cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract BS1-1: RNA Methylation in human cancer

Over 150 types of post-transcriptional RNA modifications have been identified in all kingdoms of life. We have discovered the first two RNA demethylases, FTO and ALKBH5, which catalyze oxidative demethylation of the most prevalent modifications of mammalian messenger RNA (mRNA) and other nuclear RNA, N6-methyladenosine (m6A). These findings indicate that reversible RNA modification could impact biological regulation analogous to the well-known reversible DNA and histone chemical modifications. We have also characterized proteins that selectively recognize m6A-modified mRNA and affect the translation status and lifetime of the target mRNA, as well as molecular machines that deposit the m6A methylation on mRNA. Functional studies reveal m6A methylation as a critical mechanism to synchronize groups of transcripts for coordinated metabolism, translation, and decay, allowing timely and coordinated protein synthesis and transcriptome switching during cell differentiation and development. Misregulations of these processes lead to embryo lethality and human diseases such as cancer. I will focus on our discoveries of how aberrant expressions of m6A regulators could contribute to human cancer. I will also present effects of m6A regulation on immune response related to cancer progression. Citation Format: C He. RNA Methylation in human cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr BS1-1.
Towards Efficient Nonenzymatic DNA Ligation: Comparing Key Parameters for Maximizing Ligation Rates and Yields with Carbodiimide Activation**

Chemical ligation is an important tool for the generation of synthetic DNA structures, which are used for a wide range of applications. Surprisingly, reported chemical ligation yields can range from 30 to 95 % for the same chemical activating agent and comparable DNA structures. We report a systematic study of DNA ligation by using a well-defined bimolecular test system and a water-soluble carbodiimide (EDC) as a phosphate-activating agent. Our results emphasize the interplay between template-substrate complex stability and the rates of the chemical steps of ligation, with 3' phosphate substrates providing yields near 100 % after 24 hours for particularly favorable reaction conditions. Ligation rates are also shown to be sensitive to the identity of the base pairs flanking a nick site, with as much as threefold variation. Finally, the observation that DNA substrates are modified by EDC at rates that can be comparable with ligation rates emphasizes the importance of considering side reactions when designing protocols to maximize ligation yields.
Sequence analysis of the Petunia inflata S-locus region containing 17 S-Locus F-Box genes and the S-RNase gene involved in self-incompatibility

Self-incompatibility in Petunia is controlled by the polymorphic S-locus, which contains S-RNase encoding the pistil determinant and 16-20 S-locus F-box (SLF) genes collectively encoding the pollen determinant. Here we sequenced and assembled approximately 3.1 Mb of the S2 -haplotype of the S-locus in Petunia inflata using bacterial artificial chromosome clones collectively containing all 17 SLF genes, SLFLike1, and S-RNase. Two SLF pseudogenes and 28 potential protein-coding genes were identified, 20 of which were also found at the S-loci of both the S6a -haplotype of P. inflata and the SN -haplotype of self-compatible Petunia axillaris, but not in the S-locus remnants of self-compatible potato (Solanum tuberosum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Comparative analyses of S-locus sequences of these three S-haplotypes revealed potential genetic exchange in the flanking regions of SLF genes, resulting in highly similar flanking regions between different types of SLF and between alleles of the same type of SLF of different S-haplotypes. The high degree of sequence similarity in the flanking regions could often be explained by the presence of similar long terminal repeat retroelements, which were enriched at the S-loci of all three S-haplotypes and in the flanking regions of all S-locus genes examined. We also found evidence of the association of transposable elements with SLF pseudogenes. Based on the hypothesis that SLF genes were derived by retrotransposition, we identified 10 F-box genes as putative SLF parent genes. Our results shed light on the importance of non-coding sequences in the evolution of the S-locus, and on possible evolutionary mechanisms of generation, proliferation, and deletion of SLF genes.
Demographic characteristics driving disparities in receipt of long-term services and supports in the community setting

Background Research suggests that growth in Black and Hispanic (minority) older adults' nursing home (NH) use may be the result of disparities in access to community-based and alternative long-term services and supports (LTSS). Objective We aimed to determine whether minority groups receiving care in NHs versus the community had fewer differences in their functional needs compared with the differences in nonminority older adults, suggesting a disparity. Methods We identified respondents aged 65 years or above with a diagnosis of Alzheimer disease or dementia in the 2016 Health and Retirement Study who reported requiring LTSS help. We performed unadjusted analyses to assess the difference in functional need between community and NH care. Functional need was operationalized using a functional limitations score and 6 individual activities of daily living. We compared the LTSS setting for minority older adults to White older adults using difference-in-differences. Results There were 186 minority older adults (community=75%, NH=25%) and 357 White older adults (community=50%, NH=50%). Between settings, minority older adults did not differ in education or marital status, but were younger and had greater income in the NH versus the community. The functional limitations score was higher in NHs than in the community for both groups. Functional needs for all 6 activities of daily living for the minority group were greater in NHs compared with the community. Conclusion Functional need for minority older adults differed by setting while demographics varied in unexpected ways. Factors such as familial and financial support are important to consider when implementing programs to keep older adults out of NHs.
Evaluation of Risk of Gastrostomy and Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

A subset of patients with neurologic deficits require ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement in addition to gastrostomy tubes (GTs). At present, the literature is inconsistent with respect to the sequence and time period between procedures that yields the lowest risk profile for GT and VPS placement. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to determine if time elapsed between VPS and GT placement was associated with infection (peritoneal and/or CSF). A systematic literature review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2009 guidelines. PubMEd/MEDLINE, Scopus, Ovid, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases were queried. Precise search terminology is available in the body of the manuscript. The initial database query yielded 88 unique articles. After abstract screening, 28 articles were identified and 6 met criteria for inclusion in the final analysis. The included studies were all retrospective analyses and reported data for 217 patients between the years of 1988 and 2016. Across all included studies, the infection rate after VPS and GT placement during the studies’ surveillance period was 15.2% (n = 33/217). The cumulative rate of all reported complications in patients with both VPS and GT was 24.0% (n = 52/217). These studies suggest that placement of GT in patients with preexisting VPS does not significantly contribute to increased shunt or intraperitoneal infection. Future studies should determine the optimal time interval between VPS and GT placement and to identify the most appropriate prophylactic antibiotic regimen.
Valuing the Expansion and Abandonment Options in Oil Shale Production Projects

Recent developments of technologies for extracting oil and natural gas from shale formations are changing the global energy landscape. In light of notable progress in fracking technology, oil imports have dropped to the lowest level in 20 years within the U.S., propelling it on the path to become a major player in the global market for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Earlyadopters of hydraulic fracturing technology have seen a remarkable economic development such as job creation and incommensurable increase in state income associated with drilling. However, oil and gas drilling is having a negative effect on communities and wildlands. Thanks to new fracking technologies, oil shale production projects are precipitating pollution while intensifying climate change. All the more, oil and gas drilling is exacerbating the disruption of wildlife and the damage of public lands. In this research, we asses these challenges through a real options approach of the expansion and abandonment of oil shale production projects.
The Embodied Politics of Thomas Hobbes

Sophocles suggests that the moral vitality of the king sustains the physical vitality of his realm. His apologue elegantly articulates a poetic view of the fundamental relationship between the body of the basileus (Greek for “king” and which derives from “basis”) and the bodies of the citizenry, but the foundational question — What are the properties and processes by which individual bodies construct the civil body, and what consequent relationship obtains among them? — commonly receives little philosophical scrutiny. An enquiry into the influences of body as body in the formation of civil society is dismissed out of hand, and instead philosophical enquiry often accepts that some one or several mental faculties underlie the formation of political community. In epistemology, the liberation of mind from body is translated into the elevation of rationality, while in politics the translation becomes that of reason charged with guiding the will to rule over the body. The early moderns in particular concentrated their efforts on amputating body from mind; most notably, Descartes used the scientific method in the service of epistemology to yield idealism, while Thomas Hobbes is credited with introducing science to politics in treating human beings as part of his atomistic, materialist ontology. The standard interpretation of Hobbes’s political philosophy views individuals as ceaselessly desirous atomistic units who are “trusted politically and existentially only in that minimal level of human rationality requisite to avoid collective suicide,” and consequently as citizens they are to be limited by strict obedience to civil authority, even to the point of despotic rule.3 In advocating “radical individualism,” so this reading asserts, Hobbes insists we take literally the frontispiece to Leviathan, wherein citizens are depicted as atomic units, as nothing more than the accumulated matter of the sovereign body.
Dual small fragment plating improves screw-to-screw load sharing for mid-diaphyseal humeral fracture fixation: A finite element study

BACKGROUND: A smaller humerus in some patients makes the use of a large fragment fixation plate difficult. Dual small fragment plate constructs have been suggested as an alternative. OBJECTIVE: This study compares the biomechanical performance of three single and one dual plate construct for mid-diaphyseal humeral fracture fixation. METHODS: Five humeral shaft finite element models (1 intact and 4 fixation) were loaded in torsion, compression, posterior-anterior (PA) bending, and lateral-medial (LM) bending. A comminuted fracture was simulated by a 1-cm gap. Fracture fixation was modelled by: (A) 4.5-mm 9-hole large fragment plate (wide), (B) 4.5-mm 9-hole large fragment plate (narrow), (C) 3.5-mm 9-hole small fragment plate, and (D) one 3.5-mm 9-hole small fragment plate and one 3.5-mm 7-hole small fragment plate. RESULTS: Model A showed the best outcomes in torsion and PA bending, whereas Model D outperformed the others in compression and LM bending. Stress concentrations were located near and around the unused screw holes for each of the single plate models and at the neck of the screws just below the plates for all the models studied. Other than in PA bending, Model D showed the best overall screw-to-screw load sharing characteristics. CONCLUSION: The results support using a dual small fragment locking plate construct as an alternative in cases where crutch weight-bearing (compression) tolerance may be important and where anatomy limits the size of the humerus bone segment available for large fragment plate fixation.
Against Employer Dumpster Diving for E-Mail

Recent attorney-client privilege cases offer a modern understanding of reasonable expectations of employee privacy in the digital age. Employees have increasingly made electronic mail communications to their attorneys via employer-provided computers or other digital devices with an expectation of privacy and confidentiality. Historically, courts have summarily dispensed with these matters by finding that an employer’s policy establishing clear ownership of any communications made through employer-provided devices eliminates any employee expectation of privacy in the communications and waives any viable privacy challenges to employer review of those communications. Nevertheless, within the last couple of years, several cases involving employee assertions of attorney-client privilege protection in e-mails sent on employer-provided devices suggest new thoughts about reasonable workplace privacy expectations. As employees must communicate through employer-provided digital devices day and night, these attorney-client privilege cases help expose the fallacy of assuming employees cannot reasonably expect that e-mails will remain private if employer policies mandate the communications are not private. These new cases and related ethics opinions about privileged e-mail offer a modern lens through which one may now view employee privacy expectations under a new paradigm that replaces the facade of assuming employees have no expectation of privacy due to employer policies. Digital age expectations regarding employee use of smart cellular phones, portable laptops, and other employer-provided devices to make communications beyond standard work hours leaves little expectation or opportunity for employees to reasonably communicate privately and confidentially by any other means than through these employer-provided devices. As a result, this article asserts that employer efforts to mine their devices for employee e-mails after disputes ensue comprises a form of electronic dumpster diving that should not be tolerated by courts, legislatures, or attorney ethics committees.
Measuring success in ovarian cancer risk reducing strategies.

Using a series of validated instruments looking at satisfaction, quality of life, demographics, and beliefs, the authors surveyed high risk women who had chosen either PS or RRSO. Of the 544 women who were sent surveys, 58% returned surveys and after exclusions a total of 182 patients were analyzed. There were 120 women who chose PS and 62 who chose RRSO. The 2 groups were of similar ages and menopausal status. Seventy-four percent and 77% of women in each group, respectively, had experienced a breast cancer. While in general both groups were fairly satisfied with their choice of screening strategy, those who chose RRSO and those who had BRCA gene mutations were more satisfied. Endocrine related symptoms and sexual dysfunction were not associated with levels of satisfaction. Both groups had similar levels of cancer-related anxiety but there was more ambivalence in the PS group. The main factor associated with a reduced satisfaction was uncertainty in decision making.
Reduction of α-Amino Acids: L-Valinol

Reduction of α-amino acids: L-valinol product: l-valinol product: prolinol product: alaninol product: phenylglycinol product: phenylalaninol product: N-benzylvalinol Keywords: reduction, CO2H CH2OH; tetrahydrofuran; dimethyl sulfide, stench; hydrogen, fire hazard
Verified High-Order Integration of DAEs and Higher-Order ODEs

Within the framework of Taylor models, no fundamental difference exists between the antiderivation and the more standard elementary operations. Indeed, a Taylor model for the antiderivative of another Taylor model is straightforward to compute and trivially satisfies inclusion monotonicity.
The time resolution domain of stellar radio astronomy

While the origins of stellar radio astronomy have their roots in time-variable phenomena, high time resolution (HTR) radio observations of stellar sources is a very young technique. This is a somewhat surprising development in light of the historical development of stellar radio astronomy, which was exclusively concerned with the flare activity associated with dMe stars. One would expect that, having detected the flare emission, higher time resolution would have been employed to elucidate the time structure of the flare, thereby providing constraints on the emission and particle acceleration mechanisms. Rather, focus shifted from flare observations to detecting a variety of stellar sources at everlower flux levels, so that “quiescent” emission has been detected from several regions on the HR diagram. In fact, we shall see below that it may be possible that high time resolution studies can clarify the nature of the “quiescent” emission in some stellar sources.
2 – Static Analysis of Euler-Bernoulli Beams

The chapter reviews fundamental theories, formulas, solution methods, and a set (toolbox) of MATLAB functions for static analysis of Euler–Bernoulli beams. The system requirements for the MATLAB toolbox—a PC with Win 98SE/NT/2000 and XP or Mac with OS 9.x and up, and the software MATLAB (version 5.x and up) installed on the computer. A fundamental problem in the static analysis of Euler-Bernoulli beams is stated as the given external loads and boundary disturbances that determines the beam response (displacement, rotation, bending moment, and shear force), which is governed by a given equation and boundary conditions. There are many solution methods available for the static analysis of Euler-Bernoulli beams. The chapter presents three analytical solution methods for the beam problem—method of singularity functions, the boundary value approach, and distributed transfer function method (DTFM). The MATLAB functions are developed based on the distributed transfer function method, which is an exact analytical modeling and solution method for many one-dimensional distributed systems including bars, shafts, strings, and beams.
Human gingival fibroblast cell lines in vitro. II. Electron microscopic studies of fibrogenesis.

Eight human gingival fibroblast cell lines were cultivated in glass cover slip chambers and analyzed by electron microscopy for their capacity to synthesize an extracellular fibrillar matrix. Both microfibrils and amorphous components of elastic tissue and several forms of banded and unbanded collagen fibrils were elaborated by the fibroblasts. Banding periods of 64 nm and 100 nm were observed. Collagenases lysed collagen fibrils and in some cases altered them to display prominently banded FLS images. Numerous matrix vesicles were observed among the extracellular collagen fibrils and some were observed intracellularly either isolated in pinocytotic-like vesicles or as clusters in larger vacuoles. Matrix granules also were observed among the extracellular fibrils. The Golgi sacs of synthesizing fibroblasts contained fine thread-like parallel filaments with a banding period of 220 nm. The presence of annulate lamellae was related to culture aging and the appearance of large mitochondrial matrix granules was related to the effect of small increments of vitamin C. Two cells were shown to have phagocytosed collagen elaborated by other cells earlier, one contained an interiorized fibril with a 64 nm banding period and the other an interiorized fibril with a 100 nm banding period. A turnover of collagen in vitro was thus established.
Archimedean Properties of Parabolas

(2000). Archimedean Properties of Parabolas. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 107, No. 10, pp. 945-949.
Structure and development of viruses as observed in the electron microscope. I. Herpes simplex virus.

Herpes simplex virus was visualized by the electron microscope in sections of infected chorioallantoic membrane of chicken embryos. Removal of the embedding methacrylate from relatively thick sections permitted large numbers of viral particles to be seen but caused extensive alteration of cellular components as well as variable distortion of viral structure. This distortion was characterized by disruption of particles and loss of central bodies, resulting in ring or empty shell forms. An inner structure of the virus was revealed in ultrathin sections from which the embedding plastic was not removed. The nuclei of infected cells contained small, dense, primary bodies (30 to 40 mµ in diameter) as well as slightly larger and less dense particles (40 to 50 mµ in diameter) surrounded by a single membrane (70 to 100 mµ in diameter). In the cytoplasm most of the particles possessed a double outer membrane (120 to 130 mµ in diameter). It is suggested that the initial site of viral development is restricted to the nucleus where primary bodies form and become enclosed by a single outer membrane. Upon release into the cytoplasm these particles appear to acquire a second outer membrane and presumably represent the mature virus.
Derivations of continuous functions for the lateral and vertical atmospheric dispersion coefficients.

Abstract Multistage regression techniques were used to derive atmospheric class-continuous functions and distance continuous functions for the lateral and vertical atmospheric dispersion coefficients. Standard deviation of wind direction fluctuation and the lapse rate were used as the basic independent variables. All regression equations derived in this analysis were highly significant at the 95 per cent confidence level.
Hematopoietic stem cell recipients do not develop post-transplantation immune tolerance to antigens present on minimal residual disease.

Abstract The immune environment present after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) contributes to the control of leukemia. Our laboratory has demonstrated in a murine model that vaccination of recipients after transplantation with recipient tumor vaccines does not exacerbate graft-versus-host disease but does induce meaningful graft-versus-tumor effects. We previously demonstrated that part of the reason for the lack of graft-versus-host disease from post-transplantation vaccination is due to gradual acquisition of tolerance or unresponsiveness to recipient immunodominant minor histocompatibility antigens that are ubiquitously expressed in the recipient. However, our prior studies have not critically addressed the question of whether a similar process of acquisition of unresponsiveness to or tolerance of antigens present on minimal residual disease also occurs. The present study tested the hypothesis that unresponsiveness to antigens present on minimal residual disease present at the time of HSCT would also occur. The answer to this question would have a significant effect on the potential efficacy of post-transplantation tumor vaccines. In a murine model of major histocompatibility complex matched, minor histocompatibility antigen mismatched HSCT (C3.SW female donors and C57BL/6 female recipients), we tested whether transplant recipients would acquire unresponsiveness to antigens present on small numbers of residual leukemia/lymphoma cells. We employed a male C57BL/6 lymphoid malignancy with an immunoglobulin/c-myc oncogene in these studies using as a model of tumor-restricted antigen the well-characterized male (HY) antigen system present only on the tumor but not present as ubiquitous minor antigens in the recipient. After HSCT, recipients did not mount immune responses to the ubiquitously distributed immunodominant recipient strain H7 minor histocompatibility antigen, but did retain the capacity to mount significant T cell responses to HY antigens present on small numbers of HY+ tumor cells present at transplantation. Additional studies using small numbers of nonmalignant recipient male B cells or dendritic cells as models of minimal residual disease also demonstrated that the transplant recipients retained their capacity to mount anti-HY T cell responses. After HSCT, recipients may retain the capacity to mount effective T cell responses to antigens present on minimal residual disease and still acquire relative tolerance to ubiquitously distributed immunodominant minor antigens that are related to graft-versus-host disease.
Frameworks for Product Family Design and Development

In today's market, products must meet or exceed customers' needs while being competitively priced and developed in the shortest time possible. While product platforms address many of these requirements, they can incur additional development challenges with regards to coordination, time, and cost. Companies therefore need to use a concurrent engineering process to develop product families and product platforms efficiently; however, no concurrent engineering process models exist to support product family development. Based on concurrent engineering principles, four processes are proposed for systematic product family design using two platforming approaches — top-down and bottom-up — and two development drivers: product-driven and platform-driven. The first objective of this study is to propose a consistent product family development process terminology. The second objective is to detail representative frameworks and processes for the four proposed product family design processes based on the two approaches ...
Hydrogels as smart biomaterials

Hydrogels were the first biomaterials rationally designed for human use. Beginning with the pioneering work of Wichterle and Lim on three-dimensional polymers that swell in water, we review the design, synthesis, properties, and applications of hydrogels. The field of hydrogels has moved forward at a dramatic pace. The development of suitable synthetic methods encompassing traditional chemistry to molecular biology has been used in the design of hydrogels mimicking basic processes of living systems. Stimuli-sensitive hydrogels, hydrogels with controlled degradability, genetically engineered poly(amino acid) polymers reversibly self-assembling in precisely defined three-dimensional structures, and hybrid polymers composed of two distinct classes of molecules are just some examples of these exciting novel biomaterials. The biocompatibility of hydrogels and their applications from implants to nanomaterials are also reviewed. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
The treatment of the field of speech in three library classifications

(1966). The treatment of the field of speech in three library classifications. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 52, No. 3, pp. 279-282.
Micro-Control Actions of Segmented Actuators on Shallow Paraboloidal Shell Reflectors

Shallow paraboloidal shells of revolution are common components for reflectors, mirrors, etc. This study is to investigate the micro-control actions and distributed control effectiveness of precision paraboloidal shell structures laminated with segmented actuator patches.
Research Note: Effect of In Ovo 17-β-Estradiol or Tamoxifen Administration on Sexual Differentiation of the External Genitalia

Abstract The effect of in ovo administration of tamoxifen or 17β-estradiol on external sexual dimorphism in chickens was investigated. In two trials, fertile eggs were injected with either tamoxifen (200 μg per egg) or vehicle (100 μL corn oil) on Day 1 of incubation, or with 17β-estradiol (20 μg per egg) or vehicle on Day 11 of incubation. Sexes were determined by visual inspection of the external genitalia and by gonadal identification at Day 1 posthatch. Tamoxifen injection resulted in a significantly greater number of phenotypic male identifications, with male:female ratios of 76:24 (Trial 1) and 62:38 (Trial 2) based on external genitalia phenotype. Gonadal sexing corrected these ratios to 46:54 and 44:56, resulting in genital sexing errors of 27% (Trial 1) and 18% (Trial 2). These errors were significantly higher than genital sexing errors of the chicks treated with vehicle (2 and .6% for Trials 1 and 2, respectively). In ovo administration of 17β-estradiol resulted in an increased number of female identifications based on genital sex determination, with male:female ratios of 37:63 (Trial 1) and 46:54 (Trial 2). Gonadal sexing corrected these ratios to 54:46 and 51:49, resulting in genital sexing errors of 10 and 6% for Trials 1 and 2, respectively. These errors were significantly higher than genital sexing errors of vehicle-treated chicks (4 and .9% for Trials 1 and 2, respectively). The results of the present study indicate that early embryonic administration of estrogen or an estrogen antagonist alters chicken external sexual dimorphism near the time of hatch.
Endogenous opioid immunoreactivity in rat spinal cord following traumatic injury

It has been postulated that endogenous opioids play a pathophysiological role in spinal cord injury, based on the therapeutic effects of the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone in certain experimental models. The high doses of naloxone required to exert a therapeutic action suggest that naloxone's effects may be mediated by non-mu opiate receptors, such as the kappa receptor. This notion is supported by recent pharmacological studies demonstrating that an opiate antagonist more active at kappa sites is effective and far more potent than naloxone in improving outcome after spinal cord injury. Moreover, dynorphin--postulated to be the endogenous ligand for the kappa receptor--is unique among opioids in producing hindlimb paralysis following intrathecal administration in the rat. In the present studies we have examined changes in endogenous opioid immunoreactivity following traumatic spinal cord injury in the rat. Dynorphin A was found to increase progressively with graded injury; changes were restricted to the injury segment and adjacent areas and were time dependent. Dynorphin A-(1-8) showed no marked changes. Methionine and leucine enkephalin were either unaltered or reduced at the injury site; changes were not well localized and were not clearly related to the injury variables. These findings provide further support for a potential pathophysiological role of prodynorphin-derived peptides in spinal cord injury.
Life-Cycle Effects of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) on an Estuarine Meiobenthic Copepod†

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are finding increasing use in consumer electronics and structural composites. These nanomaterials and their manufacturing byproducts may eventually reach estuarine systems through wastewater discharge. The acute and chronic toxicity of SWNTs were evaluated using full life-cycle bioassays with the estuarine copepod Amphiascus tenuiremis (ASTM method E-2317-04). A synchronous cohort of naupliar larvae was assayed by culturing individual larvae to adulthood in individual 96-well microplate wells amended with SWNTs in seawater. Copepods were exposed to “as prepared” (AP) SWNTs, electrophoretically purified SWNTs, or a fluorescent fraction of nanocarbon synthetic byproducts. Copepods ingesting purified SWNTs showed no significant effects on mortality, development, and reproduction across exposures (p<0.05). In contrast, exposure to the more complex AP-SWNT mixture significantly increased life-cycle mortality, reduced fertilization rates, and reduced molting success in the ...
Pain: a review and interpretation.

(1977). Pain: A Review and Interpretation. International Journal of Neuroscience: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 81-101.
Synapse-specific regulation of AMPA receptor function by PSD-95

PSD-95 is a major protein found in virtually all mature excitatory glutamatergic synapses in the brain. Here, we have addressed the role of PSD-95 in controlling glutamatergic synapse function by generating and characterizing a PSD-95 KO mouse. We found that the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)subtype of glutamate receptor (AMPAR)-mediated synaptic transmission was reduced in these mice. Two-photon (2P) uncaging of MNI-glutamate onto individual spines suggested that the decrease in AMPAR function in the PSD-95 KO mouse stems from an increase in the proportion of “silent” synapses i.e., synapses containing N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs) but no AMPARs. Unexpectedly, the silent synapses in the KO mouse were located onto morphologically mature spines. We also observed that a significant population of synapses appeared unaffected by PSD-95 gene deletion, suggesting that the functional role of PSD-95 displays synapse-specificity. In addition, we report that the decay of NMDAR-mediated current was slower in KO mice: The contribution of NR2B subunit containing receptors to the NMDAR-mediated synaptic current was greater in KO mice. The greater occurrence of silent synapses might be related to the greater magnitude of potentiation after long-term potentiation induction observed in these mice. Together, these results suggest a synapse-specific role for PSD-95 in controlling synaptic function that is independent of spine morphology.
Covariates of Computerized Neurobehavioral Test Performance in Epidemiologic Investigations

Computerized neurobehavioral tests are being used increasingly in occupational and environmental health to measure potential effects of exposure to neurotoxicants. Many factors affect performance on these tests. Data sets from application of a computerized neurobehavioral evaluation system in epidemiologic investigations of two occupational groups, printing pressmen and construction painters, were analyzed. Age and education were the major covariates of performance in these groups. The reliability of these computerized tests was also reviewed. Computerized neurobehavioral tests are similar to conventional tests in terms of reliability and relationships to known covariates.
Direct analysis of liquid samples by desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS)

Desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) was evaluated for the direct analysis of liquid samples. Several interesting results were found. First, in contrast to the previous DESI analysis of dried solid samples that was limited to proteins with MW ≤25 kDa (Anal. Chem. 2007, 79, 3514), bovine serum albumin (BSA, 66 kDa) was successfully ionized from solutions by DESI with observation of corresponding multiply charged ions. Second, direct DESI analysis of protein tryptic digest solutions without chromatographic separation, sample clean-up, and the sample drying step was demonstrated, providing reasonably good sequence coverage of 52% to 97%. Third, direct analysis of biofluids such as an undiluted urine sample without sample pretreatment is possible, emphasizing the high tolerance of DESI with salt. These results suggest that a charged droplet pick-up mechanism is responsible for desorption and ionization of liquid samples by DESI. Also, unlike in electrospray ionization (ESI), inhibition of electrochemical reduction in the negative ion mode was observed for liquid sample DESI. In addition, reactive DESI can be performed with ion/ion reactions of Zn(II) complexes for the selective binding of phosphoserine in the presence of serine. DESI experiment can also be carried out directly to liquid samples flowing out of a pumped syringe needle tip, allowing rapid analysis. Furthermore, on-line coupling of electrochemical cell with DESI-MS was demonstrated, in which perylene radical cations generated in the cell were successfully transferred to the gas-phase for MS detection by DESI. This study extended the scope of DESI-MS applications, which could have potentials in bioanalytical and forensic analysis.
University students' conceptions of first-year mathematics.

The 1998 Crawford, Gordon, Nicholas, and Prosser Conceptions of Mathematics scale was administered to 156 first-year university students at a large public university in the midwestern United States. The scale represented fragmented and cohesive conceptions of mathematics. The reliability estimated as internal consistency had a Cronbach alpha of .80 for the fragmented scale and .87 for the cohesive scale. Factor analysis of the intercorrelations indicated the same two factors of fragmented and cohesive as in the original and other replicating studies. Students' conceptions of mathematics in this study were comparable to those reported in the original study.
Gz-mediated hormonal inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation

Hormones inhibit synthesis of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) in most cells via receptors coupled to pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding (G) proteins. Mutationally activated alpha subunits of Gi2 (alpha i2) constitutively inhibit cAMP accumulation when transfected into cells. Cells have now been transfected with mutant alpha subunits of four other G proteins--Gz, a PTX-insensitive G protein of unknown function, and Gi1, Gi3, and G(o), which are PTX-sensitive. Mutant alpha z, alpha i1, and alpha i3 inhibited cAMP accumulation but alpha o did not. Moreover, expression of wild-type alpha z produced cells in which PTX did not block hormonal inhibition of cAMP accumulation. Thus, Gz can trigger an effector pathway in response to hormone receptors that ordinarily interact with PTX-sensitive Gi proteins.
Who Is a Development Journalist? Perspectives on Media Ethics and Professionalism in Post-Colonial Societies

Journalistic practice and professionalism across the globe are characterized by certain universals as well as unique particularities. In most post-colonial societies, the ethical philosophies and professional ethos of journalists reflect the tension between the commitment to integrity and social responsibility, shared by journalists worldwide, and the contextual interpretation and application of these principles. This article examines the ethics and ethos of development journalism as a philosophically, culturally, and historically evolving professional ideology. It surveys the ethical landscape of development journalists and shows how development journalists balance the dialectic of a universalist ethical philosophy and a relativistic professional ethos.
Native fluorescence spectra of human cancerous and normal breast tissues analyzed with non-negative constraint methods

The native fluorescence spectra of human cancerous and normal breast tissues were investigated using the selected excitation wavelength of 340 nm to excite key building block molecules, such as reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), collagen, and flavin. The measured emission spectra were analyzed using a non-negative constraint method, namely multivariate curve resolution with alternating least-squares (MCR-ALS). The results indicate that the biochemical changes of tissue can be exposed by native fluorescence spectra analysis. The MCR-ALS-extracted components corresponding to the key fluorophores in breast tissue, such as collagen, NADH, and flavin, show differences of relative contents of fluorophores in cancerous and normal breast tissues. This research demonstrates that the native fluorescence spectroscopy measurements are effective for detecting changes of fluorophores composition in tissues due to the development of cancer. Native fluorescence spectroscopy analyzed by MCR-ALS may have the potential to be a new armamentarium.
Significant reduction in major LVAD device failures: comparison of the heartmate® VE and XVE LVAS

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is an established surgical therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF) as a bridge to heart transplantation (HTx). Pulsatile LVAD clinical application is limited by large dimensions, noise and major complications as bleeding, thromboembolism and infection. We report our clinical experiences with the DeBakey VAD continuous axial flow pump as bridge to HTx (BTT). Patients and Methods: Since April 2000, 12 patients with end-stage HF have been supported with the DeBakey VAD at our Institution (8 male, 42 14 years, range 12-57 y; 8 dilated idiopathic cardiomyopathy, 3 ischemic cardiomyopathy, 1 for major device failure of a pulsatile LVAD implanted at another institution). Before implant all patients suffered for severe heart failure (NYHA IV) despite of maximal pharmacological support and were put on the waiting list for HTx. All patients signed written informed consent. Mean cardiac index was 1,58 0,52 l/min/m2. Results: Total support time amounts to 607 patient/days. Nine patients (75%) were successfully transplanted after 51 49 days (range 11 -141 days). Two patients (16.6%) died during assistance due to multiorgan failure. One patient is still on VAD. No patients needed right-VAD. Bleeding complications required rethoracotomy in 2 patients (16.6%), neurologic event occurred in 1 patient, left ventricle/LVAD thrombosis occurred in one patient and was succesfully conservatively treated with endoventricular thrombolysis delivering rTPA into the left ventricle. No clinically relevant elevation of plasma-free hemoglobin was detected. No device, driveline or abdominal pocket infection occurred. No device failure occurred. Conclusions: In our clinical experience the axial continuous flow DeBakey VAD obtained an elevated rate of success associated with low risk for bleeding, hemolysis, thromboembolic and infectious complications.
Finding the Flow: Constructing a Domain-Transcendent Identity

Through an ethnographic study of yoga teacher training, I elaborate theory on identity change. Specifically, I find that the processes that are used to provoke identity change also promote shifts i...
New, unified nomenclature for chromatography

The most important definitions, terms and symbols included in the new, unified Nomenclature for Chromatography issued by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) are outlined.
Localization of the L-glutamine synthetase gene to chromosome 1q23.

Glutamine synthetase (E.C. 6.3.1.2) is expressed throughout the body and plays an important role in controlling body pH and in removing ammonia from the circulation. The enzyme clears L-glutamate, the major neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, from neuronal synapses. The enzyme is a very sensitive marker of many disease and aging processes, especially those involving reactive oxygen species. This report describes the localization of the enzyme to chromosome 1 by PCR analysis of a human/rodent somatic cell hybrid panel. We also describe the localization of a recently described pseudogene to chromosome 9. Further localization of the glutamine synthetase gene locus to 1q23 was accomplished by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The glutamine synthetase gene was mapped to five CEPH megaYACs between the polymorphic PCR markers D1S117 and D1S466 by analysis of the Whitehead Institute's recently described chromosome 1 contig map.
Importance of humic substances for carbon and nitrogen transport into southeastern United States estuaries

Abstract For the time period 1974–1993, fluxes were estimated of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) brought to the salt marshes of Georgia and South Carolina by eight rivers, which drain approximately 75% of the upland watersheds of these estuaries. During this period, concentrations of DOC and DON averaged 5–28 mg C l −1 and 0.35–0.75 mg N l −1 , respectively. The DON represented 40–90% of the total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) in the rivers during that period. River inputs to the marsh estuaries averaged 32.4±8.8 thousand tonne yr −1 for DOC and 27.8±10.0 hundred tonne yr −1 for DON. These inputs represent approximately 0.6 and 0.15%, respectively, of the DOC and DON estimated to be produced in situ in the salt marshes.
Making European-style community wind power development work in the US

Abstract Once primarily a European phenomenon, community wind power development—defined here as one or more locally owned, utility-scale wind turbines interconnected on either the customer or utility side of the meter—is gaining a foothold in an increasing number of states throughout the US. This article describes the various policies and incentives that Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Massachusetts are using to support community wind power development, and how state and federal support influences the types of projects and ownership structures that are being developed. Experience in these states demonstrates that, with an array of incentives and creative financing schemes targeted at community-scale projects, there are opportunities to make community wind work in the US.
Efficient Small Scale Preparation of Fluorescently Labeled Microtubules

Large-scale functional tubulin purification methods have been developed for use in the study of microtubule dynamics, mitosis, meiosis, and intracellular transport. These methods often start with large quantities (>400 g) of bovine or porcine nervous tissue and generally require more than twelve hours to complete. Here we show a simplified approach to purifying tubulin from small amounts of tissue (<300 mg), which is easily obtained from the central nervous tissues of small rodents. Furthermore, we have cut the preparation time in half while still maintaining an abundant protein yield. In order to visualize the microtubules by epifluorescence, TRITC-labeled tubulin is incorporated in ratios as low as 1:1000 labeled to unlabeled tubulin dimers. We confirmed that TRITC-tubulin was incorporated stoichiometrically and randomly into native microtubules by in-gel fluorescence after electrophoresis, as well as the variance in longitudinal fluorescence observed via video microscopy. Isolated microtubules are stabilized using paclitaxel, which enables multiple-day use of the purified protein. Microtubule-associated proteins are retained during the preparation, but can be removed using a phosphocellulose spin-column. The intrinsic value of this protocol is that it permits the use of single transgenic animal models, as well as biopsy samples, as a source of “native” microtubules for in vitro gliding or biochemical assays.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Pathological Correlates of Meningiomas

We examined the relationships between specific magnetic resonance imaging features and certain gross and microscopic characteristics of meningiomas, including vascularity, gross texture (consistency), and venous sinus involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging scans, surgery reports, and the histopathological findings of tumors were examined retrospectively in 54 patients. Sinus involvement was accurately predicted on T1-weighted images in 9 of 10 cases (P = 0.001) and tumors with cystic changes in 3 of 3 cases. T1-weighted images were not useful for predicting vascularity unless actual flow voids could be visualized (five of six cases). There was no correlation between T1 signal intensity, tumor consistency, or histological findings. In tumors without detectable vascularity on T1-weighted images, hyperintensity relative to gray matter on T2-weighted images was correlated with increased vascularity (P = 0.004). Tumors with soft consistency (P = 0.007), cellular atypia, invasion, angioblastic, or melanocytic components were also hyperintense, compared with gray matter on T2-weighted images (P = 0.0266). Aggressive meningiomas were found to be more vascular (P = 0.045). No correlation was found between the degree of surrounding edema or contrast enhancement with histopathological findings, vascularity, or consistency.