hydrodynamic dispersive component, which is an explicit function of the mean filtration velocity. The agreement with experiments is encouraging. The effective transport equation is then generalized to three-dimensional mean velocity fields for isotropic media.
Feasibility Assessment of Open-Pond Microalgal CO2Mitigation Technology with Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol: A Case Study for Japan

Since the Kyoto conference, new frameworks for greenhouse gases (GHGs) reduction, such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI), and International Emissions Trading (JET) have been proposed. Implementation of these emerging concepts will change the perspective for biological CO2 mitigation strategies. For example, conducting the CO2 mitigation projects in non-Annex I countries rather than in the Annex I countries will lower both capital and operating costs of CO2 mitigation projects. In addition, in some non-Annex I countries sufficient land might be available for the biological CO2 mitigation, which may not be available in land-short Annex I countries. In this study, the impact of this new framework on feasibility of microalgal CO2 mitigation technology was assessed and the feasibility of microalgal CO2 mitigation for Japan in non-Annex I countries was examined. The results showed that implementing new frameworks will improve the feasibility of open-pond microalgal CO2 mitigation systems. Even with conservative assumptions of productivity of 30 tCO2/ha/yr with no revenue from the byproducts, open-pond microalgal CO2 mitigation is competitive to alternative CO2 mitigation technologies. With some favorable assumptions, CO2 mitigation cost can be within the range of estimated international CO2 prices.
Return current in large aperture electron-beam-excited KrF lasers

Results from a model for an e-beam excited KrF laser are presented, and the effects of return currents on plasma parameters and laser performance are discussed. The author finds that the joule heating caused by the return currents, expressed as a fraction of total power deposition, increases with increasing halogen density, increasing aperture size, increasing pressure, and decreasing power deposition. The return current electric field causes a decrease in the rate coefficients for dissociate recombination and attachment and an increase in the rate of multistep ionization. As a result, the electron density near the foil increases by more than tens of percentage points. The laser intensity in those regions also increases. These effects are practically important in lasers having apertures exceeding 1 m. >
Renewable fuels via catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of lipid-based feedstocks.

Energy security concerns have led to the search for alternative and renewable energy resources. Biomass with high lipid content is an attractive feedstock for producing renewable fuels. Biomass-derived fats and oils can be readily converted into biodiesel via the well-studied transesterification process. However, owing to the alcohol component of biodiesel, which contains oxygen, it cannot serve as a fully-fledged replacement for conventional petrodiesel. In this respect, renewable diesel obtained via catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of lipid-based feedstocks is a more attractive and fungible option. This process makes it possible to produce fuels with the chemical composition indistinguishable from that of petroleum-derived products. Since all kinds of biomass have high oxygen content, comprehensive research of the catalytic HDO process arouses great interest. This article aims to review state-of-the-art studies related to the catalytic HDO of lipid-based feedstocks from the last decade. The suitabilit...
Radiation risk to children from computed tomography.

To the Editor .— We read the recent article by Brody et al1 with interest. We fully agree that it is important to “provide pediatricians with information that will be helpful in discussions with patients and families/caregivers regarding the radiation risks of CT [computed tomography] examinations.” Although the focus of the article was on CT examinations, confusion was introduced regarding radioisotope and other examinations. Representative doses were provided in their Table 1, which showed estimates of medical radiation doses for a 5-year-old child. However, the table did not account for confounders, which as the authors pointed out included “patient factors (such as age and size), technical factors (equipment settings and procedure length), and equipment …
Personalized medicine: challenges and opportunities for translational bioinformatics

Personalized medicine can be defined broadly as a model of healthcare that is predictive, personalized, preventive and participatory. Two US President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology reports illustrate challenges in personalized medicine (in a 2008 report) and in use of health information technology (in a 2010 report). Translational bioinformatics is a field that can help address these challenges and is defined by the American Medical Informatics Association as “the development of storage, analytic and interpretive methods to optimize the transformation of increasing voluminous biomedical data into proactive, predictive, preventative and participatory health.” This article discusses barriers to implementing genomics applications and current progress toward overcoming barriers, describes lessons learned from early experiences of institutions engaged in personalized medicine and provides example areas for translational bioinformatics research inquiry.
“I Get Angry If He's Always Drinking and We Have No Money”: Exploring Motivations for Male and Female Perpetrated Intimate Partner Violence in the Philippines

Our objective was to describe the context of and motivations for female and male perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV) in Cebu, Philippines, using data from in-depth interviews with 19 married women. We found three categories of IPV motivations—self-defense or retaliation, reactivity, and control. Motivations differed by gender, with women acting out of self-defense more often and men acting out of control more often. Effective IPV prevention and treatment programs should take these gender differences into consideration. Moreover, it is important to look at how IPV occurs within relationships and how this may vary by context and by gender.
Analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae null allele strains identifies a larger role for DNA damage versus oxidative stress pathways in growth inhibition by selenium

Selenium toxicity is a growing environmental concern due to widespread availability of high-dose selenium supplements and the development of high-selenium agricultural drainage basins. To begin to analyze the effects of selenium toxicity at the genetic level, we have systematically determined which genes are involved in responding to high environmental selenium using a collection of viable haploid null allele strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae representing three major stress pathways: the RAD9-dependent DNA repair pathway, the RAD6/RAD18 DNA damage tolerance pathway, and the oxidative stress pathway. A total of 53 null allele strains were tested for growth defects in the presence of a range of sodium selenite and selenomethionine (SeMet) concentrations. Our results show that approximately 64-72% of the strains lacking RAD9-dependent DNA repair or RAD6/RAD18 DNA damage tolerance pathway genes show reduced growth in sodium selenite versus approximately 28-36% in SeMet. Interestingly both compounds reduced growth in approximately 21-25% of the strains lacking oxidative stress genes. These data suggest that both selenite and SeMet are likely inducing DNA damage by generating reactive species. The anticipated effects of loss of components of the oxidative stress pathway were not observed, likely due to apparent redundancies in these gene products that may keep the damaging effects in check.
Cation Ordering in Layered O3 Li[NixLi1/3-2x/3Mn2/3-x/3]O2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1/2) Compounds

Three layered compounds, Li[Ni1/2Mn1/2]O2 (x = 1/2), Li[Li1/9Ni1/3Mn5/9]O2 (x = 1/3), and Li2MnO3 (x = 0) of the Li[NixLi1/3-2x/3Mn2/3-x/3]O2 series were studied by electron diffraction in combination with synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction analyses. In-plane √3ahex. × √3ahex. ordering was found in all three samples, and a likely model for the occupancies of Li+, Ni2+, and Mn4+ on the sublattices of the transition metal layer was proposed. Perpendicular to the chex. axis, the ordered transition metal layers in the layered Li[Ni1/2Mn1/2]O2 and Li[Li1/9Ni1/3Mn5/9]O2 crystals could be arranged mostly in the P3112 stacking with some C2/m stacking (such as abab...) abnormally. It is believed that the nickel ions in the lithium layer of these two samples play an important role in the stacking of transition metal layers. Moreover, electron diffraction analyses suggested that individual Li2MnO3 crystals that were obtained at 850 °C had at least two different C2/m stacking sequence variants (abab..., caca..., an...
Computer-assisted microfluorometricdetection of individual malignant bladder cells

Abstract A prospective study was done comparing the use of computer-assisted fluorescence photomicroscopy (cytophotometry) with routine cytology for the detection of human bladder cancers. A total of 129 specimens were analyzed from 89 patients. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I, with cancer demonstrated cystoscopically (55 specimens) and Group II, with no demonstrable cancer (74 specimens). The false-negative rate for cytology in the Group I patients was 64 percent but only 7 percent for microfluorometry. The false-positive rate for cytology in Group II was 5 percent but 59 percent for microfluorometry because of the presence of “reactive” cells. The sequential measurement of both routine cytology and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content can be performed on the same cells. When both modalities were employed, the false-negative and false-positive rates were only 4 percent and 5 percent, respectively. The technique and advantages of cytophotometry are discussed in detail, especially in relation to flow cytometry.
Human-type blood factors in gibbons, with special reference to the multiplicity of serological specificities of human type M blood.

The human-type blood groups of 20 gibbons of subspecies Hylobates lar lar and of four gibbons of subspecies Hylobates lar pileatus have been determined. Differences in distribution of the ABO blood groups and MN types were observed for the two subspecies, but all 24 gibbons were of Rh-Hr type RhGi. All the animals also lack both factors I and i. By absorption experiments anti-M reagents were shown to contain antibodies of at least three distinct M specificities; one M specificity is shared by all gibbon red cells, a second is absent from all gibbon red cells, while a third is shared only by gibbons red cells of type (M)Gi and type (MN)Gi. The theoretical and practical significance of the multiplicity of M factors in human M blood are pointed out.
Structures, Metal Ion Affinities, and Fluorescence Properties of Soluble Derivatives of Tris((6-phenyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)amine

Metal complexes of tris((6-phenyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)amine (2) have hydrophobic cavities that potentially accommodate small molecules. However, the utility of this attractive motif has been hampered by the poor solubility of such complexes in many common solvents. In this study, two tripodal ligands (3, tris-[6-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl)-pyridin-2-ylmethyl]-amine, and 4, tris((6-(3,4,5-tris(2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)phenyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)amine) derived from 2 were prepared with enhanced solubility in organic and aqueous solvents. The X-ray crystallographic analyses of selected ligands and complexes revealed that the hydrophobic cavities inside the zinc complexes were retained after derivatization. Fluorescence, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and potentiometric titration studies, which were enabled by the improved solubility, were performed to investigate the binding properties of the soluble ligands (3 and 4) with metal ions such as Zn2+ and Cu2+. When saturating quantities of Zn2+ ions are...
Temperature and Power Output of the Lava Lake in Halema'uma'u Crater, Hawaii, Using a Space-Based Hyperspectral Imager

Space-based remote sensing has the potential to monitor volcanic activity on a global basis. We use infrared hyperspectral data measured from space to study the temperature field and power output for a long-lived lava lake at Halema'uma'u crater, Hawaii. Overflights were made on two days: a night collect October 16, 2009, and a day collect on December 27, 2009. The basic data are short-wave infrared (SWIR) optical spectra recorded in the 900-2500 nm wavelength range. Spectra in the lava lake show strongly elevated radiance at SWIR wavelengths. We illustrate how corrections are made to account for solar radiance in the day image and for atmospheric water vapor for both images. We assume that the spectrum at each pixel can be modeled as a linear combination of cool and hot components, weighted by the area of each component. The inversion uses an exhaustive search algorithm over all possible combinations of hot temperature and fractional area of the hot component, with the cool component set to ambient temperature. Temperature and fractional area calculations can be used to compute radiant flux (power) emitted from each pixel, and from the lake as a whole. Power output changes from 15.1 MW in October to 24.0 MW in December. Approximately 223 Kg/s ( ~ 0.07 m3/s) of molten basalt is required to maintain the observed power output of the lava lake.
Microfluidic CD4+ T-cell counting device using chemiluminescence-based detection.

This letter demonstrates a microfluidic platform for enumerating CD4+ T-lymphocytes from whole blood using chemiluminescence as a detection method. We microfabricated traps in a chamber and coated them with anti-CD4 antibody to isolate CD4+ T-cells. Based on cell surface-bound CD3 antibodies conjugated with horseradish peroxidase, incubation with chemiluminescent substrate produced a current in the photodetector that was proportional to the number of captured CD4+ T-cells. Analyzing 3 μL of whole blood, the platform exhibited high cell-capture efficiency and produced cell counts with high correlation to results obtained from flow cytometry. Compared to other lab-on-a-chip methods for CD4 counting, this method uses an instrument that requires no external light source and no image processing to produce a digitally displayed result only seconds after running the test.
Nox abatement over VPO catalysts

Vanadium phosphorus oxide (P/V = 1.1) was found to be active for NO reduction by butane to N2 at 766–816 K. The conversion increased with increasing butane concentration, increasing temperature, and decreasing NO concentration. The activity per surface vanadium ion compared favorably with other active catalytic systems, but was low in the absence of butane. Propane was also effective in reducing NO over this catalyst.
Design of controllers in the complex domain

The paper discusses a class of symmetric systems that can be reduced to systems with half the dimension and order, but with complex coefficients. Symmetric systems include doubly-fed induction machines, self-excited induction generators, three-phase converters, and three-phase active filters. The paper reviews general properties of symmetric systems in the state-space and frequency domains. Although complex models have been used in the literature in the past, few papers have considered their practical use, in particular for the direct design of controllers in the complex domain. The paper illustrates such a design in the case of a doubly-fed induction machine.
Computer Simulation of Transport Driven Current in Tokamaks

We have investigated transport driven current in tokamaks via 2 + 1/2 dimensional, electromagnetic, particle-in-cell simulations. These have demonstrated a steady increase of toroidal current in centrally fueled plasmas. Neoclassical theory predicts that the bootstrap current vanishes at large aspect ratio, but we see equal or greater current growth in straight cylindrical plasmas. These results indicate that a centrally fueled and heated tokamak may sustain its toroidal current, even without the "seed current" which the neoclassical bootstrap theory requires.
Oxygen configurations and their effect on charge transfer in off-stoichiometric YBa2Cu3Oz.

The relationship between oxygen structure, charge transfer (hole count), and oxygen content in the ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathit{z}}$ superconductor is studied by combining Monte Carlo simulation with existing electronic-structure calculations. The present model proposes an expansion of the hole count in terms of oxygen configuration variables for states of an arbitrary degree of order. Configurations are obtained by Monte Carlo simulation on a two-dimensional asymmetric next-nearest-neighbor Ising model. Calculations of hole count as a function of oxygen content suggest that oxygen ordering is, at least in part, responsible for the observed plateau structure of ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ versus the oxygen content z. The fact that, in the present model, the hole count does not exhibit two well-defined plateaus indicates that the value of ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ is not simply related to the amount of charge transfer. Previous models, which claim to predict the 90- and 60-K plateaus on the basis of either electronic-structure or oxygen order considerations, are shown to agree with experimental findings for (partially) fortuitous reasons.
A Search for Line Shape and Depth Variations in 51 Pegasi and τ Bootis

Spectroscopic observations of 51 Pegasi and τ Bootis show no periodic changes in the shapes of their line profiles; these results for 51 Peg are in significant conflict with those reported by Gray & Hatzes. Our detection limits are small enough to rule out nonradial pulsations as the cause of the variability in τ Boo, but not in 51 Peg. The absence of line shape changes is consistent with these stars' radial velocity variability arising from planetary mass companions.