cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simian T-Lymphotropic Virus Type I

Counterparts of the known human retroviruses have been shown to naturally infect various nonhuman primate species of African and Asian origin. These retroviruses belong to three distinct retrovirus groups (Coffin, 1992): (1) the HTLV/BLV group (formerly included among the oncovirus family), which includes the type C human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma viruses (HTLV) types I and II (Sugamura and Hinuma, 1993) and the simian T-lymphotropic viruses (STLV) type I; (2) the lentiviruses, comprised of the human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) types 1 and 2 and the simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV) (see Chapter 5); and (3) the spuma or foamy viruses, of which there are closely related human and simian counterparts (Mergia et al., 1990; Flugel, 1991). All of these viruses share common regulatory features and similar genomic organizations and encode the basic retroviral genes, gag, pol, and env. In addition, viruses of all three retrovirus groups establish long-term persistent infections, but they induce very different disease syndromes. The lentiviruses, HIV-1 and HIV-2, are the causative agents of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a disease which develops in from 2 to 10 years in at least 50% of infected persons and is pandemic throughout the globe (Mann and Chin, 1988).
Incidence and Clinical Impact of Device-Related Thrombus Following Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: A Meta-Analysis

AbstractObjectives: This study sought to assess the incidence and clinical impact of device related thrombus (DRT) following precautions left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO).Background: Device-re...
Better outcomes without increased costs? Effects of Georgia’s University System consolidations

Abstract Declining state appropriations for higher education have prompted consolidations within numerous public university systems. Using administrative data from the University System of Georgia, I investigate the effects of recent consolidations on educational quality and efficiency. Comparing cohorts matriculating after consolidations to similar cohorts at non-consolidated institutions reveals that consolidation increases retention rates and the fraction of students graduating on-time with four-year degrees. Spending data and conversations with USG administrators suggest that increased spending on academic support (advising), made possible by economies of scale in student services, are likely responsible for the gains.
CHARACTERIZATION OF CROSS-TISSUE mQTL EFFECTS AND THEIR RELEVANCE IN PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

Background Epigenetics has been known to mediate genetic risks and regulate gene expression in complex diseases. Due to substantial epigenetic variation, particularly DNA methylation, is tissue specific, sample accessibility has been one of the major road blockers in epigenetic research for human brain disorders. However, previous studies have shown that DNA methylation can also be significantly regulated by genetics and such effect is relatively consistent cross tissues. A better understanding of this genetic and epigenetic relationship can be very beneficial for the investigation of diseases pathology. In this work, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of genetic influence on DNA methylation across brain and peripheral tissues, characterized genetics and their target CpGs, and their functional relevance to psychiatric diseases. Methods We performed a genome-wide methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTLs) analysis on postmortem brain prefrontal cortex, whole blood and saliva. Cis-acting SNP-methylation pairs (distance Results We found significant overlap of meQTLs and targeted CpGs cross tissue (34%-73%). MeQTLs in blood showed the strongest cis-effect followed by brain and saliva regardless of direction of effect. Cross-tissue meQTL targeted CpGs were highly distributed on CpG island shore regions (OR: odds ratio = 1.3, P = 2.8e-99) and had a much higher probability being blood brain correspondent than non-meQTL target CpGs (OR=6.6). Cross-tissue meQTLs showed significant enrichment in risk loci of five major psychiatric disorders (OR: odds ratio = [1.65 - 5.42]). In addition, these cross-tissue meQTLs also enriched significantly in cross-tissue eQTLs (OR = 16.21), where 351 SNPs were meQTl, eQTL, and carried significant schizophrenia risk, mainly from regions 6p21.1 – 6p24.3. Finally, we found more similar co-methylation network structure between brain and blood than brain and saliva, and identified one consensus module showing significant schizophrenia risk (Z= -4.54, p = 5.5e-6). Discussion Results show strong cross-tissue similarity of meQTLeffects, especially between brain and blood, and their significant enrichment in psychiatric disorders, supporting the surrogate role of peripheral tissues in studying pathology of genetic effect on brain disorders through methylation.
Effect of direct-current operation on the electrochemical performance and structural evolution of Ni-YSZ electrodes

The effect of electrolysis operations on Ni-YSZ fuel electrode stability was studied at different current densities and fuel mixtures during 1000 h life tests. For a typical electrolysis mixture of 50% H2/50% H2O and 0.6 A cm−2 current density, cell ohmic resistance values were reasonably stable and no structural changes occurred. However, for more reducing conditions (97% H2/3% H2O), increasing the current density above 0.4 A cm−2 increased the ohmic resistance accompanied by significant electrolyte degradation including fracture and void formation at grain boundaries. Numerical analysis was carried out to determine the effective oxygen partial pressure across the electrolyte. The results show that the oxygen partial pressure values at high current density and low steam content may be low enough to reduce zirconia to form a Ni-Zr alloy product, initiating the observed electrolyte structural degradation.
Working memory growth predicts mathematical problem-solving growth among emergent bilingual children.

Abstract An area of mathematics found to be difficult for emergent bilingual children whose first language (L1) is Spanish in the United States is solving mathematical word problems. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between growth in the executive component of working memory (WM) and growth in mathematical word-problem solving in children whose L1 is Spanish. Elementary school children (Grades 1, 2, and 3) were administered a battery of mathematical, vocabulary, reading, and cognitive measures (short-term memory [STM], inhibition, and WM) in both Spanish (L1) and English (second language [L2]) in Year 1 and again 1 year later. Multilevel growth modeling showed that growth in WM significantly predicted growth in L1 and L2 mathematical word-problem solving. Furthermore, the contributions of WM to mathematical word-problem-solving growth in both L1 and L2 were independent of language skills in vocabulary, reading, estimation, naming speed, inhibition, STM, and calculation. Overall, the results suggest that the mental activities that underlie WM play a significant role in predictions of L1 and L2 mathematical word-problem-solving accuracy.
Imaging of Non-atherosclerotic Vasculopathies

Non-atherosclerotic vasculopathies (NAVs) may present with various neurological symptoms ranging from headache, stroke, visual symptoms, and various types of intracranial hemorrhage. NAVs result from different etiologies which include collagenopathies, immunological, hematological, and infection mechanisms, and other rarer unidentifiable or idiopathic causes. NAV etiologies account for about 10-15% and 20-25% of adult and pediatric stroke cases, respectively, and therefore, diagnosing the underlying cause of NAV becomes clinically very important. Clinical diagnosis of NAV is challenging because the clinical presentation is very non-specific and overlapping with various other central nervous system disorders. Before the advent of non-invasive techniques, making a diagnosis of non-atherosclerotic vasculopathy as a cause of the stroke was very challenging. Today with newer techniques such as high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR), MR and computed tomography perfusion, and angiogram, there are number of pointers which can give us a lead about the non-atherosclerotic causes. Imaging may provide the first lead to the clinician regarding the diagnosis or possible differential diagnosis so that the targeted and focused biomarkers (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or/and in some cases biopsies) may be obtained to clinch the diagnoses. The purpose of the article is to enumerate the causes, clinical features, and illustrate the imaging findings of the various non-atherosclerotic vasculopathic disorders and discuss "pearls" to their diagnosis. In this article, we have also discussed the latest advances in vascular imaging and elaborated on few uncommon non-atherosclerotic vasculopathies. These are very relevant clinically in the day-to-day practice for the radiologist, neurologist, and the neurointerventionalist.
Tannic acid derivatives display anti-angiogenic properties in human breast cancer cells by interfering with CXCR4/SDF-1 interactions

5190 Angiogenesis involves the formation and stabilization of new blood vessels. Tumors rely on this process to meet their constantly increasing demands for nutrients and oxygen. Research has shown that stromal-cell derived factor-1_ (SDF-1_) is involved in angiogenesis by up regulating key angiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which in turn increases the cell membrane expression of CXCR4. Previous studies have shown that tannic acid inhibits the binding of SDF-1_ and CXCR4, decreasing the angiogenesis measured by the chicken choriallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. We hypothesize that 3 derivatives of tannic acid (ferulic acid, ellagic acid and gallic acid) will posses its same anti-angiogenic potential. Ferulic acid is a phenolic plant derived organic acid possessing antioxidant properties. It has also been demonstrated to boost the immune system and aide in the body’s protection against UV light. Gallic acid, a trihydroxybenzoic acid, is a natural antioxidant found in walnuts, tea leaves, oak bark and other plant extracts. Ellagic acid is a polyphenolic compound found in berries and known for its cancer fighting properties. In this study we use MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 (high CXCR4 expressing) and MCF-7 (low CXCR4 expressing) breast adenocarcinoma cell lines. Cells are placed on the CAM of fertilized chicken eggs at a concentration of 5 x 105 cells/20 _L with SDF-1_ (100 ng/mL), and derivative concentrations ranging from 5 _M to 25 _M. We then quantify angiogenesis using a novel analytical computer program, which measures blood vessel density, length, and branching points. Our controls were untreated eggs, eggs with the cancer cells only, and eggs with the cancer cells and SDF-1_. In this study we report optimal inhibition at a 5 _M concentration where tannic acid decreases blood vessel density by 65% (p ≤ 0.0244), blood vessel length by 71% (p≤ 0.000), and branching points by 70% (p≤ 0.000) in comparison to the SDF-1_ control in MDA-MB-435. Ferulic acid at the same concentration showed similar inhibition of angiogenesis, causing an 80% reduction in blood vessel density, a 48% reduction in branching points and a 70% decrease in blood vessel length. The other two derivatives show related trends in their anti-angiogenic capacity. MDA-MB-231 angiogenesis inhibition paralleled that of MDA-MB-435. On the other hand, the addition of tannic acid derivatives to MCF-7 showed little anti-angiogenic potential. We assume that this may be due to their low expression of CXCR4. Further research may be required to validate this hypothesis.
Seeing "invisible" with Brillouin microspectroscopy

In my presentation, I will describe the advantages and challenges of using Brillouin microspectroscopy for imaging biological tissues and sub cellular structures. I will review the recent advances in instrumentation development, including the first quantum measurements of Brillouin spectra, and outline the potential applications where Brillouin microspectroscopy is likely to play the pivotal role in assessing local viscoelastic properties.
A Simple Target Will Save the Day and the Kidney: This Is How We Perform Our Endovascular Fenestrated Graft Procedure

With the advent of state-of-the-art imaging modalities, increasing population age, and advanced preventive medical treatments, medical device design attempts to keep up with procedural demand. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a recognized, potentially fatal disease process where strides have been made in screening, detection, and treatment since its discovery. With the introduction of percutaneous endograft procedures in 1991, open surgical treatment is nearly a lost art. Endovascular aortic repair is now the gold standard. However, short landing zone necks, hostile angulation, and markedly dilated seal zones present challenges for one size fits all endovascular aortic devices. Suprarenal and juxtarenal fenestrated aortic grafts are the most advanced individually customized grafts invented to date. Subsequently, proper placement of these complex devices still presents challenges. We present a method for preoperative renal stent placement for target purposes. This article includes a pictorial guide and describes the tips and pitfalls for easy proper AAA exclusion with a fenestrated aortic graft. We were successful in the deployment of the fenestrated graft device and the exclusion of an aortic aneurysm while preserving the patency of the renal arteries. The patient had no postoperative complications. During 18-month postoperative surveillance, imaging demonstrated proper graft positioning without evidence of an endoleak. In fenestrated endovascular aortic repair, preoperative renal stenting is paramount for targeting purposes. This allows for the precise and timely deployment of the renal limbs through the fenestrations while minimizing the risk of postoperative complications, including renal artery occlusion.
Inflammatory Myopathies

The mainstay of treatment for the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies currently and traditionally has been therapeutics aimed at suppressing or modifying the immune system. Most therapies being used are directed towards polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM), as there is yet to be efficacious treatment of any kind for inclusion body myositis (IBM), However, there are few randomized controlled studies supporting the use of such therapies even in PM and DM. Even in the absence of controlled studies, oral corticosteroids (in particular high-dose prednisone) continue to be the first-line medications used to manage these conditions. Second-line therapies include the addition of chronic, steroid-sparing immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, and mycophenolate mofetil. These drugs are typically added when patients are on corticosteroids for an extended period or when the disease is refractory. Such medications often allow corticosteroid dosages to be reduced, but monitoring is required for their own side effects, such as bone marrow suppression, kidney dysfunction, and respiratory concerns. Small controlled studies also support the role of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy as an alternative therapy, particularly for DM, though the cost of this treatment is sometimes prohibitive. Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody that depletes B cells, has also shown efficacy in uncontrolled studies in DM and holds promise for the treatment of this disease. Other promising immunotherapies currently under study are inhibitors of interferon-α and tumor necrosis factor-α. Unfortunately, though a number of immunomodulatory treatments have been investigated in IBM, none has convincingly demonstrated benefit.
Anomalous elastic behavior of tantalum at high pressures: Experimental and theoretical studies

Abstract Elastic wave velocities of polycrystalline tantalum have been measured up to 13.6 GPa at room temperature using ultrasonic interferometry technique in a multi-anvil apparatus. The bulk and shear moduli, as well as their pressure derivatives are obtained using Eulerian 3rd order finite strain equations, yielding KS0 = 193.9(29) GPa, G0 = 69.3(10) GPa, KS0′ = 3.18(5) and G0′ = 0.88(1). The Steinberg-Guinan yield stress model is examined using the current shear modulus and its pressure derivative, where a slightly lower A0 = 0.0127 GPa−1 compared to previous studies is obtained. First-principles calculations on the elasticity of tantalum have also been performed up to 200 GPa. Anomalous softening of the elastic shear constant C44 and shear wave velocity VS is observed between 80– 180 GPa, whereas the anisotropy shows a softening-stiffening behavior with increasing pressure and reaches a minimum at around 150 GPa. Such anomalies might commonly originate from the nesting of Fermi surface for Group VB metals.
A hyper-immunogenic and slow-growing fungal strain induces a murine granulomatous response to cryptococcal infection

Many successful pathogens cause latent infections, remaining dormant within the host for years but retaining the ability to reactivate to cause symptomatic disease. The human opportunistic pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous yeast that establishes latent pulmonary infections in immunocompetent individuals upon fungal inhalation from the environment. These latent infections are frequently characterized by granulomas, or foci of chronic inflammation, that contain dormant cryptococcal cells. Immunosuppression causes these granulomas to break down and release viable fungal cells that proliferate, disseminate, and eventually cause lethal cryptococcosis. This course of C. neoformans dormancy and reactivation is understudied due to limited models, as chronic pulmonary granulomas do not typically form in most mouse models of cryptococcal infection. Here, we report that a previously characterized Cryptococcus-specific gene which is required for host-induced cell wall remodeling, MAR1, inhibits murine granuloma formation. Specifically, the mar1Δ loss-of-function mutant strain induces mature pulmonary granulomas at sites of infection dormancy in mice. Our data suggest that the combination of reduced fungal burden and increased immunogenicity of the mar1Δ mutant strain stimulates a host immune response that contains viable fungi within granulomas. Furthermore, we find that the mar1Δ mutant strain has slow growth and hypoxia resistance phenotypes, which may enable fungal persistence within pulmonary granulomas. Together with the conventional primary murine infection model, latent murine infection models will advance our understanding of cryptococcal disease progression and define fungal features important for persistence in the human host.
Five Essential Steps for Faculty to Mitigate Racial Bias and Microaggressions in the Classroom.

Educators must recognize the pharmacy curriculum itself is an instrument which can propagate or discourage systemic racism. The role of pharmacy education in disseminating racial bias through didactics deserves further consideration. While microaggressions have begun to be acknowledged in the pharmacy learning environment, specific guidance on mitigating racial microaggressions in the classroom has not been provided. This paper aims to suggest actionable strategies pharmacy educators may use to mitigate or prevent these negative classroom experiences. In the table included five experiences of racial biases and microaggressions in the classroom are combined with suggested action items in a practical guide for pharmacy faculty members. It is our hope that this commentary will challenge faculty in self-assessing their teaching, to prevent propagating racial biases and to create better learning environments for future pharmacists.
Surgical Gesture Segmentation and Recognition

Automatic surgical gesture segmentation and recognition can provide useful feedback for surgical training in robotic surgery. Most prior work in this field relies on the robot’s kinematic data. Although recent work [1,2] shows that the robot’s video data can be equally effective for surgical gesture recognition, the segmentation of the video into gestures is assumed to be known. In this paper, we propose a framework for joint segmentation and recognition of surgical gestures from kinematic and video data. Unlike prior work that relies on either frame-level kinematic cues, or segment-level kinematic or video cues, our approach exploits both cues by using a combined Markov/semi-Markov conditional random field (MsM-CRF) model. Our experiments show that the proposed model improves over a Markov or semi-Markov CRF when using video data alone, gives results that are comparable to state-of-the-art methods on kinematic data alone, and improves over state-of-the-art methods when combining kinematic and video data.
Computer Programs for the Calculation of Thermodynamic Properties of Cryogens and other Fluids

A set of computer subprograms for calculating thermodynamic properties of cryogenic fluids has been developed. These subprograms can be used interactively from a menu-driven utility program or as functions or subroutines in application programs. The subprograms are written in standard FORTRAN 77 and provide for the direct calculation of single phase and saturation properties from a wide variety of input variable pairs using a comprehensive set of iterative routines. The equations of state selected for these fluids are the most accurate formulations available. All equations of state have been converted to a common functional form. ALLPROPS, a menu-driven interactive driver, can be used to calculate a variety of thermodynamic properties. Options are available for table generation and alternate unit selection.
Controls on the Distribution and Life History of Fish Populations in the Deschutes River: Geology, Hydrology, and Dams

In the Deschutes River basin, geology and hydrology exert first-order controls on salmonid fish populations through two broad mechanisms. As studies of the distri­ bution of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), rainbow trout/steelhead (0. mykiss), and bull trout (Salvelinus conjluentus) illustrate, the geologic history of the Deschutes River basin controls the hydrologic, sediment transport, and temperature regimes of the watershed, establishing the environmental niches and gradients to which fish species have adapted. Geological disturbances, such as floods, volcanism, and tectonism, have generated landfonns that define habitat areas and constrain the interactions among fish species and populations. Specific events, such as an excep­ tionally large flood about 4400 years ago, may have created persistent habitat condi­ tions partly responsible for the robust rainbow trout/steelhead fishery in the lower Deschutes River. Existing blockages to anadromy resulting from specific geologic events are clearly defined for sea-going salmonid species such as chinook salmon, steelhead, and sockeye salmon (0. nerka). Evidence for prehistoric blockages by ancient lava flows and landslides is more speculative but consistent with the present distribution of certain life history fonns and genetic groups. Dams influence fish populations in manners similar to both types of broad geologic controls. Although changes to environmental gradients, such as temperature, substrate, and flow, often result downstream of impoundments, these habitat characteristics have apparently been little affected by the Pelton-Round Butte dam complex. The major effect of the dams on native fish populations has been to block fish passage, thus limiting anadromy and isolating fish populations above and below the dam complex.
Reasoning about Staged Computation

We report on recent progress in the design of modal dependent type theories that integrate specifications into languages for expressing staged computation.
Advancing brain-machine interfaces: Moving beyond linear state space models

Advances in recent years have dramatically improved output control by Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs). Such devices nevertheless remain robotic and limited in their movements compared to normal human motor performance. Most current BMIs rely on transforming recorded neural activity to a linear state space composed of a set number of fixed degrees of freedom. Here we consider a variety of ways in which BMI design might be advanced further by applying non-linear dynamics observed in normal motor behavior. We consider (i) the dynamic range and precision of natural movements, (ii) differences between cortical activity and actual body movement, (iii) kinematic and muscular synergies, and (iv) the implications of large neuronal populations. We advance the hypothesis that a given population of recorded neurons may transmit more useful information than can be captured by a single, linear model across all movement phases and contexts. We argue that incorporating these various non-linear characteristics will be an important next step in advancing BMIs to more closely match natural motor performance.
Flavonoid-Rich Dietary Supplements’ Influence on Heart Failure

Heart failure, a growing public health problem worldwide, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. Despite a widely varying and diverse etiology and pathophysiology of heart failure, increased neurohormonal and autonomic nervous system activities and maladaptive cardiac remodeling play crucial roles in the progression of most forms of heart failure. Recent evidence suggests that increased oxidative stress, associated with excessive generation of highly reactive free radicals and an endogenous antioxidants deficit, plays an etiopathological role in the development of heart failure. There is a growing body of evidence to support the beneficial effects of flavonoid-rich dietary supplements on heart failure. These cardioprotective effects might be mediated through several different mechanisms including antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activities, neurohormonal modulation, immunomodulation, antiremodeling activity, and improving the associated coronary risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. However, further research needs to be undertaken to understand the exact underlying mechanisms, and to confirm the efficacy and safety of flavonoid-rich dietary supplements.
Does The Path To Completion Of 150 Credit Hours Affect CPA Exam Pass Rates

This study examines how the path to completion of 150 credit hours (150-hour requirement) affects CPA exam pass rates by focusing on degree requirements for specific higher education institutions in the State of Wisconsin. The institutions in the study (a total of five) fall into two categories; colleges offering only bachelor’s degrees in accounting and those that offer master’s degrees in accounting. Accounting majors at three schools offering only bachelor’s degrees in accounting were surveyed in order to gather information concerning how and in what topic areas students obtain additional credits beyond their bachelor’s degree. Curriculum information from the two master’s degree programs was collected from the institutions' websites. Significant differences exist between how the students at the colleges fullfill the 150-hour requirement. The differences in CPA exam pass rates were also found to be significant, but further analysis showed little if any association between college attended and overall pass rates. Therefore, this study did not find evidence to suggest that how the additional hours obtained beyond a bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam is a significant predictor of CPA exam pass rates.
Blind and efficient sub-space based carrier offset estimator for multi-antenna OFDM communications in correlated noise

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communications transforms frequency selective channels into multiple low rate subchannels robust against frequency selective fading. Carrier frequency offset between transmitter and receiver local oscillators must be estimated and compensated at the receiver to maintain orthogonality of these subchannels. In many practical applications, this problem is complicated by signals corrupted by colored noise due to interferer and diversity combining. Multi-antenna receiver diversity may be susceptible to correlation across receiver branches. The nonlinear least squares (NLS) estimator proposed by the authors in an earlier work exploits diversity for carrier frequency synchronization and is shown here robust to colored noise. Furthermore, the estimator mean square error (MSE) is asymptotically efficient attaining performance corresponding to the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) for large enough sample. Numerical studies are presented to verify our results.
Relaxation processes in glassy ionic solids

We examine features of primary and secondary relaxations in ionic glasses of the “fragile” (non-network) type, using time domain and frequency domain relaxation methods. Using the Rheovibron in a static mode we obtain new data on the well-studied Ca(NO3)2-KNO3 system, and extend the measurements to a fast-ion conducting glass 40AgI·60AgPO3 We then study the latter glass, which is a fast cation conductor, and a PbF2-MnF2-Al(PO3)3 glass which is a fast anion conductor, in the deep sub-Tg regime where the mobile ions are being frozen out. Comparisons of electrical and mechanical relaxation in the same frequency range show the mechanical relaxation to be more exponential than the electrical relaxation and to have more symmetrical relaxation spectra which are not well-described by Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts function.
26th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Texas, USA, 3–6 December 2003: update on clinical research

The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is an international meeting dedicated to the translation of advances in cellular and molecular biology of breast disease into clinical improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment. This report summarizes the clinical highlights of the 26th annual meeting held in San Antonio, Texas on 3–6 December 2003. Breast care for women will be improved by reports concerning optimal adjuvant hormonal therapy, advances in chemotherapy and a shift in the clinical philosophy of breast cancer care from maximum tolerable treatment to minimum effective therapy.
Tristetraprolin Regulates CXCL1 (KC) mRNA Stability

mRNAs encoding proinflammatory chemokines are regulated posttranscriptionally via adenine-uridine-rich sequences (AREs) located in the 3′ untranslated region of the message, which are recognized by sequence-specific RNA-binding proteins. One ARE binding protein, tristetraprolin (TTP), has been implicated in regulating the stability of several ARE-containing mRNAs, including those encoding TNF-α and GM-CSF. In the present report we examined the role of TTP in regulating the decay of the mouse chemokine KC (CXCL1) mRNA. Using tetR-regulated control of transcription in TTP-deficient HEK293 cells, KC mRNA half-life was markedly decreased in the presence of TTP. Deletion and site-specific mutagenesis were used to identify multiple AUUUA sequence determinants responsible for TTP sensitivity. Although a number of studies suggest that the destabilizing activity of TTP is subject to modulation in response to ligands of Toll/IL-1 family receptors, decay mediated by TTP in 293 cells was not sensitive to stimulation with IL-1α. Using primary macrophages from wild-type and TTP-deficient mice, KC mRNA instability was found to be highly dependent on TTP. Furthermore, LPS-mediated stabilization of KC mRNA is blocked by inhibition of the p38 MAPK in macrophages from wild-type but not TTP-deficient mice. These findings demonstrate that TTP is the predominant regulator of KC mRNA decay in mononuclear phagocytes acting via multiple 3′-untranslated region-localized AREs. Nevertheless, KC mRNA remains highly unstable in cells that do not express TTP, suggesting that additional determinants of instability and stimulus sensitivity may operate in cell populations where TTP is not expressed.
Heating of baryons due to scattering with dark matter during the dark ages

We explore the effects of elastic scattering between dark matter and baryons on the 21-cm signal during the dark ages. In particular, we consider a dark-matter---baryon interaction with a cross section of the form $\sigma = \sigma_0 v^{-4}$, in which case the effect of the drag force between the dark matter and baryon fluids grows with time. We show that, as opposed to what was previously thought, this effect heats up the baryons due to the relative velocity between dark matter and baryons. This creates an additional source of fluctuations, which can potentially make interactions easier to detect by 21-cm measurements than by using the cosmic microwave background and the Lyman-$\alpha$ forest. Our forecasts show that the magnitude of the cross section can be probed to $\sigma_0\sim 3\times 10^{-42}$ cm$^2$ for $m_{\chi}\ll 1$ GeV and $\sigma_0\sim 2 \times 10^{-41}\ (m_{\chi}/10\, \rm GeV)$ cm$^2$ for $m_{\chi}\gg 1$ GeV with next generation experiments, and improved to $\sigma_0\sim 4\times 10^{-44}$ cm$^2$ for $m_{\chi} \ll 1$ GeV and $\sigma_0\sim 4 \times 10^{-43}\ (m_{\chi}/10\, \rm GeV)$ cm$^2$ for $m_{\chi}\gg 1$ GeV with futuristic experiments.
Using History of Science to Teach Nature of Science to Elementary Students

Science lessons using inquiry only or history of science with inquiry were used for explicit reflective nature of science (NOS) instruction for second-, third-, and fourth-grade students randomly assigned to receive one of the treatments. Students in both groups improved in their understanding of creative NOS, tentative NOS, empirical NOS, and subjective NOS as measured using VNOS-D as pre- and post-test surveys. Social and cultural context of science was not accessible for the students. Students in second, third, and fourth grades were able to attain adequate views of empirical NOS, the role of observation and inference, creative and imaginative NOS, and subjective NOS. Students were not able to express adequate views of socially and culturally embedded NOS. Most gains in NOS eroded by the next school year, except for tentative NOS for both groups and creative NOS for the inquiry group.
Reactivity of a model lipophilic ingredient in surfactant­stabilized emulsions: Effect of droplet surface charge and ingredient location

Abstract The aim of this work was to investigate the location and reactivity of a lipophilic spin probe, 4-phenyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-imidazoline-1-oxyl nitroxide (PTMIO) in emulsion systems stabilized with anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) or cationic (dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide, DTAB) surfactants. The analysis of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of PTMIO in emulsion systems showed that probe molecules partitioned between three environments: the aqueous phase, the lipid droplet core and the surfactant micellar pseudophase. The rate of the reduction of the nitroxide group of PTMIO by ascorbate anions was much faster in DTAB-stabilized emulsions than in SDS-stabilized emulsions, showing that the droplet surface charge controlled to a large extent the probe reactivity with charged aqueous compounds. When excess surfactant was added to the emulsion aqueous phase, a displacement of a fraction of PTMIO molecules from the lipid droplet core to the micellar pseudophase was observed. The subsequent change in the probe partitioning was found to affect the probe’s reduction rate, which confirms that aqueous phase micelles contribute substantially to the reactivity of lipophilic ingredients incorporated in emulsion systems.
Secretion of a lipolytic protein aggregate by barley aleurone and its dissociation by starchy endosperm.

Abstract Acidic and basic lysophospholipase activities (LPL) have been separated by ion-exchange chromatography of barley extracts. The basic activity predominates in the starchy endosperm of germinating barley and in the medium of hormone-stimulated half-seeds; the acidic activity is the predominant form in the medium of hormone-stimulated aleurone layers. Addition of either starchy endosperm or EDTA to the acidic activity produces the basic activity. The two activities display the same pH optimum and have similar Km values. Inactivation profiles of LPLs with immunoglobulin G (IgG) prepared against the purified basic LPL are the same. The acidic LPL obtained from the incubation medium from stimulated aleurone layers appears in the void volume on gel filtration with Bio-Gel P100. Acid phosphatase and α-amylase in the same incubation medium appear at their expected elution volumes on this column. Gel filtration in the presence of EDTA results in the acidic activity eluting in a volume characteristic of the basic LPL (Mr, 40,000). On Bio-Gel P300 the acidic activity peak is centered at Mr, 160,000. SDS-gel electrophoresis of fractions across this peak shows a simple distribution of proteins eluting with Mr ⩾ 160,000. The potential role of an aggregate in the secretion of lipolytic proteins is discussed.
Economic pressure and health and weight management behaviors in African American couples: A family stress perspective

This study extends the family stress model by examining the influence of economic pressure on health and weight management behaviors mediated by depressive symptoms and spousal support among 506 African American married couples. The actor–partner interdependence model accounted for the interdependent nature of relationships. Findings support the family stress model; yet pathways differed slightly for husbands and wives. Economic pressure directly influenced depressive symptoms and spousal support. Spousal support was a buffer against poor health and weight management behaviors for husbands, while depressive symptoms exacerbated poor health and weight management behaviors for wives. These mechanisms have implications for practitioners who promote African American couples’ well-being.
Quantifying protein modularity and evolvability: A comparison of different techniques

Abstract Modularity increases evolvability by reducing constraints on adaptation and by allowing preexisting parts to function in new contexts for novel uses. Protein evolution provides an excellent context to study the causes and consequences of biological modularity. In order to address such questions, however, an index for protein modularity is necessary. This paper proposes a simple index for protein modularity—“module density”—which is the number of evolutionarily independent modules that compose a protein divided by the number of amino acids in the protein. The decomposition of proteins into constituent modules can be accomplished by either of two classes of methods. The first class of methods relies on “suppositional” criteria to assign amino acids to modules, whereas the second class of methods relies on “coevolutionary” criteria for this task. One simple and practical method from the first class consists of approximating the number of modules in a protein as the number of regular secondary structure elements (i.e., helices and sheets). Methods based on coevolutionary criteria require more elaborate data, but they have the advantage of being able to specify modules without prior assumptions about why they exist. Given the increasing availability of datasets sampling protein mutational spectra (e.g., from comparative genomics, experimental evolution, and computational prediction), methods based on coevolutionary criteria will likely become more promising in the near future. The ability to meaningfully quantify protein modularity via simple indices has the potential to aid future efforts to understand protein evolutionary rate determinants, improve molecular evolution models and engineer novel proteins.
The second‐generation polysulfone gas‐separation membrane. I. The use of lewis acid: Base complexes as transient templates to increase free volume

The second-generation polysulfone (PSU) gas-separation membrane is seen as a trilayer that is considerably more permeable and at least as selective as the first-generation bilayer that it has replaced. In air separation, a fourfold increase in oxygen permeabiliy has been obtained with no loss in oxygen/nitrogen selectivity. The enhanced performance is the result of a membrane skin that is not only thinner, but also exhibits increased free volume and a graded density. The key to the emergency of the trilayer morphology was the discovery of a hitherto unsuspected relationship between the size of solvent molecules within a sol and the free volume and permeability in the resultant gel! Solvent molecules with a molar volume V > ˜ 147 cc/mol function as transient templates (spacers) that decrease macromolecular packing density. As a practical matter, the low diffusivity (difficult extractibility) of large solvent molecules is circumvented by the use of 1:1 Lewis acid: base (A:B) complexes such as propionic acid: N-methyl pyrrolidone instead of neat solvents. Complexes whose acid and base strengths, respectively, lie between (Gutmann 47 < AN < 53 and 27 < DN < 28) are sufficiently stable to function as templates, while at the same time exhibiting the hydrolytic instability that leads to their ready disassociation and extraction by water. Selectivity is maintained by the use of A:B complexes whose Hildebrand solubility parameters differ from that of PSU by less than ˜ 1.3 (cal/cc)½. The emergence of the trilayer membrane is considered to be the second decoupling of permeability from selectivity. By the formation of an anisotropic (graded density) skin, permeability has been increased and selectivity maintained. This is analogous to the first decoupling by Loeb and Sourirajan who essentially replaced a thick dense monolayer film with a bilayer consisting of a thin skin of uniform density in series with a thick porous substructure.
Infrared Fluorescence of Carbon Monoxide

Radiation chopping techniques have been employed to study infrared fluorescence of pure carbon monoxide in the region of its fundamental. The present study has served to confirm earlier results obtained by R. C. Millikan using quite different techniques. In addition, CO fluorescence emission V=1 → 0 was observed from samples irradiated in such a manner as to produce only V=0 → 2 initial absorption. The results can be interpreted in terms of resonant collisions, with the selection rule ΔV=±1, as follows: CO(V=2)+CO(V=0)→CO(V=1)+CO(V=1),with fluorescence emission from the molecules in the V=1 state.
The fallacy of cookie cutter asset allocation: some evidence from “New York’s College Savings Program”

Abstract In this paper, we establish why “prefabricated” asset allocation schemes mandated by some education savings programs might be suboptimal. Then, using the New York’s College Savings Program as an example, we simulate and then compare end of period wealth accumulated in both a tax preferred but regimented asset allocation plan, and in a nontax protected plan. We find, first, that the longer the child participates in the plan, the greater the benefit. Second, participants in higher tax brackets derive greater benefits; adherence to prespecified asset allocation for low tax bracket investors often results in return loss that overshadows the tax benefit.
Modeling complex tone perception: grouping harmonics with combination-sensitive neurons.

Perception of complex communication sounds is a major function of the auditory system. To create a coherent percept of these sounds the auditory system may instantaneously group or bind multiple harmonics within complex sounds. This perception strategy simplifies further processing of complex sounds and facilitates their meaningful integration with other sensory inputs. Based on experimental data and a realistic model, we propose that associative learning of combinations of harmonic frequencies and nonlinear facilitation of responses to those combinations, also referred to as “combination-sensitivity,” are important for spectral grouping. For our model, we simulated combination sensitivity using Hebbian and associative types of synaptic plasticity in auditory neurons. We also provided a parallel tonotopic input that converges and diverges within the network. Neurons in higher-order layers of the network exhibited an emergent property of multifrequency tuning that is consistent with experimental findings. Furthermore, this network had the capacity to “recognize” the pitch or fundamental frequency of a harmonic tone complex even when the fundamental frequency itself was missing.
Real-time measurement of the spatial profile of a pulsed laser by photothermal spectroscopy

A new method for the measurement of the spatial profile of a pulsed laser is demonstrated. The method is based on the photothermal deflection technique. The spatial profile of a single pulse can be measured in real time.
Modeling of quasi-three-level lasers and operation of cw Yb:YAG lasers

We present modeling studies of quasi-three-level laser oscillators, the validity of which was revealed by Ti:Al2O3-pumped Yb:YAG laser experiments, and these results are shown to be in excellent agreement with the theory. As much as 75% slope efficiency was obtained with a hemispherical laser cavity. Previous modeling calculations of laser performance have been valid only for certain special cases, restricting application to TEM00 Gaussian beam pumping and lasing profiles. This analysis may be applied to other longitudinally pumped quasi-three-level laser media in which the modes are not only TEM00 Gaussian beams but also other higher-order transverse modes, including the top-hat pumping profile that can be used to model transverse pumping schemes.
Changes in Cloud Nucleus Concentration and Cloud Droplet Size Distribution Associated with Pollution from St. Louis

Abstract During July and August, 1971, measurements were made of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), supersaturation spectra, and cloud-base microstructure upwind and downwind of St. Louis. The supersaturation spectrum of CCN in 19 upwind-downwind pairs of air samples collected at an altitude of ∼600 m MSL was measured with a thermal diffusion chamber-type cloud nucleus counter. The average downwind increase in the concentration of CCN active at supersaturations of 0.17 and 1.0% was found to be 52 and 94%, respectively. Measurements of the droplet size distribution in small cumulus and stratocumulus clouds on 27 and 30 August revealed that downwind clouds were composed of smaller and more numerous droplets and had a narrower dispersion of droplet sizes than upwind clouds. The observed differences in droplet concentration between upwind and downwind clouds are somewhat greater than the predicted effect of the upwind-downwind differences in CCN spectra.
Histopathologic Findings in Meniere's Disease:

The etiopathogenesis of Meniere's disease has remained controversial since the early 1900s. Many investigators have studied the histopathology of the inner ear in patients with this disorder. Three basic pathologic mechanisms have emerged: fibrosis of the endolymphatic sac and vestibular epithelia, altered glycoprotein metabolism, and inner ear viral infection. This article reviews the current understanding of these three basic pathologic processes.
Direct simulation of spin echoes by summation of isochromats

Numerous methods have been used to illustrate and simulate complex spin-echo phenomena for noninteracting spins. Our approach is to reconstruct the time domain signal by what amounts to a finite Fourier series, the terms of which correspond to spin isochromats. The coefficients of the series evolve in response to pulses and periods of free precession. This permits explicit calculation of echo timings and amplitudes for a sequence of strong pulses of arbitrary number, timing, flip angle, and phase. The effects of the shape and density of the isochromat distribution on echo formation are investigated, as are the effects of spin-spin and spin-lattice relaxation. In addition, we identify explicitly the magnetization components that contribute to echo formation in complex sequences. Further, the effect of pulse errors on echo amplitudes is readily simulated. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.