cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring RAN Peptide Toxicity in C. elegans.

C. elegans is commonly used to model age-related neurodegenerative diseases caused by repeat expansion mutations, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington’s disease. Recently, repeat expansion-containing RNA was shown to be the substrate for a novel type of protein translation called repeat-associated non-AUG-dependent (RAN) translation. Unlike canonical translation, RAN translation does not require a start codon and only occurs when repeats exceed a threshold length. Because there is no start codon to determine the reading frame, RAN translation occurs in all reading frames from both sense and antisense RNA templates that contain a repeat expansion sequence. Therefore, RAN translation expands the number of possible disease-associated toxic peptides from one to six. Thus far, RAN translation has been documented in eight different repeat expansion-based neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. In each case, deciphering which RAN products are toxic, as well as their mechanisms of toxicity, is a critical step towards understanding how these peptides contribute to disease pathophysiology. In this paper, we present strategies to measure the toxicity of RAN peptides in the model system C. elegans. First, we describe procedures for measuring RAN peptide toxicity on the growth and motility of developing C. elegans. Second, we detail an assay for measuring postdevelopmental, age-dependent effects of RAN peptides on motility. Finally, we describe a neurotoxicity assay for evaluating the effects of RAN peptides on neuron morphology. These assays provide a broad assessment of RAN peptide toxicity and may be useful for performing large-scale genetic or small molecule screens to identify disease mechanisms or therapies.
Promoting Diversity-Inclusive Computer Science Pedagogies: A Multidimensional Perspective

The field of Computer Science has long been criticized for its lack of minority representation. While extensive literature documents possible causes and solutions to promote diversity, CS still falls considerably short of other STEM disciplines. Through an interdisciplinary approach, we urge that a multidimensional perspective be applied to develop and assess pedagogical strategies aimed at improving student diversity. To the best of our knowledge, our paper is the first that, in the context of CS, (1) examines the need to adopt an intersectional approach in more than just two dimensions, and (2) defines and identifies the Fallacious Archetype of a successful CS student. Also, we are the first to investigate the possibility and implication of examining certain other minority types: gender non-binary students and age-related student minorities. To conclude, we provide contextual examples that take an intersectional approach to assess CS diversity-inclusive pedagogies.
Investigation of Temperature Effect on the Porosity of a Fabric Based Porous Capacitive Pressure Sensor

A fabric based porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) pressure sensor was developed and the effect of curing temperature on the porosity as well as the sensitivity was investigated. Three different porous PDMS dielectric layers (D1, D2 and D3) were prepared by curing a mixture of PDMS, sodium hydrogen bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ), and nitric acid (HNO 3 ) at 110 $^{\circ}C$, 140$^{\circ}C$ and 170$^{\circ}C$, respectively. The top and bottom electrodes of the pressure sensor were fabricated by screen printing silver (Ag) on a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film. The screen-printed Ag-TPU film was permanently attached to a fabric using heat lamination process. Three pressure sensors, PS1, PS2 and PS3 were assembled by sandwiching the porous dielectric layers D1, D2 and D3 between the top and bottom electrodes, respectively. An average pore size of $411 \mu \mathrm{m}, 496 \mu \mathrm{m}$, and $502 \mu \mathrm{m}$ was measured for D1, D2 and D3, respectively. A relative capacitance change of $\sim 100$%, $\sim$ 323%, and $\sim$ 485% was obtained for the pressure sensors PS1, PS2, PS3, respectively, for varying applied pressures ranging from 0 to 1000 kPa. The effect of curing temperatures on the thickness as well as the dielectric constant of the porous PDMS layer, which in turn changes the sensitivity of the pressure sensors, was investigated and is presented in this paper.
Early salvage versus adjuvant therapy for treatment of prostate cancer following prostatectomy

The prospective adaptive meta-analysis by the ARTISTIC collaboration did not demonstrate that adjuvant radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy improves event-free survival over early salvage radiotherapy. Early salvage is preferred over adjuvant therapy to reduce overtreatment and associated side effects. In patients with localised prostate cancer, the goal of radical prostatectomy is to remove the entire primary tumour. This goal is reached in some patients, but in others, cancerous tissue may be left behind. To protect against local recurrence in high-risk patients, the prostate bed is commonly irradiated after radical prostatectomy. However, the optimal timing of radiotherapy—whether immediately postprostatectomy (adjuvant) or after early biochemical evidence of recurrence (early salvage)—has been the subject of ongoing debate. Recent guidelines1 2 recommend that adjuvant radiotherapy be offered to patients with adverse pathological findings at prostatectomy, although adjuvant radiotherapy is uncommonly used in practice.3 Randomised trials conducted between 1988 and 2004 showed that in men with high-risk prostate cancer, adjuvant radiotherapy significantly reduced the risk of biochemical progression (identified by prostate-specific antigen (PSA)) compared with prostatectomy alone.4–6 However, the trials did not show a consistent increase in overall survival, and most men in the non-adjuvant groups never received salvage radiotherapy. Given these limitations and the risks …
Effects of turf, leaf litter, and soil compaction on emergence and establishment of invasive glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus)

Abstract Perennial invasive plants can be controlled by damaging established vegetative individuals or by preventing establishment of new plants from seed. Less information is available about the latter. We examined how seedling establishment of glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus), a non-native shrub that invades forests in eastern North America, is affected by four soil surface treatments – grass-dominated turf, oak leaf litter, pine leaf litter, soil compaction – relative to an untreated control (tilled soil). Data on seedling emergence, survival, growth, and reproduction were collected from 1.5 m2 plots (six per treatment) over two years at the Kingman Research Farm, Madbury, NH, USA. Overall, buckthorn success from seed was inhibited by grass turf and facilitated by oak litter, while pine litter effects were complex and soil compaction had no effect. Specifically, relative to control, the turf treatment reduced buckthorn seedling emergence (year 2 only), increased mortality over two years, reduced density of living buckthorn, and prevented fruiting. Oak litter resulted in greater buckthorn seedling height relative to control, while pine litter, although reducing seedling emergence (year 1 only), increased both seedling height and the proportion of plants fruiting in year 2. Across all treatments and control, buckthorn seedling emergence was greatest in June, declining thereafter. Of the four treatments, only grass turf offered some promise of resisting invasion. The mechanism of resistance by turf is not known, but likely involves either more intense competition or higher levels of herbivory associated with turf. The mechanism, as well as the logistics and cost of turf establishment in logged areas, require further exploration.
Sophisticated Hate Stratagems: Unpacking the Era of Distrust:

Over the past decade, the rise of political extremism and its associated linguistic expression resulted in communication companies’ decisions to restrict hate speech and, in many cases, ban speech ...
Immunotherapy Directed Against Skin Cancer Precursors Prevents Skin Cancer

BACKGROUND: Topical calcipotriol plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combination is an effective immunotherapy against actinic keratosis (AK), which is a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, the long-term effectiveness of calcipotriol plus 5-FU treatment for SCC prevention is unknown. METHODS: We performed a blinded longitudinal study on participants of a randomized double-blind clinical trial in which a 4-day course of topical calcipotriol plus 5-FU combination was compared to Vaseline plus 5-FU (control) for AK treatment. SCC and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) incidence were assessed at 1, 2, and 3 years after trial. Tissues were analyzed for calcipotriol plus 5-FU-induced T cell immunity in the skin. FINDINGS: Calcipotriol plus 5-FU combination induced tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cell formation in face and scalp skin associated with significantly higher erythema scores compared to control (p 1500-day follow-up period (p=0.0765), and significantly fewer developed SCC on the treated face and scalp within 3 years (2 of 30 [7%] versus 11 of 40 [28%] in control group, hazard ratio 0.215 [95% CI: 0.048-0.972], p=0.032). Accordingly, higher numbers of epidermal TRM cells persisted in the calcipotriol plus 5-FU-treated face and scalp skin compared to control (p=0.0028). There was no significant difference in BCC incidence between treatment groups. I NTERPRETATION: A short course of calcipotriol plus 5-FU treatment on the face or scalp induces robust T cell immunity and TRM formation against AKs, significantly lowering the risk of SCC development within 3 years of treatment (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT02019355). Funding: Shadmehr Demehri, M.D., Ph.D., holds a Career Award for Medical Scientists award from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. KHN and SD were supported by grants from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Sidney Kimmel Foundation, Cancer Research Institute and NIH (5K08AR068619 and DP5OD021353091). Declaration of Interest: Authors have no conflict of interest to report. Ethical Approval: The clinical trial and longitudinal study protocols were approved by the academic IRBs of Washington University and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Radiation-Induced Damage in Chromosomal DNA Molecules: Deduction of Chromosomal DNA Organization from the Hydrodynamic Data Used to Measure DNA Double-Strand Breaks and from Stereo Electron Microscopic Observations

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses radiation induced damage in chromosomal DNA molecules. A chromosome structure that contains either circular or parallel DNA molecules introduces serious problems in traditional interpretations of genetic structure and function. Strand breakage has usually been determined by measuring the sedimentation rates for irradiated and unirradiated DNAs, deducing their number average molecular weights. For DNA molecules up to 2–5 X 108 Da, reasonable estimates of the average number of breaks induced or rejoined per molecule can be obtained. However, molecules of this size are much smaller than the DNA content of the average mammalian chromosome. The measurement of single-stranded breaks (SSB) under neutral conditions avoids the complications introduced by alkaline conditions and provides useful estimates of radiation yield. DNA double-stranded breaks (DSB) are measured by sedimentation and gel electrophoresis techniques similar to those for SSB. However, for DSB measurements, nominally neutral pH conditions are employed. Conventional gel electrophoresis has been used mainly for the measurement of DSB in DNA restriction fragments and in small viral/bacteriophage DNAs. Radiation may induce DNA damage nonrandomly in the lateral extensions of the chromatid backbone. The assumed close alignment of four segments of the circular DNA duplex molecule in the lateral extensions, and a possible close association with lipoprotein structures, implies that traversals of a local region by ionizing particles are more likely to induce multiple damage sites within short regions of the DNA molecule than would be expected for random dispersions of the DNA.
Telling of the Tale: Text, Context, and Narrative Act in Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories

Salman Rushdie published Haroun and the Sea of Stones in 1990, a year after the fatwah was issued against him by the Ayatollah Khomeini for publishing The Satanic Verses. The effect of the fatwah on Rushdie, and, by extension, on the perennial question of freedom of artistic expression, has been the subject of much debate and even more ink. Haroun and the Sea of Stories, coming within a year of Rushdie's personal and artistic travails, seemed to many to indicate a signal triumph of his unfettered imagination over his fettered freedom. The reviews of Haroun have unanimously hailed the work as a remarkable testament to Rushdie's resilience in the face of his difficulties, a work that affirms the imaginative power of the novelist.
Cyclic Vectors in Banach Spaces of Analytic Functions

In these three lectures we consider Banach spaces of analytic functions on plane domains. If the space admits the operator of multiplication by z, then it is of interest to describe the cyclic vectors for this operator, that is, those functions in the space with the property that the polynomial multiples of the function are dense. A necessary condition is that the function have no zeros; in general it is difficult to give necessary and sufficient conditions.
Modern Methods to Prepare Monofluoroaliphatic Compounds

Organic fluorine chemistry has been important since the 1930s. The development of fluorine chemistry during World War II is well documented. Fluorine chemistry emerged in the 1950s because of three events: Large-scale research designed to synthesize fluorine-containing rockets was initiated. A fluorine atom at a specific site in a steroid molecule was found to enhance beneficial pharmacological effects New analytical techniques evolved (e.g., GC and NMR). There are eight reactions important for preparation of monofluoroaliphatic compounds. Halogen addition to alkenes and alkynes Fluoroalkylamine reagent for replacement of a hydoxy group. Nitrosyl fluoride addition to an activated double bond Hypofluorites for electrophilic fluorination. Inorganic and heteroatom fluorides for replacement of halogen, hydroxyl, or ester groups Hydrogen fluoride for addition Perchloryl fluoride for hydrogen replacement Condensation of a monolfluorinated organic compound. Keywords: preparation; monofluoroaliphatic compounds; halogen fluoride additions; fluoroalkylamine reagent; monofluorosubstitution; organic halides; esters; alcohols; perchloryl fluoride; nitrosyl fluoride; electrophilic fluorination; hypofluorites; hydrogen fluoride; condensation; monofluorination
Removal of Phosphorus by Hemodialysis.

The control of serum phosphorus by dialysis is made difficult by the fact that intradialytic blood levels tend to be low, and because phosphorus is removed almost exclusively from the plasma during its passage through the dialyzer. The most practical way to increase phosphorus removal is to extend dialysis time, although attention to dialysis efficiency (surface area, advanced membrane, and higher blood and dialysate flow rates) also plays a role. Benefits of hemodiafiltration in helping control serum phosphorus have been claimed, but not found in all studies. Because serum phosphorus levels tend to plateau during the later parts of a dialysis session, extending weekly dialysis time is of greater benefit for phosphorus removal than for urea removal. Increasing dialysis frequency also probably has a small benefit. It appears that 18-30 hours of dialysis per week are required to obviate the need for phosphorus binders. Several promising models of phosphorus kinetics are under development. These may help predict the change in treatment on serum phosphorus levels, but their ability to do so has not yet been critically assessed.
Diagnosis of Free-Wall Rupture by Left Ventricular Angiogram After Inferior ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

A 67-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus presented after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with pulseless electric activity (PEA) preceded by significant chest discomfort and syncope. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started for PEA arrest with return of spontaneous circulation after 20 minutes. His initial ECG showed an acute inferior ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; Figure 1). In the emergency department, he experienced another PEA arrest and an ECG showed evidence of a moderate pericardial effusion. Attempts on pericardiocentesis were unsuccessful, and he was brought to the catheterization laboratory in cardiogenic shock on vasopressors. Figure 1. ECG showing inferoposterior ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Emergent coronary angiogram demonstrated a completely occluded proximal right coronary artery with an intracoronary thrombus with moderate disease in the left anterior descending artery and left circumflex arteries (Figure 2A and 2B). Transthoracic echocardiogram could not clearly identify a free-wall rupture, so a left ventricular angiogram was performed and showed evidence of a posterobasal inferior …
Worsening Wenckebach after calcium gluconate injection: not uncommon but frequently missed diagnosis

The objective of the study is to demonstrate a common etiology of hyperkalemia and illustrate a potential iatrogenic errors in treatment.
Bronchiolitis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been associated with many pulmonary complications, including pleuritis with or without pleural effusion, noninfectious pulmonary infiltrates, and interstitial fibrosis, all of which cause restrictive dysfunction on pulmonary function tests. Obstructive dysfunction occurs in less than 5 percent of patients with SLE. We report a patient with SLE who developed rapidly progressive airway obstruction and had early obliterative bronchiolitis on open lung biopsy. This finding may account for the obstructive dysfunction seen in patients with SLE.
Inner versus outer sphere complexation of f-elements

Abstract The evidence from a variety of experimental techniques for formation of outer and inner sphere complexes of f-element cations with inorganic and organic ligands, is reviewed. The very weakly basic ligands favor outer sphere complexation although the value of ligand p K a at which inner sphere formation becomes favored increases with metal cation charge density ( z/r ). The need to understand the limitations of different methods for measuring stability constants in evaluation of outer versus inner sphere complexation is emphasized.
EVIDENCE OF AN ORGANIC MATRIX FROM DIATOM BIOSILICA1

Most biominerals appear to be composites of organic material and mineral. Whether biosilica is such a composite is unresolved because of a lack of evidence for such organic components. We present evidence that organic material exists within diatom biosilica and can be extracted using HF/NH4F solutions from frustules isolated from Cyclotella meneghiniana Kutz and diatomaceous earth. To eliminate organic casing on the silicified frustules as a source of organic materials, the casing was removed by oxidation of frustules with NaOCl before extraction. The removal of the casing was confirmed in that oxidized frustules no longer displayed the ability to be stained with ruthenium red and fluorescamine. Frustules examined with EDXA showed an emission peak from sulfur before treatment but no peak following treatment, indicating that oxidation removed organic sulfur. The organic material obtained from extracts of fresh frustules contained both soluble and insoluble components. Only soluble material was evident in extracts from diatomaceous earth. The soluble material appears to contain glycoproteins with relatively high levels of serine and glycine. The soluble proteins from fresh frustules also appear to be phosphorylated. Indirect evidence is presented that suggests the soluble proteins may contain regions of primary structure enriched in anionic amino acids. The soluble extracts differ from general cell contents when the two fractions are compared, suggesting that frustules contain specialized organic material. The identification of silica-specific organic material suggests that mineralization in diatoms may be in part matrix-mediated.
Management and long-term prognosis of Dieulafoy lesion.

Abstract Background: The Dieulafoy lesion is an important cause of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage. Optimal treatment and long-term outcome are unknown. This study aimed to characterize the presentation of the Dieulafoy lesion and to summarize the results and report the long-term outcome of endoscopic therapy. Methods: Data regarding diagnosis, treatment and outcomes were derived from our GI Bleed Team database, patient records and follow-up correspondence. Results: Ninety Dieulafoy lesions were identified in 89 patients after a mean of 1.9 endoscopies. Their mean age was 72 years. Thirty-four percent of lesions were extragastric. Median transfusion requirement was 5 units. Two patients exsanguinated and 3 required surgery; all others were initially successfully treated endoscopically (with or without epinephrine injection): heat probe (71 patients), band ligation (3), hemoclip (1), laser (2), bipolar probe (4), sclerotherapy (2) and epinephrine alone (2). Gastric perforation occurred in 1 patient following sclerotherapy. Thirty-day mortality was 13%, 4 related to hemorrhage and 5 related to comorbidity. During median follow-up of 17 months, 34 patients (42%) died. One patient had recurrent bleeding 6 years after operation. Conclusions: Dieulafoy lesion is relatively common and often extragastric. Endoscopic therapy is safe and effective. Long-term recurrence was not evident following endoscopic ablation. Follow-up after ablative therapy appears unnecessary. (Gastrointest Endosc 1999;50:762-7.)
Production of Renin by Human Juxtaglomerular Cells in Vitro

New organ culture methods permit growth of human renal cortical cells fulfilling all known criteria of juxtaglomerular cells. Two types of granules were observed with the electron microscope. These granules showed an increase in size and number during the growth of these cultures. Their presence in cells was demonstrated by Bowie's, basic fuchsin-crystal violet, and fluorochrome staining methods. Puromycin or actinomycin D caused a reduction in the number of cytoplasmic granules, while 1% oxygen in the gas phase of the culture caused an increase. Specific reaction of these granules with rabbit antihuman renin antibody was demonstrated. Other cellular structures did not react with this antibody. Similar granules were observed in the media of hyperplastic, interlobular arterioles but not in normal arterioles or arterioles of other vascular beds. Bundles of myofilaments could be observed between the cytoplasmic granules in cultured cells. Bioassays of renin activity of the supernatant culture medium showed t...
Empowering the silent ranks: the Southeast Asian experience

Southeast Asians are among the fastest growing immigrant groups in the United States, yet the rich and varied Southeast Asian newcomer experiences remain underrepresented within the community psychology literature Much of this experience raises complex questions about the concept of empowerment. In this paper we summarize recent published work on the Southeast Asian experience. We will show that three themes have dominated extant work: (1) the importance of understanding the cultural dimensions of Southeast Asian experiences, including the ways in which broad differences between American and Southeast Asian culture call into question the suitability of Western approaches to intervention within the Southeast Asian community; (2) the importance of understanding the trauma and hardship of the immigration experience which accompanied the forced migration of many in the Southeast Asian community; and (3) the urgency of adopting effective strategies for addressing the pressing needs with this new immigrant community. Each of these themes potentially lends itself to an empowerment focus, but we will see that much of the work has been pursued in ways that are inconsistent with an empowerment perspective. We end the discussion with a consideration of what community psychology might gain from a deeper understanding of the Southeast Asian immigrant experience and we suggest possible areas for disciplinary involvement in Southeast Asian empowerment efforts.
Excision and insertion of the conjugative transposon Tn916 involves a novel recombination mechanism

Abstract The covalently closed circular form of the conjugative transposon Tn916, which acts as an intermediate in transposition, is produced by a novel type of recombination. Excision of the element pairs noncomplementary base pairs, which flank the transposon in a heteroduplex, at the joint of a circular form. By a reversal of the excision process, the base pairs from the heteroduplex are inserted into the next target. We present a detailed molecular model for the movement of conjugative transposons that involves the initial formation of staggered nicks in the "coupling regions" that flank the inserted element. The different products of excision and insertion of Tn916 can be explained by this model.
Determination of the kinetics of rat UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) in liver and intestine using HPLC

Uridinediphosphoglucuronosyl transferases (UGTs) are a group of membrane bound proteins which catalyze the transfer of glucuronic acid from UDP-glucuronic acid to a wide variety of xenobiotics and drug molecules enabling them to be eliminated. The major UGT isoforms found in the rat are 1A1, 1A6, 2B1 and 2B12. Conventional methods for the assay of glucuronides (GLs) include TLC, extraction and colorimetry or quantification of the aglycone, liberated after hydrolyzing the GL with beta-glucuronidase. However these techniques cannot distinguish between isomeric GLs or GLs of multiple acceptor site substrates. Therefore the purpose of this study was to develop simple and sensitive HPLC methods for the direct and simultaneous analysis of the GL(s) and their aglycones without the drawbacks of the conventional methods. The three classical substrates we chose were 4-methylumbelliferone (4MU), testosterone (TES) and 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HOQ) representing UGT isoforms 1A6, 2B1 and 2B12 of the rat family, respectively. Here we report the validated HPLC conditions, for the detection and separation of 4-methylumbelliferone glucuronide (4MUG), testosterone glucuronide (TESG) and 8-hydroxyquinoline glucuronide (8HOQG) and their aglycones in incubation media containing male Sprague-Dawley rat liver and intestinal microsomal preparations. The separations were achieved on a Zorbax SB-CN column (150 x 4.6 mm, 5 micron). The analysis time for the separation of TES, 8HOQ and 4MU and their glucuronides were 17, 12 and 30 min, respectively. The methods showed excellent linearity (r2 > 0.99) over the concentration ranges tested (0.25-5.0 nmoles of TESG; 0.125-18.75 nmoles of 8HOQG and 0.125-12.5 nmoles of 4MUG), good precision and accuracy (RSD 90%) at all three points (low, mid-point, high) of the standard curve. The limits of detection were 0.125, 0.1 and 0.1 nmole for TESG, 8HOQG and 4MUG. respectively. The above methods were used to estimate kinetic parameters such as Vmax and Km for the GLs of the three substrates in both liver and intestinal tissue preparations and the values were comparable with previously reported results. UGT2B1 was found primarily in the liver while UGTs 1A6 and 2B12 were present in comparable amounts in both tissues.
An interfering form of Blimp-1 increases IgM secreting plasma cells and blocks maturation of peripheral B cells.

B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp-1) can drive plasmacytic differentiation in cultured cell models. To determine the role of Blimp-1 in B cell development in vivo, we have generated transgenic mice expressing an interfering truncated form of Blimp-1 (TBlimp) under the control of an immunoglobulin heavy chain promoter and intronic (Eμ) enhancer. TBlimp-transgenic mice have elevated serum IgM and a prolonged IgM response. This effect is due to an increased number of short-lived, IgM-secreting plasma cells resulting from increased proliferation and prolonged survival. In addition, TBlimp-transgenic mice have a developmental defect in the generation of mature B cells in the spleen. These results show that in vivo Blimp-1 plays a fundamental role in the control of the life span and exit from the cell cycle of IgM secreting plasma cells.
Walking-induced particle resuspension in indoor environments

Resuspension of particles indoors increases the risk of consequent exposure through inhalation and non-dietary ingestion. Studies have been conducted to characterize indoor particle resuspension but results do not always agree, and there are still many open questions in this field. This paper reviews the recent research of indoor resuspension and summarizes findings to answer six critical questions: 1) How does the resuspension sources compared to other indoor sources; 2) How is resuspension determined and how does the resuspension measure change as a function of particle size; 3) What are the primary resuspension mechanisms; 4) What are the factors affecting resuspension; 5) What are the knowledge gaps and future research directions in this area; and 6) How can what we know about resuspension guide better exposure mitigation strategies? From synthesized results, we conclude that resuspension is an important source for indoor particulate matter, compared with other indoor sources. Among all existing quantification terms of resuspension, resuspension fraction has the least variation in its estimates by explicitly defining surface loading and walking frequency, and thus is recommended to be adopted in future research over other terms. Resuspension increases with particle size in the range of 0.7–10 μm, although differences exist in resuspension estimates by orders of magnitude. The primary mechanism of particle resuspension involves rolling detachment, and the adhesive forces can be greatly reduced by microscopic surface roughness. Particle resuspension is by nature complicated, affected by various factors and their interactions. There are still many open questions to be answered to achieve an understanding of resuspension fundamentals. Given the complex and multidisciplinary nature of resuspension, understanding indoor particle resuspension behavior requires cross-disciplinary participation from experts in aerosol science, textile science, surface chemistry, electrostatics, and fluid mechanics.
Reading nano: the public interest in nanotechnology as reflected in purchase patterns of books

Owing to a rapidly growing public interest in nanotechnology, people are increasingly buying various books to inform themselves about nanotechnology. This paper tries to measure the public interest in nanotechnology and its relation to the public interest in other fields of knowledge by applying a new method. I combine formal network analysis of co-purchase book data with traditional content analysis. The method is successful in identifying the books that the public reads to be informed about nanotechnology, and in distinguishing between different kinds and classes of books and thereby between different interest foci and readerships and their relations. The results suggest that nanotechnology is for many their first intense contact with science and technology and that they read a great variety of different kinds of books. Rather than choose general introductions to current research written by scientists or science journalists, readers focus on forecasting and visionary literature including business guides...
Preparation and characterization of two structural phases of (EPT)2ICI2

Abstract Two 2:1 salts of the unsymmetrical organic donor EPT (4,5-ethylenedithio-4′,5′-propylenedithiotetrathiafulvalene) and the ICI 2 − anion have been prepared by electrocrystallization. The monoclinic phase contains stacks of EPT donors with short S…S interstack contacts, whereas the triclinic phase contains chains of side-by-side EPT dimers. Crystals of both phases exhibit semiconductor behavior in measurements of their resistivity.
Design of gelatin nanoparticles as swelling controlled delivery system for chloroquine phosphate

Gelatin nanoparticles were prepared by a single W/O emulsion technique and characterized by infrared (IR) spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analysis. The prepared nanoparticles were loaded with chloroquine phosphate (CP), a well known antimalarial drug, and the release dynamics of entrapped drug was investigated as a function of various experimental factors such as percent loading of the drug, chemical architecture of the nanocarriers, and pH, temperature, ionic strength and nature of the release medium. The nanoparticles were also studied for their water sorption capacity by optical microscopic method taking advantage of the aggregation of nanoparticles. The drug release processes was analyzed kinetically using Ficks power law and a correlation was established between the quantity of released drug and swelling of the nanoparticles.
Genetic polymorphisms in CYP17, CYP3A4, CYP19A1, SRD5A2, IGF-1, and IGFBP-3 and prostate cancer risk in African-American men: the Flint Men's Health Study.

BACKGROUND Association studies have examined the significance of several candidate genes based on biological pathways relevant to prostate carcinogenesis, including both the androgen and insulin-like growth factor pathways. Clinical and epidemiologic evidence suggest that androgens, specifically testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are important not only in normal prostate growth but in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. Similarly, the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway regulates both cellular proliferation and apoptosis. Therefore, genes involved in the biosynthesis, activation, metabolism and degradation of androgens and the stimulation of mitogenic and antiapoptotic activities of prostate epithelial cells represent important candidates for affecting the development and progression of prostate cancer.
Selective synthesis of α-olefins on Fe-Zn Fischer-Tropsch catalysts

Fe/Zn oxides promoted with K and Cu selectively produce α-olefins at typical Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions (2/1 H2/CO, 1 MPa, and 270°C). The simultaneous presence of K and Cu introduces a synergistic activity enhancement while maintaining the high olefin selectivity obtained by alkali promotion. Structural and morphological differences in Fe-Zn oxides prepared from ammonium glycolate complexes or precipitated from nitrate solutions have only a small influence on catalytic properties. Catalyst behavior is strongly influenced by synergistic promoter effects (Cu, K) and by the controlled in situ conversion of iron oxide precursors to carbides.
A new homeobox gene contributes the DNA binding domain of the t(1;19) translocation protein in pre-B ALL.

Abstract It was previously shown that the chromosome 19 breakpoint of the t(1;19)(g23;p13.3) translocation, found in human pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias, is within the E2A transcription factor gene on chromosome 19. A cell line with this translocation contains two novel chimeric mRNAs, both with the same 5′ E2A sequences but with different lengths of 3′ sequence from a previously unrecognized gene dubbed prl , located on chromosome 1. The chimeric RNAs encode a protein that lacks 171 amino acids of E2A, including its DNA binding and dimerization motifs, but have instead a homeobox-related sequence from prl . Therefore, the production of a chimeric E2A-Prl protein may contribute to the acute lymphoblastic phenotype by directly altering the expression of genes normally responsive to the Prl homeoprotein.
Lipin 2 Is a Liver-enriched Phosphatidate Phosphohydrolase Enzyme That Is Dynamically Regulated by Fasting and Obesity in Mice

Lipin 1 is a bifunctional intracellular protein that regulates fatty acid metabolism in the nucleus via interactions with DNA-bound transcription factors and at the endoplasmic reticulum as a phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase enzyme (PAP-1) to catalyze the penultimate step in triglyceride synthesis. However, livers of 8-day-old mice lacking lipin 1 (fld mice) exhibited normal PAP-1 activity and a 20-fold increase in triglyceride levels. We sought to further analyze the hepatic lipid profile of these mice by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Surprisingly, hepatic content of phosphatidate, the substrate of PAP-1 enzymes, was markedly diminished in fld mice. Similarly, other phospholipids derived from phosphatidate, phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin, were also depleted. Another member of the lipin family (lipin 2) is enriched in liver, and hepatic lipin 2 protein content was markedly increased by lipin 1 deficiency, food deprivation, and obesity, often independent of changes in steady-state mRNA levels. Importantly, RNAi against lipin 2 markedly reduced PAP-1 activity in hepatocytes from both wild type and fld mice and suppressed triglyceride synthesis under conditions of high fatty acid availability. Collectively, these data suggest that lipin 2 plays an important role as a hepatic PAP-1 enzyme.
Reflux Esophagitis: Overview

Reflux eosophagitis is one of the most common chronic disorders in humans. While ultimately due to contact of esophageal epithelium with gastric acid and pepsin, the pathogenesis of the condition remains poorly understood. In the present manuscript, some key clinical aspects of this condition are briefly reviewed, including pathogenesis, complications, diagnosis, and treatment.
Quality of Alaskan Maricultured Oysters (Crassostrea gigas): A One-Year Survey

: The objective of this project was to provide relevant information to Alaska shellfish growers regarding the intrinsic quality of their farmed oysters. A 1-y study was conducted to determine the condition indices, proximate composition, fatty acid content, and microbial load of commercially harvested oysters from 3 different mariculture regions in the state of Alaska. Oysters from farms located in the regions of Prince William Sound, Kachemak Bay, and Southeast Alaska were sampled according to the farmers' harvest schedules. Our results suggest that Alaskan maricultured oysters have slight seasonal and regional differences. The condition indices of Alaska oysters were high, indicating an excellent quality product. The chemical composition and fatty acid profile of C. gigas from Alaska waters are in agreement with the values reported for mariculture oysters of same species from different parts of the world. The microbial content of Alaskan oysters varied widely between shipments from each specific geographic region and could not be correlated to either harvest time or transit time.
The Role of Temozolomide in Elderly Patients with Glioblastoma

The administration of temozolomide concomitant with and adjuvant to radiotherapy was established as the standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma following the publication of a large randomized clinical trial conducted by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) [1]. However, this trial had as an eligibility criterion an upper age limit of 70 years, and thus the value of this therapy in older patients with glioblastoma could not be determined. Management of older patients with glioblastoma is an area that has been relatively neglected. In particular, prospective clinical trials in this patient population are rare, despite the fact that glioblastoma occurs most commonly in patients aged 65 to 84 years and the median age for diagnosis of a glioblastoma is between 60 and 65 years. Advancing age is recognized as a poor prognostic factor in glioblastoma, and treatment of older patients often is approached in a somewhat nihilistic fashion; however, increasingly it has been recognized that elderly oncology patients may benefit from and desire the same aggressive management given to younger patients. Recognizing the importance of these unanswered issues, Brandes et al. conducted a prospective clinical trial to examine the efficacy of concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide in elderly patients with glioblastoma; in addition, they assessed predictive markers of tumor response.
A comprehensive analysis of the effects of the deaminase AID on the transcriptome and methylome of activated B cells.

Additional editing activities for the cytidine deaminase AID beyond immunoglobulin-gene diversification have been proposed. Papavasiliou and colleagues now definitively show that antibody diversification is AID's sole physiological function in activated B cells.
Responses of Dairy Calves to Oral Doses of Aflatoxin

Abstract Seven pairs of young male dairy calves received daily oral doses of aflatoxin from 0 to .10 mg/kg body weight for 6 weeks of pretreatment and 6 weeks of aflatoxin dosing. Analysis was by least squares analysis of variance. Differences (P At postmortem livers appeared lights tan to orange and gall bladders were enlarged to 10 times normal. Liver tissue showed bile duet proliferation, dilated intralobular lymphatic duets, perivascular edema, and edema around the nect of the gall bladders was evident. Histochemical determination of alkaline phosphatase was not indicative of hepatic cell damage or obstructive jaundice. At aflatoxin doses .08 and .10mg, glycogen deposits appeared only in regenerating liver cells. Responses of young male dairy calves to aflatoxin contaminated feed and oral doses of erude toxin are similar.
A Simulation Activity to Promote Flexibility and Adaptability in Secondary Education Students

This study involved the instruction of preservice secondary education students in decision-making skills to help them improve their instructional planning for handicapped learners.The first of two treatments was a discussion of adaptive techniques and the introduction of a case study activity requiring that students adapt their lesson plans to accommodate a particular handicapped child. The second treatment was a reaction by the course instructor to each student's adapted lesson plan which stated that the proposed modification did not work. Students were then asked to write a second adaptation. The instrument developed for this study yielded adaptation scores for the first treatment effect and flexibility scores for the second treatment effect.Results using a one-way repeated ANOVA found that the treatments promoted both adaptability and flexibility in instructional planning. This finding appeared to hold true whether or not subjects had taught before, had been exposed to handicapped children, or had had ...
AN MMX STUDY OF BENZENE ISOMERS AND THE HYDROGENATION PRODUCTS OF BENZENE

We have calculated the structures, the heats of hydrogenation and the resonance energies of benzene isomers. All structures and energies were calculated by using the MMX force fields. Using PC model, the calculated structure parameters of benzene's 8 isomers are generally in good agreements with the experimental data. The heats of hydrogenation and resonance energy of benzene isomers are parallel to those experimental data and need a systematic adjustment of 4.5 kJ/mol.
Maintaining Control in the Classroom by Giving Up Control

Although collaborative learning models are used by numerous faculty members, many instructors are concerned that giving up control in the classroom means com-promising the educational experience. Empowering students, however, requires more of the instructor than just relinquishing the role of lecturer. This article offers a set of frameworks to help faculty create a semiautonomous classroom and, at the same time, protect against loss of quality control. Cross-cultural implications of collaborative learning are all addressed.
RETINOIC ACID AND GLUCOCORTICOIDS REGULATE SURFACTANT PROTEIN B GENE EXPRESSION IN HUMAN LUNG EPITHELIAL CELLS. • 337

Surfactant protein B (SP-B) plays a vital role in the pulmonary function of neonates; infants with inherited SP-B deficiency follow a course of progressive and fatal pulmonary failure unless they undergo lung transplantation. In previous studies, we have shown that all-trans retinoic acid (RA), a ligand of the steroid hormone receptor family, increases SP-B mRNA levels in H441 human lung adenocarcinoma cells and in cultured human fetal lung explants. In order to determine the temporal nature of the RA effect on SP-B mRNA, H441 cells were incubated with 10-6M all-trans RA for 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 or 24 hours. The stimulatory effect of all-trans RA on SP-B mRNA levels was observed as early as after 4 hours of exposure to the hormone. We also found that other retinoids, including 9-cis retinoic acid, 13-cis retinoic acid and retinol, do not affect SP-B mRNA levels in the H441 cell line. Glucocorticoids have been shown to increase SP-B mRNA levels in H441 cells and in cultured human fetal lung tissue. We hypothesized that the combination of glucocorticoids and all-trans RA regulates SP-B gene expression in a manner different from the effect of either agent alone. In initial experiments, H441 cells were treated in serum-free medium for 24 hours with cortisol (10-10M to 10-6M) added alone. SP-B mRNA levels were increased compared to control levels in a dose-dependent manner from 1.8 times over control levels in 10-9M cortisol to 4.7 times over control levels in 10-6M cortisol; there was no effect of 10-10M cortisol. H441 cells were then exposed to varying concentrations of cortisol (10-10 M to 10-6M) in the presence of all-trans RA (10-6M). SP-B mRNA levels were further stimulated to 2.8 times control levels in 10-9M cortisol and to 7 times control levels in 10-6M cortisol. At each concentration of cortisol, 10-9M to 10-6M, there was an average 40% increase in the stimulatory effect of cortisol on the level of SP-B mRNA with the addition of 10-6M all-trans RA. These data are suggestive that there is an additive effect of all-trans retinoic acid on cortisol-stimulated surfactant protein B gene expression in human lung epithelial cells.
Experimental Investigation of Electrostatic Dispersion and Combustion of Diesel Fuel Jets

Etude experimentale de la dispersion et de la combustion d'un jet de carburant diesel (dispersion par un procede electrostatique)
Functional Analysis of Human tRNA Isodecoders

tRNA isodecoders share the same anticodon but have differences in their body sequence. An unexpected result from genome sequencing projects is the identification of a large number of tRNA isodecoder genes in mammalian genomes. In the reference human genome, more than 270 isodecoder genes are present among the approximately 450 tRNA genes distributed among 49 isoacceptor families. Whether sequence diversity among isodecoder tRNA genes reflects functional variability is an open question. To address this, we developed a method to quantify the efficiency of tRNA isodecoders in stop-codon suppression in human cell lines. First, a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene that contains a single UAG stop codon at two distinct locations is introduced. GFP is only produced when a tRNA suppressor containing CUA anticodon is co-transfected with the GFP gene. The suppression efficiency is examined for 31 tRNA isodecoders (all contain CUA anticodon), 21 derived from four isoacceptor families of tRNASer genes, 7 from five families of tRNALeu genes, and 3 from three families of tRNAAla genes. We found that isodecoder tRNAs display a large difference in their suppression efficiency. Among those with above background suppression activity, differences of up to 20-fold were observed. We were able to tune tRNA suppression efficiency by subtly adjusting the tRNA sequence and inter-convert poor suppressors into potent ones. We also demonstrate that isodecoder tRNAs with varying suppression efficiencies have similar stability and exhibit similar levels of aminoacylation in vivo. Our results indicate that naturally occurring tRNA isodecoders can have large functional variations and suggest that some tRNA isodecoders may perform a function distinct from translation.