cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of antibody as carrier of oligomers of peptidomimetic αvβ3 antagonist to target tumor-induced neovasculature

Sulfhydryl selective reactions were explored to conjugate oligomers of a peptidomimetic integrin alphavbeta3 antagonist, 4-[2-(3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-2-ylamino)ethyloxy]benzoyl-2-(S)-aminoethylsulfonylamino-beta-alanine (IA) to monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to increase integrin alphavbeta3 receptor-binding avidity. To generate sulfhydryl groups, N-succinimidyl-S-acetylthioacetate (SATA) was conjugated to both MoAb and IA. Sulfhydryl groups were then generated upon the deacetylation of the protecting acetyl group from the S-acetylthioacetato (ATA) moiety of MoAb-(ATA)n or IA-ATA with 0.02 M hydroxylamine in the presence of 1 mM EDTA at pH 7.2. The major focus was on optimizing the reaction concentrations, molar ratios, and reaction pH to conjugate high levels of IA-(A-SH) to MoAb-(A-SH)n without causing the inter- and intramolecular cross-linking of MoAb. Stepwise reactions of MoAb-(A-SH)n (15 microM MoAb) with a homobifunctional cross-linker, 1,8-bis(maleimido)diethylene glycol (BM[PEO]2) at a >50x molar excess to the -SH, followed by the reaction of the purified product MoAb-(A-S-succinimidomaleimido-[PEO]2)n with IA-(A-SH) at pH 7.2 afforded monomeric MoAb-(A-S-succinimido-[PEO]2-succinimido-S-A-IA)n with 70% bindability to 0.4 microM alphavbeta3. When injected iv to nude mice with the receptor-positive M21 tumor, MoAb-IA10 radiolabeled with both 111In and 125I accumulated rapidly and was retained in the tumor for a 44 h period while the radioactivity cleared rapidly from the blood, thereby resulting in increasing tumor-to-blood ratios over time. The tumor uptake was similar between the 125I label and the 111In label for a 44 h period. In contrast, the blood radioactivity was lower, but liver and other organ uptakes were much higher for the 111In label than for the 125I. The 111In label produced higher tumor-to-blood ratios but much lower tumor-to-organ ratios than the 125I. The rapid blood clearance, a short peak tumor uptake time, and a low peak tumor uptake value with prolonged tumor retention of this macromolecule appear to support a hypothesis that MoAb-IA10 primarily binds to alphavbeta3 receptors on angiogenic vessels, but not on the tumor. This hypothesis was substantiated by the fluorescence microscopic analysis of FITC-MoAb-IA10, which showed that FITC-MoAb-IA10 outlined neovasculatures but not tumor cells at 4 and 21 h ex vivo. Additional proof was observed when blood vessels outlined with rhodamine-lectin, which specifically binds to blood vessels, were superimposable on neovasculatures outlined with FITC-MoAb-IA10.
Effects of Geographically Variable Thermal Environment on Bioenergetics of Mottled Rock Rattlesnakes

Geographic variation in thermal environment may significantly influence the energetics of ectotherms, and thus may serve as a mechanism for geographic variation in growth and reproduction. Thermal environment affects body temperature (Tb) that, in turn, has consequences both for the amount of time available for surface activities such as foraging, and for physiological processes such as metabolism. I studied effects of differences in thermal environment on Tb, surface use, and resting metabolism of mottled rock rattle- snakes (Crotalus lepidus) from two populations (Boquillas: BOQ, and Grapevine Hills: GVH) in Big Bend National Park, Texas. Snakes in these populations differed in growth rate and adult body size, and these differences may be related to the influence of thermal environment on energetics. During summer months, operative environmental temperatures at BOQ were hotter than at GVH. Hotter BOQ environmental temperatures resulted in -64% less time available for diurnal surface use (e.g., foraging) at BOQ relative to GVH. Hotter BOQ environmental temperatures also constrained the average Tb of BOQ snakes at night to be from 2°C to 4.5°C hotter than GVH snakes during July and August. Despite hotter Tb, estimated resting metabolic expenditures of BOQ snakes during July and August were similar to estimated expenditures of GVH snakes because BOQ snakes had lower mass-specific metabolic rates. Results of this study were consistent with the hypothesis of greater energy limitation at BOQ, and underscored the importance of population-specific data for understanding geographic variation in energy acquisition and allocation.
Observations on the intracoronary administration of milrinone and dobutamine to patients with congestive heart failure

Abstract A direct intracoronary infusion technique was used to characterize the mechanisms of action of milrinone, a new phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Because of the small quantity of drug infused, it is possible to achieve a therapeutic concentration of drug in the heart with little or no systemic accumulation. Because loading conditions are largely unaffected during intracoronary drug infusion, it is possible to use left ventricular +dP dt as a convenient measure of changes in contractility. Intracoronary milrinone infusion caused a dose-related increase in +dP dt associated with a substantial improvement in left ventricular pump function. In addition, there is a small decrease in heart rate, which appeared to be secondary to reflex withdrawal of sympathetic tone, since it was associated with a decrease in plasma norepinephrine. Measurement of forearm vascular resistance and forearm venous capacitance by plethysmography indicated that although there was no significant decrease in forearm vascular resistance during intracoronary drug infusion, there was a small increase in venous capacitance. Subsequent intravenous administration of milrinone caused a substantial further improvement in left ventricular pump function, associated with a substantial decrease in left- and right-sided cardiac filling pressures and forearm vascular resistance, and an increase in forearm venous capacitance. These findings suggest that reflex sympathetic withdrawal may contribute to the venous dilation that occurs with milrinone, but that the major effects of milrinone on vascular tone are due to a direct vascular action of the drug. Intracoronary infusion of dobutamine has also demonstrated a substantial decrease in the inotropic response to β-adrenergic stimulation in patients with congestive heart failure, presumably because of down-regulation of β-adrenergic receptors. Preinfusion of milrinone just before dobutamine infusion resulted in a significantly greater increase in +dP dt in response to the same dose of dobutamine, consistent with the hypothesis that milrinone potentiates the accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Thus, phosphodiesterase inhibitors may act, in part, by restoring β-adrenergic responsiveness in the failing myocardium.
Comparison of ultrasound-fine needle aspiration and computed tomography in patients undergoing elective neck dissection.

Background. Ultrasound of the neck with fine needle aspiration (US-FNA) of suspicious lymph nodes has potential advantages over other radiologic techniques as a screening method for the N0 neck in head and neck cancer. Methods. Twenty-five patients with head and neck cancer who underwent both US of the neck with FNA of any suspicious lymph nodes and neck computed tomography (CT) prior to elective neck dissection were studied. The majority of patients had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the upper aerodigestive tract. Histopathologic results of the neck specimens were compared with each screening technique (palpation, US, US-FNA, CT). Results. Computed tomography (87.9%) and US-FNA (84.9%) had similar overall accuracy in terms of screening the N0 neck in our study and were superior to palpation (69.7%) and US alone (72.7%). Specificity was 100% for both CT and US-FNA, with a sensitivity of 60% for CT and 50% for US-FNA. Ultrasound-FNA and CT showed false-negative examinations on virtually the same cases. Conclusions. Overall, US-FNA was comparable to CT in screening the N0 neck in our study. The choice of which modality to employ for imaging the clinically negative neck depends on number of factors, including the location and clinical extent of the primary tumor as well as the experience and preference of the head and neck surgeon and radiologist.
Re-thinking economic development in peripheral regions

Abstract Economic development in peripheral or non-urban spaces has long been characteristic of so-called ‘branch plant’ and ‘back office’ economies. This conclusion has been premised on the explanatory potential of the product cycle model (PCM). The PCM suggests preliminary product and process innovations occur in core urban areas. Under that model, the diffusion of economic activities across space occurs only when the production process has been streamlined and routinized. Additionally, the geographic concept of spatial agglomeration has underscored the explanatory account of the PCM. In concert, the PCM and agglomeration illustrate the urban or core bias of traditional economic geography. This paper will reconsider regional development in peripheral areas within the context of an emerging new economic geography. Several themes of new economic geography, including the role of the state, the spatial division of labor, producer services, information technologies, and amenities, will be used to construct a proposed cumulative framework.
Structural features of carbohydrate moieties in snake venom glycoproteins.

The structures of the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins in snake venoms are largely unknown. In the present study, we have analyzed venoms of several species of snakes as well as plasma and tissue glycoproteins from one species of cobra (Naja naja kaouthia ) by lectin affinity staining of Western blots. The data demonstrate that glycoproteins in cobra venom invariably contain terminal α-galactosyl residues with negligible proportions of sialic acids. Interestingly, however, terminal α-galactosyl residues are present in significantly lower proportions in cobra tissues such as brain, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, muscle, and totally absent in cobra plasma glycoproteins. In sharp contrast to cobras, venom glycoproteins of other snakes do not contain terminal α-galactosyl residues but do contain terminal 2,3- and/or 2,6-linked sialic acids as well as β-galactosyl residues. Cobra venom also contains high molecular weight heavily glycosylated proteins bearing poly-N-acetyllactosaminyl oligosaccharides, the majority of which appear to be linked to the protein core via O-glycosidic bonds.
Optimal inventory policies under decreasing cost functions via geometric programming

Abstract In this paper, we establish and analyze two economic order quantity (EOQ) based inventory models under total cost minimization and profit maximization via geometric programming (GP) techniques. Through GP, optimal solutions for both models are found and managerial implications on the optimal policy are determined through bounding and sensitivity analysis. We investigate the effects on the changes in the optimal order quantity and the demand per unit time according to varied parameters by studying optimality conditions. In addition, a comparative analysis between the total cost minimization model and the profit maximization model is conducted. By investigating the error in the optimal order quantity of these two models, several interesting economic implications and managerial insights can be observed.
Formation of Ultrathin Polypyrrole (PPY) Films on Alumina Particles Using Adsorbed Hexanoic Acid as a Template

Thin films of polypyrrole (PPY) were deposited on alumina particles using hexanoic acid adsorbed on the particles as a template. The formation of the template on alumina was confirmed through studies of the adsorption of hexanoic acid at various pH values. The adsorption results could be fitted to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm at pH levels of 5 and 6, indicating monolayer adsorption. Solubilization studies of pyrrole on alumina particles with adsorbed hexanoic acid in aqueous solution at pH levels of 3, 4, 5, and 6 showed that a large amount of pyrrole was condensed at the interface at a pH level of 4, and subsequent polymerization can be carried out at the surface of alumina. In the atomic force microscopy studies, the morphology of the resulting PPY on alumina particles showed multigranular images similar to those of pure polypyrrole films and all alumina particles were completely coated by polypyrrole films. The contact conductivity of these PPY−alumina composites (4.7 × 10-2 s·cm-1) is more than 3 ...
Phenotypic consequences and genetic interactions of a null mutation in the Drosophila Posterior Sex Combs gene.

The Posterior Sex Combs (Psc) gene of Drosophila is a member of the Polycomb (Pc) group of transregulatory genes. Previous analyses of the function of this gene in Drosophila em-bryogenesis have been hampered by the lack of a null mutation. We recently isolated a mutation that deletes the 5′ end of the Psc gene. This allele appears to be a null mutation, and we have used it to determine the Psc zygotic null phenotype and to look at the interactions of a null allele of Psc with five other Pc group mutations. We find evidence for transformations along both the anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral axes in embryos of a variety of genotypes that include a null mutation in Psc. The phenotypes of embryos that are doubly mutant for a null allele of Psc and a mutation in a second Pc group gene show dramatic synergistic effects, but in their specifics they are dependent on the identify of the second Pc group gene. This is different from the relatively uniform phenotypes seen among double mutants that contained the allele Psc1, which has both gain and loss of function properties. The differences in the phenotypes of the doubly mutant embryos allow us to eliminate one class of molecular models to explain the dramatic synergism seen with mutations in this group of genes.
Prediction of genetic contributions to complex traits using whole genome sequencing data

Although markers identified by genome-wide association studies have individually strong statistical significance, their performance in prediction remains limited. Our goal was to use animal breeding genomic prediction models to predict additive genetic contributions for systolic blood pressure (SBP) using whole genome sequencing data with different validation designs.
Hydrogen migration in polyaromatic growth

New reaction pathways for polyaromatic growth in combustion environments are explored theoretically. The analysis is based on semiempirical quantum calculations of potential energy barriers and vibrational frequencies, followed by standard transition state theory evaluation of reaction rates. The reaction systems considered include formation of five-and six-member aromatic rings, their interconversion, and migration of cyclopenta rings along zigzag edges of aromatic surfaces. All reactions have a distinctive mechanistic feature: the reaction pathways are induced or assisted by hydrogen atom migration. The present calculations show that such migration is rapid and leads to a faster surface growth than reaction pathways previously considered. The results extend the mechanism for the involvement of five-member aromatic rings in surface growth of soot particles. The migrating cyclopenta rings propagate the growth as a continuous replicating front. This is achieved by extending a six-member-ring step upon encounter or converting to a six-member ring at an open end, thus providing a nucleus for the next aromatic layer. Collisions of the propagating fronts may be responsible for creation of sites that cannot be filled by cyclization and thus cannot support further growth. Formation of such surface defects may be responsible for the loss of reactivity of soot particle surfaces to growth, consistent with a prior suggestion.
Cortical Control over the Direction of Macronuclear Elongation in the Heterotrich Ciliate Stentor coeruleus1

Earlier experimental work involving macronuclear implants in Stentor coeruleus has shown that the cytoplasmic cortex of the nuclear site 1) attracts the macronucleus and 2) holds it in place during interphase. Now experiments indicate macronuclei transferred with overlying cortex elongate in the direction of the transferred cortical pigment stripes, whether or not the transferred stripes realign in the direction of the host stentor's stripes. Therefore the third function of the cortex is to determine the direction of elongation and thus assure that both daughter cells at division receive part of the macronucleus.
Embedded charge investigation: industry concerns and metrology solutions

As described by the ITRS roadmap [1], introduction of next generation processes in semiconductor fabrication continually requires tighter control in order to insure optimal device characteristics. Recent process development has shown an increased amount of charged layers, which in turn affects the inline critical dimension scanning electron microscope's (CD-SEM) ability to generate quality measurements thereby impacting process control. This paper reports on the investigation of techniques to measure and compensate for this charge dynamically to yield quality measurements. New capabilities of the CD-SEM were evaluated and tested at various process steps including processing steps not measured by the CD SEM. This capability not only means the CD-SEMs are essentially immune to charged layer affects but the capability can also be used to feedback to other tool-sets suspected of causing the charge build-up. These charge measurements help provide an understanding on how the device performance might be impacted. In order to establish charged wafer monitoring in the future along with feedback loops, studies of the reproducibility and the persistency of the charge across sequential processes in the back-end layers have been made. Studies were also conducted to determine the origin of the charge by observing the distribution before and after known problematic process steps.
Tissue section analysis: Feature selection and image processing

Abstract Three examples are given of the state-of-the-art of pattern recognition as regards the analysis of images of human and animal tissue: (1) the counting of cell nuclei of normal and abnormal rabbit kidney; (2) the detection of boundaries of endothelial cells of the living human cornea; and (3) the differentiation of normal and abnormal cells in the human liver. The methodology employed is that of cellular logic matched filtering using the Carnegie-Mellon SUPRPIC image processing system.
ENDOR of NO-ligated cytochrome c'.

The five-coordinate NO-bound heme in cytochrome c‘ from an overexpressing variant of denitrifying R. sphaeroides 2.4.3 was investigated by proton, nitrogen, and deuterium Q-band ENDOR (electron nuclear double resonance). ENDOR was a direct probe of the unpaired electron density on the nitrogen of NO and, as measured across the EPR line shape, showed a hyperfine coupling range from 36 to 44 MHz for 14NO and 51 to 63 MHz for 15NO. The smallest NO coupling occurred at an electronic g-tensor axis perpendicular to the FeNO plane, and the largest hyperfine coupling occurred in the FeNO plane where the highest nitrogen valence spin density is located. The isotropic component of the NO hyperfine coupling indicated that the electron spin on the NO is not simply in a π* orbital having only 2p character but is in an orbital having 2s and 2p character in a 1:2 ratio. ENDOR frequencies from heme meso-protons, assigned with reference to porphyrin models, were determined to result from an anisotropic hyperfine tensor. T...
Equipment Note An Improved Design for a Force Platform

Abstract An advance in the state of the art of force platform design is reported. Extension of the excellent work of Barany and Whetsel has given a platform with additional capability, greater sensitivity and better repeatability.
Mechanical ventilation promotes redox status alterations in the diaphragm

Oxidative stress is an important mediator of diaphragm muscle atrophy and contractile dysfunction during prolonged periods of controlled mechanical ventilation (MV). To date, specific details relat...
Effect of cyclophosphamide and 61.22 GHz millimeter waves on T‐cell, B‐cell, and macrophage functions

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether millimeter waves (MMWs) at 61.22 GHz can modulate the effect of cyclophosphamide (CPA), an anti-cancer drug, on the immune functions of mice. During the exposure each mouse's nose was placed in front of the center of the antenna aperture (1.5 x 1.5 cm) of MMW generator. The device produced 61.22 +/- 0.2 GHz wave radiation. Spatial peak Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) at the skin surface and spatial peak incident power density were measured as 885 +/- 100 W/kg and 31 +/- 5 mW/cm(2), respectively. Duration of the exposure was 30 min each day for 3 consecutive days. The maximum temperature elevation at the tip of the nose, measured at the end of 30 min, was 1 degrees C. CPA injection (100 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally on the second day of exposure to MMWs. The animals were sacrificed 2, 5, and 7 days after CPA administration. MMW exposure caused upregulation in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in peritoneal macrophages suppressed by CPA administration. MMWs also caused a significant increase in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by splenocytes and enhanced proliferative activity of T-cells. Conversely, no changes were observed in interleukin-10 (IL-10) level and B-cell proliferation. These results suggest that MMWs accelerate the recovery process selectively through a T-cell-mediated immune response.
Risk scoring system to predict 3-year survival in patients treated for asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

Objective To identify risk factors and stratify their effect of compromising 3-year survival in patients treated for asymptomatic carotid disease based upon recently updated guidelines from the Society for Vascular Surgery. Methods Outcomes of 506 patients who underwent carotid intervention for asymptomatic carotid disease (1999-2008) were analyzed. Hospital computerized medical records were reviewed. When local records were sparse, Social Security Death Index was queried to confirm mortality. Following multivariable Cox regression analysis, a score was assigned based on the calculated hazard ratio (HR) in the following fashion: HR 1.5-1.9 = 1 point; HR 2.0-3.0 = 2 points; and HR >3 = 3 points. The sum of those points comprised the final score for each patient. Kaplan-Meier analyses were then performed to delineate survival differences. Results Seventy patients (13.83%) did not survive beyond 3 years after the procedure. Age >80 years (HR, 1.79; P = .05; score 1), diabetes mellitus (HR, 1.99; P P P = .03; score 2), dialysis patients (HR, 5.67; P = .001; score 3), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 3.53; P 2 was associated with 31.6% 3-year mortality (HR, 6.10; P Conclusions This easy predictive score underscores the association of medical risk factors with decreased 3-year survival. This finding may impact future clinical decisions for management of asymptomatic carotid disease.
Heterogeneity of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase from human erythrocytes.

Abstract Hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (E.C.: 2.4.2.8) has been purified 4000- to 4500-fold from normal human erythrocytes by three different schemes of protein fractionation. In one scheme, the enzyme was separated by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in an LKB Uniphor system and purified by affinity column chromatography employing Sepharose/phosphoribosyl/pyrophosphate. In the second, the enzyme was isolated by isotachophoresis in the presence of Amphiline carrier ampholytes employing a Tris/phosphate/β-alanine ion system. The enzyme was then purified by isotachophoresis in the presence of carrier ampholytes using a Tris/acetate/glycine ion system. The hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase purified by affinity chromatography and isotachophoresis consisted, on immunoelectrophoresis, mainly of one component and had less than 5% impurities. When subjected to analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, such preparations were resolved into four isoenzymes. In the third scheme, the enzyme was isolated by isoelectric focusing. In this system, the enzyme was also resolved into four isoenzymes. Their isoelectric points were: 5.47, 5.63, 5.74, and 5.84. When subjected to analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis each isoenzyme migrated at a different rate. In sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis each isoenzyme yielded one major and one minor band. Protein appearing in the major and minor bands migrated at rates consistent with a molecular size of 33,500 and 26,500, respectively.
Abstract 3961: Computational modeling of pancreatic cancer reveals growth and dissemination kinetics and suggests optimum treatment strategies

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, largely due to metastatic dissemination. We investigated pancreatic cancer progression by utilizing a mathematical framework of metastasis formation together with comprehensive data of 228 patients, 101 of whom had autopsies. We found that pancreatic cancer growth is initially exponential. After estimating the rates of pancreatic cancer growth and dissemination, we determined that patients likely harbor metastases at diagnosis and predicted the number and size distribution of metastases as well as patient survival. These findings were validated in an independent database. Finally, we analyzed the effects of different treatment modalities, finding that therapies which efficiently reduce the growth rate of cells earlier in the course of treatment appear to be superior to upfront tumor resection. These predictions can be validated in the clinic. Our interdisciplinary approach provides insights into the dynamics of pancreatic cancer metastasis and identifies optimum therapeutic interventions. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3961. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3961
Can time preference be an instrument for price discrimination

Abstract It is shown that, contrary to some claims in the literature, a monopolist cannot use heterogeneous time preferences as an instrument for price discrimination.
Fatigue fracture behaviour of PEEK: 2. Effects of thickness and temperature

Abstract Experimental results on the effects of specimen thickness and environmental temperatures on fatigue fracture behaviour of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) are reported. Low cycle fatigue experiments are conducted on injection moulded single-edge notched specimens of 1.57, 2.70 and 5.42 mm in thickness at ambient temperatures, and on specimens 2.70 mm thick at environmental temperatures of 39, 50, 63, 75 and 100°C. In all the thickness experiments and in the experiments with temperatures of 39 and 50°C, the crack tip profile is initially round. At long crack lengths the crack tip profile changes to a triangular shape. When the test temperature is 63, 75 and 100°C, the crack tip remains round throughout the fracture process. The crack tip angle is primarily dependent upon the test temperature. Examinations of the fracture surfaces and transverse sections indicate that in the thickest specimen, relatively rough fracture surfaces are observed and a few discontinuities (crazes or cracks) underneath the main crack path. Thus, crack propagates in a ‘brittle’ manner. In all other experiments both ‘brittle’ and ‘ductile’ modes of fracture are observed. The point of transition from ‘brittle’ to ‘ductile’ fracture is dependent upon the specimen thickness and test temperature. Fatigue striations are seen throughout the fracture surfaces. Correlation of the striations and the number of cycles indicates a one-cycle crack growth mode. Hysteretic losses during fatigue crack growth are negligible until a few cycles prior to unstable fracture. Crack opening displacements are independent of the specimen thickness and increase with rise in temperature. When crack growth rates are correlated with the elastic energy release rate, they are independent of specimen thickness and increase with increase in temperature.
Adolescents, substance abuse, and the treatment of insomnia and daytime sleepiness

Adolescence is a time of change that can be both exciting and stressful. In this review, we focus on the central role that disturbed sleep and daytime sleepiness occupies in interactions involving substance abuse and negative health, social, and emotional outcomes. As a means of improving sleep and lowering risk for recidivism of substance abuse, we developed and implemented a six-session group treatment to treat sleep disturbances in adolescents who have received treatment for substance abuse. The components of the treatment are stimulus control instructions, use of bright light to regularize sleep, sleep hygiene education, cognitive therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Preliminary evidence indicates that participants who completed four or more sessions in the treatment program showed improved sleep and that improving sleep may lead to a reduction in substance abuse problems at the 12-month follow-up.
Parents' Knowledge of Neonatal Screening and Response to False-Positive Cystic Fibrosis Testing

Neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) has become feasible through analyzing dried blood specimens for immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT), but the benefits and risks of such a screening program remain to be delineated. This study, a survey of the parents of 104 Wisconsin infants with false-positive IRT tests, showed parents had knowledge deficits about neonatal screening in general, misconceptions about test results, and high levels of anxiety. Parenting behaviors were reportedly unchanged during the usual 3-day waiting period between the news of the abnormal screening test and the diagnostic sweat test. Most, but not all, parents were relieved by negative sweat test results subsequent to the abnormal IRT test. Factors associated with continued parental concern included having less than a high school education and/or having an infant with low Apgar scores. Additionally, those contacted by telephone were more likely to have misinformation and lingering concerns about the presence of CF in their child.
Projections from the cingulate cortex in the rat

Abstract The efferent connections of the cingulate cortex were studied in the rat by tracing the axon degeneration elicited by small lesions in the cingulate region. Conclusions were as follows. Projections to the thalamus. The retrosplenial granular region of the posterior cingulate cortex projects to the anteroventral thalamic nucleus (AV) whereas the dorsally adjoining agranular retrosplenial field projects to the laterodorsal nucleus. The anteromedial (AM) nucleus may have a diffuse relation to the cingulate cortex; it appears to receive projections from both anterior and posterior cingulate subfields. No evidence of a significant cortico-thalamic relationship of the anterodorsal nucleus (AD) was found. The greater part of the anterior cingulate cortex projects to the mediodorsal nucleus (MD); the more rostral and ventral regions of the pregenual cortex in addition project to the ventromedial nucleus (VM). Projections to the brain stem. All regions of the cingulate cortex project to the caudate nucleus, zona incerta, pretectal area, central gray substance, midbrain tegmentum, and pontine nuclei. No evidence of cingulate projections to characteristically ‘limbic’ regions of the subcortex — such as the septal region, the hypothalamus and associated regions of the midbrain tegmentum — could be found. Instead, the brain stem projections of the cingulate cortex widely overlap those originating in cortical regions which are generally interpreted as ‘somatic sensori-motor’. Thus, the cingulate cortex appears as a vast and differential neural mechanism receiving major impulse afflux from the limbic system by way of the anterior and laterodorsal thalamic nuclei, and exerting its influence primarily upon brain structures not directly involved in any of the currently recognized limbic circuits.
Intramolecular nucleophilic displacement reactions at carboxy oxygen

Abstract Lactonization reactions of Kemp triacid derivatives show no kinetic advantage of syn vs anti lone pairs at carboxyl oxygen.
Significant Events Reported by the NDBC Stations during Hurricane Katrina

The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) Ocean Observing System consists of buoys and Coastal Marine Automated Network (C-MAN) stations making routine, continuous reports of meteorological and oceanographic conditions. The routine reporting of the system assumed a significant role in providing real-time, continuous, on-scene observation to the forecasters of the National Weather Service and the public, as Hurricane Katrina powered its way across southern Florida and through the Gulf of Mexico. This paper describes significant events, associated with Hurricane Katrina, reported by NDBC stations. Significant events include record-breaking winds and seas across the broad expanse of the Gulf of Mexico, the employment of new platforms and capabilities, and casualties to the system.
Hydrogen bonding in polymer mixtures

The enthalpy–infrared frequency shift correlation for simple acids and bases is extended to study hydrogen bonding in polymer systems. The acidity of a polymer is calibrated by comparing the shifts in hydroxyl absorption frequency of the acidic polymer when mixed with a series of bases with the corresponding spectral shifts of known acids with the same bases. The basicity of a polymer is calibrated by measuring the hydroxyl frequency shifts of known acids when mixed with the basic polymer. For polymers containing carbonyl groups, the shift in carbonyl absorption is also a measure of basicity. The acidity and basicity constants obtained for polymers are in good agreement with the values for small-molecule analogs. The enthalpies of hydrogen bond formation in polymer mixtures are calculated from the acidity or basicity constants.
Prehospital EMS Treatment of Pediatric Asthma and What Happens Before Help Arrives

Many asthmatic children require assistance by emergency medical services (EMS) secondary to an acute asthma episode. What medication interventions are being utilized by EMS when responding to an asthma call for a child, and how does EMS management compare to home management given before ambulance arrival (pre EMS)? Sixty-one ambulance reports pertaining to acute asthma episodes in children aged 1 month to 15 years were collected and analyzed. There was no significant difference between likelihood to receive a beta 2-agonist nebulizer treatment pre-EMS arrival or by EMS. Oxygen was the most common EMS intervention.
Focal Adhesion Kinase–Related Nonkinase Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Invasion by Focal Adhesion Targeting, Tyrosine 168 Phosphorylation, and Competition for p130 Cas Binding

Objective— Focal adhesion kinase–related nonkinase (FRNK), the C-terminal domain of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), is a tyrosine-phosphorylated, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)–specific inhibitor of cell migration. FRNK inhibits both FAK and proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) in cultured VSMCs, and both kinases may be involved in VSMC invasion during vascular remodeling. Methods and Results— Adenovirally mediated gene transfer of green fluorescent protein–tagged, wild-type (wt) FRNK into balloon-injured rat carotid arteries confirmed that FRNK overexpression inhibited both FAK and PYK2 phosphorylation and downstream signaling in vivo. To identify which kinase was involved in regulating VSMC invasion, adenovirally mediated expression of specific short hairpin RNAs was used to knock down FAK versus PYK2 in cultured VSMCs, but only FAK short hairpin RNA was effective in reducing VSMC invasion. The role of FRNK tyrosine phosphorylation was then examined using adenoviruses expressing nonphosphorylatable (Tyr168Phe-, Tyr232Phe-, and Tyr168,232Phe-) green fluorescent protein–FRNK mutants. wtFRNK and all FRNK mutants localized to FAs, but only Tyr168 phosphorylation was required for FRNK to inhibit invasion. Preventing Tyr168 phosphorylation also increased FRNK-paxillin interaction, as determined by coimmunoprecipitation, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. Furthermore, wtFRNK competed with FAK for binding to p130 Cas (a critically important regulator of cell migration) and prevented its phosphorylation. However, Tyr168Phe-FRNK was unable to bind p130 Cas . Conclusion— We propose a 3-stage mechanism for FRNK inhibition: focal adhesion targeting, Tyr168 phosphorylation, and competition with FAK for p130 Cas binding and phosphorylation, which are all required for FRNK to inhibit VSMC invasion.
Designing A.ne Transformations based Face Recognition Algorithms

We investigate methods to infer the best afine transformation based face recognition algorithm; which operates by projecting given images to a low-dimensional space, followed by distance computations. This category includes the following well known methods for recognition: the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis(LDA), and Independent Component Analysis (ICA). The desired afine transformation is not restricted to that which results in an orthogonal space and can involve shear and stretch. We adopt an approach that has a reverse engineering flavor. Starting from distances computed by any face recognition algorithm, such as the FRGC baseline algorithm, we learn the best afine transform that approximates it. We propose a closed form solution for this based on classical Multidimensional Scaling (MDS). Next, this afine transform is refined by considering the modification of a given distance matrix, which will enhance the separation of match and non-match scores. The afine transform that produces the best Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) is selected. The data from Face Recognition Grand Challenge (FRGC-v2.0) reveals that learned afine transformation results in a better performance than the FRGC baseline algorithm.
Immunoglobulin is a highly diverse self-molecule that improves cellular diversity and function during immune reconstitution

Paradoxically, human B cell immune deficiencies are associated with increased susceptibility to viral and fungi infections, which are T cell immunity related infections. Also, some viral infections occurring in immune depressed patients such as cytomegalovirus infections are recommended to be treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in combination with antiviral therapy. This fact has no clear biological explanation but it has been shown to be successful. Recently, B cells and immunoglobulin were identified as essential elements driving T cell receptor (TCR) diversity generation. Idiotype peptides of B cell immunoglobulin may be the driving force for the antigen presenting function of B cells and other antigen presenting cells to influence the T cell repertoire. This seems to be another relevance of Jerne's idiotypic network and another function of immunoglobulin. Since T cells function depends on the diversity of the TCR repertoire, means to increase the diversity of the T cell repertoire may improve T cell function in situations characterized by a contracted TCR repertoire, such as AIDS, primary immunodeficiency, cancer, autoimmunity and following chemotherapy and hematopoietic precursors transplantation. The clinical hypothesis here put forward is that B cells and/or immunoglobulin may be used therapeutically aiming to increase and potentially to restore T cell repertoire diversity improving T cell function in situations implicating a contracted T cell repertoire. The fact that immunoglobulin influence the composition of T cell repertoire by increasing its diversity allows a much wider application of this molecule in the clinical practice. Here is presented a novel reasoning for the use of IVIg in humans, which should be explored. All the situations where immune reconstitution occurs are potentially a target for this therapeutically mechanism, aiming to fast and improve the diversity of the reconstituted immune repertoires. This new role of Ig molecule, an old and widely therapeutically used molecule, may help to explain several effects that IVIg have in the T cell compartment, such as modulation of the activation and function of effectors T cells. The idea that immunoglobulin is essential in the generation and maintenance of a diverse compartment of T cells, affecting T cell function via that mechanism suggests a promising approach to medical conditions involving immune reconstitution. Furthermore, it represents a new paradigm of understanding the immune system as a complex, interdependent web of cells/cell products that inter-affect each other generation, function and survival.
You Are What You Say: Using Meeting Participants' Speech to Detect their Roles and Expertise

Our goal is to automatically detect the functional roles that meeting participants play, as well as the expertise they bring to meetings. To perform this task, we build decision tree classifiers that use a combination of simple speech features (speech lengths and spoken keywords) extracted from the participants' speech in meetings. We show that this algorithm results in a role detection accuracy of 83% on unseen test data, where the random baseline is 33.3%. We also introduce a simple aggregation mechanism that combines evidence of the participants' expertise from multiple meetings. We show that this aggregation mechanism improves the role detection accuracy from 66.7% (when aggregating over a single meeting) to 83% (when aggregating over 5 meetings).
Impact of altered glycaemia on blood-brain barrier endothelium: an in vitro study using the hCMEC/D3 cell line

Cerebrovascular complications involving endothelial dysfunction at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are central to the pathogenesis of diabetes-related CNS disorders. However, clinical and experimental studies have reported contrasting evidence in relation to the effects of hyperglycemia on BBB permeability and function. Similarly the effect of hypoglycemia on BBB integrity is not well understood. Therefore, we assessed the differential impact of hypo and hyperglycemic conditions on BBB integrity and endothelial function in vitro using hCMEC/D3, a well characterized human brain microvascular endothelial cell line. Parallel monolayers of hCMEC/D3 were exposed to normal, hypo- or hyperglycemic media, containing 5.5, 2.2 or 35 mM D-glucose, respectively. Following 3-24h exposure, the expression and distribution of BBB tight junction (ZO-1 and claudin-5) adherence junction (VE-cadherin) proteins, and glucose transporters as well as inflammatory (VCAM-1) and oxidative stress (Nrf-2) markers were analyzed by immunofluorescence and western blotting. Endothelial release of growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA. Further, the impact of altered glycemia on BBB permeability was assessed in hCMEC/D3 – astrocyte co-cultures on Transwell supports using fluorescent dextrans (4–70 kDa). Compared to controls, exposure to hypoglycemia (3 and 24h) down-regulated the expression of claudin-5 and disrupted the ZO-1 localization at cell-cell contacts, while hyperglycemia marginally reduced claudin-5 expression without affecting ZO-1 distribution. Permeability to dextrans (4-10 kDa) and VEGF release at 24h were significantly increased by hypo- and hyperglycemia, although 70 kDa dextran permeability was increased only under hypoglycemic conditions. The expression of SGLT-1 was up-regulated at 24h hypoglycemic exposure while only a modest increase of GLUT-1 expression was observed. In addition, the expression of Nrf-2 and release of interleukin-6 and PDGF-BB, were down-regulated by hypoglycemia (but not hyperglycemia), while both conditions induced a marginal and transient increase in VCAM-1 expression from 3 to 24h, including a significant increase in VE-cadherin expression at 3 h following hyperglycemia. In summary, our findings demonstrate a potential impairment of BBB integrity and function by hypo or hyperglycemia, through altered expression/distribution of TJ proteins and nutrient transporters. In addition, hypoglycemic exposure severely affects the expression of oxidative and inflammatory stress markers of BBB endothelium.
Bias-Field-Free Microwave Oscillator Driven by Perpendicularly Polarized Spin Current

In this paper, we propose a novel design of spin-torque-driven microwave oscillator that is free of bias magnetic field. The oscillator consists of a perpendicularly magnetized spin-polarization layer and an oscillating bilayer. The oscillating bilayer comprises a spin-torque-driven layer and a magnetic layer of perpendicular anisotropy with adequate interlayer-exchange coupling. The perpendicularly spin-polarized current can yield a sustained stable magnetization oscillation in the oscillating bilayer around the perpendicular easy axis. The oscillating frequency can be tuned from zero to tens of gigahertz by varying the inject current density. The underlying physical mechanism of the oscillation is discussed, and a micromagnetic analysis on the characteristics of the oscillator is reported
Another story of mice and men: The types of RTH

The syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is an inherited autosomal dominant human disease (1). It is most commonly caused by point mutations in the THRB gene that encodes TRβ, 1 of 2 thyroid hormone (TH) receptors (TRs) in humans (2, 3). TRs are ligand-gated transcription factors (4), and most RTH mutations affect the C-terminal ligand-binding domain and reduce TRβ affinity for hor-mone [triiodothyronine (T3)]. Pa-tients frequently display defects in the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (H-P-T) axis, resulting in elevated circulating TH and goiter, along with other symptoms. Interestingly, there appear to be 2 distinct forms of the disease; generalized resistance (GRTH) affects all tissues, whereas patients with isolated central resistance (CRTH, or pituitary resistance) exhibit specific defects in feedback inhibition of TH production with normal peripheral responses (2, 5). However, there have been doubts that GRTH and CRTH are clinically-distinct entities (6, 7). Investigators have often proposed that the 2 forms of RTH represent part of the same continuum of variable symptoms (8) and have pointed out that there is no consistent functional difference between GRTH and CRTH mutations (9). In this issue of PNAS, Wondisford and colleagues (10) report a mouse model for CRTH and discover a startlingly simple explanation for the phenotype: hormone binding is specifically uncoupled from transcriptional inhibition, leaving transcriptional activation intact.
Usage Patterns to Provision for Scientific Experimentation in Clouds

Driven by the need to provision resources on demand, scientists are turning to commercial and research test-bed Cloud computing resources to run their scientific experiments. Job scheduling on cloud computing resources, unlike earlier platforms, is a balance between throughput and cost of executions. Within this context, we posit that usage patterns can improve the job execution, because these patterns allow a system to plan, stage and optimize scheduling decisions. This paper introduces a novel approach to utilization of user patterns drawn from knowledge-based techniques, to improve execution across a series of active workflows and jobs in cloud computing environments. Using empirical analysis we establish the accuracy of our prediction approach for two different workloads and demonstrate how this knowledge can be used to improve job executions.