cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pre-frailty predicts cognitive decline at 2-year follow-up in persons living with HIV

Both HIV disease and frailty syndrome are risk factors for neurocognitive impairment. Longitudinal research among individuals of the general population suggests that frailty predicts future cognitive decline; however, there is limited evidence for these longitudinal relationships among people living with HIV (PLWH). The current study evaluated and compared rates of cognitive decline over 2 years among HIV serostatus and frailty status groups. Participants included 50 PLWH and 60 HIV-uninfected (HIV-) participants who were evaluated at baseline and 2-year follow-up visits. Baseline frailty status (non-frail, pre-frail, and frail) was determined using fried frailty phenotype criteria. Neurocognitive functioning was measured using practice-effect corrected scaled scores derived from a comprehensive neuropsychological battery covering seven cognitive domains. Repeated measures analysis was used to estimate rates of global and domain-specific cognitive change from baseline to 2-year follow-up among each of six HIV/frailty status groups. Among PLWH, the pre-frail group demonstrated consistent declines in global cognitive functioning (B = - 0.029, p = 0.034), processing speed (B = - 0.047, p = 0.031), and motor functioning (B = - 0.048, p = 0.038). Among HIV- participants, pre-frail individuals also declined in global cognitive functioning and processing speed (ps ≤ 0.05). HIV- non-frail participants also declined in the cognitive domains of learning, delayed recall, and motor functioning; however, these declines appeared to be driven by relatively higher baseline scores among this group. Notably, 38% of PLWH changed in frailty status from baseline to follow-up, and those with stable pre-frailty demonstrated higher likelihood for cognitive decline; change in depressive symptoms did not relate to change in frailty status. Current findings highlight pre-frailty as an important clinical syndrome that may be predictive of cognitive decline among PLWH. Interventions to prevent or reduce frailty among vulnerable PLWH are needed to maintain optimal cognitive health.
Effect of a Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Formulation on the Bioavailability of 4-(N)-Docosahexaenoyl 2', 2'-Difluorodeoxycytidine After Oral Administration.

Previously, we developed a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) formulation of 4-(N)-docosahexaenoyl 2′, 2′-difluorodeoxycytidine (DHA-dFdC), a compound with promising antitumor activity. Herein, we studied the feasibility of administering the DHA-dFdC by the oral route using the solid lipid nanoparticles (i.e., DHA-dFdC-SLNs). In simulated gastrointestinal fluids, the DHA-dFdC-SLNs did not aggregate. The release of the DHA-dFdC from the solid lipid nanoparticles in simulated gastrointestinal fluid was slow, but was slightly faster in simulated intestinal fluid than in simulated gastric fluid. In mice orally administered with DHA-dFdC-SLNs, plasma DHA-dFdC concentration vs. time curve has a Tmax of ~ 1.7 h and a Cmax of 17.01 μg/mL. The absolute oral bioavailability of DHA-dFdC when given as DHA-dFdC-SLNs was ~ 68% (based on AUC0–24 h values), while the relative oral bioavailability DHA-dFdC (compared with DHA-dFdC in a Tween 80/ethanol-in-water solution) was 126%. Finally, in mice with pre-establish B16-F10 murine melanoma, oral DHA-dFdC-SLNs increased their survival significantly, as compared with oral administration of the DHA-dFdC solution. It is concluded that the solid lipid nanoparticle formulation increased the bioavailability of the DHA-dFdC upon oral administration, as compared with the DHA-dFdC solution.
Ratiometric Single‐Molecule FRET Measurements to Probe Conformational Subpopulations of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

Over the past few decades, numerous examples have demonstrated that intrinsic disorder in proteins lies at the heart of many vital processes, including transcriptional regulation, stress response, cellular signaling, and most recently protein liquid-liquid phase separation. The so-called intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) involved in these processes have presented a challenge to the classic protein "structure-function paradigm," as their functions do not necessarily involve well-defined structures. Understanding the mechanisms of IDP function is likewise challenging because traditional structure determination methods often fail with such proteins or provide little information about the diverse array of structures that can be related to different functions of a single IDP. Single-molecule fluorescence methods can overcome this ensemble-average masking, allowing the resolution of subpopulations and dynamics and thus providing invaluable insights into IDPs and their function. In this protocol, we describe a ratiometric single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) routine that permits the investigation of IDP conformational subpopulations and dynamics. We note that this is a basic protocol, and we provide brief information and references for more complex analysis schemes available for in-depth characterization. This protocol covers optical setup preparation and protein handling and provides insights into experimental design and outcomes, together with background information about theory and a brief discussion of troubleshooting. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Basic Protocol: Ratiometric smFRET detection and analysis of IDPs Support Protocol 1: Fluorophore labeling of a protein through maleimide chemistry Support Protocol 2: Sample chamber preparation Support Protocol 3: Determination of direct excitation of acceptor by donor excitation and leakage of donor emission to acceptor emission channel.
Optogenetic cardiac pacing in cultured mouse embryos under imaging guidance.

The mouse embryo is an established model for investigation of regulatory mechanisms controlling cardiac development and congenital heart defects in humans. Since cultured mouse embryos are very sensitive to any manipulations and environmental fluctuations, controlled alterations in mouse embryonic cardiac function are extremely challenging, which is a major hurdle in mammalian cardiac biomechanics research. This manuscript presents first optogenetic manipulation of cardiodynamics and hemodynamics in cultured mouse embryos. Optogenetic pacing was combined with 4D (3D + time) optical coherence tomography structural and Doppler imaging, demonstrating that embryonic hearts under optogenetic pacing can function efficiently and produce strong blood flows. This study demonstrates that the presented method is a powerful tool giving quick, consistent, reversible control over heart dynamics and blood flow under real time visualization, enabling various live cardiac biomechanics studies toward better understanding of normal cardiogenesis and congenital heart defects in humans.
Animal Anomalies: What Abnormal Anatomies Reveal about Normal Development

Among the offspring of humans and other animals are occasional individuals that are malformed in whole or in part. The most grossly abnormal of these have been referred to from ancient times as monsters, because their birth was thought to foretell doom; the less severely affected are usually known as anomalies. This volume digs deeply into the cellular and molecular processes of embryonic development that go awry in such exceptional situations. It focuses on the physical mechanisms of how genes instruct cells to build anatomy, as well as the underlying forces of evolution that shaped these mechanisms over eons of geologic time. The narrative is framed in a historical perspective that should help students trying to make sense of these complex subjects. Each chapter is written in the style of a Sherlock Holmes story, starting with the clues and ending with a solution to the mystery.
Computational Hybrid Imaging: Measure Fluorescence and Refractive Index Together

Optical fluorescence microscopy has been widely used to image neurons in the brain. When imaging deep inside of the brain, image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) severely degrades by scattering, caused by the heterogeneity of different structures. Knowing the refractive index (RI) of the structures can reduce scattering effects and improve image SNR. Currently, most of RI imaging is based on coherent or partial coherent measurements of the transmitted scattered light field, whereas fluorescence microscopy for brain imaging only records incoherent fluorescence signal propagating back to the objective lens in epi-mode. Here, we propose a model to calculate the RI of the 3D scattering tissue only from fluorescence images in reflective geometry. Our method not only successfully reconstructed the RI of a 3D phantom, but also acquired fluorescence images and the unlabeled structures in the same volume simultaneously.
Payment information calculation system (PICS) healthcare quality measure specification

Measurement of healthcare quality in multiple care settings is a top priority. The ability to keep pace with the evolving standards of care to ensure we are measuring the right things at the right time is critical. The flexibility to add, update, and retire quality indicators easily and in tight timescales is essential. The Payment Information Calculation System (PICS), utilized in multiple national contracts for healthcare quality data collection and calculation, is facilitating the ability to respond. The design of the system enables increased efficiency by incorporating rules-driven technology. The tool provides non-developer subject matter experts the ability to define clinical data collection business rules in an XML format used by the PICS consumer to generate data collection user interfaces. This flexibility provides the ability to construct new data collection modules complete with data capture definitions, flow-logic (skip patterns) and enforce data collection formats and validate captured data (edits).
The Voting Game

In the summer of 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the most effective provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ("V.R.A.")2 in Shelby County v. Holder.3 The ruling would have the effect of allowing several jurisdictions, mostly in Southern states, to freely enact restrictions on voting procedures without the federal oversight that had previously been required. By this decision, the Court placed a new burden on Congress to develop new and complex criteria for minority protections. Given the highly polarized status of Congress, however, most commentators agree that the passage of such legislation anytime in the near future is unlikely. Yet, the factual record about the state of discrimination in previously covered jurisdictions presented to the Court in Shelby County, and which was confirmed by the restrictive voting policies enacted by various states immediately thereafter, prove that the decision will have dire consequences for the power of minority votes, primarily in the South.
Enterprise Architecture: A Framework Based on Human Behavior Using the Theory of Structuration

Organizational knowledge provides the requirements necessary for effective Enterprise Architecture (EA) design. The usefulness of EA processes depend on the quality of both functional and non-functional requirements elicited during the EA design process. Existing EA frameworks consider EA design solely from a techno-centric perspective focusing on the interaction of business goals, strategies, and technology. However, many organizations fail to achieve the business goals established for the EA because of miscommunication of stakeholder requirements. Though modeling functional and non-functional design requirements from a technical perspective better ensures delivery of EA, a more complete approach would fully take into account human behavior as a vital factor in EA design. The contribution of this paper is an EA design guideline based on human behavior and socio-communicative aspects of both stakeholders and the organization using socio-oriented approaches to EA design and modeling schemes.
Defining Senescence and Death in Photosynthetic Tissues

Having clear concepts of senescence and aging, as well as the diverse related terminology, will foster these and related fields by facilitating communication within and between the academic constituencies that study them. Moreover, it will enable those working on photosynthetic tissues to contribute more to and draw more help from other fields ranging from gerontology to evolution. Senescence is a very important developmental process in the life cycle of organisms, especially photosynthetic organisms where it is often very dramatic. Senescence is commonly viewed as an increase in the probability that an organism will die as it ages chronologically (demographic view); however, plant physiologists/molecular biologists go a step further to define senescence as internal processes that actively cause death (physiological view). During senescence, a very wide range of changes (senescence syndrome) occur at the cell, organ and organismic levels; however, many are not causal and therefore not senescence per se. Although chloroplast degradation during senescence may not cause death, the decline in photosynthesis is very important and may limit agricultural/biomass productivity. Senescence is actively driven by the nucleus (necrogenic processes), but it also involves shutdown of life-supporting (biostatic) processes. Death, the endpoint of senescence, can be defined generally as the collapse of homeostasis. At the cell level, death appears to be the loss of the plasma membranes’ ability to retain/exclude molecules. Exactly how senescence brings the cells that comprise organs/organisms to death is not clear; however, programmed cell death processes participate in the end stage.
Oxidative Stress and Calcium Metabolism

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a causal factor in aging, atherosclerosis,carcinogenesis, and infarction (Sheweita and Khoshhal, Curr Drug Metab 8:519–525, 2007). In bone metabolism, ROS play a dual role, with different actions under physiological and pathological conditions (Sontakke and Tare, Clin Chim Acta 318:145–148, 2002). Reactive oxygen species include hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide; ROS lead to oxidation of enzymes and protein oxidation and degradation. The effects of ROS are eliminated by antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Oxidative stress occurs when the effects of ROS are greater than the antioxidant mechanisms in biological systems, and cellular damage occurs. The full effect of oxidative stress on bone remodeling is unknown, but there is evidence that both pro-oxidants and antioxidants play a role in skeletal integrity in health and disease.
Finger-powered droplet actuation by electrophoretic force for portable microfluidics

We report finger-powered digital microfluidics based on electrophoretic control of droplets (EPD). An array of piezoelectric elements is connected to electrodes immersed in a dielectric fluid and deflected to charge and transport an aqueous droplet between adjacent electrodes. Using this scheme, we successfully demonstrated the transport and merging of aqueous droplets. Further, we confirmed direct manipulation of droplets of body fluids, such as human saliva, using our finger-powered EPD.
Characteristics of Split-Phase Currents as a Source of Generator Protection [includes discussion]

As split-phase currents are the difference between two large load currents in theoretical balance, they exist only because necessary manufacturing tolerances prevent the attainment of theoretical balance, or because of winding faults. A rigorous treatment of the subject is not possible: this paper is therefore in the nature of a report of numerous tests that have been made to evaluate the nature and relative difference of these currents, as they may exist due to machine construction, external faults, and internal faults. It is supplemented with some data in respect to transformers and relays associated with the protective equipment.
A Cultural History of Tarot: From Entertainment to Esotericism

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Helen Farley Year: 2009 Pages: 304 Publisher: I. B. Tauris ISBN: 1-84885-053-0 (hard cover).
Molecular Testing for HHV-6 Infection

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on human-herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) molecular diagnosis. Major advances in the field of HHV-6 molecular diagnosis, are made possible in part by the advances in polymerase chain reaction PCR technology and the availability of genomic sequence information. As a result, it is now possible to consider molecular tests that can differentiate between the three possible states of HHV-6 infection: (1) primary infection, (2) reinfection or reactivation, and (3) latency or persistence. Primary infection typically occurs in early childhood, by the age of three years. Primary infection in adulthood is rare, but may be associated with more severe symptoms. Infection is generally symptomatic, causing classical Exanthem subitum or roseola, or febrile illness without rash, diarrhea and irritability. Major issues in designing diagnostic tests for primary HHV-6 infection include (1) to provide a rapid assay for useful information in a short time and (2) to distinguish between primary virus infection versus viral reactivation or latent infection. PCR-based assays detect HHV-6 DNA in cell-free plasma specimens—so as to identify viremic individuals—with a successful use in many clinical applications including analysis of viral infection/reactivation in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Reverse -transcription PCR assays have been used to demonstrate that HHV-6 reactivation in previously infected children is most often asymptomatic, and can occur with a substantial frequency. This phenomenon is an important consideration in the interpretation of results from PCR-based assays of HHV-6. An important consideration in the molecular testing for HHV-6 is the existence of two distinct virus variants, known as HHV-6A and HHV-6B with a common genome organization, and some 90% nucleotide sequence identity. Other acellular body fluids also have diagnostic utility—most notably, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. Detection of viral DNA in a cellular CSF is of the greatest clinical /diagnostic relevance in HSCTrecipients, where it has been associated with CNS dysfunction in the absence of any other etiology.
Melting of electrons on corrugated surfaces: Structural and dynamical properties in liquid and solid phases

Properties of a classical system of electrons on smooth and periodically corrugated surfaces are investigated using the molecular dynamics method. In the liquid phase, the electron-electron interaction, the total internal energy, the diffusivities parallel and perpendicular to the corrugation are all periodic functions of the wavevector of the corrugation. Thermodynamic and dynamical properties reveal a first-order melting transition for electrons on a smooth surface. Study of the melting transition on the commensurate corrugated surface of wavevector \(\lambda = \frac{{\sqrt 3 }}{2}\) a (system S2) shows a tricritical point separating a line of first-order transitions from a line of continuous transitions. On the commensurate corrugation of wavelength \(\lambda = \frac{{\sqrt 3 }}{4}\) a (system S4) melting transition is always first order. Topological analysis of particle coordinations shows bound dislocation pairs in the electron solid, a large number of defects and grain-boundary loops to be responsible for a first-order transition, and a small density of free dislocations to be the cause of continuous melting transition.
Multiscale thermoelectric imaging for fast metrology and manipulation

The latest scanning probe technology permits the same probe tip to carry out all of the imaging, characterization and manipulation operations. This multifunctional capability assists in a wide variety of applications, but low endurance and speed continue to be important problems to solve. We decouple the imaging and manipulation aspects of a probe device by implementing a thermoelectric imaging mode that functions entirely out of contact. In this new “off-contact mode,” speeds can be accelerated up to two orders of magnitude relative to typical scanning probe microscopy scan speeds without damaging the probe tip. Combined with the nanoscale resolution provided by the tip while in contact, a single scanning probe can perform imaging and manipulation with multiscale resolution.
Investigating stability and change in substance use and criminal activity using a synthesized longitudinal modeling approach

The application of career perspectives in substance use and crime research has emphasized both stability and change. Curran and Bollen (2001) recently developed an analytic approach, the autoregressive latent trajectory model (ALT), which permits the analysis of both persistent individual differences in behavioral trends and stage-specific direct relationships. The present study utilizes this modeling approach with a sample of 524 offenders released from the California Youth Authority followed over seven years in early adulthood. The results of the analytic process suggest that the ALT model fit the data well. Comparatively, that model fit better than the autoregressive or LGC specifications and provides more information. The ALT model provides estimates that are relevant in understanding key parameters of the substance use and criminal career frameworks—both singly and jointly. The results of this investigation are then considered from the standpoint of future methodological development and substantive t...
Differential expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in human glomerular disease: role in podocyte proliferation and maturation.

Differential expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in human glomerular disease: Role in podocyte proliferation and maturation. Background Normal human podocytes are terminally differentiated and quiescent cells. It is not known why podocytes fail to proliferate in response to most forms of injury. Proliferation is regulated by cell cycle proteins and their inhibitors. The Cip/Kip family of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors (p21, p27, p57) in general prevent proliferation by inhibiting cyclin-CDK complexes. In the current study, we determined the expression and possible role of specific CDK inhibitors in podocyte proliferation in human disease characterized by podocyte injury. Methods Immunostaining was performed for the CDK inhibitors p21, p27, and p57 and the proliferation marker Ki-67 on renal biopsies from patients with minimal change disease (MCD; N = 6), membranous glomerulopathy (MGN; N = 19), cellular variant of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS; N = 12), collapsing glomerulopathy (CG; N = 9), and HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN; N = 16). Adult nephrectomy specimens without evidence of glomerular disease served as controls ( N = 9). Results Normal quiescent podocytes express p27 and p57, but not p21. In diseases without podocyte proliferation (MCD, MGN), p21, p27, and p57 expression did not change. In contrast, there was a uniform decrease in p27 and p57 immunostaining in diseases with podocyte proliferation (cellular FSGS, CG, and HIVAN). This was accompanied by the de novo expression of p21 in podocytes. Conclusions Our results show that podocyte quiescence may require the presence of the CDK inhibitors p27 and p57. In human glomerular diseases, a decrease in p27 and p57 may be permissive for the altered proliferative podocyte phenotype. p21 may have a multifactorial role in podocyte cell cycle regulation.
Demand Curves for Animal Consumers

Results are reported from experiments showing that both income-compensated and ordinary (uncompensated) demand curves for nonhuman consumers are negatively sloped. Essential commodities are determined to be gross complements, while nonessential goods are independent or gross substitutes. The experiments extend the concepts underlying value theory to nonhumans and provide a basis for intensive experimental investigations of additional aspects of the theory.
Sequential insult enhances liver macrophage-signaled hepatocyte dysfunction.

Injury results in altered hepatocyte protein synthesis including the production of acute-phase reactants. Evidence suggests that these hepatocyte products regulate macrophage function; however, their role in liver macrophage-mediated hepatocyte dysfunction following a second insult is poorly characterized. We hypothesize that IL-6-stimulated hepatocyte products alter liver macrophage responses to lipopolysaccharide, contributing to enhanced hepatocyte dysfunction. To test this hypothesis, hepatocytes, obtained by liver collagenase digestion, were treated with rIL-6 (murine, 300 units/ml) for 24 hr, and then liver macrophages, obtained by perfusion and pronase digestion, were added to establish cocultures. Cocultures were then stimulated with endotoxin (LPS, Escherichia coli O111:B4, 10 μg/ml) and hepatocyte dysfunction was assessed by determining secretory protein synthesis ([35S]methionine labeling, trichloracetic acid precipitation, and SDS-PAGE) and energy metabolism [mitochondriaI respiration using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye]. Cultures of hepatocytes alone stimulated with IL-9, LPS, or sequential IL-6 followed by LPS demonstrate no difference in total secretory protein synthesis or mitochondrial respiration. In contrast, hepatocyte-liver macrophage cocultures demonstrate significantly reduced total secretory protein synthesis following sequential IL-6 followed by LPS ([35S]methionine cpm × 103: control, 33.8 ± 8.5; LPS, 25.8 ± 6.3; IL-6/LPS, 15.7 ± 6.4; P < 0.05 vs control). This effect is specific to IL-6 since sequential TNF-α followed by LPS did not result in significant suppression of secretory protein synthesis. One-dimensional SDS-PAGE of labeled coculture secretory proteins demonstrates qualitative changes following sequential insult in vitro compared to controls. Coculture albumin synthesis, determined by immunoprecipitation, is significantly inhibited by sequential IL-6 followed by LPS compared to controls (P < 0.05) while synthesis of 23-, 38-, and 60-kDa proteins are maintained. Hepatocyte mitochondrial respiration is unaltered by IL-6, LPS, or sequential IL-6/LPS in the absence of liver macrophages; however, it is reduced significantly in sequential IL-6/LPS-stimulated cocultures (MTT OD: control, 0.461 ± 0.2; LPS, 0.412 ± 0.22; IL-6/LPS, 0.255 ± 0.079; P < 0.05 vs control and IL-6 alone). These results indicate that liver macrophage-hepatocyte communication is altered following sequential IL-6/LPS compared to a single insult. Furthermore, they suggest that IL-6-induced hepatocyte products may enhance liver macrophage-signaled hepatocyte mitochondrial and albumin synthetic dysfunction following a second, infectious insult.
Cognitive control of movement via the cerebellar-recipient thalamus

The cognitive control of behavior was long considered to be centralized in cerebral cortex. More recently, subcortical structures such as cerebellum and basal ganglia have been implicated in cognitive functions as well. The fact that subcortico-cortical circuits for the control of movement involve the thalamus prompts the notion that activity in movement-related thalamus may also reflect elements of cognitive behavior. Yet this hypothesis has rarely been investigated. Using the pathways linking cerebellum to cerebral cortex via the thalamus as a template, we review evidence that the motor thalamus, together with movement-related central thalamus have the requisite connectivity and activity to mediate cognitive aspects of movement control.
Childhood adiposity as a predictor of cardiac mass in adulthood: the Bogalusa Heart Study

Background— The association between left ventricular hypertrophy, an independent predictor of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, and CV risk factors has been well documented in childhood and in adulthood. However, information on the relationship between left ventricular mass (LVM) in adults and longitudinal measurements of CV risk factors from childhood to adulthood is limited. Methods and Results— LVM was obtained with 2D M-mode echocardiography in a community-based sample of 467 young adults (71% white and 29% black) aged 20 to 38 years who were examined an average of 6 times for CV risk factors from childhood to adulthood. The average follow-up period was 21.5 years. The cumulative burden of each risk factor was calculated as the area under the curve for each individual. Compared with whites, blacks had greater LVM (indexed to height2.7; P<0.05). In multiple regression analyses, adiposity (measured as body mass index) in childhood, adiposity and systolic blood pressure in adulthood, and the c...
The implications of current and future urbanization for global protected areas and biodiversity conservation

Due to human population growth and migration, there will be nearly 2 billion new urban residents by 2030, yet the consequences of both current and future urbanization for biodiversity conservation are poorly known. Here we show that urban growth will have impacts on ecoregions, rare species, and protected areas that are localized but cumulatively significant. Currently, 29 of the world’s 825 ecoregions have over one-third of their area urbanized, and these 29 ecoregions are the only home of 213 endemic terrestrial vertebrate species. Our analyses suggest that 8% of terrestrial vertebrate species on the IUCN Red List are imperiled largely because of urban development. By 2030, 15 additional ecoregions are expected to lose more than 5% of their remaining undeveloped area, and they contain 118 vertebrate species found nowhere else. Of the 779 rare species with only one known population globally, 24 are expected to be impacted by urban growth. In addition, the distance between protected areas and cities is predicted to shrink dramatically in some regions: for example, the median distance from a protected area to a city in Eastern Asia is predicted to fall from 43 km to 23 km by 2030. Most protected areas likely to be impacted by new urban growth (88%) are in countries of low to moderate income, potentially limiting institutional capacity to adapt to new anthropogenic stresses on protected areas. In short, trends in global ecoregions, rare species, and protected areas suggest localized but significant biodiversity degradation associated with current and upcoming urbanization.
Fractionation of polyethylene

The relatively rapid Desreux technique for polymer fractionation has been modified and applied to both linear and highly branched polyethylenes. The polymer is precipitated from p-xylene solution onto a sand column by cooling from 127° to room temperature. After removal of solvent, the column temperature is again raised to 127° and fractions are eluted, using p-xylene-ethylene glycol monoethyl ether mixtures of increasing solvent power. Approximately 15 fractions are obtained and polymer recovery is essentially quantitative. The reproducibility of the integral distribution curves is within ±2% for a cumulative weight-% of 85 or higher. In certain cases difficulty has been encountered in resolving the less soluble portion of the sample. The selective nature of the system is indicated by the fact that the reduced specific viscosities of the highest and lowest molecular weight fractions are generally in the ratio of 50 or higher.
Kinetics of sulfhydryl group modification of thymidylate synthetase: A proposal for activation of catalytic cysteinyl residues

Abstract The pKa of ∼8.0 for the catalytic cysteine residue of thymidylate synthetase was determined from the pH dependence of inactivation by the sulfhydryl reagents methyl methanethiolsulfonate and 5,5′ dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid). At low pH (5.8–6.8) a rate of reaction significantly greater than can be accounted for by the concentration of thiolate anion was observed. The observed pKa and reactivity for thymidylate synthetase are comparable to those reported for papain (Little, G. L. and Brocklehurst, K. (1972) Biochem. J. 128 , 475–477) (1). On the basis of these observations we propose that the cysteines of thymidylate synthetase involved in covalent catalysis may be activated through interaction with a general base in the active site of the enzyme.
Commutator Calculus for Wreath Product Groups

We introduce a class of function spaces consisting of integer-valued functions of several integers which coordinatize the elements of certain subgroups of some finite regular wreath product groups. On each function space, we define operators which correspond to forming certain commutators relevent to computing the upper central series. We define an automorphism of the function space which enables us to define a class of subgroups that is useful for describing the upper central series of certain finite regular wreath product p-groups. Our results describe fundamental, interesting, and useful relationships between the automorphism and the operators. We describe some applications.
Indirect rival assessment in a social primate, Theropithecus gelada

Identifying the cognitive challenges of sociality can be difficult because similar social interactions may be based on very different cognitive mechanisms. To better understand the cognitive mechanisms associated with a particular interaction, we investigated the social information that gelada, Theropithecus gelada, bachelors use to assess rival males. Gelada bachelors may use a variety of assessment strategies, including attending to simple cues of immanent mating opportunities, vocal quality signals, and monitoring relationships between attached males and females. Our observational data indicate that bachelors preferentially eavesdrop on male–male fights (over copulations) and maintain close proximity to units that have experienced a recent take-over. As such units also experience elevated rates of fighting and extrapair copulations, bachelors appear to attend to cues of mating opportunities. Furthermore, bachelors monitor vocal contests between rival males, suggesting they are able to remember the quality displayed by competitors. Finally, we used playback experiments to simulate copulations between breeding males and ‘their’ females (control) or other females (test) and found no difference in bachelor response, suggesting a lack of knowledge about third-party relationships between males and females. In contrast to other social primates, gelada bachelors appear to use simpler information, such as outcomes of male–male competition, when assessing others. Given the size of gelada communities (>1000 individuals), the costs of monitoring third-party relationships may outweigh the benefits of obtaining this information, particularly when simpler rules of thumb are available.
Autonomous fault detection with carrier-phase DGPS for shipboard landing navigation

: This research focuses on airborne integrity algorithms for shipboard relative GPS (SRGPS) navigation. Airborne autonomous detection is required for navigation threats that are undetectable by integrity monitors at a shipboard differential reference station. These threats can be separated into two basic categories: (1) aircraft receiver failures, and (2) signal-in-space anomalies whose effects depend on the displacement between the user and the ship. For the anticipated carrier-phase SRGPS navigation architecture, tracking-loop cycle slips are well-known threats in the first category. Ionospheric gradient and satellite orbit ephemeris anomalies are relevant threats of the second type. Airborne autonomous monitoring algorithms to detect these threats are described in this paper. Monitor performance is directly evaluated relative to the integrity requirements for aircraft shipboard landing navigation applications.
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF A STABLE EXTRACHROMOSOMAL ELEMENT IN HUMAN CELLS

We have determined the structure and organization of a 630-kb extrachromosomal element (amplisome) containing the dihydrofolate reductase-encoding gene (DHFR) in a methotrexate (MTX)-resistant human cell line, HeLa-Bu25-10B3. The size and copy number of amplisomes have previously been found to remain remarkably stable with or without selection. Both linear and open circular 630-kb amplisomes are present in these cells. We have been able to isolate the linear amplisomes after pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and transfect the amplisomes into MTX-sensitive recipient cells by electroporation, thus demonstrating that DNA as large as 630 kb can be transfected into mammalian cells. The NotI restriction site immediately upstream from DHFR on the circular amplisome is devoid of methylation, suggesting that it is transcriptionally active. Restriction mapping by PFGE reveals that there is only one copy of DHFR per amplisome and no repetitive structure is observed. The small size of the amplisomes, their stability and our ability to transfect large DNA molecules provide the necessary ingredients for the development of mammalian cloning vectors for large DNA fragments.
Epidemiology of motor vehicle crashes in Utah.

Objectives: This study describes the frequency and pattern of vehicle crashes and safety belt use in Utah; the proportion of vehicle crashes involving safety belt use, alcohol, and fatigue; and the influence these factors and others have on emergency room visits or hospital admissions and on the severity of the outcome. Methods: Data were obtained from the Utah Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic and Safety, from 1999 through 2005. Motor vehicle crash (MVC) data were linked to statewide hospital admission (inpatient) and emergency department (ED) records. Results: The trend in rates of crashes significantly decreased for both males and females, with rates of crashes involving alcohol decreasing for males but increasing for females and rates of crashes involving fatigue remaining constant for males and females over the study period. Drivers not wearing a safety belt or intoxicated or fatigued were significantly more likely to have contributed to the crash, visit the emergency room, be admitte...
Influence of Stressors on Breast Cancer Incidence in the Women's Health Initiative

Objective To examine associations among life events stress, social support, and breast cancer incidence in a cohort of postmenopausal women. DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Women's Health Initiative observational study participants, breast cancer free at entry, who provided assessment of stressful life events, social support, and breast cancer risk factors, were prospectively followed for breast cancer incidence (n = 84,334). Results During an average of 7.6 years of follow-up, 2,481 invasive breast cancers were diagnosed. In age-adjusted proportional hazards models, 1 stressful life event was associated with increased risk, but risk decreased with each additional stressful life event. After adjustment for confounders the decreasing risk was not significant. Stressful life events and social support appeared to interact in relation to breast cancer risk such that women who had greater number of stressful life events and low social support had a decreased risk of breast cancer. Conclusions This study found no independent association between stressful life events and breast cancer risk. The results are compatible with a more complex model of psychosocial factors interacting in relation to breast cancer risk.
DEPENDENCE OF FATIGUE RESISTANCE ON TITANIA DOPING OF SILICA-CLAD OPTICAL FIBER

Several published studies discuss titania doping of the surface of silica-clad optical fibers as a means of limiting subcritical crack growth of surface flaws, thereby, leading to greater long-term reliability. Dynamic fatigue measurements have shown n values increase from approximately 20 for pure silica-clad fibers to near 30 when doped with titania 1,2. Static fatigue n values have been reported as high as 2003. In this study the dependence of fatigue behavior on titania concentration is presented as well as some insight into mechanisms that resist subcritical crack growth in titania-doped silica-clad fibers.
Behavioral Adjustment in a Community Sample of Boys: Links with Basal and Stress-Induced Salivary Cortisol Concentrations

Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been observed in association with internalizing symptoms and is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of depression and some anxiety disorders. This study examined basal and stress-induced cortisol concentrations in relation to internalizing and externalizing symptoms in a racially mixed community sample of 102 8-11-year-old boys. Afternoon basal cortisol concentrations were positively correlated with measures of internalizing behavior problems, social problems, and emotionality. Greater change in cortisol across a home-visit challenge task was also significantly associated with internalizing behaviors and social problems, as well as attention and thought problems. The implications of these findings and how they may relate to the pathogenesis of emotional and behavioral problems are discussed.
In utero Repair of Myelomeningocele: Rationale, Initial Clinical Experience and a Randomized Controlled Prospective Clinical Trial

Myelomeningocele (MMC), one of the most common congenital malformations, can result in severe lifelong disabilities, including paraplegia, hydrocephalus, Arnold-Chiari II malformation, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, skeletal deformations, and mental impairment. MMC was the first nonlethal anomaly to be treated by fetal surgery. Studies in animals provide compelling evidence that the primary cause of the neurological deficit associated with MMC is not simply incomplete neurulation but rather chronic mechanical injury and amniotic-fluid-induced chemical trauma that progressively damage the exposed neural tissue during gestation. Initial results suggest that the surgical repair of MMC before 25 weeks of gestation may preserve neurological function, reverse the hindbrain herniation of the Arnold-Chiari II malformation, and obviate the need for postnatal placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. As it is currently unknown whether fetal surgery for MMC is truly beneficial compared to standard postnatal care, a randomized, controlled clinical trial has been initiated within the United States.
Computation networks to implement optimization

This paper presents threshold binary networks and block-based gradient estimation networks to optimize the square error objective function and recover the regularized least squares (LS) solution. The threshold binary networks consist of linear processing elements with threshold nonlinearities to produce binary outputs. The objective function is expressed at the bit-level and the optimization takes place on partitions of the networks. Partitions are active only if the optimization takes place at the locations in that partition. The optimization process switches between active and inactive partitions to continue the progress toward deeper and more stable minima (lower error energy/cost) of the objective function. Block-based gradient networks use local estimates of the gradient and in-place convolution operations to recover the LS estimate. Regularization controls the rate of convergence to the LS estimate.
Growth of large crystals of deuterated tetrathiafulvalene tetracyanoquinodimethan (TTF-TCNQ-d8)

Abstract Large single crystal platelets of TTF-TCNO-d 8 up to 30 × 6 × 0.7 mm 3 were grown from acetonitrile by the diffusion method at 36°C.
X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies of zinc-neutralized ethylene-methacrylic acid ionomers

Abstract A series of zinc-neutralized ethylene-methacrylic acid ionomers was studied using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Neutralization methodology, neutralization level and methacrylic acid content were varied to test whether any of these factors affected the local environment of the zinc cations. Three different neutralization methods were tested: melt neutralization with zinc oxide, melt neutralization with zinc acetate and solution neutralization with zinc acetate. Neutralization levels varied between 25 and 100% of stoichiometric, and methacrylic acid contents varied between 10 and 20% by weight. Samples were prepared and handled to rigorously exclude water. Despite the substantial differences in sample preparation procedures, the local environments around the zinc atoms were identical in all materials, resembling the arrangement of atoms in the crystal structure of monoclinic anhydrous zinc acetate. In this compound, four oxygen atoms surround the zinc atom with distances ranging from 1.950 to 1.965 A.
Radiography of breast specimens

Over a period of 44 months 6024 breast biopsy specimens were radiographed at Memorial Hospital New York. Of this group 72% had been determined to be benign on routine histologic examination. In 22% of the benign lesions significant calcifications were detected and 48% of this group were reexamined histologically to identify the calcifications not observed previously. 27 unsuspected carcinomas were identified. Breast specimen radiography is necessary when the biopsy specimen is large when carcinoma exists in the opposite breast when an atypical change occurs below the level of carcinoma or when noninfiltrating carcinoma is found as well as in the case of questionable clinical mammograms.(AUTHORS MODIFIED)
Regulation of immune and autoimmune responses by ICOS-B7h interaction

Abstract Proper T cell activation and function are regulated by the innate immune system, importantly through positive and negative costimulatory molecules of the B7 superfamily. Inducible costimulator (ICOS) is expressed on T cells after T cell activation. A ligand for ICOS, B7h (also known as B7RP-1), is expressed on B cells and induced in nonlymphoid tissues by TNF-α. The wide distribution of B7h may play essential roles in different phases and types of immune function. In this review, we summarize the latest data about inducible costimulator and its receptor and their roles in regulation of immune and autoimmune responses.
On the relationship between values and adjustment in old men.

It was hypothesized that values should reflect the ontogenetic development of the individual, and that a person should develop values that are appropriate to his role, development, and function within the society. Forty white middle-class males were given the Havighurst Life Satisfaction Scale and several values to be rated on the Semantic Differential. It was shown that adjusted old men considered work related values to be much less important than unadjusted men. Further, a comparison of the present older sample with a middle-aged sample revealed that the older individuals rated hedonistic values as much more important than the middle-aged sample.