cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fertilizer placement affects growth and reproduction of three common weed species in pine bark–based soilless nursery substrates

Weed management in container crops is primarily accomplished through frequent PRE herbicide applications and supplemental hand weeding. However, many ornamental species are sensitive to herbicides, and a significant number of tropical plants, ornamental grasses, and foliage crops have not been screened for herbicide tolerance. As nursery crops are produced in inert substrates that are largely composed of bark or peat, strategic fertilizer placement has the potential to significantly reduce weed growth in container-grown ornamentals. Growth and reproduction of three common container nursery weed species, eclipta [Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.], large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.], and spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata L.), were evaluated following fertilization via alternative methods, including subdressing or dibbling in comparison with industry standard practices of topdressing or incorporating a controlled-release fertilizer (17-5-11 [8 to 9 mo.]) to each 3.8-L container at 36.5 g per container. Fertilizer placement had little to no effect on germination of Eclipta prostrata or D. sanguinalis, but incorporation increased E. maculata germination by 77% to 183% compared with other placements or a nonfertilized control. Subdressing reduced seed production by 94%, 63%, and 92% for Eclipta prostrata, D. sanguinalis, and E. maculata, respectively, compared with the average number of seeds produced in the conventional placement methods (average of incorporation and topdressing). Dibbling fertilizer resulted in similar decreases in the case of D. sanguinalis and E. maculata, while Eclipta prostrata produced no seeds when fertilizer was dibbled. Similar to reductions observed in reproduction, subdressing fertilizer resulted in biomass decreases of 90%, 81%, and 85% compared with the average biomass of the incorporation and topdressed placements. Results suggest alternative fertilizer placements could be implemented as part of an integrated weed management program in container production to reduce weed growth.
Classification of sociotechnical landscapes on the basis of analogies of cortege codes of indicators

Now new technologies within the Industry 4.0 develop. Convergence of various applications of applied mathematics for a research of a synergetic coevolution the sociotechnical landscapes (STL) is intensified. STL is presented in the form of a taxonomical ontologic matrix which elements are symbols of the Cartesian work of sets social the practician and digital technologies. The train of indicator signs which is unambiguously characterizing levels of tension of STL is applied to classification of STL. The method of coding of indicator signs for calculation of value of the qualifier based on calculation of a binary code on function of accessory of each sign which carrier is the natural logarithm of a relative deviation of nominal rate of sign from registered is described. The reversibility of formation of the qualifier allows carrying out decrease in dimension of feature space without information losses. Results of researches STL of Kursk region are given in work (the train was presented by 20 indicators). The conclusion about prospects of application of the considered applied method of the mathematical analysis of the solution of classification tasks is drawn.
SECTION 13-7 – Library Amplification

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the method of library amplification, which is used to amplify genomic or cDNA libraries in an appropriate host bacterial strain. Amplification usually yields over 104 copies of the library, thus preserving the library for future screening. However, amplified libraries can become skewed if some bacteriophage clones grow more efficiently during amplification than others. Thus it may be advantageous to screen a portion of the library before amplification. The time required to follow this method is two days. The chapter also lists the reagents that are needed for this purpose, such as LB soft agar, NaCl, chloroform, and LB agar plates. LE392 cells are prepared in advance for plating.
Abstract PO-36: Functional bypass of cell cycle entry checkpoints by MYC T58A mutation in germinal center-derived lymphomas

Somatic missense mutations targeting MYC9s coding sequence are found in >50% of Burkitt lymphomas and in a small fraction of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. These mutations typically arise in translocated MYC alleles and cluster at specific protein residues, particularly Threonine 58 (T58). Previous studies in non-B cell models suggested that MYC mutations enhance oncogenic properties by escaping MYC-induced apoptosis. However, the functional impact of these mutations on the biology of germinal center (GC) B cells, where these mutations arise, has never been investigated. In GC B cells, MYC expression is induced by positive selection signals during cognate interactions with T follicular helper cells, concurrent with activation of PI3K and mTOR signaling. PI3K and mTOR are activated upon CD40 and B-cell receptor co-engagement and are critically required for positive selection and clonal expansion of GC B cells. Using newly generated MYC T58A knock-in mouse models, we found that MYC T58A mutation allows B cells to bypass a cell cycle entry checkpoint dependent on PI3K and mTOR activities. Exposure of wild-type (WT) B cells to rapamycin or, less markedly, to PI3K inhibitors, prevented the proliferation upon CD40 and IL4 stimulation ex vivo (a cytokine combination mimicking T-cell help) whereas MYC T58A mutant B cells divided multiple times and maintained adequate rates of active biosynthesis. Similarly, administration of rapamycin to immunized WT mice collapsed formed GCs while MYC T58A GCs maintained normal size and proliferation rates in vivo. These phenotypes were in part explained by the effects of PI3K/mTOR signaling on GSK3-beta, a kinase that normally phosphorylates MYC T58 to control protein turnover. Differences in metabolic and gene expression profiles between MYC WT and T58A cells offered additional insights into the mechanisms by which this mutation bypasses PI3K/mTOR checkpoint. Finally, we found that GC B cell-specific overexpression of MYC T58A, resulted in abnormally enlarged GCs upon immunization, a phenotype common to lymphoma models. Altogether, these results indicate that MYC somatic mutations confer competitive advantages to B cells by bypassing a strict requirement for upstream signals during cell cycle entry, which may support the clonal expansion of MYC mutant B cells during GC responses. These results have important translational implications, particularly given the increasing interest in the potential use of PI3K and/or mTOR inhibitors in the treatment of lymphomas. Citation Format: Jongkuen Lee, David Dominguez-Sola. Functional bypass of cell cycle entry checkpoints by MYC T58A mutation in germinal center-derived lymphomas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: Advances in Malignant Lymphoma; 2020 Aug 17-19. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Blood Cancer Discov 2020;1(3_Suppl):Abstract nr PO-36.
Land and Power in Ptolemaic Egypt: The Structure of Land Tenure

This history of land tenure under the Ptolemies explores the relationship between the new Ptolemaic state and the ancient traditions of landholding and tenure. Departing from the traditional emphasis on the Fayyum, it offers a coherent framework for understanding the structure of the Ptolemaic state, and thus of the economy as a whole. Drawing on both Greek and demotic papyri, as well as hieroglyphic inscriptions and theories taken from the social sciences, Professor Manning argues that the traditional central state 'despotic' model of the Egyptian economy is insufficient. The result is a subtler picture of the complex relationship between the demands of the new state and the ancient, locally organized social structure of Egypt. By revealing the dynamics between central and local power in Egypt, the book shows that Ptolemaic economic power ultimately shaped Roman Egyptian social and economic institutions.
Damage Field Ahead of a Tensile Crack in an Elastic-Plastic and Viscoplastic Material

This paper investigates the interaction between a macroscopic crack and microscopic damage in an elastic-plastic and viscoplastic material subjected to tensile in-plane loading. The aim is to predict the fracture conditions by accounting for void accumulation in the vicinity of the crack-tip. A power law relates the stress to the strain of the material. The damage, which invokes the growth and coalescence of microvoids, is confined to a small circular zone surrounding the crack-tip. At the onset of crack extension, the applied stress for small-scale and large-scale yielding solutions is found to be proportional to a0 -1/(n+1), where 2a0is the initial crack length and n is the strain hardening exponent of the material. For small-scale yielding, the conditions required for fatigue crack growth and steady-state creep are determined. In particular, the variations of the normalized crack length with the number of loading cycles and the time required for failure are shown for various strain hardening exponents, applied loading, and material damage parameters.
Sex differences in the effects of physical and sexual abuse on the odds of past 30-day opioid misuse among Florida justice-involved children

Opioid misuse is a severe threat to justice-involved children and adolescents. Identifying risk factors and sex differences is critical to design accurate risk assessments and person-centered inter...
High resolution ultrasonic neural modulation observed via in vivo two-photon calcium imaging

Abstract Neural modulation plays a major role in delineating the circuit mechanisms and serves as the cornerstone of neural interface technologies. Among the various modulation mechanisms, ultrasound enables noninvasive label-free deep access to mammalian brain tissue. To date, most if not all ultrasonic neural modulation implementations are based on ∼1 MHz carrier frequency. The long acoustic wavelength results in a spatially coarse modulation zone, often spanning over multiple function regions. The modulation of one brain region is inevitably linked with the modulation of its neighboring regions. To significantly increase the spatial resolution, we explored the application of high-frequency ultrasound. To investigate the neuronal response at cellular resolutions, we developed a dual-modality system combining in vivo two-photon calcium imaging and focused ultrasound modulation. The studies show that the ∼30 MHz ultrasound can suppress the neuronal activity in awake mice at 100-micron scale spatial resolutions, paving the way for high-resolution ultrasonic neural modulation.
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair for Severe Functional Mitral Regurgitation and Cardiogenic Shock.

Abstract Patients with acute mitral regurgitation and cardiogenic shock have poor outcomes. Many patients do not qualify for surgery and are left with no treatment options. We present the case of a 76-year-old woman with severe mitral regurgitation, cardiogenic shock, and prohibitive surgical risk who was successfully treated with transcatheter mitral valve edge to edge repair. We also review the existing data that supports transcatheter mitral valve edge to edge repair in this setting.
A Serverless Framework for Distributed Bulk Metadata Extraction

We introduce Xtract, an automated and scalable system for bulk metadata extraction from large, distributed research data repositories. Xtract orchestrates the application of metadata extractors to groups of files, determining which extractors to apply to each file and, for each extractor and file, where to execute. A hybrid computing model, built on the funcX federated FaaS platform, enables Xtract to balance tradeoffs between extraction time and data transfer costs by dispatching each extraction task to the most appropriate location. Experiments on a range of clouds and supercomputers show that Xtract can efficiently process multi-million-file repositories by orchestrating the concurrent execution of container-based extractors on thousands of nodes. We highlight the flexibility of Xtract by applying it to a large, semi-curated scientific data repository and to an uncurated scientific Google Drive repository. We show that by remotely orchestrating metadata extraction across decentralized storage and compute nodes, Xtract can process large repositories in 50% of the time it takes just to transfer the same data to a machine within the same computing facility. We also show that when transferring data is necessary (e.g., no local compute is available), Xtract can scale to process files as fast as they are received, even over a multi-GB/s network.
Investigations of prenol reactions catalyzed by zinc and molybdenum complexes

Abstract We demonstrate the formation of symmetrical and unsymmetrical allylic ethers with molybdenum catalysts for the first time. While conducting reactivity studies of biobased oxygenates as fuel blending components in the presence of molybdenum or zinc metal complexes commonly used as lubricant additives, we discovered that prenol (3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol), a promising oxygenate with good fuel properties, undergoes unexpected chemical transformations. Interestingly, its isomer, isoprenol (3-methylbut-3-en-1-ol) was unreactive towards the same metal complexes. Moreover, the results suggest that the transformations were catalytic in nature as only 1% (w/w) of lubricant molybdenum complex (Molyvan L – molybdenum di (2-ethylhexyl) phosphorodithioate) led to the almost complete consumption of prenol under certain conditions. The zinc complex (zinc dialkyldithiophosphate) also led to a rich product profile, perhaps to a lower extent than the molybdenum analog. Intrigued by these results, we fine-tuned reaction conditions (e.g., temperature, solvents, closed reactor, or reflux set-up) to maximize the conversion of prenol and generation of byproducts, enable scale-up, and subsequently separate and identify the main components found in the mixture. We determined that the most efficient reaction was neat (prenol with 1% (w/w) molybdenum catalyst) under reflux conditions and at mild temperatures (
Agency through partnership in neurodiverse college learning communities

This article examines the work of creating collaborative learning partnerships that fully include students with intellectual disabilities. The article reviews the scholarship of partnership as a starting point in discussing learning environments that support students with significant intellectual disabilities—a group that has only recently been encouraged to enroll in colleges and universities. The authors—a faculty member and two former undergraduate mentors in the University Studies program at Portland State University—offer reflections on their time partnering as facilitators of courses that include students with intellectual disabilities. They then analyze those reflections in relation to the scholarship of partnership and special education. The article presents evidence that the partnership approach to learning is more fully realized through intentional investment in universal design for learning principles and extended support networks invested in collaboration and interpersonal relationship. These approaches effectively bring students with disabilities into the center of educational environments and maintain their agency in shaping their learning communities.
Physical Health of Patients with Intellectual DIsability

Patients with intellectual disability are at a significantly higher risk of having co-morbid medical, genetic, and psychiatric conditions that place them at greater risk for medical conditions involving every organ system. Individuals with intellectual disability often present to psychiatrists with behavior problems which may be related to under-diagnosed or under-treated medical conditions. Patients with ID typically have limited expressive language skills resulting in restricted subjective data during medical assessment. Communication limitations usually result in externalizing behavior, which should be viewed as a form of communication. It is important for the family physician to be aware of the most commonly overlooked medical issues and to perform preventive medical care as is the standard for the general population. Painful conditions should be carefully considered as the threshold for pain in patients with intellectual disability may be increased. This article reviews common medical conditions associated with various syndromes of intellectual disability and altered clinical presentations seen in this specialized patient population. Altered guidelines for preventive medical care in this specialized population are reviewed, taking into account the various supported residential options and lifestyles of individuals with intellectual disability.
The Sexual Equilibrium

The sexual equilibrium is the most misunderstood influence on sexual life. Within it, with lightning speed, the partners’ regard for each other often seals their fate.
Temperature-sensitive mutants of influenza. VIII. Genetic and biological characterization of TS mutants of influenza virus A (H3N2) and their assignment to complementation groups.

Abstract Fifteen ts mutants of influenza A virus were characterized genetically and assigned to at least seven complementation groups. Six of the mutants were recombinant viruses while nine were clones derived directly from mutagenized H3N2 virus. The genetic analysis used a complementation-recombination assay carried out directly on the tissue culture monolayer. The nine clones of virus derived directly from mutagenized H3N2 virus were characterized in vivo in hamsters with respect to their ability to replicate in the lungs and nasal turbinates and with respect to the appearance of phenotypically wild-type virus in those organs of the hamster.
Utilization of Multiple Cues in Paired Comparisons

Subjects were given one, two, or three cues with which to make an either-or decision. Certain hypotheses were formulated to describe the subject's thought process in utilizing the multiple cues, and mathematical models were constructed to simulate them. The models were then used on data for the single-cue case to predict performance in the multiple-cue case. Predicted performance “data” were then compared with actually observed data for the same multiple-cue case, thus testing the predictive validity of the mathematical model and the tenability of the corresponding hypothesis.
Influence of cortisol on glycogen synthesis and gluconeogenesis in fetal rat liver in organ culture.

Abstract Cortisol stimulated the synthesis of glycogen in fetal rat liver explants. The increase was proportional to the amount of glucose present in the incubation medium and occurred slowly over a 44-hour period. The ability of cortisol to stimulate glycogen synthesis was accelerated after prior incubation of explants for 42 hours with no steroid. Glucose alone led to the synthesis of very little glycogen. [U-14C]-glucose added to the incubation medium was incorporated into glycogen. The specific activities of [U-14C]glucose in the medium and in glycogen synthesized over a 44-hour period were approximately the same whether or not cortisol was present, indicating that glycogen was derived mainly from glucose. Fetal livers synthesized glucose and glycogen from l-[U-14C]alanine to a limited degree. The incorporation of label ranged from 0.2% to 1.6% of the dose; the extent was determined by the conditions of incubation. Cortisol did not affect the over-all gluconeogenic process, but it increased the proportion of label incorporated into glycogen and decreased the incorporation into glucose. Gluconeogenesis from l-[U-14C]alanine did not take place in the absence of glucose. Cortisol did not induce any changes which could be correlated with glycogen synthesis in the activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, glycogen phosphorylase, glucose 6-phosphatase, fructose 1,6-diphosphatase, pyruvate kinase, alanine aminotransferase, or aspartate aminotransferase. Accumulation of glycogen under all conditions studied was directly proportional to changes in glycogen synthetase b. The a form of the enzyme was not affected by cortisol. It is concluded that (a) the major source of glycogen in fetal rat liver is glucose; (b) synthesis of glycogen from glucose is stimulated by cortisol; (c) gluconeogenesis takes place in fetal liver to a measureable extent; (d) cortisol does not influence gluconeogenesis; (e) cortisol directs a common six-carbon intermediate towards glycogen synthesis and away from glucose formation; (f) the effect of cortisol on glycogen synthesis depends on its ability to increase glycogen synthetase b activity.
Limited Brain Access for Leptin in Obesity

Obesity is a major health problem that contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. The current pharmacological therapies for obesity are limited and may have significant side effects. Leptin therapy was shown to effectively cause weight loss in obese rats, however its effectiveness in humans is still under investigation. Obese humans have significantly elevated plasma leptin concentrations compared with lean individuals. Plasma leptin concentrations strongly correlated with percentage of body fat. Leptin concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is correlated, in a nonlinear manner, with plasma leptin levels and body mass index (BMI). The ratio of CSF leptin levels to serum leptin levels was 4 times greater in lean individuals than in obese individuals. One interpretation of this finding is that human obesity could be secondary to a central resistance to leptin action, causing a relative leptin deficiency in the CNS, rather than inadequate production of leptin. Six years after the discovery of leptin we still do not have a clear understanding of how leptin accesses its targets in the brain, or whether there is defect in this process in the brain of obese individuals. In this manuscript we will review the different leptin gateways to the brain and the potential sites where a defect in leptin action may be present, as well as some potential clinical implications of leptin. A better understanding of how leptin reaches the brain and how it modulates the release of hypothalamic neuropeptides will be important in understanding the role that leptin plays in the pathophysiology of obesity.
Abstract MP68: Age at Menarche is Inversely Associated with Liver Steatosis and Abdominal Fat Depots: CARDIA Study

Introduction: Age at menarche is associated with cardiometabolic disease risk later in life; whether hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) or regional depots of abdominal fat play a role in this association is unclear. In a community-based sample of African American and White women free of diagnosed liver disease, we tested the hypothesis that age at menarche is inversely associated with hepatic steatosis and abdominal fat depots in midlife, after control for demographic and lifestyle factors and early adult BMI. Methods: Women in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study with complete measures of recalled age at menarche (at exam years 0 (1985-86) and 2), multiple slice abdominal CT (at year 25) of hepatic steatosis (HS), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and intermuscular adipose tissue (IAT) were included. We defined nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as liver attenuation ≤ 48 Hounsfield units (HU) after excluding other causes of liver disease. We used ...
Rhom-2 Expression Does Not Always Correlate With Abnormalities on Chromosome 11 at Band p13 in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

A frequent site for nonrandom recombination in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is chromosome 11 at p13. The molecular characterization of a (7;11)(q35; p13) translocation showed that the translocation breakpoint was 2 kb 5′ to the T-ALLbcr locus resulting in the juxtaposition of the T-cell receptor (TCR) B gene to the rhom-2 gene locus. Northern blot analysis did not detect expression of the rhom-2 gene in the leukemic blasts of the (7;11) translocation. However, using a sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay, the (7;11) translocation showed a trace expression of rhom-2 at a level of 0.01% of TCR-β message. Because rhom-2 is considered a proto-oncogene, the significance of the trace expression of rhom-2 in the (7;11) translocation was investigated by comparing the level of rhom-2 expression in 7 additional T-ALLs, normal thymocytes, and CEM (pre-T) and HPB (mature-T) cell lines using the PCR assay. The CEM cells, normal thymocytes, and one patient, whose blasts had no cytogenetic abnormality of chromosome 11, did not express rhom-2 indicating that rhom-2 is not normally expressed in T cells. The other six T-ALLs fell into three categories: (1) two T-ALLs overexpressed rhom-2 in the presence of a translocation; (2) two T-ALLs had trace expression in the presence of a translocation; and (3) two T-ALLs had trace expression with no observable abnormalities on chromosome 11 at p13. Therefore, the data indicate that not all translocations at the T-ALLbcr locus result in overexpression of rhom-2. To account for the sharp contrast in rhom-2 expression seen in these T-ALLs, a model is proposed with a negative regulatory element in the T-ALLbcr locus that is disrupted in some of the cases leading to overexpression of rhom-2. © 1992 by The American Society of Hematology.
Damped Motion of Shear Buildings

In the previous chapters, we determined the natural frequencies and modal shapes for undamped structures when modeled as shear buildings. We also determined the response of these structures using the modal superposition method. In this method, as we have seen, the differential equations of motion are uncoupled by means of a transformation of coordinates which incorporates the orthogonality property of the modal shapes.
Further results on χ2 for matched samples

Abstract The problem of χ2 tests of a linear hypothesis H0 for ‘matched samples’ in attribute data has been discussed earlier by the author (Bennett, 1967, 1968). This note presents corresponding results for the hypothesis that the multinomial probabilities p satisfy (c −1) functional restrictions: F 1(p) = 0, ... , F C−1(p) = 0. An explicit relationship between the usual ‘goodness-of-fit’ χ2 and the modified minimum χ2 (=χ*2) of Jeffreys (1938) and Neyman (1949) is demonstrated for this situation. An example of the test for the 2 × 2 × 2 contingency table is given and compared with the solution of Bartlett (1935).
Enhancement of arabinocytosine (AraC) toxicity to AML cells by a differentiation agent combination

Arabinocytosine (AraC, also known as cytarabine) is one of the mainstays of AML therapy, but like other DNA damaging therapeutic agents it is rarely curative by itself. There is an emerging realization that the therapeutic outcomes may be improved by combining AraC with other compounds. Here we report that the addition of a differentiating agent combination immediately following AraC damage to AML blasts, selectively increases the cell kill. The experiments were performed using cultured cells from established cell lines of AML (HL60 and U937). The cells were exposed to 100nM AraC, a concentration which produced approximately 25-50% cell kill, followed by a combination of 100nM 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 (1-D2) and 10μM carnosic acid (CA), which together can serve as a powerful differentiating agent combination for AML cells, but are not toxic alone. AraC-induced cell death, measured by annexin V/propidium iodide, was significantly (p<0.01) increased by the 1-D2/CA combination in both cell lines, but not by 1-D2 or CA alone. The enhancement of cell death occurred by both apoptosis and necrosis, was associated with increased DNA damage and with higher levels of DNA damage response (DDR) activated marker Chk1, but the expression of p27, a cell cycle inhibitor protein, was not enhanced by 1-D2/CA. The principal finding is that a vitamin D analog 1-D2 combined with a plant-derived antioxidant CA can markedly augment the cytotoxic action of AraC, an anti-leukemia therapeutic agent.
Multifocal carcinoma of the female genitals

Abstract A review of the English literature reveals that only 64 patients with multifocal carcinoma of the female genitals have been reported. An additional 24 cases are reported here. Two groups of patients are associated with this condition. The first consists of relatively young patients who have a marked propensity to develop in situ lesions throughout the entire lower genital canal. Wide local excision may constitute the only treatment required. The second group is an older group of patients who develop their subsequent lesions after a considerable period of time and are more likely to have an invasive lesion as one of the primaries. These patients usually require more radical therapy. Cervical neoplasia constituted a presenting primary in 91 per cent of cases reported and was associated with 98 per cent of cases at some time during the disease course.
Epigenetic regulation of embryonic stem cell marker miR302C in human chondrosarcoma as determinant of antiproliferative activity of proline-rich polypeptide 1

Metastatic chondrosarcoma of mesenchymal origin is the second most common bone malignancy and does not respond either to chemotherapy or radiation; therefore, the search for new therapies is relevant and urgent. We described recently that tumor growth inhibiting cytostatic proline-rich polypeptide 1, (PRP-1) significantly upregulated tumor suppressor miRNAs, downregulated onco-miRNAs in human chondrosarcoma JJ012 cell line, compared to chondrocytes culture. In this study we hypothesized the existence and regu- lation of a functional marker in cancer stem cells, correlated to peptides antiproliferative activity. Experimental results indicated that among significantly downregulated miRNA after PRP-1treatment was miRNAs 302c * . This miRNA is a part of the cluster miR302-367, which is stemness regulator in human embryonic stem cells and in certain tumors, but is not expressed in adult hMSCs and normal tissues. PRP-1 had strong inhibitory effect on viability of chondrosarcoma and multilineage induced multipotent adult cells (embryonic primitive cell type). Unlike chondrosarcoma, in glioblastoma, PRP-1 does not have any inhibitory activity on cell prolif- eration, because in glioblastoma miR-302-367 cluster plays an opposite role, its expression is sufficient to suppress the stem - ness inducing properties. The observed correlation between the antiproliferative activity of PRP-1 and its action on downregu- lation of miR302c explains the peptides opposite effects on the upregulation of proliferation of adult mesenchymal stem cells, and the inhibition of the proliferation of human bone giant- cell tumor stromal cells, reported earlier. PRP-1 substantially downregulated the miR302c targets, the stemness markers Nanog, c-Myc and polycomb protein Bmi-1. miR302c expres- sion is induced by JMJD2-mediated H3K9me2 demethylase activity in its promoter region. JMJD2 was reported to be a positive regulator for Nanog. Our experimental results proved that PRP-1 strongly inhibited H3K9 activity comprised of a pool of JMJD1 and JMJD2. We conclude that inhibition of H3K9 activity by PRP-1 leads to downregulation of miR302c and its targets, defining the PRP-1 antiproliferative role.
Multitarget fluorescence in situ hybridization assay for the detection of lung cancer in bronchial cytology specimens: A Comparison With Routine Cytology.

Background Routine bronchial cytology is an important diagnostic tool in suspected lung cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of LAVysion FISH assay over routine cytology for the detection of malignant bronchial cytology specimens. Methods Forty six patients who underwent bronchoscopic examination in a period of 6 months were included. Bronchial brushing and/or washing specimens were accompanied by concurrent endobronchial biopsy and/or FNA, which were used as gold standard for diagnosis. The smears for FISH assay were made from the discarded residual fluid after being processed for routine cytology. Results Twenty seven of the 46 patients were diagnosed of malignancy. For bronchial brushing specimens, the sensitivity of routine cytology and FISH for the detection of malignancy was 18% (3/17) and 35% (6/17) respectively (p = 0.08); the specificity of routine cytology and FISH was the same, 80% (8/10). For bronchial washing specimens, the sensitivity of routine cytology and FISH for the detection of malignancy was 8% (2/24) and 29% (7/24) respectively (p = 0.01); the specificity of routine cytology and FISH was the same, 94% (16/17). Conclusions Our data shows that routine bronchial cytology appears to have a very low sensitivity for the detection of malignancy. FISH assay appears to increase the sensitivity for the detection of malignancy, but does not appear to improve it to a desirable level. A larger prospective study is necessary to further evaluate the role of FISH assay in the detection of malignancy in bronchial cytology specimens. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:819–824. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
"Weighing" photon energies with mass spectrometry: effects of water on ion fluorescence.

We report a new, highly sensitive method for indirectly measuring fluorescence from ions with a discrete number of water molecules attached. Absorption of a 248 nm photon by hydrated protonated proflavine, PH+(H2O)n (n = 13−50), results in two resolved product ion distributions that correspond to full internal conversion of the photon energy (loss of ∼11 water molecules) and to partial internal conversion of the photon energy and emission of a lower energy photon (loss of ∼6 water molecules). In addition to fluorescence, a long-lived triplet state with a half-life of ∼0.5 s (for n = 50) is formed. The energy of the emitted photon can be obtained from the number of water molecules lost from the precursor to form each distribution. The photon energies generally red shift from ∼450 to 580 nm with increasing cluster size (the onset of the PH+(aq) fluorescence spectrum is 600 nm and the maximum is 518 nm) consistent with preferential stabilization of the first excited singlet state versus the ground state. The...
Bio-inspired synthesis and laser processing of nanostructured barium titanate thin films: implications for uncooled IR sensor development

The Army requires passive uncooled IR sensors for use in numerous vehicle and weapons platforms, including driver vision enhancement (DVE), rifle sights, seeker munitions, and unattended ground sensors (UGSs) and unattended aerial vehicles (UAVs). Recent advances in bio-inspired/biomimetic nanomaterials synthesis, laser material processing, and sensor design and performance testing, offer the opportunity to create uncooled IR detector focal-plane arrays with improved sensitivity, low thermal mass, and fast response times, along with amenability to low-cost, rapid prototype manufacture. We are exploring the use of genotype-inspired, digitally-scripted laser direct-write techniques, in conjunction with the kinetically controlled catalytic process for the growth of nanostructured multimetallic perovskites, to develop a novel approach to the fabrication of precision patterned 2-D focal-plane arrays of pyroelectric perovskite-based materials. The bio-inspired growth of nanostructured, multimetallic perovskite thin-films corresponds to the use of kinetically controlled vapor diffusion for the slow growth of pure, highly crystalline 6-nm barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticles. This unique vapor-diffusion sol-gel route enables the formation of stoichiometric cubic-phase nanoparticles at room temperature and ambient pressure in the absence of a structure-directing template. Novel laser direct-write processing and synchronized electro-optic pulse modulation techniques have been utilized to induce site-selective, patterned phase transformation of microscale aggregates of the BaTiO3 nanoparticles from the non-pyroelectric cubic polymorph to the pyroelectric tetragonal polymorph. This paper reports on our initial collaborative investigations, including comprehensive structural characterization (XRD, TEM, and SEM) of the BaTiO3 nanoparticles and thin-films, along with preliminary laser-induced phase transformation results.
Very large changes in bond length and bond angle in a heavy group 14 element alkyne analogue by modification of a remote ligand substituent.

The synthesis and characterization of the compound Me3Si-4-Ar‘SnSnAr‘-4-SiMe3 (Ar‘-4-SiMe3 = C6H2-2,6-(C6H3-2,6-i-Pr2)2-4-SiMe3) shows that it has a Sn−Sn bond length = 3.066(1) A and a Sn−Sn−C bending angle of 99.25(14)°. These parameters differ by about 0.4 A and about 26° from those previously reported for the closely related Ar‘SnSnAr‘ (Ar‘ = C6H3-2,6-(C6H3-2,6-i-Pr2)2). The results show that, in accordance with the theoretical predictions by Nagase and Takagi, very small amounts of energy (ca. 5 kcal mol-1) separate structural isomers of distannynes that have large differences in their bonding parameters.
Compositional dependence of transformation temperatures in ternary TiNiAl and TiNiFe alloys

Etude des anomalies de resistivite des alliages a 1-3% Al ou 3-5% Fe, dans le domaine de temperature de −150 C a 0 C, en relation avec l'existence d'une onde de densite de charge. Le phenomene est independant de l'existence d'une transformation premartensitique
Silicon Nitride Planar Tapered Transitions for Broad-Area Laser Diodes

80nm-core Si3N4tapered waveguide transitions for broad-area laser diodes were designed, fabricated and measured. High optical losses were found in the wide waveguides. Optical loss model due to Si3N4recrystallization under high stress is proposed.
A Word Common to the Natives of Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Brazil

DR. NICHOLAS POLUNIN has suggested that I should direct the attention of botanists and others to the ancient provenance of a word which appears to mean fundamentally ‘the juice of a plant that is used for chewing’, as a chewing gum.
Effect of hypoxia on glucose-modulated cerebral lactic acidosis, agonal glycolytic rates, and energy utilization.

Newborn and 1-mo-old swine were exposed to identical durations (18 min) and degrees of hypoxia (O2 content = 4 mL/dL), to examine the effects of hypoxia on cerebral energy metabolism and intracellular pH (pHi)in vivo, using 31P and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Hypoxia produced the same extent of reductions in phosphocreatine (PCr) (63 ± 28% and 65 ± 10%, newborns and 1-mo-olds, respectively) and pHi (6.93 ± 0.06 and 6.89 ± 0.06, respectively) for either age group. The magnitude of changes in PCr, lactate, and pHi was larger for subgroups of data collected when cardiovascular instability was present, suggesting that hypotension and possibly reduced cerebral perfusion contributed to cerebral energy failure and lacticacidosis for either age group. There were no correlations between the blood plasma glucose concentration at 18 min of hypoxia and the extent of change in PCr, lactate, or pHi for either age group. During a subsequent period of complete ischemia induced via cardiac arrest after 20 min hypoxia, the decline in PCr and nucleoside triphosphate (NTP), and increase in lactate followed similar rates compared with previously studied age-matched animals that were normoxic before ischemia. The rate constants for the change in PCr, NTP, and lactate during ischemia showed no correlation with the blood plasma glucose concentration measured immediately before cardiac arrest. These results suggest that cerebral glycolytic rates and energy utilization during ischemia are unaffected by a preceding interval of hypoxia and that hyperglycemia does not delay cerebral energy failure during hypoxia or combined hypoxic-ischemia.
Chart for Preparation of Dilutions of Alpha-Adrenergic Agonists for Intracavernous Use in Treatment of Priapism

AbstractTreatment of priapism with intracavernous alpha-adrenergic agonist vasoconstrictor agents is well accepted, particularly for patients with priapism secondary to intracavernous injections of papaverine, phentolamine and/or prostaglandin E1. Although many alpha-adrenergic agonists are commercially available, phenylephrine is preferred because it has potent and selective alpha1-adrenergic stimulatory properties, which can decrease arteriolar flow to the cavernous sinusoids, and no beta 1-stimulatory effect, which could cause arrhythmias and angina in susceptible patients. Before intracavernous injection or irrigation an alpha-adrenergic agonist must be diluted. However, no readily available reference source lists this information. Therefore, we prepared a chart for extemporaneous preparation of dilutions of alpha-adrenergic agonists for intermittent injection or irrigation.
Human Papillomavirus type 16 E6 and E 7 proteins alter NF-kB in cultured cervical epithelial cells and inhibition of NF-kB promotes cell growth and immortalization

The NF-kB family of transcription factors regulates important biological functions including cell growth, survival and the immune response. We found that Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E7 and E6/E7 proteins inhibited basal and TNF-alpha-inducible NF-kB activity in human epithelial cells cultured from the cervical transformation zone, the anatomic region where most cervical cancers develop. In contrast, HPV-16 E6 regulated NF-kB in a cell type- and cell growth-dependent manner. NF-kB influenced immortalization of cervical cells by HPV16. Inhibition of NF-kB by an IkB alpha repressor mutant increased colony formation and immortalization by HPV-16. In contrast, activation of NF-kB by constitutive expression of p65 inhibited proliferation and immortalization. Our results suggest that inhibition of NF-kB by HPV-16 E6/E7 contributes to immortalization of cells from the cervical transformation zone.
Heparin Oligosaccharides Inhibit Chemokine (CXC Motif) Ligand 12 (CXCL12) Cardioprotection by Binding Orthogonal to the Dimerization Interface, Promoting Oligomerization, and Competing with the Chemokine (CXC Motif) Receptor 4 (CXCR4) N Terminus

The ability to interact with cell surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) is essential to the cell migration properties of chemokines, but association with soluble GAGs induces the oligomerization of most chemokines including CXCL12. Monomeric CXCL12, but not dimeric CXCL12, is cardioprotective in a number of experimental models of cardiac ischemia. We found that co-administration of heparin, a common treatment for myocardial infarction, abrogated the protective effect of CXCL12 in an ex vivo rat heart model for myocardial infarction. The interaction between CXCL12 and heparin oligosaccharides has previously been analyzed through mutagenesis, in vitro binding assays, and molecular modeling. However, complications from heparin-induced CXCL12 oligomerization and studies using very short oligosaccharides have led to inconsistent conclusions as to the residues involved, the orientation of the binding site, and whether it overlaps with the CXCR4 N-terminal site. We used a constitutively dimeric variant to simplify the NMR analysis of CXCL12-binding heparin oligosaccharides of varying length. Biophysical and mutagenic analyses reveal a CXCL12/heparin interaction surface that lies perpendicular to the dimer interface, does not involve the chemokine N terminus, and partially overlaps with the CXCR4-binding site. We further demonstrate that heparin-mediated enzymatic protection results from the promotion of dimerization rather than direct heparin binding to the CXCL12 N terminus. These results clarify the structural basis for GAG recognition by CXCL12 and lend insight into the development of CXCL12-based therapeutics.
Block copolymers of isotactic polypropylene and 1,4‐polybutadiene

Abstract : Two block copolymers of isotactic polypropylene and 1,4 polybutadiene were synthesized using techniques involving a transformation from anionic to Ziegler-Natta polymerization mechanisms. The yield of block copolymer was about fifteen percent (weight basis) in both polymerizations, the remainder being unreacted polybutadiene from the first block synthesis. Molecular characterization experiments and model reactions were consistent with a block-like structure for the copolymers; definitive evidence for the proposed molecular structure was obtained through transmission electron microscopy which clearly revealed microphase-separated morphologies characteristic of block copolymers. (Author)
Chemistry, nutrition, and microbiology of D-amino acids.

Exposure of food proteins to certain processing conditions induces two major chemical changes: racemization of all l-amino acids to d-isomers and concurrent formation of cross-linked amino acids such as lysinoalanine. Racemization of l-amino acids residues to their d-isomers in food and other proteins is pH-, time-, and temperature-dependent. Although racemization rates of the 18 different l-amino acid residues in a protein vary, the relative rates in different proteins are similar. The diet contains both processing-induced and naturally formed d-amino acids. The latter include those found in microorganisms, plants, and marine invertebrates. Racemization impairs digestibility and nutritional quality. The nutritional utilization of different d-amino acids varies widely in animals and humans. In addition, some d-amino acids may be both beneficial and deleterious. Thus, although d-phenylalanine in an all-amino-acid diet is utilized as a nutritional source of l-phenylalanine, high concentrations of d-tyrosin...
Toxicity of endotoxin and snake venom in the hagfish.

REACTIONS to parenteral administration of endotoxin in mammals include pyrexia, leukopaenia followed by leukocytosis, vasodilation, and irreversible shock1. Spink2 reviewed the actions of snake venom and endotoxin, and concluded that their mechanism of action is similar; however, in recent studies Condie et al.3 showed that there are few parallels between the biological responses of rabbits to Escherichia coli endotoxin and Agkistrodon piscivorus venom and that the two toxins are distinct immunochemically.
Risk factors for binge-eating disorders: an exploratory study.

Objective: This study examined a broad range of childhood risk factors for binge-eating disorders (bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder, BN/BED), utilizing data that had been collected prospectively in the 10-year National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. Method: Forty-five women with a history of BED/BN (with onset age > 14 and <20 years) and 1,515 women who did not have a history of an eating disorder were included. Results: Signal detection analysis indicated a single pathway that identified ∼13% of the BED/BN cases. The pathway was based on an elevated level of perceived stress prior to the age of 14. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that eating disorders may have multiple and complex etiologies. This is the first study to suggest that elevated levels of perceived stress may precede the onset of binge-eating disorders. Whether this is a causal association remains a question. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.