cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Production of disulfide-bonded proteins in Escherichia coli

Disulfide bonds are covalent bonds formed post-translationally by the oxidation of a pair of cysteines. A disulfide bond can serve structural, catalytic, and signaling roles. However, there is an inherent problem to the process of disulfide bond formation: mis-pairing of cysteines can cause misfolding, aggregation and ultimately result in low yields during protein production. Recent developments in the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the formation of disulfide bonds have allowed the research community to engineer and develop methods to produce multi-disulfide-bonded proteins to high yields. This review attempts to highlight the mechanisms responsible for disulfide bond formation in Escherichia coli, both in its native periplasmic compartment in wild-type strains and in the genetically modified cytoplasm of engineered strains. The purpose of this review is to familiarize the researcher with the biological principles involved in the formation of disulfide-bonded proteins with the hope of guiding the scientist in choosing the optimum expression system.
A Monte Carlo Study of Structural Estimator Distributions After Performance of Likelihood Ratio Pre-Tests

This study is concerned with the effect of an identifiability pretest on the locations and shapes of conditional distributions of structural coefficient estimators in a simultaneous equations model. We examine whether there are important cases in which the identifiability test statistic and (correctly) restricted structural coefficient estimators such as 2SLS and 3SLS are “approximately” statistically independent over a broad range of Type I error levels of for the test statistic. The results of the Monte Carlo experiments based on the Klein model I are not conclusive, though they tend to support approximate independence in most cases.
Glucocorticoids potentiate central actions of angiotensin to increase arterial pressure.

Experiments were performed to determine if glucocorticoids potentiate central hypertensive actions of ANG II. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated for 3 days to 3 wk with corticosterone (Cort). Ex...
Hypocretin as a Wakefulness Regulatory Peptide

In the past few years, the hypocretins (also known as orexins) have been shown to be critical components of the brain circuitry that modulates the states of vigilance (1, 2, 3). Recent advances are yielding a clearer picture as to the mechanism of action of these peptides and how they control multiple circuits to produce a coherent behavioral output. Here we review the interactions of the hypocretinergic system with major neurotransmitter networks and discuss the role of the neurons that contain hypocretin in integrating information that dictates the state of arousal.
The effect of reproduction phase of breeder hens, poult hatch time, and fatty acid supplementation of the breeder hen diet on livability, growth characteristics, and yolk and liver fatty acid composition in posthatch poults

In two experiments, posthatch (PH) performance and physiological traits were determined in poults hatching from breeder hen flocks in their 1st (1w) and 7th (7w) week of production. Within each week of production, characteristics of poults that hatched by 27 d, 9 h of incubation [EARLY], versus those of poults hatching between 27 d, 9 h and 28 d [LATE], were compared through 96 h PH. Poults were given ad libitum access to feed and water at 24 h PH. In both experiments, livability through time of poult release from the brooder rings at the farm was grater for 7w poults compared with 1w poults. During the 1st wk of lay in Experiment 1, livability of EARLY poults (80%) was better than that of LATE poults (52%). Poults from hens in their 7th wk of lay were heavier (P< .0001) than 1w poults at hatch and through 96 h PH. LATE hatch poults were heavier (P<.03) than EARLY poults at 0 (28 d incubation) and 24 h PH. Liver wt, relative to BW, was heavier (p<.05) at 24, 48, and 72 h PH in 7w poults compared with 1w poults. Liver wt, relative to BW, was heavier (P<,001) in EARLY hatch poults at 0 h PH 24 compared with LATE hatch poults. In Experiment 2, 7w poults retained a heavier (p<.001) yolk sac membrane, relative to BW, at 24, 48, and 72 h PH compared with 1w poults. Resorption of the yolk sac membrane and yolk sac contents, relative to BW, was delayed in LATE hatch poults compared with EARLY hatch poults. Following access to feed, plasma uric acid concentration in 7w poults decreased at an earlier age as compared with 1w poults. At 24 h PH, plasma uric acid concentration was greater in EARLY hatch poults (P<,02) compared with LATE hatch poults. Differences in poult growth as related to the age of the breeder hen may be related to physiological differences [eg., yolk absorption] present prior to hatch. On the other hand, differences in growth between EARLY and LATE hatch poults may be related to a difference in poult maturity at the time of emergence from the shell. {
Peptide boronic acid inhibitors of thrombin.

Fibrin polymerization is the major component in venous thrombosis while both fibrin deposition and platelet aggregation are important in arterial thrombosis. Thrombin, the last protease in the blood coagulation cascade, hydrolyzes two bonds of fibrinogen to convert it into insoluble fibrin. Thrombin also catalyzes platelet aggregation. However, the predominance of thrombin catalysis in the latter reaction and in arterial thrombosis was not recognized until recently1. From earlier observations, it was known that the high molecular weight inhibitor, heparin-antithrombin III, was effective in blocking venous thrombosis, but was ineffective in blocking arterial thrombosis. This suggested that the thrombin catalyzed reaction was of limited importance in platelet aggregation. More recently, studies of Hanson and Harker1 demonstrated that the small peptide thrombin inhibitor, H-(D)Phe-Pro-ArgCH2C1, was highly effective in blocking arterial thrombosis in animal models. The differences in the behavior of the two thrombin inhibitors in blocking arterial thrombosis was attributed to the limited accessibility of the high molecular weight inhibitor to thrombin on the platelet surface. This result clearly suggests that the use of low molecular weight thrombin inhibitors in the control of arterial thrombosis will be advantageous.
Radiation treatment to a postresection primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the conjunctiva with positive margins at the Tenon's fascia-A case study

The primary occurrence of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the conjunctiva is extremely rare, aggressive, and easily mistaken for squamous cell carcinoma. With fewer than 50 cases reported in the literature, there is no consensus on the most effective treatment. Radiation is an alternative to enucleation or orbital exenteration with the potential of eye preservation. We investigated several radiation approaches for a case with postresection positive margins at Tenon's fascia, and reported the patient's clinical course during the treatment and for a short time thereafter. An otherwise healthy 64-year-old male presented with MEC extending to the deep margin at the Tenon's fascia. Plans for 4 different radiation therapy treatment modalities (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy [IMRT], Volumetric Modulated Radiation Therapy [VMAT], double scattering (DS) proton, and reverse eye plaque low dose rate [LDR] ) were created and compared based on tumor coverage and normal tissue doses. The planning target volume (PTV) was too large and nonuniform for an eye plaque application. Using the largest plaque available (22 mm), the calculated minimum dose to the PTV was 57% while the dose to the skin was 1000% of the prescription. The proton plan completely spared the contralateral ocular structures and reduced the max doses to the ipsilateral macula and optic nerve, but was not clinically available at the time of treatment. The IMRT and VMAT plans produced similar dose distributions to each other, but VMAT further minimized dose to the ipsilateral eye. Due to the uniqueness of this case, a thorough study of the available radiation treatment options was deemed necessary. All of the external beam treatment techniques produced acceptable plans with VMAT producing the best available plan in this case. The patient was treated with the VMAT plan with a prescription of 6600 cGy in 30 fractions. At 5 months post-treatment, the patient is recovering from expected acute responses to radiation with follow ups scheduled.
Methane emissions from rice across a soil organic matter gradient in Alfisols of Arkansas, USA

Abstract Quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural settings has become critically important in determining the magnitude of agricultural impacts on global climate change. Methane (CH4) is a leading GHG emitted from rice (Oryza sativa L.) production and, since soil organic matter (SOM) serves as a substrate for methanogenesis, understanding the relationship between SOM and CH4 emissions will be essential for attenuating the excessive release of CH4 to the atmosphere from rice production. The objective of this field study was to evaluate the effects of SOM on CH4 emissions from rice grown under a full-season flood across several silt-loam soils in eastern Arkansas. Eight soils were collected from various locations around east-central Arkansas to represent a SOM gradient (22.1 to 51.0 Mg ha−1 in the top 10 cm) for this field study. Approximately 0.08 m3 of soil were placed in plastic bins that were buried in a single bay with the pure-line rice cultivar (‘LaKast’) transplanted into each bin and grown to harvest maturity under a full-season flood. Season-long, area-scaled CH4 emissions ranged from 63 to 1521 kg CH4-C ha−1 season−1 for in-situ and undisturbed field-plot soil and native prairie soil, respectively, and differed (P
Issues of Competition

By employing the concept of Nash equilibria of game theory and relevant methods of reasoning on the intuition of systems research, this chapter investigates the dynamics of a coordinately monopolized market with m incumbent risk-neutral firms: how these firms compete for customers who switch from the product of one company to another by adjusting prices; how their expected profits stay stagnant; why their bases of loyal customers deteriorate while customers become less patient than ever before.
Energy transfer and phase slip by quantum vortex motion in superfluid 4 He

The purpose of the present article is to emphasize the usefulness of the ideas of E. R. Huggins in thinking about vortex motion and phase slip in superfluid4He, and is primarily pedagogical. Several explicit illustrations of vortex motion and phase-slip processes are considered. In addition, it is shown that Huggins's results lead to a generalization and a more complete understanding of the familiar expression E+vs · p for the energy in the rest system of an excitation in the flowing superfluid, as applied to vortex excitations. Here, E is the energy and p is the momentum of the excitation in the moving system, and vs is the superfluid velocity.
Analysis of cumulative surface dose based on Cherenkov imaging of Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET)

Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET) utilizes high-energy electrons to treat cancers on the entire body surface. The otherwise invisible radiation beam can be observed via the optical Cherenkov photons emitted from interaction between the high-energy electron beam and tissue. Cherenkov emission is used to evaluate the dose uniformity on the surface of the patient in real-time. We have utilized a structured light sensor to determine the surface contour of each patient. Each patient was also monitored during TSET via in-vivo detectors (IVD) and/or scintillating discs in nine locations. The Cherenkov image is converted to dose distribution after a two-dimensional perspective geometry correction and the IVD measured dose at umbilicus. Cumulative dose on patient surface is obtained by projecting the two-dimensional dose distribution onto a cylindrical geometry representing the patient anatomic geometry. Patients undergoing TSET in various conditions (whole body and half body) were imaged and analysed, and the cumulative dose based on Cherenkov imaging was evaluated on various patients.
Reactions of Laser-Ablated Ga, In, and Tl Atoms with Nitrogen Atoms and Molecules. Infrared Spectra and Density Functional Calculations of GaN, NGaN, NInN, and the M3N and MN3 Molecules

Laser-ablated gallium atoms react with nitrogen atoms and molecules to give GaN, NGaN, Ga3N, and GaN3, which are identified from nitrogen and gallium isotopic shifts, mixed isotopic splittings, and density functional theory calculations. A 484.9 cm-1 band is assigned to the GaN molecule perturbed by the nitrogen matrix, sharp 586.4 and 584.1 cm-1 bands to the antisymmetric vibration of the linear N69GaN and N71GaN molecules, 666.2 and 656.0 cm-1 bands to the planar Ga3N molecule, and 2096.9 and 1328.3 cm-1 bands to antisymmetric and symmetric N−N−N vibrations of the GaNNN azide molecule. This work provides the first experimental evidence for GaxNy molecules that may be involved in semiconductor film growth. Laser-ablated In and Tl atom reactions produce analogous molecules.
Supersymmetric laser arrays (Conference Presentation)

Scaling up the radiance of coupled laser arrays has been a long-standing challenge in photonics. In this study, we demonstrate that notions from supersymmetry—a theoretical framework developed in high-energy physics—can be strategically used in optics to address this problem. In this regard, a supersymmetric laser array is realized that is capable of emitting exclusively in its fundamental transverse mode in a stable manner. Our results not only pave the way toward devising new schemes for scaling up radiance in integrated lasers, but also, on a more fundamental level, could shed light on the intriguing synergy between non-Hermiticity and supersymmetry.
Pneumonia Hospitalization Coding Changes Associated With Transition From the 9th to 10th Revision of International Classification of Diseases.

Objectives:To evaluate the impact of International Classification of Disease, 10th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) implementation on pneumonia hospitalizations rates, which had declined...
Life Skills as Affective Labour: Skilling Girls with Gendered Enterprise

The international development industry presents the education and empowerment of racialised adolescent girls as a panacea for community, national and global problems. Equipping girls with ‘life ski...
Crispr2vec: Machine Learning Model Predicts Off-Target Cuts of CRISPR systems

1 Abstract Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-Cas systems have revolutionized gene editing, with applications in therapeutics, diagnostics, agriculture, and developing disease models. However, CRISPR-Cas suffers from off-target effects — unintended genetic modifications in the genome that arise from its use. In this work, we present crispr2vec: a deep metric learning approach for embedding CRISPR single guide RNA (sgRNA) sequences and predicting off-target cuts. Given a fixed target sequence, we show that our learned embedding yields a faithful representation of potential off-targets. We present a new triplet sampling strategy specifically for CRISPR sequences that improves the quality of our embedding. We show the resulting embedding generalizes across different off-target cut detection assays. Finally, we demonstrate the superiority of our deep metric learning method in its ability to predict off-target cuts compared to previous literature in cross fold validation across different datasets for both seen and unseen sgRNAs.
A parallel randomized approximation algorithm for non-preemptive single machine scheduling with release dates and delivery times

Abstract Single machine scheduling is a very fundamental scheduling problem with extensive applications in various areas ranging from computer science to manufacturing. Also, this problem is the building block of different decomposition-based algorithms for shop scheduling problems. Most variants of the single machine scheduling problem are known to be NP-hard, and therefore, many efforts have been devoted to the development of approximation algorithms for solving them. In this paper, we design a parallel randomized approximation algorithm for the non-preemptive single machine scheduling problem with release dates and delivery times ( 1 | r j , q j | C max ), where the objective is to minimize the completion time of all jobs (i.e., makespan). To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, we carry out a comprehensive experimental analysis on several instances of the problem. The results indicate that the proposed parallel algorithm can efficiently solve large instances achieving significant speedup on parallel systems with multiple cores.
Implementation of a pharmacist-provided pharmacogenomics service in an executive health program.

PURPOSE: We describe the implementation of a pharmacist-provided pharmacogenomics (PGx) service in an executive health program (EHP) at an academic medical center. SUMMARY: As interest in genomic testing grows, pharmacists have the opportunity to advance the use of PGx in EHPs, in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. In November 2018, a pharmacist-provided PGx service was established in the EHP at the University of Colorado Hospital. The team members included 3 physicians, a pharmacist trained in PGx, a registered dietitian/exercise physiologist, a nurse, and 2 medical assistants. We conducted 4 preimplementation steps: (1) assessment of the patient population, (2) selection of a PGx test, (3) establishment of a visit structure, and (4) selection of a billing model. The PGx consultations involved two 1-hour visits. The first visit encompassed pretest PGx education, review of the patient's current medications and previous medication intolerances, and DNA sample collection for genotyping. After this visit, the pharmacist developed a therapeutic plan based on the PGx test results, discussed the results and plan with the physician, and created a personalized PGx report. At the second visit, the pharmacist reviewed the PGx test results, personalized the PGx report, and discussed the PGx-guided therapeutic plan with the patient. Overall, the strategy worked well; minor challenges included evaluation of gene-drug pairs with limited PGx evidence, communication of information to non-EHP providers, scheduling issues, and reimbursement. CONCLUSION: The addition of a PGx service within an EHP was feasible and provided pharmacists the opportunity to lead PGx efforts and collaborate with physicians to expand the precision medicine footprint at an academic medical center.
Who’s at the Party? Group Sentiments, Knowledge, and Partisan Identity

In studying US partisanship, scholars often invoke a groups approach, wherein individuals’ group memberships affect their identification with the Democratic and Republican Parties. While this liter...
Why Don’t You Like Me? The Role of the Mentalizing Network in Social Rejection

The pain of rejection is often tied to the way that we interpret how another person thinks or feels about us. In this review, we explore evidence from the current literature to examine the role of mentalizing, the process by which we think about and understand someone else’s thoughts and feelings, in the experience of social rejection. We first turn to meta-analyses investigating the neural bases of social rejection to examine whether parts of the mentalizing network are also active during the experience of rejection (Cacioppo et al., Sci Rep 3:2027, 2013; Vijayakumar et al., NeuroImage 153:359–368, 2017). Next, we review some evidence suggesting that developmental changes in mentalizing, such as those during early childhood and adolescence, may be associated with changes in sensitivity to rejection (e.g., Somerville. Curr Directions Psychol Sci 22:121, 2013; Rochat, 2003). Then, we examine the extent to which individuals who demonstrate compromised mentalizing, such as those with schizophrenia or autism, may exhibit reduced sensitivity to rejection (e.g., Bauminger and Kasari, Child Dev 71:447–456, 2000; Gradin et al., PLoS One 7:42608, 2012). Finally, we summarize some future directions building on the possibility of a link between mentalizing and the experience of social rejection. The available evidence seems to support a role of the mentalizing network in feeling the pain of social rejection, such that understanding another person’s mental state may be what allows us to understand and process rejection.
Anti-tumor NAMPT inhibitor, KPT-9274, mediates gender-dependent murine anemia and nephrotoxicity by regulating SIRT3-mediated SOD deacetylation.

KPT-9274 is a phase 1 first-in-class dual PAK4/NAMPT inhibitor for solid tumor and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It demonstrates pre-clinical efficacy toward a broad spectrum of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) subtypes by inhibiting NAMPT-dependent NAD+ production. NAMPT is the rate-limiting enzyme in the salvage metabolic pathway leading to NAD+ generation. Tumor cells which are deficient in de novo pathway enzyme NAPRT1 are addicted to NAMPT. In clinical trials, treatment with NAMPT inhibitors resulted in dose-limiting toxicities. In order to dissect the mechanism of toxicity, mice were treated with KPT-9274 and resulting toxicities were characterized histopathologically and biochemically. KPT-9274 treatment caused gender-dependent stomach and kidney injuries and anemia. Female mice treated with KPT-9274 had EPO deficiency and associated impaired erythropoiesis. KPT-9274 treatment suppressed SIRT3 expression and concomitantly upregulated acetyl-manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in IMCD3 cells, providing a mechanistic basis for observed kidney toxicity. Importantly, niacin supplementation mitigated KPT-9274-caused kidney injury and EPO deficiency without affecting its efficacy. Altogether, our study delineated the mechanism of KPT-9274-mediated toxicity and sheds light onto developing strategies to improve the tolerability of this important anti-AML inhibitor.
Growing farms and groundwater depletion in the Kansas High Plains

The average farm size has more than doubled within the United States over the last three decades, transforming the agricultural industry and rural farming communities. It is unclear, however, how this ubiquitous trend has affected and is affected by the environment, particularly groundwater resources critical for food production. Here, we leverage a unique multi-decadal dataset of well-level groundwater withdrawals for crop irrigation over the Kansas High Plains Aquifer to determine the interactions between groundwater depletion and growing farms. Holding key technological, management, and environmental variables fixed, we show that doubling a farm's irrigated cropland decreases groundwater extractions by 2-5% depending on the initial farm size. However, a corresponding shift by larger farms to different irrigation technologies offsets this reduction in groundwater use, leading to a slight increase in overall groundwater use. We find groundwater depletion increases the likelihood farmland is sold to a larger farm, amplifying the cycle of groundwater depletion and the consolidation of farmland.
De Novo–Developed Antibodies to Donor MHC Antigens Lead to Dysregulation of MicroRNAs and Induction of MHC Class II

Immune responses to HLA and development of anti-donor HLA (DSA) were shown to play a role in chronic rejection following transplantation. We hypothesized that Abs to MHC change microRNAs (miRNAs), leading to chronic lung allograft rejection. Microarray analysis was performed in a murine model of anti-MHC-induced obliterative airway disease (OAD), a correlate of obliterative bronchiolitis. A unique profile of dysregulated miRNAs was detected in OAD mice on days 7 and 15 after Ab administration compared with control. Sixty-seven miRNAs were increased and 42 miRNAs were decreased in OAD mice on day 7. In addition, 15 miRNAs were overexpressed and 16 miRNAs were underexpressed in OAD mice on day 15. The expression of miR-16 and miR-195 was significantly decreased in lungs of OAD mice, as assessed by quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization, with increases in H-2 Aa and H-2 Dma mRNA levels. Significant reductions in miR-16 and miR-195 levels were also noted in lung transplant (LTx) patients with DSA compared with LTx patients without DSA. Bioinformatic TargetScan and reporter assays identified the binding of miR-16 and miR-195 to the 3'-untranslated region of regulatory factor X 5. Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry indicated posttranscriptional increases in regulatory factor X 5 mRNA and protein expression in OAD mice, as well as in LTx recipients with DSA, which was associated with increased expression of HLA-DPA1, HLA-DQA1, and HLA-DRA mRNA. Therefore, our results demonstrated that miRNAs induced by alloimmunity may play important roles in chronic rejection after LTx.
Municipal wastewater-treatment technology-transfer activities of the United States Environmental Protection Agency

Technology transfer is an important activity within the ll.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Specific technology transfer programs such as the activities of the Center for Environmental Research Information, the Innovative and Alternative Technology Program, as well as the Small Community Outreach Program are used to encourage the utilization of cost-effective municipal pollution control technology. Case studies of three technologies including a plant operations diagnostic/remediation methodology, alternative sewer technologies and ultraviolet disinfection are presented. These case studies are presented retrospectively in the context of a generalized concept of how technology flows from science to utilization which was developed in a study by Allen (1977). Additional insights from this study are presented on the information gathering characteristics of engineers and scientists which may be useful in designing technology transfer programs. The recognition of the need for a technology or a deficiency in current practice are important stimuli other than technology transfer for accelerating the utilization of new technology.
The role of clinical informatics in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's efforts to improve patient safety.

In 1998, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a report on medical errors, which estimated that up to 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals each year from errors. This report raised concerns that medical errors have become a national public health problem that should be addressed in the same manner as other epidemics such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. In 2001, the IOM released a follow-up report encompassing a broader range of quality issues. They concluded that the U.S. healthcare system is outmoded and incapable of providing consistent, high-quality care. They outlined a strategy for redesigning U.S. healthcare delivery to achieve safe, dependable, high-quality care, which emphasizes information technology as an integral part of the solution. AHRQ's fiscal year 2001 appropriation included an increase of $50 million dollars for initiatives to reduce medical errors and improve patient safety. AHRQ responded to this mandate by developing a series of research solicitations that form an integrated set of activities to design and test best practices for reducing errors in multiple health care settings. This paper discusses the components of this program and the central role of medical informatics research in the Agency's efforts to improve the safety of medical care in America.
Perspectives on Promotion and Database Marketing: The Collected Works by Robert C Blattberg

Quantitative marketing as a discipline started around the mid 60's and has been dominated by only a handful of individuals. Robert Blattberg is one of them and has been a leader in setting a research agenda for this discipline. The collection of articles in this book along with commentary by some of his doctoral students is a magnificent testament to the genius of Robert Blattberg. The chapters in this book are organized into six parts. The first part, titled Early Bob , traces research which he completed during the first decade after he joined University of Chicago. The second part is titled Statistical Bob . This part comprises papers that Robert wrote in characterizing the response of consumers to dealing. The third part is titled Promotional Bob , and covers roughly a ten-year stretch from 1987 to 1996. The fourth part titled Big Bob , describes Robert's contribution to and impact on marketing practice. The fifth part is titled Direct Bob , and focuses on what customer level data should be gathered, how they should be organized, linked and analyzed, and what metrics should be used to assess customer value. The sixth and final part titled Micro-Macro Bob , is not genre or area specific as much as an illustration of Robert's overall research interests in marketing-mix modeling.
The Divorce Generation

Abstract Using data from the General Social Survey (GSS), we examine mean differences in measures of well-being, family attitudes, and socioeconomic status for individuals divorced, remarried, or in a first marriage. We sample individuals first married between 1965 and 1975, of which 48 percent reported being divorced or separated from their spouses. Overall, our comparisons support the divorce-stress-adjustment perspective in that the divorced/separated report the lowest levels of well-being relative to those in their first marriage, and they support the protective effect of marriage as remarried individuals report higher levels of well-being relative to the still divorced or separated.
Generation of Antigen-Specific, Foxp3-Expressing CD4+ Regulatory T Cells by Inhibition of APC Proteosome Function

We tested the hypothesis that immature APC, whose NF-kappaB-signaling pathway and thus maturation was blocked by the proteosome inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-isoleucyl-glutamyl(O-tert-butyl)-alanyl-leucinal (PSI), could be a source of Ag-specific regulatory T (Treg) cells. DO11.10 CD4(+) T cells that were incubated with Ag- and PSI-pulsed APC proliferated poorly, produced less IL-2, IFN-gamma, and IL-10 in secondary cultures, and inhibited the response of both naive and memory CD4(+) T cells stimulated by Ag-pulsed APC. The generation of PSI-APC Treg cells required IL-10 production by APC. PSI-APC Treg cell inhibition required cell-cell contact but not IL-10 or TGF-beta. Addition of IL-2 did not reverse, but Ab to CTLA-4 did reverse partially the inhibitory effect. Depletion of CD25(+) T cells before initial culture with PSI-APC did not affect Treg generation. PSI-APC Treg cells expressed high levels of Foxp3, inhibited proliferation of naive DO11.10 T cells in vivo, and abrogated colitis driven by a memory Th1 response to bacterial-associated Ag. We conclude that NF-kappaB-blocked, immature APC are able to induce the differentiation of Treg cells that can function in vitro and in vivo in an Ag-specific manner.
Review of Multivariable Model-building: A Pragmatic Approach to Regression Analysis Based on Fractional Polynomials for Modeling Continuous Variables, by Royston and Sauerbrei

This article reviews Multivariable Model-building: A Pragmatic Ap- proach to Regression Analysis Based on Fractional Polynomials for Modeling Con- tinuous Variables, by Patrick Royston and Willi Sauerbrei.
The Sialic Acids XI. A PERIODATE-RESORCINOL METHOD FOR THE QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF FREE SIALIC ACIDS AND THEIR GLYCOSIDES

The Svennerholm resorcinol method for the quantitative determination of the sialic acids was modified by introducing a periodate oxidation step prior to heating with the resorcinol reagent. Sialic acid glycosides could be determined without acid hydrolysis. The glycosides gave chromogens stable to periodate oxidation at 37°, whereas free sialic acid gave chromogens that were destroyed at this temperature, but were stable at 0°. Using these properties, the periodate-resorcinol method was applied to the determination of total, free, or bound sialic acid. The periodate-resorcinol method was substantially more sensitive than the resorcinol procedure, was not affected by lipids, amino acids, or sugars, and could be used to detect free or glycosidically bound sialic acids on paper chromatograms.
Highway Bridge Superstructure Engineering: LRFD Approaches to Design and Analysis

A detailed discussion of traditional structural design perspectives is the focus of this book. This book is based on the load and resistance factor design (LRFD) philosophy and is applicable to highway bridges of all construction and material types. It discusses the theory of probability and includes fully solved design examples of steel reinforced and prestressed concrete bridge superstructures. The book contains step-by-step calculations for determining the distribution factors for several different types of bridge superstructures (which form the basis of load and resistance design specifications) and can be found in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. The book also serves as a state-of-the-art resource on the latest design and analysis of highway bridge superstructures. The book consists of 6 chapters that: introduce bridge engineering as a discipline of structural design; describe numerous types of highway bridge superstructures systems; present a detailed discussion of various types of loads that act on bridge superstructures and substructures; discuss the methods of analyses of highway bridge superstructures; include a detailed discussion of reinforced and prestressed concrete bridges; and slab-steel girder bridges.
A revised mineral nutrient supplement increases biomass and growth rate in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

*SUMMARY Interest in exploiting algae as a biofuel source and the role of inorganic nutrient deficiency in inducing triacylglyceride (TAG) accumulation in cells necessitates a strategy to efficiently formulate species-specific culture media that can easily be manipulated. Using the reference organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we tested the hypothesis that modeling trace element supplements after the cellular ionome would result in optimized cell growth. We determined the trace metal content of several commonly used Chlamydomonas strains in various culture conditions and developed a revised trace element solution to parallel these measurements. Comparison of cells growing in the revised supplement versus a traditional trace element solution revealed faster growth rates and higher maximum cell densities with the revised recipe. RNA-seq analysis of cultures growing in the traditional versus revised medium suggest that the variation in transcriptomes was smaller than that found between different wild-type strains grown in traditional Hutner’s supplement. Visual observation did not reveal defects in cell motility or mating efficiency in the new supplement. Ni 2+ -inducible expression from the CYC6 promoter remained a useful tool, albeit with an increased requirement for Ni 2+ because of the introduction of an EDTA buffer system in the revised medium. Other advantages include more facile preparation of trace element stock solutions, a reduction in total chemical use, a more consistent batch-to-batch formulation and long-term stability (tested up to 5 years). Under the new growth regime, we analyzed cells growing under different macro- and micronutrient deficiencies. TAG accumulation in N deficiency is comparable in the new medium. Fe and Zn deficiency also induced TAG accumulation, as suggested by Nile Red staining. This approach can be used to efficiently optimize culture conditions for other algal species to improve growth and to assay cell physiology.
How the Lack of Prescriptive Technical Granularity in HIPAA Has Compromised Patient Privacy

This paper argues that HIPAA legislation has a severe flaw within its architecture; a flaw which is severely compromising patient privacy. Although the drafters of the legislation recognized the importance of providing comprehensive privacy legislation at the federal level (to improve uniformity amongst states), they failed to recognize the importance highly specific ("granular") technical requirements play in facilitating improved privacy for patients. This paper suggests that HIPAA rules surrounding technology implementation give too much latitude to covered entities. Consequently, the rules fail to provide adequate protection to protected health information. HIPAA rules should be amended to mandate baseline technical granular standards to ensure uniform efficacy in the safeguarding of protected health information.
Preparation of PVOH coatings with graphene nanoplatelets for electrostatic discharge protective packaging

Abstract This study investigated the use of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) as a conductive filler for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective packaging. Various weight concentrations of GNP were mixed and sonicated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH). The resulting polymer solution was applied as a coating to corrugated board in order to form an ESD packaging. Surface resistivity, mechanical strength and coating adhesion were then measured. The study found that the electrical percolation threshold of the PVOH/GNP coating is 9–13wt% GNP. GNP incorporated PVOH coatings with surface resistivity of 103–108 Ω/sq. generally meet all of ESD packaging requirements. The humidity strongly affects the surface resistivity of the coatings below the percolation threshold, but the change of the surface resistivity with humidity is less significant above the percolation threshold.
Improvement of robot overshoot by motor controller design

A number of industrial robots today have relatively good repeatability, yet, lack good accuracy and stability at high speeds. This paper presents an approach to measuring the positional overshoot of a six-axis revolute robot and a motor controller scheme to improve this problem. Positional accuracy data were collected for various speed ranges to characterize the overshoot phenomenon. This problem, to a great extent, was attributed to the controller design in which a simple positional feedback law was used to drive a stepper motor on each joint of the robot. To compensate for this, a second-order model for the motor and an optimal control law, which comprises position and velocity feedback, are proposed to improve the stability of the motor. A single-axis motion control system was developed to simulate the joint motion of the robot, and to evaluate the control scheme. Simulation results show that significant improvement in overshoot is achieved by the new controller.
Improved functionality of graphene and carbon nanotube hybrid foam architecture by UV-ozone treatment

Optimization of the electrode/electrolyte double-layer interface is a key factor for improving electrode performance of aqueous electrolyte based supercapacitors (SCs). Here, we report the improved functionality of carbon materials via a non-invasive, high-throughput, and inexpensive UV generated ozone (UV-ozone) treatment. This process allows precise tuning of the graphene and carbon nanotube hybrid foam (GM) transitionally from ultrahydrophobic to hydrophilic within 60 s. The continuous tuning of surface energy can be controlled by simply varying the UV-ozone exposure time, while the ozone-oxidized carbon nanostructure maintains its integrity. Symmetric SCs based on the UV-ozone treated GM foam demonstrated enhanced rate performance. This technique can be readily applied to other CVD-grown carbonaceous materials by taking advantage of its ease of processing, low cost, scalability, and controllability.
Sudden and unexpected death in horses and ponies: an analysis of 200 cases

An analysis was made of the causes of death in horses and ponies over one year of age which died suddenly (Group 1) or were found dead but were considered normal when last seen (Group 2). There were 49 animals in Group 1. Thoroughbreds were overrepresented, but there were no ponies in this group. No cause of death was found in 30.6 per cent of cases and 16.3 per cent died from each of the following causes: haemorrhage in the respiratory system, central nervous system, and adverse drug reactions. Cardiovascular lesions were the cause of death in 14.4 per cent and the remaining 3.1 per cent had lesions of the gastrointestinal system. Racehorses mostly died suddenly from severe haemorrhage in various sites, particularly the thorax. In Group 2 there were 151 animals, and in 33.1 per cent no cause of death was determined. Gastrointestinal lesions were considered the cause of death in 39.2 per cent of cases and respiratory lesions killed 8.6 per cent. Lesions of both the central nervous system and cardiovascular system were considered the cause in 4.6 per cent of cases. The remaining 9.9 per cent of animals had miscellaneous lesions. Toxicological studies were performed in 46 of the total 200 cases, and only two had positive results; lead in one and nicotine in the other.
Personal reflections on the surgical treatment of portal hypertension.

Reports, early in this century, on the treatment of portal hypertension by surgical diversion of the portal blood flow about the liver were largely ignored because of the anticipated high mortality. Whipple, Blakemore and Lord in the early 1940's described a technique of performing a splenorenal or portacaval shunt with an epithelial lined vitallium tube. Blalock, whom I assisted, was one of the first outside of the Whipple Group to successfully perform such an operation. Although he used the vitallium tube technique in his first cases he soon became convinced that the results were better with a direct suture anastomosis. Venous shunts, which seemed such a logical way to treat portal hypertension, were widely and quickly adopted. Little attention was paid to the problem of portal encephalopathy which had been described in experimental animals years before by Pavlov. As some of the follow up studies on these shunted patients began to appear it was evident that this was a common and at times a severe problem. Some of the earliest doubts about the shunt operation were expressed by surgeons in Japan. The most successful methods developed to date for the treatment of portal hypertension provided a shunt for blood from the esophageal variceal region while at the same time preserving portal blood flow through the liver. Two of these methods have been (1) the distal or selective splenorenal shunt proposed by Warren & Zeppa and (2) the coronary caval shunt first described by Inokuchi. These methods, although somewhat more difficult technically than end to side portacaval shunts, reduce portal hypertension and preserve blood flow through the liver thereby lowering significantly the incidence of encephalopathy. The vascular stapling instrument developed by Professor Inokuchi in the 1950's has allowed him to perform this and other types of difficult vascular surgery with excellent results.
FURTHER EXPERIENCE WITH THE TOAD METHOD OF TESTING FOR CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN IN NORMAL AND IN DISTURBED PREGNANCY

Current pregnancy testing is largely confined to the diagnosis of pregnancy based upon the qualitative detection of urinary chorionic gonadotropin. However, there is some evidence that in disturbed pregnancies quantitative estimation of chorionic gonadotropin may provide information of prognostic value (1–4). Because such problems are usually of an urgent nature, the rapidly reacting batrachians are well suited for this work providing, a) the seasonal sensitivity to chorionic gonadotropin is known, b) a rapid concentration technique is used in order to rule out false negative reactions, and c) the upper and lower limits of chorionic gonadotropin excretion in normal pregnancy are known.
Subcortical brain atrophy persists even in HAART-regulated HIV disease

The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern and extent of caudate nucleus and putamen atrophy in HIV-infected men with well-controlled immune status and viral replication. 155 men underwent structural brain magnetic resonance imaging; 84 were HIV-infected and 71 were uninfected controls. MRI data were processed using the Fully Deformable Segmentation routine, producing volumes for the right and left caudate nucleus and putamen, and 3-D maps of spatial patterns of thickness. There was significant atrophy in the HIV-infected men in both the caudate and putamen, principally in the anterior regions. The volume of the basal ganglia was inversely associated with the time since first seropositivity, suggesting that either there is a chronic, subclinical process that continues in spite of therapy, or that the extent of the initial insult caused the extent of atrophy.
Design considerations for small-scale wind energy harvesters driven by broadband vortex-induced vibrations

In recent years, an increasing number of breakthroughs have been made in the field of small-scale wind energy harvesting, where specialized materials are utilized to convert flow energy into electric power. Several studies on this power extraction rely on a common energy harvester setup in which a stiff cantilever beam is attached to the trailing edge of a miniature bluff body. At these small scales where boundary layer effects are appreciable in the laminar flow regime, periodic vortex shedding can be used to drive transverse vibrations in the beam. Interestingly, the fluid dynamics involved in this unsteady process have been studied for decades not to exploit their characteristics, but instead to eliminate potentially destructive effects. As a result, there is still much room for improvement and expansion on recent design studies. A study of how subtle changes in bluff body trailing edge geometry effect power output of a model will be presented in this paper. The model under consideration consists of a miniature bluff body on the order of tens of millimeters in diameter, to which a piezoelectric cantilever is attached at the trailing edge. This model is specifically designed for laminar to transitional Reynolds Number flows (500−2800) where the periodicity of vortex shedding approaches the natural frequency of the beam. As the flow speed is further increased, the effect of lock-in occurs where the resonant beam motion resists a change in vortex shedding frequency. Vibration amplitudes of the beam reach a maximum under this condition, thus maximizing power generation efficiency of the system and providing an optimal condition to operate the harvester. In an effort to meaningfully compare the results, a number of dimensionless parameters are employed. The influence of parameters such as beam length and natural frequency, fluid flow speed, and trailing edge geometry are studied utilizing COMSOL Multiphysics laminar, fluid-structure interaction simulations in order to create design guidelines for an improved energy harvester.
Addressing the Needs of Students with Learning Disabilities during Their Interaction with the Web.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of instruction in information problem solving within the world wide web (the web) environment. The participants were 20 seventh and eighth grade students with a learning disability (LD) in reading. An experimental pretest‐posttest control group method was used to investigate the effects of intervention in which the treatment group was instructed in information problem solving with the Big6 Skills model. Both groups utilized an essay map organizer. The students researched science and social studies topics on the internet and the web and wrote reports over a three‐month period.Design/methodology/approach – Experimental pretest‐posttest control group study, with a repeated measures design, and a repeated measures ANOVA analysis.Findings – Both groups significantly improved in the quality of writing, text length, and navigation. The treatment group significantly outperformed the control group on the measure of text length and text organizatio...