cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accumulation of Mutant α1-Antitrypsin Z in the Endoplasmic Reticulum Activates Caspases-4 and -12, NFκB, and BAP31 but Not the Unfolded Protein Response

In alpha(1)-antitrypsin (alpha1AT) deficiency, a polymerogenic mutant form of the secretory glycoprotein alpha1AT, alpha1ATZ, is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of liver cells. It is not yet known how this results in liver injury in a subgroup of deficient individuals and how the remainder of deficient individuals escapes liver disease. One possible explanation is that the "susceptible" subgroup is unable to mount the appropriate protective cellular responses. Here we examined the effect of mutant alpha1ATZ on several potential protective signaling pathways by using cell lines with inducible expression of mutant alpha1AT as well as liver from transgenic mice with liver-specific inducible expression of mutant alpha1AT. The results show that ER retention of polymerogenic mutant alpha1ATZ does not result in an unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR can be induced in the presence of alpha1ATZ by tunicamycin excluding the possibility that the pathway has been disabled. In striking contrast, ER retention of nonpolymerogenic alpha1AT mutants does induce the UPR. These results indicate that the machinery responsible for activation of the UPR can distinguish the physical characteristics of proteins that accumulate in the ER in such a way that it can respond to misfolded but not relatively ordered polymeric structures. Accumulation of mutant alpha1ATZ does activate specific signaling pathways, including caspase-12 in mouse, caspase-4 in human, NFkappaB, and BAP31, a profile that was distinct from that activated by nonpolymerogenic alpha1AT mutants.
Topical Review: Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: Research Findings and Relevance for Pediatric Psychology

Objective To summarize recent research on sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) and consider the potential relevance of SCT for the field of pediatric psychology. Methods Literature review. Results Recent empirical evidence shows SCT symptoms consisting of sluggish/sleepy and daydreamy behaviors to be distinct from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. SCT is associated with psychosocial functioning in children and adolescents, including internalizing symptoms, social withdrawal, and, possibly, academic impairment. Conclusions The recent findings reviewed suggest that SCT is an important construct for pediatric psychologists to be aware of and may also be directly useful for the research and practice of pediatric psychology.
Trends In Snacking Among U.S. Children

Nationally representative surveys of food intake in U.S. children show large increases in snacking between the 1989–91 to 1994–98 and 1994–98 to 2003–06 periods. Childhood snacking trends are movin...
Segregation Distortion in Hybrids Between the Bogota and USA Subspecies of Drosophila pseudoobscura

We show that, contrary to claims in the literature, “sterile” males resulting from the cross of the Bogota and USA subspecies of Drosophila pseudoobscura are weakly fertile. Surprisingly, these hybrid males produce almost all daughters when crossed to females of any genotype (pure Bogota, pure USA, hybrid F1). Several lines of evidence suggest that this sex ratio distortion is caused by sex chromosome segregation distortion in hybrid males. We genetically analyze this normally cryptic segregation distortion and show that it involves several regions of the Bogota X chromosome that show strong epistatic interactions with each other. We further show that segregation distortion is normally masked within the Bogota subspecies by autosomal suppressors. Our analysis shows that the genetic basis of hybrid segregation distortion is similar to that of hybrid male sterility between the same subspecies. Indeed the severity of segregation distortion is correlated with the severity of sterility among hybrids. We discuss the possibility that hybrid sterility in this paradigmatic case of incipient speciation is caused by segregation distortion.
Tax Sensitivity and Home State Preferences in Internet Purchasing

Data on memory modules sales are used to explore aspects of e-retail demand. Aggregate sales are examined in state-level regressions. Discrete choice techniques are used to examine (incomplete ) hourly sales data from a price comparison site. We find a strong relationship between e-retail sales to a given state and sales tax rates that apply to purchases from offline retailers, suggesting substantial online- offline substitution and the importance of tax avoidance motives. Geography matters in two ways: consumers prefer purchasing from firms in nearby states and appear to have a separate preference for buying from in-state firms. ( JEL D12, H25, H71, L81)
Analysis of Soft Fibers with Kinematic Constraints and Cross-Links by Finite Deformation Beam Theory

This paper presents a hybrid analytical–computational mechanics formulation for an arbitrarily curved Timoshenko beam undergoing planar finite deformation and subjected to kinematic constraints in the form of fixed displacement and cross-linking. On the basis of an analytical reduction of the governing equations, the system reduced to a single nonlinear differential equation coupled with integral equations associated with translational constraints. An effective numerical formulation of the problem with general distributed and pointwise constraints is shown to be possible by using a simple finite-element procedure. To illustrate the efficiency and accuracy of the method, several examples are introduced to study both stable and bifurcation problems and a system of interacting fibers with different types of cross-link constraints. Because of the reduction of discretization error and the dimension of the matrix system, the proposed formulation is likely to be an attractive computational platform for modeling ...
Reasons For First Teen Pregnancies Predict the Rate of Subsequent Teen Conceptions

Objective. To identify reasons for inconsistent contraceptive use that antedate conception and continue to predispose participants in adolescent-oriented maternity programs to unsafe sexual practices after delivery. We hypothesized that teens who attributed their failure to use contraceptives before their first conception exclusively to concerns about their side effects and/or their own lack of motivation to prevent conception would report less consistent contraceptive use and more repeat conceptions than would teens who attributed their previous failure to use contraceptives to their lack of capacity to do so. Method. We conducted a 2-year, prospective, longitudinal study of contraceptive use and repeat conceptions in a racially/ethnically diverse population of poor 13- to 18-year-olds. The 198 study participants were enrolled consecutively during their first pregnancies from an adolescent-oriented maternity program. Results. The majority (84%) of the teens attributed their failure to use contraceptives before their first pregnancy partially to a lack of capacity to do so. As hypothesized, these teen mothers were significantly more likely to use hormonal contraceptives (85% vs 62%), (particularly Norplant, 47% vs 19%) and less likely to conceive again (13% vs 41%). Most teens attributed their inconsistent contraceptive use during the postpartum study period to three factors: side effects, plans to abstain from sexual intercourse, and their lack of motivation to postpone additional childbearing. Conclusions. The reasons teen mothers give for not using contraceptives consistently before their first pregnancies predict the occurrence of subsequent conceptions during adolescence. Those who attribute their previous failure to use contraceptives consistently to side-effect concerns and their own lack of motivation to postpone childbearing are least likely to use hormonal contraceptives after delivery and most likely to conceive again. Our findings suggest that future research should focus on the development of more effective interventions for preventing repeat conceptions among adolescent mothers who had the capacity to prevent their first pregnancies.
Thermal Dose Expression in Clinical Hyperthermia and Correlation with Tumor Response/Control

Thermal dose has been identified as one of the most important factors which influence the efficacy of hyperthermia. Adequate temperature must be delivered for an appropriate period of time to the entire tumor volume in order to achieve optimal therapeutic results. Present clinical thermometry systems provide coarse temperature readings, since only selected tumor or normal tissue temperatures are monitored. Experimental in vitro and in vivo data suggest that the minimal temperature observed in the tumor determines therapeutic effectiveness. Unfortunately, at the present time, clinical data documenting these observations are scarce. The inhomogeneity of temperature distribution throughout the tumor volume makes difficult accurate correlations with tumor response and subsequent tumor control. Several mathematical models have been offered to express the time-temperature equivalency in relation to a reference temperature (43° equivalent). Factors such as step-down heating, fractionated hyperthermia, thermal adaptation, and combination with irradiation, in addition to physiological parameters such as blood flow, play a major role in the expression of thermal dose. In order to meaningfully express thermal dose in clinical hyperthermia, several procedures are recommended, such as static phantom studies of specific absorption rate distributions for heat delivery equipment, detailed thermal mapping in hyperthermia sessions, development of reliable predictive biomathematical models to express temperature-time equivalency, and the fostering of research in 3-dimensional noninvasive clinical thermometry.
CpG-B ODNs potently induce low levels of IFN-αβ and induce IFN-αβ-dependent MHC-I cross-presentation in DCs as effectively as CpG-A and CpG-C ODNs

Deoxycytidyl-deoxyguanosine [(CpG)3] oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) signal through TLR9 to induce type-I IFN (IFN-alphabeta) and IFN-alphabeta-dependent MHC-I cross-presentation of exogenous antigens by dendritic cells (DCs). A puzzle was presented by our observation that three ODN classes, CpG-A, CpG-B, and CpG-C, had similar efficacy for induction of IFN-alphabeta-dependent MHC-I antigen cross-presentation by myeloid DCs despite greatly differing for induction of IFN-alphabeta (CpG-A>CpG-C>>CpG-B). All ODN classes similarly enhanced plasmacytoid DC (pDC) presentation of exogenous MHC-I-restricted peptide, although pDCs did not cross-process protein antigen. MHC-I and the transporter for antigen presentation were induced by all ODN classes or IFN-alpha. CpG-B ODNs were slightly more potent than CpG-A or CpG-C ODNs for induction of low levels of IFN-alphabeta but less efficacious at high concentrations than CpG-A or CpG-C ODNs. Low levels of IFN-alphabeta induced by CpG-B ODNs sufficed for full induction of MHC-I cross-presentation. Thus, CpG-B ODNs are slightly more potent but less efficacious than CpG-A and CpG-C ODNs for induction of IFN-alphabeta. High sensitivity to IFN-alphabeta allows CpG-B ODNs to be equally efficacious for induction of MHC-I cross-presentation. CpG-B ODNs may be effective for inducing therapeutic responses that require low levels of IFN-alphabeta and may avoid unnecessarily high induction of IFN-alphabeta.
Influence of landscape factors on density of suburban white-tailed deer

Abstract Resource management agencies and urban planners require information from large-scale assessments of factors affecting suburban white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) density to guide deer management and urban development. We assessed the influence of landscape factors on density of suburban deer on 40 forest preserves in northeastern Illinois during 1999–2002. We created candidate model sets for 3 spatial scales: preserve (15–1238 ha; 29 models), buffer-only (132–1335 ha; 24 models), and total area (147–2322 ha; 33 models). We selected models using AICc and obtained 3–10 top models for each model set which constituted 50–89% of the Akaike weights. Using supported variables in these model sets, we created a new final model set (35 models) in which 8 models contributed to 95% of the top Akaike weights. Patch density of agricultural land within preserve borders ( ω = 0.95; β ′ = 0.47), the mean nearest neighbor distance between all cover patches within preserve borders ( ω = 0.95; β ′ = 0.38), the diversity of patch types within preserve borders ( ω = 0.66; β ′ = −0.24), and the percent core area of forested land within preserve borders ( ω = 0.52; β ′ = 0.21) were the strongest predictors of suburban deer density. Natural resource managers should limit agricultural practices, reduce core areas of forest patches, and increase diversity of land cover patches within preserve borders to potentially reduce deer densities and limit deer population growth.
Utilization of and expenditures for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and factors associated with change in price per‐prescription of brand SSRIs in the Texas Medicaid programme (1991–2009)

Objectives To assess: (1) the utilization of and expenditures for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); and (2) the association of events such as generic entries, reformulation entries and new indication approvals with the change in brand SSRI price per-prescription reimbursed (PPPR) in the Texas Medicaid health programme, USA. Methods The Texas Medicaid summary database, containing quarterly data on utilization (number of prescriptions dispensed) and expenditure (US dollar amount reimbursed) for medications between the first quarter of January 1991 and last quarter of December 2009, was used. Annual measures of SSRI utilization and expenditures were reported. Time-series intervention analysis was conducted with the log-transformed ratio (current-to-previous quarter) of brand SSRI PPPR as the dependent variable and specified events (generic entry, reformulation entry and new indication approval) as the independent variables. Key findings The annual utilization of the entire SSRI class of therapy among Texas Medicaid beneficiaries increased by more than 20-fold from 1991 to 2004 (35 933 to 819 952 prescriptions), and then decreased from 2005 to 2008 (779 540 to 183 154 prescriptions). In 2009, the number of SSRI prescriptions increased to 413 103 prescriptions. The annual expenditures for SSRIs followed the same pattern as the utilization measures. For a majority of brand SSRIs, none of the events (noted above) were found to be significantly associated with change in PPPR. Conclusions Annual utilization and expenditures of SSRIs varied over time. For a majority of brand SSRIs, generic entries, reformulation entries and new indication approvals were not related to change in PPPR.
Identification of RPS14 as a 5q - syndrome gene by RNA interference screen

Somatic chromosomal deletions in cancer are thought to indicate the location of tumour suppressor genes, by which a complete loss of gene function occurs through biallelic deletion, point mutation or epigenetic silencing, thus fulfilling Knudson's two-hit hypothesis. In many recurrent deletions, however, such biallelic inactivation has not been found. One prominent example is the 5q- syndrome, a subtype of myelodysplastic syndrome characterized by a defect in erythroid differentiation. Here we describe an RNA-mediated interference (RNAi)-based approach to discovery of the 5q- disease gene. We found that partial loss of function of the ribosomal subunit protein RPS14 phenocopies the disease in normal haematopoietic progenitor cells, and also that forced expression of RPS14 rescues the disease phenotype in patient-derived bone marrow cells. In addition, we identified a block in the processing of pre-ribosomal RNA in RPS14-deficient cells that is functionally equivalent to the defect in Diamond-Blackfan anaemia, linking the molecular pathophysiology of the 5q- syndrome to a congenital syndrome causing bone marrow failure. These results indicate that the 5q- syndrome is caused by a defect in ribosomal protein function and suggest that RNAi screening is an effective strategy for identifying causal haploinsufficiency disease genes.
An integrated logical and physical design flow for deep submicron circuits

This paper presents a set of techniques and a new design flow to be used in the synthesis of high-performance deep-submicron logic circuits. The design flow consists of circuit partitioning into tree like clusters, floorplanning, global routing, and timing analysis/budgeting steps, followed by simultaneous technology mapping and linear placement of each cluster. The strength of this approach lies in the dynamic programming-based algorithms used in performing simultaneous technology mapping and linear placement of the logic clusters. The two algorithms we propose, one for exact total (gate plus routing) area minimization and the other for total (gate plus routing) delay minimization, generate a set of noninferior solutions for each cluster enabling designers to perform tradeoffs between total-area and total-delay. Experimental results on large benchmarks prove the effectiveness of the proposed flow.
Formation of Magnetosomes in Magnetotactic Bacteria

The ability of magnetotactic bacteria to orient and migrate along geomagnetic field lines is based on intracellular magnetic structures, the magnetosomes, which comprise nano-sized, membrane bound crystals of magnetic iron minerals. The formation of magnetosomes is achieved by a biological mechanism that controls the accumulation of iron and the biomineralization of magnetic crystals with a characteristic size and morphology within membrane vesicles. This paper focuses on the current knowledge about magnetotactic bacteria and will outline aspects of the physiology and molecular biology of magnetosome formation. The biotechnological potential of the biomineralization process is discussed.
Automated and accurate measurement of aortic pulse wave velocity using magnetic resonance imaging

Arterial stiffness is thought to be a powerful indicator of present and possible future cardiovascular risk. Accordingly, there is an increasing interest in the non-invasive clinical measurement of arterial stiffness. The commonly used non-invasive methods assess aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) which is known to be a good indicator of aortic stiffness. These methods calculate the PWV by measuring the pressure or flow velocity at two locations along the aorta to determine the arrival time of the pulse wave; the distance between these locations is measured either on the body surface or using high resolution images. In this study, we have developed a novel method based on MRI that calculates the aortic PWV using multiple locations along the aorta. This approach is largely automatic vis-a-vis aortic segmentation that reduces user-subjectivity; the inclusion of multiple points along aorta increases the accuracy of PWV measurement by averaging.
Cdc25 inhibition and cell cycle arrest by a synthetic thioalkyl vitamin K analogue.

A synthetic vitamin K analogue, 2-(2-mercaptoethanol)-3-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone or compound 5 (Cpd 5), was found previously to be a potent inhibitor of tumor cell growth. We now demonstrate that Cpd 5 arrested cell cycle progression at both G1 and G2-M. Because of the potential arylating activity of Cpd 5, it might inhibit Cdc25 phosphatases, which contain a cysteine in the catalytic site. To test this hypothesis, we examined the inhibitory activity of Cpd 5 against several cell cycle-relevant protein tyrosine phosphatases and found that Cpd 5 was a potent, selective, and partially competitive inhibitor of Cdc25 phosphatases. Furthermore, Cpd 5 caused time-dependent, irreversible enzyme inhibition, consistent with arylation of the catalytic cysteine in Cdc25. Treatment of cells with Cpd 5 blocked dephosphorylation of the Cdc25C substrate, Cdc2, and its kinase activity. Cpd 5 enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of both potent regulators of G1 transition, i.e., Cdk2 and Cdk4, and decreased the phosphorylation of Rb, an endogenous substrate for Cdk4 kinase. Furthermore, close chemical analogues that lacked in vitro Cdc25 inhibitory activity failed to block cell cycle progression and Cdc2 kinase activity. Cpd 5 did not alter the levels of p53 or the endogenous cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p21 and p16. Our results support the hypothesis that the disruption in cell cycle transition caused by Cpd 5 was attributable to intracellular Cdc25 inhibition. This novel thioalkyl K vitamin analogue could be useful for cell cycle control studies and may provide a valuable pharmacophore for the design of future therapeutics.
Early Reconstitution of Immunity and Decreased Severity of Herpes Zoster in Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients Immunized with Inactivated Varicella Vaccine

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes herpes zoster after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The immunogenicity of heat-inactivated varicella vaccine and effects on VZV pathogenesis were evaluated in 75 BMT patients randomized to receive vaccine or no intervention. Among 14 patients given a single dose at 1 month after transplantation, the mean (+/-SE) stimulation index (SI) was 12.20 +/- 3.13 compared with 4.83 +/- 2.74 (P = .036) in 14 unvaccinated patients, but clinical disease was not altered. Among 24 patients vaccinated at 1, 2, and 3 months, mean SI was 8.43 +/- 3.89 versus 2.00 +/- 0.33 (P = .014) in 23 unvaccinated patients at 4 months and 8.56 +/- 2.81 versus 5.30 +/- 2.47 (P = .043) at 5 months. Disease severity associated with VZV reactivation was decreased dramatically in vaccinees given three doses; severity scores were 6.4 +/- 1.0 versus 11.8 +/- 1.1 (P = .007). This experience with varicella vaccine in BMT patients is the first evidence that active immunization can reduce morbidity due to herpesvirus reactivation in high-risk populations.
Theranostics: Evolution of the Radiopharmaceutical Meta-Iodobenzylguanidine in Endocrine Tumors

Since 1981, meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), labeled with (131)I and later (123)I, has become a valuable agent in the diagnosis and therapy of a number of endocrine tumors. Initially, the agent located pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PGLs), both sporadic and familial, in multiple anatomic sites; surgeons were thereby guided to excisional therapies, which were previously difficult and sometimes impossible. The specificity in diagnosis has remained above 95%, but sensitivity has varied with the nature of the tumor: close to 90% for intra-adrenal pheochromocytomas but 70% or less for PGLs. For patients with neuroblastoma, carcinoid tumors, and medullary thyroid carcinoma, imaging with radiolabeled MIBG portrays important diagnostic evidence, but for these neoplasms, use has been primarily as an adjunct to therapy. Although diagnosis by radiolabeled MIBG has been supplemented and sometimes surpassed by newer scintigraphic agents, searches by this radiopharmaceutical remain indispensable for optimal care of some patients. The radiation imparted by concentrations of (131)I-MIBG in malignant pheochromocytomas, PGLs, carcinoid tumors, and medullary thyroid carcinoma has reduced tumor volumes and lessened excretions of symptom-inflicting hormones, but its value as a therapeutic agent is being fulfilled primarily in attacks on neuroblastomas, which are scourges of children. Much promise has been found in tumor disappearance and prolonged survival of treated patients. The experiences with therapeutic (131)I-MIBG have led to development of new tactics and strategies and to well-founded hopes for elimination of cancers. Radiolabeled MIBG is an exemplar of theranostics and remains a worthy agent for both diagnosis and therapy of endocrine tumors.
The X‐ray diffraction, birefringence, and infrared dichroism of stretched polyethylene. II. Generalized uniaxial crystal orientation

A general method for describing the crystal orientation in a uniaxially oriented crystalline polymer is presented. It is shown that two orientation functions may be quantitatively evaluated from x-ray diffraction data. The variation of these during mechanical and thermal treatment may be studied. These functions are sufficient to completely characterize the crystal contribution to birefringence and infrared dichrosim. By subtracting the crystal contribution from the total birefringence or dichroism, the amorphous orientation may be characterized.
Oxidation behavior of zero-valent iron nanoparticles in mixed matrix water purification membranes

Morphological changes resulting from the oxidation of zero valent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles were measured as an assessment of their mechanical robustness in mixed matrix membranes for water treatment applications. Upon oxidation from metallic iron to iron oxide hydroxide, FeO(OH), particles underwent a significant transformation in size and morphology from 100 nm diameter spherical particles to plate-like crystalline particles with a hydrodynamic diameter greater than 450 nm. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to mechanically degrade the FeO(OH) crystallites during repeated imaging. To determine whether similar degradation would occur during water filtration in a mixed matrix membrane, force under standard membrane operating conditions was calculated. Such force calculations were used to compare the shear forces exerted during water flux in a mixed matrix membrane to the normal forces imparted by AFM. Analysis suggested that the oxidized ZVI nanoparticles will experience a 10−19 N maximum shear force in pore channels, much lower than the imaging forces in AFM, suggesting the mechanical stability of the particles during water remediation. Additional quartz crystal microbalance experiments were performed to confirm the mechanical stability of the oxidized iron nanoparticles in the flow environments of ultrafiltration. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that the mechanical properties of the nanoparticle composite membranes are such that minimal mechanical degradation of the nanoparticles will occur during water filtration.
Do fluorescence decays remitted from tissues accurately reflect intrinsic fluorophore lifetimes

Fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging methods, including fluorescence lifetime sensing, are being developed for noninvasive tissue diagnostics. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify those factors affecting the accurate recovery of fluorophore lifetimes from inhomogeneous tissues in vivo. A Monte Carlo code was developed to numerically simulate time-resolved fluorescence measurements on layered epithelial tissues. Simulations were run with experimental parameters matching previously reported clinical studies in the gastrointestinal tract. The results demonstrate that variations in fluorescence decay time as large as those detected clinically between normal and premalignant tissues (approximately 2 ns) could be simulated by variations in tissue morphology or biochemistry, even when intrinsic fluorophore lifetimes were held constant.
Multiple-Window Parallel Adaptive Boundary Finding in Computer Vision

The problem considered in this paper is the estimation of highly variable object boundaries in noisy images. Boundaries may be those of a tank in an IR image, a spinal canal in a CAT scan, a cloud in a visible light image, etc. Or they may be internal to an object such as the boundary between a spherical surface and a cylindrical surface in a manufactured object. The focus of the paper is on parallel multiple-window boundary estimation algorithms. Here the image field is parti-tioned into an array of rectangular windows, and boundary finders are run simultaneously within the windows. The boundary segments found within the windows are then seamed together to obtain meaningful global boundaries. The entire procedure is treated within a maximum likelihood estimation framework that we have developed for boundary finding. Although our multiple-window estimation approach can be used with a number of local boundary finding algorithms, we concen-trate on one which is based on dynamic programming and will produce the true maximum likelihood boundary. Some theoretical considera-tions for boundary model design and boundary-finding runtime are covered. Included is the use of a low computational cost F-test for test-ing whether a window contains a boundary, and an analytical treatment which shows that use of coarse pixels with a chi-square test or an F-test improves the probability of correctly recognizing whether a boundary is present in a window.
Spatial Organization of Myxococcus xanthus during Fruiting Body Formation

Microcinematography was used to examine fruiting body development of Myxococcus xanthus. Wild-type cells progress through three distinct phases: a quiescent phase with some motility but little aggregation (0 to 8 h), a period of vigorous motility leading to raised fruiting bodies (8 to 16 h), and a period of maturation during which sporulation is initiated (16 to 48 h). Fruiting bodies are extended vertically in a series of tiers, each involving the addition of a cell monolayer on top of the uppermost layer. A pilA (MXAN_5783) mutant produced less extracellular matrix material and thus allowed closer examination of tiered aggregate formation. A csgA (MXAN_1294) mutant exhibited no quiescent phase, aberrant aggregation in phase 2, and disintegration of the fruiting bodies in the third phase.
Nonpenetrating filtering procedures: viscocanalostomy and collagen wick.

Unroofing of Schlemm's canal without entering the anterior chamber has been performed previously to lower intraocular pressure. Initial results were good, but long-term results were discouraging, and the techniques were abandoned. Recently, two variations have surfaced. Visco canalostomy is a technique devised by Robert Stegmann of South Africa, The glaucoma drainage device (Collagen Wick) was initially introduced by Koslov in Russia. These techniques are described in this article. Copyright © 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company
An Analytic Model for Description of Temperature Dependent Rate Phenomena in Arthropods

A new description of temperature-dependent, rate phenomena was deduced to describe developmental time and ovipositional data for the McDaniel spider mite, Tetranychus mcdanieli McGregor. The derived equation accounted for asymmetry about optimum temperature and was of particular utility for description of systems operating at or above optimum temperatures. Ovipositional and developmental rate functions were used in a temperature-driven, discrete-time, simulation model describing McDaniel spider mite population dynamics. Temperature dependence of the instantaneous population growth rate was determined by fitting the derived rate-temperature function to data generated through simulation at various fixed temperatures. The functional relationship of important population parameters to temperature provided the mechanism for inclusion of phenological effects on mite populations in a synoptic apple pest management model. Two derived functions were fit to several published rate-temperature data sets. Adequacy of description (as indicated by R2 values) indicated general applicability of both functions for description of temperature-controlled, biological processes. Further, it was concluded that the singular perturbation method of matched asymptotes has potentially wide application in ecology, and an Appendix detailing the application of this method is included.
High order curvilinear finite elements for elastic-plastic Lagrangian dynamics

This paper presents a high-order finite element method for calculating elastic-plastic flow on moving curvilinear meshes and is an extension of our general high-order curvilinear finite element approach for solving the Euler equations of gas dynamics in a Lagrangian frame [1,2]. In order to handle transition to plastic flow, we formulate the stress-strain relation in rate (or incremental) form and augment our semi-discrete equations for Lagrangian hydrodynamics with an additional evolution equation for the deviatoric stress which is valid for arbitrary order spatial discretizations of the kinematic and thermodynamic variables. The semi-discrete equation for the deviatoric stress rate is developed for 2D planar, 2D axisymmetric and full 3D geometries. For each case, the strain rate is approximated via a collocation method at zone quadrature points while the deviatoric stress is approximated using an L"2 projection onto the thermodynamic basis. We apply high order, energy conserving, explicit time stepping methods to the semi-discrete equations to develop the fully discrete method. We conclude with numerical results from an extensive series of verification tests that demonstrate several practical advantages of using high-order finite elements for elastic-plastic flow.
A Variance Decomposition Analysis of the Housing Bubble

Executive Summary. This study uses a variance ratio procedure derived from the Campbell-Shiller return decomposition to test for evidence of a bubble in housing returns for the period 1997 to 2007....
Abstract 620: Water as a Universal Biosensor for Inflammation, Insulin Resistance and Dyslipidemia

Current proteomic strategies exploit the measurement of hundreds-to-thousands of potential biomarkers to establish profiles of disease risk. We propose an alternative strategy - inverse proteomics - which utilizes just one marker to monitor the status of many biomolecules all at once. Water is an attractive surveillance system, as it forms hydrogen bonds with virtually every protein, lipoprotein and metabolite in human blood. Here we show that the mobility of water in plasma and serum samples from apparently healthy human subjects correlates with known markers of inflammation, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and possibly, oxidative stress. Water mobility is assessed in a six-minute experiment that requires no sample manipulations or chemical reactions. Rather, the spin-spin relaxation time constant (T2) is measured non-invasively using benchtop time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance. The current discovery provides a framework for developing a simple blood test that could identify individuals with hidden ...
Modifications to GCC for increased software privacy

The paper describes methodologies added to the Gnu compiler collection GCC in an effort to create an obfuscating compiler. An obfuscating compiler creates programs which, when run, execute with the same results as un-obfuscated code, but which are more difficult to reverse engineer from the binary artefact. This provides increased protection with respect to the privacy of the intellectual property within the software, by thwarting the tools normally used to extract information from the binary executable. Reverse engineering technologies involving analysis of machine instructions are briefly described for background. The three methods of obfuscation implemented in the research are detailed: jump hiding, block shuffling, and junk insertion. Overhead in terms of space and speed are given using standard benchmark software.
Giving microbes their due--animal life in a microbially dominant world.

ABSTRACT The new technology of next-generation sequencing is changing our perceptions of the form and function of the biological world. The emerging data reveal an array of microbes that is more vast and more central to all biological processes than previously appreciated. Further, evidence is accumulating that the alliances of microbes with one another and with constituents of the macrobiological world are critical for the health of the biosphere. This contribution summarizes the basic arguments as to why, when considering the biochemical adaptations of animals, we should integrate the roles of their microbial partners.
Estimating Hybridization of Transition Metal and Oxygen States in Perovskites from O K-edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

The interaction between the transition metal 3d and the oxygen 2p states via hybridization underpins many of the phenomena in transition metal oxide materials. We report the empirical trend of this interaction using the pre-edge feature of the O K-edge X-ray absorption spectrum. Our assessment method is built on the dipole approximation and the configuration interaction between the transition metal 3d and the oxygen 2p states. We found that hybridization increases with the number of 3d electrons, consistent with the expected electronegativity trend. We support this analysis with density functional calculations, which reveal a systematic increase in the transition metal 3d and the oxygen 2p state mixing with increasing 3d-electron number. Oxidation of the transition metal was also found to increase hybridization, which we believe reflects the reduced transition metal 3d and oxygen 2p energy difference, causing increased covalency. We compare the analysis from the surface-sensitive electron-yield and the bu...
Infectious Sources of Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Persisting in Natural Habitats of the Gypsy Moth

Hatching Porthetria dispar (L.) larvae acquire nuclear polyhedrosis virus from the egg surface or from contaminated hair as they emerge from the egg mass. In comparative tests hair appeared to be more infectious than eggs. The most heavily contaminated material was debris taken from sites used for larval shelter and pupation. One hundred percent mortality occurred in hatching larvae exposed to the composite of exuviae, larval and pupal cadavers, and empty pupal cases. Debris mats are characteristic of dense but not sparse gypsy moth populations.
Applications of Transformations to Numerical Integration

(1988). Applications of Transformations to Numerical Integration. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 166-173.
1 Neurological changes following acute lateral ankle sprain: an 8-week pilot investigation

Background Ankle sprains are associated with detrimental long-term sequelae tied to neuromechanical alterations. Neurological adaptations occurring in the initial weeks after injury may be responsible for long-term adaptations resultant in altered movement patterns; however, few studies have quantified neuromechanical and functional adaptations following acute ankle sprains. Objective This study aims to quantify cortical and reflexive excitability following ankle sprain with concurrent changes in function. Design Pilot cohort study. Setting University laboratory. Participants 6 male subjects (age = 20.8 ± 0.8 years, height = 181.2 ± 3.5 cm, body mass = 84.8 ± 9.0 kg) with history of recent ankle sprain volunteered for this investigation. Interventions Participants were tested at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks from injury. During each session clinical measures of ankle volume, balance (Y-balance test), and dorsiflexion range-of-motion (weight-bearing lunge) were assessed. Electromyography sensors were placed on tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL), and soleus (SOL) and cortical and reflexive excitability were assessed bilaterally using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and Hoffmann reflex, respectively. Main outcome measurements Stimulus- response curves from TMS were used to determine active motor threshold (AMT, %output) and maximal response (MEP max , %M max ). Side differences were assessed using descriptive statistics. Results Differences in ankle volume, balance, and dorsiflexion were observed at week 1, and, except dorsiflexion, were no longer present at week 8. Notable side-to-side alterations in cortical excitability were noted for TA AMT and PL and SOL MEPmax. These findings indicated decreased TA excitability, but increased PL and SOL excitability at 1-week (TA INJ = 33.4 ± 15.7%, TA NON = 27.7 ± 4.0%; PL INJ = 70.5 ± 35.1%, PL NON = 45.7 ± 34.1%; SOL INJ = 10.6 ± 11.6%, SOL NON = 12.1 ± 5.1%) but the opposite effect 8-weeks after injury (TA INJ = 38.8 ± 2.8%, TA NON = 35.6 ± 12.0%; PL INJ = 35.6 ± 9.2%, PL NON = 48.7 ± 9.0%; SOL INJ = 10.5 ± 7.2, SOL NON = 8.1 ± 5.9%). Generally, the H-reflex was slightly elevated for all muscles and time-points on the injured side. Conclusions Changes in neurological function were observed among this small cohort of participants that reflect both acute and long-term adaptations due to injury. Further analysis is required to determine how these variables might affect functional measures.
The Alpha7-Beta2 Nicotinic Receptor and Its Roles in Amyloid Beta Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease

Accumulation of beta amyloid peptide, including As1-42, is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the early stages of AD, neuronal death is observed in the septum and the hippocampus of the brain. This neuronal death causes memory and cognitive dysfunction which are clinical manifestations of AD. A newly-discovered neurotransmitter receptor subtype, the a7s2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (a7s2-nAChR) is expressed in the septum and the hippocampus of the rodent and human brain. This pentameric receptor has similar functional characteristics to a7-nAChR, a more prevalent subtype. It has been shown that a7-nAChRs mediate internalization of As1-42. Others have shown that As1-42 internalization may cause neuronal dysfunction and death. The aims of the present study are to determine if a7s2-nAChR mediates internalization of As1-42, if this is toxic to the cells, and if it affects intracellular calcium activity. We have used multiphoton microscopy to show internalization of the peptide in SH-EP1 cells expressing a7s2-nAChR and a7-nAChR, and live/dead assays for measuring cell death. Epi-fluorescence microscopy and calcium dyes are being used to compare calcium activity of cells expressing these receptors. These are preliminary steps toward determining the pathogenic molecular mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction and cell death in early stages of AD.
Discussion on Primary Frequency Regulation Test of Hydroelectric Generating Sets

Primary frequency regulation test is the most efficient way to optimize and examine the primary frequency regulation efficiency of hydroelectric generating sets;however,at present,it is difficult to find a unified way of testing,moreover,most data and regulations of primary frequency regulations are only suitable for steam turbine generator sets.This paper analyzes the functions of primary frequency regulation,current test methods and examination-indexes of hydroelectric generating sets.By the aid of the primary frequency regulation experiment of a hydroelectric generating set,the effect of governor parameters on the performance of primary frequency regulation of hydroelectric generating sets are analyzed.It is pointed out that the primary frequency regulation test methods of hydroelectric generating sets should be prescribed.
Postnatal treatment with retinoic acid increases the number of pulmonary alveoli in rats

Dexamethasone, a glucocorticosteroid hormone, inhibits the formation of alveoli; retinoids and glucocorticosteroid hormones can be mutually antagonistic. These observations led us to test the hypot...
Prophylactic Neurectomy Versus Pragmatic Neurectomy

Chronic inguinal neuralgia is a common and potentially morbid condition following open inguinal hernia repair. This commonly results from ilioinguinal nerve entrapment, inflammation, neuroma, or fibrosis. As such, routine excision of the inguinal nerve has been proposed as a solution to this potentially disabling problem. Examining this question is challenging, in large part owing to the significant subjectivity and variability that is inherent to a patient rating his or her severity of pain and loss of sensation. That said, the issue of chronic groin pain after inguinal surgery is by its very nature a subjective complaint, and as such, subjective data are necessary and valuable in its study. When comparing routine ilioinguinal neurectomy to nerve preservation, data demonstrate that while routine excision may increase the incidence of postoperative sensory loss on detailed physical exam, it does not increase the incidence of subjectively disabling or even perceptible sensory loss on patient survey. Further, there is no evidence to suggest that nerve excision increases the incidence of chronic groin pain, and there is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that routine neurectomy may decrease chronic postoperative inguinal neuralgia. As such, routine ilioinguinal neurectomy is a reasonable treatment option in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair.
PI3K Inhibition Reduces Mammary Tumor Growth and Facilitates Antitumor Immunity and Anti-PD1 Responses

Purpose: Metastatic breast cancers continue to elude current therapeutic strategies, including those utilizing PI3K inhibitors. Given the prominent role of PI3Kα,β in tumor growth and PI3Kγ,δ in immune cell function, we sought to determine whether PI3K inhibition altered antitumor immunity.Experimental Design: The effect of PI3K inhibition on tumor growth, metastasis, and antitumor immune response was characterized in mouse models utilizing orthotopic implants of 4T1 or PyMT mammary tumors into syngeneic or PI3Kγ-null mice, and patient-derived breast cancer xenografts in humanized mice. Tumor-infiltrating leukocytes were characterized by IHC and FACS analysis in BKM120 (30 mg/kg, every day) or vehicle-treated mice and PI3Kγnull versus PI3KγWT mice. On the basis of the finding that PI3K inhibition resulted in a more inflammatory tumor leukocyte infiltrate, the therapeutic efficacy of BKM120 (30 mg/kg, every day) and anti-PD1 (100 μg, twice weekly) was evaluated in PyMT tumor-bearing mice.Results: Our findings show that PI3K activity facilitates tumor growth and surprisingly restrains tumor immune surveillance. These activities could be partially suppressed by BKM120 or by genetic deletion of PI3Kγ in the host. The antitumor effect of PI3Kγ loss in host, but not tumor, was partially reversed by CD8+ T-cell depletion. Treatment with therapeutic doses of both BKM120 and antibody to PD-1 resulted in consistent inhibition of tumor growth compared with either agent alone.Conclusions: PI3K inhibition slows tumor growth, enhances antitumor immunity, and heightens susceptibility to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We propose that combining PI3K inhibition with anti-PD1 may be a viable therapeutic approach for triple-negative breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 23(13); 3371-84. ©2016 AACR.
Intercellular Tension Negatively Regulates Angiogenic Sprouting of Endothelial Tip Cells via Notch1‐Dll4 Signaling

Mechanical force plays pivotal roles in vascular development during tissue growth and regeneration. Nevertheless, the process by which mechanical force controls the vascular architecture remains poorly understood. Using a systems bioengineering approach, it is shown that intercellular tension negatively regulates tip cell formation via Notch1-Dll4 signaling in mouse retinal angiogenesis in vivo, sprouting embryoid bodies, and human endothelial cell networks in vitro. Reducing the intercellular tension pharmacologically by a Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor or physically by single cell photothermal ablation of the capillary networks promotes the expression of Dll4, enhances angiogenic sprouting of tip cells, and increases the vascular density. Computational biomechanics, RNA interference, and single cell gene expression analysis reveal that a reduction of intercellular tension attenuates the inhibitory effect of Notch signaling on tip cell formation and induces angiogenic sprouting. Taken together, the results reveal a mechanoregulation scheme for the control of vascular architecture by modulating angiogenic tip cell formation via Notch1-Dll4 signaling.
Big Data, Technical Communication, and the Smart City

Big data is one of the most hyped buzzwords in both academia and industry. This article makes an early contribution to research on big data by situating data theoretically as a historical object an...