cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clues to Suicide, Reconsidered

This brief paper focuses on a rather recondite aspect of the suicidal scenario: dissembling (feigning, pretending, withholding). Most individuals who commit suicide exhibit prodromal indicia in the month before. These verbal and behavioral clues are found in about 90% of psychological autopsies of suicidal deaths. As for the other 10% who mask or hide their lethal intentions, we do well to assume that even some hidden clues might be deciphered by the skillful clinician or the alert friend or colleague.
Actomyosin interaction in striated muscle

The mechanics of the actomyosin interaction have been extensively studied using the organized filament array of striated muscle. However, the extrapolation of these data to the events occurring at the level of a single actomyosin interaction has not been simple. Problems arise in part because an active fiber has an ensemble of myosin heads that are spread out through the various steps of the active cycle, and it is likely that only a small fraction of the heads are generating tension at any given time. More recently, two new approaches have greatly extended our knowledge of the actomyosin interaction. First, the three-dimensional crystal structures of both the actin monomer and the myosin head have been determined, and these structures have been fit to lower resolution images to give atomic models of the actin filament and of the actin filament decorated by myosin heads. Second, the technology to measure picoNewton forces and nanometer distances has provided direct determinations of the force and step length generated by a single myosin molecule interacting with a single actin filament. This review synthesizes the existing mechanical data obtained from the more-organized array of the muscle filament with the results obtained by these two technologies.
A CRF approach to fitting a generalized hand skeleton model

We present a new point distribution model capable of modeling joint subluxation (shifting) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and an approach to fitting this model to posteroanterior view hand radiographs. We formulate this shape fitting problem as inference in a conditional random field. This model combines potential functions that focus on specific anatomical structures and a learned shape prior. We evaluate our approach on two datasets: one containing relatively healthy hands and one containing hands of rheumatoid arthritis patients. We provide an empirical analysis of the relative value of different potential functions. We also show how to use the fitted hand skeleton to initialize a process for automatically estimating bone contours, which is a challenging, but important, problem in RA disease progression assessment.
Gas absorption by a liquid layer flowing on the wall of a pipe

A method is presented for predicting absorption rates for liquid layers flowing along a wall. It is based on results presently available in the literature as well as on the results of studies we recently carried out on the rate of oxygen absorption from a flowing air stream into water layers on the bottom of a horizontal enclosed channel and on the inside of a vertical pipe. Absorption measurements can be interpreted by assuming that the process is controlled by eddies whose length and velocity are characterized by bulk turbulence properties and that in a region of thickness δ close to the interface the turbulence is dampened by viscosity.
Experimental Realization of a Feedback Controlled Flashing Ratchet

A flashing ratchet transports diffusive particles by on and off switching of an asymmetric periodic, ratchet shaped spatial potential. Recent theory work has predicted that the use of a feedback algorithm based on particle positions can increase velocity by up to an order of magnitude compared to periodic flashing. Experimental implementation of feedback control is also predicted to show current reversals and synchronization effects. Feedback control could be used to model and understand the gating mechanisms in linear, dimeric molecular motors that lead to processivity.We have successfully implemented feedback control of a flashing ratchet system and observed the predicted increase in velocity. We compare two different feedback algorithms for small particle numbers. The maximum instantaneous velocity method (MIV) considers the force on all the particles when the ratchet is on, and the maximum net displacement (MND) method considers the distance of the particles compared to a certain reference point. We also find that through manipulation of this reference point, the algorithm can be further improved to be more tolerant of feedback delay times. We find good agreement with Langevin simulations that take into account the feedback delay time and spatial sampling of the potential by the finite-sized microspheres.We use an optical line trap to realize a flashing ratchet, and through real-time image analysis we achieve fast feedback with implementation delay time of 5 ms. We use an acousto-optic deflector to create the line trap by scanning an optical tweezer fast enough that a trapped silica microsphere feels a time-averaged potential.
Upright 3D Treatment Planning Using a Vertical CT

In this report, we describe a novel technique used to plan and administer external beam radiation therapy to a patient in the upright position. A patient required reirradiation for thymic carcinoma but was unable to tolerate the supine position due to bilateral phrenic nerve injury and paralysis of the diaphragm. Computed tomography (CT) images in the upright position were acquired at the Northern Illinois University Institute for Neutron Therapy at Fermilab. The CT data were imported into a standard 3-dimensional (3D) treatment planning system. Treatment was designed to deliver 24 Gy to the target volume while respecting normal tissue tolerances. A custom chair that locked into the treatment table indexing system was constructed for immobilization, and port films verified the reproducibility of setup. Radiation was administered using mixed photon and electron AP fields.
The interstellar wake of the solar wind

The present work examines theoretically the cooling of the subsonic solar wind by the interstellar hydrogen gas entering the solar system. It is assumed that the interstellar hydrogen gas is distributed uniformly in the space where the solar wind is subsonic, and the solar-wind wake is represented by an idealized column flow of plasma in which the flow velocity is constant and the temperature varies along, not across, the wake. The results are therefore to be taken only in their order of magnitude. In the hot region near the shock sphere the electrons are cooled mainly through electron ionization while the protons cool through charge exchange. In the cooler regions far away from the shock, the protons are still cooled by charge exchange and the electron is cooled by collisions with protons. As the temperature of the solar wind decreases, the magnetic field becomes relatively more important. When the spin axis of the sun is parallel to the direction of the incident interstellar gas flow, the lines of force are in spiral form and the tension causes the plasma to be concentrated along the center of the wake.
A shared control architecture for human-in-the-loop robotics applications

We propose a shared control architecture to enable the modeling of human-in-the-loop cyber physical systems (HiLCPS) in robotics applications. We identify challenges that currently hinder ideas and concepts from cross-domain applications to be shared among different implementation of HiLCPS. The presented architecture is developed with the intent to help bridge the gap between different communities developing HiLCPS by providing a common framework, associated metrics, and associated language to describe individual elements. We provide examples from two different domains, disaster robotics and assistive robotics, to demonstrate the structure of the architecture.
Inhibition of fat cell membrane adenylate cyclase by 2'-deoxyadenosine-3'-monophosphate

Abstract A naturally occurring compound, 2'-deoxyadenosine-3'-monophosphate (2'-deoxy-3'-AMP), is a potent inhibitor (K i about 10 μM) of the adenylate cuclase activity of various rat tissues, toad erythrocytes, and mammalian cells in culture. This inhibition is reversible and appears to be noncompetitive with respect to the substrate, ATP. In addition, in the presence of the inhibitor, adenylate cyclase exhibits negative cooperativity with respect to MgCl 2 . Cyclase activity stimulated by preincubation with NaF is as sensitive to inhibition by 2'-deoxy-3'-AMP as is control activity. However, preincubation of adenylate cyclase with 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (GPPNHP) and isoproterenol reduces its sensitivity to inhibition by the deoxynucleotide. Furthermore, adenylate cyclase exhibits negative cooperativity with respect to inhibition by 2'-deoxy-3'-AMP in the presence but not in the absence of isoproterenol. Finally, the deoxynucleotide inhibitor lowers the observed maximal isoproterenol-stimulated cyclase activity and simultaneously increases the concentration of catecholamine required for half-maximal activation. The possible role of 2'-deoxy-3'-AMP as a regulator of adenylate cyclase and intracellular hormonal responsiveness is discussed.
Understanding multivinyl monomer photopolymerization kinetics through modeling and GPC investigation of degradable networks

Multivinyl monomers that react to form highly crosslinked, biodegradable networks are being developed as scaffolds for tissue engineering and vehicles for drug delivery; however, this work demonstrates their usefulness in characterizing better the complexities of the kinetics and structural evolution during crosslinking photopolymerization. The molecular weight distributions (MWDs) of the degradation products of networks formed through the free radical photopolymerization of multivinyl monomers validate a novel kinetic model to test hypotheses as to the important kinetic mechanisms during crosslinking. The kinetic model, in conjunction with the experimental results for the degradable network, provides insight into the fundamental termination mechanisms (i.e. chain length dependent termination (CLDT), chain transfer to either a unimolecular species or polymer, and the accumulation of persistent radicals) that control the MWD of the backbone kinetic chains throughout the polymerization. Specifically, the importance of CLDT during autoacceleration and the impact of light intensity on the MWD of the backbone kinetic chains are presented.
The Karman vortex trail and flow behind a circular cylinder

Recent measurements by Sreenivasen [Frontiers in Fluid Mechanics (Springer, New York, 1985), pp. 41–67] have shown the presence of temporal frequencies (other than the shedding frequency) in the vortex wake generated by a circular cylinder. It is shown here that these modes of oscillation can be described in terms of the classical analysis of the von Karman vortex trail. A comparison of theory with experiment identifies the individually excited modes.
Encouraging preliminary results in 12 patients with high‐risk haematological malignancies by omitting graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis after allogeneic transplantation

Immunosuppressive therapy, routinely given after allogeneic transplantation to modulate graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may have an adverse effect on the graft-versus-tumour (GVT) effect. Twelve patients with high-risk haematological malignancies were given cyclophosphamide, total body irradiation and antithymocyte globulin followed by peripheral blood stem cell grafts from HLA-identical siblings without prophylactic immunosuppression. At the earliest clinical evidence of GVHD, patients were treated with high-dose solumedrol and tacrolimus. Prompt haematological recovery [absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 1.0 x 109/l] was observed (median time 9 d). All patients developed grade III-IV GVHD (median onset 9 d), involving the skin (11), intestine (five) and liver (three). Of nine evaluable patients, seven developed chronic GVHD [extensive (six), limited (one)]. Six patients died 1-6.5 months after transplantation. Three patients died from treatment-related complications, two from acute GVHD and one from relapsing disease. The remaining six patients are alive 5-26 months after transplantation, five in complete remission and one myeloma patient in very good partial remission. In conclusion, omission of post-transplantation GVHD prophylaxis is feasible, does not lead to graft failure or a high incidence of uncontrollable GVHD and appears to be associated with encouraging clinical responses in a group of patients with high-risk disease features.
Band theory of a common model of atom optics.

We develop the band theory of a two-level atom moving in a standing light wave. The energy bands allow for a simple discussion of various scattering resonances that play an important role in atom optics.
Adaptive weighted-sum method for bi-objective optimization: Pareto front generation

This paper presents a new method that effectively determines a Pareto front for bi-objective optimization with potential application to multiple objectives. A traditional method for multiobjective optimization is the weighted-sum method, which seeks Pareto optimal solutions one by one by systematically changing the weights among the objective functions. Previous research has shown that this method often produces poorly distributed solutions along a Pareto front, and that it does not find Pareto optimal solutions in non-convex regions. The proposed adaptive weighted sum method focuses on unexplored regions by changing the weights adaptively rather than by using a priori weight selections and by specifying additional inequality constraints. It is demonstrated that the adaptive weighted sum method produces well-distributed solutions, finds Pareto optimal solutions in non-convex regions, and neglects non-Pareto optimal solutions. This last point can be a potential liability of Normal Boundary Intersection, an otherwise successful multiobjective method, which is mainly caused by its reliance on equality constraints. The promise of this robust algorithm is demonstrated with two numerical examples and a simple structural optimization problem.
Bayesian estimation and optimal designs in partially accelerated life testing

A method of life testing is proposed which combines both ordinary and accelerated life-testing procedures. It is assumed that an item can be tested either in a standard environment or under stress. The amount of stress is fixed in advance and is the same for all items to be tested However, the time x at which an item on lest is taken out of the standard environment and put under stress can be chosen by the experimenter subject to a given cost structure. When an item is put under stress its lifetime is changed by the factor α. Let the random variable T denote the lifetime of an item in the standard environment, and let γ denote its lifetime under the partially accelerated test procedure just described. Then Y = T if T ≦ x, and Y = x + α (T > x) if T > x. It is assumed that T has an exponential distribution with parameter θ. The estimation of θ and α and the optimal design of a partially accelerated life test are studied in the framework of Bayesian decision theory.
Development of an Instrument to Measure Perceived Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor Learning in Traditional and Virtual Classroom Higher Education Settings.

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a self-report instrument that can be used to measure learning in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. The study underwent three phases, each with its own data collection and analysis. Phase I featured the development, testing, and factor analysis of an 80-item instrument that addressed cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning that was administered to a sample of 142 online and face-to-face learners. Based on the results, the instrument was reduced to 21 items for Phase II and tested with a new sample of 171 online and face-to-face students. The results of confirmatory factor analysis suggested a better data fit with an even smaller 9-item instrument, which was then administered to a new sample of 221 online and face-to-face students in Phase III. The results of this final phase are presented along with the resulting CAP Perceived Learning Scale, a 9-item self-report measure of perceived cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning. Implications and usage of the CAP Perceived Learning Scale for research and practice are also discussed.
Truncation of a Mammalian Myosin I Results in Loss of Ca2+-sensitive Motility

Abstract MYR-1, a mammalian class I myosin, consisting of a heavy chain and 4–6 associated calmodulins, is represented by the 130-kDa myosin I (or MI130) from rat liver. MI130 translocates actin filaments in vitro in a Ca2+-regulated manner. A decrease in motility observed at higher Ca2+ concentrations has been attributed to calmodulin dissociation. To investigate mammalian myosin I regulation, we have coexpressed in baculovirus calmodulin and an epitope-tagged 85-kDa fragment representing the amino-terminal catalytic “motor” domain and the first calmodulin-binding IQ domain of ratmyr-1; we refer to this truncated molecule here as MI1IQ. Association of calmodulin to MI1IQ is Ca2+-insensitive. MI1IQ translocates actin filaments in vitro at a rate resembling MI130, but unlike MI130, does not exhibit sensitivity to 0.1–100 μm Ca2+. In addition to demonstrating successful expression of a functional truncated mammalian myosin Iin vitro, these results indicate that: 1) Ca2+-induced calmodulin dissociation from MI130in the presence of actin is not from the first IQ domain, 2) velocity is not affected by the length of the IQ region, and 3) the Ca2+ sensitivity of actin translocation exhibited by MI130 involves 1 or more of the other 5 IQ domains and/or the carboxyl tail.
A new method to improve the radiometric monitoring of atmospheric composition for photochemical active species - An application for nitric oxide

Abstract Studies that use satellite sensor measurements to determine the atmospheric composition require the conversion of measured radiances to concentration profiles. An important step in this process, is the correct treatment of radiative transfer. In several cases however, atmospheric species experience large and/or rapid changes in their distribution—at the time of measurements— which if neglected result in the inadequate treatment of radiative transfer and the subsequent inaccuracy of inversion algorithms. Parameterizing these changes is a way to treat the problem efficiently and a parameterization scheme for the temporal and spatial variability of nitric oxide is proposed in this Letter. The scheme is integrated in the inversion algorithm for the retrieval of the concentration of nitric oxide from satellite sensor occultation measurements and the performance of the algorithm is found to yield satisfactory results.
Computational challenges in next-generation genomics

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology allows us to peer inside the cell in exquisite detail, revealing new insights into biology, evolution, and disease that would have been impossible to find just a few years ago. The enormous volumes of data produced by NGS experiments present many computational challenges that we are working to address. In this talk, I will discuss solutions to two basic alignment problems: (1) mapping sequences onto the human genome at very high speed, and (2) mapping and assembling transcripts from RNA-seq experiments. I will also discuss some of the problems that can arise during alignment and how these can lead to mistaken conclusions about genetic variation and gene expression.My group has developed algorithms to solve each of these problems, including the widely-used Bowtie and Bowtie2 programs for fast alignment and the TopHat and Cufflinks programs for assembly and quantification of genes in transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) experiments. This talk describes joint work with current and former lab members including Ben Langmead, Cole Trapnell, Daehwan Kim, and Geo Pertea; and with collaborators including Mihai Pop and Lior Pachter.
Isolation and characterization of an active DNA-binding metabolite of benzo(a)pyrene from hamster liver microsomal incubation systems.

Abstract An active metabolite of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) produced by hamster liver microsomes has been detected and isolated. This active metabolite (A.M.) bound covalently to DNA upon incubation together at 37°C. The presence of cyclohexene oxide increased the yield of A.M. to about 10 fold, while the yield of another major metabolite 4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxy-BaP (4,5-diol) was greatly decreased. The Rf values were 0.65 for BaP, 0.43 for A.M. and less than 0.2 for the other metabolites when chromatographed on thin-layer silica gel with benzene. The molecular formula of A.M. was determined to be C 20 H 12 O. This active metabolite is preliminarily identified as the 4,5-epoxide of BaP.
Supertough wear-resistant coatings with ‘chameleon’ surface adaptation

The chameleon's ability to change skin color depending on environment to increase its chances of surviving served as an inspiration in the development of self-adaptive supertough wear-resistant coatings. Surface chemistry, structure and mechanical properties of these thin (0.5 μm) coatings reversibly change with applied load and environment, providing the best wear protection. Coating designs developed in-house are reviewed together with a critical analysis of design reports in the literature. ‘Chameleon’ coatings were prepared using novel nanocomposite structures, consisting of crystalline carbides, diamond-like carbon (DLC), and transition metal dichalcogenides. Various mechanisms were activated to achieve surface self-adaptation and supertough characteristics. They included: transition of mechanical response from hard and rigid to quasi plastic by grain boundary sliding at loads above the elastic limit; friction induced sp3→sp2 phase transition of the DLC phase; re-crystallization and reorientation of the dichalcogenide phase; change of surface chemistry and structure from amorphous carbon in humid air to hexagonal dichalcogenide in dry nitrogen and vacuum; and sealing the dichalcogenide phase to prevent oxidation. These mechanisms were demonstrated using WC/DLC, TiC/DLC, and WC/DLC/WS2 coatings. The hardness of WC/DLC and TiC/DLC composites was between 27–32 GPa and scratch toughness was 4–5 fold above that of nanocrystalline carbides. The WC/DLC/WS2 composites survived millions of sliding cycles in vacuum and air under 500–1000 MPa loading, and exhibited excellent friction recovery in humid↔dry environmental cycling. Their friction coefficients were about 0.1 in humid air, 0.03 in vacuum, and as low as 0.007 in dry nitrogen. The proposed ‘chameleon’ concept can dramatically increase wear-resistant coating applicability, durability, and reliability.
Assessment of immunologic alterations caused by halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons.

The rationale for employing a particular approach and some of the difficulties that can be encountered when adapting immune surveillance to toxicology studies in experimental animals are discussed. Detailed description of methodology will not be reviewed. In general, assays are selected for their reliability, i.e., fairly standard within a normal population; that are capable of detecting subtle differences in immune status; and are specific for particular aspects of the immune system. Since normal immune responses are directly dependent upon at least three distinct subpopulations of lymphocytes, macrophages and their cooperative interactions as well as a number of indirect factors, it is essential to study multiple parameters to properly evaluate the effects of environmental chemicals on the immune system. Immunologic assessment is further complicated by the fact that the immune effects will vary dependent upon the chemical and dosage level as well as the species and age of the experimental animals.
Construction of a functional layered solid using the tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate coordinating anion.

The coordination polymer Pb[B(Im) 4 ](NO 3 ), constructed by using tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate and lead(II) nitrate solutions, is a layered material with the metal centers facing the interlayer spacing. As in naturally occurring layered minerals, this compound can readily undergo anion exchange in the solid state with retention of crystallinity. We examined stoichiometric exchange of 1 5 N-nitrate for nitrate and iodide for nitrate by 1 5 N and 2 0 7 Pb SSNMR and confirmed retention of crystallinity by IR and powder XRD diffraction.
Considerations of methodological complexity and taste versus explanatory power in the evaluation of competing scientific models: A reply to cone (1998)

Cone (1998) charges that the hierarchical model (a) requires more complex methodology than the three-systems model, and (b) is a return to abstract, highly inferential, medical-model logic, which behavior therapists have historically found distasteful. The validity of both of Cone's criticisms are found to be wanting: (a) the three-systems model requires the same multitrait-multisystem-multibehavior-multimethod analyses as does the hierarchical model; it is necessary to measure two or more responses in each system using two or more methods regardless of whether the systems are hypothesized to be fully independent (as in the three-systems model) or only partially independent (as in the hierarchical model); and (b) the hierarchical model rejects the two hallmark assumptions of the medical model. It is also argued that even if Cone's criticisms are valid, considerations of explanatory power should take precedence over considerations of complexity and taste. The evidence rather clearly indicates that the three-systems model should be rejected in favor of models that include unitary anxiety and panic constructs.
Product Design for Life-Cycle Mismatch

Life-cycle mismatch occurs when the life cycle of a product does not coincide with the life cycles of the parts used in that product. This is particularly a problem with products that contain electronic components that sometimes have life spans of only two years. The cost of mitigating component obsolescence, which may require redesigning the product, is often considerable. Thus, prudent product design necessitates the selection of electronic components and product architecture, considering the cost of mitigating an obsolete design and other costs related to the design and manufacture of a product. Accordingly, we develop and analyze a model that shows how a product design can be effectively tailored to a particular product's life cycle.
SU‐FF‐T‐197: Dosimetry in a Lung Moving Phantom

Purpose: Respiratory organ motion is known to be one of the largest intrafractional organ motions. In the lung phantom, secondary electrontransport in addition to the photontransport tends to extend the dose disequilibrium region, resulting in a larger penumbra region and thus potentially different motion effect on dose distribution for IMRT fields. This study quantifies the effect of motion on dose distribution in lung medium. Method and Materials: Measurements were performed in a water‐equivalent made of solid water and a lung phantom composed of 15‐ cm thick 0.25 g/cm2 cork slabs at several depths a computerized motion phantom. Dose distributions for 6 MV and 15 MV photon beams are measured for a 10×10 cm2 open field and for IMRT fields. The motion is created using a ±1‐cm motion amplitude and 6 second per breathing cycle. EDR2 films were used to determine the dose distribution with or without motion at various depths in the solid and lung phantom. Results: At 10 cm depth, the penumbra of dose profile in the lung phantom is much broader than the solid phantom. The penumbra width increases with increasing photon energy. The effect of motion can be modeled with a motion kernel determined by the probability function of the breathing cycle and is independent of the phantom (solid or lung) types used. At 2.5 cm depth, the penumbra width between the lung and solid phantom is similar since the same solid water material was used above the point of measurement. Conclusion: We have shown that dose distribution in a moving lung phantom can be predicted from the measured dose distribution in the static lung phantom and a motion kernel. The introduction of secondary electrontransport actually reduces the effect of motion on the dose distribution because the penumbra width is wider in lung material.
Gallium compounds as antineoplastic agents.

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to provide an outline of the basic and clinical information on gallium nitrate as an antineoplastic agent. Although early clinical trials indicated that gallium nitrate had activity against lymphoma and bladder cancer, its subsequent development centered primarily on its effect on bone metabolism and not on its antineoplastic activity. As a result, the drug was approved for the treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy. However, pharmaceutical production of gallium nitrate ceased during the late 1990s, bringing several gallium-based clinical trials to a halt. Gallium nitrate has recently become commercially available, thus reopening the door for clinical trials evaluating it as an antineoplastic agent. Recent findings Multicenter clinical trials have recently been conducted to reevaluate gallium nitrate for the treatment of lymphoma. An oral formulation of gallium is also in development. Gallium's mechanisms of action include its binding to transferrin, targeting to transferrin receptors on lymphoma cells, and inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase. Recent investigations show that gallium activates caspases and induces apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway, whereas complementary DNA microarray studies suggest that changes in intracellular trafficking pathways may be important in gallium resistance. Summary Gallium nitrate has demonstrated activity against lymphoma and bladder cancer, which is likely the result of selective targeting of these malignancies. An important property of gallium nitrate is that it is not myelosuppressive and it lacks cross-resistance to other drugs. Further investigations are needed to understand better its molecular targets and to determine its clinical efficacy in combination with other drugs.
Prevalence of bacteria of division TM7 in human subgingival plaque and their association with disease.

Members of the uncultivated bacterial division TM7 have been detected in the human mouth, but little information is available regarding their prevalence and diversity at this site. Human subgingival plaque samples from healthy sites and sites exhibiting various stages of periodontal disease were analyzed for the presence of TM7 bacteria. TM7 ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was found in 96% of the samples, and it accounted for approximately 0.3%, on average, of all bacterial rDNA in the samples as determined by real-time quantitative PCR. Two new phylotypes of this division were identified, and members of the division were found to exhibit filamentous morphology by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The abundance of TM7 rDNA relative to total bacterial rDNA was higher in sites with mild periodontitis (0.54% ± 0.1%) than in either healthy sites (0.21% ± 0.05%, P < 0.01) or sites with severe periodontitis (0.29% ± 0.06%, P < 0.05). One division subgroup, the I025 phylotype, was detected in 1 of 18 healthy samples and 38 of 58 disease samples. These data suggest that this phylotype, and the TM7 bacterial division in general, may play a role in the multifactorial process leading to periodontitis.
Multitemporal spectral analysis for cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) classification

Operational satellite remote sensing data can provide the temporal repeatability necessary to capture phenological differences among species. This study develops a multitemporal stacking method coupled with spectral analysis for extracting information from Landsat imagery to provide species-level information. Temporal stacking can, in an approximate mathematical sense, effectively increase the 'spectral' resolution of the system by adding spectral bands of several multitemporal images. As a demonstration, multitemporal linear spectral unmixing is used to successfully delineate cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) from soil and surrounding vegetation (77% overall accuracy). This invasive plant is an ideal target for exploring multitemporal methods because of its phenological differences with other vegetation in early spring and, to a lesser degree, in late summer. The techniques developed in this work are directly applicable for other targets with temporally unique spectral differences.
Oxygen‐17 compounds as potential NMR T2 contrast agents: Enrichment effects of H217O on protein solutions and living tissues

The isotopic enrichment of solutions, living tissues, and organisms with oxygen-17 in the form of H217O shortens their proton NMR transverse relaxation times (T2) and produces changes in NMR image intensity. The transverse relaxation rate (1/T2) was found to be linearly dependent on the H217O concentration in biological solutions up to 5% enrichment. The longitudinal relaxation time (T1) is not affected by enrichment. Equal concentrations of H217O do not produce the same magnitude of T1 change in all physiological environments. The reasons for these differences are discussed. The results suggest that certain oxygen-17 compounds should be explored as “contrast agents” in magnetic resonance imaging. © 1987 Academic Press, Inc.
Anti-sense RNA of 32-kDa laminin-binding protein inhibits attachment and invasion of a human colon carcinoma cell line.

Tumor invasion and metastasis involves the interaction between tumor cells and basement membrane, which is mediated in part by laminin receptors/laminin-binding proteins. We have reported that a 32-kDa laminin-binding protein (LBP-32) was overexpressed in colorectal cancer at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level and correlated with clinical staging. However, the function of this protein is not yet defined. In this study, we have analyzed the role of LBP-32 in tumor cell attachment and invasion through various basement membrane components. Blockade of LBP-32 synthesis with an anti-sense RNA was utilized in this study. The partial sequence (237 bp) of LBP-32 was inserted into the EMSV33 vector in the sense or antisense direction. Clone A, a poorly differentiated human colon carcinoma cell line, was transfected with EMSV33 alone (control), or EMSV33 with the insert in sense (LBP-S) or anti-sense (LBP-AS) direction using lipofectin. The cell adhesion assays (at 37°C for 75 min) were performed using parental Clone A cells or the transfectants. Specific attachment to wells coated with laminin, fibronectin, or type IV collagen was evaluated. In vitro cell invasion assays were performed using the parental clone A cells and their transfectants to assess the passage through polycarbonate filters coated with matrigel, a reconstituted basement membrane. The results showed that (a) laminin and collagen IV (but not fibronectin) play a role in colon cancer cell attachment to substrata, and (b) anti-sense RNA of LBP-32 inhibits tumor cell attachment and invasiveness in vitro. These findings suggest a role for LBP-32 in colon cancer progression and metastasis. Modulating LBP-32 expression by anti-sense RNA or monoclonal antibodies may have clinical application in colorectal cancer therapy.
Images of Sexuality and Aging in Gerontological Literature.

Discursive portrayals of aging and sexuality have important implications for the creation and reproduction of inequalities. This article delineates some of the images of older adults’ sexualities using an interpretive content analysis of gerontology articles dealing with issues of sexuality in 21 gerontological journals over a 20-year span (1988–2007). The 3 main findings of this analysis were (a) that aging sexualities are asserted, (b) that the sexual identities of older adults vary, and (c) that older adults’ sexualities are regulated through a variety of mechanisms. Furthermore, these representations inform research and policy at the intersections of sexuality and aging.
Atmospheric water vapor flux, bifurcation of the thermohaline circulation, and climate change

Latitudinal heat transport in the ocean and atmosphere represents a fundamental process of the Earth's climate system. The ocean component of heat transport is effected by the thermohaline circulation. Changes in this circulation, and hence latitudinal heat transport, would have a significant effect on global climate. Paleoclimate evidence from the Greenland ice cores and deep sea sediment cores suggests that during much of glacial time the climate system oscillated between two different states. Bimodal equilibrium states of the thermohaline circulation have been demonstrated in climate models. We address the question of the role of the atmospheric hydrological cycle on the global thermohaline circulation and the feedback to the climate system through changes in the ocean's latitudinal heat transport, with a simple coupled ocean-atmosphere energy-salt balance model. Two components of the atmospheric hydrological cycle, i.e., latitudinal water vapor transport and the net flux of water vapor from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean appear to play separate roles. If the inter-basin transport is sufficiently large, small changes in water vapor transport over the North Atlantic can effect bifurcation or a rapid transition between two different equilibria in the global thermohaline circulation; maximum difference between the modes occurs in the North Atlantic. If the inter-basin transport is from the Pacific to the Atlantic and sufficiently large, latitudinal vapor transport in the North Pacific controls the bifurcations, with maximum changes occurring in the North Pacific. For intermediate values of inter-basin transport, no rapid transitions occur in either basin. In the regime with vapor flux from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the ‘on’ mode has strong production of deep water in the North Atlantic and a large flux of heat to the atmosphere from the high latitude North Atlantic. The ‘off’ mode has strong deep water production in the Southern Ocean and weak production in the North Pacific. Heat transport into the high latitude North Atlantic by the ocean is reduced to about 20% of the ‘on’ mode value. For estimated values of water vapor transport for the present climate the model asserts that while water vapor transport from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean is sufficiently large to make the North Atlantic the dominant region for deep water production, latitudinal water vapor transport is sufficiently low that the thermohaline circulation appears stable, i.e., far from a bifurcation point. This conclusion is supported to some extent by the fact that the high latitude temperature of the atmosphere as recorded in the Greenland ice cores has changed little over the last 9000 years.
Effect of systemic blockade of α1-noradrenergic receptors on sex behavior and vaginal–cervical stimulation-induced Fos in female rats

It is hypothesized that systemic α₁-noradrenergic antagonists may interfere with the transmission of sensory stimulation, particularly vaginal--cervical stimulation (VCS), which is crucial for reproductive functioning. To determine if α₁-noradrenergic transmission receptor activity is necessary for transmission of sensory information important for VCS-dependent events, we conducted an experiment using prazosin, a α₁-noradrenergic receptor antagonist. First, three doses of prazosin (1.0, 0.5 or 0.1 mg/kg) or the 10% ETOH in sesame oil vehicle were administered i.p. and sexual receptivity was assessed 30 min later in ovariectomized, hormone-treated female rats. The 1 mg/kg dose of prazosin significantly inhibited lordosis quotients and lordosis ratings. This dose of prazosin (1.0 mg/kg) was then administered 30 min prior to VCS or control scapular stimulation (CSS) and Fos-IR was examined in the posterodorsal medial amygdala (MeaPD), the medial preoptic area (mPOA), and the rostral ventromedial hypothalamus (rVMH). VCS significantly increased Fos-IR in all of the brain areas examined. Prazosin treatment inhibited the increase in Fos-IR in the mPOA and MeaPD but not in the rVMH. These results suggest that administration of systemic prazosin may selectively affect sensory inputs to the mPOA and MeaPD and these inputs are relevant for the control of female sexual behaviors by peripheral α₁-noradrenergic activity.
Examination of the conformational meaning of “δ-address” in the dermenkephalin sequence

Summary Comprehensive energy calculations were applied to four opioid-related peptides with different receptor selectivities, namely the δ-selective dermenkephalin (Tyr-D-Met-Phe-His-Leu-Met-Asp-NH 2 , DRE), the μ-selective dermorphin (Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH 2 , DRM) and their “hybrid” peptides DRM/DRE (Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-Asp-NH 2 ) and DRE/DRM (Tyr-D-Met-Phe-His-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH 2 ). It was shown that the N-terminal tripeptide “μ-messages” in the δ-selective ligands DRE and DRM/DRE can possess similar low energy space arrangements of their functionally important elements (the N-terminal α-amino group and the aromatic moieties of Tyr and Phe), but that these are different from the space arrangement of these moieties in μ-selective DRM and DRE/DRM. These results suggest that the C-terminal tripeptide “δ-address” in DRE may influence the conformation of the “μ-message” in DRM. A refined model for the δ-receptor-bound conformation of DRE is proposed based on these calculations which is similar to that previously suggested for the cyclic δ-selective peptide [D-Pen 2 , D-Pen 5 ]enkephalin (DPDPE). This model also has partial correspondence with the structure of the δ-selective alkaloid naltrindole.
Kinetics of Anionic Ring-Opening Polymerization of Variously Substituted β-Lactams: Homopolymerization and Copolymerization

Nylon-3 copolymers generated via ring-opening polymerization of β-lactams have recently been shown to function as selective antibacterial agents or as chemoattractants that can induce fibroblasts to attach to surfaces. Understanding the molecular basis of these activities and developing improved materials requires knowledge of the relative reactivities of different β-lactams, which influence subunit distribution patterns within polymer chains. The homopolymerization of a cyclooctyl β-lactam (2) in the presence of a strong base and imide co-initiator was studied using both gas chromatography (GC) and in situ infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The rate of this anionic ring-opening polymerization reaction exhibits a first-order dependence on the β-lactam and co-initiator concentrations and a zero-order dependence on the base concentration. Analogous studies of four other β-lactams, bearing various substituents [cyclohexyl (1), cyclododecyl (3), and Boc-protected amino groups (4, 5)], revealed that different monomer...
Plasma endopeptidase 24.11 (enkephalinase) activity is markedly increased in cholestatic liver disease

Endopeptidase 24.11 (enkephalinase), an enzyme known to be present in plasma and liver, is capable of metabolizing a substantial number of bioactive peptides. We measured plasma endopeptidase 24.11 activity in normal subjects and in patients with chronic hepatocellular disease or chronic cholestatic liver disease. The mean level of plasma endopeptidase 24.11 activity was 13 times higher in cholestatic patients than in controls or patients with hepatocellular disease (p < 0.01). Plasma endopeptidase 24.11 activity in patients correlated closely with traditional serum markers of cholestasis, including levels of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and aminopeptidase (p < 0.01 for all). However, plasma endopeptidase 24.11 activity correlated poorly with serum ALT aminotransferase level (p = NS), indicating that it is not a marker of hepatocellular disease. The lack of overlap between plasma endopeptidase 24.11 activity in cholestatic patients and noncholestatic liver disease controls suggests that this enzyme activity is a useful biochemical marker of cholestasis. In addition, because of the broad spectrum of peptides metabolized by endopeptidase 24.11, increased plasma endopeptidase 24.11 activity may contribute to the pathophysiology of the syndrome of cholestasis.
Abstract 2512: Epothilone B enhances surface EpCAM expression in ovarian cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC OBJECTIVES Epothilone B (EpoB), like Taxol, induces tubulin polymerization and microtubule stabilization resulting in an inhibition of microtubule dynamic instability. The drug is presently being evaluated in phase III clinical trials. An EpoB analog Ixabepilone, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Epithelial cell adhesion antigen (EpCAM) expression is significantly higher in epithelial ovarian cancer cells compared to normal cells. METHODS We used biochemical methods, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry to identify EpCAM expression on the surface of the ovarian cancer cell line, Hey, after exposure to EpoB. We also investigated the relationship between EpoB-mediated surface EpCAM expression and EpoB-induced tubulin acetylation in Hey cells. RESULTS We investigated the effect of EpoB and other microtubule-interacting agents on surface EpCAM expression and found that nanomolar concentrations of EpoB, Taxol, discodermolide or vinblastine caused a marked increase in surface EpCAM expression in an ovarian cancer cell line, Hey. Alpha-tubulin acetylation, a surrogate marker for stable microtubules, was increased following treatment with Taxol, EpoB and discodermolide, but not with vinblastine, indicating that drug-enhanced surface EpCAM expression does not correlate with tubulin acetylation or stabilization. Unexpectedly, EpoB did not have a significant effect on EpCAM mRNA expression, nor did it alter the level of total cellular EpCAM in the human ovarian cancer cell line. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that disruption of the microtubule cytoskeleton is associated with the redistribution of cell surface antigens in ovarian cancer cells. The increase in cell surface EpCAM antigen density may facilitate the antibody targeting of EpCAM-positive ovarian cancer cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2512.
Sequence and expression of myoglianin, a novel Drosophila gene of the TGF-β superfamily

Abstract Various members of the TGF-β superfamily of signaling molecules are known to have important roles in mesoderm patterning and differentiation during vertebrate and invertebrate embryogenesis. Here we characterize a new TGF-β member from Drosophila, Myoglianin, that is most closely related to the vertebrate muscle differentiation factor Myostatin and to vertebrate BMP-11. Northern analysis shows that myoglianin is expressed throughout the Drosophila life cycle. In situ hybridization detects maternally-derived transcripts that are enriched in the pole plasm and later become enclosed in the pole cells. Between stages 11 and 14, myoglianin mRNA is exclusively detected in glial cells and their precursors. Following stage 14, high levels of myoglianin expression are observed in the developing somatic muscles as well as in visceral muscles and cardioblasts. We also show that the zygotic expression of a recently described Drosophila activin, which maps to the same interval 102 on chromosome 4 as myoglianin, is restricted to the developing central and peripheral nervous system.
A semiempirical method for the calculation of the Slater-Condon parameters☆

Abstract A semiempirical method for calculating the Slater-Condon parameters for the atoms of the first transition group is presented. This method is based on the use of effective nuclear charges which are determined from the experimental data of ionization potential. The calculated Slater-Condon parameters agree well with the experimental values and show considerable improvement over those obtained from the Slater orbitals (with Slater's screening constants). Applications to the complex ions of the transition elements are discussed.