cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of backbone proton positions and dynamics in a small protein by liquid crystal NMR spectroscopy.

NMR measurements of a large set of protein backbone one-bond dipolar couplings have been carried out to refine the structure of the third IgG-binding domain of Protein G (GB3), previously solved by X-ray crystallography at a resolution of 1.1 A. Besides the commonly used bicelle, poly(ethylene glycol), and filamentous phage liquid crystalline media, dipolar couplings were also measured when the protein was aligned inside either positively or negatively charged stretched acrylamide gels. Refinement of the GB3 crystal structure against the 13Cα−13C‘ and 13C‘−15N dipolar couplings improves the agreement between experimental and predicted 15N−1HN as well as 13Cα−1Hα dipolar couplings. Evaluation of the peptide bond N−H orientations shows a weak anticorrelation between the deviation of the peptide bond torsion angle ω from 180° and the angle between the N−H vector and the C‘−N−Cα plane. The slope of this correlation is −1, indicating that, on average, pyramidalization of the peptide N contributes to small devi...
Salinity tolerance and sodium balance in the prawn Palaemonetes vulgaris (say) compared with P. pugio

1. 1. Larvae (first zoeae) of Palaemonetes vulgaris are relatively stenohaline (optimum salinity = 20%.), adults euryhaline (96-hr LD50 values: 0.8 and 51%.). 2. 2. The concentration of blood sodium remains nearly constant over the salinity range 5–45%. 3. 3. Adult P. vulgaris are less tolerant of dilute (1–20%.) media than sympatric P. pugio but equally tolerant of higher salinities (35–45%.). Palaemonetes vulgaris maintains a slightly more constant and higher (average) sodium concentration in the blood than P. pugio. 4. 4. It is suggested that these differences contribute to habitat partitioning of these species and that they reflect the greater affinity of P. vulgaris for a euhaline milieu.
The Health Literacy and ESL Study: A Community-Based Intervention for Spanish-Speaking Adults

Although Hispanics have a documented high risk of limited health literacy, there is a scarcity of research with this population group, and particularly with Hispanic immigrants who generally confront language barriers that have been related to low health literacy. The National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy identified community-based English-language instruction as a strategy that can facilitate a health literate society. However, the literature lacks discussion on this type of intervention. This randomized control trial aimed to test the feasibility of using conventional English-as-a-second-language (ESL) instruction for improving health literacy among Spanish-speaking adults. Objectives included the development, implementation, and evaluation of a health literacy/ESL curriculum. The Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA) in English was used to assess health literacy levels. Analyses included independent sample t test, chi-square, and multiple linear regression. A total of 155 people participated. Results showed a significantly higher increase in the TOFHLA posttest score in the intervention group (p = .01), and noticeable differences in health literacy levels between groups. Results indicate that ESL constitutes a promising venue for improving health literacy among Spanish-speaking adults. Incorporating health literacy-related content may provide additional benefits.
Polysulfone Modified Thermoplastic Polyimide Segmented Copolymer Matrix Resin Systems

Several methods have been investigated which improve the processability of polyimide homo- or copolymer systems. In particular, the utilization of a solution imidiza tion technique in converting the poly(amic acid) intermediate to the fully cyclized polyimide has been successfully exploited. The solution imidization was conducted in N- methylpyrollidone (NMP) and an azeotroping agent, such as cyclohexylpyrollidone (CHP), at approximately 160°C for 24 hours. This technique has been shown to yield more soluble products than the corresponding bulk thermal imidization which is con ducted at higher temperatures of ∼300°C. Another important method of improving melt as well as solution processability involves the incorporation of a monofunctional reagent to obtain nonreactive end groups and controlled molecular weights. Structural modifica tion by copolymerization with more flexible oligomers such as poly(arylene ether)s may also enhance processability and possibly provide improved impact strength. In this paper...
Effects of Vehicle Speed on Flight Initiation by Turkey Vultures: Implications for Bird-Vehicle Collisions

The avoidance of motorized vehicles is a common challenge for birds in the modern world. Birds appear to rely on antipredator behaviors to avoid vehicles, but modern vehicles (automobiles and aircraft) are faster than natural predators. Thus, birds may be relatively ill-equipped, in terms of sensory capabilities and behaviors, to avoid vehicles. We examined the idea that birds may be unable to accurately assess particularly high speeds of approaching vehicles, which could contribute to miscalculations in avoidance behaviors and ultimately cause collisions. We baited turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) to roads with animal carcasses and measured flight initiation distance and effective time-to-collision in response to a truck driving directly towards vultures from a starting distance of 1.13 km and at one of three speeds: 30, 60, or 90 kph (no vultures were struck). Flight initiation distance of vultures increased by a factor of 1.85 as speed increased from 30 to 90 kph. However, for 90-kph approaches there was no clear trend in flight initiation distance across replicates: birds appeared equally likely to initiate escape behavior at 40 m as at 220 m. Time-to-collision decreased by a factor of 0.62 with approach speeds from 30 to 90 kph. Also, at 90 kph, four vehicle approaches (17%) resulted in near collisions with vultures (time-to-collision ≤1.7 s), compared to none during 60 kph approaches and one during 30 kph approaches (4%). Our findings suggest that antipredator behaviors in turkey vultures, particularly stimulus processing and response, might not be well tuned to vehicles approaching at speeds ≥90 kph. The possible inability of turkey vultures to react appropriately to high-speed vehicles could be common among birds, and might represent an important determinant of bird-vehicle collisions.
Darwin's contributions to our understanding of emotional expressions

Darwin charted the field of emotional expressions with five major contributions. Possible explanations of why he was able to make such important and lasting contributions are proposed. A few of the important questions that he did not consider are described. Two of those questions have been answered at least in part; one remains a major gap in our understanding of emotion.
Living Profiles: Design of a health media platform for teens with special healthcare needs

Living Profiles is a health media platform in development that aggregates multiple data flows to help teens with special healthcare needs (SHCN), particularly with regard to self-management and independence. A teen-oriented personal health record (PHR) incorporates typical teen behaviors and attitudes about health and wellness, encompasses how teens perceive and convey quality of life, and aligns with data related to their chronic medical condition. We have conceived a secure personalized user interface called the Quality of Life Timeline, which will assist with the transition from pediatric care to an adult provider through modules that include a mood meter, reminder device, and teleport medicine. With this personalized PHR, teens with SHCN can better understand their condition and its effects on daily activities and life goals and vice versa; additionally, use of this PHR allows for better information sharing and communication between providers and patients. The use of a teen-oriented tool such as Living Profiles can impact teens' overall quality of life and disease self-management, important attributes for a successful transition program.
Synergistic Loss of Prostate Cancer Cell Viability by Coinhibition of HDAC and PARP

Tumors with BRCA germline mutations are defective in repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) through homologous recombination (HR) pathways, making them sensitive to PARP inhibitors (PARPi). However, BRCA germline mutations are rare in prostate cancer limiting the ability to therapeutically target these pathways. This study investigates whether histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDACi), reported to modulate DSB repair pathways in sporadic cancers, can downregulate DSB repair pathways and sensitize prostate cancer cells to PARPi. Prostate cancer cells cotreated with the HDAC inhibitor, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and the PARPi, olaparib, demonstrated a synergistic decrease in cell viability compared with single-agent treatment (combination index Implications: These findings provide a strong rationale for supporting the use of combined HDAC and PARP inhibition in treating advanced prostate cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 12(12); 1755–66. ©2014 AACR.
Borrelia burgdorferi erp (ospE-Related) Gene Sequences Remain Stable during Mammalian Infection

A number of studies have indicated that Borrelia burgdorferi erp genes need not vary during vertebrate infection. However, it was recently reported that a B. burgdorferi bacterium reisolated from an infected mouse evidenced mutation and recombination events in several erp genes. Reexamination of that reisolate indicates that the previously reported changes were no doubt artifacts of the PCR processes originally used to clone those DNAs. Thus, no evidence has been found of erp gene variation during mammalian infection.
Keratoconjunctivitis associated with nevirapine toxicity in HIV pregnant woman

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is the treatment of choice for human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV-AIDS) patients. Severe side effects of these drugs have been described that produce generalized autoimmune blistering diseases, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN). These complications may seriously compromise the patient’s life or cause disabling consequences such as blindness. We describe a case of 21-year old female HIV patient with a CD4 count of 126 cells/microliter. Ten days post elective caesarean delivery she restarted HAART with nevirapine and developed TEN after approximately two weeks. Nevirapine was discontinued, but despite this, ocular surface disorder persisted. She presented severe bilateral keratoconjunctivitis that was treated with free tear substitutes, moxifloxacyn, and prednisolone acethate eye drops. At 2-month follow up her visual acuity without correction was 20/160 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left. She had bilateral moderate cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis and a central corneal leukoma in the right eye. Early treatment is important and should consist of preservative-free lubricants, and amniotic membrane transplantation to decrease the frequency of severe sequelae such as keratitis and corneal leukomas that will reduce the quality of life for these patients.
Differential patterns of transcript accumulation during human myogenesis.

Abstract We evaluated the extent to which muscle-specific genes display identical patterns of mRNA accumulation during human myogenesis. Cloned satellite cells isolated from adult human skeletal muscle were expanded in culture, and RNA was isolated from low- and high-confluence cells and from fusing cultures over a 15-day time course. The accumulation of over 20 different transcripts was compared in these samples with that in fetal and adult human skeletal muscle. The expression of carbonic anhydrase 3, myoglobin, HSP83, and mRNAs encoding eight unknown proteins were examined in human myogenic cultures. In general, the expression of most of the mRNAs was induced after fusion to form myotubes. However, several exceptions, including carbonic anhydrase and myoglobin, showed no detectable expression in early myotubes. Comparison of all transcripts demonstrated little, if any, identity of mRNA accumulation patterns. Similar variability was also seen for mRNAs which were also expressed in nonmuscle cells. Accumulation of mRNAs encoding alpha-skeletal, alpha-cardiac, beta- and gamma-actin, total myosin heavy chain, and alpha- and beta-tubulin also displayed discordant regulation, which has important implications for sarcomere assembly. Cardiac actin was the only muscle-specific transcript that was detected in low-confluency cells and was the major alpha-actin mRNA at all times in fusing cultures. Skeletal actin was transiently induced in fusing cultures and then reduced by an order of magnitude. Total myosin heavy-chain mRNA accumulation lagged behind that of alpha-actin. Whereas beta- and gamma-actin displayed a sharp decrease after initiation of fusion and thereafter did not change, alpha- and beta-tubulin were transiently induced to a high level during the time course in culture. We conclude that each gene may have its own unique determinants of transcript accumulation and that the phenotype of a muscle may not be determined so much by which genes are active or silent but rather by the extent to which their transcript levels are modulated. Finally, we observed that patterns of transcript accumulation established within the myotube cultures were consistent with the hypothesis that myoblasts isolated from adult tissue recapitulate a myogenic developmental program. However, we also detected a transient appearance of adult skeletal muscle-specific transcripts in high-confluence myoblast cultures. This indicates that the initial differentiation of these myoblasts may reflect a more complex process than simple recapitulation of development.
Investigation of the groundwater system at Masaya Caldera, Nicaragua, using transient electromagnetics and numerical simulation

The distribution of groundwater beneath Masaya Volcano, in Nicaragua, and its surrounding caldera was characterized using the transient electromagnetic method (TEM). Multiple soundings were conducted at 30 sites. Models of the TEM data consistently indicate a resistive layer that is underlain by one or more conductive layers. These two layers represent the unsaturated and saturated zones, respectively, with the boundary between them indicating the water-table elevation. A map of the TEM data shows that the water table in the caldera is a subdued replica of the topography, with higher elevations beneath the edifice in the south-central caldera and lower elevations in the eastern caldera, coinciding with the elevation of Laguna de Masaya. These TEM data, combined with regional hydrologic data, indicate that the caldera in hydrologically isolated from the surrounding region, with as much as 60 m of difference in elevation of the groundwater table across caldera-bounding faults. The water-table information and estimates of fluxes of water through the system were used to constrain a numerical simulation of groundwater flow. The simulation results indicate that basalt flows in the outer parts of the caldera have a relatively high transmissivity, whereas the central edifice has a substantially lower transmissivity. A layer of relatively high transmissivity must be present at depth within the edifice in order to deliver the observed flux of water and steam to the active vent. This hydrologic information about the caldera provides a baseline for assessing the response of this isolated groundwater system to future changes in magmatic activity.
Forecasting hypoxia in the Chesapeake Bay and Gulf of Mexico: model accuracy, precision, and sensitivity to ecosystem change

Increasing use of ecological models for management and policy requires robust evaluation of model precision, accuracy, and sensitivity to ecosystem change. We conducted such an evaluation of hypoxia models for the northern Gulf of Mexico and Chesapeake Bay using hindcasts of historical data, comparing several approaches to model calibration. For both systems we find that model sensitivity and precision can be optimized and model accuracy maintained within reasonable bounds by calibrating the model to relatively short, recent 3 year datasets. Model accuracy was higher for Chesapeake Bay than for the Gulf of Mexico, potentially indicating the greater importance of unmodeled processes in the latter system. Retrospective analyses demonstrate both directional and variable changes in sensitivity of hypoxia to nutrient loads.
Split-cuff nipple technique of ureteral reimplantation in children with thick-walled bladders due to posterior urethral valves.

Objective To describe a novel technique of ureteral reimplantation in patients with thick-walled bladders, which addresses the technical challenges and high failure rates seen in this population. Methods From 1997 to 2012, 45 megaureters were reimplanted in 26 children aged 2-11 years. Key surgical modifications included ureteral trough creation within the detrusor, formation of a distal ureteral split-cuff nipple, reliance on transureteroureterostomy (TUU) when the bladder would not support the reimplantation of 2 ureters, performance of psoas vesicopexy, and judicious utilization of ureteral stump augmentation in patients undergoing TUU. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 12 years. Results Seven patients underwent unilateral and 4 underwent bilateral ureteral reimplantation; TUU was performed in 15. Psoas vesicopexy was performed in 22 patients. Voiding cystourethrography showed no reflux in all children who underwent vesicopexy. Reflux resolved in 6 of 8 bilaterally reimplanted ureters; 2 of 8 had improved reflux that later resolved with Deflux injection. No ureters obstructed. Hydronephrosis improved in 32 of 45 renal units and remained stable in 13. Seven patients continue to develop bacteriuria. Five have developed renal failure. Conclusion In our experience, a long ureteral trough combined with a split-cuff nipple technique for reimplanting megaureters into thick-walled bladders yields improved results over conventional submucosal tunneling, effectively eliminating or improving reflux and preventing obstruction. TUU and psoas vesicopexy proved useful adjuncts in creating adequate intravesical trough length. The risk for continued bacteriuria and renal failure due to limited renal reserve, however, remain notable in this group.
Pathogenesis of Six Pigeon-Origin Isolates of Newcastle Disease Virus for Domestic Chickens

The pathogenesis of six pigeon-origin isolates of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was investigated in chickens. Four isolates were previously defined as the variant pigeon paramyxovirus 1 (PPMV-1), and two isolates were classified as avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1). Birds inoculated with PPMV-1 isolates were euthanatized, and tissue samples were collected at 2, 5, and 10 days postinoculation (DPI). Birds inoculated with APMV-1 isolates died or were euthanatized, and tissue samples were collected at 2, 4, and 5 DPI. Tissues were examined by histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the presence of NDV nucleoprotein, and in situ hybridization (ISH) for the presence of viral mRNA for the matrix gene. Spleen sections were stained by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay and by IHC using an anti-active caspase-3 antibody (IHC-Casp) to detect apoptotic cells. Brain sections of PPMV-1-infected birds were examined by IHC to detect T and B lymphocytes and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Histologically, birds inoculated with PPMV-1 isolates had marked lesions in the heart and brain. Presence of viral nucleoprotein and viral mRNA in the affected tissues was confirmed by IHC and ISH, respectively. Numerous reactive astrocytes were observed in brain sections stained for GFAP Among all the isolates, the IHC-Casp demonstrated that apoptosis was very prominent in the ellipsoid-associated cells of the spleen at 2 DPI. Results of the TUNEL assay indicated that apoptotic cells were prominent at 5 DPI and were more randomly distributed. The clinical signs and gross and histopathologic changes observed in the APMV-1-infected birds were characteristic of an extensive infection with highly virulent NDV evident by IHC.
LARGE-SCALE UNSTEADINESS IN A TWO-DIMENSIONAL DIFFUSER: NUMERICAL STUDY TOWARD ACTIVE SEPARATION CONTROL

We develop a reduced order model for large-scale unsteadiness (vortex shedding) in a two-dimensional difiuser and study the mechanisms of active ∞ow separation control. This model can estimate the vortex shedding frequency for inviscid ∞ows by accounting for the accumulated vorticity ∞ux in the difiuser. The model can also predict the stagnation pressure loss, which consists of two parts: A steady part corresponds to static pressure loss on the detached area, and an unsteady part is associated with vortex shedding. To validate this model, we perform direct numerical simulation (DNS) of compressible, laminar difiuser ∞ows. The comparison between the model and DNS shows good agreement at various Mach numbers and area ratios of the difiuser in terms of vortex shedding time scale and stagnation pressure loss. To investigate the efiects of periodic mass injection near the separation point, we also perform DNS over a wide range of the forcing frequency. The DNS results show that periodic mass injection can pinch ofi vortices with a smaller size; accordingly, their convective velocity is increased, absorption of circulation from the wall is enhanced, and the extent of the separated region is reduced. As a result, the stagnation pressure recovery, particularly the unsteady part, is substantially improved as predicted by the model.
All Packed Up and Ready to Go

In eukaryotes, the two states of chromatin were first distinguished cytologically according to their different levels of condensation. Euchromatin has an open conformation that correlates with an active state of gene expression, whereas the transcriptionally silent heterochromatin is tightly packaged. On page 1448 of this issue, Moissiard et al. describe the identification of proteins that are specifically required for the condensed structure of heterochromatin in flowering plants (1). And on page 1445 of this issue, Qian et al. (2) identify a plant protein that binds to biochemically modified DNA and itself modifies histones to generate a chromatin state that allows active DNA demethylation (and gene expression).
Synthesizing high-performance compliant stroke amplification systems for MEMS

We have recently designed, fabricated, demonstrated a new class of compliant stroke amplification mechanisms that are exceptionally well suited for MEMS applications. Manufactured in Sandia's advanced 5-level surface micromachining technology known as SUMMiT-V, these computer generated structures provide high work and area efficiency in designs that are highly compatible with the fabrication process. The actual devices display outstanding yield, robustness, endurance, and resistance to surface adhesion effects during the final release process. One device has been driven to a 20-/spl mu/m output displacement at resonance for more than 10/sup 10/ cycles with no apparent fatigue. This paper focuses on the unique methodology employed to design and analyze these compliant stroke amplification systems. The same approach, however, can be used to design many other compliant structures for fabrication in a MEMS technology. Compliance in design leads to creation of jointless, no-assembly, monolithic mechanical device.
Femtogram mass resolution in a liquid environment using a low loss vacuum-gapped quartz crystal resonator

The well-known dependence of Q on liquid damping effect has been significantly reduced through an acoustic energy loss isolation layer and a sensing diaphragm supported by microposts, which reduce the direct contact area at the interface between the resonator and surrounding liquid.
A new formulation of electromagnetic wave scattering using an on-surface radiation boundary condition approach

A new formulation of electromagnetic wave scattering by convex, two-dimensional conducting bodies is reported. This formulation, called the on-surface radiation condition (OSRC) approach, is based upon an expansion of the radiation condition applied directly on the surface of a scatterer. Past approaches involved applying a radiation condition at some distance from the scatterer in order to achieve a nearly reflection-free truncation of a finite-difference time-domain lattice. However, it is now shown that application of a suitable radiation condition directly on the surface of a convex conducting scatterer can lead to substantial simplification of the frequency-domain integral equation for the scattered field, which is reduced to just a line integral. For the transverse magnetic (TM) case, the integrand is known explicitly. For the transverse electric (TE) case, the integrand can be easily constructed by solving an ordinary differential equation around the scatterer surface contour. Examples are provided which show that OSRC yields computed near and far fields which approach the exact results for canonical shapes such as the circular cylinder, square cylinder, and strip. Electrical sizes for the examples are ka = 5 and ka = 10 . The new OSRC formulation of scattering may present a useful alternative to present integral equation and uniform high-frequency approaches for convex cylinders larger than ka = 1 . Structures with edges or corners can also be analyzed, although more work is needed to incorporate the physics of singular currents at these discontinuities. Convex dielectric structures can also be treated using OSRC. These will be the subject of a forthcoming paper.
Power efficient architecture for network intrusion detection system

With the rise in cyber-attacks on computing systems and the rapid increase in use of mobile systems, it is essential to secure these mobile devices. Given that these systems can roam on multiple networks, with no guarantee on security adopted on each network, including Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) on the mobile platforms can be beneficial in preventing cyber-attacks. One of the key problems with implementing IDS on mobile platforms is the increased power consumption. This paper presents low power circuits that implement the string matching tasks within the Snort IDS. These tasks can take up to 80% of the power consumed for Snort. The circuit presented is based on memristor crossbars and evaluate Snort rules at 0.013mW per signature. The circuits are easy to program, utilizing only two resistance states for the memristors. They are highly parallel and dense, utilizing a brute-force string matching algorithm. These circuits could additionally be utilized for other string matching operations.
Phenotypic heterogeneity in families with the myoclonic epilepsy and ragged‐red fiber disease point mutation in mitochondrial DNA

Two families with a point mutation in mtDNA associated with myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fiber disease showed pronounced clinical heterogeneity. The mothers of the two families had adult-onset myopathy with ragged-red fibers, partial deficiency of cytochrome c oxidase, and sensory neuropathy. Members of the first family had variable clinical features of progressive ataxic-myoclonic encephalomyopathy and of the other family, primarily adult-onset myopathy. There was a point mutation from A to G at nucleotide pair 8344 located in the tRNALys gene of the mtDNA of all patients tested, three in Family 1, and the mother of Family 2. This clinical heterogeneity may reflect the effects of varying proportions of mutant and wild-type mtDNA in the different organ systems in each individual.
Propionyl-L-carnitine dilates human subcutaneous arteries through an endothelium-dependent mechanism.

Purpose: The vasoactive effects of propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) on human arteries, including endothelial and smooth muscle cell influences, were studied. Methods: Small (less than 200 μm) subcutaneous fat arteries (n = 19), obtained from human patients undergoing vascular surgery, were dissected and mounted in an arteriograph system that allowed measurement of lumen diameter and control of transmural pressure. To investigate the role of the endothelium, arteries were compared intact, intact and in the presence of either 0.3 mmol/L nitro-L-arginine (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis) or 10 μmol/L indomethacin (an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis), or denuded of endothelium. After a 1-hour equilibration at a pressure of 50 mm Hg, arteries were precontracted 50% with an intermediate concentration of norepinephrine, and clinically relevant concentrations of PLC (0.1 to 100 μmol/L) were cumulatively added to the bath while the lumen diameter was continually measured. Results: Intact arteries dose-dependently dilated to PLC, with the half maximal dilation occurring at 2.9 ± 1.2 μmol/L, increasing diameter 91% ± 5% at 100 μmol/L. In contrast, PLC had significantly less effect on deendothelialized arteries, increasing diameter only 24% ± 11% at 100 μmol/L (P .05 vs. intact). However, this vasodilation was significantly diminished in the presence of indomethacin, which dilated arteries only 53% ± 18% at 100 μmol/L (P .05 vs. denuded). Conclusion: PLC is an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, the mechanism of which is partially mediated by prostaglandin synthesis, not nitric oxide. The beneficial effects of this compound may, in part, be related to vasodilation and enhanced blood flow. (J Vasc Surg 1999;29:1097-1103.)
Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus with signet ring cell features portends a poor prognosis.

Background Adenocarcinoma with signet ring cell (SRC) features has been reported to be a poor prognostic marker in gastric and colorectal carcinomas. Although uncommon in the esophagus, SRC histology, interestingly, has been correlated with improved survival. Our impression has been that the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinomas with SRC features is increasing and is associated with worse outcomes. We hypothesize that patients with SRC histology present with more advanced disease, respond less well to induction therapy, and have decreased survival after resection compared with patients with non-SRC adenocarcinoma. Methods The medical records of 151 consecutive patients who underwent resection for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction in a prospectively maintained database from 1998 to 2011 were reviewed. Outcomes of 23 patients (15%) with SRC histology (21 men, 2 women; average age, 66 years) were compared with 128 patients (85%) with non-SRC adenocarcinoma (116 men, 12 women; average age, 63 years). Overall survival, stage-specific survival, and response to induction therapy were evaluated. Cox regression multivariate analysis was used to identify independent predictors of 3-year survival. Results SRC and non-SRC patients were evenly matched for clinical and tumor characteristics. Downstaging achieved with induction therapy was 13.3% (2 of 15) in SRC histology patients vs 67.1% (53 of 79) in non-SRC patients ( p ≤ 0.001). Patients with SRC histology who did not respond well to induction treatment demonstrated strong trends toward a worse 3-year survival than patients with non-SRC adenocarcinoma ( p = 0.084). The overall 3-year survival was 65.6% in patients without SRC histology vs 34.8% in those with SRC ( p = 0.006). Patients with pathologic stage II or III and SRC histology had a 3-year survival of 27.3% compared with 57.4% in patients with non-SRC adenocarcinoma ( p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed SRC histology trended toward significance as an independent risk factor for poor survival ( p = 0.060). Conclusions Patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction and SRC histology respond less well to induction therapy and have decreased overall survival compared with patients with non-SRC histology.
The Effects of College Major and Job Field Congruence on Job Satisfaction.

Abstract This study investigated predictors of job satisfaction and builds on previous research on the effects of bachelor’s degree majors and job field congruence on job satisfaction. Data on workers’ job experiences in 2001 were matched to those workers’ college experiences across 30 institutions and background characteristics up to 25 years earlier. With statistical controls for demographic, socioeconomic, and academic characteristics, a final sample of 2515 college graduates was used to test hypotheses centered on the possibility that a causal order relates education and job satisfaction. Specifically, college degree majors, measures of both actual and perceived congruence, as well as income were examined in relation to three dimensions of job satisfaction. Results support hypotheses that income and congruence both mediate the effects of majors on job satisfaction, and identify that two different measures of congruence are causally related to intrinsic dimensions of job satisfaction.
Correlation between cognitive deficits and Aβ deposits in transgenic APP+PS1 mice

Doubly transgenic mAPP+mPS1 mice (15-16 months) had impaired cognitive function in a spatial learning and memory task that combined features of a water maze and a radial arm maze. Nontransgenic mice learned a new platform location each day during 4 consecutive acquisition trials, and exhibited memory for this location in a retention trial administered 30 min later. In contrast, transgenic mice were, on average, unable to improve their performance in finding the hidden platform over trials. The cognitive performance of individual mice within the transgenic group were inversely related to the amount of Abeta deposited in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. These findings imply that mAPP+mPS1 transgenic mice develop deficits in cognitive ability as Abeta deposits increase. These data argue that radial arm water maze testing of doubly transgenic mice may be a useful behavioral endpoint in evaluating the functional consequences of potential AD therapies, especially those designed to reduce Abeta load.
High-Density Lipoprotein Extinguishes Fire in Fat

Obesity is associated with a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation that reflects the accumulation of macrophages and other leukocytes in adipose tissue.1–3 In obesity cross-talk between adipocytes and macrophages amplifies the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by macrophages and adipocytes,4 leading to local and systemic insulin resistance.5 Macrophage inflammation is also prominent in atherosclerosis, and cholesterol efflux pathways mediated by high-density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein AI (apoAI), and ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC) act to suppress inflammation in macrophage foam cells.6 However, a possible role of cholesterol efflux pathways in the inflammation of obesity has not been previously addressed. In this issue of Circulation Research , Umemoto et al7 provide evidence that HDL and apoAI promote cholesterol efflux from adipocytes and reverse the expression of the proinflammatory chemotactic factors induced by saturated fatty acids in adipocytes, suggesting a novel mechanism for anti-inflammatory properties of HDL and the possibility that increasing HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux has beneficial effects on insulin resistance. Article, see p 1345 In previous work the authors of this study have demonstrated that saturated fatty acids such as palmitate stimulate monocyte chemotactic factor expression and production from 3T3-L1 adipocytes.8 This effect involves increased NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) activity, recruitment of NOX4 to lipid rafts, and enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.9 ROS generation has been implicated as an important contributor to insulin resistance in obesity and diabetes mellitus.10 HDL promotes cholesterol efflux and reduces cholesterol content in lipid rafts, altering the activity of signaling molecules in lipid rafts.11 Therefore, Umemoto et al7 investigated whether HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux from adipocytes affected chemotactic factor expression and whether this involved modulating NOX4 recruitment to lipid rafts and its activity. …
Bone Marrow–Derived Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Infiltrate Allogeneic and Syngeneic Transplants

Lineage (CD3e, CD11b, GR1, B220 and Ly-76) negative hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) infiltrate islet allografts within 24 h posttransplantation. In fact, lineage(negative) Sca-1(+) cKit(+) ("LSK") cells, a classic signature for HSCs, were also detected among these graft infiltrating cells. Lineage negative graft infiltrating cells are functionally multi-potential as determined by a standard competitive bone marrow transplant (BMT) assay. By 3 months post-BMT, both CD45.1 congenic, lineage negative HSCs/HPCs and classic "LSK" HSCs purified from islet allograft infiltrating cells, differentiate and repopulate multiple mature blood cell phenotypes in peripheral blood, lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow and thymus of CD45.2 hosts. Interestingly, "LSK" HSCs also rapidly infiltrate syngeneic islet transplants as well as allogeneic cardiac transplants and sham surgery sites. It seems likely that an inflammatory response, not an adaptive immune response to allo-antigen, is responsible for the rapid infiltration of islet and cardiac transplants by biologically active HSCs/HPCs. The pattern of hematopoietic differentiation obtained from graft infiltrating HSCs/HPCs, cells that are recovered from inflammatory sites, as noted in the competitive BMT assay, is not precisely the same as that of intramedullary HSCs. This does not refute the obvious multi-lineage potential of graft infiltrating HSCs/HPCs.
Structural Evidence that Peroxiredoxin Catalytic Power Is Based on Transition-State Stabilization

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are important peroxidases associated with both antioxidant protection and redox signaling. They use a conserved Cys residue to reduce peroxide substrates. The Prxs have a remarkably high catalytic efficiency that makes them a dominant player in cell-wide peroxide reduction, but the origins of their high activity have been mysterious. We present here a novel structure of human PrxV at 1.45 A resolution that has a dithiothreitol bound in the active site with its diol moiety mimicking the two oxygens of a peroxide substrate. This suggests diols and similar di-oxygen compounds as a novel class of competitive inhibitors for the Prxs. Common features of this and other structures containing peroxide, peroxide-mimicking ligands, or peroxide-mimicking water molecules reveal hydrogen bonding and steric factors that promote its high reactivity by creating an oxygen track along which the peroxide oxygens move as the reaction proceeds. Key insights include how the active-site microenvironment activates both the peroxidatic cysteine side chain and the peroxide substrate and how it is exquisitely well suited to stabilize the transition state of the in-line S(N)2 substitution reaction that is peroxidation.
Adult fetal-likë erythropoiesis characterizes recovery from bone marrow transplantation

The transient fetal-like erythropoiesis which appears during recovery from bone marrow transplantation has now been examined at the level of erythroid progenitor cells. A 7-year-old boy with beta +-thalassaemia major was studied during engraftment from his beta-thalassaemia trait sister. Hb F and i antigen rose as expected. Macrocytosis never developed, but red cell size distribution became very heterogeneous. Bone marrow CFU-E and BFU-E were detected by 30 d, prior to the appearance of reticulocytes. Marrow erythroid progenitor cell numbers were normal by 146 d, while those in the blood became normal by 360 d. After transplantation globin synthesis ratios in erythroid colonies were diagnostic of thalassaemia trait, indicating engraftment. Individual erythroid colonies derived from both blood and marrow at all times during reconstitution showed no correlation of G gamma and gamma. Thus the fetal-like stress erythropoiesis of marrow expansion following transplantation was derived from adult and not fetal progenitor cells.
Competitive Classification and Closeness Testing

We study the problems of classification and closeness testing. A classifier associates a test sequence with the one of two training sequences that was generated by the same distribution. A closeness test determines whether two sequences were generated by the same or by different distributions. For both problems all natural algorithms are symmetric—they make the same decision under all symbol relabelings. With no assumptions on the distributions’ support size or relative distance, we construct a classifier and closeness test that require at most ~ O(n 3=2 ) samples to attain then-sample accuracy of the best symmetric classifier or closeness test designed with knowledge of the underlying distributions. Both algorithms run in time linear in the number of samples. Conversely we also show that for any classifier or closeness test, there are distributions that require ~ (n 7=6 ) samples to achieve the n-sample accuracy of the best symmetric algorithm that knows the underlying distributions.
Endogenously produced urokinase amplifies tumor necrosis factor-α secretion by THP-1 mononuclear phagocytes

This study examined the effects of endogenous urokinase (uPA) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion in THP-1 mononuclear phagocytes. Anti-uPA monoclonal antibody (mAb) suppressed LPS-driven TNF-alpha secretion by 61.6 +/- 5.9% (P<.001), and PAI-1, a uPA inhibitor, suppressed it to 53.1 +/- 8.2% of the control value (P<.001). Up-regulation of TNF-alpha mRNA was suppressed in parallel with secreted TNF-alpha protein. TNF-alpha secretion was unaffected by depleting plasminogen or by aprotinin, a plasmin inhibitor. When endogenous uPA was displaced from the cell, exogenous high-molecular-weight (intact) uPA augmented LPS-driven TNF-alpha secretion. By contrast, a uPA fragment containing the catalytic domain was inhibitory, and the uPA receptor-binding domain had no effect. We conclude that endogenous uPA amplifies TNF-alpha neosynthesis of LPS-stimulated THP-1 mononuclear phagocytes. The effect requires intact uPA and is independent of plasmin activity. This represents a novel mechanism by which a mononuclear phagocyte-derived protease contributes to generating proinflammatory signals.
Missed Opportunities in Argument Evaluation

Why do we hold arguers culpable for missing obvious objections against their arguments but not for missing obvious lines of reasoning for their positions? In both cases, their arguments are not as strong as they could be. Two factors cause this: adversarial models of argumentation and the permeable boundaries separating argumentation, meta-argumentation, and argument evaluation. Strategic considerations and dialectical obligations partially justify the asymmetry; virtue argumentation theory explains when and why it is not justified.
Handling avian chromosomes.

The somatic and meiotic chromosomes of Galius gal-lus dom. (as well as of the rat, mouse and possibly other animals) may be adequately prepared for miscroscopic examination by the following smear technic: Pith the fowl of appropriate age through the palatal fissure (other killing technics may be substituted for other animals), remove testes, slice medianly into halves (or quarters if large) and fix in mixture of 2 parts absolute ethanol, 1 part propionic acid, 1 part chloroform. Pour off and replace fixative at the end of 12-24 hours, after which the tissue may be stained or stored under refrigeration. Fresh material can be stained in propionic-carmine (0.5 g. carmine boiled in 45% aqueous solution of propionic acid), but material stored for several months should be stained in a boiled mixture of 10 ml. vinyl acetate, 10 ml. tertiary butyl alcohol, 50 ml. propionic acid, 75 ml. H2O, 0.25 g. carmine, 0.25 g. orcein. A method is described for preparing and making permanent such preparations.
Display Optimization for ICG Medical Imaging A Subjective Evaluation Approach

A medical imaging technique known as Indocyanine Green (ICG) fluorescence cholangiography can potentially improve safety and reduce cost in minimally invasive surgery, but is not widely used. Refinement of existing ICG imaging prototypes would facilitate more widespread use of the technology. The goal of this research was to optimize the display of an ICG imaging prototype, post-hoc. Images produced by the prototype were systematically manipulated by altering brightness and contrast levels, and corresponding changes in perceived image quality were measured. Results showed that perceived image quality increased when either brightness or contrast of the original image was increased by 10% and 20%, respectively. With high quality images, similar manipulations of brightness or contrast did not improve the perceived image quality, nor did they degrade the perceived image quality significantly. These adjustments are expected to increase the overall clinical utility of the prototype as the perceived quality of t...
Development of an Adaptive Helmholtz Resonator for Broadband Noise Control

This paper presents the development of adaptive Helmholtz resonators aimed at controlling broadband disturbance for the reduction of noise transmission into rocket payload fairing. Helmholtz resonators are commonly used for narrow band control application and so are designed to present the lowest amount of damping yielding maximum impedance. For this particular application however, optimal damping ratios usually superior to 4% are required. This relatively high level of damping permits more lightweight and compact design options to be considered that are not possible for low damping applications. Two design solutions are presented. The first tunes the resonator by varying the length of an accordion neck. The second varies the HR opening using an iris diaphragm. The characteristics of these two devices are measured, and a solution to maintain the damping level relatively constant is also proposed. Finally, experimental result obtained in a large cylinder representative of a payload fairing using 8 adaptive resonators is presented.© 2004 ASME
Molecular mechanisms for fine-tuning myocardial repolarization.

The waveform of the cardiac electrical impulse is determined by the orchestral action of several membrane ionic channels; the gating activities of sodium and calcium channels depolarize the cell membrane, whereas the activities of potassium channels repolarize the membrane back to the resting condition. Currents through potassium channels are also important for determining the membrane potential at rest, as well as for the refractory properties of the myocardium following electrical excitation. Accordingly, potassium channels play a vitally important role in the overall electromechanical properties of the heart. Several decades ago, the serendipitous discoveries of aberrant leg “shaking” movements and the anesthesia-induced “ether-a-go-go” dance routine in Drosophila melanogaster mutant flies, provided us with the first insight on the nature of a potassium channel protein
Filmless Nuclear Medicine Department

The implementation of an all-digital department of nuclear medicine is described. Image display, archival, and retrieval have been performed without the use of film for three years. This PACS system is based on a network of imaging workstations with on-line access to an optical disc archive. Studies as old as three years can be retrieved within seconds for comparison with repeated scans of the same patient. The digital format allows the operator to use gray scale manipulation and cine features for full flexibility in display of any archived study. The filmless nuclear medicine department is shown to be practical and cost-effective.