cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extrapolation of Data from the Tafamidis in Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy Clinical Trial (ATTR-ACT) Further Highlights the Survival Benefit of Tafamidis in Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy

Introduction In the Tafamidis in Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy Clinical Trial (ATTR-ACT), tafamidis reduced the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) by 30.0% compared with placebo. However, median overall survival was not achieved in either treatment arm, with 70.5% of tafamidis patients and 57.1% of placebo patients alive at the end of the trial. Hypothesis Accurately estimating the survival benefit beyond the 30-month duration of ATTR-ACT will enable a fuller assessment of the survival gain resulting from treatment with tafamidis. Methods This analysis followed the technical support guidelines on survival analysis extrapolation with patient-level data from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Multiple models were applied to systematically fit different candidate curves to the existing data from the 30 month treatment period in ATTR-ACT. The relative fit of each candidate curve was then tested by Akaike's Information Criterion and Bayesian Information Criterion to select a single model which was fitted to both treatment arms in ATTR-ACT. Results The models (including: exponential, weibull, gamma, log-logistic, lognormal, gompertz, generalized gamma, and generalized F) were tested based on the fit criteria. A gamma distribution was selected as best-fitting and fitted to both treatment arms (see Figure). The resulting estimated median overall survival for tafamidis was 52.64 months versus 35.16 months for placebo, a difference of 17.48 months. This extrapolation approach is limited in that it cannot be fully evaluated for accuracy past the 30 months of currently available patient data and did not control for the covariates in ATTR-ACT. Alternative model approaches could result in different estimates of median overall survival. Conclusions This extrapolation of survival data from ATTR-ACT further supports the efficacy of tafamidis in patients with ATTR-CM, demonstrating a 17.48 months longer estimated median overall survival with tafamidis compared with placebo. An open label extension study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02791230) to ATTR-ACT is ongoing and results from that study, when available, may further inform the estimated median overall survival.
Influence of consonantal environment on voice source aerodynamics

Studies of the voice source during speech have been concerned mostly with variations in fundamental frequency and overall amplitude. However, the source variations also include spectral characteristics and the harmonics-to-noise ratio which reflect changes in glottal abduction and vocal fold tension. The present study reports detailed measurements of voice source aerodynamics during transitions between consonants and vowels and between vowels and consonants. Air flow, oral air pressure and glottal opening were recorded from two subjects producing reiterant speech with the vowel /α/ and different voiced and voiceless consonants. The flow signal was inverse-filtered to obtain an estimate of the glottal pulse. The results show considerable influences on the source from the consonant both before the end of the preceding vowel and after the onset of the following vowel. These influences are most marked for voiceless consonants, where the source is breathy at both vowel offset and onset. The observed source variations can be rationalized with reference to aerodynamic and myodynamic factors during vowel offset and onset.
Latent semantic network induction in the context of linked example senses.

The Princeton WordNet is a powerful tool for studying language and developing natural language processing algorithms. With significant work developing it further, one line considers its extension through aligning its expert-annotated structure with other lexical resources. In contrast, this work explores a completely data-driven approach to network construction, forming a wordnet using the entirety of the open-source, noisy, user-annotated dictionary, Wiktionary. Comparing baselines to WordNet, we find compelling evidence that our network induction process constructs a network with useful semantic structure. With thousands of semantically-linked examples that demonstrate sense usage from basic lemmas to multiword expressions (MWEs), we believe this work motivates future research.
MoS2-enabled dual-mode optoelectronic biosensor using a water soluble variant of µ-opioid receptor for opioid peptide detection

Owing to their unique electrical and optical properties, two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides have been extensively studied for their potential applications in biosensing. However, simultaneous utilization of both optical and electrical properties has been overlooked, yet it can offer enhanced accuracy and detection versitility. Here, we demonstrate a dual-mode optoelectronic biosensor based on monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) capable of producing simultaneous electrical and optical readouts of biomolecular signals. On a single platform, the biosensor exhibits a tunable photonic Fano-type optical resonance while also functioning as a field-effect transistor (FET) based on a optically transparent gate electrode. Furthermore, chemical vapor deposition grown MoS2 provides a clean surface for direct immobilization of a water-soluble variant of the μ-opioid receptor (wsMOR), via a nickel ion-mediated linker chemistry. We utilize a synthetic opioid peptide to show the operation of the electronic and optical sensing modes. The responses of both modes exhibit a similar trend with dynamic ranges of four orders of magnitude and detection limits of <1 nM. Our work explores the potential of a versatile multimodal sensing platform enabled by monolayer MoS2, since the integration of electrical and optical sensors on the same chip can offer flexibility in read-out and improve the accuracy in detection of low concentration targets.
Droid-NNet: Deep Learning Neural Network for Android Malware Detection

Android, the most dominant Operating System (OS), experiences immense popularity for smart devices for the last few years. Due to its’ popularity and open characteristics, Android OS is becoming the tempting target of malicious apps which can cause serious security threat to financial institutions, businesses, and individuals. Traditional anti-malware systems do not suffice to combat newly created sophisticated malware. Hence, there is an increasing need for automatic malware detection solutions to reduce the risks of malicious activities. In recent years, machine learning algorithms have been showing promising results in classifying malware where most of the methods are shallow learners like Logistic Regression (LR). In this paper, we propose a deep learning framework, called Droid-NNet, for malware classification. However, our proposed method Droid-NNet is a deep learner that outperforms existing cutting-edge machine learning methods. We performed all the experiments on two datasets (Malgenome-215 & Drebin-215) of Android apps to evaluate Droid-NNet. The experimental result shows the robustness and effectiveness of Droid-NNet.
HIGH OUTPUT HEART FAILURE DUE TO RUPTURED ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM

Congestive heart failure (CHF) with high cardiac output is an uncommon, yet potentially hemodynamically significant result of arteriovenous malformations. 64-year-old male presented in acute renal and liver failure, with suspected cardiogenic shock. Cardiac catheterization identified an elevated
Modulation of soleus H-reflex excitability following cervical transspinal conditioning stimulation in humans

Abstract The aim of this study was to establish the effects of transcutaneous spinal cord (transspinal) stimulation over the cervical region on soleus H-reflex excitability in healthy subjects while at rest. Reflex effects were established at subthreshold and suprathreshold cervical transspinal conditioning stimulation intensities of the extensor carpi radialis transspinal evoked potential. Twenty soleus H-reflexes at 0.125 Hz were recorded randomly under control conditions and following transspinal conditioning stimulation at conditioning-test intervals that ranged from 0 to 55 ms and tested in increment of 5 ms steps and at 100 ms. Cervical transspinal stimulation at suprathreshold and not at subthreshold intensities produced short, medium, and long-latency soleus H-reflex facilitation. The observed facilitatory reflex effects are consistent with activation of excitatory components of long propriospinal neurons. We propose the use of cervical transspinal stimulation to potentiate excitatory neuronal interactions between arms and legs in neurological disorders.
The Effects of an Informational Intervention on Attention to Anti-Vaccination Content on YouTube

The spread of misinformation related to health, especially vaccination, is a potential contributor to myriad public health problems. This misinformation is frequently spread through social media. Recently, social media companies have intervened in the dissemination of misinformation regarding vaccinations. In the current study we focus on YouTube. Recognizing the extent of the problem, YouTube implemented an informational modification that affected many videos related to vaccination beginning in February 2019. We collect original data and analyze the effects of this intervention on video viewership. We find that this informational intervention reduced traffic to the affected videos, both overall, and in comparison to a carefully-matched set of control videos that did not receive the informational modification.
An evaluation of dialectical behavior therapy for juveniles in secure residential facilities

This study evaluates implementation levels (dosage) and impact on recidivism of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, as adapted for juveniles in secure residential facilities in Washington State. Actual d...
Evolving Goals of Care Discussions as Described in Interviews With Individuals With Advanced Cancer and Oncology and Palliative Care Teams.

Background:Individuals with advanced cancer and their families have negative end-of-life experiences when the care they receive is not aligned with their values and preferences.Objective:To obtain ...
Addressing the Pandemic Training Deficiency: Filling the Void with Simulation in Facial Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the use of a three-dimensional (3D) printed, multilayer facial flap model for use in trainee education as an alternative method of teaching surgical techniques of facial reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: A 3D printed facial flap simulator was designed from a computed tomography scan and manufactured out of silicone for low-cost, high-fidelity simulation. This simulator was tested by a group of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery trainees at a single institution. The simulator group was compared to a control group who completed an exercise on a traditional paper facial flap exercise. Both groups underwent didactic lectures prior to completing their respective exercises. Pre- and post-exercise Likert scale surveys measuring experience, understanding, effectiveness, and realism were completed by both groups. Central tendency, variability, and confidence intervals were measured to evaluate the outcomes. RESULTS: Trainees completing the facial flap simulator reported a statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement in overall expertise in facial flap procedures, design of facial flaps, and excision of standing cutaneous deformities. No statistically significant improvement was seen in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Trainees found the facial flap simulator to be an effective and useful training tool with a high level of realism in surgical education of facial reconstruction. Surgical simulators can serve as an adjunct to trainee education, especially during extraordinary times such as the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which significantly impacted surgical training. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 131:E2444-E2448, 2021.
Event-triggered Backstepping Control of 2 × 2 Hyperbolic PDE-ODE Systems

Abstract Motivated by vibration control of a mining cable elevator avoiding frequent actions of the actuator which is a massive hydraulic cylinder at the head sheave, we present an event-triggered backstepping boundary controller for a 2 x 2 coupled hyperbolic PDE-ODE system. A two-step design is proposed including the design of a low-pass-filter-based backstepping boundary stabilization law and the sequent design of an event-trigger mechanism. The proof of the existence of a nonzero minimal dwell-time between two triggering times, and the exponential stability result of the event-based closed-loop system are given in this paper.
Two Endotracheal Tubes in One Trachea with a Traumatic Injury.

Background Traumatic airway injuries often require improvising solutions to altered anatomy under strict time constraints. We describe here the use of two endotracheal tubes simultaneously in the trachea to facilitate securing an airway which has been severely compromised by a self-inflicted wound to the trachea. Case Presentation: A 71-year-old male presented with a self-inflicted incision to his neck, cutting deep into the trachea itself. An endotracheal tube was emergently placed through the self-inflicted hole in the trachea in the ED. The patient was bleeding profusely, severely somnolent, and desaturating upon arrival to the operating room. Preservation of the tenuous airway was a priority while seeking to establish a more secure one. A video laryngoscope was used to gain a wide view of the posterior oropharynx and assist with oral intubation using a fiberoptic scope loaded with a second endotracheal tube. The initial tube's cuff was deflated as the second tube was advanced over the fiberoptic scope, thereby securing the airway while a completion tracheostomy was performed. Conclusions Direct penetrating airway trauma may necessitate early, albeit less secure, intubations though the neck wounds prior to operating room arrival. The conundrum is weighing the risk of losing a temporary airway while attempting to establish a more secure airway. Here, we demonstrate the versatility of common anesthesia tools such as a video laryngoscope and a fiberoptic bronchoscope and the welcome discovery of the trachea's ability to accommodate two endotracheal tubes simultaneously so as to ensure a patent airway at all points throughout resuscitation.
Linking the Salmonella enterica 1,2-propanediol utilization bacterial microcompartment shell to the enzymatic core via the shell protein PduB

Bacterial microcompartments (MCPs) are protein-based organelles that house the enzymatic machinery for metabolism of niche carbon sources, allowing enteric pathogens to outcompete native microbiota during host colonization. While much progress has been made toward understanding MCP biogenesis, questions still remain regarding the mechanism by which core MCP enzymes are enveloped within the MCP protein shell. Here we explore the hypothesis that the shell protein PduB is responsible for linking the shell of the 1,2-propanediol utilization (Pdu) MCP from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2 to its enzymatic core. Using fluorescent reporters, we demonstrate that all members of the Pdu enzymatic core are encapsulated in Pdu MCPs. We also demonstrate that PduB is the sole protein responsible for linking the entire Pdu enzyme core to the MCP shell. Using MCP purifications, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy we find that shell assembly can be decoupled from the enzymatic core, as apparently empty MCPs are formed in Salmonella strains lacking PduB. Mutagenesis studies also reveal that PduB is incorporated into the Pdu MCP shell via a conserved, lysine-mediated hydrogen bonding mechanism. Finally, growth assays and systems-level pathway modeling reveal that unencapsulated pathway performance is strongly impacted by enzyme concentration, highlighting the importance of minimizing polar effects when conducting these functional assays. Together, these results provide insight into the mechanism of enzyme encapsulation within Pdu MCPs and demonstrate that the process of enzyme encapsulation and shell assembly are separate processes in this system, a finding that will aid future efforts to understand MCP biogenesis.
Written Discourse Task Helps to Identify Progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia.

PURPOSE We aimed to investigate: (1) the clinical, diagnostic value of a written discourse task, and (2) the relationship between executive functions and written discourse within the spectrum of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHOD To determine whether written discourse performance predicts clinical course among individuals with MCI, we retrospectively classified individuals with MCI as converters (N = 26) who were later diagnosed with dementia or as a stable MCI group (N = 45). We quantified core word measures from written discourse samples obtained from the Cookie Theft picture description task. RESULT Written discourse measures differentiated converters from the stable MCI group. Converters produced a fewer number of core words than the stable MCI group. A measure of executive function significantly predicted performance on the production of core words in written discourse for the converters. In a multivariable regression, production of core words remained the only explanatory variable closely associated with the progression to dementia in MCI. CONCLUSION Written discourse tasks can predict the likelihood of MCI progressing to dementia, independently of recall and an executive function measure. Correlational results suggest that written discourse performance was associated with executive function as measured by the Trail Making Test. Our findings emphasize the usefulness of including written discourse tasks in language assessment batteries targeting preclinical dementia populations.
Fatigue of Orthotropic Steel Decks

Experimental investigations reported on the fatigue behavior of orthotropic steel bridge decks have been rather limited. Results of fatigue tests on steel orthotropic decks with both conventional and biserrated trapezoidal ribs are presented. In the first phase, tests on two types of deck to rib plate welded connections unflanged and flanged ribs, and on two types of rib splices butt joint and diaphragm splices reveal that the unflanged rib to deck plate connection and the butt joint rib splice exhibit satisfactory fatigue strength. Results of the second phase, involving decks with biserrated ribs subject to AASHO wheel loads, indicate that an optimum serration radius can be determined, and that fatigue cracks developed at lower serration corners do not result in the total collapse of the deck.
From Self-Management to Management: Pierre Rosanvallon's Bureaucratic Turn

In his most recent work, Rosanvallon is attempting to understand democratic legitimacy in the context of the crisis of representation. The idea that electoral-representative functions increasingly need to be complemented by other modes of legitimation provides the premise of Democratic Legitimacy. Rosanvallon seeks to identify these supporting governing relationships, which he finds within nonelective institutions of “proximity, impartiality, and reflexivity.” According to him, the institutions of indirect democracy have become increasingly important since the 1980s, but they have been undertheorized and have thus failed to find their place in the democratic repertoire. If we can recognize the institutions of “indirect democracy” as serving democratic functions, he believes, we can revive political discourse in these spaces and fight against the depoliticizing tendencies of these presumably passive modes of public life. Here, as in his previous work Counter-Democracy, Rosanvallon exhorts the reader to adopt the view that citizen engagement has not dissipated, but taken on different forms.
A systematic and general proteolytic method for defining structural and functional domains of proteins.

Publisher Summary Proteolysis is a well-established technology, and for the goal of domain definition, it brings an essential advantage over genetic dissection: labile segments of proteins and the complementary structured regions are identified by a probe that is directly sensitive to the structural parameters of interest. Thus, the resulting proteolytic data often contain exactly the kind of structural information that is sought at the resolution of the individual peptide bonds at the sites of cleavage. The proteolytic fragmentation pattern itself can be used to identify candidate structured and nonstructured parts of the molecule as a guide to cloning. The implementation of the proteolytic technique has typically been protein specific in the sense that conditions for generating desirable fragments have been quite specific for a given protein. Such conditions are then often borrowed for other proteins for which they may or may not work well and may be adapted for the new substrate by exploring the nearby condition space. Yet, it is quite simple to implement the proteolytic procedure in a systematic, general empirical approach that quickly identifies the requirements for the dissection of any new protein under conditions that are optimal for that protein, or under virtually any desired conditions. This chapter discusses such an empirical procedure. Its basic features are a range-finding experiment to calibrate enzyme activity under the chosen conditions and a time-course experiment during which the complete progress of digestion can be observed.
Patient-rheumatologist communication concerning prescription medications: Getting to the gist

Objective Fuzzy trace theory was used to develop a coding scheme that captures the gist that patients extract from information about medication risks and benefits and to explore the extent to which different patients extract different gist representations from the same information. Methods Data were collected from 2003–2007 in a study that included audiotape recording office visits that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients had with their rheumatologists. Each patient (n = 365) had up to 3 visits audiotape recorded. The audiotapes were transcribed to facilitate content analysis. Four patients with RA who did not participate in the original study guided development of the coding scheme and used it to code the transcripts. Results The coding scheme contains 14 gist themes centering on medication effectiveness, need, and safety. There was considerable variation among the gist coders in the specific themes they extracted from individual transcripts. We observed the greatest intercoder agreement for the 4 gist theme variables related to whether the rheumatologist wanted to make changes to the medication regimen. Furthermore, the coders rarely used the “not clear” category to code these 4 variables. In contrast, intercoder agreement for the remaining gist themes, which were designed to capture issues central to the communication of information about medication risks and benefits, was low and the “not clear” category was used more frequently. Conclusion Our study findings suggest that different people exposed to the same information may form different gist representations. Patient–provider communication concerning medication risks and benefits might be enhanced by better understanding the factors that influence the gist extraction process.
Fatigue crack growth through a residual stress field introduced by plastic beam bending

We present predictions and measurements of fatigue crack growth rates in plastically bent aluminium 2024-T351 beams. Beam bending and fatigue were carefully controlled to minimize factors other than residual stress that could affect the fatigue crack growth rate, such as large plastic strains or residual stress relaxation. The residual stress introduced by bending was characterized by a bending method and by the slitting method, with excellent agreement between the two methods. Crack growth rates were predicted by three linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) superposition based methods and compared to experimental measurements. The prediction that included the effects of partial crack closure correlated with experimental data to within the variability normally observed in fatigue crack growth rate testing of nominally residual stress free material. Therefore, we conclude that crack growth through residual stress fields may be predicted using the concept of superposition as accurately as crack growth through residual stress free material, provided that the residual stress is accurately known, the residual stress remains stable during fatigue, the material properties are not changed by the introduction of residual stress, and that the effect, if any, of partial crack closure is taken into account.
Nonpayment Proceedings: The So-Called Spiegel Defense-Part I

This article discusses New York's Spiegel Law defense before the Court of Appeals decided Notre Dame Leasing v. Rosario.
Canola Meal as a Protein Supplement in Dairy Rations

Abstract Thirty high-producing Holstein cows in the 2nd wk of lactation were in a 4-mo feeding trial to compare canola meal with soybean and cottonseed meals as single protein supplements in complete dairy rations. Diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric and contained 11.7% canola, 10.4% cottonseed, or 8.6% soybean meals. Actual and 4% fat-corrected milk production did not differ among diets. However, cows fed canola meal tended to yield more milk than cows fed soybean or cottonseed meal. Milk component (protein, fat, total solids, and solids-not-fat) percentages were not different. Solids-not-fat was the only component that was different, reflecting accumulated differences of milk production and percentage solids-not-fat. Diets did not affect milk flavor quality. Feed intake was similar for different diets. Rumen total volatile fatty acid content was higher for canola and soybean meal. Plasma urea nitrogen, total protein and albumin, as well as packed cell volume, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin content did not appear to be affected by rations. Leucocytic scores were higher for cows fed soybean meal, but these were not affected by diet. Thyroid function analysis indicated no effect of canola glucosinolates on the thyroid gland.
The Evolution of the AASM Clinical Practice Guidelines: Another Step Forward.

One of the goals of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations in our clinical practice guidelines. Periodically, the AASM will assess and upd...
The phylogenetic placement of the Leucogastrales, including Mycolevis siccigleba (Cribbeaceae), in the Albatrellaceae using morphological and molecular data

The morphology of many hypogeous fungi converges on a homogeneous reduced form, suggesting that disparate lineages are subject to a uniform selection pressure. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the morphology and infer the phylogeny of the Leucogastrales with Mycolevis siccigleba using a Bayesian methodology. A comprehensive morphological assessment was used for an a priori phylogenetic inference to guide the sequencing effort. All structures except spore ornamentation pointed to the Albatrellaceae as the most likely sister taxon. Polyporoletus sublividus, a close relative of Albatrellus, produces ornamented basidiospores with a similar structure to M. siccigleba basidiospores. The ITS from 30 taxa was used for the molecular phylogenetic analysis. P. sublividus was found sister to Mycolevis. Leucophleps spinispora and L. magnata formed a group sister to the Polyporoletus/Mycolevis group, whereas Leucogaster was polyphyletic with respect to the core of the Leucogastrales and sister to A. caeruleoporus. This relationship was expected as previously undescribed chlamydospores produced by members of Albatrellus had a similar morphology to the basidiospores of L. rubescens.
Spray Painting Without Compressed Air

(1960). Spray Painting Without Compressed Air. Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal: Vol. 1, No. 6, pp. 534-539.
Mode II dynamic fields near a crack tip growing in an elastic-perfectly-plastic solid

Abstract A n asymptotic solution is given for Mode II dynamic fields in the neighborhood of the tip of a steadily advancing crack in an incompressible elastic—perfectly-plastic solid (plane strain). It is shown that, like for Modes I and III (G ao and N emat -N asser , 1983), the complete dynamic solution for Mode II predicts a logarithmic singularity for the strain field, but unlike for those modes which involve no elastic unloading, the pure Mode II solution includes two elastic sectors next to the stress-free crack surfaces. This is in contradiction to the quasi-static solution which predicts a small central plastic zone, followed by two large elastic zones, and then two very small plastic zones adjacent to the stress-free crack faces. The stress field for the complete dynamic solution varies throughout the entire crack tip neighborhood, admitting finite jumps at two shock fronts within the central plastic sector. This dynamic stress field is consistent with that of the stationary crack solution, and indeed reduces to it as the crack growth speed becomes zero.
Commitment as an antidote to the tension and turnover consequences of organizational politics.

Abstract Organizational commitment was conceptualized and tested as a moderator of the relationship between perceived politics and the outcomes of intent to turnover and job tension in two studies seeking convergence of results. Study 1 sampled middle and upper level managers in the hotel industry. Study 2 sampled university employees using different measures of the similar constructs in an effort to constructively replicate (Lykken, 1984) Study 1 results. Both studies demonstrated that the positive relationship between organizational politics and job tension decreased as organizational commitment increased. Furthermore, the positive relationship between organizational politics and intent to turnover decreased as organizational commitment increased in Study 1 but not in Study 2. Implications of these findings are discussed, and directions for future research are provided.
High-resolution two-photon spectroscopy in InSb at milliwatt cw powers in a magnetic field

Resonant structure in the magnetophotoconductivity of $n\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{I}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{b}$ is shown to arise from two-photon absorption of cw C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ laser radiation. This is the first time that two-photon experiments in solids have been carried out with only cw lasers.
Combined Analysis of COX-2 and p53 Expressions Reveals Synergistic Inverse Correlations with Microsatellite Instability and CpG Island Methylator Phenotype in Colorectal Cancer

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression and mutations of p53 (a known COX-2 regulator) are inversely associated with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) characterized by extensive promoter methylation, is associated with MSI-H. However, no studies have comprehensively examined interrelations between COX-2, p53, MSI, and CIMP. Using MethyLight, we measured DNA methylation in five CIMP-specific gene promoters [CACNA1G, CDKN2A (p16/INK4A), CRABP1, MLH1, and NEUROG1] in relatively unbiased samples of 751 colorectal cancer cases obtained from two large prospective cohorts; 115 (15%) tumors were CIMP-high (> or = 4 of 5 methylated promoters), 251 (33%) were CIMP-low (1 to 3 methylated promoters), and the remaining 385 (51%) were CIMP-0 (no methylated promoters). CIMP-high tumors were much less frequent in COX-2+/p53+ tumors (4.6%) than in COX-2+/p53- tumors (19%; P < .0001), COX-2-/p53+ tumors (17%; P = .04), and COX-2-/p53- tumors (28%; P < .0001). In addition, COX-2+/p53+ tumors were significantly less common in MSI-H CIMP-high tumors (9.7%) than in non-MSI-H CIMP-low/CIMP-0 tumors (44-47%; P < .0001). In conclusion, COX-2 and p53 alterations were synergistically inversely correlated with both MSI-H and CIMP-high. Our data suggest that a combined analysis of COX-2 and p53 may be more useful for the molecular classification of colorectal cancer than either COX-2 or p53 analysis alone.
Age and sex-dependent decreases in ChAT in basal forebrain nuclei.

Abstract Microdissection techniques were utilized to measure the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) (enzyme responsible for synthesis of acetylcholine) in individual basal forebrain nuclei of aged (24 month) and young (4 month) male and female rats. Small but consistent decreases in the activity of ChAT in aged rats were found, and the location of the changes was dependent on the sex of the rat. Aged female rats showed approximately 30% lower ChAT and 40% lower acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the ventral globus pallidus (vGP). Aged males did not show decreased ChAT in the vGP but activity in the medial aspect of the horizontal diagonal band nucleus was 50% lower than in the young males. ChAT activity in four other closely aligned basal forebrain nuclei was not different betwen the young and aged rats. Analysis of cell number, density and area in the vGP by AChE histochemistry showed no significant differences between aged and young females. In addition, age and sex-dependent changes were measured in pituitary glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. The relationship of the changes to age-dependent decrements in memory, the possible influence of gonadal hormones on aging, and the mechanisms responsible for age-related declines in ChAT activity are discussed.
Epigenetic control of an endogenous gene family is revealed by a novel blue fluorescent mutant of Arabidopsis.

Abstract The Wassilewskija strain of Arabidopsis has four genes encoding the tryptophan enzyme phosphoribosylanthranilate isomerase (PAI) located at three unlinked sites. These four PAI genes are methylated over their regions of DNA homology. When PAI copy number is reduced by deletion of two tandemly arrayed genes ( MePAI1-PAI4 ), a mutant with fluorescent, tryptophan-deficient phenotypes results, because the two remaining methylated PAI genes ( MePA12 and McPAI3 ) supply insufficient PAI activity. These two methylated genes can be inherited through meiosis, even when they are segregated away from each other in crosses to a strain with unmethylated PAI genes. However, the mutant phenotypes conferred by the methylated PAI genes are unstable, and mutant plants yield occasional revertant somatic sectors and progeny. Revertant lines display coordinately reduced methylation of both PAI2 and PAI3 , implying that this hypomethylation acts in a concerted manner across the genome rather than at individual sites.
Implementation of a Semi-Implicit Pressure-Based Multigrid Fluid Flow Algorithm on a Graphics Processing Unit

A semi-implicit pressure based multigrid algorithm for solving the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations was implemented on a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) using CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture). The multigrid method employed was the Full Approximation Scheme (FAS), which is used for solving nonlinear equations. This algorithm is applied to the 2D driven cavity problem and compared to the CPU version of the code (written in Fortran) to assess computational speed-up.© 2009 ASME
Actin branches out to link pathogen perception and host gene regulation.

Cellular functions of actin, and associated actin binding proteins (ABPs), have been well characterized with respect to their dynamic cytosolic role as components of the complex cytoskeletal network. In this regard, the collective research in this field has vastly expanded our knowledge of the role of actin to more recently identify a key role within the nucleus as an integral part gene organization and expression. Herein, we describe the requirement of the ABP actin depolymerizing factor-4 (ADF4) as a regulator of resistance to Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 expressing the effector AvrPphB via ADF4’s cytosolic and nuclear functions. In total, our work has identified significant alterations in the expression of the resistance protein RPS5 in an ADF4 phosphorylation dependent manner. In this mini-review, we provide compelling evidence in support of both a nuclear function for ADF4, as well as potential targeting of the actin cytoskeleton bythe bacterial effector AvrPphB.
The relation of ethics and science: a commentary on "The study of socioethical issues in systems biology".

The Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI) program was sprung on a surprised world in 1988 at the establishment of the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Genome Research, ...
Comparisons in three-dimensionality in the unsteady flows elicited by straight and swept wings

Abstract : An investigate study of the three-dimensional, unsteady flow field about a sinusoidally pitching forward swept wing, straight wing and aft swept wing was conducted. The flow field was documented using a smoke wire technique and stroboscopic photography. Photographs were taken from both side and top view perspectives at span locations from wingtip to 1.33c inboard. A comparative study between these wings is made with the smoke sheet at identical span locations for each. The unsteady flow field was produced by sinusoidally oscillating the wings about the quarter chord between angles of attack of 5 and 25 deg at reduced frequencies of 0.0, 0.6, 1.0, and 1.4. Static stall characteristics seem to directly influence the dynamic vortical structure formation, growth and traversing tendencies. The interactive effects between dynamic wingtip and leading edge vortex size and location show effects of wing sweep and reduced frequency. Multiple vortex formation during the initial phase of the pitching cycle and leading edge vortex splitting were observed. Keywords: Flow visualization; Pitch motion; Sweptback wings; Three dimensional flow; Sweptforward wings.
Changes in Childhood Immunization Disparities between Central Cities and Their Respective States, 2000 versus 2006

Central cities have lower childhood immunization coverage rates than states in which they are located. We conducted a secondary analysis of the National Immunization Survey (NIS) 2000 and 2006 of children 19–35 months old for 26 NIS-defined central cities and the rest of their respective states in order to examine patterns in early childhood immunization disparities between central cities and their respective states and the contextual factors associated with these disparities. We examined three measures of immunization disparities (absolute, difference, and ratio of change) and the patterns of disparity change with regard to selected contextual factors derived from the census. In 2000, immunization coverage in central cities was 68.3% and 74.7% in the rest of their states, a 6.4% disparity (t = 3.82, p < 0.000). Between 2000 and 2006, the overall city/state disparity narrowed to 3.5%, with the central city coverage up to 78.7% vs. 82.5% for the rest of state (t = 2.48, p = 0.017). However, changes in immunization disparities were not uniform: six cities narrowed, 14 had minimal change, and six widened. Central cities with a larger share of Hispanics experienced less reduction in disparities than other cities (beta = −4.2, t = −2.11, p = 0.047). Despite overall progress in childhood immunization coverage, most central cities still show significant disparities with respect to the rest of their states. Cities with larger Hispanic populations may need extra help in narrowing their disparities.
Broad resonance for improving imaging quality of a photonic crystal lens

We employ a semi-analytic theory to compute the modulation transfer function and optimize the design of a photonic crystal lens. With a unique broad resonance, the isotropy of the image field is significantly enhanced.
Excitation of spin waves at the Fe(100) surface by spin-polarized electron scattering

Inelastic scattering of low-energy electrons off Fe(100) surfaces shows a strong spin dependent energy loss feature in the range of 100--350 meV due to the excitation of spin waves. The highly asymmetric line shape is attributed to the excitation of a continuum of bulk spin waves due to nonconservation of perpendicular momentum in the scattering process.
Cluster Size Formation and its Effect on Protein Sorting in the Immunological Synapse

Micron-scale assemblies of molecules is thematic in biology, although oftentimes their exact function and mechanism of formation are unknown. A hallmark example is the immunological synapse (IS). T cell detection of pathogenic invasion on an antigen-presenting cell leads to the arrangement of receptor-ligand pairs into well-defined concentric zones. Specifically, T cell receptors (TCR) bound to peptide-presenting major histocompatibility complex (MHC), occupy the central zone surrounded by a ring of leukocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) bound to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). We postulate that the differences in cluster sizes between large TCR:pMHC micro-clusters and small LFA-1:ICAM-1 complexes prior to centripetal actin transport determine their differential sorting. To study this, we increase the LFA-1 cluster size two additional degrees beyond its native state by crosslinking LFA-1 or ICAM-1 on the supported membrane with a bivalent or tetravalent crosslinker. Progressively more central localization of LFA-1 proportional to the degree of crosslinking results until LFA-1 occupies the central zone with TCR. The different clustering states are identified using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). Furthermore, the addition of a costimulatory interaction also increases radial transport. Thus, we demonstrate that the well-regulated event of clustering is a critical parameter in determining spatial patterning in the IS. We propose a sorting mechanism based on frictional protein coupling to actin, which is consistent with our observations and may be generalized to all membrane proteins in the IS.
Oral Toxicity of 3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one in Rats

3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), an insensitive explosive, was evaluated to assess potential environmental and human health effects. A 14-day oral toxicity study in Sprague-Dawley rats was conducted with NTO in polyethylene glycol -200 by gavage at doses of 0, 250, 500, 1000, 1500, or 2000 mg/kg-d. Body mass and food consumption decreased in males (2000 mg/kg-d), and testes mass was reduced at doses of 500 mg/kg-d and greater. Based on the findings in the 14-day study, a 90-day study was conducted at doses of 0, 30, 100, 315, or 1000 mg/kg-d NTO. There was no effect on food consumption, body mass, or neurobehavioral parameters. Males in the 315 and 1000 mg/kg-d groups had reduced testes mass with associated tubular degeneration and atrophy. The testicular effects were the most sensitive adverse effect and were used to derive a benchmark dose (BMD) of 70 mg/kg-d with a 10% effect level (BMDL10) of 40 mg/kg-d.
In vivo microdialysis in the rat: low cost and low labor construction of a small diameter, removable, concentric-style microdialysis probe system.

A method for construction of a serviceable and low cost intracerebral microdialysis system is presented. The system includes a probe and its supporting components. The probe is of the concentric design. The supporting components are an implantable guide cannula, a tether, and a swivel. After minimal training, workers can make many probes of consistent performance characteristics in a short time. Because all of the parts are commercially produced, users may obtain custom-made components which are finished with factory precision and accuracy. The user may readily vary probe characteristics such as depth of implant and size of active portion, so that different types of dialysis may be performed in different brain regions. The available choices in tether and swivel configurations make this microdialysis system readily adaptable to diverse testing environments. Excluding labor and startup costs, the cost per probe is approximately $11.00 (US). Taken together, the system provides a flexible, low cost means for performing in vivo microdialysis in freely moving rats.
Discovering company revenue relations from news: A network approach

Large volumes of online business news provide an opportunity to explore various aspects of companies. A news story pertaining to a company often cites other companies. Using such company citations we construct an intercompany network, employ social network analysis techniques to identify a set of attributes from the network structure, and feed the attributes to machine learning methods to predict the company revenue relation (CRR) that is based on two companies' relative quantitative financial data. Hence, we seek to understand the power of network structural attributes in predicting CRRs that are not described in the news or known at the time the news was published. The network attributes produce close to 80% precision, recall, and accuracy for all 87,340 company pairs in the network. This approach is scalable and can be extended to private and foreign companies for which financial data is unavailable or hard to procure.
Determining the availability on a system of systems network

The Research Institute at the University of Alabama in Huntsville has developed a method of performing an availability analysis on a system of systems network. The goal of this process is to determine the overall availability for the entire network based up on the LRU (Line Replaceable Unit) and the design configuration of each of the systems. By examining the MTTR (Mean Time To Replace), MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) and the ALDT (Administrative and Logistical Downtime) for the LRU's, we can see how these factors have an effect on the operational and inherent availability from the LRU through the system level and how it correlates to the availability for an entire system of systems network. This paper presents the methodology on how to build an availability model for a system of systems network. An analysis can be performed to determine the operational and inherent availability of a single part to a network of systems and the potential benefits of performing such an analysis, based upon the criteria specified.
Implementing Virtual Career Counseling and Advising at a Major University

With college students using the Internet to meet a variety of professional and personal needs, college campuses are seeking ways to enhance their student services by using emerging technologies. In this case study, the authors discuss the implementation of online career advising and planning services via synchronous chat sessions. Given the constraints concerning vendor selection, procurement issues, software implementation, and limited budgets, it was critical for the career counseling team to find a robust, secure, and affordable software platform to meet their needs. It was important that this software and service appeal to students as they sought personal career development. The team considered existing practice standards to guide the implementation of this innovative student service. With these elements in place, the authors discuss the process of launching an online career planning and advising program and the resulting challenges that emerged.