cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Significant Fraction of ADAMTS13 Activity Is Associated with Activated Platelets and Their Microparticles (PMP): Implication for Regulating ADAMTS13 Activity.

BACKGROUND: Deficiency of ADAMTS13, vWF cleaving protease, is known to be associated with TTP and some other microangiopathies, but low levels were reported in other diseases such as ITP, DIC, lupus and other thromboses. Although inhibitory autoantibodies were demonstrated in TTP, the mechanisms underlying reduced levels of ADAMTS13 in other disorders remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that ADAMTS13 is associated with cell membranes and derived microparticles, especially from activated platelet and their microparticles (PMP), which could modulate the enzyme activities of ADAMTS13. METHODS: PRP was prepared by centrifuging citrated normal blood for 10 min at 160×g, and PPP by further centrifuging for 10 min at 3,000×g, and particle-free plasma (PFP) by further centrifuging for 15 min at 20,000×g. ADAMTS13 activity was assayed by the FRETS-VWF73 method of Kokame et al [Br J Haematol 129:93, 2005] using the Fluoroskan Ascent plate reader. Platelets were activated by ADP (10 μM) or ionophore A23187 (2 μM). RESULTS: The ADAMTS13 activity (A) of pooled PPP of 10 controls was defined as 100%. (1) In vitro study: (1a) ADAMTS13 activity was not significantly different between PPP and resting PRP. However, if the platelets in PRP were first activated by ADP for 1hr, a significant reduction of activity was observed (A = 85 ±7%, p<0.05). If the activated platelets were removed, the activity of the supernatant fell to 79 ±10% p<0.05) of the control level, and was further reduced by higher centrifugation to remove PMP (A = 66 ±12%, p<0.01). (1b) Activation by [A23187][1], a stronger agonist producing 2–3 fold more PMP than ADP (confirmed by flow cytometry), induced a more dramatic reduction in PRP (A = 78±8%, p<0.01), and after removal of platelets (A = 71 ±11%, p<0.01), and after removal of PMP (48 ±11%, p<0.01). (1c) Interestingly, resuspending the activated platelets did not restore ADAMTS13 activity, although resuspending the PMP did partially restore the activity. (2) In vivo study: PPP from 13 patients (6 ITP, 4 APS, 3 lupus) were analyzed. The majority (11/13) of PPP samples lost activity after removal of PMP (A = 79 ±12% in PPP vs. 64 ±11% in PFP; p <0.02). CONCLUSION: These data show that a significant but variable fraction of ADAMTS13 activity is associated with activated platelets and PMP. This has several implications. First, distinguishing soluble from membrane-bound ADAMTS13 may lead to better correlation of activities with clinical findings, and may help explain low levels of ADAMTS13 in some disorders associated with platelet activation and high PMP. Second, this interaction may play a role in regulating ADAMTS13 activity. Third, membrane-bound ADAMTS13 may clear more readily from circulation, therefore inhibiting platelet activation or MP formation may have benefits for the management of microangiopathies. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=GEN&access_num=A23187&atom=%2Fbloodjournal%2F108%2F11%2F1066.atom
Signal transduction by guanine nucleotide-binding proteins.

Publisher Summary The protein Gs is now known to be a member of a larger and growing family of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins) involved in signal transduction across cell membranes. For some G-proteins, correlation between the amino acid sequence of purified protein, predicted amino acid sequence of the cloned cDNA, and function of the purified protein is possible. In other cases, G-proteins have been identified by purification, by cDNA cloning, and/or by function, but the relationship between these entities has yet to be defined. This chapter summarizes some recent studies and focuses on the functional and structural characterization of members of the G-protein family. G-proteins are a versatile tool, which is perhaps adapted from regulation of protein synthesis to a role in transmembrane signaling. The molecular basis for the G-protein function in signal transduction can now be elucidated, given the power of molecular biologic techniques. Future studies should provide answers to current questions—such as the specific roles played by individual subunits in receptor–effector coupling—and will likely uncover additional functions regulated by G-proteins.
DV8: Interactive Analysis of Aviation Data

The vast volume of real-time air traffic data, being produced through new digital transmissions of the movement of aircraft throughout the US National Airspace System (NAS), is a rich resource for evaluating the performance of the system. To date, the potential for comprehensively analyzing this data has yet to be tapped, precisely due to a lack of tools that limit fully interactive data visualization. In this paper, we propose DV8, an interactive data visualization framework which provides in immediately visualized aviation-oriented insights, with a focus on evaluating the deviations among flights by route, type, airport, and aircraft performance. By providing scenarios validated by aviation experts, we illustrate different utilities of DV8 in areas such as capacity planning, flight route prediction, and fuel consumption.
A Multi-sensor Process for In-Situ Monitoring of Water Pollution in Rivers or Lakes for High-Resolution Quantitative and Qualitative Water Quality Data

Sensor based environmental monitoring is beginning to gain traction given the recent advancements in sensor development technology. Sensor platforms offer several advantages in comparison to the traditional monitoring approaches based on discrete sampling methods as they offer the capability of providing high resolution data. Access to high-frequency spatial and temporal information facilitates real-time event detection or then understanding the impact of pollution to the water quality in natural water resources. In this paper, we report a multi-sensor process that we developed for in-situ monitoring of water pollution in rivers/lakes in which we acquire real-time water quality data using (a) a multiparametric sensor probe for quantitative data, (b) a crowd sensor via a mobile app for qualitative data and integrate these data onto a cloud platform i.e Bluemix which enables interactive visualization of data as Heatmap combined with geographical mapping. This type of visualization technique not only facilitates effective handling of high-resolution data but also allows large-scale data–driven inspection to identify affected/polluted zones and detection of pollution violations, thereby making it an important tool for enabling decision-making. Data analysis based on clustering techniques is also presented. We compare our techniques to traditional data collection methods. Furthermore, to support our efforts in water quality monitoring, we have also developed several web-based applications that are aimed at incorporating sensing data as well as data from various other sources onto a common online platform. We demonstrate the capabilities of our tools through a case study done on Yamuna river in New Delhi where we monitor the river pollution in real-time.
Body signals used during social play in captive immature western lowland gorillas

The play face is a well-established play signal in nonhuman primates that functions to invite play and convey a playful intent. However, recent evidence indicates that some species display repertoires of play signals that may have more specific meanings related to particular aspects of play. Furthermore, previous studies have inconsistently categorized gorilla behaviors as play signals versus actual play. Here we aim to identify behaviors displayed by two immature captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) at the Buffalo Zoo that meet three necessary criteria to be considered play signals. Specifically, we (1) investigate whether 21 candidate signals are significantly different from actual play behaviors, (2) and from similar signals used in non-play contexts, and (3) determine whether they predict the occurrence of social play. The results indicate that at least 18 of the 21 candidate signals have strong support for classification as play signals. These findings represent first steps in determining the function of multiple play signals in gorillas.
1734 Utilising digital media: where are we now, where are we going and why should we care? the good, the bad and the really ugly

This presentation will address the following key factors: How do we best use the new digital technology to deliver our OSH information for engagement and impact?; What techniques and strategies actually work and how do we know?; What might the future look like and how are we adapting? Digital Media is at the very heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, changing our approach to communication and increasing the delivery of information with exceptional speed to our audiences. Digital technology is evolving faster than organisations can adapt. It is a fate that challenges most organisations in almost every industry. Digital technology has exploded and is being continually modified especially since the new millennium. We find ourselves skyrocketing into an entirely new world of communication and information sharing. We now reach out and connect to our friends, family and co-workers virtually instantaneously with the touch of a few buttons. This new constant connexion has fundamentally changed the way we interact with each other and our target audiences. Because of continual digital modifications we must be agile and alert to utilising better strategies and techniques to deliver information to improve decision making by our citizens in their working environment not only for today but also for the unforeseeable future. This presentation using globally derived data will discuss the use of a variety of the most popular digital communication platforms from Facebook and Twitter to Wikipedia, their international effect on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and their potential impact for extending the global reach of our OSH health information and expanding the engagement with both health professionals and the general public. This presentation has been organised to highlight the good, and the not so good challenges we face in the advanced digitization environment. The good: The promise of Increased reach of our information with minimal cost and effort; The opportunity for closer global collaboration of information generation; Easy to use digital impact and engagement measures; and A proven mechanism to reach the ever increasing independent work force. The not so good: A lack of imagination and strategy, coupled with unpredictability and poor data quality: A lack of agility and insufficient encouragement towards innovation: and A lack of pertinent competencies and insufficient strategies to overcome consolidation by information generators whose algorithms tend to favour sensationalism over science, fabricated news over facts and are increasingly monetized ads over meaningful content. These challenges will be addressed by a selection of case studies which highlight mechanisms and strategies to overcome transformational barriers in the digital environment.
Concurrent intrathecal methotrexate and liposomal cytarabine for the treatment of leptomeningeal metastasis from solid tumors.

2052 Background: Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) from solid tumors is typically a late manifestation of disease with a median survival of weeks to a few months. Treatment is palliative, with no wide...
Origins of the Myth of Neo-Liberalism: Regulation in the First Century of US Railroading

Neo-liberalism has two components. One is historical, and it revolves around the idea that advanced economies - particularly those of Britain and the US - developed under conditions that are best characterized as laissez-faire. The other is definitional, and it revolves around the idea that one group of industrial policies can be defined as 'non-interventionist.'
Hydroxyl Radical Probes for the Comparison of Secondary Treated Wastewaters

The majority of the wastewater treatment facilities in the United States treat to secondary treatment, as required by the Clean Water Act. However, because of the growing list of chemical pollutants commonly detected in treated wastewaters, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are finding application as treatment options. AOPs are defined by the use of the hydroxyl radicals as the major oxidant. For such applications to be cost-effective and optimized, a full understanding of the radical chemistry must be achieved. This chemistry can be complex, with both reactivity and efficiency of radical reactions strongly dependent upon the contaminants and overall water quality. In this work, the degradation efficiencies of two probe molecules, caffeine and sulfamethoxazole, were studied in secondary treated wastewaters from Southern California and Northwest Indiana. These radical efficiencies showed significant differences; therefore, further solution modifications, kinetic radical scavenging, and production measurements were performed to elucidate the causes of these differences.
Examining patient burden and drivers of delayed care in patients undergoing surgical treatment of primary lung cancer.

153Background: Patients’ geographic location can impact access to specialty care and affect the appropriateness and timeliness of evaluation leading to primary surgical treatment of lung cancer. Cancer care coordination has long been speculated to lead to greater efficiency in oncologic care, yet objective measures demonstrating the utility of such healthcare team members is lacking. We aimed to study the impact of patients’ residence on healthcare encounters, travel burden and the distribution of physiologic and oncologic workup leading to delays in care at a specialty cancer center. Methods: We conducted a single center retrospective cohort study of 103 patients undergoing workup of primary lung cancer between January 2015 and August 2017. The shortest route between patient residence and treating medical center was measured in miles and classified as: urban ( < 40 miles); rural (40.1 – 100 miles); and regional (100.1 – 1,000 miles). Average total miles traveled (i.e. travel burden), total number of heal...
Impact of population structure in the design of RNA-based diagnostics for antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

ABSTRACT Quantitative assessment of antibiotic-responsive RNA transcripts holds promise for a rapid point of care (POC) diagnostic tool for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. These assays aim to distinguish susceptible and resistant isolates by transcriptional differences upon drug exposure. However, an often-overlooked dimension of designing these tests is that the genetic diversity within a species may yield differential transcriptional regulation independent of resistance phenotype. Here, we use a phylogenetically diverse panel of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and transcriptome profiling coupled with RT-qPCR to test this hypothesis, to identify azithromycin responsive transcripts and evaluate their potential diagnostic value, and to evaluate previously reported diagnostic markers for ciprofloxacin resistance (porB and rpmB). Transcriptome profiling confirmed evidence of population structure in transcriptional response to azithromycin. Taking this population structure into account, we found azithromycin-responsive transcripts overrepresented in susceptible strains compared to resistant strains, and selected four candidate diagnostic transcripts (rpsO, rplN, omp3, and NGO1079) that were the most significantly differentially regulated between phenotypes across drug exposure. RNA signatures for these markers categorically predicted resistance in 19/20 cases, with the one incorrect categorical assignment for an isolate at the threshold of reduced susceptibility. Finally, we found that porB and rpmB expression were not diagnostic of ciprofloxacin resistance in a panel of isolates with unbiased phylogenetic sampling. Overall, our results suggest that RNA signatures as a diagnostic tool are promising for future POC diagnostics; however, development and testing should consider representative genetic diversity of the target pathogen.
Awe-full uncertainty: Easing discomfort during waiting periods

Waiting for uncertain news is a common and stressful experience. We examined whether experiencing awe can promote well-being during uncomfortable periods of uncertainty. Across two studies (total N...
ElevateNet: A Convolutional Neural Network for Estimating the Missing Dimension in 2D Underwater Sonar Images

In this work we address the challenge of predicting the missing dimension (elevation angle) from 2D underwater sonar images. The high noise levels in these images, from phenomena such as non-diffuse reflections, frequently limits the usefulness of physical models. We thus propose the utilization of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) as a powerful method to extract meaningful information without being misled by noisy data. We also introduce a self-supervised method that uses the physics of the sonar sensor to train the network on real data without ground-truth elevation maps. Our method can produce accurate elevation angle estimates given only a single image. Finally, we demonstrate that our method produces more accurate 3D reconstructions than competing methods, both in simulation and on real data.
Sexual and Reproductive Health in Cystic Fibrosis

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues are a common yet frequently underreported problem in adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). As the CF population continues to experience overall health gains in lung function, nutrition, and life expectancy, it is likely that SRH will become a more prevalent issue, and more research will be needed to better understand the needs of the CF population. The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the current state of the literature regarding SRH in the CF population.
Treatment of Juvenile Spondyloarthritis: Where We Stand

Juvenile spondyloarthritis is a subset of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with onset in late childhood and adolescence and a strong association with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B-27 positivity and familial aggregation that has the potential for axial involvement, potentially leading to ankylosing spondylitis. Current therapy for severe disease relies heavily on tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi). Treatment paradigms in children largely consist of extrapolation from studies on adults with spondyloarthritis. Additional therapies studied in adults include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blockade of the interleukin-17 (IL-17) and IL-23 axes, blockade of T-cell stimulation, phosphodiesterase (PDE)-4 inhibition, and Janus-activated kinase (JAK) pathway alteration. IL-17 blockade and IL-23 blockade are guideline approved after TNFi failure (and even as an alternative to TNFi) in adults, depending on concomitant inflammatory bowel and skin disease, with JAK and PDE-4 inhibition options following biologic failure. Neither pediatric nor adult guidelines address IL-6 blockade, T-cell co-stimulation blockade, or combination biologic therapy.
Value at Looking Back

Globalization led to an intricate set of interactive relationships between individuals, organizations, and states. Unprecedented global interaction possibilities have made communication more complex than ever before in history as the whole has different properties than the sum of its increasing diversified parts. With growing globalization and quickening of transfer speed, information may impose unknown systemic economic risks on a global scale. Collective interaction effects lead to hard-to-foreseeable fallacy of composition downfalls. Emergent risks imbued in interaction appear to be inherent in global economic systems. In the light of growing tendencies of globalization, the demand for an in-depth understanding of how information echoes in socio-economic correlates has gained unprecedented momentum. In seeking to shed light on implicit system failures’ socio-economic consequences down the road and potentially disastrous outcomes of cumulative actions triggering mass movements, the chapter outlines unexpected dangers and insufficiently described shadows of past market expectation corrections on future economic market performance.
Prospects for simulating a qudit-based model of (1 +1 )D scalar QED

We present a gauge invariant digitization of $(1+1)\mathrm{d}$ scalar quantum electrodynamics for an arbitrary spin truncation for qudit-based quantum computers. We provide a construction of the Trotter operator in terms of a universal qudit-gate set. The cost savings of using a qutrit based spin-1 encoding versus a qubit encoding are illustrated. We show that a simple initial state could be simulated on current qutrit based hardware using noisy simulations for two different native gate set.
Are We Modelling Spatially Varying Processes or Non-linear Relationships?

Studies of spatially varying parameter estimates obtained in the calibration of various types of local statistical models are commonplace. The variation in such estimates is typically explained in terms of spatially varying processes. This paper highlights that an alternative explanation for spatially varying parameter estimates, in terms of non-linearity, should be examined prior to relating such variation to spatially varying processes. This can be achieved by a simple screening procedure which is described and demonstrated and which can easily be applied to the results of any local model. The problem is highlighted, and the solution demonstrated, with a set of simulated data and then with a real-world data set. The paper also highlights the obverse situation whereby the inappropriate application of a GAM produces spurious nonlinear results when the real relationships are linear but spatially varying.
“Perspective: Promoting and fostering multidisciplinary research in universities”

Abstract Focus on interdisciplinary research has become necessary for contemporary research endeavors to keep pace with the complex issues facing society. However, the current academic system has not adapted to foster interdisciplinary research among university faculty and researchers. Faculty seeking promotion and tenure often experience pressure to complete individual scholarly work to gain appropriate recognition for the promotion and tenure process. This commentary outlines a series of recommendations for faculty, department chairs, centers and institutes, and university administration to promote interdisciplinary research based on experiences with a university initiative intended to foster interdisciplinary research. Many of these recommendations, such as increasing communication, are activities that faculty and chairs can implement immediately. Other recommendations will take more time and financial investment from universities. The authors hope this commentary helps other institutions innovate efficiently to support interdisciplinary research that can address the growing complexity of problems facing our communities and the world.
The Failure of Legal Ethics to Address the Abuses of Forced Arbitration

The use of arbitration clauses has exploded in American society in the consumer and employee context. As a result, the average individual has lost access to the public court system and is instead stuck in private arbitration tribunals with limited procedural protections. This widespread use of arbitration has transformed America’s legal system. Because of the unprecedented role that arbitration now plays in the administration of justice in the United States, it is critical to examine the ethical duties of attorneys who draft arbitration clauses. The main thesis of this Article is that ethics rules are supposed to guide attorneys in their vital role in enhancing the administration of justice in the United States, and lawyers involved in drafting oppressive arbitration clauses are undermining the administration of justice and should be disciplined. However, to date, there have been no reported cases of an attorney being disciplined for such conduct. This Article sets forth two novel, complementary frameworks that use legal ethics to redress arbitration abuse. The first framework uses existing ethical prohibitions against fraud and abuse to ban certain extreme arbitration clauses that can be considered fraudulent. The second framework applies an attorney’s duties to a tribunal and role as an officer of the legal system to ban the attorney from drafting or implementing a consumer or employment arbitration clause involving any unfair terms or a lack of meaningful consent. The former approach is more modest because it relies on existing rules, while the latter approach would require the adoption of a new round of legal ethics rules.
Nest Distribution of Four Priority Raptor Species in Colorado

Raptors face threats such as habitat modification, climate change, and environmental pollutants in many parts of the western USA, where rapid human population growth exacerbates such pressures. However, information about distribution of raptor nests at broad spatial scales that could inform conservation efforts is lacking. To provide a contemporary estimate of nest distribution of four raptor species of special conservation concern (Bald Eagle [Haliaeetus leucocephalus], Ferruginous Hawk [Buteo regalis], Golden Eagle [Aquila chrysaetos], and Prairie Falcon [Falco mexicanus]) throughout Colorado, we used a statewide database of raptor nesting locations to inform species distribution models for monitoring and management efforts. We used generalized linear models to identify the relationship between nest locations and explanatory covariates relating to land cover, temperature, topography, and prey distribution. We investigated the effect of different methods for selecting the sample of locations available to raptors, comparing four selection frames: sampling from the observed locations of the target-group (i.e., other raptor nests), sampling from within a spatial buffer around observed locations, sampling from outside of the same buffer, or complete random sampling of the background locations without respect to observations. Out-of-sample validation techniques indicated strong predictive accuracy of our models. Each raptor species was best represented by a different one of the four approaches to sample available locations, refuting our expectation that models accounting for bias would perform better than those that did not. Our findings were consistent with generally understood habitat associations of these species. These models can be used to identify hot spots with high relative probability of use by breeding raptors and to inform future monitoring practices that use a standardized, stratified sampling design.
Comparison of model predictions with measured proton-induced production of nickel and iridium isotopes

Calculations were performed to support method development for simultaneous production of Ni and Ir isotopes. The work scope included development of the physical target, irradiation configuration, and post-irradiation radiochemical separations. The assumptions of predictive models previously developed were refined based upon the precise experimental configuration selected, including Os target material and a set of stacked targets for concurrent production of Ni and Ir isotopes. Model predictions of the reaction cross sections with EMPIRE 3.2 (Herman in Nuclear Data Sheets 108:2655–2715, 2007) and implied isotopic yields are compared with proton beam irradiation measurements to refine model parameters and guide future experiments.
Direction of Translation and Size of Bacteriophage φX174 Cistrons

Translation of the bacteriophage [var phi]X174 genome follows cistron order D-E-F-G-H-A-B-C. To establish this, the position of a nonsense mutation on the genetic map was compared with the physical size (molecular weight) of the appropriate protein fragment generated in nonpermissive cells. Distances on the [var phi]X174 genetic map and distances on a physical map constructed from the molecular weights of [var phi]X174 proteins and protein fragments are proportional over most of the genome with the exception of the high recombination region within cistron A.
An architecture for internet data transfer

This paper presents the design and implementation of DOT, a flexible architecture for data transfer. This architecture separates content negotiation from the data transfer itself. Applications determine what data they need to send and then use a new transfer service to send it. This transfer service acts as a common interface between applications and the lower-level network layers, facilitating innovation both above and below. The transfer service frees developers from re-inventing transfer mechanisms in each new application. New transfer mechanisms, in turn, can be easily deployed without modifying existing applications. We discuss the benefits that arise from separating data transfer into a service and the challenges this service must overcome. The paper then examines the implementation of DOT and its plugin framework for creating new data transfer mechanisms. A set of microbenchmarks shows that the DOT prototype performs well, and that the overhead it imposes is unnoticeable in the wide-area. End-to-end experiments using more complex configurations demonstrate DOT's ability to implement effective, new data delivery mechanisms underneath existing services. Finally, we evaluate a production mail server modified to use DOT using trace data gathered from a live email server. Converting the mail server required only 184 lines-of-code changes to the server, and the resulting system reduces the bandwidth needed to send email by up to 20%.
Unit Stream Power and Sediment Transport

A thorough study of the existing applicable data reveals the basic reason that previous equations often provide misleading predictions of the sediment transport rates. The error stems from the unrealistic assumptions made in their derivations. Unit stream power, defined as the time rate of potential energy expenditure per unit weight of water in an alluvial channel, is shown to dominate the total sediment concentration. Statistical analyses of 1,225 sets of laboratory flume data and 50 sets of field data indicate the existence and the generality of the linear relationship between the logarithm of total sediment concentration and the logarithm of the effective unit stream power. The coefficients in the proposed equation are shown to be related to particle size and water depth, or particle size and width-depth ratio. An equation generalized from Gilbert's data can be applied to natural streams for the prediction of total sediment discharge with good accuracy.
Sound Returns: Toward Ethical "Best Practices" at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Intangible cultural heritage archives face a dilemma when it comes to repatriation. Claims and counterclaims from source communities must be balanced within legal frames and ethical obligations of museums to give back, restitute, or redress past perceived injustices, while maintaining the essential preservation functions of a heritage archive. This paper examines this dilemma through the illustrative case study of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, a unique collection that is at once an archival collection of traditional music and recorded sound from all over the world, and a nonprofit record label housed in the U.S. national museum since 1987.With a duty to keep its catalogue available in perpetuity, a mandate to pay its own way, and a mission of cultural documentation, collaborative curation, and broad appeal to global audiences, Smithsonian Folkways practices digital repatriation (of audio recordings) and circulation of indigenous knowledge (through publication, payment of royalties and license fees). The paper describes four cases of returns from Folkways’ evolving repatriation practice, offering useful ways of thinking about museum obligations with intangible heritage returns, and several ways of redistributing individual artists’ rights and their communities’ rights to control use of their music even when legal rights of ownership remain with the institution.
Distribution of deoxyribonucleic acid complementary to the ribonucleic acid of avian myeloblastosis virus in tissues of normal and tumor-bearing chickens.

Abstract 3H-labeled 70S ribonucleic acid (RNA) from purified avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) was used as a probe in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-RNA hybridization experiments to detect the presence of DNA complementary to the AMV genome in various tissues from noninfected normal chickens and from chickens infected with AMV. There was a remarkable constancy in the average cellular concentration of virus-specific DNA found in every tissue from the same uninfected chicken, and even in different chickens from the same strain. In contrast, different tissues from chickens bearing AMV-induced kidney tumors (embryonal nephromas) revealed an unequal distribution in the average virus-specific DNA content per cell. The increase was limited to tumor cells and to tissues that contain target cells for AMV, i.e., red blood cells, kidney cells, and possibly leukocytes. The red blood cells from AMV-infected chickens suffering from acute myeloblastic leukemia, although producing no virus, contained as many viral genome equivalents per cell as did leukemic myeloblasts known to produce large quantities of AMV. An increased viral DNA content was observed in the target cells of chickens that did not show any sign of tumor formation 6 months after infection with AMV. This study demonstrates that vertically transmitted viral DNA is uniformly and stably distributed among all tissues of the offspring, but that horizontal infection after hatching results in an increase in viral DNA content only in some dividing, target tissues that may or may not give rise to neoplasias.
Effects of Maple (Acer) Plant Part Extracts on Proliferation, Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest of Human Tumorigenic and Non-tumorigenic Colon Cells

Phenolic-enriched extracts of maple sap and syrup, obtained from the sugar and red maple species (Acer saccharum Marsh, A. rubrum L., respectively), are reported to show anticancer effects. Despite traditional medicinal uses of various other parts of these plants by Native Americans, they have not been investigated for anticancer activity. Here leaves, stems/twigs, barks and sapwoods of both maple species were evaluated for antiproliferative effects against human colon tumorigenic (HCT-116, HT-29, Caco-2) and non-tumorigenic (CCD-18Co) cells. Extracts were standardized to total phenolic and ginnalin-A (isolated in our laboratory) levels. Overall, the extracts inhibited the growth of the colon cancer more than normal cells (over two-fold), their activities increased with their ginnalin-A levels, with red > sugar maple extracts. The red maple leaf extract, which contained the highest ginnalin-A content, was the most active extract (IC50 = 35 and 16 µg/mL for extract and ginnalin-A, respectively). The extracts were not cytotoxic nor did they induce apoptosis of the colon cancer cells. However, cell cycle analyses revealed that the antiproliferative effects of the extracts were mediated through cell cycle arrest in the S-phase. The results from the current study suggest that these maple plant part extracts may have potential anticolon cancer effects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contesting Neoliberalism: Urban Frontiers

Today, neoliberal governance in the United States and beyond has become a powerful and haunting presence. Controversies about it abound: As many people and places feel the crunch of its punitive re...
Host defense proteins of the male reproductive tract.

Innate immunity, the rapidly responsive and phylogenetically ancient system of host defense, is generating increasing interest in part due to the growing appreciation for its remarkable broad spectrum effectiveness. We dwell in a sea of micropredators that are well equipped to colonize and invade our tissues. Yet we coexist with these organisms day after day without chronic inflammation, tissue damage, or even awareness of their presence. Coexistence occurs largely because the innate immune system, which includes antimicrobial proteins, complement, and phagocytes, prevents invasion by destroying or evicting the microbes. Only those maintaining commensal status are allowed to colonize. In addition, evidence is emerging to indicate that antimicrobial proteins stimulate the adaptive immune response. When the innate immune system is overwhelmed and tissue invasion does occur, the T lymphocytes and antibody-producing B lymphocytes of the adaptive system are recruited to eliminate the infection. The success of plants, insects, and other lower animals that lack adaptive immunity affirms the effectiveness of the innate immune system. Today, more than 700 antimicrobial proteins are known in the plant and animal kingdoms. The Antimicrobial Sequences Database lists 752 eukaryotic entries as of February 12, 2002 (Tossi et al, 2002); this is a dramatic increase since the original discoveries in plants 30 years ago (Fernandez-de-Caleya et al, 1972), and in animals 20 years ago (Hultmark et al, 1980; Steiner et al, 1981; Selsted et al, 1983). Through improved understanding of innate antimicrobial proteins, ways to mimic or enhance their activities
Wood–Plastic Composite Technology

Wood–plastic composites (WPCs) are a form of composite combining wood-based elements with polymers. The processes for manufacturing WPCs include extrusion, injection molding, and compression molding or thermoforming (pressing). Newer manufacturing processes for WPCs include additive manufacturing via fused layer modeling and laser sintering. An important constraint for polymers used in WPCs is requiring process conditions (melt temperature, pressure) that will not thermally degrade the wood filler. Wood degrades around 220 °C; thus, general-purpose polymers like polyethylene and poly vinyl chloride are typically used for manufacturing WPCs. Wood fibers are inherently hydrophilic because of the hydroxyl groups contained in the cellulose and hemicellulose molecular chains. Thus, modification of the wood fiber via chemical or physical treatments is very critical to making improved WPCs. The most abundant profiles made from wood–plastic composites are boards or lumber used in outdoor decking applications. Although early WPC products were mainly extruded for profiled sections, nowadays, many injected parts made of WPC are being introduced for various industries, including electrical casings, packaging, daily living supplies, and civil engineering applications. Mold and mildew and color fading of WPCs tend to be the durability issues of prime importance for WPCs. Most recent research on WPC durability focuses on studies to better understand the mechanisms contributing to various degradation issues as well as methods to improve durability. Most WPC products in the USA are utilized in building materials with few exceptions for residential and commercial building applications, which means that building codes are the most important national rules for the WPC manufacturers. New developments are being made especially in the area of nano additives for WPCs including nanocellulose. Recently, the trend of patent registrations for WPCs has shifted to new products or applications instead of the materials itself.
Gender Dysphoric/Gender Variant (GD/GV) Children and Adolescents: Summarizing What We Know and What We Have Yet to Learn

The optimal approach to treating minors with gender dysphoria/gender variance (GD/GV) is much more controversial than treating these phenomena in adults. This is because children have limited capacity to participate in decision making regarding their own treatment, and even adolescents have no legal ability to provide informed consent. Minors must, therefore, depend on parents or other caregivers to make treatment decisions on their behalf, including those that will influence the course of their lives in the long term. Presently, the highest level of evidence available for selecting among the various approaches to treatment is best characterized as “expert opinion.” Yet, opinions vary widely among experts and are influenced by theoretical orientation and assumptions and beliefs regarding the origins of gender identity, as well as its perceived malleability at particular stages of development. This article outlines some of the more salient points raised by the clinicians who treat GD/GV and their discussan...
Impermeant potential-sensitive oxonol dyes: II. The dependence of the absorption signal on the length of alkyl substituents attached to the dye.

We have measured the potential-dependent light absorption changes of 43 impermeant oxonol dyes with an oxidized cholesterol bilayer lipid membrane system. The size of the signal is strongly dependent on the chain length of alkyl groups attached to the chromophore. Dye molecules with intermediate chain lengths give the largest signals. To better understand the dependence of the absorbance signal on alkyl chain length, a simple equilibrium thermodynamic analysis has been derived. The analysis uses the free energy of dye binding to the membrane and the "on-off" model (E.B. George et al., J. Membrane Biol., 103:245-253, 1988a) for the potential-sensing mechanism. In this model, a population of dye molecules in nonpolar membrane binding sites is in a potential-dependent equilibrium with a second population of dye that resides in an unstirred layer adjacent to the membrane. Dye in the unstirred layer is in a separate equilibrium with dye in the bulk bathing solution. The equilibrium binding theory predicts a "sigmoidally shaped" increase in signal with increasing alkyl chain length, even for very nonpolar dyes. We suggest that aggregation of the more hydrophobic dyes in the membrane bathing solution may be responsible for their low signals, which are not predicted by the theory.
On the Design of Arrays

The usual method of array design, which employs pattern multiplication, is an approximation which is often adequate but which never predicts exactly the pattern of any practical array. An exact method is discussed. It is compared with the approximate method by applying both methods to a practical array of travelingwave slot antennas. The results show that while pattern multiplication is useful for obtaining a first approximation, the exact method must be employed for arrays which are to be designed for low side lobes.
Successive spatial discrimination reversals in the prairie dog.

Summary Six prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) were given reversal training on a spatial discrimination reversal task in a Wisconsin General Test Apparatus (WGTA). As with many other species, more errors occurred on the first reversal problem than during acquisition of the original discrimination. However, performance improved over training until each S eventually reversed after a single nonreinforced error. Initial findings indicate that prairie dogs perform at high levels in discrimination learning experiments and could be valuable subjects for psychological research.
Amino-acid synthesis from gases detected in interstellar space.

Fox and Windsor1 have synthesized amino-acids by heating a solution of formaldehyde, ammonia and water to 185° C and they interpreted their results in a cosmochemical context. We now report that reaction products from different combinations of ammonia, methanol vapour, formic acid vapour and formaldehyde react to produce amino-acids when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Because ammonia2, methanol3, formic acid4 and formaldehyde5 have been identified in interstellar space, our finding suggests that amino-acids can be formed without water in interstellar space. Also, in spite of the absence of conclusive evidence of the presence of any biomolecules indigenous to the lunar surface, our findings suggest that amino-acids can be formed on the Moon. Although the conditions of our experiments differed from those in interstellar space and on the Moon, we believe that our findings have implications for interstellar chemistry.
Smart-power metallization: issues, challenges, and opportunities (Abstract Only)

Smart-power technologies that provide on-chip integration of power and signal devices offer a unique challenge in process integration. Metallization plays a pivotal role as it critically impacts the performance and reliability of both the signal and power devices. This talk will address the most critical issues pertaining to device performance/reliability and process integration of smart-power technologies based on the experimental data obtained from a variety of metallization systems including TiSi2, LPCVD tungsten, and LPCVD WSi2. The talk will identify the important challenges and opportunities for further work in this technologically vital area.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Detection of trace levels of water in oil by photoacoustic spectroscopy

Abstract We have demonstrated the feasibility of non-destructively analyzing trace levels of water in petroleum-based transmission and hydraulic oils and in a synthetic polyol ester engine-lubricating oil using photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) at a wavelength of 2.93 μm. Using the method of standard additions, detection limits of 45, 60, and 515 ppm were obtained for water in the transmission, hydraulic, and synthetic engine oils, respectively. Lower sensitivity for water in the synthetic polyol ester oil was due to a 0.16 μm shift in the water absorption maximum from the wavelength used for the other oils. A detection limit of 62 ppm was also observed for analysis of water in standard reference material (SRM) 8507 from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is a petroleum oil having a nominal water content of 77 ppm. The results for the petroleum-based oils exceed the current best detection limits of approximately 100 ppm obtained using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and compare favorably with the desired detection limits for water in oil of 10–50 ppm. Factors involved in implementing this technology in on-line sensors are discussed.
Photographic photometry with Iris diaphragm photometers

A general method is presented for solving problems encountered in the analysis of Iris diaphragm photometer (IDP) data. The method is used to derive the general shape of the calibration curve, allowing both a more accurate fit to the IDP data for comparison stars and extrapolation to magnitude ranges for which no comparison stars are measured. The profile of starlight incident and the characteristic curve of the plate are both assumed and then used to derive the profile of the star image. An IDP reading is then determined for each star image. A procedure for correcting the effects of a nonconstant background fog level on the plate is also demonstrated. Additional applications of the method are made in the appendix to determine the relation between the radius of a photographic star image and the star's magnitude, and to predict the IDP reading of the 'point of optimum density'.
Novel class I-like molecule expressed on a murine leukemia virus-transformed cell line

Abstract A retrovirus-induced tumor cell line, which expresses no H-2K or H-2D class I molecules, appears to express a tumor-specific transplantation antigen which induces tumor rejection in vivo and cytotoxic T lymphocyte generation in vitro without prior immunization and thus resembles class I molecules. In addition, although these tumor cells express no detectable class I molecules, they do express β 2 microglobulin and a 55- to 60-kDa β 2 microglobulin-associated protein. Northern analysis demonstrated that these cells express no RNA hybridizing to class I probes, suggesting that neither the tumor-specific transplantation antigen nor the β 2 microglobulin-associated protein, if these are different, are encoded by known class I genes.