cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3000: Defining the subclonal landscape of high-risk neuroblastoma

We recently showed that relapsed neuroblastoma (NB) tumors harbor an increased somatic mutational burden, enriched for ALK or RAS-MAPK activating lesions, nominating targeted therapeutic strategies for a condition that is largely incurable. We also showed that these mutations can be present in subclonal tumor cell populations at diagnosis, suggesting that they may contribute to acquired chemoradiotherapy resistance. We hypothesize that subclonal mutations in NB oncogenes are common at diagnosis, are biomarkers for treatment failure, and can be targeted in conjunction with standard chemotherapy to improve patient survival. Here, we focus on the first aspect of this broad hypothesis by presenting the subclonal landscape of diagnostic, high-risk neuroblastomas. A meta-analysis of our previously published primary/relapse (N=23), whole exome (N=232) and whole genome (N=159) diagnostic data, and recent sequencing study of 78 diagnostic and 67 relapse cases were used to inform design of a custom amplicon panel for ultra-deep sequencing. The 28-gene panel covers 57 mutations in frequently mutated genes. Here, 250 high-risk primary tumors were sequenced to an average depth of 50,000X. More subclonal mutations were called (mean=36) compared to clonal alterations (mean=3), demonstrating the complex subclonal architecture in these tumors. We validated five clonal ALK mutations we originally discovered and identified 15 additional pathogenic ALK mutations with mutant allele frequencies (MAFs) ranging from 0.03-23%. Known ALK activating mutations were found at codons 1170, 1174, 1196, 1245, 1275 in 15 of 38 diagnostic primary tumors. This 39.5% frequency is much higher than the 14% frequency defined by us using Sanger or other sequencing methods. Improvement of subclonal mutation detection of actionable, relapse-specific driver mutations demonstrates the clinical utility of utilizing this sequencing methodology at diagnosis to enable timely improvement of outcomes for children with high-risk refractory NB. Citation Format: Jo Lynne Harenza, Maura A. Diamond, Derek A. Oldridge, Olivia Padovan-Merher, Pichai Raman, Yael P. Mosse, John M. Maris. Defining the subclonal landscape of high-risk neuroblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3000. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3000
Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis: focusing management for optimum results

Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis can be recognized clinically by (1) increased cough and dyspnea, (2) a change in character of sputum, and (3) an increase in quantity of sputum. Routine chest radiographs are probably not warranted in initial evaluation. Therapy is aimed at control of inflammation, infection, bronchoconstriction, and mucin production. Corticosteroids improve flow rates in patient with respiratory insufficiency. Antibiotic therapy appears to decrease hospital stay and improve flow rates in patients with bacterial infection, as determined by sputum examination or the presence of two of the following symptoms: increased dyspnea, increased sputum production, purulent sputum. Gram's stain of expectorated sputum often allows targeted and cost-effective therapy. Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) is the bronchodilator of choice; concomitant use of beta agonists has additional benefit. Research on future therapy may focus on the role of corticosteroids, mucolytic agents, and drugs that counteract the effects of neutrophil elastase. Smoking cessation is the first step in prevention. Antibiotic prophylaxis is warranted only in patients with four or more exacerbations per year. Pneumoccoccal and influenza vaccinations are effective and safe; unfortunately, they are underutilized at present.
Sarilumab: Review of a Second IL-6 Receptor Antagonist Indicated for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Major Objectives: To review the efficacy, safety, and economics of sarilumab, an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist, in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Data Sources: PubMed (1966 ...
Basic Physiology of Macaca fascicularis

Abstract The cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) is one of the most widely used nonhuman primate models in biomedical research. This chapter focuses on the normal range of physiologic presentations in the cynomolgus monkey and some idiosyncrasies of this model that need be considered in the design, implementation, and data review of studies in which the cynomolgus monkey might serve as the test system. Emphasis is placed on the importance of the country of origin when selecting the cynomolgus monkey and the manner in which sex, age, and other factors might affect study outcomes.
Modeling Epidemics of Root Diseases and Development of Simulators

Plant pathologists are engaging in more quantitative research as the need is increasing to understand complex pathosystems rather than to simply describe them qualitatively. This quantitative research has been facilitated by the availability of computers, other electronic technology, and computer software. The generation of large data bases for plant pathosystems has led to an increase in modeling efforts and to a heightened awareness of the importance of such efforts.
Purification and some characteristics of nitric oxide reductase-containing vesicles from Paracoccus denitrificans.

Abstract Nitric oxide reductase of Paracoccus denitrificans was purified, with the use of 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPSO) detergent, as membrane vesicles of apparent Mr = 2-3 x 10(6). Fifty percent of the protein was a peptide of Mr = 34,000. Further fractionation with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) resulted in vesicles in which the peptide constituted 90-95% of the protein. This peptide, which is rich in Ala, Gly, Ser, Asx, and Glx, is considered to be the peptide of nitric oxide reductase. The CHAPSO- and SDS-fractionated preparations lost activity at 4 degrees C, pH 7.4, with half-times, respectively, of about 6 days and 4 h. Specific activities at 32 degrees C, pH 7.4, of about 0.33 mumol of NO x min-1 x mg-1 were realized after fractionation with CHAPSO in a phenazine methosulfate/ascorbate-based assay. The Km(NO) was less than or equal to 17 microM at pH 7.4. Rates decreased substantially below pH 5 and above pH 7.6. The preparations were free or almost free of cytochromes, exhibited otherwise no absorption bands in the visible region, contained no redox metals except for very small amounts of iron, were not inhibited by EDTA or some other common inhibitors of redox-metal enzymes, and were not observed to catalyze the reduction of nitrate, nitrite, or N2O. An absorption band at 274 nm in both the CHAPSO- and SDS-fractionated preparations was attributed to the presence of a solvent-soluble chromophore. N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS) inactivated the enzyme and bleached the chromophore both in the enzyme preparation and, after its purification, in 95% ethanol. NBS-inactivated enzyme could be reconstituted with purified chromophore, which alone seemed to have no nitric oxide reductase activity, but not with purified chromophore that had been reacted with NBS. Spectral changes interpretable as due to changes in redox state were not observed when enzyme was exposed to NO or certain reducing agents.
A Probabilistic Critique of Evidentialism

Evidentialism holds that all epistemic justification derives from evidence. This thesis can apparently be refuted from the following three premises: (1) e is evidence for h only if the epistemic probability of h given e is higher than the prior probability of h; (2) epistemic probability satisfies the axioms of mathematical probability theory; (3) a proposition is epistemically justified whenever it is sufficiently probable. Given any threshold for “sufficiently probable” and any coherent probability distribution, some propositions must have a sufficiently high prior probability to count as justified. Given premise (1), this prior probability is not itself evidence for the proposition in question, nor does it reflect evidence for the proposition, nor do the facts explaining the high prior probability constitute evidence for the proposition. Hence, it represents a form of non-evidential epistemic justification.
Ethical Aspects For Environmental Epidemiologists In The Anthropocene

Introduction: Much is known about climate change and its long term direct and indirect impacts on the planet, and more recently on human health, yet large proportions of the educated global populat...
Influenza and the Surgeon.

Abstract Background: The influenza virus is a pathogenic virus responsible for large numbers of deaths and long-term disabilities worldwide. Although the very young, the very old, and immunocomprom...
Cold sintering zinc oxide with a crystalline zinc acetate dihydrate mass transport phase

Cold sintering of ZnO using crystalline zinc acetate dihydrate in the absence of added water is examined. Prior studies use an aqueous solvent, usually containing a weak acid, base, or organic salt, as the mass transport phase during cold sintering. This paper shows equivalent densification of ZnO using solid, powdered acetate as compared to previously mentioned aqueous-based transport phases. It also presents the potential to add zinc acetate in higher quantities without increasing the amount of total added transport phase, as solubility limits in aqueous solvents define the maximum amount of zinc acetate that can be added for a given volume of liquid. Experiments were conducted using the previously reported sinterometer, allowing for in situ experimental monitoring to show densification trends of this new transport phase as a function of concentration, time, and temperature. The potentially dramatic impacts of varying humidity during powder preparation on final sample density will also be discussed.
Customary International Arbitration Law

This article describes a “Framework of Identification” for determining the content of customary international arbitration law. Like Emmanuel Gaillard's theory of an international arbitral legal order, the article's conceptual provenance reflects the influence of Santi Romano, but the focus is on providing a workable, practical framework for determining the content of customary international arbitration law. The Framework of Identification draws heavily upon the analysis of John Finnis of the development of custom in public international law. The Framework has certain affinities with public international law theories of transnational legal process and legal pluralism, but focuses on the development of norms in the private international law of arbitration. In this respect, one can also view the Framework as contributing to the view of international arbitration as a form of transnational private governance. Equally, it places the phenomenon of international arbitration in the context of a larger philosophical conversation about the sources and nature of legal obligation.
Dynamic patterns of DNA methylation in the normal prostate epithelial differentiation program are targets of aberrant methylation in prostate cancer

Understanding the epigenetic control of normal differentiation programs might yield principal information about critical regulatory states that are disturbed in cancer. We utilized the established non-malignant HPr1-AR prostate epithelial cell model that upon androgen exposure commits to a luminal cell differentiation trajectory from that of a basal-like state. We profile the dynamic transcriptome associated with this transition at multiple time points (0 h, 1 h, 24 h, 96 h), and confirm that expression patterns are strongly indicative of a progressive basal to luminal cell differentiation program based on human expression signatures. Furthermore, we establish dynamic patterns of DNA methylation associated with this program by use of whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). Expression patterns associated with androgen induced luminal cell differentiation were found to have significantly elevated DNA methylation dynamics. Shifts in methylation profiles were strongly associated with Polycomb repressed regions and to promoters associated with bivalency, and strongly enriched for binding motifs of AR and MYC. Importantly, we found that dynamic DNA methylation patterns observed in the normal luminal cell differentiation program were significant targets of aberrant methylation in prostate cancer. These findings suggest that the normal dynamics of DNA methylation in luminal differentiation contribute to the aberrant methylation patterns in prostate cancer.
Astrovirus Disrupts Intestinal Barrier Function by Activating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Human astroviruses (HAstV), positive sense single-stranded RNA viruses, are one of the leading causes of diarrhea worldwide. Despite their high prevalence, the cellular mechanisms of astrovirus pathogenesis remain ill-defined. Previous studies showed HAstV increased epithelial barrier permeability by causing a relocalization of the tight junction protein, occludin. In these studies, we demonstrate that HAstV infection induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), by upregulation the transcription of EMT-related genes within 8 hours post-infection (hpi), followed by the loss of cell-cell contacts and disruption of polarity by 24 hpi. Unlike the relocalization of tight junction proteins, HAstV-induced EMT requires productive replication and is independent of cellular factors including transforming growth factor-{beta} (TGF-{beta}). While multiple classical HAstV serotypes, including clinical isolates, induce EMT, the non-classical genotype HAstV-VA1 and two strains of reovirus are incapable of inducing EMT. This finding puts classical strains of HAstV-1 in an exclusive group of non-oncogenic viruses triggering EMT.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Depressive Symptoms among Young Adult Hispanic Immigrants: Moderating and Mediating Effects of Distinct Facets of Acculturation Stress.

Hispanic immigrants experience more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and depressive symptom chronicity/severity than non-Hispanic peers. Acculturation stress relates to both depressive symptoms...
An Analysis of the Quality, Reliability, and Popularity of YouTube Videos on Glaucoma.

PURPOSE To evaluate the quality, reliability, and popularity of videos relating to glaucoma on YouTube. DESIGN Retrospective, cross-sectional study of YouTube videos about glaucoma. PARTICIPANTS One hundred YouTube videos were analyzed for this study. METHODS An online YouTube search for glaucoma videos was conducted simulating a user search using the keywords glaucoma, high eye pressure, and high intraocular pressure. The first 100 videos were analyzed, and each video was evaluated by 2 independent reviewers using the modified DISCERN (scale, 1-5), Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA; scale, 0-4), and Global Quality (GQ; scale, 1-5) criteria to assess quality and reliability. Videos were categorized further into 3 groups depending on the source of their upload. Group 1 comprised videos uploaded by academic or government institutions, group 2 comprised videos uploaded by private medical practices, and group 3 comprised videos uploaded by independent users. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Modified DISCERN, JAMA, and GQ scores for quality and reliability of information and video power index (VPI) for video popularity. RESULTS No substantial difference in scoring was observed between the 2 independent reviewers. The overall mean ± standard error (SE) scores were modified DISCERN score, 3.81 ± 0.06; JAMA score, 2.93 ± 0.07; and GQ score, 3.98 ± 0.06. The overall mean ± SE VPI score was 9.9 ± 2.9. Significant positive correlations were found between video popularity and quality of information for all 3 criteria (P < 0.05). The videos in groups 1 and 2 showed higher modified DISCERN scores than those in group 3, but did not score higher with either the JAMA or GQ criteria. Videos in group 3 were the most popular when compared with videos in groups 1 or 2 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Overall, many of the videos had adequate quality and reliability scores. No difference was found among groups 1 through 3 for 2 of the 3 criteria used, suggesting a similar quality of information provided among academic, private, and independent sources.
Descriptive analysis of Acute Ischemic stroke in COVID-19 patients through the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS). Here, we characterize our institutional experience with management of COVID-19 and AIS. Baseline demographics, clinical, imaging, and outcomes data were determined in patients with COVID-19 and AIS presenting within March 2020 to October 2020, and November 2020 to August 2021, based on institutional COVID-19 hospitalization volume. Of 2512 COVID-19 patients, 35 (1.39%, mean age 63.3 years, 54% women) had AIS. AIS recognition was frequently delayed after COVID-19 symptoms (median 19.5 days). Four patients (11%) were on therapeutic anticoagulation at AIS recognition. AIS mechanism was undetermined or due to multiple etiologies in most cases (n = 20, 57%). Three patients underwent IV TPA, and three underwent mechanical thrombectomy, of which two suffered re-occlusion. Three patients had incomplete mRNA vaccination course. Fourteen (40%) died, with 26 (74%) having poor outcomes. Critical COVID-19 severity was associated with worsened mortality (p = 0.02). More patients (12/16; 75%) had either worsened or similar 3-month functional outcomes, than those with improvement, indicating the devastating impact of co-existing AIS and COVID-19. Comparative analysis showed that patients in the later cohort had earlier AIS presentation, fewer stroke risk factors, more comprehensive workup, more defined stroke mechanisms, less instance of critical COVID-19 severity, more utilization of IV TPA, and a trend towards worse outcomes for the sub-group of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 severity. AIS incidence, NIHSS, and overall outcomes were similar. Further studies should investigate outcomes beyond 3 months and their predictive factors, impact of completed vaccination course, and access to neurologic care.
"We measure what we can measure": Struggles in defining and evaluating institutional review board quality.

Abstract There has been a persistent lack of clarity regarding how to define and measure the quality of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). To address this challenge, we interviewed 43 individuals designated as IRB Stakeholders, including leaders in research ethics oversight, policymakers, investigators, research sponsors, and patient advocates, about their views regarding key features of IRB quality and how those features could be measured. We also interviewed 20 U.S. IRB directors (or individuals in similar roles) to learn how their institutions currently define and measure IRB quality and to assess satisfaction with those approaches. We analyzed the interviews, all of which were conducted in 2018, using a modified grounded theory approach. Individuals in the Stakeholder group struggled both to define IRB quality and identify appropriate measures. Those in the Director group gave less abstract and more bounded accounts, offering definitions of quality based on what their institutions currently measure. In identifying core definitional elements of IRB quality, both groups discussed efficiency, compliance, board and staff qualifications, and research facilitation. However, in an important omission by Directors, only Stakeholders named participant protection and thoughtful review as essential elements of IRB quality, despite the centrality of these factors to the very purpose of IRBs. Directors in our sample were largely satisfied with their institutions' current approaches to quality measurement, which included audits of internal processes and regulatory compliance, efficiency tracking, and feedback from board members and researchers. In addition to fleshing out what it means for IRB discretion to be exercised reasonably, adopting proposed metrics related to participant protection outcomes could help IRBs refocus on their core mission and prevent them from falling further into the broader trend of ‘audit culture.’
First evidence for chorus at a large geocentric distance as a source of plasmaspheric hiss: Coordinated THEMIS and Van Allen Probes observation

© 2015. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. Recent ray tracing suggests that plasmaspheric hiss can originate from chorus observed outside of the plasmapause. Although a few individual events have been reported to support this mechanism, the number of reported conjugate events is still very limited. Using coordinated observations between Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) and Van Allen Probes, we report on an interesting event, where chorus was observed at a large L shell (∼9.8), different from previously reported events at L < 6, but still exhibited a remarkable correlation with hiss observed in the outer plasmasphere (L ∼ 5.5). Ray tracing indicates that a subset of chorus can propagate into the observed location of hiss on a timescale of ∼5-6 s, in excellent agreement with the observed time lag between chorus and hiss. This provides quantitative support that chorus from large L shells, where it was previously considered unable to propagate into the plasmasphere, can in fact be the source of hiss.
The Need for Federal Preemption and International Negotiations Regarding Liability Caps and Waivers of Liability in the US Commercial Space Industry

Federal preemption is often controversial and international negotiations are often difficult. Yet, both are necessary in the case of liability issues surrounding the nascent US commercial space industry. In the past year, with the retirement of the space Shuttle, two US commercial companies have begun ferrying cargo to the International Space Station for the US government. Commercial human spaceflight will begin in earnest soon. Indeed, later this year or next, companies will begin sub-orbital space flights from the United States for tourism and research purposes. The current US approach to third-party liability and space flight participant (or passenger) liability suffers from unnecessary uncertainty. This uncertainty is caused by the current federal approach to third-party liability but also as a result of a patchwork of divergent state statutes and common law rules regarding liability of commercial space operators to space flight participants. Recognizing the importance of the growing commercial space industry to US national security and national economy, enhanced liability protections should be afforded to the nascent industry to avoid “crushing liability” on US space companies and place the industry on a level playing field with foreign competitors in the case of a massive, catastrophic accident. Accordingly, the article recommends preemptive federal legislation that would create a liability cap on third-party liability and prevent suits by space flight participants or their heirs against space companies except in cases of gross negligence. However, the article also cautions that federal preemption should not occur with respect to workers’ compensation claims against employers that send their employees to space as protection of those myriad of employers is not critical to incentivizing and maintaining commercial space activity in the United States.
Synaptic functions in rat sympathetic neurons in microcultures. II. Adrenergic/cholinergic dual status and plasticity

This is the second in a series of papers that describes the use of a sensitive microculture procedure to investigate the transmitter status of sympathetic neurons. Cultured immature principal neurons, dissociated from the superior cervical ganglia of newborn rats, are known to be plastic with respect to transmitter status; under certain culture conditions, populations of neurons that display (at least) adrenergic properties at the outset can be induced to display a variety of cholinergic properties, including the formation of functional neuron-neuron cholinergic synapses, as adrenergic properties decline. With the microculture procedure described in the preceding paper (Furshpan et al., 1986a), we have examined the transmitter status of individual neonate-derived neurons during this transition. Many such neurons secreted both norepinephrine and ACh (adrenergic/cholinergic dual function); examination of such neurons with the EM revealed a mixed population of synaptic vesicles. Direct evidence for a transition via this dual status was obtained by serial physiological assays of 14 neurons. The neonate-derived neurons were markedly heterogeneous in the rate of change of transmitter status. Principal neurons derived from adult superior cervical ganglia also displayed dual status, but the incidence was lower than in neonate-derived neurons cultured for similar periods. In preliminary serial assays of adult-derived neurons, many of the neurons did not acquire detectable cholinergic function, but in two cases evidence consistent with plasticity was obtained. While it is known that several types of neurons will form functional junctions in the presence of agents that block electrical activity, sympathetic principal neurons have apparently not been tested. In microculture, neuron-neuron synapses and junctions with cardiac myocytes were formed by sympathetic neurons grown chronically in the presence of blocking concentrations of TTX and hexamethonium.
Bidirectional Reflectance Spectroscopy: 5. The Coherent Backscatter Opposition Effect and Anisotropic Scattering

Abstract A model published previously by the author that describes light scattering from particulate media is modified to include several improvements: (1) a better approximation to the Ambartsumian–Chandrasekhar H-functions that is especially important for particles with single scattering albedos close to 1.00, (2) increased accuracy for anisotropically scattering particles, and (3) incorporation of coherent backscattering. The goal of the original model of being analytic and mathematically tractable is preserved. No new parameters are introduced by the first and second modifications; however, the third unavoidably adds two new parameters: the amplitude and width of the coherent backscatter opposition effect. Several examples are given in which the results of calculations using the original and new models are compared with exact numerical computations. It is shown that a medium composed of complex particles that are large compared to the wavelength can have a coherent backscatter opposition effect (CBOE) that is broad enough to be readily observable. The CBOE multiplies the entire reflectance and not just the multiply scattered component, so that a low-albedo medium, such as lunar regolith, can have a strong CBOE.
Effect of elapsed time between Tc-99m MAA preparation and patient imaging on evaluation of lung shunting

2225 Objectives: Treatment planning for patients undergoing Yttrium-90 microsphere radioembolization for hepatic metastases includes evaluation of treatment volume, liver function, and shunting of microspheres from the liver to lungs. The standard of care is to determine the amount of microspheres that may be shunted using intra-arterially placed 99mTc-Macro-Aggregated Albumin (MAA) and to perform planar or SPECT gamma camera imaging. Although MAA particles are similar in size to the microspheres, there are differences that may affect accurate representation of the amount of particles shunted. From 2003 through 2007, 300 patients were evaluated for microsphere radioembolization using intra-arterially placed MAA. During 2005 there was an increase in the reported lung shunt values. Our facility evaluated time elapsed between kit preparation and imaging to determine the cause for this change. Several quality control factors were evaluated for doses administered between 2003 and 2004. Methods: The manufacturer’s package insert was reviewed for quality control parameters that could be retrospectively monitored. Assay time of MAA kit preparation, time individual dose was prepared, administration of MAA to patient, and start time of the image acquisition was recorded. Radiolabeling efficiency, concentration of the labeled MAA, individual patient MAA dose concentration, and percent shunt to the lungs was evaluated. Statistically significant correlations were analyzed. Results: Elapsed time between MAA preparation and the start of imaging was not correlated with the reported shunts (r2
Voluntary Exercise Improves Estrous Cyclicity in Prenatally Androgenized Female Mice Despite Programming Decreased Voluntary Exercise: Implications for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Prenatal androgen (PNA) exposure in mice produces a phenotype resembling lean polycystic ovary syndrome. We studied effects of voluntary exercise on metabolic and reproductive parameters in PNA vs vehicle (VEH)-treated mice. Mice (8 wk of age) were housed individually and estrous cycles monitored. At 10 weeks of age, mice were divided into groups (PNA, PNA-run, VEH, VEH-run, n = 8-9/group); those in the running groups received wheels allowing voluntary running. Unexpectedly, PNA mice ran less distance than VEH mice; ovariectomy eliminated this difference. In ovary-intact mice, there was no difference in glucose tolerance, lower limb muscle fiber types, weight, or body composition among groups after 16 weeks of running, although some mitochondrial proteins were mildly up-regulated by exercise in PNA mice. Before running, estrous cycles in PNA mice were disrupted with most days in diestrus. There was no change in cycles during weeks 1-6 of running (10-15 wk of age). In contrast, from weeks 11 to 16 of running, cycles in PNA mice improved with more days in proestrus and estrus and fewer in diestrus. PNA programs reduced voluntary exercise, perhaps mediated in part by ovarian secretions. Exercise without weight loss improved estrous cycles, which if translated could be important for fertility in and counseling of lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
High‐density genetic map of Miscanthus sinensis reveals inheritance of zebra stripe

Miscanthus is a perennial C4 grass that has recently become an important bioenergy crop. The efficiency of breeding improved Miscanthus biomass cultivars could be greatly increased by marker-assisted selection. Thus, a high-density genetic map is critical to Miscanthus improvement. In this study, a mapping population of 261 F1 progeny was developed from a cross between two diploid M. sinensis cultivars, ‘Strictus’ and ‘Kaskade’. High-density genetic maps for the two parents were produced with 3044 newly developed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from restriction site-associated DNA sequencing, and 138 previously mapped GoldenGate SNPs. The female parent (‘Strictus’) map spanned 1599 cM, with 1989 SNPs on 19 linkage groups, and an average intermarker spacing of 0.8 cM. The length of the male parent (‘Kaskade’) map was 1612 cM, with 1821 SNPs, and an average intermarker spacing of 0.9 cM. The utility of the map was confirmed by locating quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the zebra-striped trait, which was segregating in this population. Three QTL for zebra-striped presence/absence (zb1, zb2 on LG 7, and zb3 on LG 10) and three for zebra-striped intensity (zbi1, zbi2, zbi3 on LGs 7, 10, 3) were identified. Each allele that caused striping was recessive. Incomplete penetrance was observed for each zb QTL, but penetrance was greatest when two or more zb QTL were homozygous for the causative alleles. Similarly, the intensity of striping was greatest when two or more zbi QTL were homozygous for alleles that conferred the trait. Comparative mapping indicated putative correspondence between zb3 and/or zbi2 on LG 10 to previously sequenced genes conferring zebra stripe in maize and rice. These results demonstrate that the new map is useful for identifying marker–trait associations. The mapped markers will become a valuable community resource, facilitating comparisons among studies and the breeding of Miscanthus.
Solid-phase synthesis of peptides with C-terminal asparagine or glutamine

Attempts to anchor Fmoc-asparagine or glutamine as p-alkoxybenzyl esters for solid-phase peptide synthesis are fraught with difficulties. A convenient and effective method to prepare peptides with C-terminal asparagine or glutamine involves quantitative attachment of N alpha-Fmoc-C alpha-tert.-butyl aspartate or glutamate via the free omega-carboxyl groups to a tris(alkoxy)benzylamino (PAL) support. Chain elongation proceeds normally by standard Fmoc chemistry, and treatment with acid, e.g., CF3COOH--CH2Cl2, 90 min at 25 degrees, releases the desired peptides in greater than 95% yields without side reactions at the C-terminus. Feasibility of the approach has been demonstrated by the syntheses of the C-terminal octapeptide from human proinsulin, H-Leu-Ala-Leu-Glu-Gly-Ser-Leu-Gln-OH, and the serum thymic factor pGlu-Ala-Lys-Ser-Gln-Gly-Gly-Ser-Asn-OH.
Third Party Intervention and the Bargaining Behavior of Group Representatives

The present study compared the effects of content, process, and passive types of third party intervention on the bargaining behavior of pairs of group representatives. The setting was a simulated school board-teachers' union dispute over a new contract. Each side was represented by one person who was instructed to bargain tenaciously and to obtain as much as possible. The job of the representatives was either in jeopardy (high accountability) or not (low accountability). In the content intervention condition, a reasonable settlement was suggested to the representatives by the third party. In the process intervention condition, he taught them how to paraphrase. In the passive condition he had them take a break from their negotiations. For the high accountable representatives, as predicted, the order of effectiveness of the interventions (number of agreements, average joint profit, and speed of resolution), from most to least, was content, process, and passive. Contrary to expectations, the process interven...
Image and Crisis in One-Way Street: A View into Walter Benjamin's “Kaiserpanorama”

In One-Way Street Benjamin explores unconventional and vanguard forms of representation; in this sense the book is a unique artistic application of his theoretic efforts. While this expands the means of expression, the book is otherwise concerned with phenomena of crises, with ways in which Bewegungsmoglichkeit, the possibility of movement, is constricted in the contemporary world. Toward this constricting aspect of the crisis Benjamin gestures with the title of his book. A reading of the text Kaiserpanorama demonstrates how in One-Way Street the sphere of images trespasses into text and how on this account Benjamin confronts and dismantles a thinking that is caught within crisis. This raises the fraught question of the visual dimension of the text; in Benjamin the textual transformation of the image retains its spatial dimensionality. In One-Way Street space is a compositional principle on various different levels, from the arrangement of the texts to their specific shapes themselves. Again, Kaiserpanora...
Keweenawan-age caliche paleosol in the lower part of the Calumet and Hecla Conglomerate, Centennial Mine, Calumet, Michigan

The Calumet and Hecla Conglomerate, a Keweenawan interflow sedimentary unit that is ∼1.1 b.y. in age, consists at the Centennial Mine of a felsitic conglomerate upper part and of ∼1–2 m of siltstone and shale along the base. In these fine-grained sediments, there is a complex submature caliche soil profile represented by an upward increase in calcite and corresponding changes in calcite structures. There is also caliche in conglomerate. All of this calcite predates the period of regional epidote alteration. The caliche is interpreted to have developed in slowly aggrading sediments that were deposited on a rock-floored fluvial plain and took place during the initial stages of slope reversal of the lava plain, from southerly to northerly. This kind of carbonate accumulation in sediments requires a highly seasonal, temperate or tropical climate and represents ∼15,000 yr of weathering. The corresponding Keweenawan paleolatitude has been reported to be ∼30°N.
Hidden dependencies in software systems

In this paper, we study the hidden dependencies that are a special kind of data flows. They play an important role in software maintenance and evolution because they propagate changes among the classes and they are hard to detect. We propose a technique that finds hidden dependencies through the computation of an “execute completely after” relation that is filtered using dynamically generated preconditions and postconditions. We show that these hidden dependencies exist even in well-structured software, like the open source programs JUnit, Drawlets, and Apache FtpServer. We also discuss the precision of this technique.
Herpes simplex virus type 2 entry into cultured human corneal fibroblasts is mediated by herpesvirus entry mediator

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections in the eye are becoming increasingly common in adults. The most likely point of entry for HSV-2 into the eye is through the cornea. By using primary cultures of human corneal fibroblasts (CFs), a natural target-cell type for infection, it was demonstrated that CFs are highly susceptible to HSV-2 entry and replication. RT-PCR and flow-cytometry analyses demonstrated expression of herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), a known mediator for HSV-2 entry into cells. Blocking of virus entry into CFs by anti-HVEM antibody implicated HVEM as a potential receptor for HSV-2 infection. These results indicate that HVEM may play a crucial role in HSV-2-induced corneal infections.
iSpy: a powerful and lightweight event display

iSpy is a general-purpose event data and detector visualization program that was developed as an event display for the CMS experiment at the LHC and has seen use by the general public and teachers and students in the context of education and outreach. Central to the iSpy design philosophy is ease of installation, use, and extensibility. The application itself uses the open-access packages Qt4 and Open Inventor and is distributed either as a fully-bound executable or a standard installer package: one can simply download and double-click to begin. Mac OSX, Linux, and Windows are supported. iSpy renders the standard 2D, 3D, and tabular views, and the architecture allows for a generic approach to production of new views and projections. iSpy reads and displays data in the ig format: event information is written in compressed JSON format files designed for distribution over a network. This format is easily extensible and makes the iSpy client indifferent to the original input data source. The ig format is the one used for release of approved CMS data to the public.
Formation of modern and Paleozoic stratiform barite at cold methane seeps on continental margins: Comment and Reply: COMMENT

34 S values within 2‰ of contemporaneous seawater sulfate, and (3) associated polymetallic sulfi de deposits. These criteria take into account spreading-ridge hydrothermal systems that can deposit barite in association with volcanogenic massive sulfi de deposits of Zn, Cu, and Pb. They do not apply to sedimentary-exhalative hydrothermal systems that can form both bedded barite deposits and the sediment-hosted massive sulfi de deposits of Zn, Pb, and Ag (±barite) that account for the bulk of the world’s known Zn and Pb reserves. Whereas spreading-ridge hydrothermal systems arise from seawater convection through hot volcanic rocks, sedimentary-exhalative hydrothermal systems arise from the ascent of basinal brines through sedimentary sequences into intracratonic or continental margin seas. There are barite deposits throughout the world that are clearly products of sedimentary-exhalative hydrothermal systems and show none of the criteria set forth by Torres et al. as diagnostic of a hydrothermal origin. To cite just a few examples, at Jason and Tom in western Canada, at Meggen and Rammelsberg in Germany, and at Red Dog in northwest Alaska, barite occurs both intergrown with sulfi de minerals and as barite-only deposits above or lateral to massive sulfi de bodies. At all these localities, the barite contains Sr that is more radiogenic than contemporaneous seawater Sr (Turner, 1991; Maynard et al., 1995; Ayuso et al., 2000) refl ecting scavenging of Sr and other elements from continental detritus in underlying sediments. The barites do not show δ 34
Effects of Sublethal Chronic Copper Exposure on the Growth and Reproductive Success of the Florida Apple Snail (Pomacea paludosa)

Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa) were exposed to three concentrations of copper (Cu), in water (8 μg/L, 16 μg/L, 24 μg/L), for one generation to examine uptake and the effects on survival, growth, and reproduction of the F0 generation and survival, growth, and whole body Cu of the F1 generation. During a 9-month Cu exposure, apple snails exposed to 8–16 μg/L Cu had high Cu accumulation (whole body, foot, viscera, and shell) and significantly reduced clutch production (8–16 μg/L) and egg hatching (16 μg/L). Apple snails exposed to the 24 μg/L Cu had low survival and the treatment was therefore terminated. Concentrations of minerals (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) in tissues were maintained regardless of Cu exposure, but the distribution of Cu in the body of snails differed, depending on exposure concentrations. Higher exposure concentrations resulted in a greater percentage of Cu accumulated in the viscera of the snail. Copper exposure to the F0 generation did not affect the survival, growth, or whole body Cu concentrations in the F1 generation. These finding are significant, given the importance of the Florida apple snail in the Everglades food chain. Changes in the abundance of apple snail populations, as a result of Cu exposure, could ultimately affect foraging success of predators.
Pharmacological difference of L-dopa, apomorphine, and bromocriptine against metoclopramide.

Abstract Rat prolactin was stimulated by metoclopramide and inhibited by L-dopa, apomorphine and bromocriptine. Depending on the order of administration, the efficiency of bromocriptine deviated from L-dopa and apomorphine in opposite directions. When injected into rats 15 min after metoclopramide, bromocriptine was much less effective than L-dopa and apomorphine in blocking the effect of metoclopramide on serum prolactin. When injected into rats 15 min before metoclopramide, bromocriptine was the most effective antagonist of metoclopramide action. A plausible explanation of these observations is that bromocriptine and metoclopramide are not strictly dopamine agonists and antagonists, while L-dopa and apomorphine act exclusively by a dopamine mechanism.
Street Photography: A Bridge Between Documentary and Art

Street Scene Since late 2006, I've been taking photographs on a six-block stretch of Broadway St. in Los Angeles, known as the Historic Theater District. Once a jewel of the city, this area has in ...
Performance Analysis of Si Nanowire Biosensor by Numerical Modeling for Charge Sensing

A numerical study on the operation of Si nanowire (NW) biosensors in charge-based sensing is presented. The simulation is built on physical models that, upon numerical convergence, coherently account for Fermi-Dirac, Poisson-Boltzman, site-binding and Gouy-Chapman-Stern theories in self-consistent manner. The method enables us to disentangle the impact of key design and experimental setup factors and assess their contribution to the sensitivity, linearity, and stability of such sensors. Our results quantitatively show SiNW sensor is significantly more stable when biased through solution gate than back gate; dense functional group at oxide surface and good SAM coverage are essential to linear and sensitive detection of uniformly distributed targets; compared to high concentration target detection, the effect of NW surface-to-volume ratio (S/V ) plays a more profound role in biomolecule detection when targets are at very low concentration, in which case, optimal S/V exists for a maximum sensitivity. Arbitrary down scaling beyond such S/V point may have reverse effect on sensor sensitivity.
Avifauna richness enhanced in large, isolated urban parks

Abstract Urbanization causes fragmentation creating “islands” of natural habitat. The resulting fragmented landscapes represent a challenge for migratory and resident species because of decreased connectivity among fragments. We examined the effects of urbanization on avifauna communities in remnant and restored parks in the greater St. Louis area (St. Louis), Missouri and Illinois, USA. St. Louis is located along the Mississippi flyway, a significant North American migratory bird route, and ranks second among the most sprawl-threatened large cities. We compiled bird assemblages for 20 parks and used multiple linear regressions and Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) to analyze seven potential predictors of species richness for breeding, migratory and wintering species: area, habitat diversity, external development within 1 km and 5 km buffers, internal developed areas, road length, and presence of water bodies. The best predictors of resident bird (i.e., breeding and wintering) species richness was park area and external developed area within 5 km, a surrogate for isolation. We suspect that the high species richness in parks in heavily urbanized areas is explained by the parks’ relatively large size and the funneling of species to two large parks within the most urbanized areas of St. Louis. For migratory species, the best predictors were habitat diversity and developed area within the park. As development continues to transform natural habitat along important avian migratory flyways, urban planning that includes large, diverse natural areas within urbanized landscapes is key to conserving local and migratory avifauna diversity.
A Review of “The Day Wall Street Exploded: A Story of America in Its First Age of Terror”

Oddly, despite a plethora of books written on Wall Street history, the massive explosion that rocked the nation's leading financial district in September 1920 has largely escaped notice. When it is...
Ammonia Fate and Transport Mechanisms in Broiler Litter

Ammonia (NH3) emission from poultry houses is a major air quality concern. In poultry litter, uric acid converts to urea which hydrolyzes to NH3, a fraction of NH3 protonates to ammonium (NH4 +). Moisture content (MC), dissociation constant, and Henry's law constant affect NH3 partitioning among solid, liquid, and gas phases. The dissociation constant (Kd) and Henry's Law constant (Kh) that are so well known for dilute aqueous solutions may not apply to broiler litter which has much higher ionic concentration. We quantified Kd, Kh, and NH3 sorption at different MC in broiler litter in replicated lab experiments. Dissociation constant in litter slurry was 1.02 × 10−10, 20 % of the dissociation constant in aqueous solution, which may be due to NH3/NH4 +adsorption and reduced activities of the dissolved ions. Henry's Law constant (0.0158 atm/M) in litter slurry was 4 % lower than Kh in dilute aqueous solution. Ammonia sorption increased linearly with MC from 0 to 55 %, whereas 0 % MC litter adsorbed 5 % of its background total ammoniacal N (TAN) concentration as NH3, litter with 55 sorbed 266 % its background TAN concentration mostly as NH4 +. We have improved the understanding of NH3 sorption in litter as function of MC. However, improved sensors that can measure TAN and pH in unsaturated matrices are required to improve quantification of N fate and transport.