cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attacking breast cancer at the preinvasion stage by targeting autophagy.

Preinvasive breast carcinoma cells that proliferate and accumulate within the nonvascular, closed intraductal niche are under severe hypoxic and metabolic stress. Understanding the survival mechanisms used by these cells has revealed therapeutic strategies for killing preinvasive neoplasms. We have found that autophagy (‘self-eating’) is a major survival strategy used by preinvasive carcinoma and breast cancer stem-like cells. Based on this finding, we have opened a clinical trial that is exploring neoadjuvant oral chloroquine antiautophagy therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ. We envision that antiautophagy therapy can be administered in combination with other treatments such as those that elevate intracellular calcium, to create a state of intolerable stress for preinvasive neoplastic cells, and thereby stop breast cancer before it starts.
Robust Doppler radar demodulation via compressed sensing

The microwave Doppler radar sensor enables a non-contact approach for measuring movement in various applications. One of the most challenging issues is radar signal demodulation because it requires accurate DC offset compensation. Existing works either require a complicated setup procedure or are sensitive to environmental changes. In this reported work, a compressed sensing based approach to effectively demodulate a radar signal is discussed. Through l 1 minimisation, the proposed method can reliably demodulate noisy signals with large measurement residuals. To validate the algorithm, three sets of experiments were run to evaluate the demodulation performance. Experimental results show that the proposed method is promising in both simulation and real-case studies.
EPA-0945 - A primer on child and adolescent psychiatry consultation for the adult psychiatrist

As many as 1 in 5 children and adolescents have a mental illness, and it is estimated that of those, only 1 in 5 is diagnosed and receives treatment each year. Children with chronic medical illnesses are up to three times as likely to develop a psychiatric illness as their healthier counter-parts, and very few of these children are seen by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. The majority of these mentally ill children are treated either by their primary care physician, pediatrician, or consulted on by an adult psychiatrist. The aim of this workshop will be to educate the adult psychiatrist on the more common presentations of comorbid psychiatric illnesses as they present in the chronically medically ill child or adolescent in the hospital setting. We will discuss general principles of capacity, consent, and assent, as these topics are often overlooked and not well understood. Beyond this, we will explore why mental illnesses are under-diagnosed in the medical hospital setting. Medically ill children with comorbid psychiatric symptoms often present with vague physical complaints such as nausea, malaise, or GI distress. These symptoms can often mimic symptoms of the primary medical illness or even exacerbate primary physiological symptoms. It is often difficult to discern whether somatic complaints are representative of a psychiatric illness or a medical illness. We will analyze 2 cases of severe Conversion Disorder leading to repeated medical hospitalizations and how they were eventually psychiatrically managed to minimize repeated subsequent medical hospitalizations and improve quality of life.
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS BALANITIS IN A RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT

Cytomegalovirus is a deoxyribonucleic acid herpesvirus that infects 90% of healthy individuals. 1 It can remain asymptomatic, resting latent in white blood cells, or can cause a mononucleosis-like infection. In patients with immunosuppression it can cause devastating systemic infections, such as esophagitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis and meningoencephalitis. 1 Additionally, cytomegalovirus is associated with significant morbidity in recipients of solid organ transplants. It has caused certain cutaneous infections and, even less commonly, penile ulcers. 2 We report on a renal transplant recipient with cytomegalovirus balanitis. CASE REPORT A 69-year-old male recipient of a renal transplant from a live nonrelated donor presented with a 3-week history of a nonhealing painless foreskin ulcer. He had been started on acyclovir 2 weeks earlier for a presumed herpetic lesion. There was no history of urethral discharge or prior sexually transmitted diseases and the patient was in a monogamous relationship. A verrucous, mildly erythematous lesion was present on the right lateral surface of the foreskin. A second well circumscribed ulcer with rolled edges was on the inner preputial area. The patient tested serologically negative for syphilis but was seropositive for cytomegalovirus, and the kidney he had received 6 years earlier was also seropositive. At circumcision adequate margins of grossly normal appearing foreskin were excised. Pathological examination of the excised foreskin revealed the classic intranuclear inclusions of cytomegalovirus infection (fig. 1). Immunoperoxidase staining for cytomegalovirus was positive and confirmed the diagnosis. Postoperatively, the patient was treated for 1 month with intravenous ganciclovir for systemic cytomegalovirus infection. He was evaluated 8 months later for 2 ulcerative lesions on the dorsal aspect of the penis at the circumcision incision line (fig. 2). Punch biopsy again confirmed cytomegalovirus balanitis and the patient was treated with another course of ganciclovir with complete resolution of the lesions. DISCUSSION
A COMPARISON OF FIVE DIFFERENT SCORING FUNCTIONS FOR CONFIDENCE TESTS1

Several parts of the STEP Writing Test, Level 1, were administered to 14 different groups of from 19 to 52 high school students. In the testing situations, scores were computed using the following scoring functions: (a) probability assigned to the correct answer, (b) the logarithmic function, (c) the spherical function, (d) the Euclidean function, and (e) inferred choice. Reliabilities of the scores obtained by means of each scoring function were computed. Comparisons between the reliabilities showed that the simplest and most intuitive function, the probability assigned to the correct answer, produced the highest reliability in comparison with any of the other functions. The data suggest that in the absence of information about the scoring system, subjects assign their confidence in multiple-choice responses on the basis of the intuitively simplest payoff model, and that reliability decreases as scoring functions generate item scores which are progressively discrepant from scores generated by the simplest model.
An innovative fixative for cytoskeletal components allows high resolution in colocalization studies using immunofluorescence techniques

Using a new fixation solution, CytoSkelFix, it is now possible to obtain superior fixation and thus resolution of cytoskeletal components using immunofluorescence and fluorescence microscopy. This fixative combines rapid cell penetration and cellular crosslinking of proteins such that both preservation and resolution of cellular proteins can be detected. The cytoskeleton has proven very difficult to preserve, partly because of the lability of one of the filament systems (microtubules), and one single fixative is incapable of properly preserving microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments for localization in the same cell. Further, the motor proteins associated with the cytoskeletal elements are even more difficult to preserve, particularly simultaneously with the fiber system with which they associate. We present evidence that CytoSkelFix is a superior preservative and would be useful in fixation for all types of immunofluorescence colocalization studies where superior preservation is required.
Treatment and prevention of rickettsial and ehrlichial infections.

: Rickettsial and ehrlichial infections are both carried by arthropod vectors. Both Rickettsia and Ehrlichia are small intracellular gram-negative coccobacilli. Clinical manifestations of Rickettsia range from spotted fevers to various forms of typhus. Human ehrlichiosis can present as monocytic ehrlichiosis or granulocytic anaplasmosis. Prevention is by avoidance of the responsible vectors. Therapy is usually with doxycycline, but chloramphenicol can also be used.
Spectral band assignments for Cu+ in alkali halides via two-color two-photon spectroscopy

Abstract A strong beam + weak beam two-color two-photon spectroscopy was used to obtain spectra from the interconfiguration transition d 10 → d 9 s of Cu + impurity in some alkali halide hosts. The selection rules for two counterpropagating beams independent choice of polarizations to obtain pure E g and T 2g bands are also given. The results show better agreement with theoretical calculations than that front single beam arrangement.
Macular Complications Associated With Posterior Staphyloma

Purpose To report macular abnormalities associated with posterior staphyloma in eyes with myopia. Methods In a retrospective study, we surveyed 116 eyes of 58 patients with myopic refractions. Myopic fundus abnormalities are related to clinically quantified posterior staphyloma formation. Results A posterior staphyloma was present in 88 (75.9%) of 116 eyes with myopic refractions of —3 diopters or more. Best-corrected visual acuity was decreased among eyes in all staphyloma grades. Eyes with the shallowest staphyloma depth (grade 1) displayed the largest drop in visual acuity as well as the greatest frequency of choroidal neovascular membranes and hemorrhages. A linear relationship was observed between staphyloma grade and conus formation ( P = .001), retinal pigment epithelial defects ( P = .0001), lacquer cracks ( P = .0001), and chorioretinal atrophy ( P = .001). All these variables were increased in staphylomatous eyes. A significant difference in means by staphyloma grade was observed for myopic refractive error ( P = .001), axial length ( P = .001), and best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR, P = .0001). Conclusions There was an unexpected high frequency of choroidal neovascular membranes, hemorrhage, and poor best-corrected visual acuity in the lower staphyloma categories. This suggests that the development of a choroidal neovascular membrane requires relative preservation of the choriocapillaris as present in eyes with less advanced stages of posterior staphyloma formation.
Olfactory Acuity in Chronic Migraine: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective/Background This study aims to measure olfactory acuity in chronic migraine subjects, at baseline and on migraine days, and compare to age- and sex-matched controls. Olfactory impairment is common in neurological disorders. While smell hypersensitivity has been established with chronic migraine, olfactory acuity has not been well studied. Methods We recruited 50 subjects with chronic migraine from the Jefferson Headache Center and 50 age- and sex-matched controls. Using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), a validated test of olfaction, olfactory acuity was measured at baseline and during a migraine for subjects, and compared to controls at baseline and at home 2 weeks later. All subjects were additionally screened for odor sensitivity and allodynia. Results The mean UPSIT score for migraine subjects was 34.5 on non-migraine days and 34.7 on migraine days (mean difference = −0.4, 95% confidence interval [CI; −1.3, 0.6] P = .45). Controls had a mean of 35.9 and 36.1 for each test day (mean difference = −0.1, 95% CI [−0.9, 0.7] P = .87). On average, migraineurs performed worse than their matched control counterparts in both test sittings (test 1: P = .047; test 2: P = .01). The great majority of subjects were allodynic (42/50) compared with only 9 of 50 controls, and the majority of subjects (41/50) found more than one listed odor to be bothersome, compared with only 10/50 controls. On non-migraine days, 18/48 chronic migraine subjects had abnormal olfaction and on migraine days 14/42 had abnormal olfaction, compared with only 9/50 controls who had abnormal olfaction on their first UPSIT. Conclusions While chronic migraine patients do not appear to have a significant change in olfactory acuity between migrainous and non-migrainous periods, they do appear to be more likely to have abnormal olfactory acuity at baseline compared to age- and sex-matched controls.
Neurophysiological and Neuropathological Evaluation of Primates Exposed To Ethylene Oxide and Propylene Oxide

Over 500 000 workers in the United States are exposed to ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. These two solvents are used as chemical intermediates, as well as components in the manufacture of fumigants and food preparation. The neurophysiologic and neuropathologic effects of these two organic oxides were investigated in five groups of 12 primates after exposure to 50 or 100 ppm ethylene oxide, 100 or 300 ppm propylene oxide, or no chemical (sham-exposed). Animals were exposed for 7 h/day, 5 dayslwkfor 24 months. Body weights, electroencephalograms, and motor nerve conduction velocities of the sciatic and ulnar nerves were assessed six times throughout the exposure period. Although the monkeys exposed to 100 ppm ethylene oxide had significantly lower mean weights, nerve conduction velocities did not differ significantly among the groups. Following termination of exposures, ten animals (two from each exposure group) were
Reasons for unmet need for child and family health services among children with special health care needs with and without medical homes.

Objectives Medical homes, an important component of U.S. health reform, were first developed to help families of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) find and coordinate services, and reduce their children’s unmet need for health services. We hypothesize that CSHCN lacking medical homes are more likely than those with medical homes to report health system delivery or coverage problems as the specific reasons for unmet need.
In vitro translational analysis of genomic, defective, and satellite RNAs of Cryphonectria hypovirus 3-GH2.

Cryphonectria hypovirus 3-GH2 (CHV3-GH2) is a member of the fungal virus family Hypoviridae that differs from previously characterized members in having a single large open reading frame with the potential to encode a protein of 326 kDa from its 9.8-kb genome. The N-terminal portion of the ORF contains sequence motifs that are somewhat similar to papain-like proteinases identified in other hypoviruses. Translation of the ORF is predicted to release autocatalytically a 32.5-kDa protein. A defective RNA, predicted to encode a 91.6-kDa protein representing most of the N-terminal proteinase fused to the entire putative helicase domain, and two satellite RNAs, predicted to encode very small proteins, also are associated with CHV3-GH2 infected fungal cultures. We performed in vitro translation experiments to examine expression of these RNAs. Translation of three RT-PCR clones representing different lengths of the amino-terminal portion of the ORF of the genomic RNA resulted in autocatalytic release of the predicted 32.5-kDa protein. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to map the processing site between Gly(297) and Thr(298). In vitro translation of multiple independent cDNA clones of CHV3-GH2-defective RNA 2 resulted in protein products of approximately 92 kDa, predicted to be the full-length translation product, 32 kDa, predicted to represent the N-terminal proteinase, and 60 kDa, predicted to represent the C-terminal two-thirds of the full-length product. In vitro translation of cDNA clones representing satellite RNA 4 resulted in products of slightly less than 10 kDa, consistent with the predicted 9.4 kDa product.
Relay architectures for 3GPP LTE-advanced

The Third Generation Partnership Project's Long Term Evolution-Advanced is considering relaying for cost-effective throughput enhancement and coverage extension. While analog repeaters have been used to enhance coverage in commercial cellular networks, the use of more sophisticated fixed relays is relatively new. The main challenge faced by relay deployments in cellular systems is overcoming the extra interference added by the presence of relays. Most prior work on relaying does not consider interference, however. This paper analyzes the performance of several emerging half-duplex relay strategies in interference-limited cellular systems: one-way, two-way, and shared relays. The performance of each strategy as a function of location, sectoring, and frequency reuse are compared with localized base station coordination. One-way relaying is shown to provide modest gains over single-hop cellular networks in some regimes. Shared relaying is shown to approach the gains of local base station coordination at reduced complexity, while two-way relaying further reduces complexity but only works well when the relay is close to the handset. Frequency reuse of one, where each sector uses the same spectrum, is shown to have the highest network throughput. Simulations with realistic channel models provide performance comparisons that reveal the importance of interference mitigation in multihop cellular networks.
Measurements of HFC-134a and HCFC-22 in groundwater and unsaturated-zone air: Implications for HFCs and HCFCs as dating tracers

Abstract A new analytical method using gas chromatography with an atomic emission detector (GC–AED) was developed for measurement of ambient concentrations of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in soil, air, and groundwater, with the goal of determining their utility as groundwater age tracers. The analytical detection limits of HCFC-22 (difluorochloromethane, CHClF2) and HFC-134a (1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, C2H2F4) in 1 L groundwater samples are 4.3 × 10− 1 and 2.1 × 10− 1 pmol kg− 1, respectively, corresponding to equilibrium gas-phase mixing ratios of approximately 5–6 parts per trillion by volume (pptv). Under optimal conditions, post-1960 (HCFC-22) and post-1995 (HFC-134a) recharge could be identified using these tracers in stable, unmixed groundwater samples. Ambient concentrations of HCFC-22 and HFC-134a were measured in 50 groundwater samples from 27 locations in northern and western parts of Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina (USA), and 3 unsaturated-zone profiles were collected in northern Virginia. Mixing ratios of both HCFC-22 and HFC-134a decrease with depth in unsaturated-zone gas profiles with an accompanying increase in CO2 and loss of O2. Apparently, ambient concentrations of HCFC-22 and HFC-134a are readily consumed by methanotrophic bacteria under aerobic conditions in the unsaturated zone. The results of this study indicate that soils are a sink for these two greenhouse gases. These observations contradict the previously reported results from microcosm experiments that found that degradation was limited above-ambient HFC-134a. The groundwater HFC and HCFC concentrations were compared with concentrations of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs, CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Nearly all samples had measured HCFC-22 or HFC-134a that were below concentrations predicted by the CFCs and SF6, with many samples showing a complete loss of HCFC-22 and HFC-134a. This study indicates that HCFC-22 and HFC-134a are not conservative as environmental tracers and leaves in question the usefulness of other HCFCs and HFCs as candidate age tracers.
The National Animal Health Monitoring System in Colorado beef herds: disease rates and their associated costs.

Abstract Forty cow-calf operations were selected randomly from Colorado herds during Round 2 (October 1986–September 1987) of the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS). The monthly NAHMS data on disease prevention, incidence, and associated costs were collected from 39 of the 40 herds. A subset of 14 herds was included in a subsampling study to validate the accuracy of the disease events reported by the livestock producers. There were 12 673 cows in these herds on 31 May 1987. The size of the herds ranged from 15 to 3259 cows with a mean herd size of 325±529 cows. Diseases were categorized into five classes: (1) reproductive; (2) respiratory; (3) enteric; (4) sudden death/clostridial diseases; (5) miscellaneous. The annual cost of the disease preventive measures in these cow-calf herds was $6.39 per cow, which included the cost of vaccines and drugs ($5.11 per cow) and the cost of veterinary service ($1.28 per cow). Additionally, 0.32 h of labor was spent, on a per-cow basis, on activities related to disease prevention. A total of 4180 disease incidents were reported in the 39 beef cow-calf herds. The annual cumulative disease incidence rates were highest for the miscellaneous (10.3%) and enteric (9.7%) disease classes and lowest for the sudden death/clostridial diseases class (1.6%). The total annual number of disease cases in these herds was 33 per 100 cows at risk. The total annual mean cost associated with the occurrence of diseases in these herds was $20.56 per cow. The serologic results indicated that nearly all herds had been exposed to bluetongue and/or epizootic hemorrhagic disease. However, there were no confirmed clinical cases of bluetongue during the observation period. There were no herds that had animals with positive titers to any serotype of leptospirosis. Biological samples were submitted from 31 cases for diagnostic testing. Confirmed diagnostic results were obtained on only three of the 31 cases.
Functional, Structural, and Emotional Correlates of Impaired Insight in Cocaine Addiction

Importance Individuals with cocaine use disorder (CUD) have difficulty monitoring ongoing behavior, possibly stemming from dysfunction of brain regions mediating insight and self-awareness. Objective To investigate the neural correlates of impaired insight in addiction using a combined functional magnetic resonance imaging and voxel-based morphometry approach. Design, Setting, and Participants This multimodal imaging study was performed at the Clinical Research Center at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The study included 33 CUD cases and 20 healthy controls. Main Outcomes and Measures Functional magnetic resonance imaging, voxel-based morphometry, Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale, and drug use variables. Results Compared with the other 2 study groups, the impaired insight CUD group had lower error-induced rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) activity as associated with more frequent cocaine use, less gray matter within the rACC, and lower Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale scores. Conclusions and Relevance These results point to rACC functional and structural abnormalities and diminished emotional awareness in a subpopulation of CUD cases characterized by impaired insight. Because the rACC has been implicated in appraising the affective and motivational significance of errors and other types of self-referential processing, functional and structural abnormalities in this region could result in lessened concern (frequently ascribed to minimization and denial) about behavioral outcomes that could potentially culminate in increased drug use. Treatments that target this CUD subgroup could focus on enhancing the salience of errors (eg, lapses).
RELATIVISTIC QUANTUM FIELD THEORY OF A HYPERNUCLEI

Abstract The relativistic mean field model of infinite nuclear matter is applied to the study of Λ hypernuclei. A good fit to the single-particle levels is obtained, including a small spin-orbit splitting.
Low-Temperature Specific Heats of Silver-Zinc Alloys. The Effect of Lattice Dilatation

The specific heats of silver and six silver-sinc alloys covering the alpha phase were measured between 2 and 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with a relative precision of 0.2% or better. The purpose is to compare the effect of Zn as a solute with Cd and Sn, which have been shown to increase the electronic specific-heat coefficient $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ for silver as a function of electron concentration $\frac{e}{a}$ at the rate $\frac{d(\mathrm{ln}\ensuremath{\gamma})}{d(\frac{e}{a})}=0.2 \mathrm{to} 0.3$ in spite of their considerable difference in valence. The comparison should reveal the effect of atomic volume, since Zn contracts silver upon alloying, while Cd and Sn expand it at a constant rate per unit $\frac{e}{a}$. The result for Zn in Ag is $\frac{d(\mathrm{ln}\ensuremath{\gamma})}{d(\frac{e}{a})}=0.65\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.17$ (95% limit). The volume effect, although opposite in sign from that expected on the free-electron model, is shown to be consistent with the rigid-band model including---indeed, requiring---contact between the Fermi surface and the first zone boundary, as is well established on other evidence. We conclude that the sign of the above derivatives and the observed volume effect are most simply explained if the density of states in silver is an increasing function of energy at the Fermi level in spite of this contact. These results imply that the electronic-thermal-expansion coefficient of pure silver is negative. Experimental test of this prediction will constitute a sensitive test of the rigid-band model. The Debye temperatures of the $\mathrm{Ag}\mathrm{Zn}$ alloys do not differ from that of pure silver by more than 2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, a slight negative trend being suggested. A significant ${T}^{5}$ component in the specific heat appears with Zn addition, growing from less than 0.0001 mJ ${\mathrm{mole}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}${\mathrm{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ in pure Ag to 0.0005 units at 32 at.% Zn.
Qualitative comparisons of global ocean tide models by analysis of intersatellite ranging data

[1] Four global ocean tide models are compared in terms of their contribution to Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite-to-satellite tracking residuals. The residuals are computed relative to a comprehensive model of Earth's time-varying gravity, including allowance for mass motions in the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial hydrology, and mantle, in addition to tides. For each analyzed tide model, 4 years of GRACE range rate data are processed. Range and range acceleration residuals are tidally analyzed by geographic location. All four global tide models are shown to be error prone in various ways, leaving tidally coherent residuals especially in polar regions but also in some lower-latitude regions. Considerable power in the solar semidiurnal S2 tide in low latitudes suggests errors in our adopted model of atmospheric tides, which is based on 3 hourly European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts operational analyses. Anomalies in the μ2 tidal constituent over some shallow seas suggest the presence of unmodeled nonlinear compound tides, in this case 2MS2. Similarly, anomalies in the nonlinear M4 tide are seen if this constituent is omitted from the models. Errors in assumed seawater density may be contributing to some residuals.
A theory for the origin of a self-replicating chemical system. II - Computer simulation of the autogen

In order to better understand the feasibility and limitations of the autogen (White 1980), a computer simulation based on the fluctuating clay environment was used to test whether autocatalytic growth would occur under various conditions. The results suggest that overall accuracies of replication and translation in the range of 90% and 10%, and protoenzyme turnover numbers of 10–120 monomers/protoenzyme/day are adequate for exponential growth. Nucleation of the components of the autogen from random background oligomers would be extremely rapid if oligomers lengths 2-6 were adequately functional, whereas oligomer lengths much greater than 10 are prohibited. The autogen would most likely nucleate and grow to dominance either rapidly (10–100 cycles of roughly 1 day each) or not at all.
Effect of Premedications in a Murine Model of Asparaginase Hypersensitivity

A murine model was developed that recapitulates key features of clinical hypersensitivity to Escherichia coli asparaginase. Sensitized mice developed high levels of anti-asparaginase IgG antibodies and had immediate hypersensitivity reactions to asparaginase upon challenge. Sensitized mice had complete inhibition of plasma asparaginase activity (P = 4.2 × 10−13) and elevated levels of mouse mast cell protease 1 (P = 6.1 × 10−3) compared with nonsensitized mice. We investigated the influence of pretreatment with triprolidine, cimetidine, the platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist CV-6209 [2-(2-acetyl-6-methoxy-3,9-dioxo-4,8-dioxa-2,10-diazaoctacos-1-yl)-1-ethyl-pyridinium chloride], or dexamethasone on the severity of asparaginase-induced allergies. Combining triprolidine and CV-6209 was best for mitigating asparaginase-induced hypersensitivity compared with nonpretreated, sensitized mice (P = 1.2 × 10−5). However, pretreatment with oral dexamethasone was the only agent capable of mitigating the severity of the hypersensitivity (P = 0.03) and partially restoring asparaginase activity (P = 8.3 × 10−4). To rescue asparaginase activity in sensitized mice without requiring dexamethasone, a 5-fold greater dose of asparaginase was needed to restore enzyme activity to a similar concentration as in nonsensitized mice. Our results suggest a role of histamine and PAF in asparaginase-induced allergies and indicate that mast cell–derived proteases released during asparaginase allergy may be a useful marker of clinical hypersensitivity.
Small 660-km seismic discontinuity beneath Tibet implies resting ground for detached lithosphere

[1] Using seismic profiles comprising of high-resolution, triplicate waveforms across apertures of over 1,000 km, we show that because of high P wave speed (VP) near the bottom of the mantle transition zone, the contrast in VP across the 660-km discontinuity beneath central Tibet is small: only about 70% of that beneath the northern Indian shield. This subhorizontal anomaly of high VP is most likely a remnant of detached mantle lithosphere that recently sank to depth, thus providing key evidence for a direct connection between continental collision near the surface and deep-seated dynamics in the mantle.
The flaws in tooth root resorption assessment algorithms: the role of source position

Objectives: The purpose of this project was to analyse the effects of X-ray source location on mathematical compensations used in the clinical assessment of external apical root resorption (EARR). Methods: Using geometric constructions, governing equations were derived to express the relationships between actual tooth, root and crown lengths, and their image sizes on “before” and “after” radiographs. Results: Good agreement was found between calculated and published experimental results. More importantly, errors associated with the assessment methods are demonstrated. Conclusion: It is established that root resorption assessment algorithms cannot reliably compensate for the inherent distortions in radiographic evaluations of EARR, even in the best-case scenario of an idealized, precisely characterized, linear tooth.
The influence of personal expectations on cancer patients' reports of health-related quality of life.

The role of personal expectations on reports of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in the context of a set of other variables commonly thought to affect patient report of HRQL was examined. The complete set of predictor variables included: (1) patient factors including age, gender, race, education, income, insurance type, living arrangement and expectations; and (2) clinical factors namely performance status rating (PSR), diagnosis and disease stage. The outcome measures included five dimensions of HRQL (relationship with physician, physical, social, emotional and functional well being) and an overall measure of HRQL. Five variables (PSR, expectation rating, age, living arrangement and managed care enrollment) exerted significant effects on the summated rating of HRQL. Older cancer patients, those living with others, those enrolled in managed care organizations and those who report better-than-expected experience are more likely to have a higher overall HRQL. In addition to treating the disease itself, quality of life can possibly be enhanced by narrowing the disparities between individuals' expectations and what actually occurs. Patients would likely therefore benefit from being encouraged to set and maintain realistic goals concerning their cancer prognosis and treatment process. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coastal dysoxia accompanies Early Miocene warming based on benthic foraminiferal and sedimentary records from Oregon

Abstract The Newport Member of the Astoria Formation, exposed on the central Oregon coast, was deposited at shallow marine depths during the Early Miocene global warming that led to the Middle Miocene Climate Optimum. This record thus provides the opportunity to examine a coastal environment over past warming and ask if the low oxygen conditions observed in recent years on the modern Oregon shelf is a recent phenomenon or a repeated symptom of global warming. Although δ18O variation can be influenced by freshwater flux, if due to temperature δ18O values suggest 2.4–4.5 °C of local warming during deposition of the Newport Member. Species of Buliminacea, Fursenkoina, and Nonionella, abundant in organic-rich, low-oxygen sediments in modern seas, increased in proportional abundance after warming began. In addition, the offset in δ13C values between epifaunal to shallow infaunal taxa and a deeper infaunal species is greater in sediments with higher abundances of these taxa, further supporting increased organic carbon flux. An increase in laminated sediments coincident with these faunal and geochemical changes suggests dysoxic conditions accompanied the increase in organic carbon. Taken together, this multiproxy record suggests that high-organic, low-oxygen, environments developed in shallow waters during Early Miocene warming, perhaps driven by similar upwelling mechanisms thought to drive hypoxia on the modern Oregon coast.
Normal Ideals and Expected Reduction Numbers

We give a criterion for normality of certain strongly Cohen-Macaulay ideals, of a regular local ring, having the expected reduction number.
A reevaluation of in situ cosmogenic 3He production rates

Abstract 3He is among the most commonly measured terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides, but an incomplete understanding of the 3He production rate has limited robust interpretation of cosmogenic 3He concentrations. We use new measurements of cosmogenic 3He in olivine from a well-dated lava flow at Tabernacle Hill, Utah, USA, to calibrate the local 3He production rate. The new 3He measurements (n = 8) show excellent internal consistency and yield a sea level high latitude (SLHL) production rate of 123 ± 4 at g−1 yr−1 following the Lal (1991) / Stone (2000) scaling model [Lal, D., 1991. Cosmic ray labeling of erosion surfaces: in situ nuclide production rates and erosion models. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 104, 424–439.; Stone, J.O., 2000 . Air pressure and cosmogenic isotope production. Journal of Geophysical Research, 105, 23753–23759.]. We incorporate the new measurements from Tabernacle Hill in a compilation of all published production rate determinations, characterizing the mean global SLHL production rates (e.g. 120 ± 9.4 at g−1 yr−1 with Lal (1991) /Stone (2000)). The internal consistency of the global 3He production rate dataset is as good as the other commonly used cosmogenic nuclides. Additionally, 3He production rates in olivine and pyroxene agree within experimental error. The 3He production rates are implemented in an age and erosion rate calculator, forming a new module of the CRONUS-Earth web-based calculator, a simple platform for cosmogenic nuclide data interpretation [Balco, G., Stone, J., Lifton, N.A., and Dunai, T.J., 2008. A complete and easily accessible means of calculating surface exposure ages or erosion rates from 10Be and 26Al measurements. Quaternary Geochronology, 3, 174–195.]. The 3He calculator is available online at http://www.cronuscalculators.nmt.edu/ .
Mechanisms of Hemispherically Symmetric Climate Variability

Inspired by paleoclimate evidence that much past climate change has been symmetric about the equator, the causes of hemispherically symmetric variability in the recent observational record are examined using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction-National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis dataset and numerical models. It was found that the dominant cause of hemispherically symmetric variability is the El Nino-Southern Oscillation. During an El Nino event the Tropics warm at all longitudes and the subtropical jets in both hemi- spheres strengthen on their equatorward flanks. Poleward of the tropical warming there are latitude belts of marked cooling, extending from the surface to the tropopause in both hemispheres, at all longitudes and in all seasons. The midlatitude cooling is caused by changes in the eddy-driven mean meridional circulation. Changes in the transient eddy momentum fluxes during an El Nino event force upper-tropospheric ascent in midlatitudes through a balance between the eddy fluxes and the Coriolis torque. The eddy-driven ascent causes anomalous adiabatic cooling, which is primarily balanced by anomalous diabatic heating. Using a quasigeostrophic spherical model, forced by an imposed surface eddy disturbance of chosen wave- number and frequency, it is shown that the anomalous eddy momentum fluxes are caused by the impact that the changes in the tropically forced subtropical jets have on the propagation in the latitude-height plane of transient eddies. Changes in zonal winds, and associated changes in the meridional gradient of potential vorticity, create an anomalous region of low meridional wavenumber in the midlatitudes that refracts waves away both poleward and equatorward. Tropical forcing of variability in the eddy-driven mean meridional circulation is another way, in addition to Rossby wave teleconnections, whereby the Tropics can influence extratropical climate. Unlike teleconnections this mechanism causes climate variability that has strong zonally and hemispherically symmetric components and operates throughout the seasonal cycle.
Development and Characterization of Edible Films from Cranberry Pomace Extracts

The feasibility of using cranberry pomace extract as a new film-forming material was studied. Cranberry pomaces were extracted using hot water. Low methoxyl pectin (LMP) or high methoxyl pectin (HMP) at a concentration of 0.50% or 0.75% (w/w) and 0.25% (w/w) sorbitol or glycerol was incorporated into film-forming solutions (FFSs) for improving film functionality. Proximate compositions of cranberry pomace and its extract were determined. The pH and total soluble solid content (SSC) of FFSs, physical and mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, and microstructure of dried films were analyzed. About 1.4% (w/w) of solids was obtained from cranberry pomace water extracts, of which about 93% was carbohydrate. Dried films had bright red color and strong cranberry flavor. Films plasticized with sorbitol were denser in matrix structure and had higher color intensity than those of glycerol plasticized films. In general, LMP and sorbitol incorporated films had higher tensile strength and lower elongation at break and lower water vapor permeability than other films. The higher (0.75%) pectin concentration resulted in increased tensile strength, but decreased elongation at break. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that sorbitol added films had more regular and compact cross-section structure than those of glycerol added films. This study demonstrated that it is feasible to create natural colorful and fruit flavor edible films from fruit pomace water extracts. Depending on specific applications of the films, targeted film functionality can be achieved by incorporating proper pectin type and concentration and plasticizer into pomace extracts.
Seasonal trends in restless legs symptomatology: evidence from Internet search query data.

Abstract Objective Patients with Willis-Ekbom disease (restless legs syndrome [RLS]) frequently report seasonal worsening of their symptoms; however, seasonal patterns in this disorder have not been systematically evaluated. The purpose of our investigation was to utilize Internet search query data to test the hypothesis that restless legs symptoms vary by season, with worsening in the summer months. Methods Internet search query data were obtained from Google Trends. Monthly normalized search volume was determined for the term restless legs between January 2004 and December 2012. Using cosinor analysis, seasonal effects were tested for data from the United States, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Results Cosinor analysis revealed statistically significant seasonal effects on search queries in the United States ( P =.005), Australia ( P =.00007), Germany ( P =.00009), and the United Kingdom ( P =.003), though a trend was present in the search data from Canada ( P =.098). Search queries peaked in summer months in both northern (June and July) and southern (January) hemispheres. Search query volume increased by 24–40% during summer relative to winter months across all evaluated countries. Conclusions Evidence from Internet search queries across a wide range of dates and geographic areas suggested a seasonality of restless legs symptomatology with a peak in summer months. Our novel finding in RLS epidemiology needs to be confirmed in additional samples, and underlying mechanisms must be elucidated.
An in vivo microdialysis coupled with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry study of cortisol metabolism in monkey adipose tissue

Abstract It is postulated that elevated tissue concentrations of cortisol may be associated with the development of metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) enzyme regenerates cortisol from inactive cortisone in tissues such as liver and adipose. To better understand the pivotal role of 11β-HSD1 in disease development, an in vivo microdialysis assay coupled with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis using stable isotope-labeled (SIL) cortisone as a substrate was developed. This assay overcomes the limitations of existing methodologies that suffer from radioactivity exposure and analytical assay sensitivity and specificity concerns. Analyte extraction efficiencies ( E d ) were evaluated by retrodialysis. The conversion of SIL-cortisone to SIL-cortisol in rhesus monkey adipose tissue was studied. Solutions containing 100, 500, and 1000 ng/mL SIL-cortisone were locally delivered through an implanted 30-mm microdialysis probe in adipose tissue. At the delivery rate of 1.0 and 0.5 μL/min, E d values for SIL-cortisone were between 58.7 ± 5.6% ( n = 4) and 72.7 ± 1.3% ( n = 4), whereas at 0.3 μL/min E d reached nearly 100%. The presence of 11β-HSD1 activities in adipose tissue was demonstrated by production of SIL-cortisol during SIL-cortisone infusion. This methodology could be applied to cortisol metabolism studies in tissues of other mammalian species.
Some properties of the ATPase from chromatophores of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides and its structural relationship to the bacteriochlorophyll proteins

Abstract Chromatophores from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides exhibit adenosine triphosphatase activity which is Mg 2+ -dependent and stimulated maximally by dithiothreitol and Triton X-100. Dilute EDTA or Triton X-100 solutions remove the ATPase from the membranes concomitant with the release of the 9-nm negative stain particles from the outer surfaces. The larger 13-nm freeze-fracture particles within the membranes are unchanged by these treatments. The ATPase purified from the wash solutions appears as uniform 9-nm particles with an apparent molecular weight near 3·10 5 . The results indicate that the asymmetric chromatophore membranes contain the 9-nm ATPase on the outer surface and suggest that the 13-nm freeze-fracture particles within the membranes may be reaction center complexes containing the reaction center bacteriochlorophyll and other electron transfer components.
Skin-sensitizing antibodies in serum sickness: Association of reaginic activity withγ2- andγ1M-globulins

Various fractionation procedures were used to characterize the skin-sensitizing antibodies found in the serum of three patients with serum sickness to horse serum. Reaginic activity was found to be associated with theγ 2 - and theγ 1M -globulin fractions.γ 1M -reagin was found only during the early weeks after sensitization. Theγ 1M -reagin was sensitive to 2-mercaptoethanol and heat, whereas theγ 2 -reagin was resistant to 2-mercaptoethanol and was heat stable. These results suggest that human skin-sensitizing antibody may be associated with any of the three immunoglobulins and is not a property unique toγ 1A -globulin.
Effects Of Nonlinear Magnetostrictive Properties In A Fiber Optic Magnetometer

Fiber optic magnetometers have been reported recently.1-3 These devices make use of magnetostrictive materials such as metallic glass or nickel to stretch one fiber arm in a Mach-Zehnder fiber interferometer. When the magnetostrictive material is exposed to a magnetic field, an optical signal proportional to the interferometer phase shift is induced. By calibrating the optical signals to the magnetic fields, the device can then be used as a magnetometer. The characteristics of the magnetometer will depend on the magnetostrictive properties of the magnetic material used. In this paper, the operating conditions relating to sensor sensitivity, linearity and dynamic range of such a fiber magnetometer are presented based on the AC and DC magneto-strictive responses of the sensor material (a metallic glass ribbon). A comparison of experimental results to existing theoretical models is also addressed.
Cytosolic and nuclear signaling by endothelin peptides: mesangial response to glomerular injury.

Cell signaling plays an important role in directing the phenotypic changes that mesangial cells undergo in glomerular disease. These changes include increased synthesis and reorganization of extracellular matrix, protease secretion, processing of extracellular macromolecules such as immune complexes, and cell growth in the form of hypertrophy and hyperplasia [1]. Although rearrangements or mutations in the mesangial genome might account for some of these phenotypic alterations, it is now clear that many of these changes result from regulation of gene expression by extracellular ligands. Proinflammatory ligands, such as growth factors, cytokines, and peptides, evoke a network of short-term signals that are extended to long-term events involving differential regulation of gene expression. But despite recent advances, the pathways of signaling by which these ligands regulate the genetic program of mesangial cells remain unclear.
Integrated regional water management: a study of collaboration or water politics-as-usual in California, USA

This article analyzes the effectiveness of Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) in the San Francisco Bay Area of California for decreasing fragmentation and increasing collaboration among wa...