cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3966: The procancer effects of obesity can be reversed by moderate weight loss or an anti-inflammatory drug in a mouse model of colon cancer

Purpose: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. Our current study examines whether moderate weight loss or treatment with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug sulindac suppresses the tumor-promoting effects of obesity in a mouse model of colon cancer. Methods: Male FVB mice were treated with azoxymethane (10 mg/kg i.p.) for 5 weeks, then randomized to a control (10% kcal from fat) or diet-induced obesity (DIO, 60% kcal from fat) diet. After 15 weeks, there was an interim sacrifice of 5 mice/group. The DIO mice were then further randomized to remain on DIO or switch to control diet to induce weight loss and become formerly obese mice (FOB), and within each diet group (control, DIO, and FOB), half the mice were randomized to start sulindac treatment (140 ppm in the diet). Eight weeks later, all mice were euthanized. Results: The DIO mice, compared to controls, had significantly greater body weight and body fat (P Conclusions: Both moderate weight loss and sulindac treatment completely reverse the effects of chronic obesity on colon tumorigenesis, the latter independent of any change in adiposity. Our findings suggest that an investigation regarding the effects of NSAID treatment on colon cancer risk and/or progression in obese patients is warranted, particularly for those unable to achieve moderate weight loss. Citation Format: Laura W. Bowers, Arunima Punjala, Alison Q. Jeffries, Stephanie A. Montgomery, Andrew J. Dannenberg, Stephen D. Hursting. The procancer effects of obesity can be reversed by moderate weight loss or an anti-inflammatory drug in a mouse model of colon cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3966.
Electron Emission Energy Barriers and Stability of Sc2O3 with Adsorbed Ba and Ba–O

In this study we employ density functional theory (DFT) methods to investigate the surface energy barrier for electron emission (surface barrier) and thermodynamic stability of Ba and Ba–O species adsorption (relative to formation of bulk BaO) under conditions of high temperature (approximately 1200 K) and low pressure (approximately 10–10 Torr) on the low-index surfaces of bixbyite Sc2O3. We employ both the standard generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and the hybrid HSE functional to calculate accurate surface barriers from relaxed GGA structures. The role of Ba in lowering the cathode surface barrier is investigated via adsorption of atomic Ba and Ba–O dimers, where the highest simulated dimer coverage corresponds to a single-monolayer film of rocksalt BaO. The change of the surface barrier of a semiconductor due to adsorption of surface species is decomposed into two parts: a surface dipole component and a doping component. The dipole component is the result of charge rearrangement at the surface ...
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer is applicable to more tumors than sublobar resection.

Background Virtually all patients with medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can receive stereotactic body radiation therapy. However, the percentage of such patients in whom sublobar resection is technically feasible is unknown. This discrepancy can confound clinical trial eligibility and designs comparing stereotactic body radiation therapy vs. sublobar resection. Methods A total of 137 patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy for lung lesions (3/2013-11/2017) underwent retrospective review. Diagnostic CT chest and PET/CT images, stereotactic body radiation therapy dates, and demographic data were collected on 100 of 137 patients. Two experienced board-certified thoracic surgeons independently reviewed anonymized patients' pre-stereotactic body radiation therapy diagnostic imaging and completed a custom survey about the technical feasibility of sublobar resection for each patient. Interrater agreement was measured using Cohen's kappa coefficient by bootstrap methodology. Summary statistics were performed for baseline demographics and tumor characteristics. Results Of the 100 patients, 57% were female, with median age of 75 years (range, 52-95 years) and Karnofsky Performance Status of 80 (range, 40-100). Most patients (61%) had Stage IA1, T1a tumors. For interrater agreement analysis, one patient was removed from each cohort due to inability to locate tumor on images, leaving 98 patients analyzed. Comparing Surgeon #1 vs. Surgeon #2, 64 (65.3%) vs. 69 (70.3%) of tumors were thought eligible for sublobar resection, respectively (κ=0.414). Conclusions Stereotactic body radiation therapy for stage I NSCLC is applicable to more tumors than sublobar resection, with ~30-35% of stereotactic body radiation therapy patients unable to undergo sublobar resection assessed by pretreatment diagnostic imaging based on technical grounds. This study illustrates that clinical trials comparing stereotactic body radiation therapy vs. sublobar resection are limited to only a subpopulation of patients with stage I NSCLC.
MS-based proteomics for comprehensive investigation of protein O-GlcNAcylation

Protein O-GlcNAcylation refers to the covalent binding of a single N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to the serine or threonine residue. This modification primarily occurs on proteins in the nucleus and the cytosol, and plays critical roles in many cellular events, including regulation of gene expression and signal transduction. Aberrant protein O-GlcNAcylation is directly related to human diseases such as cancers, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. In the past decades, considerable progress has been made for global and site-specific analysis of O-GlcNAcylation in complex biological samples using mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics. In this review, we summarized previous efforts on comprehensive investigation of protein O-GlcNAcylation by MS. Specifically, the review is focused on methods for enriching and site-specifically mapping O-GlcNAcylated peptides, and applications for quantifying protein O-GlcNAcylation in different biological systems. As O-GlcNAcylation is an important protein modification for cell survival, effective methods are essential for advancing our understanding of glycoprotein functions and cellular events.
Deter framework: A novel paradigm for addressing cybersecurity concerns in mobile healthcare

The use of health apps on mobile devices by healthcare providers and receivers (patients) is proliferating. This has elevated cybersecurity concerns owing to the transmittal of personal health information through the apps. Research literature has mostly focused on the technology aspects of cybersecurity in mobile healthcare. It is equally important to focus on the ethical and regulatory perspectives. This article discusses cybersecurity concerns in mobile healthcare from the ethical perspective, the regulatory/compliance perspective, and the technology perspective. The authors present a comprehensive framework (DeTER) that integrates all three perspectives through which cybersecurity concerns in mobile healthcare could be viewed, understood, and acted upon. Guidance is provided with respect to leveraging the framework in the decision-making process that occurs during the system development life cycle (SDLC). Finally, the authors discuss a case applying the framework to a situation involving the development of a contact tracing mobile health app for pandemics such as COVID-19. © 2021 IGI Global. All rights reserved.
Stress-Inducible Gene Atf3 Dictates a Dichotomous Macrophage Activity in Chemotherapy-Enhanced Lung Colonization.

Previously, we showed that chemotherapy paradoxically exacerbated cancer cell colonization at the secondary site in a manner dependent on Atf3, a stress-inducible gene, in the non-cancer host cells. Here, we present evidence that this phenotype is established at an early stage of colonization within days of cancer cell arrival. Using mouse breast cancer models, we showed that, in the wild-type (WT) lung, cyclophosphamide (CTX) increased the ability of the lung to retain cancer cells in the vascular bed. Although CTX did not change the WT lung to affect cancer cell extravasation or proliferation, it changed the lung macrophage to be pro-cancer, protecting cancer cells from death. This, combined with the initial increase in cell retention, resulted in higher lung colonization in CTX-treated than control-treated mice. In the Atf3 knockout (KO) lung, CTX also increased the ability of lung to retain cancer cells. However, the CTX-treated KO macrophage was highly cytotoxic to cancer cells, resulting in no increase in lung colonization—despite the initial increase in cell retention. In summary, the status of Atf3 dictates the dichotomous activity of macrophage: pro-cancer for CTX-treated WT macrophage but anti-cancer for the KO counterpart. This dichotomy provides a mechanistic explanation for CTX to exacerbate lung colonization in the WT but not Atf3 KO lung.
A Containerization-Based Backfit Approach for Industrial Control System Resiliency

Many industrial control systems (ICS) are reliant upon programmable logic controllers (PLCs) for their operations. As ICS and PLCs are increasingly targeted by cyber-attacks, research facilitating the resiliency of their physical processes is imperative. This paper proposes an approach which leverages PLC containerization, input/output (I/O) multiplexing, and orchestration to respond to cyber incidents and ensure continuity of critical processes. A proofof-concept capability was developed and evaluated on live ICS testbed environments. The experimental results indicate the approach is viable for control applications with soft real-time requirements.
Effects of Sprinkler, Shade and Fan Cooling of Preparturient Holstein cows on Post-parturient Milk Performance during Summer Heat Stress

Heat stress has important consequences for animal welfare and production performance, and has been implicated as the most important reason for decreased milk production during summer time. Due to lower milk production, most research has targeted prevention of heat stress in lactating cows. Few investigations, however, have focused on cooling preparturient dairy cows during the non-lactating period, and no research has reported the effects of cooling during the last three weeks of gestation. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of shades, fans, and sprinklers on the last three weeks of gestation of Holstein cows during summer heat stress. Outcome variables included post-parturient milk production, rectal temperature, body condition score (BCS) and incidence of post-parturient disorders.
Publication trends focused on palliative and end-of-life care for gynecologic malignancies

Objectives: Objective: To determine the frequency and contents of publications focused on palliative or end-of-life care for gynecologic malignancies across four major journals for the past 30 years. Methods: Methods: We conducted a bibliometric study in Web of Science of four major journals in our discipline: Gynecologic Oncology, AJOG, BJOG, and Obstetrics & Gynecology. We included original research, systematic reviews, and case series with at least 10 patients, published between January 1990 and December 2019. Publication title, abstract, year, and authors were extracted from Web of Science. After citation extraction, titles and abstracts were searched for keywords to identify articles addressing palliative care in gynecologic malignancies and then further classified into publication topics. Publications could contain more than one topic. Descriptive statistics were generated. Results: Results: Of the 35,370 articles available, 0.36% (n=127) were related to palliative care; of these, 94.5% (n=120) were published in Gynecologic Oncology. The frequency of publications increased over time (Figure 1A); 32% (n=41) appeared from 1990 to 2009 while 68% (n=86) appeared from 2010 to 2019. By disease site (Figure 1A), palliative care publications most commonly addressed ovarian cancers (n=44, 35%) or all gynecologic malignancies (n=43, 34%); cervical, uterine, and vulvar malignancies were less commonly discussed. The most frequent topics (Figure 1B) were the impact of gynecologic malignancies or their treatments on health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL; 53%, n=67). Symptom management following surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation was the focus of 32% (n=41) of publications. 31% (n=39) examined the role of psychologic factors (depression, anxiety, and/or coping skills) in the well-being of women with gynecologic malignancies. 19% (n=24) analyzed the impact of malignancy or its treatment on sexual function. 16% (n=20) of publications explored the process of decision-making, advanced care planning, and/or referral to palliative or supportive care services for women with gynecologic malignancies. 10% (n=13) of publications discussed the role of palliative radiation or surgery. Topics that were infrequently explored included exercise, nutrition, or body weight (6%, n=8), resource utilization or cost in end-of-life care (4%, n=5), the role of religion or spirituality (3%, n=4), disparities in palliative or end-of-life care (2%, n=2), education in palliative or end-of-life care for fellows or residents (2%, n=2), and the role of the caregiver (2%, n=2). Download : Download high-res image (175KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: Conclusions: While the frequency is increasing over time, publications on palliative or end-of-life care rarely appear in journals commonly reviewed by those treating gynecologic cancers. Given that multiple randomized trials have demonstrated the importance of palliative care in oncology, this remains an unmet and critical need for the gynecologic cancer specialist and their patients.
Variation in the gene Tas1r3 reveals complex temporal properties of mouse brainstem taste responses to sweeteners.

The gene Tas1r3 codes for the protein T1R3, which dimerizes with T1R2 to form a sweetener-binding receptor in taste cells. Tas1r3 influences sweetener preferences in mice, as shown by work with a 1...
DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF A NEW SERUM LIPASE METHOD.

Summary 1.Clinical experience with a new method of serum lipase determination is presented. The normal mean for serum lipase concentration is 4.5 units/ml. with a 95% confidence range of 1 to 10 units. 2.Significant elevations of serum lipase were found in the 20 cases of acute pancreatitis studied. These elevations occurred early in the course of illness (within 24 hr) and were found to parallel those of serum amylase. 3.Elevation of serum lipase was not observed in 2 cases of inflammatory disease of the salivary gland. 4.No consistent elevations of serum amylase or lipase concentration were noted in 16 patients with liver disease or in 10 patients with carcinomatous involvement of the pancreas and liver. 5.Elevations of serum amylase concentrations were noted at relatively low levels of blood urea nitrogen (50 mg/100 ml) and elevation of both serum amylase and lipase concentration were noted with blood urea nitrogen of 77 mg/100 ml. However, some patients with elevated BUN did not have elevated enzyme levels. 6.The short hydrolysis period (1 hr) and the sensitivity for detection of acute pancreatic injury of this new lipase method make it a rapid, practical, and reliable test in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.
Generation Y's dining information seeking and sharing behavior on social networking sites: An exploratory study

Purpose – Since the advent of the internet, social networking sites (SNS) have grown rapidly in popularity. This paper aims to explore Generation Y's information seeking and sharing behavior with regard to information about SNS; it also investigates the impact of consumer characteristics and gender differences on information seeking and sharing behaviors, to help marketers and researchers gain better insight into Generation Y consumers and social media marketing. Design/methodology/approach – A self-administered survey was conducted among Generation Y college students. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and Mann-Whitney U-tests were employed to address the research questions. Findings – Generation Y'ers are heavy users of SNS. Consumer opinion leadership (COL) and consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence (CSII) affect Generation Y's dining information seeking and sharing behavior on SNS. No gender differences emerged. Research limitations/implications – This research exten...
Pharmacological evidence that D-aspartate activates a current distinct from ionotropic glutamate receptor currents in Aplysia californica

D-Aspartate (D-Asp) activates a nonspecific cation current of unknown identity independent of L-glutamate (L-Glu) in neurons of Aplysia californica. Whole-cell voltage clamp studies were conducted using primary cultures of Aplysia buccal S cluster (BSC) neurons to characterize these receptor channels pharmacologically. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) coagonist glycine potentiated D-Asp currents only at -30 mV, while D-serine did not potentiate D-Asp currents at any amplitude. Portions of D-Asp currents were blocked by the L-Glu antagonists kynurenate, DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (APV), (2S,3R)-1-(phenanthren-2-carbonyl)piperazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (PPDA), and 1,3-dihydro-5-[3-[4-(phenylmethyl)-1-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (TCS46b), suggesting that L-Glu channels, particularly NMDAR-like channels, may partially contribute to D-Asp whole-cell currents. In contrast, L-Glu currents were unaffected by APV, and showed greater block by kynurenate, suggesting that D-Asp and L-Glu act, in part, at different sites. The excitatory amino acid transport blocker DL-threo-b-Benzyloxyaspartic acid (TBOA) blocked a fraction of D-Asp currents, suggesting that currents associated with these transporters also contribute. Non-NMDA L-GluR antagonists that preferentially block alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA)/kainate receptors significantly increased D-Asp currents, suggesting a possible allosteric potentiating effect of these antagonists on D-Asp receptors. L-Glu-induced currents were significantly reduced in the presence of bath-applied D-Asp, whereas bath-applied L-Glu had no effect on D-Asp-induced currents. The mixed effects of these agents on D-Asp-induced currents in Aplysia illustrate that the underlying channels are not uniformly characteristic of any known agonist associated channel type.
Preventing Significant Deterioration Under the Clean Air Act: Baselines, Increments, and Ceilings - Part I

The Clean Air Act's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program is extraordinarily complex. This Article, written in two parts, explores how the core features of the PSD program - baselines, increments, and ceilings - have been implemented during the past thirty years. The Article suggests that today's real-world PSD program bears little resemblance to the structure initially invented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and codified by Congress. Part I examines the random, chaotic nature of the baseline date and baseline area creation processes, the susceptibility of these processes to manipulation, and the EPA's acquiescence in such manipulation. Part II of the Article examines the EPA's abandonment of the statutorily mandated baseline concentrations and ceilings, and the agency's invention of an increment consumption calculation methodology worthy of a Rube Goldberg cartoon. Part II closes with the author's call for a renewed commitment to meaningful PSD baselines and ceilings.
Abstract 15685: Contemporary Appraisal of the Heart Failure Epidemic, 2000-2010

Background: Heart failure (HF) is commonly referred to as an epidemic posing major clinical and public health challenges. Yet, contemporary data on its magnitude and implications are scarce. We evaluated recent trends in incidence, mortality and hospitalizations in a geographically defined population. Methods: Residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, with validated incident HF from 2000-2010 were studied. Incidence rates were calculated, overall and by preserved (HFpEF) or reduced (HFrEF) ejection fraction (EF). Outcomes included death and hospitalizations. Results: A total of 2,762 individuals had incident HF during the study period (mean age, 76 years; 43% male). The age- and sex-adjusted incidence rate of HF declined substantially [average annual percent change, -4.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.5 to -5.7], equating to a 40% decline over the last decade (rate ratio 0.60; 95% CI: 0.52 to 0.69). The decline in incidence was observed for HFpEF and HFrEF and among all demographic groups, with some vari...
Marxist Theorists on the Evolution of the Concept of Nations with History and Nations without History

The concept of historic nations and non-historic nations within the context of Engels’ discussions of 1848/1849 surfaced again during the last two decades of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century in the literature of the German and Austrian Socialist groups. There were many factors, some peculiar to the Habsburg Monarchy and others to Europe as a whole which probably brought the problem of the national groups again into prominence. In the opinion of this writer, by far the most important factors were in Austria. First, the effect of developing capitalism upon the social structure and cultural integrity of the Slavic national groups within the Monarchy. Second, the Taaffe franchise reforms of 1882, Reichsgesetzblatt Nr. 142; the Badeni franclise reforms of 1896, Reichsgesetzblatt Nr. 226; the Badeni language ordinances of 1897, Crownland statutes for Bohemia, Landesgesetzblatt Nr. 12 and 13 which exacerbated already existing hostility between Czechs and Germans in the binational areas of Bohemia and Moravia, and reduced parliament in Vienna to such chaos that the centtral government found orderly procedures to be almost an impossibility.1 Third, the Brunn Congress of the Austrian Social Democratic Party in 1899 at which the nationality problems of Cisleithan Austria were discussed and a modest program of limited territorial autonomy for national groups was adopted.2
Distribution of DNA Sequences Encoding Narrow- and Broad-Spectrum Mercury Resistance

The distribution of DNA sequences homologous with three mer genes was determined in unselected and mercury-resistant water and sediment isolates. The maximum proportions of unselected bacterial isolates containing DNA hybridizing with the 358merA, 358merB, and 501merR probes, derived from gram-negative organisms, were 93.8, 21, and 100%, respectively. Up to 53.3% of mercury chloride-resistant isolates and 54% of methylmercury hydroxide-resistant isolates did not contain DNA homologous with 358merA or 358merB, respectively. Hybridizations performed at high and low stringencies demonstrated that divergence of the merA gene accounted for many of the mercury-resistant but probe-negative isolates. Sixteen mercury-resistant Bacillus spp. isolated from the least contaminated site all contained DNA homologous with 258merA, originally from a gram-positive organism, but only four hybridized weakly with 358merA. The results demonstrate the wide distribution of mercury resistance genes but, because of the diversity of genetic determinants, highlight the importance of using multiple detection techniques and gene probes derived from a variety of origins for such studies.
Acellular Hydrogels for Regenerative Burn Wound Healing: Translation from a Porcine Model

Currently available skin grafts and skin substitutes for healing following third-degree burn injuries are fraught with complications, often resulting in long-term physical and psychological sequelae. Synthetic treatment that can promote wound healing in a regenerative manner would provide an off-the-shelf, non-immunogenic strategy to improve clinical care of severe burn wounds. Here, we demonstrate the vulnerary efficacy and accelerated healing mechanism of a dextran-based hydrogel in a third-degree porcine burn model. The model was optimized to allow examination of the hydrogel treatment for clinical translation and its regenerative response mechanisms. Hydrogel treatment accelerated third-degree burn wound healing by rapid wound closure, improved re-epithelialization, enhanced extracellular matrix remodeling, and greater nerve reinnervation, compared with the dressing-treated group. These effects appear to be mediated through the ability of the hydrogel to facilitate a rapid but brief initial inflammatory response that coherently stimulates neovascularization within the granulation tissue during the first week of treatment, followed by an efficient vascular regression to promote a regenerative healing process. Our results suggest that the dextran-based hydrogels may substantially improve healing quality and reduce skin grafting incidents and thus pave the way for clinical studies to improve the care of severe burn injury patients.
Prevalence and covariates of food insecurity among residents of single-room occupancy housing in Chicago, IL, USA.

Objective Emerging evidence suggests that food insecurity is a significant public health concern among people who are homeless or marginally housed. The present study assessed prevalence of food insecurity and its covariates among a group of marginally housed individuals living in single-room occupancy (SRO) dwellings, a population for which there is little extant health or nutrition research. Design Cross-sectional survey incorporating the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Setting Ten private SRO residences in the Uptown neighbourhood of Chicago, IL, USA, 2013. Subjects SRO residents over 18 years of age who were able to communicate verbally in English (n 153). Results Food insecurity was widespread among SRO residents, with 75 % of the sample considered food insecure and 52 % meeting criteria for severe food insecurity. Bivariate analyses indicated that female gender, eating most meals at a soup kitchen, having a mental health condition, problem drinking, having at least one chronic health condition, and diabetes were all significantly associated with food insecurity. In the multivariate ordered logistic regression model, eating most meals at a soup kitchen remained as the only significant correlate of food insecurity (OR=10·13). Conclusions SRO residents and other marginally housed populations face unique food access challenges. Although targeted assistance in the form of food stamps and congregate meal programmes remains critical, efforts to prevent and address food insecurity among homeless and marginally housed individuals should include policy interventions that recognize poverty as the root cause of food insecurity and aim to increase overall income and improve housing conditions.
Peripheral neuropathy and lead poisoning in a child with sickle-cell anemia. Case report and review of the literature.

A 6-year-old patient with homozygous sickle-cell anemia and peripheral neuropathy due to lead poisoning is presented. The rarity of pediatric lead neuropathy and the difficulties in diagnosing lead poisoning because of the coexistence of sickle hemoglobinopathies are stressed. It is interesting that two of the nine pediatric patients with lead neuropathy (without encephalopathy) presently adequately documented in the literature also have sickle-cell anemia. Since peripheral neuropathy may be a manifestation of lead poisoning in children, this diagnosis should be considered early in children with unexplained neuropathies. Careful nerve conduction tests and electromyograms should be performed more often in children with lead poisoning to ascertain the true incidence of lead-induced peripheral neuropathy in this age group.
Autoregulation of hip, an operon that affects lethality due to inhibition of peptidoglycan or DNA synthesis.

Abstract The hip locus of Escherichia coli affects the frequency of persistence to the lethal consequences of selective inhibition of either DNA or peptidoglycan synthesis. Regulation of the hip operon, which consists of a regulatory region and two genes, hipB and hipA, was examined with strains containing a hip-lac transcriptional fusion placed in single copy at the lambda att site. Disruption of the hip locus increased activity from the fusion 16-fold. Repression was restored by supplying HipB in trans. HipB was overexpressed and purified. On the basis of gel filtration and cross-linking studies, HipB is a dimer in solution. Sequence analysis revealed that HipB is a Cro-like DNA-binding protein. The interaction of HipB with the hip regulatory region was examined by gel retardation, DNase I protection, and methylation protection studies. HipB binds with a Kapp (K apparent) of 40 pM to four operator sites with the conserved sequence TATCCN8GGATA (N represents any nucleotide). Binding to the operators is nearly simultaneous and appears to be cooperative. Analysis of the role of HipA in the regulation of the hip operon is complicated by the toxicity of HipA in the absence of HipB. Strains disrupted in hipB but not in hipA could not be recovered. Moreover, hipA-containing plasmids cannot be replicated in strains defective in or lacking hipB. HipA is found exclusively in a tight complex with HipB. Although disruption of hipA slightly increased expression from the hip-lac fusion, in vitro studies suggest that HipA does not bind to the hip regulatory region directly but indirectly via HipB.
Analysis of weight average sedimentation velocity data.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the analysis and fitting of weight average sedimentation coefficient data for reversibly interacting systems. It is well established that protein-protein interactions are important for the formation of functional oligomeric enzymes and structural proteins. The energetics of these interactions provides essential information required to understand the regulation of activity. The methods described in the chapter represent current applications of weight average analysis techniques that have been developed over four decades and are now appropriate for the new generation of Beckman analytical ultracentrifuges, the XLA/XLI. These techniques are highly appropriate for the determination of stoichiometry, mode of association, energetics, and thermodynamics of the interactions. In addition, the chapter also presents a summary of the previous applications of weight average sedimentation coefficient data technique, with emphasis on important developments, use of DCDT and rules to guide the investigator, practical issues, and complexities. The advantage of using DCDT is the ease of analysis and for the improvement of signal to- noise ratio, derived from averaging multiple pairs of scans.
Gallium: Organometallic Chemistry

The organometallic chemistry of gallium has experienced substantial growth over the past decade. Much of this work concerned the development of the organometallic chemistry of compounds containing GaGa bonds. This would include simple dimeric compounds, gallium ring compounds, and small gallium clusters. This chapter will discuss the synthesis and structural aspects of these compounds. Keywords: gallium; GaGa bonds; metalloaromaticity; main group multiple bonding
Inhaled carbon monoxide does not cause pulmonary vasodilation in the late-gestation fetal lamb.

As observed with nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) binds and may activate soluble guanylate cyclase and increase cGMP levels in smooth muscle cells in vitro. Because inhaled NO (INO) causes p...
Pharmacy Informatics Current and Future Roles for the Pharmacy Technician

Objective: To provide a background on pharmacy informatics and the current role of the pharmacy technician, as well as to review the different technologies that pharmacy technicians utilize in rout...
Binding of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-di-p-chlorophenylethane (DDT) with subcellular fractions of rat brain

Abstract DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-di-p-chlorophenylethane) and DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-di-p-chlorophenylethylene, a non-insecticidal analogue of DDT) were found to bind with various nerve components of rat brain. The amount of DDT binding exceeded that of DDE only in the fraction containing mainly the nerve endings. Among various components in the nerve-ending fraction, a subfraction containing mainly the pre- and post-synaptic complexes had the highest affinity for DDT in comparison with that for DDE. By using an `acetone-powdering' technique on brain preparations, the Sephadex-column method was shown to provide reliable results for studies on the binding of DDT or DDE with soluble proteins in the nerve tissues. From these results it was concluded that DDE had a higher affinity for soluble components of the rat brain than did DDT.
More Than Words: Examining Communicative Competence Through a Preschool-Age Child With Autism

Abstract Using a social-ecological framework, this case study examined communicative competence through classroom interactions involving Aaron, a preschool-age child with autism who utilized an aug...
In Defense of Public Service: Union Strategy in Transition

Public-sector unions face the combined threat of massive budget deficits, privatization, and the expanded power of the Republican right. Enthusiasm for labor-management partnerships, evident in the 1990s, has diminished. Priorities have been reordered, and attention has shifted to organizing and the fight against privatization.
Kinetic Studies on the Hepatic Microsomal Metabolism of Dimethylnitrosamine, Diethylnitrosamine, and Methylethylnitrosamine in the Rat

The oxidative dealkylation of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), diethylnitrosamine (DEN), and methylethylnitrosamine (MEN) by Sprague-Dawley rat liver microsomes was studied by a colorimetric assay for the simultaneous analysis of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Dealkylation in each instance followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, but the Michaelis constant (Km) for DEN was an order of magnitude smaller than the Km for DMN. Km values for demethylation and deethylation of MEN were intermediate between those for DMN and DEN. DMN inhibited-deethylase, and DEN inhibited DMN-demethylase activity. The inhibition was of a mixed type in both instances.
Using the theory of successful intelligence as a framework for developing assessments in AP physics

A new test of Advanced Placement Physics, explicitly designed to balance both content and cognitive-processing skills, was developed using Sternberg’s theory of successful intelligence. The test was administered to 281 AP Physics students from 10 schools during the 2006–2007 school year. Six empirically distinguishable profiles of strengths and weaknesses emerged from an exploratory Q-type factor analysis across the four cognitive-skill areas assessed (i.e., memory, analytical, creative, and practical skills). These profiles replicated those found in previous research in the domains of AP Psychology and AP Statistics. Furthermore, achievement differences between ethnic groups on various cognitive subscales were reduced as compared with traditional estimates. The results provide evidence of the importance of integrating modern theories of cognitive processing into large-scale assessments.
Agent-Based Process Sequencing Using Search Algorithms

Process sequencing represents one of very important tasks in the process planning. The order of tasks and the use of resources are determined by sequencing, and therefore the decision carries the burden of finally optimizing the whole process plan of the part. This paper proposes a flexible, agent-based framework for process sequencing which allows for realtime selection of the sequencing algorithm, dependent on the stage of the product development. The framework has been developed around a tool called space searcher which provides for application of space search algorithms in various domain. Space searcher receives a sequencing agent which provides the sequencing algorithm and executes a space search in order to generate context-specific optimal process sequence. Several process sequencing algorithms (and corresponding agents for space searcher) are described in detail. The application of those algorithms is illustrated on few examples.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Susceptibility of Streptococcus mutans to Antimicrobial Agents

Fifty strains of Streptococcus mutans, including defined strains and clinical isolates, were tested for susceptibility to 20 different antimicrobial agents. Minimal inhibitory concentrations were determined by a liquid microtiter procedure. Antibiotics that were most effective in concentrations below 0.1 mug/ml included penicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, cephalothin, and methicillin. Antibiotics effective in concentrations between 0.1 mug and 10 mug/ml included rifampin, lincomycin, thiostrepton, spiromycin, vancomycin, streptolydigan, novobiocin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, spectinomycin, and gentamicin. Antibiotics effective at higher concentrations ranging from 10 mug/ml to 400 mug/ml included the aminoglycosides kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, and kasugamycin. Although most antibiotics exhibited inhibitory effects in a narrow range of concentrations, antibiotics such as tetracycline, thiostrepton, and spiromycin had a 1,000-fold range from the lowest to highest concentrations required for growth inhibition.
Ignorance Is Bliss as Trade Policy

Consider domestic consumers that purchase from foreign firms. A presumption would be that consumers prefer being informed when quality is uncertain and exogenous. However, in a multifirm framework based on previous models, consumers can be worse off if they are informed of the quality. Further, in the Salop-circle model, consumers may prefer not learning even though expected high-quality output is greater with learning. Moreover, the possibility that consumers prefer uncertainty increases with the probability that products are of low quality. Essentially, the benefit of screening quality (better matching) can be less than its cost (higher prices from market segmentation).
Supply chain management challenges for aerospace control technologies leader

Abstract The study reviews various organizational challenges faced and overcome by the Solid State Electronics Center, a division of Honeywell, in successfully managing and establishing a near optimal supply chain framework. Specifically, the company wanted to increase the quality of service, decrease lead-times, and improve communication with its critical supplier for assembly and test services, all the while dealing with this same supplier's year 2000 (Y2K) problem. This supplier, with a fictitious name ‘Alpha’, was chosen as Honeywell's assembly and test vendor because this supplier stated it could handle both processes. Unfortunately, Alpha has demonstrated difficulty assembling to Honeywell's schedule and separating good parts from bad ones with its testing. Alpha also informed Honeywell that not only its tester for Honeywell parts would not function after 31 December 1999 due to a Y2K problem and it would require the company to pay for a solution, but that it was also raising the price for testing. Honeywell decided to find a new vendor for the test services, and worked with Alpha to improve the remaining issues in the short-term. Long-term the company decided to rethink its all-in-one vendor theory, because its experience suggested that no one vendor provided all the services the company desired. Had Honeywell initially chosen the lowest-price vendor for each task individually it probably could have found a lower cost solution.
Differential Diagnosis of Fatigue in Women

The incidence of fatigue among women has been reported to be higher than among men. Life events such as childbirth, menopause, and socially imposed roles may confer unique vulnerability. Effective treatment of fatigue is dependent on accurate diagnosis. The mechanisms of fatigue are not well understood, but physiologically based fatigue can be differentiated from psychogenic fatigue. Such differentiation helps to direct and enhance the effectiveness of interventions.
Standardized exercise oximetry predicts postpneumonectomy outcome

Background. We have developed a safe, simple, and easily performed standardized exercise oximetry outpatient test to assess patients undergoing lung resections. We studied its ability to predict outcome after pneumonectomy in 46 consecutive patients over a 5-year period. Methods . Room air oximetry is initially performed at rest. The patient then begins to exercise on a stair-stepper apparatus (Stamina Stepper), which provides uniform resistance to stepping. Oxygen saturation values are noted at 10, 20, and 30 steps, equivalent to climbing three flights of stairs. Group 1 consisted of the patients who either had a resting saturation less than 90%, or desaturation greater than or equal to 4% during exercise. Group 2 consisted of all patients who had a preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 60% or less. Group 3 consisted of all patients who had a predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 40% or less. Group 4 consisted of patients who had a predicted postoperative diffusing capacity of 40% or less. Results. There were four deaths (8.6%), 12 patients (26%) remained in the intensive care unit 4 or more days, and 11 patients (23%) suffered major morbidity. Desaturation during exercise (group 1) significantly predicted longer intensive care unit stay ( p =0.0002) and incidence of major morbidity ( p Conclusions. Standardized exercise oximetry performed in the outpatient facility is highly predictive of major morbidity and prolonged intensive care unit stay after pneumonectomy.
BMI percentiles for the identification of abdominal obesity and metabolic risk in children and adolescents: evidence in support of the CDC 95th percentile.

Body mass index (BMI) percentiles have been routinely and historically used to identify elevated adiposity. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BMI percentile that predicts elevated visceral adipose tissue (VAT), fat mass and cardiometabolic risk in a biracial sample of children and adolescents. This cross-sectional analysis included 369 white and African-American children (5–18 years). BMI was calculated using height and weight and converted to BMI percentiles based on CDC growth charts. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified the optimal (balance of sensitivity and specificity) BMI percentile to predict the upper quartile of age-adjusted VAT (measured by magnetic resonance imaging), age-adjusted fat mass (measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and elevated cardiometabolic risk (⩾2 of high glucose, triglycerides and blood pressure, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) for each race-by-sex group. The optimal CDC BMI percentile to predict those in the top quartile of age-adjusted VAT, age-adjusted fat mass and elevated cardiometabolic risk were the 96th, the 96th and the 94th percentiles, respectively, for the sample as a whole. Sensitivity and specificity was satisfactory (>0.70) for VAT and fat mass. Compared to VAT and fat mass, there was a lower overall accuracy of the optimal percentile in identifying those with elevated cardiometabolic risk. The present findings support the utility of the 95th CDC BMI percentile as a useful threshold for the prediction of elevated levels of VAT, fat mass and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents.
The Consonant-Weighted Envelope Difference Index (cEDI): A Proposed Technique for Quantifying Envelope Distortion.

Purpose The benefits of amplitude compression in hearing aids may be limited by distortion resulting from rapid gain adjustment. To evaluate this, it is convenient to quantify distortion by using a...
The immunomodulatory roles of macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface

Macrophages are versatile cells that play a central role in innate and adaptive immunity and participate in a wide variety of biological processes. In the uterine decidua, macrophages represent a major leukocyte subset throughout pregnancy. Here, decidual macrophages exert an immunosuppressive phenotype characterized by abundant production of interleukin (IL)-10 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity. Their polarized cytokine secretion pattern has recently been classified as an M2 phenotype. These features of decidual macrophages favor maternal immune tolerance to semiallogenic fetus. In addition, macrophages cooperate with trophoblast cells during the early stages of human pregnancy to support uterine vasculature remodeling by removing apoptotic cells and through the production of proteases that degrade the extracellular matrix. In the peripartum period, macrophages also participate in the regulation of cervical ripening and the initiation of parturition through the production of proinflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). Aberrant activity of uterine macrophages is linked to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and preterm delivery. Here, we review the immunomodulatory roles of decidual macrophages during pregnancy.
Information and power transfer under MISO channel with finite-rate feedback

Mobile devices are usually energy-constrained. In order to avoid exhausting energy and lose the network connection, the idea of transferring power to mobile devices wirelessly via radio signals has recently gather much attention. In this paper, we consider the scenario in a point-to-point communication system that the transferred power is used for the receiver to feedback the quantized channel state information (CSI) to the transmitter. The transmitter then utilizes the CSI to beamform the signals. Although feedbacking more bits yields better CSI, it requires more power and a larger portion of time spent on the wireless power transfer, affecting the overall achievable rate. We derive bounds of the average achievable rate of the forward channel and investigate its relation to the average transmission power for wireless power transfer and the quantization bit number.
Methane production in rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus)

Abstract o 1. Methane production was measured in captive rock ptarmigan fed diets containing 6 and 30% cellulose. 2. Methane production averaged 0·8 c3/hr, however, rates were highly variable among birds and within individuals at various times of the day. 3. No significant differences in methane production rates were found between groups of birds fed diets of high and low cellulose content. 4. The caloric value of methane produced by ptarmigan was equivalent to 0·2–0·4% of their metabolizable energy. 5. Measurements of methane production do not appear to be a useful index of total fermentation rates in ptarmigan.
Levels of Analysis and the Organization of Affect

This article presents a framework for the organization of affective processes, including the affective traits, moods, and emotions. Section 1 introduces the levels-of-analysis approach, defines the...
A Novel Technique for a Difficult Breech Delivery

Abstract Background Breech presentation and delivery are important complications of labor and delivery, which, although dealt with by the emergency physician infrequently, can represent major morbidity and mortality to both the mother and fetus if techniques are not performed correctly. Objectives We aim to describe a technique for breech delivery that was used successfully when all conventional techniques had failed. To our knowledge, this technique has not been described in previous literature. Case Report A 36-year-old woman presented to an urban emergency department in active labor. The physicians were called to the triage area, and found the patient lying on the floor with a limp, cyanotic-appearing fetus delivered to the level of the mid thorax. The arms and shoulders were delivered successfully, but after all traditional maneuvers to deliver the head were unsuccessful, a novel approach was used successfully and is described in this report. Conclusion We have described a novel, seemingly safe, and effective technique to use in breech delivery when traditional techniques have failed.