cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 5515: Ras-like estrogen-regulated growth-inhibitory gene (RERG): A novel biomarker and potential therapeutic target for women with lung cancer

Background: Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in women. In fact, twice as many women will die from lung cancer compared to breast cancer, the key risk factor being tobacco use. Hence, there is a need to identify new molecular biomarkers to aid in early detection and develop new therapeutic strategies in tobacco-related lung cancer. Ras-like Estrogen-Regulated Growth-Inhibitory Gene (RERG) is a member of the Ras superfamily of GTPases that play an important role in cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Unlike other members of the Ras superfamily members of proto-oncogenes, RERG functions as a tumor suppressor. Objective: To investigate the utility of RERG expression as a novel biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in lung cancer. Results: In silico analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) lung cancer datasets revealed a significant downregulation of RERG expression in lung tumors. Furthermore, reduced expression of RERG in lung tumors was also observed to be correlated with poor prognosis as determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Evaluation of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human lung cancer tissues and fresh frozen lung tumor tissues corroborated our in silico observations. Most notably, tobacco smoke was identified to be associated with decreased RERG expression in lung tumors. The most intriguing observation from this study is the significant decrease of RERG expression in female smokers as a result of promoter hypermethylation. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings suggest that RERG may represent a potential biomarker in lung cancer, particularly among smokers. Further investigation would focus on the mechanism of RERG loss and its influence on lung tumor development, particularly in female smokers. Citation Format: Michelle Van Scoyk, Sreedevi Avasarala, Pei-Ying Wu, Yanlin Su, Lane Lerner, Alicia Hulbert, Kamesh Bikkavilli, Robert A. Winn. Ras-like estrogen-regulated growth-inhibitory gene (RERG): A novel biomarker and potential therapeutic target for women with lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5515.
The Clinical Anatomy and Imaging Laboratory: Vertical Integration in the Preclerkship Curriculum.

Introduction As medical schools implement integrated curricula, anatomy education especially has experienced increased pressure to make foundational content clinically relevant. We designed a novel...
Breaking Out of the Ivory Tower: (Re)Thinking Inclusion of Women and Scholars of Color in the Academy

In this #MeToo moment, many women of color have called out those in power, namely men, who engage in sexual harassment and toxic masculinity. Furthermore, scholars, whose personal identities and re...
Towards an understanding of resilience with complex networks

Resilience and robustness are key concepts to understand the behavior of complex systems. However, they are often confused. Whereas robustness refers to the tendency of systems to remain unchanged under perturbations, resilience emphasizes the tendency of the systems to adapt, thus involving some sort of change. The formalization of both concepts using complex networks can provide common methodological tools for different sciences. This study clarifies the distinction between resilience and robustness in complex networks and provides one plausible solution to formalize resilience.
Mitochondrial Regulation Is Essential for Erythroid Nuclear Clearance

The terminal steps of red blood cell (RBC) generation involve an extensive cellular remodeling. This encompasses alterations of cellular content through five erythroblast stages that result in the expulsion of the nucleus (enucleation) followed by loss of mitochondria and all other organelles, and a transition to anaerobic glycolysis. Whether there is any link between the erythroid removal of the nucleus and the function of any other organelle including mitochondria remains unknown. Here we show that mitochondria are essential for nuclear clearance. We first demonstrate through high-throughput single-cell imaging and confocal microscopy that as mouse bone marrow erythroblasts mature (Gate 3: TER119+,CD44low, FSClow), mitochondria migrate to one end of the cell, aggregate and trail behind the nucleus as it extrudes from the cell, a prerequisite for enucleation to complete. We further show that mitochondrial localization behind the nucleus has similar kinetics as nuclear polarization. This process is also conserved in mouse fetal liver erythroid cells as well as in primary human CD34+-derived erythroblasts in culture. Notably, kinesin inhibition disrupts mitochondrial motility and localization and reduces significantly erythroblast enucleation rate in the absence of any impact on dynein or tubulin. These results suggest that mitochondria function as necessary chaperones during erythroblast enucleation. Furthermore, mitochondrial activity distinguishes erythroblasts on the verge of enucleation from others at the same erythroblast stage (Gate 3). We show that active mitochondrial respiration facilitates nuclear condensation and is required for nuclear extrusion. To our surprise however, metabolite profiling revealed that late-stage erythroblasts sustain mitochondrial metabolism and subsequent enucleation primarily through extracellular pyruvate but independently of glucose oxidation or anapleorotic reactions of amino acids. 13C-labeled metabolite tracing also confirmed pyruvate incorporation into mitochondria while glycolysis was minimal in orthochromatic erythroblasts. Thus, we provide evidence for the first time of a link between erythroid enucleation and mitochondrial metabolism. The process described establishes a model of mitochondrial compartmentalization within the cell for providing essential metabolites in a precise spatial and temporal manner. These findings are likely to improve the in vitro production of RBC and might be relevant to anemias of congenital mitochondrial disorders and aging. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Convivio: Tolerance, Diversity, and Campus Identity During the Trump Era

In May 2017, twenty “student-artists” at Mary Baldwin University collaborated to create a mural about our institution and our very diverse student community. As a three week May Term course, the mural project continued a difficult conversation about diversity and inclusion on campus that occurred in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s election as president of the United States. The purpose of this article is to discuss how ethnographic methods were used to develop mural themes, as well as to discuss the ways that the mural itself, and the process of its creation, reveal student anxieties about and responses to the policies and rhetoric of the Trump administration. Despite the very real threats to their own safety and that of their family and friends, student-artists challenged the inherent insecurity caused by administration policies through their insistence on inclusion, tolerance, and co-existence.
The study on dynamic change of pulmonary function and curative effect of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of neonatal severe pneumonia

Objective To observe the curative effect and side effects of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of severe pneumonia in neonates,in order to seek the new method and the proof of treat the neonatal severe pneumonia.Methods A total of 89 patients were randomly divided into the hyperbaric oxygen group and the control group,they were treated by the resistance to infection,nasal catheter and head cover oxygen,cough,strong heart,diuresis and atomization and so on.In addition,the patients of hyperbaric oxygen group were treated by hyperbaric oxygen with YLC0.5/1.2 baby hyperbaric oxygen chamber.Every time 30 minutes,1 time/day,4 days for a period of treatment and the oxygen tank pressure was 0.20~0.25 Mpa,to the dynamic monitoring of pulmonary function,and the two groups of children with regular follow-up after discharge.The patients of two groups were determined by a follow-up telephone call after discharge.Results There was significant difference between two groups.The symptoms and signs,compared to these before treatment of the two groups both got better obviously.Two groups were not seen obvious side effects.Pulmonary function of hyperbaric oxygen group improved gradually.Conclusion The clinical symptoms were improved in both groups,while the effective treatment in hyperbaric oxygen group is better than control group,and has not seen the obvious untoward effect occurrence.
High Mechanophore Content, Stress-Relieving Copolymers Synthesized via RAFT Polymerization

We report the mechanochemical activity of copolymers formed through the radical addition polymerization of cyclobutene carboxylates that are fused to larger rings. The fused ring repeats act as sto...
Economic analysis of prenatal fetoscopic vs open-hysterotomy repair of open neural tube defect.

OBJECTIVE Fetal repair of an open neural tube defect (ONTD) by open hysterotomy has been shown to reduce the need for ventriculoperitoneal shunting and improve motor outcomes for infants, but increases the risk of Cesarean section and prematurity. Fetoscopic repair is an alternative approach that may confer similar neurological benefits but allows for vaginal delivery and reduces the incidence of hysterotomy-related complications. We sought to compare the costs of care from fetal surgery until neonatal discharge, as well as the clinical outcomes, associated with each surgical approach. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent prenatal ONTD repair, using either the open-hysterotomy or the fetoscopic approach, at a single institution between 2012 and 2018. Clinical outcomes were collected by chart review. A cost-consequence analysis was conducted from the hospital perspective, and included all inpatient and ambulatory hospital and physician costs incurred for the care of mothers and their infants, from the time of maternal admission for fetal ONTD repair up to postnatal maternal and infant discharge. Costs were estimated using cost-to-charge ratios for hospital billing and the Medicare physician fee schedule for physician billing. RESULTS Seventy-eight patients were included in the analysis, of whom 47 underwent fetoscopic repair and 31 underwent open-hysterotomy repair. In the fetoscopic-repair group, compared with the open-repair group, fewer women underwent Cesarean section (53% vs 100%; P < 0.001) and the median gestational age at birth was significantly higher (38.1 weeks (interquartile range (IQR), 35.2-39.1 weeks) vs 35.7 weeks (IQR, 33.9-37.0 weeks); P < 0.001). No case of uterine dehiscence was observed in the fetoscopic-repair group, compared with an incidence of 16% in the open-repair group. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, there was no significant difference in the total cost of care between the fetoscopic-repair and the open-repair groups (median, $76 978 (IQR, $60 312-$115 386) vs $65 103 (IQR, $57 758-$108 103); P = 0.458). CONCLUSIONS Fetoscopic repair of ONTD, when compared with the open-hysterotomy approach, reduces the incidence of Cesarean section and preterm delivery with no significant difference in total costs of care from surgery to infant discharge. This novel approach may represent a cost-effective alternative to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes for this high-risk population. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
What’s Under the Regalia? An Examination of Campus Concealed Weapon Carrying Behavior and Attitudes toward Policies

The current study aims to examine and compare predictors of attitudinal support for campus carry and concealed carrying behaviors on a campus where faculty, staff, and students can legally carry a ...
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and β-Catenin Coactivation in Hepatocellular Cancer: Biological and Therapeutic Implications.

Background and aims HCC remains a major unmet clinical need. Although activating catenin beta-1 (CTNNB1) mutations are observed in prominent subsets of HCC cases, these by themselves are insufficient for hepatocarcinogenesis. Coexpression of mutant CTNNB1 with clinically relevant co-occurrence has yielded HCCs. Here, we identify cooperation between β-catenin and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling in HCC. Approach and results Public HCC data sets were assessed for concomitant presence of CTNNB1 mutations and either mutations in nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 (NFE2L2) or Kelch like-ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), or Nrf2 activation by gene signature. HCC development in mice and similarity to human HCC subsets was assessed following coexpression of T41A-CTNNB1 with either wild-type (WT)-, G31A-, or T80K-NFE2L2. Based on mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 activation in CTNNB1-mutated HCCs, response of preclinical HCC to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor was investigated. Overall, 9% of HCC cases showed concomitant CTNNB1 mutations and Nrf2 activation, subsets of which were attributable to mutations in NFE2L2/KEAP1. Coexpression of mutated CTNNB1 with mutant NFE2L2, but not WT-NFE2L2, led to HCC development and mortality by 12-14 weeks. These HCCs were positive for β-catenin targets, like glutamine synthetase and cyclin-D1, and Nrf2 targets, like NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 and peroxiredoxin 1. RNA-sequencing and pathway analysis showed high concordance of preclinical HCC to human HCC subset showing activation of unique (iron homeostasis and glioblastoma multiforme signaling) and expected (glutamine metabolism) pathways. NFE2L2-CTNNB1 HCC mice were treated with mTOR inhibitor everolimus (5-mg/kg diet ad libitum), which led to >50% decrease in tumor burden. Conclusions Coactivation of β-catenin and Nrf2 is evident in 9% of all human HCCs. Coexpression of mutant NFE2L2 and mutant CTNNB1 led to clinically relevant HCC development in mice, which responded to mTOR inhibitors. Thus, this model has both biological and therapeutic implications.
Evaluation of virologic suppression rates during the COVID- 19 pandemic with outpatient interdisciplinary HIV care

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented social distancing challenges leading healthcare systems to adapt and utilize telemedicine platforms more than ever before. Reducing patient exposure to COVID-19 became a primary concern, especially for populations at an increased risk for severe illness, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to measure the impact of pharmacy services including telehealth through the percentage of virologically suppressed patients (HIV ribonucleic acid [RNA] < 200 copies/mL) during the pre-COVID and post-COVID time periods. Secondary objectives included the percentage of patients with undetectable viral loads (HIV RNA < 20 copies/mL), percentage of patients with cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) cell counts greater than 200 cells/mm3, and changes in CD4 cell counts and percentages pre-COVID and post-COVID. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review at a single center HIV primary care clinic in Brooklyn, NY evaluating electronic medical records (EMRs) of 211 HIV-positive patients. Pre-COVID was defined as 1 year prior to March 13, 2020, and post-COVID was defined as March 13 to July 20, 2020. Results: Viral load suppression rates for pre and post-COVID were 88.6% and 85.3%, respectively (P = .28). Undetectable viral load rates for pre and post-COVID were approximately 81.5% and 74.4% (P = .096). Mean CD4 cell counts and percentages were 617 cells/mm3 and 29% for pre-COVID, and 460 cells/mm3 and 22% for post-COVID. CD4 cell counts greater than 200 cells/mm3 pre-COVID and post-COVID was 92.6% and 78.3%, respectively (P = .001). Conclusion: Utilization of pharmacy services including telehealth, may allow clinical pharmacists to collaboratively provide remote services without jeopardizing patient outcomes. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings, and display the long-term impact and satisfaction of these services.
Traffic accidents and delays present contrasting pictures of traffic resilience to coastal flooding in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA

Abstract Climate change is intensifying coastal floods and increasing the risks of traffic disruption in low-lying, coastal communities. Efforts to understand the differential impacts of traffic disruption on communities have led to the concept of traffic resilience which captures the degree to which a traffic system can recover from disruption. Existing proxies of traffic resilience are focused on quantifying travel time delays but lack the important dimension of road safety. In this study, we quantify traffic resilience in terms of the change in non-highway car and pedestrian accident rates during the 5–10 am period as a result of coastal flooding in the San Francisco Bay Area for the 2020–2040 period. We use a regional traffic model to simulate traffic patterns under a range of coastal flood water levels. We use regressions that relate traffic volumes to historical accident rates to estimate accidents rates in the presence of flooding. Our results show that the flooding of highways forces commuters onto local roads passing through residential communities, causing a spike in accident rates. Unlike delays which increase sharply at the higher water levels considered in this study, we project that region-wide peak-hour accident rates may increase substantially at lower water levels.
Toward a Model of the Influence of Motivation and Communication on Volunteering: Expanding Self-Determination Theory:

Single-event volunteering, one form of episodic volunteering, is increasingly common. To gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, this study used self-determination theory to explore the mot...
A Fishy Topic: VITAL, REDUCE-IT, STRENGTH, and Beyond: Putting Omega-3 Fatty Acids into Practice in 2021.

To examine recently published data from clinical outcome and arteriographic studies that examined the addition of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexanoic acid (DHA), to standard of care therapy on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Several trials that tested purified EPA (JELIS, REDUCE-IT, EVAPORATE) were associated with reduced CVD risk and regression of low attenuation coronary plaque volume, whereas studies that employed the combination EPA/DHA (VITAL, OMEMI, STRENGTH) failed to derive clinical benefit. Trials testing purified EPA consistently demonstrated reduction in atheromatous volume or CVD events beyond standard of care therapies, whereas the combination of EPA/DHA did not, despite producing similar reductions in triglycerides. Experimental and in vitro data suggest that compared to DHA, EPA exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and membrane stabilizing properties that enhance vascular function and CVD risk. Consequently, purified EPA appears to be the treatment of choice for high-risk patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
MYO10 drives genomic instability and inflammation in cancer.

Genomic instability is a hallmark of human cancer; yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we report that the cytoplasmic unconventional Myosin X (MYO10) regulates genome stab...
Control and Management of PV Integrated Charging Facilities for PEVs

The ongoing research in the field of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and the growing global awareness for a pollution free environment, will lead to an increase in the number of PEVs in the near future. The proliferation of these PEVs will add stress to the already overloaded power grid creating new challenges for the distribution network. To mitigate this issue several researchers have proposed the idea of charging PEVs using renewables coupled with smart charging strategies. This chapter reviews the current literature on the state of the art infrastructure proposed for PEV charging facilities integrated with photovoltaic system. The proposed control algorithms, various smart charging techniques and different power electronic topologies for photovoltaic charging facilities (PCFs) are reviewed. Studies assessing the ability of photovoltaic charging stations to minimize the loading on distribution transformers are assessed. Finally, a simple and unique energy management algorithm for a PV based workplace charging facility based on dc link voltage sensing is presented. The power needed to charge the plug-in electric vehicles comes from grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) generation or the utility or both. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm is validated through simulation and experimental results.
Development of voltage-dependent and ligand-gated channels in excitable membranes.

Publisher Summary The basis of differentiation of excitability in nervous system has been the subject only of more recent investigation. Slow signals involving elevations of intracellular calcium appear to exert an important influence on later aspects of differentiation. This chapter focuses on the set of slow signals. In what forms are they expressed? In what patterns are they produced? How does their expression vary during development? How are they generated? What are their effects? The Xenopus embryo is an attractive focus for investigation of these features of neuronal development. It allows the patch clamp recordings from the intact spinal cord and imaging of intercellular calcium in developing preparation. Cultures have been particularly useful in recent work because differentiation in vitro parallels that described in vivo in all respects so far examined. Cells are grown in a simple, wholly defined culture medium that facilitates manipulation of the extracellular environment so as to permit examination of the functional role of various forms of excitability in implementing subsequent aspects of differentiation.
Coronary collateral circulation: its relevance.

The interest in coronary collateral circulation (CCC) as “natural bypasses” is growing, especially in patients in whom the extent of coronary atherosclerosis is too severe to allow for conventional revascularization. The anatomic foundation of CCC has been recognized for long time. Recently, reliable methods have become available for the assessment of the adequacy of collateral flow. However, the debate regarding the importance of CCC in the different clinical settings continues. In this article, we present the recent progress in the understanding of anatomy and physiology of the CCC and focus on the studies addressing their functional significance in acute, subacute, and chronic coronary artery disease. In addition, we provide a focused update on the essential role of collateral circulation in the management of coronary chronic total occlusions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hyponatremia with intracranial malignant tumor resection in children.

Object Intracranial neoplasms are the second most common childhood cancer, and lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Hyponatremia is a complication associated with neurosurgical procedures, but children undergoing intracranial tumor resection have not been selectively studied. In this study, the authors aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with hyponatremia among children undergoing intracranial neoplasm resection. Methods A retrospective cohort was compiled using the 2006 Kids' Inpatient Database to identify children younger than 21 years of age who underwent intracranial neoplasm resection. Hyponatremia was ascertained by diagnosis codes. Bivariate analyses were conducted using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Logistic regression models were developed to evaluate factors associated with hyponatremia in bivariate analyses. Results Hyponatremia occurred in 205 (8.7%) of 2343 annual weighted cases, and was independently associated with tumor location in the deep brain str...
Dispersion properties in a complex plasma with varying size dust population

Summary form only given. Complex plasmas, which consist of micron-sized dust grains immersed in a plasma environment, have been shown to exhibit unusual characteristics that have earned them a place in some papers as the "fifth state of matter." Under the proper conditions, a complex plasma system can form an ordered crystalline state known as a Coulomb or dust crystal. The conditions that lead to this system have been the subject of intense investigation for the past 10-12 years both in the lab and by means of computer modeling. The dynamics of the dust crystal, particularly wave propagation modes such as DIW, DAW and DLW's have also been a subject of great interest. This paper reports a theoretical examination (using the BOX/spl I.bar/TREE code) of a two dimensional (2D) plasma crystal formed from a non-monodisperse set of particles with a specific particle size distribution. These results are compared against experiments carried out in a GEC rf reference cell modified for use as a complex plasma system. In both cases, the pair correlation function was determined and then compared to previous studies using monodisperse spheres. The effect of such a dust size distribution on the ordering (liquid and/or crystalline) of a complex plasma was examined as was its impact on phase transitions, the dispersion properties for the recently theorized out of plane or optical (transverse) DLW and other thermodynamic properties.
Finding similar nucleotide sequences using network blast searches

The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) is the first tool in the annotation of nucleotide or amino acid sequences. BLAST is a flagship of bioinformatics due to its performance and user-friendliness. Beginners and intermediate users will learn how to design and submit blastn and Megablast searches on the Web pages at the National Center for Biotechnology Information. We map nucleic acid sequences to genomes, find identical or similar mRNAs, expressed sequence tag, and noncoding RNA sequences, and run Megablast searches, which are much faster than blastn. Understanding results is assisted by taxonomy reports, genomic views, and multiple alignments. We interpret expected frequency thresholds, biological significance, and statistical significance. Weak hits provide no evidence, but indicate hints for further analyses. We find genes that may code for homologous proteins by translated BLAST. We reduce false positives by filtering out low-complexity regions. Parsed BLAST results can be integrated into analysis pipelines. Links in the output connect to Entrez and PubMed, as well as structural, sequence, interaction, and expression databases. This facilitates integration with a wide spectrum of biological knowledge. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TFTR tritium gas chromatography system

A gas chromatographic (GC) analytical system has been installed on the TFTR tritium systems. This instrument and associated sampling loop provide quantitative analysis of a broad spectrum of impurities in gas holding tanks and other sources on a real time basis. These analyses in turn have assured proper feed gas treatment for feedstock to the new Tritium Purification System; a portable GC by MTI Instruments is the key element of this new analytical loop.
Cardiovascular Disease: In‐Depth Look

Heart disease is responsible for more deaths than any other disease. Recent advances in pharmacotherapy have helped to lessen the burden of heart disease but new technology is needed to maintain our progress. There are numerous potential cardiovascular therapeutic targets in various stages of development for the treatment of coronary heart disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias. The focus of this chapter will be to explore the current and novel pharmacological therapies in development for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Keywords: pharmacotherapy; coronary heart disease; cardiovascular disease; heart failure; arrhythmias
Pelvic abscess with fistula to the abdominal wall due to verrucous carcinoma.

The case report of a 38-year-old woman with a pelvic abscess resulting from verrucous carcinoma of the uterine cervix is presented. This case is remarkable because the abscess formed a fistula through the anterior abdominal wall and because there was no visible lesion on the cervix. The patient underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy, left salpingectomy, fistulectomy, and removal of the abscess. Diagnosis was made on pathologic examination of the extirpated specimen. Genital tract verrucous carcinoma and genitocutaneous fistulae are reviewed.
Chromatographic and electrophoretic analysis of zein heterogeneity

Zein, purified from maize inbred W64A, was chromatographed on a column of hydroxypropylated Sephadex G-100 equilibrated with 75% ethanol containing 0·01 M HCI. The fractions obtained were examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate or acid-urea before and after reduction of disulfide bonds. M r 22,000 polypeptides, free of M r 24,000 polypeptides, were isolated from the proteins that were eluted last and were compared with total zein by two-dimensional electrophoresis consisting of isoelectric focusing in the first dimension and acid-urea gel electrophoresis in the second. The M r 22,000 fraction consisted of at least nineteen proteins exhibiting microheterogeneity. These data indicate that zein comprises two sets of closely related polypeptides that exist free or as oligomers, mainly dimers.
A Condition Number for Non‐Rigid Shape Matching

Despite the large amount of work devoted in recent years to the problem of non-rigid shape matching, practical methods that can successfully be used for arbitrary pairs of shapes remain elusive. In this paper, we study the hardness of the problem of shape matching, and introduce the notion of the shape condition number, which captures the intuition that some shapes are inherently more difficult to match against than others. In particular, we make a connection between the symmetry of a given shape and the stability of any method used to match it while optimizing a given distortion measure. We analyze two commonly used classes of methods in deformable shape matching, and show that the stability of both types of techniques can be captured by the appropriate notion of a condition number. We also provide a practical way to estimate the shape condition number and show how it can be used to guide the selection of landmark correspondences between shapes. Thus we shed some light on the reasons why general shape matching remains difficult and provide a way to detect and mitigate such difficulties in practice.
ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL OF FETAL EXPOSURE

Abstract Assessment and control of fetal exposure in the workplace is complicated by both biological and political/social ramifications. Because the embryo/fetus is more sensitive to radiation, its risk from radiological exposures is greater than the risk to adult radiation workers. The number of women employed as radiation workers has increased dramatically during the past 10 years, and some facilities have instituted fetal protection programs with special requirements for female radiation workers. It is necessary that programs developed to protect the fetus/embryo also meet the requirements of nondiscrimination against women that are set out by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. These requirements were addressed in part by a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding fetal protection policies, which indicated that employers may not bar women of childbearing age from certain jobs because of the potential risk to their fetuses. Several approaches to this problem can be t...
Lithostratigraphy and vertebrate biostratigraphy of the early Miocene Himalayan Foreland, Zinda Pir Dome, Pakistan

Abstract Deposits in the Sulaiman foothills and Zinda Pir Dome in west-central Pakistan provide new insight into the critical early Miocene record of Himalayan Foreland sedimentation and paleobiology. The Chitarwata Formation, which underlies the Vihowa Formation in the Sulaiman foothills predates the Siwalik deposits on the Potwar Plateau of north-central Pakistan and provides a record of mammals spanning the interval between the early Miocene Bugti fauna and middle Miocene to Pleistocene Siwalik faunas. Siwalik deposits on the Potwar Plateau are no older than middle Miocene; they represent fluvial environments. In contrast, the Chitarwata and Lower Vihowa Formations in the Zinda Pir Dome represent coastal-delta plain and fluvial environments, respectively. Biostratigraphic information from the Chitarwata Formation, coupled with paleomagnetic data (reported by Friedman et al., 1992) from coincident strata, suggest that coastal environments persisted in the area of the Sulaiman foothills until about 18.6 Ma when they were replaced by fluvial environments, probably representing the ancestral Indus River system. Apparently, during the early Miocene when sediments of the Chitarwata Formation were accumulating on the western portion of the Himalayan Foreland Basin much of the area of the Potwar Plateau to the north was being eroded. The overlying Vihowa Formation, along with the relatively contemporaneous Kamlial Formation on the Potwar Plateau, represent the appearance of widespread terrestrial sedimentation in the Himalayan Foreland Basin.
Prevention of barbiturate-mediated increases of rat hepatic ornithine decarboxylase and δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activities by nicotinic acid and nicotinamide

Abstract Administration of secobarbital to rats produced dramatic increases in the activities of hepatic ornithine decarboxylase and δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase at three hours which were reversed by administration of either nicotinic acid or nicotinamide. No appreciable alterations of the activity of either enzyme were observed following administration of nicotinic acid. Administration of nicotinamide produced a significant increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity, but failed to alter the activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase.
A Generalized Extreme Value Approach to Financial Risk Measurement

This paper develops an unconditional and conditional extreme value approach to calculating value at risk (VaR), and shows that the maximum likely loss of financial institutions can be more accurately estimated using the statistical theory of extremes. The new approach is based on the distribution of extreme returns instead of the distribution of all returns and provides good predictions of catastrophic market risks. Both the in-sample and out-of-sample performance results indicate that the Box‐Cox generalized extreme value distribution introduced in the paper performs surprisingly well in capturing both the rate of occurrence and the extent of extreme events in financial markets. The new approach yields more precise VaR estimates than the normal and skewed t distributions.
The effect of tar on infection

Abstract Sites on the backs of adult white rabbits were covered with 5% crude coal tar ointment for 24 hours, and control sites were covered with the ointment base. The tar and control sites were each injected with a similar number of micrococci. The sites were then covered again with tar and control ointments. After an additional 24 hours, the size of the induration was measured. The average diameter of induration at the tar sites was 12.7 mm and at control sites 4.3 mm. Killed organisms produced only 1- to 2-mm papules at both tar and control sites.
Analytical applications of delayed and instrumental neutron activation analysis

Delayed neutron activation analysis (DNAA) is a rapid and sensitive analytical method for the determination of fissile elements in a variety of samples. The present work describes two different analytical applications of delayed neutron activation for the analysis of biological and environmental samples, respectively. In the first application, DNAA was utilized to determine the natural uranium content in NIST standard reference materials (SRM) 1547 peach leaves and 1573a tomato leaves. Measured uranium mass fractions are comparable to the non-certified values listed on the certificates for these materials. In the second application, delayed neutron activation is coupled with instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for the measurement of rare earth elements (REE) (cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and ytterbium) in NIST SRM 2586, Trace Elements in Soil Containing Lead from Paint. DNAA was utilized to determine the uranium mass fraction in SRM 2586 for the subsequent application of a correction factor to account for cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium produced as part of the INAA irradiation. Measured and corrected mass fractions for the REEs described here are all within the uncertainty limits provided on the NIST certificate for SRM 2586. These results and the demonstrated sensitivity of the DNAA system establish and validate the use of this method for the determination of REEs and for potential nuclear forensics applications.
Prominent Spectral Lines for Analytical Atomic Emission Spectrometry with an Ar-N2 Inductively Coupled Plasma:

Atomic emission signal-to-background ratios of prominent spectral lines of 45 elements are reported in order to estimate the detection limit capabilities of a relatively low power (1200 W) Ar-N2 ICP.
Engagement of families in treatment for childhood conduct problems

This study examined critical pretreatment variables related to the engagement and retention of families in mental health services designed to reduce serious childhood aggression. One hundred and twenty-four families of 5- to 9-year-old boys who met diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder were randomly assigned to receive either parent-only, child-only, or combined parent-child treatments. Premature termination was greatest in the parent-only condition. Pretreatment attributional motivations that were externalizing-oriented showed a clear association with premature termination. Moreover, assignment to a treatment condition that did not match parents' incoming motivations was predictive of premature termination. Overall, the findings have implications for the further study of barriers and facilitators for the delivery of mental health treatment for childhood conduct problems, especially with regard to pretreatment motivational cognitions and engagement issues.
Radical Rebound Mechanism in Cytochrome P-450-catalyzed Hydroxylation of the Multifaceted Radical Clocks α- and β-Thujone

Alpha-thujone (1alpha) and beta-thujone (1beta) were used to investigate the mechanism of hydrocarbon hydroxylation by cytochromes P-450(cam) (CYP101) and P-450(BM3) (CYP102). The thujones are hydroxylated by these enzymes at various positions, but oxidation at C-4 gives rise to both rearranged and unrearranged hydroxylation products. Rearranged products result from the formation of a radical intermediate that can undergo either inversion of stereochemistry or ring opening of the adjacent cyclopropane ring. Both of these rearrangements, as well as a C-4 desaturation reaction, are observed. The ring opening clock gives oxygen rebound rates that range from 0.2 x 10(10) to 2.8 x 10(10) s(-1) for the different substrate and enzyme combinations. The C-4 inversion reaction provides independent confirmation of a radical intermediate. The phenol product expected if a C-4 cationic rather than radical intermediate is formed is not detected. The results are consistent with a two-state process and provide support for a radical rebound but not a hydroperoxide insertion mechanism for cytochrome P-450 hydroxylation.
Traumatic brain injury vocational rehabilitation: Preliminary findings for the coworker as trainer project

Persons with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who return to work represent a group of consumers who may require high levels of interdisciplinary support and long-term maintenance. The coworker model, previously demonstrated to be effective for youths with cognitive and behavioral deficits, was mo
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXCESS SALT FEEDING ELEVATION OF PLASMA CHOLESTEROL IN RATS AND DOGS

Among female rats and dogs which were fed excess salt for periods of about 1 and 4 years, respectively, elevations in plasma cholesterol concentrations were frequent and in some cases, quite marked. Rats on a similar regimen for only 2 and 6 months had less frequent and significantly lesser elevations of cholesterol. The lipid changes did not appear to be related primarily to increased blood pressure, kidney disease, differences in body weight or food consumption. There is no present evidence which suggests that this phenomenon is related to atherogenesis although it was speculated that this was possible.
Comprehensive strategic planning for the use and management of forest resources: The experiences of state governments in the United States

Abstract A 2003 survey found that 23 states are engaged in comprehensive forest resource planning activities. While the primary reason for such involvement is to establish direction for the use and management of a state's forest resources, the format and content of individual state's plans varies considerably. The study found that numerous professionals and stakeholder groups are engaged in state forest resource planning. Within a state's natural resources agency, fish and wildlife professionals are the non-forestry staff most actively engaged in forest planning activities carried out by a state's lead forestry agency. External to the state forestry agency, conservation, environmental, forest products, and landowner groups have the greatest involvement in development of comprehensive forest resource plans. Commonly cited reasons for not updating statewide comprehensive forest resource plans are the lack of financial and professional resources, shift in planning emphasis, lack of stakeholder support, plans prepared by non-forestry agencies, and changing agency information needs.
A note on a theorem of Yamamuro

Conditions are presented which are necessary for the existence of a regular fixed point of aC1 map.
Management of inter‐dental/inter‐implant papilla

Objectives: The aims of this paper are to review and compare existing techniques for creation of interdental/interimplant papillae, to address factors that may influence its appearance and to present an approach that authors developed that could help clinicians to manage and recreate the interproximal papillae. Methods: Papers related to interdental and interimplant papillae published over the last 30 years were selected and analyzed. Results: Thorough treatment planning is essential for maintenance of the height of the interproximal papillae following tooth removal. The key for achieving an esthetically pleasing outcome is the clinicians’ ability of properly managing/creating interdental/ interimplant papillae. Bone support is the foundation for any soft tissue existence, techniques such as socket augmentation, orthodontic extrusion, guided bone regeneration, onlay graft and distraction osteogenesis are often used for this purpose. Soft tissue grafts as well as esthetic mimic restorations can also be used to enhance the esthetic outcomes. Conclusions: An esthetic triangle is developed to address the foundations that are essential for maintaining/creating papilla. These include adequate bone volume, proper soft tissue thickness as well as esthetic appearing restorations.
Splenic rupture as a complication of colonoscopy: Report of a case

Colonoscopy is a common procedure with the rare complication of a splenic injury. The proposed mechanism of injury is excessive splenocolic ligament traction. The diagnosis is made by computed tomography and the treatment is determined by the patient’s stability. Here we report a case of splenic injury during colonoscopy with failure to manage conservatively. A review of the literature and suggested guidelines are also provided.
Attenuation of high sweet solution preference by mood stabilizers: A possible mouse model for the increased reward-seeking domain of mania

The lack of appropriate animal models for bipolar disorder (BPD) is a major factor hindering the research of its pathophysiology and the development of new drug treatments. In line with the notion that BPD might represent a heterogeneous group of disorders, it was suggested that models for specific domains of BPD should be developed and then integrated. The present study tested sweet solution preference as a rodent model for increased reward seeking, a central component of manic behavior and a possible endophenotype of the disorder. The study identified that Black Swiss mice show high baseline saccharin preference compared with C57bl/6, CBA/J and A/J strains. Sweet solution preference in Black Swiss mice was therefore evaluated across a number of saccharin concentrations, with or without treatment with the mood stabilizers lithium and valproate and the antidepressant imipramine. Results indicated that the structurally dissimilar mood stabilizers lithium and valproate, but not the antidepressant imipramine, reduce sweet solution preference. However, different dosing schedules were needed for the two drugs to induce this effect. These findings support the face and the predictive validity of the sweet solution preference test as an animal model for the elevated reward-seeking domain of mania. As such, this test might be well integrated into a battery of models for different domains of BPD. Such a battery can be effectively utilized to screen new treatments, to distinguish between specific effects of different drugs, and to explore the mechanisms underlying BPD.
Noninvasive Imaging of Atherosclerosis Among Asymptomatic Individuals

las SW. Self-referred whole-body CT imaging: current implications for health care consumers. Radiology. 2003;228:346-351. 19. O’Malley PG, Taylor AJ, Jackson JL, Doherty TM, Detrano RC. Prognostic value of coronary electron beam computed tomography for coronary heart disease events in asymptomatic populations. Am J Cardiol. 2000;85:945-948. 20. O’Malley PG, Greenberg BA, Taylor AJ. Costeffectiveness of using electron beam computed tomography to identify patients at risk for clinical coronary artery disease. Am Heart J. 2004; 148:106-113. 21. O’Rourke RA, Brundage BH, Froelicjer VF, et al. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Expert Consensus document on electron-beam computed tomography for the diagnosis and prognosis of coronary artery disease. Circulation. 2000;102:126-140.
Venom characteristics as an indicator of hybridization between Crotalus viridis viridis and Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus in New Mexico.

One hundred and thirteen venoms from 46 populations of Crotalus viridis viridis were screened by immunodiffusion for protein toxins antigenically similar to the phospholipase A 2 (PLA) toxin ‘Mojave toxin’, using a polyclonal antibody to it's basic PLA subunit. Venom i.p. ld 50 values in mice were recorded from 22 of the 46 populations. The venoms of three of 14 specimens from southwest (S.W.) New Mexico and one specimen from northern Arizona were immunologically positive by the immunodiffusion tests and produced low ld 50 values (0.38–0.65 mg/kg) compared to all immunologically negative venoms (0.9–5.5 mg/kg). These four specimens were morphologically typical for C. v. viridis and their venoms were the only samples of 15 southern New Mexico specimens examined by reverse phase HPLC to exhibit peaks corresponding to the acidic and basic subunits of Mojave toxin. Alkaline polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis of the recombined subunit peaks from the C. v. viridis venom from the S.W. New Mexico specimens showed more similarity to Mojave toxin from C. s. scutulatus venom than to similar toxins in C. v, concolor venom. The combined results of the immunodiffusion, lethal toxicity tests, HPLC profiles and PAGE analysis strongly suggest that the venoms of the three New Mexico specimens contain Mojave toxin(s), as a result of some previous hybridization with C. s. scutulatus . The northern Arizona specimen likely contains ‘concolor toxin’ through intergradation with C. v. concolor in its' genetic background.