cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of live-cell RNA imaging techniques to the study of retroviral RNA trafficking

Retroviruses produce full-length RNA that serves both as a genomic RNA (gRNA), which is encapsidated into virus particles, and as an mRNA, which directs the synthesis of viral structural proteins. However, we are only beginning to understand the cellular and viral factors that influence trafficking of retroviral RNA and the selection of the RNA for encapsidation or translation. Live cell imaging studies of retroviral RNA trafficking have provided important insight into many aspects of the retrovirus life cycle including transcription dynamics, nuclear export of viral RNA, translational regulation, membrane targeting, and condensation of the gRNA during virion assembly. Here, we review cutting-edge techniques to visualize single RNA molecules in live cells and discuss the application of these systems to studying retroviral RNA trafficking.
On the distributional aspects of urban growth

Abstract Although many theories of urban growth have broad implications regarding the dynamics of wage inequality, little empirical work has explored the issue. This paper studies the relationship between the growth of three measures of economic activity—population, employment, and per capita income—and a variety of wage-dispersion measures across a sample of US metropolitan areas between 1970 and 1990. Overall, the results indicate a negative association between the two: cities experiencing more rapid growth also tend to witness smaller increases (or larger decreases) in their inequality. Such findings offer some support to theories stressing growth-mechanisms which equalize productivity across workers.
SHIMMERING HOLOGRAMS IN SEMICONDUCTOR HETEROSTRUCTURES: CURRENT TRENDS IN SELF-ADAPTIVE HOLOGRAPHIC OPTICS

Nolte explains the properties of dynamic holographic (thin) films, and discusses varied potential uses, including as video holographic imaging through turbid media, as adaptive ultrasound detectors, and as ultrafast pulse shapers.
Ride quality evaluation II: modelling of airline passenger comfort

Quantitative environmental and subjective data obtained aboard commercial airlines are used to model passenger reaction. Several models for comfort are compared. The manner in which the overall response to the flight environment depends on the time history is examined and the variability about the mean response discussed. The relationship to passenger satisfaction is presented giving a quantitative means of relating the physical environment to passenger acceptance. The proposed models give aircraft designers and operators a method by which they may seek to maximize passenger comfort and therefore satisfaction.
TH‐C‐BRA‐03: Fast Iterative Cone Beam CT Reconstruction on GPGPU Using OpenCL

Purpose: Algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) type algorithms produce superior image quality for CBCT and CTreconstructions over the popular filtered‐back‐projection based approaches but are too slow for real‐time clinical applications. The purpose of this study is to employ the emerging OpenCL architecture to accelerate simultaneous ART (SART) by parallelizing the most time‐consuming forward‐ and back‐projections using General‐Purpose‐Graphics‐Processing‐Unit (GPGPU). Methods: For each iteration, SART sequentially performs three ray‐driven projections (one forward‐ and two back‐projections) for each acquired projection image. To accelerate SART reconstruction, both forward projection and back‐projection kernels were scheduled on GPGPU using data parallelism to take full advantage of compute units on GPGPU. The single‐work‐item‐for‐single‐ray technique was employed as parallelization mechanism. We conducted numerical experiments to test OpenCL‐based implementation on a Dell Precision T7500 workstation with two quad‐core CPUs and one Nvidia Tesla C2050 GPGPU. Poly‐energetic projection data (512×512) for the Mohan 4 MV energy spectrum were simulated each degree for 360 gantry angles for a head‐and‐neck digital phantom and were fed into the SART algorithms for CBCTreconstruction of 256×256×256 volume. To accelerate poly‐energetic projection computation, we partitioned the workloads using task parallelism and data parallelism and scheduled them in a parallel computing ecosystem consisting of CPU and GPGPU using OpenCL only. Results: The GPGPU computation time including the kernel launch time, kernel running time and data transfer time was 42 ms for forward‐projection and 95 ms for back‐projection. Each SART iteration took 101 s on GPGPU in comparison to 7195 s on a single‐threaded CPU. The proposed method achieved a ∼71 ‐times speedup. The relative difference of the reconstructed images between the CPU‐based and OpenCL/GPGPU‐based implementations was on the order of 0.00001 and virtually indistinguishable. Conclusions: We have successfully implemented the SART algorithm on GPGPU using OpenCL and significantly reduced the reconstruction time to a level that is almost suitable for real‐time clinical applications.
The experience of information sharing among primary care clinicians with cancer survivors and their oncologists.

Purpose of study Knowledge about information sharing among primary care clinicians, oncologists, and their cancer patients is critical given its importance in facilitating the delivery of quality care to the increasing number of cancer survivors. The purpose of our study was to provide a better understanding of the nature of interactions among primary care clinicians, patients, and oncologists throughout the cancer care continuum to better understand the transition to survivorship.
A bare PC NAT box

Bare PC systems are of interest to builders of minimalist platforms in the next-generation Internet. The bare platform enables software to run directly on ordinary PC hardware without using any operating system or kernel. Bare PC systems perform better than conventional systems and are immune to attacks that target the underlying operating system. We have designed and implemented a bare PC system to perform the essential function of NAT (Network Address Translation) that occurs at the boundary of all private and public networks including ISP boundaries in homes and businesses. We compared the performance of the bare PC NAT and that of a Linux-based NAT running on the same hardware in a test LAN environment. The results show that the bare PC NAT has significantly better performance than the Linux NAT with respect to inbound and outbound packet processing time, and throughput, regardless of packet size and payload application type. Moreover, there is a 34% improvement in the maximum number of packets per second (pps) over Linux under heavy traffic. Internal timings on the bare PC NAT box indicate that there is plenty of capacity left for implementing supplementary functions such as packet filtering, deep packet inspection, and routing if needed.
Studies of the terminal electron transport system XXI. On the properties of a soluble lipoprotein dissociated from the succinic dehydrogenase complex

Abstract The preparation of a soluble lipoprotein (called the coenzyme Q lipoprotein) from the SDC by two different methods is described. Coenzyme Q lipoprotein is composed of 96–97% lipid and 3–4% protein. The lipoprotein has the capacity of binding several water-soluble electron acceptors and several lipid-soluble compounds of biological significance. The relationship of the lipoprotein and its bound enzyme Q (Q 275 ) to the other components in terminal electron transport in mitochondria in discussed.
THE IDEA OF THE KIVA IN ANASAZI ARCHAEOLOGY

The architectural term “kiva” was fixed in archaeological usage prior to the establishment of a systematic, self-critical field of Southwestern archaeology. Early development of the idea of the kiva reflected the Southwesternists’ political concern for the Pueblos, and government policy toward the Pueblos. Alternate interpretations of kivas are both possible and useful. Through the Pueblo III period, structures called kivas probably functioned as domestic architecture, analogous to the earlier pit house.
Republished: development and evaluation of a 3-day patient safety curriculum to advance knowledge, self-efficacy and system thinking among medical students.

Purpose To develop a patient safety curriculum and evaluate its impact on medical students9 safety knowledge, self-efficacy and system thinking. Methods This study reports on curriculum development and evaluation of a 3-day, clinically oriented patient safety intersession that was implemented at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in January 2011. Using simulation, skills demonstrations, small group exercises and case studies, this intersession focuses on improving students9 teamwork and communication skills and system-based thinking while teaching on the causes of preventable harm and evidence-based strategies for harm prevention. One hundred and twenty students participated in this intersession as part of their required second year curriculum. A pre–post assessment of students9 safety knowledge, self-efficacy in safety skills and system-based thinking was conducted. Student satisfaction data were also collected. Results Students9 safety knowledge scores significantly improved (mean +19% points; 95% CI 17.0 to 21.6; p Conclusions The patient safety intersession resulted in increased knowledge, system-based thinking, and self-efficacy scores among students. Similar intersessions can be implemented at medical, nursing, pharmacy and other allied health schools separately or jointly as part of required school curricula. Further study of the long-term impact of such education on knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours of students is warranted.
Synthesis of photoactive DNA: incorporation of 8-bromo-2′-deoxyadenosine into synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides

Abstract 8-Bromo- N 6 -phenoxyacetyl-5′- O -(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-2′-deoxyadenosine-3′- O -(2-cyanoethyl- N,N -diisopropyl) phosphoramidite was synthesized and used to introduce 8-bromo-2′-deoxyadenosine (8-Br-dA) into oligodeoxynucleotides by means of automated synthesis. 8-Br-dA was found not to affect adversely the stability of duplex DNA, as judged by the melting behavior of several 8-Br-dA-containing duplexes.
The Twinning of the World: Sister Cities in Geographic and Historical Perspective

Absstract Although there are unmistakable signals of the advent of a truly planetary society in the late Twentieth Century, the subject has received nothing like the scholarly attention devoted to the development of a world economy or various problems in the global ecosystem. The intent of this paper is to begin redressing the imbalance by exploring the evolution and geography of an especially symptomatic people-to-people movement. The findings generally confirm the widely accepted core-periphery model of our contemporary world-system. Since 1950, more than 11,000 pairs of sister cities in some 159 countries have entered into twinning agreements. This form of long-distance social interaction is novel by virtue of its mode of origin through local initiative and of the potential involvement of the entire non-infant population in a great variety of shared activities and exchange visits. This exploratory account traces the beginnings and diffusion of this rapidly growing phenomenon over space and time from an...
FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCY AND PREMATURITY.

Serum folate levels were serially determined in 57 premature infants from birth to 7 months of age. Twenty-four normal children and 21 normal adults served as controls. The mean value of folate activity was significantly lowest between 1 and 3 months of age. The values at 3 to 5 months of age approximated the normal controls and were coincident with the administration of adequate dietary folic acid. Twenty-eight per cent of the total number of premature infants and 68 per cent of those infants who weighed less than 1,700 grams at birth had low folate levels. Of interest is the fact that the premature infants with SFA deficiency failed to exhibit any significant hematologic responses to folinic acid. The unequivocal use of folic acid supplementation should be held in abeyance until absorption studies are completed.
Colonic wall thickness using level sets for CT virtual colonoscopy visual assessment and polyp detection

The detection of polyps in virtual colonoscopy is an active area of research. One of the critical elements in detecting cancerous polyps using virtual colonoscopy, especially in conjunction with computer-aided detection, is the accurate segmentation of the colon wall. The large CT attenuation difference between the lumen and inner, mucosal layer of the colon wall makes the segmentation of the lumen easily performed by traditional threshold segmentation techniques. However, determining the location of the colon outer wall is often difficult due to the low contrast difference between the colon wall's outer serosal layer and the fat surrounding the colon. We have developed an automatic, level set based method to determine from a CT colonography scan the location of the colon inner boundary and the colon outer wall boundary. From the location of the inner and outer colon wall boundaries, the wall thickness throughout the colon can be computed. Color mapping of the wall thickness on the colon surface allows for easy visual determination of potential regions of interest. Since the colon wall tends to be thicker at polyp locations, potential polyps also can be detected automatically at sites of increased colon wall thickness. This method was validated on several CT colonography scans containing optical colonoscopy-proven polyps. The method accurately determined thicker colonic wall regions in areas where polyps are present in the ground truth datasets and detected the polyps at a false positive rate between 44.4% and 82.8% lower than a state-of-the-art curvature-based method for initial polyp detection.
Reactivity to alcohol cues and induced moods in alcoholics.

Abstract It has been theorized that respondent conditioning processes in part underlie desire for alcohol and thus contribute to replase after alcoholism treatment. One implication of this theory is that the relevant conditioned responses could be eliminated by respondent extinction, in which the alcoholic patient is exposed to alcohol-related stimuli while being prevented from consuming alcohol. However, exteroceptive cues such as the sight and smell of alcoholic beverages are not always sufficient to elicit desire for alcohol. In view of this, it has been suggested that interoceptive cues, such as mood states, may also play a role in eliciting desire for alcohol. To test this, eight alcoholic subjects were induced to experience negative or neutral moods on four separate days, and then exposed to the sight and smell of their favorite alcoholic drink, and to a neutral stimulus (seltzer water), in a within-subjects design. Results from this work indicate that: (a) negative moods can be reliably induced in the laboratory as confirmed by subjects' reports; (b) exposure to alcohol cues had no effect on desire for alcohol while subjects were in a relaxed, neutral mood state; (c) the presence of negative mood states alone appeared to be sufficient to elicit desire for alcohol in some subjects, regardless of whether alcohol or water was presented. These data argue that negative mood states may cue desire for alcohol independent of other cues. The data also suggest that reactivity to alcohol cues may be substantially reduced by relaxation.
Reading the South Atlantic: Chile, South Africa, the Cold War, and Mark Behr's The Smell of Apples

This article focuses on the often-ignored figure of the Chilean general at the heart of Mark Behr's (in)famous post-apartheid novel The Smell of Apples (1995). It asks the question: What can a Latin American general mean to the protagonist of the novel and to South Africa more generally? Analysing the forms of mimicry and doubling at play in the text, it argues that the Chilean general serves as an uncanny double whose representation helps to reveal the psychological mechanisms of acknowledgement and repression that underpinned Afrikaner support for apartheid's military regime. It further argues that Behr's concomitant use of Pinochet's Chile as an uncanny double for apartheid South Africa points to Cold War anti-communist military and political networks – routed through the United States but also existing bi-laterally between Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and South Africa – that allowed for the circulation of both technologies and cultures of state-sponsored terror, and which later opened into shar...
Acute Glucocorticoid Pretreatment Suppresses Stress-Induced Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Hormone Secretion and Expression of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone hnRNA but Does Not Affect c-fos mRNA or Fos Protein Expression in the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus

Corticosterone regulates both basal and stress-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in a negative-feedback fashion. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of this negative feedback have yet to be explicitly characterized. By comparing stress-induced c-fos and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), we may be able to determine whether acute glucocorticoid treatment affects the net neural excitatory input to the PVN (represented primarily by c-fos mRNA expression) or directly affects the ability of cells in the PVN to respond to that input (represented primarily by CRH hnRNA expression). In the following studies, we observed the effect of acute glucocorticoid (RU28362) treatment on subsequent HPA axis reactivity by measuring stress-induced plasma hormone concentration [corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)] and gene expression (c-fos and CRH) in the PVN. First, we examined the dose-response relationship between systemically administered RU28362 (1-150 microg/kg, i.p) and suppression of the stress-induced corticosterone response. We then confirmed central nervous system access of the maximally suppressive dose of RU28362 (150 microg/kg) by an ex vivo radioligand binding assay. RU28362 selectively occupied the majority of glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus and hypothalamus while having no effect on mineralocorticoid receptors. In separate studies, RU28362 (150 microg/kg) and corticosterone (5 mg/kg) were injected i.p. 1 h before restraint stress. Compared to vehicle-treated controls, rats treated with RU28362 and corticosterone had substantially blunted stress-induced corticosterone and ACTH production, respectively. Furthermore, treatment with RU28362 significantly blunted stress-induced CRH hnRNA expression in the PVN. By contrast, neither RU28362 nor corticosterone treatment had an effect on stress-induced neuronal activation as measured by c-fos mRNA and its protein product in the PVN. This dissociation between c-fos and CRH gene expression suggests that glucocorticoid suppression of HPA activity within this time-frame is not a result of decreased excitatory neural input to the PVN, but instead depends on some direct effect of RU28362 on cells intrinsic to the HPA axis.
Cks1 regulates cdk1 expression: a novel role during mitotic entry in breast cancer cells.

Cks1, a small protein whose expression is strongly associated with aggressive breast tumors, is a component of cyclin-cdk complexes, as well as the SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase. In these studies, we explored its roles in estrogen receptor–positive breast tumor cells. When exposed to the antiestrogen ICI 182780, these cells accumulate in G1 by reducing the expression of Cks1, and increasing the levels of p130/Rb2, a cdk2 inhibitor and SCFSkp2 target. Heregulin β1 or estradiol abrogate antiestrogen effects by increasing Cks1 expression, down-regulating p130/Rb2 and inducing S phase entry. Depletion of Cks1 in these cells by RNA interference concomitantly decreased Skp2 and up-regulated p130/Rb2 and another SCFSkp2 target, p27Kip1. Remarkably, however, Cks1-depleted cells not only exhibit slowed G1 progression, but also accumulate in G2-M due to blocked mitotic entry. Notably, we show that cdk1 expression, which is crucial for M phase entry, is drastically diminished by Cks1 depletion, and that restoration of cdk1 reduces G2-M accumulation in Cks1-depleted cells. cdk1 reduction in Cks1-depleted cells is a consequence of a marked decrease in its mRNA and not due to alteration in its proteolytic turnover. Both heregulin β1 and estradiol could neither restore cdk1 nor sustain cycling in Cks1-depleted cells, although classical estrogen receptor function remained unaltered. Cks1 depletion also decreased Skp2 in human mammary epithelial cells without altering cell cycle progression. Thus, the indispensability of Cks1 to the breast cancer cell cycle, versus its redundancy in normal cells, suggests that Cks1 abrogation could be an effective interventional strategy in breast cancer. [Cancer Res 2007;67(23):11393–401]
Collaborative web accessibility improvement: challenges and possibilities

Collaborative accessibility improvement has great potential to make the Web more adaptive in a timely manner by inviting users into the improvement process. The Social Accessibility Project is an experimental service for a new needs-driven improvement model based on collaborative metadata authoring technologies. In 10 months, about 18,000 pieces of metadata were created for 2,930 webpages through collaboration. We encountered many challenges as we sought to create a new mainstream approach. The productivity of the volunteer activities exceeded our expectation, but we found large and important problems in the screen reader users' lack of awareness of their own accessibility problems. In this paper, we first introduce examples, analyze some statistics from the pilot service and then discuss our findings and challenges. Three future directions including site-wide authoring are considered.
Gene expression in breast cancer.

We now recognize that all breast cancers are not the same. Different characteristics in gene expression profiles result in differential clinical behavior. With the use of gene microarrays, different subtypes of breast cancer have been characterized. The basal subtype is characterized by high expression of keratins 5 and 17, laminin, and fatty acid-binding protein 7. The ERBB2+ subtype is characterized by high expression of genes in the ERBB2 amplicon. The luminal A subtype is characterized by the highest expression of the ER α gene. The luminal B and C subtypes have a lower expression of the ER cluster. The importance of these different subtypes lies in the fact that they differ in clinical outcome, with the basal and ERBB2+ subtypes having the worse prognosis and the luminal A group having the best prognosis. Different strategies for evaluating tumors in a clinical setting have been developed. Two such strategies are the 21-gene assay (Oncotype DX; Genomic Health, Redwood City, CA), which is currently in commercial use in the United States, and the 70-gene assay, which has been developed by a group in the Netherlands. These assays have been shown to predict clinical outcome and response to therapy. However, to date these gene assays have not been studied in a prospective manner. Over the next year, prospective clinical trials will be initiated using these predictive tools in the treatment of breast cancer. In the near future, clinical decisions will most likely be dictated by the genetic characteristics of the tumor, with the clinical characteristics becoming less important. Tailoring our treatment based on individual tumor characteristics will help us develop better therapeutic strategies and save many patients from receiving unnecessary toxic therapy.
The microcephaly‐capillary malformation syndrome

We report on three children from two families with a new pattern recognition malformation syndrome consisting of severe congenital microcephaly (MIC), intractable epilepsy including infantile spasms, and generalized capillary malformations that was first reported recently in this journal [Carter et al. (2011); Am J Med Genet A 155: 301-306]. Two of our reported patients are an affected brother and sister, suggesting this is an autosomal recessive severe congenital MIC syndrome.
Downregulation of L3T4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes by interleukin-2

Proliferation of activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that recognize foreign histocompatibility antigens is induced by interleukin-2, a potent immunoregulatory molecule originally described as T cell growth factor. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is widely used to isolate and induce clonal expansion of CTLs for functional studies in vitro and in vivo. However, in studies with CTLs specific for class I and class II histocompatibility antigens, IL-2 rapidly downregulated the lytic activity of some class II-specific CTLs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Lytic activity of L3T4+ CTLs specific for the murine class II antigen I-Ek was repeatedly up- and downregulated in vitro by alternate exposure to specific (alloantigen) and nonspecific (recombinant IL-2) signals, respectively. These results demonstrate that some CTLs modulate their functional property (cytolysis) while undergoing IL-2-driven cell proliferation without loss of antigen specificity or ability to revert to a lytic phenotype.
A new method for studying the extent, stability, and predictors of individual specialization in violence

Specialization in violence is an important scientific and policy topic, and over the past several decades, many analysis techniques for studying specialization have emerged. Research in this area continues to be hampered, however, by remaining methodological problems. To overcome these problems, we propose a new method for studying specialization in violence based on an item-response theory measurement approach that is implemented through a multilevel regression model. Our approach defines specialization as an individual level latent variable, takes into account the inherent confounds between specialization and overall level of offending, and gauges specialization relative to the population base rates of each offense. Our method also enables researchers to 1) estimate the extent and statistical significance of specialization, 2) assess the stability of specialization over time, and 3) relate specialization to explanatory variables. Using data from three studies, we found substantial levels of specialization in violence, considerable stability in specialization over time, and several significant and relatively consistent relationships of specialization to explanatory variables such as gender, parental education, and risk-seeking.
Juvenile aponeurotic fibroma with disseminated fibrosarcoma

Juvenile aponeurotic fibromas, although locally recurrent, generally do not metastasize. This observation supports the practice of incomplete excision of the tumor to preserve the function of the involved extremity. We report on a patient with a juvenile aponeurotic fibroma of the palm, who returned 5 years after the second local surgical excision with metastatic fibrosarcoma of the lungs and bones.
Rotations of the Leg Segments of Three Fast-Running Cursors and an Elephant

Donnees sur la locomotion d'Acinonyx jubatus, Antilocapra americana, Lupus californicus et Elephas maximus
Linearity versus cross-talk: biological models and the role of the Society for Pediatric Research in the 21st century.

Linearity versus Cross-Talk: Biological Models and the Role of the Society for Pediatric Research in the 21st Century
Phenolic fortification of yogurt using grape and callus extracts

Abstract In this study, acidified ethanol extracts of four different grape varieties (Cabernet sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shyrah, and Merlot) and grape callus were supplemented into yogurt as functional ingredients. The total phenolic substances, total anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity of the yogurts were measured using chemical analyses. Yogurts inoculated with red grape and callus extracts displayed high phenolic – anthocyanin content and thus exhibited higher antioxidant power compared to yogurts containing chardonnay extracts and control samples. The storage time significantly affected the free radical scavenging capacity of the yogurts. The yogurts supplied with grape callus extract displayed the greatest antioxidant power on the first day of storage compared to all the assayed samples. The Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis revealed the presence of at least 10 individual bioactive phenolic compounds in the callus yogurt. The results obtained from this investigation shows that grape callus culture has a potential to be used as a food supplement to play a role in reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Effects of interferon on differentiation of normal and tumor cells.

As described in this review, both partially purified and recombinant interferons are potent modulators of differentiation in diverse cell culture systems (Table 2). Depending on the target cell, interferon exerts either an inhibitory or an inductive effect on cell differentiation. In certain myeloid leukemic cells, such as HL-60, interferon by itself is growth suppressive but does not induce cell maturation, whereas in combination with inducers of differentiation, such as DMSO, TPA or retinoic acid, interferon potentiates their ability to stimulate differentiation in both sensitive and resistant cell populations (Grant et al., 1982, 1983; Tomida et al., 1982). Interferon also interacts synergistically with phorbol ester tumor promoters in inhibiting melanogenesis in murine B-16 cells (Fisher et al., 1981a, 1984a) and adipocyte formation in 3T3 cells (Cioe et al., 1980), whereas the combination is synergistic in inducing differentiation in human melanoma cells (Fisher et al., 1984b,c). In contrast, interferon and TPA display antagonistic effects on differentiation in human skeletal muscle cultures, i.e. interferon induces and TPA inhibits myogenesis (Fisher et al., 1982, 1983). Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of high affinity saturable cell membrane receptors for mouse and human interferons (Aguet, 1980; Branca and Baglioni, 1981, 1982; Mogensen et al., 1981; Branca et al., 1982; Anderson et al., 1982; Joshi et al., 1982; Faltynek et al., 1983; Yonehara et al., 1983; Langer and Pestka, in preparation). Similarly, specific membrane receptors have been identified for phorbol esters and mezerein (Driedger and Blumberg, 1980; Shoyab and Todaro, 1980; Horowitz et al., 1981; Fisher et al., 1981b). These findings suggest that the plasma membrane may be a primary target for mediating the biochemical effects induced by both interferon and phorbol esters. Although the mechanism by which interferon and phorbol esters transmit the necessary membrane signal(s) required for altering differentiation are not known, a possible component of this transmembrane signaling process may involve changes in the physical dynamics of the plasma membrane. It is therefore of interest that both interferon and TPA induce early changes in the fluidity of the plasma membrane (Fisher et al., 1979, 1981b, 1984d; Castagna et al., 1979; Kuhry et al., 1983).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Two concomitant polymorphs of 3,3′,4,4′-tetrakis(phenylethynyl)-1,1′-[2,2,2,-trifluoro- 1-(trifluromethyl)ethanediyl]bisbenzene

A representative compound of bis-ortho-diynyl arene (BODA), with a general formula [(m,p)R2–Ph]2 –X, where R: –C≡C–Ph and X: >C(CF3)2 has been structurally characterized. The compound is being investigated as a monomer for high-performance polyarylene networks and glassy carbon precursors. The bis(trifluoromethyl) derivative crystallizes in two concomitant polymorphic forms. The two polymorphs form a monotropic system with melting points of 436 and 463 K. The metastable form yields monoclinic crystals (P21/n, Z=4). a=12.677(3) A, b=11.677(2) A, c=24.026(5) A, β=93.79(3)°. The thermodynamically stable form is monoclinic as well (P21/c, Z=8), a=10.7983(6) A, b=30.628(2) A, c=21.648(1) A, β=94.737(1)° with small voids indicating less efficient packing. The two polymorphs contain different conformers of the rotationally flexible molecule.
Temporal trends in disease outcomes related to Clostridium difficile infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Clostridium difficile has emerged as an important pathogen in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. No studies have examined the temporal change in severity of C. difficile infection (CDI) complicating IBD. Methods: Using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified all IBD-related hospitalizations during the years 1998, 2004, and 2007 and examined hospitalizations with a coexisting diagnosis of C. difficile. We compared the absolute outcomes of in-hospital mortality and colectomy in the C. difficile-IBD cohort during these timepoints, and also examined these outcomes relative to non-C. difficile IBD controls during each corresponding year. Results: During 1998, 2004, and 2007, approximately 1.4%, 2.3%, and 2.9% of all IBD hospitalizations nationwide were complicated by CDI (P < 0.001). The absolute mortality in the C. difficile-IBD cohort increased from 5.9%–7.2% (P = 0.052) with a nonsignificant increase in colectomy rate from 3.8%–4.5% between 1998 and 2007. Compared to non-C. difficile IBD controls, there was an increase in the relative mortality risk associated with C. difficile from 1998 (odds ratio [OR] 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52–3.72) to 2007 (OR 3.38, 95% CI: 2.66–4.29) (P = 0.15) with a significant increase in total colectomy odds from 1998 (OR 1.39, 95% CI: 0.81–2.37) to 2007 (OR 2.51, 95% CI: 1.90–3.34) (P = 0.03). Conclusion: There has been a temporal increase nationwide in CDI complicating IBD hospitalizations. The excess morbidity associated with C. difficile infection in hospitalized IBD patients has increased between 1998 and 2007. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)
A graphical modeling system: Applications in organizational model management

This technical note presents a broad overview of a graphical modeling system referred to as the Graph-Based Modeling System for Structured Modeling (GBMS/SM) and its applications in model management. GBMS/SM is a comprehensive modeling system that supports model formulation, maintenance and solution. The model schema in GBMS/SM is specified using a graphical user interface and is based on a modeling framework called model graphs. These graphs are based on the core concepts of Structured Modeling. GBMS/SM has links to relational database tables and spreadsheets and supports a wide variety of applications belonging to different domains.
The primary defect in developing seed from the high oleate variety of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is the absence of Δ12-desaturase activity

Abstract A high oleate mutant variety of peanuts, F435, has been identified which has a seed oil containing 80% oleate and less than 2% linoleate (A.J. Norden et al. Peanut Sci., 14 (1987) 7–11). This traits shows single gene inheritance in some genetic background (K.M. Moore and D.A. Knauft, J. Hered., 80 (1989) 252–253). The Δ12-desaturase is the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of oleate to linoleate, the first step in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The high oleate trait in variety F435 may result from a defect in this activity. In the present report, the Δ12-desaturase activity in microsomes from developing peanut seed from the parent variety F78-1339 and the mutant variety F435 are compared. The activity in developing peanut seed microsomes in unusuallly stable with a half-life of about 5 days at 0°C. The specific activities of the supplementary components, 1-acyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero(3)phosphocholine:acyl-CoA acyl transferase and cytochrome b5 reductase and the concentrations of cytochrome b5, required Δ12-desaturase activity, were compared in normal and mutant microsomes. These components were present in nearly equivalent concentrations and activities. The high oleate in developing peanut seed variety F435 is associated with a major decrease in the activity of the Δ12-desaturase with no changes in other activities associated with the Δ12-desaturase
Consumer research for development of educational messages for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System.

Abstract Objective To assess consumer understanding and use of messages from the original Food Guide Pyramid and potential concepts for a revised Food Guidance System. Design Focus groups conducted in two phases, in 2002 and 2004. Setting Market research facilities in Baltimore, Chicago, and Houston. Participants Phase I, 178 participants in 18 groups: 6 of general adult consumers, 4 of adults over 60 years of age, 4 of food stamp recipients, and 4 of overweight adults. Phase II, 75 participants in 8 groups: 4 of younger adults and 4 of older adults. Phenomenon of Interest Understanding and use of original Pyramid symbol and messages and potential concepts for a revised food guidance system. Analysis Focus group sessions were audiotaped and transcribed. Content analysis summarized comments into meaningful themes. Results Key concepts of the original Pyramid were widely understood, but specific knowledge was limited and misunderstandings common, especially related to servings and food group placement. Detailed information about whole grains, types of fats, vegetable subgroups, and physical activity was lacking. Conclusions and Implications While consumers are aware of general concepts about healthy eating, they lack specific knowledge to help them implement recommendations. Educators can help by providing consumers with concrete examples and specific information.
Outcomes after endoscopic port surgery for spontaneous intracerebral hematomas.

Background Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs) cause significant morbidity and mortality. Traditional open surgical management strategies offer limited benefit except for the most superficial hemorrhages in select patients. Recent reports suggest that endoscopic approaches may improve outcomes, particularly for deep subcortical hemorrhages. However, the management of these patients remains controversial. We reviewed our experience using endoscopic port surgery to identify characteristics that may predict acceptable outcomes. Materials and Methods We completed a retrospective chart and imaging review of patients who underwent endoscopic port surgery for evacuation of spontaneous ICH at a single center. Data were gathered regarding patient demographics, hemorrhage locations, operative findings, and clinical outcomes. Results From 2007 to 2011, 18 patients underwent evacuation of spontaneous intracerebral hematomas using an endoscopic port. The mean age in years was 62 years (range, 43–84 years). Six of 18 patients (33%) died before discharge, and 2 others (11%) died after at least 1 month of survival. Of 12 initial survivors, all were discharged to a rehabilitation or nursing facility. Complete hematoma evacuation was achieved in 7 of 18 patients, with the remaining 11 having a partial evacuation. The patients who died ( n = 6) before discharge were statistically more likely to have a left-sided hemorrhage, partial evacuation, or older age than the survivors; death at least 1 month after evacuation was additionally associated with greater preoperative hematoma volumes. Conclusions Our series demonstrates that endoscopic port surgery for acute intracerebral hematoma evacuation has the ability to achieve significant decompression of large and deep-seated hematomas. Patient age, extent of evacuation, laterality, and preoperative hematoma volume appear to influence patient outcome. Most overall outcomes remain poor. Future studies are necessary to determine if surgical evacuation is in fact superior to best medical treatment and if so, to validate, refute, or further identify characteristics that define surgical candidates.
The strength of heavy columns

Abstract The paper presents the results of a study on the maximum strength and behavior of wide-flange steel columns of large cross-sectional dimensions. Thus, hot-rolled and welded built-up shapes of flange thickness up to 150 mm and web thickness up to 75 mm were examined, using a variety of steel grades and manufacturing methods. It was found that there is a clear correlation between the relative maximum strength and the flange thickness for heavy hot-rolled wide-flange shapes. Specifically, the capacity drops by as much as 10 to 15% as the flange thickness goes from 25 to about 75 mm. As the thickness increases further, the relative maximum strength goes up, and it regains its full value when the flange is 125 to 150 mm thick. The effect is a function of the slenderness ratio of the column; it is most pronounced in the intermediate range. Welded built-up shapes appear to be less heavily influenced by the flange thickness variation, especially for short and long members. However, the welded shape database was limited, and further studies need to be conducted to verify the findings for these shapes. The results are currently being evaluated for design code recommendations.
Motion segmentation with occlusions on the superpixel graph

We present a motion segmentation algorithm that partitions the image plane into disjoint regions based on their parametric motion. It relies on a finer partitioning of the image domain into regions of uniform photometric properties, with motion segments made of unions of such “superpixels.” We exploit recent advances in combinatorial graph optimization that yield computationally efficient estimates. The energy functional is built on a superpixel graph, and is iteratively minimized by computing a parametric motion model in closed-form, followed by a graph cut of the superpixel adjacency graph. It generalizes naturally to multi-label partitions that can handle multiple motions.
Solubility of HFC32, HFC125, HFC152a, and HFC143a in Three Polyols

The solubility of a blowing agent in a polyol plays an important role in determining the overall quality of the polyurethane foam. For many years, concerns have been raised about the high ozone depleting potential (ODP) of traditionally used blowing agents such as chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons. To this end, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have been identified to be long-term replacements as the future blowing agents. In this study, we chose four HFCs, namely, HFC-125 (1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane), HFC-152a (1,1-difluoroethane), HFC-143a (1,1,1-trifluoroethane), and HFC-32 (difluoromethane), and measured their solubilities in three polyols, namely, Pluracol 975, Pluracol 355, and Terol 352, using a degassed vapor pressure apparatus. Results indicate that there is a prominent effect of the structure of the blowing agent molecule and the functionality of the polyol on the solubility. HFC152a showed good solubility in Pluracol 975 and Pluracol 355, whereas all blowing agents showed limited solubi...
Rutting and moisture damage resistance of high reclaimed asphalt pavement warm mixed asphalt: loaded wheel tracking vs. conventional methods

An increased potential for moisture damage and rutting has been the two main problems with warm mixed asphalt (WMA) implementation. The use of high reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) contents (25% or more) in WMA may alleviate these problems. At present, susceptibility to the moisture damage and rutting are usually tested for independently; however, these distress mechanisms can be linked for in-service pavements. An enhanced loaded wheel tracking test performed on dry and wet specimens, the PURWheel, is investigated in this paper to evaluate the interaction of traffic and moisture. The PURWheel is also compared with conventional rutting and moisture damage tests. PURWheel results are used to evaluate the performance of 25% and 50% RAP–WMA. Rutting and moisture susceptibility of the high RAP–WMA was comparable with current practice low RAP content hot mixed asphalt.
Multiple actions of abscisic acid in senescence of oat leaves

The modifications induced by abscisic acid (ABA) on the senescence of oat leaves in darkness have been studied and are compared with its well-known effects in light. Contrary to the action in light, ABA preserves chlorophyll (Chl) in the dark almost as well as kinetin. Chlorophylla is decolorized more extensively thanb, and the content ofb is maintained by ABA almost at its initial level for 4 days. ABA also prevents proteolysis in darkness just as completely as chlorophyll loss, the relationship of both breakdown processes to ABA concentration being strictly log-linear over the range from 1 to 100 μM. In line with this action, ABA inhibits formation of the neutral protease in the dark but not in the light. The data suggest that ABA and kinetin operate to preserve chlorophyll and protein by different mechanisms, since their actions are neither independent nor synergistic but actually interfere with one another. In this connection, protein values given by the Lowry and Bradford methods have been compared. In parallel with the effect on senescence, ABA slowly opens the stomata in the dark. This effect increases with time, and by day 3 the stomata in ABA are as open as in leaves on water in light. Thus all these effects of ABA in darkness are strikingly opposite to those commonly observed on leaves in natural lighting. In addition, ABA powerfully inhibits the formation of ethylene in the dark by the detached oat leaves, and this inhibition also tends to increase with time. Finally, a slight antagonism to ABA's action on senescence is exerted byp-coumaric acid in the light but not in the dark.
Corporate Form: A Unitary Theory of Technology, Property and Social Class

In corporate form, the constituting feature of the modern corporation, a top management monopolizing capitalist functions per se controls through financial and policy mechanisms a middle element of supervisors, engineers and other technicians and professionals who in turn control by administrative/technological means a work force which simply labors. Corporate form is simultaneously an ensemble of productive relationships, a property form, and the dynamic structure of capitalist accumulation, hence embodies the main class relationships of contemporary capitalism.
Targeted Disruption of the Microsomal Epoxide Hydrolase Gene: MICROSOMAL EPOXIDE HYDROLASE IS REQUIRED FOR THE CARCINOGENIC ACTIVITY OF 7,12-DIMETHYLBENZ[a]ANTHRACENE

Microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) is a conserved enzyme that is known to hydrolyze many drugs and carcinogens, and a few endogenous steroids and bile acids. mEH-null mice were produced and found to be fertile and have no phenotypic abnormalities thus indicating that mEH is not critical for reproduction and physiological homeostasis. mEH has also been implicated in participating in the metabolic activation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon carcinogens. Embryonic fibroblast derived from the mEH-null mice were unable to produce the proximate carcinogenic metabolite of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), a widely studied experimental prototype for the polycylic aromatic hydrocarbon class of chemical carcinogens. They were also resistant to DMBA-mediated toxicity. Using the two-stage initiation-promotion skin cancer bioassay, the mEH-null mice were found to be highly resistant to DMBA-induced carcinogenesis. In a complete carcinogenesis bioassay, the mEH mice were totally resistant to tumorigenesis. These data establish in an intact animal model that mEH is a key genetic determinant in DMBA carcinogenesis through its role in production of the ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of DMBA, the 3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide.