cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A gain-of-function germline mutation in Drosophila ras1 affects apoptosis and cell fate during development.

The RAS/MAPK signal transduction pathway is an intracellular signaling cascade that transmits environmental signals from activated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) on the cell surface and other endomembranes to transcription factors in the nucleus, thereby linking extracellular stimuli to changes in gene expression. Largely as a consequence of its role in oncogenesis, RAS signaling has been the subject of intense research efforts for many years. More recently, it has been shown that milder perturbations in Ras signaling during embryogenesis also contribute to the etiology of a group of human diseases. Here we report the identification and characterization of the first gain-of-function germline mutation in Drosophila ras1 (ras85D), the Drosophila homolog of human K-ras, N-ras and H-ras. A single amino acid substitution (R68Q) in the highly conserved switch II region of Ras causes a defective protein with reduced intrinsic GTPase activity, but with normal sensitivity to GAP stimulation. The ras1R68Q mutant is homozygous viable but causes various developmental defects associated with elevated Ras signaling, including cell fate changes and ectopic survival of cells in the nervous system. These biochemical and functional properties are reminiscent of germline Ras mutants found in patients afflicted with Noonan, Costello or cardio-facio-cutaneous syndromes. Finally, we used ras1R68Q to identify novel genes that interact with Ras and suppress cell death.
Population structure of blood groups in Central and South American Indians

The phenotype bioassay has been applied to samples of Indians from 12 countries of Central and South America. Using five blood group systems, more than 7,000 tested individuals were studied. The mean coefficient of kinship for pairs from the same place (a) is about 0.025, which is considerably higher than has been found for industrialized populations. The decline of kinship with distance (b) is moderate (0.003), indicating substantial migration. These results are similar to two other primitive populations.
A critical analysis of the T cell hybrid technique

Abstract The T cell hybridization technique can be used to prepare continuous cell line which express the antigen specificity and function of T cells within the melieu of a proliferating lymphoma. Technical details for the preparation and maintenance, selection and analysis of T cell hybrids are defined. Techniques for cloning of hybrid cells and production of hybrid-derived tumors are also presented. Parameters influencing the hybridization frequency and the production of functional hybrids are discussed. A variety of T cell subsets, including suppressor cells and delayed-type hypersensitivity effector cells as well as T cells maintained on TCGF, are excellent sources of primary parents for hybridization. When BW 5147 is used as the T lymphoma parent in these experiments, the resulting hybridization frequencies range between 10 and 434 × 10-7. We have had moderate success using YAC-1; however, additional lines such as L5178Y, BALENTL 5, EL4 BU and S491TB.2 have proved ineffective as sources of T lymphoma parents. The technique of T cell hybridization is evaluated in terms of retention of differentiated functions and the stability and growth characteristics of the resultant hybrids.
Changes in pulmonary arterial pressure after atrial fibrillation ablation: incidence, causes, and implications on the stiff left atrial syndrome

Purpose: The stiff left atrial (LA) syndrome is defined as pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to reduced LA compliance. While decreased LA compliance is one possible cause of PH after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, our study examines the incidence of an increase in pulmonary arterial (PA) pressure post-ablation and the potential underlying mechanisms. Methods: Patients who underwent AF ablation between 1999 and 2011 were included if they had both an echocardiogram within 6 months prior to the procedure and between 1 week and 6 months after the procedure. Patients were then separated into two groups with the increased PA pressure group defined as patients with > 10 mmHg increase in right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) post-ablation and a post-ablation RVSP > 35 mmHg. Categorical parameters were compared using a Chi-square test for independence. Continuous parameters were compared with a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results: Of the 499 patients meeting study criteria, 41 (8.2%) had an increase in RVSP > 10 mmHg and RVSP > 35 mmHg post-ablation. The group which developed an increase in PA pressure had an older age, higher BMI, larger LA volume, and greater prevalence of coronary artery disease and valvular disease. On echo, the two groups had similar E/A and E/e' ratios pre-ablation. However, post-ablation the increased PA pressure group had higher E/A (2.12 versus 1.49, P=0.002) and E/e' ratios (14.7 vs. 11.2, P=0.006). LA expansion index values were lower in the increased PA pressure group pre-ablation (51% vs. 92%, P<0.0001), but not significantly different post-ablation (82% vs. 88%, P=0.44). Conclusions: Around 8% of patients develop an increase in estimated PA pressure after AF ablation. However, a "stiff left atrium" does not appear to be the most common mechanism, as evidenced by LA expansion index values. Echocardiographic parameters suggest that patients who develop increased PA pressure are developing (or unmasking) left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. These data do not rule out the stiff LA syndrome as a cause of an increase in PA pressure in some patients, but suggest that LV diastolic dysfunction is a prominent cause of an increase in PA pressure after AF ablation.
What is the evidence for heterozygote advantage selection

Recent genomic data have found that many genes show the signal of selection. How many of these genes are undergoing heterozygote advantage selection is only beginning to be known. Initial genomic surveys have suggested that only a small proportion of loci have polymorphisms maintained by heterozygote advantage and this is consistent with the few examples generated from other approaches within given species. Unless further studies provide large numbers of loci with heterozygote advantage, it appears that loci with heterozygote advantage must be considered only a small minority of all loci in a species. This is not to say that some heterozygote advantage loci do not have important adaptive functions, but that their role in overall evolutionary change might be more of an unusual phenomenon than a major player in adaptation.
Role of topiramate in adults with intractable epilepsy, mental retardation, and developmental disabilities

Abstract The efficacy and safety of topiramate in patients with intractable mixed seizures, mental retardation (MR), and developmental disabilities (DD) were investigated. Twenty patients (eight females and 12 males) aged 21–57 years old with intractable epilepsy with mixed seizures, MR [profound (five), severe (three), moderate (two), mild (eight) and borderline (two)], and DD were treated with adjunctive topiramate 25 mg per day for 1 week followed by titration to clinical response (range 50–350 mg per day). Other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were decreased simultaneously. Topiramate therapy was discontinued in four patients for adverse events consisting of disorientation, unsteadiness, and pneumonia (one patient); anaphylactic shock from a tuna fish allergy (one); patient choice (one); and loss to follow-up (one). Seizures improved by ⩾ 50% in 11 of 16 patients (69%). Two patients (13%) were seizure free, including one patient who prior to topiramate therapy was seizure free but experiencing an intolerable adverse effect during therapy with another AED. Seizure duration and/or severity decreased in seven patients (44%). An increase in alertness was observed in 11 patients (59%). Topiramate was associated with improvement in seizure severity and alertness in this series and may be useful as adjunctive therapy in patients with mixed seizures, MR, and DD.
Angular-compliant hydrodynamic bearing performance under dynamic loads

The study is focused on a dynamically loaded composite bearing, consisting of a hydrodynamic journal bearing inside the internal race of a rolling-element bearing. In this combination, the hydrodynamic bearing has an angular-compliant sleeve with a restricted freedom of rotation around its axis. Under static loads, the improvement is primarily in a significant reduction of friction and wear during the starting and stopping. Under periodical loads, our analysis shaws that the performance depends on two dimensionless design parameters. Below particular critical values of these parameters, the results show a considerable improvement, demonstrated by a reduction of the maximum eccentricity. However, above the critical values, the bearing becomes unstable
Translin coactivates steroidogenic factor-1-stimulated transcription.

Transcription of the rat P450c17 gene in Leydig cells requires steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) (NR5A1), nerve growth factor-inducible protein B (nurr77), COUP-TF, and SET. The −447/−419 region of this promoter contains two binding sites for orphan nuclear receptors that are required for activation by SF-1, nerve growth factor-inducible protein B, and cAMP. We identified a novel factor, steroidogenic factor-inducer of transcription-2, that binds to this −447/−419 region. We have now purified steroidogenic factor-inducer of transcription-2 from mouse Leydig MA-10 cells and identified it by mass spectrometry as translin, a 27-kDa protein that exerts many functions. By itself, translin cannot activate a P450c17-promoter/reporter construct in HeLa cells; however, translin increased SF-1-stimulated transcription 2-fold, indicating cooperativity between SF-1 and translin. Mutation of both SF-1 binding sites in the −447/−419 sequence eliminated activation by SF-1 and translin. Translin did not augment SF-1-stimulated transcription from all SF-1-responsive elements, suggesting that the activation is specific for the sequence of the SF-1 response element. Gel shift analysis of double- and single-stranded DNA showed that translin binds to single-stranded DNA, but its transcriptional activation is independent of DNA binding. The hinge region of SF-1 is necessary for activation by translin; deletion of hinge amino acids 170–225 in SF-1 eliminates translin’s ability to augment SF-1-dependent transcription. A translin-like protein, called translin-associated factor X, can substitute for a translin moiety; translin homomers and translin/translin-associated factor X heteromers activated SF-1-stimulated transcription equally. Thus, we have identified a new factor that works together with SF-1 to augment gene transcription in a DNA-specific fashion.
Immunohistochemical basis for adjuvant anti-angiogenic targeted therapy for renal carcinoid: initial case report.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the immunohistochemical profile of a carcinoid (low grade neuroendocrine tumor of the kidney) from a patient with lymph node positive disease who remains disease free for 31 months after radical nephrectomy, lymph node dissection, and adjuvant therapy with sunitinib malate. Methods Immunohistochemical staining was performed for chromogranin, synaptophysin, CD31, VEGF, HIF-1α, HIF-2, and Glut-1. Staining was evaluated in 3 high-power fields and samples scored as strongly positive (3+), moderately positive (2+), weakly positive (1+), or negative (0). A clear cell renal cell carcinoma was used as positive control. Results Immunohistochemical staining was strongly positive VEGF, weak to moderately positive for HIF-2, and negative for HIF-1α and Glut-1. Conclusions Our case of primary renal carcinoid stained intensely for VEGF and HIF-2, consistent with a VHL-HIF1-HIF2-Glut1 independent pathway for VEGF activation. These data suggest that like other neuroendocrine tumors, primary renal carcinoid is a potential target for anti-angiogenic therapy with sunitinib.
Interfaces in bulk thermoelectric materials: A review for Current Opinion in Colloid and Interface Science

We review current progress in the understanding of interfaces in bulk thermoelectric materials. Following a brief discussion of the mechanisms by which embedded interfaces can enhance the electronic and thermal transport properties, we focus on emerging routes to engineer the nanoscale grain and interfacial structures in bulk thermoelectric materials. We address in particular (i) control of crystallographic texture, (ii) reduction of grain size to nanocrystalline dimensions, and (iii) formation of nanocomposite structures. While these approaches are beginning to yield promising improvements in performance, continued progress will require an improved fundamental understanding of the mechanisms governing the formation, stability, and properties of thermoelectric interfaces.
Carboplatin plus vinorelbine with concomitant radiation therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a phase I study

This phase I study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose of carboplatin when administered in combination with a fixed dose of vinorelbine and concomitant radiation therapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Chemotherapy was administered on days 1 and 8 of two 21 day cycles. It consisted of vinorelbine at 15 mg/m(2) and carboplatin administered at an initial area under the curve (AUC) of 1.5, and increased by an AUC of 0.5 per dose level to a maximum AUC of 3, corresponding with an AUC of 6 per cycle of chemotherapy. Radiation was administered in daily fractions of 200 cGy over 5-7 weeks. We treated 36 patients, of whom 27 had stage II or III disease, and nine had stage IV disease but required thoracic radiation for palliation. Toxicities included neutropenia (three with Grade 4) and esophagitis (seven with Grade 3 and one with Grade 4). Four patients had radiation pneumonitis 4-7 months after completing therapy, three of whom died. The recommended phase II dose of carboplatin is an AUC of 3 on 2 consecutive weeks. Of 33 patients evaluable for response within the radiation field, 17 (52%) had complete or partial response, and 13 had stable disease. Of seven patients evaluable with distant metastatic disease, three had a complete or partial response, and two had stable disease. The median survival for the entire group and for patients with stage II/III disease was 13.5 months. We conclude that the combination of carboplatin, vinorelbine, and radiotherapy is feasible at these doses. It may be a useful alternative for patients not able to tolerate cisplatin-based therapy.
Restoring Forbs for Sage Grouse Habitat: Fire, Microsites, and Establishment Methods

The decline and range reduction of sage grouse populations are primarily due to permanent loss and degradation of sagebrush‐grassland habitat. Several studies have shown that sage grouse productivity may be limited by the availability of certain preferred highly nutritious forb species that have also declined within sagebrush ecosystems of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. The purpose of this study was to determine the suitability of three species of forbs for revegetation projects where improving sage grouse habitat is a goal. Species suitability was determined by evaluating the emergence, survival, and reproduction of Crepis modocensis , C. occidentalis , and Astragalus purshii in response to method of establishment (seeding or transplanting), site preparation treatment (burned or unburned), and microsite (mound or interspace) in an Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis vegetation association in south central Oregon. For seeded plants A. purshii had the lowest emergence (8%) of all three species. Both seeded Crepis species had similar overall emergence (38%). Significantly more Crepis seedlings emerged from shrub mounds in unburned areas (50%) than in any other fire-by-microsite treatment (33 to 36%). Approximately 10% more Crepis seedlings survived in mounds compared with interspaces. Nearly twice as many emerging Crepis seedlings survived in the burned areas as opposed to unburned areas ( p � 0.01). This resulted in more plant establishment in burned mounds despite higher emergence in unburned mounds. Astragalus purshii seedlings also survived better in burned areas ( p � 0.06) but had no differential response to microsite. Fire enhanced survival of both Crepis and A. purshii transplants ( p � 0.08 and p � 0.001). We believe additional research is needed to improve A. purshii emergence before it will become an effective plant for restoring sage grouse habitat. Conversely, we conclude that these Crepis species provide a viable revegetation option for improving sage grouse habitat in south central Oregon.
Chemical vapor infiltration: modelling solid matrix deposition in ceramic—ceramic composites

Abstract A model is developed to predict the effect of diffusion, the rate of deposition, and spatial distribution of a solid matrix in a woven fabric forming a ceramic—ceramic composite. To the knowledge of the authors there has been no prior treatment of chemical vapor infiltration in a system of plies consisting of an assembly of woven tows containing bundles of filaments. The model predicts the times to fill the gaps around the filaments of a tow, the space between plies, and the holes between the tows. It also predicts the porosity of the composite as a function of position and processing time. Predictions are made for an illustrative case of deposition of silicon carbide matrix within a woven carbon fabric.
The Effects Of Collaborative Action Research On Preservice And Experienced Teacher Partners In Professional Development Schools

This study describes the perspectives of five pairs of preservice teachers and their experienced mentor teachers who engaged collaboratively in planning, implementing, and evaluating action research projects during a semester-long internship experience in their professional development school sites. The views of novice and experienced teachers about the costs and benefits of doing collaborative action research are presented, and the authors elaborate on the development of the mentor/mentee relationship between the preservice and experienced teacher pairs. The authors also offer guidelines for successfully engaging preservice and experienced teachers in collaborative action research.
Assessment of a finite element model for plate shearing

AbstractA study was conducted to assess the robustness of a plane strain finite element model that was developed to simulate plate shearing using the Cockroft-Latham fracture criterion and element deletion. Model predictions for blade gap, ductility and edge wear were compared with published experimental results. Results showed that the model was able to simulate initiation and propagation of fracture lines at the punch and die corners and the resultant break angle along the edge was found to be close to values observed in practice. Simulated edge geometry and microhardness were found to be in reasonable agreement with published experimental results for the steel plate considered although the model was unable to simulate double cutting at 0.8 per cent clearance. Results also suggest that edge hardness is independent of the starting ductility in the plate and that increasing the edge radii does not effectively simulate edge wear. Based on the results obtained, it may be concluded that the plane strain mode...
Improvement on the luminescence efficiency, electroluminescence linewidth and transport properties of ZnCdSe/ZnCdMgSe Quantum Cascade structures

We present electroluminescence from ZnCdSe/ZnCdMgSe Quantum Cascade structures, with 3 times higher luminescence efficiency, 30% narrower electroluminescence linewidths than our first demonstration. The measured turn-on voltage matches with the calculated value.
Asymmetry in the evolution of female mating preferences

Trivers1 has suggested that where genetic or developmental constraints on the expression of a trait prevent male and female fitnesses from being maximized simultaneously, female mating preferences should evolve to favour males who exhibit variants of the trait that confer relatively low fitness on males but relatively high fitness on females. This asymmetry is expected because alleles that affect mating preferences are expressed only in females, but are genetically correlated with alleles that differentially affect the fitnesses of the two sexes. Here we describe a two-locus population–genetic model that embodies this idea. The model's qualitative behaviour is exactly like that of previous models2–10 for the joint evolution of male traits and female mating preferences: evolution is equally likely to proceed in either direction along (or away from) a line of neutral equilibria that relates given frequencies of the preference alleles to corresponding frequencies of the trait alleles. But there is a quantitative asymmetry, of the expected kind, in the shape of the line of equilibria. When we extend the model to include migration between partially isolated demes (breeding groups), ‘selective diffusion’11,12 moves the demes along the line of equilibria in the direction that increases average female fitness while lowering average male fitness.
Time-resolved FTIR photofragment emission spectroscopy: HCl vibrational distributions from the 193 nm photolysis of chloroethylenes

Abstract With minor modifications to commercial instrumentation, time-resolved FTIR emission spectroscopy is demonstrated for the determination of photofragment internal state distributions. Vinyl chloride and dichloroethylene photolysis at 193 nm serve as test cases and exhibit high signal-to-noise. The vibrational distributions in the first four levels of the HCl photo-product of vinyl chloride and 1,2-trans-dichloroethylene are in good agreement with previous determinations.
Unrecognized left ventricular dysfunction in an apparently healthy alcohol abuse population.

Abstract To examine effects of chronic alcohol abuse on left ventricular function, 162 otherwise relatively healthy alcohol abusers, having been admitted to a rehabilitation program, underwent cardiac evaluation including chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, and radionuclide angiography after 2 weeks abstinence. Twenty-nine of the 162 alcoholic subjects (18%) with left ventricular dysfunction were identified. Twenty-two had regional wall motion abnormalities, suggesting a localized process, of whom 12 also had depressed ejection fractions. Seven others had a depressed ejection fraction alone with a more global myopathic process. Only 4 of these 29 patients had any history suggesting prior heart disease. Two of the 29 had Q-waves ≥ 0.4 s and 8 had an abnormal cardiothoracic ratio on chest X-ray. Chronic alcohol abusers appear to be at relatively high risk for left ventricular dysfunction; most of which is unrecognized. Routine screening methods failed to identify 85% of our subjects who later were recognized by radionuclide angiography. Since historical and electrocardiographic abnormalities are often absent in this population, detection of left ventricular dysfunction by other methods such as radionuclide angiography must be used.
A Novel Ternary Ligand System for 99mTc-Labeling of Hydrazino Nicotinamide-Modified Biologically Active Molecules Using Imine-N-Containing Heterocycles as Coligands

A hydrazinonicotinamide-functionalized cyclic platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) receptor antagonist [HYNICtide, cyclo(D-Val-NMeArg-Gly-Asp-Mamb(5-(6-(6-hydrazinonicotina mido)hexanamide)))] was labeled with 99mTc using tricine and a series of imine-N-containing heterocycles as coligands. The imine-N-containing heterocycles include N-omega-Acetylhistamine (HIS-AC), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)isonicotinamide (ISONIC-HE), isonicotinic acid (ISONIC), isonicotinoyl-L-aspartic acid dimethyl ester (ISONIC-L-Asp-OMe2), 4-methyl-5-thiazoleethanol (MTE), nicotinic acid (NIC), 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole (NTZ), 4-pyridylacetic acid (PA), 4-pyridineethanesulfonic acid (PES), and 3-pyridinesulfonic acid (PSA). The synthesis of these new ternary ligand [99mTc]HYNICtide complexes can be performed in one or two steps in high yield and high specific activity (>/=10 000 Ci/mmol HYNICtide). For example, the reaction of HYNICtide, [99mTc]pertechnetate, nicotinic acid, stannous chloride, and tricine at pH approximately 5 and 100 degreesC for 20 min results in the complex [99mTc(HYNICtide)(tricine)(NIC)] in >/=90% yield as determined by radio-HPLC. It was found that ternary ligand technetium complexes, [99mTc(HYNICtide)(tricine)(L)] (L = ISONIC, ISONIC-L-Asp-OMe2, ISONIC-HE, MTE, PA, PES, and PSA) are formed as equal mixtures of two isomeric forms. Complex [99mTc(HYNICtide)(tricine)(L)] (L = HIS-AC and NTZ) showed more than two well-resolved radiometric peaks at the retention times of interest, suggesting that they may have more than two forms in solution due to different bonding modalities of HIS-AC and NTZ. By a chirality experiment, it was found that the presence of two radiometric peaks is a result of the resolution of the two diastereomers which are formed by the combination of the chiral HYNICtide and the chiral technetium chelate. The formation of two diastereomers was also observed when a chiral imine-N-containing coligand was used for the radiolabeling of HYNIC-BA. The new ternary ligand [99mTc]HYNICtide complexes were found to be stable for up to 6 h in the reaction mixture. The high solution stability is attributed to their kinetic inertness. The composition of these complexes was determined to be 1:1:1:1 for Tc:HYNICtide:L:tricine (L = imine-N-containing heterocycles) through a series of mixed ligand experiments on the tracer (99mTc) level. The lipophilicity of the ternary ligand [99mTc]HYNICtide complexes can be systematically varied by the choice of polyaminocarboxylate and imine-N-containing coligands. Using the combination of tricine and an imine-N-containing coligand, HYNIC-derivatized peptides or other small molecules can be labeled with 99mTc in high specific activity and high stability for potential use as radiopharmaceuticals.
Tonic-clonic convulsions in meadow voles

Abstract Some meadow voles ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ) exhibit prolonged tonic-clonic convulsions, possibly epileptiform seizures, when handled or exposed to a strange environment. These convulsions are often preceded by a period of slow head shaking and/or stifflegged hopping, but never by the explosively wild running bouts that characterize convulsions in some mammals. Convulsions occasionally occur in meadow voles in response to mild disturbance, as when an individual in its home cage is carried from one room to another. In contrast, they can not be elicited by some of the auditory or olfactory insults used to induce epileptiform seizures in other mammals. Breeding experiments have established the genetic basis of the convulsions seen in meadow voles, and of particular interest here is the fact that some of the convulsing voles were caught in the wild. This raises the interesting possibility that wild voles in natural habitats might be susceptible to convulsions when startled.
Effective Pyroelectric Coefficient of Layered Structures

The paper encompasses the investigation of the effective pyroelectric behavior of materials in different structures/systems such as the bimorphs and the sandwiched structure, with the variation of the temperature. Different mathematical approaches have been used to include the secondary factors contributing to the effective pyroelectric coefficient, and it has been included to obtain a consolidated expression of the same. The effective pyroelectric coefficient for few selected ferroelectric materials has been deduced using their actual physical constants to get a closer resemblance with the practical device. This paper would be a step forward to the fabrication of layered material with a higher pyroelectric coefficient for a possible energy harvesting applications also.
Illustration of an asymptotically free field theory: The Zachariasen model

We study the exactly soluble relativistic-model field theory proposed by Zachariasen. Here we consider the more general model with Yukawa and Fermi couplings. The model thus admits a nontrivial vertex function as well as a propagator. Conventional renormalization is reviewed, and then renormalization is carried out at an arbitrary spacelike momentum. The equivalence of the two procedures is demonstrated. By setting up the equations for the Yukawa and Fermi constants at Euclidean momenta in terms of the on-mass-shell couplings, the asymptotic limit is taken. It is shown that both the Yukawa and Fermi constants vanish in the limit, thus providing an example of an asymptotically free theory. Since the model has an $S$-matrix formulation, we see the connection between the renormalization-group method and the point of subtraction in the $\frac{N}{D}$ technique. The Gell-Mann-Low equations for the coupling constants are set up and solved exactly, again verifying the asymptotic freedom.
13,14-Dihydroxy-retinol, a New Bioactive Retinol Metabolite

Deprivation of vitamin A (retinol) leads to reduced potential of B cell proliferation and nearly complete block of T cell activation in vitro. Retinol, which is thought to function as a pro-hormone, is enzymatically converted into intracellular messenger molecules. Thus, 14-hydroxy-retro-retinol (14-HRR) is an intracellular messenger molecule linked to activation and growth regulation of lymphocytes; whereas, anhydroretinol, another natural retro-retinoid, is an antagonist of 14-HRR effects. In this article, we describe the isolation, structure determination, synthesis, and biological properties of a new intracellular retinol derivative, 13,14-dihydroxy-retinol (DHR), which also supports the viability of retinol-deprived lymphocytes. DHR is found in numerous cell lines representing a large cross-section of tissues and animals from insects to mammals. In T lymphocytes the production of DHR and 14-HRR is up-regulated by phorbol ester. DHR is converted to 14-HRR by mild acid treatment, but not by cells; therefore DHR is not a biosynthetic intermediate in the conversion of retinol to 14-HRR. DHR is a distinct end point of retinol metabolism. Although it is linked to cell proliferation, its biological role remains to be determined.
Evaporation and Flow Properties of Several Hydrocarbon Oils

Two properties that delimit the useful temperature range of synthetic lubricating oils are the vapor pressure and viscosity. This study investigates the ability of fluid theory to model these two properties for diesters with different diacid chain length and alcohol branching, triesters consisting of triglycerides and a trimethylol propane ester, and nonpolar oils including aromatic hydrocarbons, a polyalphaolefin, and two branched alkanes. Within each type of oil there are structural isomers. Isomerism influences the vapor pressure and viscosity, in addition to the well-known dependence on molecular weight. The expressions for the vapor pressure and viscosity are combined using the absolute rate theory of Eyring and equilibrium thermodynamics. A modification of the rate theory allowing for a rotational contribution to the flow-activation entropy was needed to simultaneously fit the vapor pressure and viscosity data between −20 and 100°C. The flow-activation rotational entropy, calculated from the combine...
Temperature dependence of the flow stress and ductility of annealed and unannealed amorphous Fe40Ni40P14B6

The flow stress and ductility of amorphous Fe40Ni40P14B6 was investigated on asprepared and annealed ribbons over the temperature range 78 to 573 K. The embrittlement is characterized by a rise in the ductile-to-brittle transition temperatureTdtb, such thatTdtb≈Tanneal and sets in at temperatures as low as 423 K. The flow stress of Fe40Ni40P14B6 at room temperature is 2.21 GPa (320 ksi), in good agreement with the extrapolation from hardness measurements. The flow stress increases with decreasing temperature. The increase can be accounted for in dislocation-based models of the deformation of a metallic glass but is more difficult to understand in terms of a free volume model.
The effects of silver nanoparticles on oyster embryos.

Nanoparticles may be introduced into aquatic environments during production processes and also as a result of release following their use in various commercial formulations and biologic applications. Filter-feeding bivalve mollusks such as oysters are valuable model species for characterizing nanoparticle bioavailability and interactions with basic cellular processes. The adults release their gametes into the environment, so their embryos and larvae are also likely targets of nanoparticles. The purpose of these studies was to characterize the toxicity of metal nanoparticles on embryonic development of oysters, Crassostrea virginica and to compare the relative sensitivity of embryos to adults. Newly-fertilized oyster embryos were exposed to silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and then the percent normal development after 48 h was assessed. Studies were conducted with adult oysters in which they were also exposed to AgNP for 48 h, and the effects on lysosomal destabilization were determined. The expression of metallothionein (MT) gene expression was also assessed in both embryos and adults. Adverse effects on embryonic development were observed at concentrations similar to those that caused both statistically and biologically significant effects on lysosomal destabilization of adults. Significant increases in MT mRNA levels were observed in both embryos and adult oysters, and MT levels were highly induced in embryos. While we do not know whether the toxicity and gene expression responses observed in this study were due to the nanoparticles themselves or the Ag ions that dissociated from the nanoparticles, these kinds of basic studies are essential for addressing the potential impacts of nanoengineered particles on fundamental cellular processes as well as aquatic organisms.
NBC update: The addition of viral and fungal databases to the Naïve Bayes classification tool.

Classifying the fungal and viral content of a sample is an important component of analyzing microbial communities in environmental media. Therefore, a method to classify any fragment from these organisms' DNA should be implemented. We update the naive Bayes classification (NBC) tool to classify reads originating from viral and fungal organisms. NBC classifies a fungal dataset similarly to Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) and the Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) classifier. We also show NBC's similarities and differences to RDP on a fungal large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA dataset. For viruses in the training database, strain classification accuracy is 98%, while for those reads originating from sequences not in the database, the order-level accuracy is 78%, where order indicates the taxonomic level in the tree of life. In addition to being competitive to other classifiers available, NBC has the potential to handle reads originating from any location in the genome. We recommend using the Bacteria/Archaea, Fungal, and Virus databases separately due to algorithmic biases towards long genomes. The tool is publicly available at: http://nbc.ece.drexel.edu .
Interactions in the Co/Si thin‐film system. I. Kinetics

Interactions in the Co/Si thin‐film system were investigated by MeV backscattering and x‐ray‐diffraction techniques. It was found that Si diffuses through the Co layer and accumulates at the sample surface at about 300 °C. Increasing the temperature causes the growth of the Co2Si phase, followed by the simultaneous growth of the CoSi phase. The growth rates for both phases have a square root of time dependence. The activation energies of growth are 1.5 and 1.9 eV for the Co2Si and CoSi phase, respectively. A model for the growth of multiple phases is suggested. The transformation between CoSi2 and CoSi is found to be a reversible reaction.
Advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the trunk and extremity: Analysis of prognostic factors

Background Patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin may exhibit locally advanced or metastatic disease and present a challenging management problem. Methods A retrospective review of 40 patients with advanced SCC of the trunk or extremity managed at Roswell Park Cancer Institute from 1982 through 1992 was performed to identify clinical and pathologic factors that influenced outcome. Results There were 27 males and 13 females with a median age of 61 years. Median follow-up was 24 months. Surgical resection to control the primary tumor was often extensive. Amputation was required in nine patients, hemipelvectomy in three patients, and hemicorporectomy in one patient. Median survival was 28 months, and 5-year survival was 43%. Univariate analysis identified stage (P = 0.04), size (P = 0.0001), type of surgical procedure (P = 0.009), and margins of resection (P = 0.005) as having prognostic significance. On multivariate analysis, stage (P = 0.04) and size (P = 0.02) were found to be significant. Conclusions Optimum treatment for advanced SCC of the trunk and extremity involves surgical resection with uninvolved margins. The role of elective node dissection remains undefined. Investigation is needed to define the role of neoadjuvant therapy that may improve functional and cosmetic results. J. Surg. Oncol. 64:212–217 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Enhancement and repression of somatic embryogenesis in cell cultures of carrot by cold pretreatment of stock plants

Roots of nine cultivars of carrot (Daucus carota L.) were exposed to one, two or three months cold treatment and cells isolated from cold-treated and control roots were assayed for the production of somatic embryos. Cells obtained from the one- or two-months cold treatments formed embryos earlier, produced embryos over a longer period of time and produced more embryos per callus than the controls. In contrast, cells obtained from roots exposed to three months cold displayed a reduction in all parameters of embryogenic competence and for some cultivars this treatment resulted in production of cells with no embryogenic competence. The relationship of cold treatment of stock plants to the induction of metastable and stable patterns of gene expression and the induction of somatic embryos are discussed.
Ultrasensitive and nanoscale Raman spectroscopy in biomedicine

This paper is about a new methodological approach in spectroscopy, the Raman spectroscopy, which combines the interesting optical properties of nanostructures with modern laser spectroscopy. Ultra sensitive Raman measurements at the single molecule level for biomedically relevant molecules, such as DNA fragments, neurotransmitters, proteins, as well as surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies in single living cells are reported and potential capabilities and limitations of spectroscopies exploiting local optical fields of nanostructures in the biomedical field are discussed
Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus dynamics in a loblolly pine-goat silvopasture system in the Southeast USA

Agroforestry presents an opportunity to increase land productivity and improve cash flow by combining income from crop or animal production and forestry on the same land. In addition, agroforestry offers numerous environmental benefits such as increased diversity of plants and animals, nutrient recycling, erosion control, and carbon (C) sequestration. We investigated the effect of grazing and forage enhancement on total soil C (TSC), soil nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) dynamics in a goat (Capra aegagrus hircus)—loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) silvopasture system on a Kipling silt loam soil (fine, smectitic, thermic, Typic Paleudalfs) at Epes, Alabama from 2006 to 2010. In 2007, the soil in the silvopasture plots was characterized by low pH, low TSC, and was deficient in N and P. Four years after tree thinning and after 3 years of grazing in June 2010, the silvopasture plots still depicted low soil pH (<6) and TSC levels less than 20 g kg−1. TSC content in all the silvopasture plots in June 2010 were generally similar to levels obtained after thinning and prior to grazing in May 2007. However, soil disturbance for liming, fertilizer incorporation, and forage planting increased soil N and P levels, but resulted in lower TSC in the enhanced forage plots compared to the other treatments. Grazing increased N and P levels during the study period. Our study suggests that in the long-term, grazing without additional soil management practices can improve soil fertility through nutrient recycling and C sequestration and thereby making the goat-loblolly silvopasture system both environmentally and economically sustainable.
The Conventionality of Parastatistics

Nature seems to be such that we can describe it accurately with quantum theories of bosons and fermions alone, without resort to parastatistics. This has been seen as a deep mystery: paraparticles make perfect physical sense, so why don't we see them in nature? We consider one potential answer: every paraparticle theory is physically equivalent to some theory of bosons or fermions, making the absence of paraparticles in our theories a matter of convention rather than a mysterious empirical discovery. We argue that this equivalence thesis holds in all physically admissible quantum field theories falling under the domain of the rigorous Doplicher-Haag-Roberts approach to superselection rules. Inadmissible parastatistical theories are ruled out by a locality-inspired principle we call Charge Recombination.
Retinoids and wound healing.

BACKGROUND Retinoids are widely used in dermatology and may play a role in wound healing. The exact role of retinoids in wounds is confusing and controversial, however. Systemic retinoids are presumed to be detrimental to wound healing; however, this standard is based on isolated reports. OBJECTIVE The objective was to provide a critical review of the available literature regarding the role of both topical and systemic retinoids in various aspects of wound healing. CONCLUSIONS Pretreatment with retinoids likely promotes wound healing after facial resurfacing procedures and full- or partial-thickness wounds. While the evidence is mixed regarding the effects of retinoids applied to fresh and healing wounds, the majority of the evidence available shows favorable wound-healing properties in this setting. The medical-legal standard regarding the avoidance of facial resurfacing and surgical procedures in patients on or recently completing a course of systemic retinoids was likely prematurely established.
The Influence of Rearing Environment and Age at Housing on Laying House Performance of Red × Rock Sex-linked Females

Abstract A 5 x 2 factorial experiment was conducted utilizing Red x Rock sex-linked females. The birds were transferred from the rearing facilities to laying cages at 8, 10, 12, 14 or 16 weeks of age. Two rearing environments, wire or litter, were included at each housing age. Commercial-type starter, grower and layer diets were fed to all birds. There were no significant age at housing differences in egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency or livability during the laying phase. The birds started on litter exhibited significantly higher egg production, consumed significantly more feed and had significantly greater livability. Feed efficiency was not significantly different between the wire and litter-reared birds.
On the determination of diffusion coefficients in chemical diffusion

Abstract The equations describing chemical diffusion in the general case where the partial molal volumes of the diffusing components may differ and may vary with composition are reviewed and discussed. Exact and easily applied relations for obtaining chemical and intrinsic diffusivities are derived. The results should replace the standard Darken equations and Boltzmann-Matano analysis whenever there is any possibility that differences and variations of the partial molal volumes are of significance.
Mainstreaming hearing-impaired students: the effect of effort in communicating on cooperation and interpersonal attraction.

ABSTRACT Cooperative and individualistic learning experiences were compared in terms of their effects on interaction and relationships between hearing and hearingimpaired students. Two contradictory hypotheses were tested—one stating that the effort required for hearing and hearing-impaired students to communicate would lead to frustration, withdrawal, exclusion, and rejection; the other stating that cooperative learning experiences would lead to cross-handicap interpersonal attraction regardless of communication difficulties. Thirty 3rd-grade students (20 hearing and 10 hearing impaired) were assigned to conditions on a stratified, random basis controlling for handicap, sex, and ability level. They participated in the study for 55 min a day for 15 instructional days. The results indicate that subjects involved in cooperative learning experiences performed higher on measures of interaction and interpersonal attraction between hearing and hearing-impaired students than did subjects involved in individualis...
The growth of supply and demand of occupational‐based training and certification in the United States, 1990–2003

The 1990s and early 2000s saw the increased development of advanced training, skills standards, and certification exams by private organizations in the United States. Employers began accepting these skill certifications in lieu of traditional on-the-job training, thereby encouraging employees to acquire more credentials. This article examines the increase in the number of skill certifications available, discusses legislative causes of these increases, and notes the current lack of published peer-reviewed analyses of statistical reliability and validity of certification exams. It presents a call for future research to determine the usefulness of certification.
Wound Infection by an Indigenous Pseudomonas pseudomallei-Like Organism Isolated from the Soil: Case Report and Epidemiologic Study

A 27-year-old farmer in the Oklahoma panhandle was pinned under his overturned tractor for 2 hr and received superficial and deep lacerations. He contracted an infection of a pelvic wound with an organism that had cultural and biochemical characteristics identical to those of Pseudomonas pseudomallei. Identical organisms were recovered from soil taken from the site of the accident. The organism isolated from the wound proved to be less virulent in guinea pigs than usual laboratory strains of P. pseudomallei; fatty acid analysis showed a distinctly different pattern from that of laboratory strains of P. pseudomallei. The infecting organism may be a variant of P. pseudomallei or a new species of Pseudomonas.
Imported dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever cases in Japan.

Several dengue outbreaks occurred in Japan from 1942 to 1945. Dengue fever emerged in Nagasaki in August 1942 and soon spread to other cities such as Sasebo, Hiroshima, Kobe and Osaka, recurring every summer until 1945 and constituting the greatest outbreak in the temperate zone. Domestic outbreaks have not been reported in Japan since then. However, the number of imported dengue cases has increased year by year: 868 imported cases were reported in Japan between 1999 and 2010 according to the Infectious Diseases Control Law. Moreover, 406 imported cases were confirmed to be dengue virus infection among 768 dengue suspected cases received at NIID from 2003 to 2010. A total of 142 cases (35.6%), 103 cases (25.8%) and 62 cases (15.5%) were noted in the 20–29, 30–39 and 40–49 age groups, respectively. Infecting dengue virus serotypes were determined for 280 of the 406 cases. The number of cases infected with each of the 4 serotypes was 98 (35%) with type 1, 78 (28%) with type 3, 72 (26%) with type 2, and 32 (11%) with type 4. Sixty percent of dengue cases were imported from July to October, the summer vacation season in Japan.