cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intravenous phage display identifies peptide sequences that target the burn-injured intestine

The injured intestine is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality after severe trauma and burn; however, targeting the intestine with therapeutics aimed at decreasing injury has proven difficult. We hypothesized that we could use intravenous phage display technology to identify peptide sequences that target the injured intestinal mucosa in a murine model, and then confirm the cross-reactivity of this peptide sequence with ex vivo human gut. Four hours following 30% TBSA burn we performed an in vivo, intravenous systemic administration of phage library containing 10(12) phage in balb/c mice to biopan for gut-targeting peptides. In vivo assessment of the candidate peptide sequences identified after 4 rounds of internalization was performed by injecting 1×10(12) copies of each selected phage clone into sham or burned animals. Internalization into the gut was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We then incubated this gut-targeting peptide sequence with human intestine and visualized fluorescence using confocal microscopy. We identified 3 gut-targeting peptide sequences which caused collapse of the phage library (4-1: SGHQLLLNKMP, 4-5: ILANDLTAPGPR, 4-11: SFKPSGLPAQSL). Sequence 4-5 was internalized into the intestinal mucosa of burned animals 9.3-fold higher than sham animals injected with the same sequence (2.9×10(5)vs. 3.1×10(4) particles per mg tissue). Sequences 4-1 and 4-11 were both internalized into the gut, but did not demonstrate specificity for the injured mucosa. Phage sequence 4-11 demonstrated cross-reactivity with human intestine. In the future, this gut-targeting peptide sequence could serve as a platform for the delivery of biotherapeutics.
Tax Harmonization and Tax Competition: Contrasting Views and Policy Issues in Three Federal Countries

This article contrasts divergent attitudes toward tax competition and tax harmonization in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Despite strong arguments on each side, competition and harmonization are not necessarily conflicting goals except at the extremes. The most troublesome issue is the tradeoff between promoting efficiency in the public sector and in the private sector. Due to the difficulty of measuring and comparing efficiency in both sectors, this issue is not likely to be resolved objectively. However, tax-base harmonization appears to be the best compromise in pursuing both goals. Some fundamental problems remain regardless ofthe policy direction taken, including limiting "micro-level" competition and addressing environmental and redistributive concerns in regional and local arenas. Improved intergovernmental cooperation and experimentation are viewed as the key to resolving these issues.
The UL16 Gene Product of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Is a Virion Protein That Colocalizes with Intranuclear Capsid Proteins

The UL16 gene of herpes simplex virus maps within the intron of the UL 15 gene. This report shows the following: (i) A polyclonal antiserum directed against a bacterial fusion protein containing glutathione S-transferase fused to the C-terminus of the UL 16 gene reacted with an apparent M(r) 40,000 protein in HSV-1 infected cell lysates. (ii) The protein encoded by UL 16 was dependent on viral DNA synthesis for accumulation to detectable levels. (iii) In immunofluorescence studies, the polyclonal UL 16/GST-specific antiserum was shown to stain the nucleus of infected cells at 18 hr after infection in areas containing high concentrations of HSV capsid proteins. These nuclear compartments have been described previously as viral assemblons (Ward et al., J. Virol. 70, 4623-4631, 1996) and are distinct from compartments containing replicating DNA. Localization within assemblons argues for a role of UL 16 encoded protein in capsid assembly or maturation. (iv) At 22 hr after infection, UL 16-specific immunofluorescence was present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. (v) Consistent with the change in localization at late times after infection, the UL 16 protein was found to be a component of purified virions.
Release characteristics and osteogenic activity of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 grafted to novel self-assembled poly(lactide-co-glycolide fumarate) nanoparticles.

Functionalized biodegradable nanoparticles (NPs) provide reactive groups and large surface area for grafting recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) to reduce protein diffusion and maintain sufficient concentration for recruitment and differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells. The objective of this work was to investigate release characteristics and osteogenic activity of rhBMP-2, grafted to biodegradable NPs based on succinimide-terminated poly(lactide fumarate) (PLAF-NHS) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide fumarate) (PLGF-NHS) macromers. The release of rhBMP-2 from the NPs, measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, was linear with time in the first two weeks, and 24.70 ± 1.30% and 48.7 ± 0.7% of the protein grafted to PLGF-NHS and PLAF-NHS NPs, respectively, was released in the enzymatically active conformation after complete degradation/erosion of the NPs. After 14 days of incubation with bone marrow stromal (BMS) cells, rhBMP-2 grafted to PLAF-NHS and PLGF-NHS NPs was as effective in inducing mineralization as the native rhBMP-2 that was directly added to the cell culture media. At any incubation time, rhBMP-2 grafted to PLAF had the highest expression of osteopontin (OP) and osteocalcin (OC), followed by rhBMP-2 grafted to PLGF and rhBMP-2 directly added to media. Higher OP and OC expression for BMP-gPLAF and BMP-gPLGF groups may be related to other factors in the cascade of osteogenesis, such as differentiation of BMS cells to the vasculogenic lineage and formation of a vascularized/mineralized matrix.
HOXB7 overexpression promotes differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells to smooth muscle cells.

The presence of immature smooth muscle cells and ectopic tissues such as fully-formed bone in atherosclerotic lesions, may result from recapitulation of embryonic mechanisms in the artery wall. We hypothesized that expression of homeobox genes is triggered in atherogenesis and that these regulate proliferation and differentiation of multipotential progenitor cells along one or more specific lineages. We identified expression of the homeobox gene HOXB7 in clones of bovine aortic medial cells previously shown to be multipotent. HOXB7 was subsequently detected in human atherosclerotic plaques by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. Expression was localized to areas adjacent to calcification and scattered in media and neointima, which may be reflective of a role in either osteoblastic or smooth muscle cell differentiation. To differentiate between these possibilities, we overexpressed HOXB7 in C3H10T1/2 cells, a multipotent cell line able to differentiate into vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), as well as osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. Results showed that overexpression of HOXB7 increased proliferation 3.5-fold, and induced an SMC-like cell morphology. In addition, expression of the early SMC markers calponin and SM22alpha increased 4-fold and 3-fold respectively by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of the intermediate SMC marker smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC) did not change. No increase in osteogenic or chondrogenic differentiation was detected, neither in the C3H10T1/2 cells nor in M2 cells, a bone marrow stromal cell line used to confirm this result. These findings suggest that HOXB7 plays a role in expansion of immature cell populations or dedifferentiation of mature cells.
Growth rates, nucleic acid concentrations, and RNADNA ratios of juvenile white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei boone, fed different algal diets

Macro- and microalgae are potentially important food resources for penaeid shrimp inhabiting coastal nursery grounds and aquaculture ponds. However, there are few data on the nutritional contribution of different algal species to juvenile shrimp growth. In this study, changes in whole body weight, RNA and DNA concentrations, and RNADNA ratios of juvenile white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Boone, fed different algal species were compared to assess the nutritional contribution of each species to shrimp growth. Shrimp fed a diatom culture composed primarily of Chaetoceros sp. were significantly heavier (p < 0.05) than shrimp fed a monoculture of the green alga, Nannochloropsis oculata, fronds from the leafy macroalga, Ulva sp., or fronds from the filamentous macroalga, Enteromorpha sp. after 5 days. In addition, RNA/DNA ratios were significantly greater (p0.05) in abdominal muscle tissue from diatom-fed shrimp. About 76% of the variation in shrimp growth rate could be explained by changes in RNA concentration, whereas RNADNA ratio accounted for about 80% of the variation in growth rate. Diatoms can contribute substantially to short-term shrimp growth, and are probably important in coastal nursery grounds and aquaculture ponds when other food resources are scarce or to supplement available food.
Surface vibrations on clean and hydrogen saturated W(100)

Abstract Electron energy loss Spectroscopy (EELS) and lattice dynamical calculations are used to investigate the vibrational properties of surface phonons and adsorbate phonons on clean and hydrogen-saturated W(100). Two distinct intrinsic surface vibrations are observed in specular scattering geometry. One of the surface modes is attributed to a surface resonance of a bulk longitudinal phonon at the hydrogen-stabilized (1×1) surface. The second surface mode occurs only on the low-temperature-stabilized c (2×2) [011] displacement surface. Detailed experimental studies and lattice dynamical analysis of the hydrogen-saturated W(100) surface account for a new hydrogen-derived loss peak at 118 meV in terms of an optic mode of the adsorbed layer. Experimental evidence of impact scattering resonances under certain kinematic conditions are observed.
Effects of undernutrition and litter size on material variables and pup development

Differential effects of maternal nutrition and litter size variation were examined in a 2 x 2 factorial design in which undernourished or lib fed mothers nursed litters of 4 or 12. Litter size accounted for a greater proportion of pup body weight a weaning than did maternal nutrition. When the mother was fed ad lib, birth weight of individual pups and later body weight were correlated regardless of litter size. When the mother was undernourished, these correlations were not found. Enlargement of littersize increased the pup weight coefficient of variability only when the mother was fed ad lib. Size of the litter did not influence the maternal variables under study: open field behavior, adrenal weight, and body weight.
Classical conditioning-induced changes in low-molecular-weight GTP-binding proteins in rabbit hippocampus

Classical conditioning of Hermissenda, involving paired light-rotation events, results in a 30-35% decrease in the levels of a 20-kDa G protein (cp20). To test whether a similar protein exists in vertebrates, rabbits were trained to associate a tone with periorbital electrical stimulation and G proteins were analyzed by photoaffinity labeling with [alpha-32P]GTP-azidoanilide. A 20-kDa G protein similar to cp20 decreased by 36% in the hippocampus of rabbits subjected to paired tone and electrical stimulation, but not in unpaired controls. Learning-specific decreases were also found in the amount of ras protein.
Modulation of extracellular glutamate and pressor response to muscle contraction during NMDA-receptor blockade in the rostral ventrolateral medulla.

Abstract Recently our laboratory demonstrated increases in extracellular glutamate concentrations within the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) during static muscle contraction (Caringi, D.C., Maher, T., Chaiyakul, P., Asmundsson, G., Ishide, T., Ally, A. Pflugers Arch. Eur. J. Physiol., 435:465–471, 1998). In this study, we determined effects of microdialyzing d (-)2-amino-7-phosphonohepatanoic acid (AP-7), an NMDA-receptor antagonist, into the RVLM on changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and extracellular glutamate levels during muscle contraction in anesthetized rats. Bilateral placements of microdialysis probes into the RVLM were verified by perfusing l -glutamate and obtaining a pressor response. Muscle contraction for 2 min, increased MAP and HR by 22±4 mmHg and 28±5 bpm, respectively. Extracellular glutamate as determined by microdialysis increased from 0.8±0.2 to 6.3±1.2 ng/5 μl. Microdialysis of AP-7 (1.0 μM) for 30 min inhibited contraction-evoked MAP and HR responses (10±3 mmHg and 13±3 bpm) and attenuated increases in glutamate during muscle contraction. Developed tensions did not differ during contractions before and after AP-7. Results demonstrate that NMDA-receptor blockade in the RVLM inhibits cardiovascular responses during static muscle contraction via a reduction in extracellular glutamate levels.
Augmentation of cholesterol esterification in the microsomal membrane by the removal of membrane-bound ribosomes.

Abstract Acyl-CoA: cholesterol O-acyltransferase (ACAT) activity in rough microsomes was enhanced (2-fold) by the removal (40%) of ribosomes from the microsomal membrane with RNase. Although EDTA was as efficient as RNase in the removal of ribosomes the stimulation (3.2-fold) of ACAT activity was even more, suggesting that additional effects were induced by EDTA. Reconstitution of EDTA-treated microsomes with ribosomes decreased the cholesterol-esterifying activity (40%) of the degranulated microsomes. Alternate possibilities were considered for the enhancement of ACAT activity by EDTA, namely, suppression of the hydrolysis of added palmitoyl-CoA substrate, the hydrolysis of cholesteryl ester, and the removal of metal suppressor of ACAT activity. Neitheir acyl-CoA hydrolase nor cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity was decreased after degranulation of mycrosomes. ACAT activity of EDTA-treated microsomes compared to the control was enhanced rather than suppressed after the addition of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Ba 2+ ions whereas other metal ions (Co 2+ , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ ) almost completely suppressed ACAT activity in both the EDTA-treated and buffer-treated microsomes. It is concluded that the enhanced ACAT activity was largely due to the removal of ribosomes from the microsomal membrane.
A study of Cu turnover in proteins of the visceral complex of Littorina littorea by stable isotopic analysis using coupled HPLC–ICP–MS

A two-dimensional HPLC system, tandemly coupled to an ICP-MS, has been used to study copper accumulation and turnover in the visceral complex cytosol of the gastropod, Littorina littorea. Animals were exposed for 8 weeks to NTA-buffered seawater containing stable isotopic 65Cu and then transferred to media containing stable isotopic 63Cu. The free ion activity of each isotope was maintained at 10(-11) M. Size exclusion (SE) HPLC showed Cu associated with haemocyanin (HC) and metallothionein-like (MT) proteins in two ligand pools with apparent molecular weights of >300 kDa and approximately 17 kDa, respectively. The MT pool was inducible by Cu, could assimilate the metal from both intrinsic and extrinsic sources and showed a higher rate of Cu accumulation and turnover than the HC pool. The induction of this pool also caused the sequestration and cytosolic redistribution of Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn and Co. Further fractionation of the MT pool by ion-exchange (IE) HPLC revealed that the Cu was associated with a single, major isoform of the protein that was Cu inducible and also bound trace quantities of Zn and Pb. A number of additional metal containing proteins were also resolved by IE. the most prominent of which also bound Pb, Mn and minor quantities of Zn. The significance of these findings in metal homeostasis and detoxification is discussed.
APOBEC3G cytosine deamination hotspots are defined by both sequence context and single-stranded DNA secondary structure

Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing, enzyme-catalytic, polypeptide-like 3G (i.e., APOBEC3G or A3G) is an evolutionarily conserved cytosine deaminase that potently restricts human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), retrotransposons and other viruses. A3G has a nucleotide target site specificity for cytosine dinucleotides, though only certain cytosine dinucleotides are ‘hotspots’ for cytosine deamination, and others experience little or no editing by A3G. The factors that define these critical A3G hotspots are not fully understood. To investigate how A3G hotspots are defined, we used an in vitro fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based oligonucleotide assay to probe the site specificity of A3G. Our findings strongly suggest that the target single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) secondary structure as well as the bases directly 3′ and 5′ of the cytosine dinucleotide are critically important A3G recognition. For instance, A3G cannot readily deaminate a cytosine dinucleotide in ssDNA stem structures or in nucleotide base loops composed of three bases. Single-stranded nucleotide loops up to seven bases in length were poor targets for A3G activity unless cytosine residues flanked the cytosine dinucleotide. Furthermore, we observed that A3G favors adenines, cytosines and thymines flanking the cytosine dinucleotide target in unstructured regions of ssDNA. Low cytosine deaminase activity was detected when guanines flanked the cytosine dinucleotide. Taken together, our findings provide the first demonstration that A3G cytosine deamination hotspots are defined by both the sequence context of the cytosine dinucleotide target as well as the ssDNA secondary structure. This knowledge can be used to better trace the origins of mutations to A3G activity, and illuminate its impact on processes such as HIV-1 genetic variation.
ROLE OF BEHAVIORALLY DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES IN DESCRIPTION OF PERSONALITY

Behaviorally descriptive adjectives and personality trait terms have been analyzed periodically by many psychological researchers and practitioners during the last half of this century. This analys...
Geographic distribution of environmental factors influencing human skin coloration

Skin coloration in indigenous peoples is strongly related to levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). In this study, the relationships of skin reflectance to seasonal UVR levels and other environmental variables were investigated, with the aim of determining which variables contributed most significantly to skin reflectance. The UVR data recorded by satellite were combined with environmental variables and data on human skin reflectance in a geographic information system (GIS). These were then analyzed visually and statistically through exploratory data analysis, correlation analysis, principal components analysis, least-squares regression analysis, and nonlinear techniques. The main finding of this study was that the evolution of skin reflectance could be almost fully modeled as a linear effect of UVR in the autumn alone. This linear model needs only minor modification, by the introduction of terms for the maximum amount of UVR, and for summer precipitation and winter precipitation, to account for almost all the variation in skin reflectance. A further significant finding was that the effect of summer UVR seems to reach a threshold beyond which further adaptation is difficult.
Effects of High Pressure on Amorphous Polymers: Densification of Polymethyl Methacrylate

The densification of polymethyl methacrylate resulting from pressure and temperature treatment in a Bridgman anvil device has been studied at temperatures to 245°C and pressures to 50 kbar. Treatment in the glass transition region at pressure produces samples 1.1%–1.5% more dense than the starting materials, depending on the length of treatment. Treatment in the glassy state produces samples up to 0.7% more dense than the starting material, depending on the temperature and the internal state of the sample immediately prior to the application of pressure. Samples held in the transition region under pressure and then vitrified by rapid application of a high pressure show densifications similar to but somewhat higher than those produced by treatment in the glassy state. The results are compared with thermodynamic theories of the glass transition and with similar data on other polymers and inorganic glasses.
cul-1 Is Required for Cell Cycle Exit in C. elegans and Identifies a Novel Gene Family

The gene cul-1 (formerly lin-19) is a negative regulator of the cell cycle in C. elegans. Null mutations cause hyperplasia of all tissues. cul-1 is required for developmentally programmed transitions from the G1 phase of the cell cycle to the GO phase or the apoptotic pathway. Moreover, the mutant phenotype suggests that G1-to-S phase progression is accelerated, overriding mechanisms for mitotic arrest and producing abnormally small cells. Significantly, diverse aspects of cell fate and differentiation are unaffected in cul-1 mutants. cul-1 represents a conserved family of genes, designated cullins, with at least five members in nematodes, six in humans, and three in budding yeast.
Pursuit eye movements in goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Abstract Pursuit eye movements made by goldfish were investigated with an optical technique in which the horizontal orientations of both eyes were measured automatically. Moving targets were provided by: (1) a striped drum which rotated about the vertical axis concentrically with the animal's head, and (2) tangent screens on either side. Movement seen by either eye alone caused both to move, but the response was greater when both viewed the drum. The angular velocities of the eyes were always less than that of the drum. The ocular velocity depended upon the velocity, area, and contrast of the target, over wide ranges, and upon the state of adaptation and the recent history of the visual system. Evidence is offered supporting the hypothesis that the pursuit movements are controlled by directionally-selective movement-sensitive retinal ganglion cells.
Arachidonic acid as a retrograde signal controlling growth and dynamics of retinotectal arbors

In the developing visual system, correlated presynaptic activity between neighboring retinal ganglion cells (RGC) stabilizes retinotopic synapses via a postsynaptic NMDAR (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor)-dependent mechanism. Blocking NMDARs makes individual axonal arbors larger, which underlies an unsharpened map, and also increases branch turnover, as if a stabilizing factor from the postsynaptic partner is no longer released. Arachidonic acid (AA), a candidate retrograde stabilizing factor, is released by cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) after Ca(2+) entry through activated NMDARs, and can activate presynaptic protein kinase C to phosphorylate various substrates such as GAP43 to regulate cytoskeletal dynamics. To test the role of cPLA2 in the retinotectal system of developing zebrafish, we first used PED6, a fluorescent reporter of cPLA2 activity, to show that 1-3 min of strobe flashes activated tectal cPLA2 by an NMDAR-dependent mechanism. Second, we imaged the dynamic growth of retinal arbors during both local inhibition of tectal cPLA2 by a pharmacological inhibitor, arachidonic tri-fluoromethylketone, and its suppression by antisense oligonucleotides (both injected intraventricularly). Both methods produced larger arbors and faster branch dynamics as occurs with blocking NMDARs. In contrast, intraocular suppression of retinal cPLA2 with large doses of antisense oligos produced none of the effects of tectal cPLA2 inhibition. Finally, if AA is the retrograde messenger, the application of exogenous AA to the tectum should reverse the increased branch turnover caused by blocking either NMDARs or cPLA2. In both cases, intraventricular injection of AA stabilized the overall branch dynamics, bringing rates down below the normal values. The results suggest that AA generated postsynaptically by cPLA2 downstream of Ca(2+) entry through NMDARs acts as a retrograde signal to regulate the dynamic growth of retinal arbors.
Death by a thousand cuts: granzyme pathways of programmed cell death.

The granzymes are cell death–inducing enzymes, stored in the cytotoxic granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, that are released during granule exocytosis when a specific virus-infected or transformed target cell is marked for elimination. Recent work suggests that this homologous family of serine esterases can activate at least three distinct pathways of cell death. This redundancy likely evolved to provide protection against pathogens and tumors with diverse strategies for evading cell death. This review discusses what is known about granzyme-mediated pathways of cell death as well as recent studies that implicate granzymes in immune regulation and extracellular proteolytic functions in inflammation.
Simulation Noise and the Estimation of Land Use Decisions in Kenya

This study investigates issues surrounding the nature and importance of simulation noise when using maximum simulated likelihood methods in bivariate tobit estimation of panel data. The application presented considers land use decisions made by nomadic herders in northern Kenya. The study focuses on issues of parameter instability arising from the use of simulation methods to control for an unobserved household specific effect. It is found that parameters are more stable across estimation runs for variables for which there is a higher degree of within household variability and when the parameter is estimated with a higher degree of precision in the initial run. The study also finds that there is less variability in simulating estimation results when different draws are used to simulate results of a given estimation run than when results from different estimation runs generated by using different draws are used for simulation. It is also found that simulation noise does not have a large impact on a main policy finding of the estimation and simulation: reducing risk of accessing remote grazing areas can improve the spatial distribution of grazing pressure and thus address localized degradation and a failure to provide security can lead to environmental degradation.
Willingness to pay for pST-treated pork

Abstract The progress in porcine somatotropin (pST) application justified an assessment of consumer acceptance of pST-treated pork. A survey of the Atlanta metropolitan area, USA, collected information about consumer attitudes toward lean pork produced with biotechnologically developed pST. A qualitative dependent variable model was used to identify socioeconomic consumer characteristics influencing the willingness to pay for lean pork. The model was modified to account for the selectivity bias of the sample data. Results indicate that frequent pork consumers were willing to pay more for lean pork produced using pST in contrast to respondents who frequently ate beef, were older, and had relatively high income. Probabilities associated with the willingness to pay a specific premium were calculated. In general, the average respondent was willing to pay an additional 18¢ per kg of lean pork produced using pST.
Demonstration of spontaneous thermal-blooming phase-compensation instability

We have observed significant growth of phase modulation when thermal blooming is compensated by a 241-channel phase-conjugate adaptive-optics system. These modulations, which were not artificially seeded, occurred at a spatial frequency characteristic of the adaptive-optics system and resulted in a corresponding decay of the far-field irradiance. These experiments represent, to our knowledge, the first observations of a spontaneous phase-compensation instability.
Combination Therapy for Malaria: Mission Accomplished?

In the war against malaria, the tide turned dramatically in our favor in the mid-20th century with the development of chloroquine, a highly effective antimalarial drug that was the linchpin of a global campaign to eradicate malaria. But our brief ascendancy was cut short when malaria parasites became resistant to chloroquine. For the next 50 years, we engaged in a long, hard slog against drug-resistant malaria, eventually losing on almost all fronts. Time and again, resistance emerged, and it spread more quickly than new drugs could be developed and deployed. Drug resistance has repeatedly arisen in Asia and then spread globally in inexorable sweeps that have left disease, death, and economic disability in their wake. The battle may be turning once again in our favor with new antimalarial combination therapies designed to deter the emergence of resistance that are increasingly becoming the first line against malaria. The artemisinins are a new class of potent compounds derived from an ancient Chinese herbal remedy for malaria. These drugs exert a powerful, percussive blow, with extremely rapid killing of parasites at all stages of their life cycle, followed by equally rapid elimination of the drug from the body, thus avoiding the lingering subtherapeutic blood levels that create conditions conducive to selection of resistance after treatment with slower and longer-acting drugs. In hopes of delaying the emergence of resistance to the artemisinins, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that they be used exclusively in combination with partner drugs that attack malaria parasites through different mechanisms. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are now
Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Ovary of a 14-Year-Old Girl

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), whether primary or metastatic, rarely involves the ovary. All previously reported cases have been in adults. Herein we describe a 14-year-old girl who underwent extensive neurologic and musculoskeletal assessment because of symptoms of generalized muscle weakness and pain. She was found to have SCC that involved the ovary, with widespread metastases. This case illustrates the importance of eliciting a thorough history and evaluating the patient's symptoms. A review of the differential diagnosis of ovarian SCC is included. To our knowledge, our patient is the youngest to be described in the literature with sec in the ovary.
Homogeneous Preferences and Heterogeneous Growth Performance: International Differences in Saving and Investment Behavior

This paper presents a methodology for testing a standard assumption in growth theory: that preferences are homogeneous across economic agents. The authors apply the methodology in the specific context of international saving and investment behavior. The empirical results provide evidence of considerable heterogeneity of preferences across countries. Copyright 1993 by WWZ and Helbing & Lichtenhahn Verlag AG
Levels in 15N resulting from the proton capture of 14C

Abstract The gamma-ray decay of the 14C(p, γ)15N resonances at Ep = 352, 527, and 634 KeV has been extensively studied. Spins of J = 5 2 and J = 3 2 have been assigned to the upper and lower levels of the 9.16 MeV doublet respectively on the basis of angular correlation measurements. Similar measurements show the spin of the 8.31 MeV level to be J = 1 2 . Mixing ratios for most of the gamma-ray transitions have also been determined.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of butorphanol following intravenous administration to the horse

Butorphanol is a narcotic analgesic commonly used in horses. Currently, any detectable concentration of butorphanol in biological samples collected from performance horses is considered a violation. The primary goal of the study reported here was to update the pharmacokinetics of butorphanol following intravenous administration, utilizing a highly sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) assay that is currently employed in many drug-testing laboratories. An additional objective was to characterize behavioral and cardiac effects following administration of butorphanol. Ten exercised adult horses received a single intravenous dose of 0.1 mg/kg butorphanol. Blood and urine samples were collected at time 0 and at various times for up to 120 h and analyzed using LC-MS. Mean±SD systemic clearance, steady-state volume of distribution, and terminal elimination half-life were 11.5±2.5 mL/min/kg, 1.4±0.3 L/kg, and 5.9±1.5 h, respectively. Butorphanol plasma concentrations were below the limit of detection (LOD) (0.01 ng/mL) by 48 h post administration. Urine butorphanol concentrations were below the LOD (0.05 ng/mL) of the assay in seven of 10 horses by 120 h post drug administration. Following administration, horses appeared excited as noted by an increase in heart rate and locomotion. Gastrointestinal sounds were markedly decreased for up to 24 h.
Enhancement of specific heat capacity of high-temperature silica-nanofluids synthesized in alkali chloride salt eutectics for solar thermal-energy storage applications

In this study, we report the anomalous enhancement of specific heat capacity of high-temperature nanofluids. Alkali metal chloride salt eutectics were doped with silica nanoparticles at 1% mass concentration. The specific heat capacity of the nanofluid was enhanced by 14.5%. Dispersion behavior of the nanoparticles in the eutectic was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Three independent competing transport mechanisms are enumerated to explain this anomalous behavior.
A Biased and Personal Description of GR at Syracuse University, 1951–1961

In mid-century, General Relativity was largely in the doldrums. Though at the time I was completely unaware of it, there were perhaps only four or five active groups around the world working in GR; Hamburg (Jordan), London (Bondi), Princeton (Wheeler), Warsaw (Infeld) and Syracuse (Bergmann). I had the privilege and pleasure of being a member of the Syracuse group working under Peter G. Bergmann. I would like to describe some of the things that took place there, who were the active participants, who we interacted with, what was accomplished and finally conjecture what role we played in the revitalization of relativity in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Molecular Genetics of Hermansky–Pudlak Syndrome

Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive, genetically heterogeneous disorder characterised by oculocutaneous albinism and a bleeding diathesis. Subtype specific features such as neutropenic immunodeficiency and fatal lung fibrosis also occur. To date, nine human HPS subtypes (HPS-1 to HPS-9) and their associated genes have been identified. All of the HPS protein products are involved in biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles (LROs) in specialised cells, including melanosomes in melanocytes and delta granules in platelets. The HPS proteins are all components of one of three biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complexes (BLOC-1, BLOC-2 or BLOC-3) or the adaptor protein complex-3. These complexes are essential for the correct formation of LROs, which are produced by the complex interaction of proteins, membranes and vesicles from the endocytic and biosynthetic pathways. Cells from patients with LRO disorders serve as useful tools for elucidating the complex pathways involved in the biogenesis of these organelles. Key Concepts: HPS is caused by mutations in nine known genes and is characterised by oculocutaneous albinism and a bleeding tendency. The proteins that are encoded by the HPS genes are all required for the correct formation of lysosome-related organelles (LROs). LROs share features with lysosomes but have distinct morphology, composition and/or functions. LROs are maintained by the regulated flow of proteins, membranes and vesicles among the complex endosomal machinery. Novel players of LRO biogenesis are revealed by human disease and animal mutations, which continue to provide invaluable resources for elucidating the complex pathways involved in the biogenesis of these organelles. Keywords: Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome; HPS; lysosome-related organelles; albinism; bleeding; neutropenia; lung fibrosis; melanocytes; platelet delta granules; biogenesis of organelles
Pericentromere tension is self-regulated by spindle structure in metaphase.

During cell division, a mitotic spindle is built by the cell and acts to align and stretch duplicated sister chromosomes before their ultimate segregation into daughter cells. Stretching of the pericentromeric chromatin during metaphase is thought to generate a tension-based signal that promotes proper chromosome segregation. However, it is not known whether the mitotic spindle actively maintains a set point tension magnitude for properly attached sister chromosomes to facilitate robust mechanochemical checkpoint signaling. By imaging and tracking the thermal movements of pericentromeric fluorescent markers in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we measured pericentromere stiffness and then used the stiffness measurements to quantitatively evaluate the tension generated by pericentromere stretch during metaphase in wild-type cells and in mutants with disrupted chromosome structure. We found that pericentromere tension in yeast is substantial (4–6 pN) and is tightly self-regulated by the mitotic spindle: through adjustments in spindle structure, the cell maintains wild-type tension magnitudes even when pericentromere stiffness is disrupted.
Evolving techniques for gastrointestinal endoscopic hemostasis treatment

With mortality due to gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding remaining stable, the focus on endoscopic hemostasis has been on improving other outcomes such as rebleeding rate, need for transfusions, and need for angiographic embolization or surgery. Over the past few years, a number of devices have emerged to help endoscopically assess and treat bleeding GI lesions. These include the Doppler endoscopic probe, hemostatic powder, and over-the-scope clip. Also, new applications have been described for radiofrequency ablation. In this article, we will discuss these evolving tools and techniques that have been developed, including an analysis of their efficacy and limitations.
Review of Peter Baldwin's Disease and Democracy: The Industrialized World Faces AIDS

In Hurricane Katrina's wake, Peter Baldwin's Disease and Democracy strikes a resonant chord. Baldwin analyses differing approaches to the AIDS epidemic among industrialized countries. He argues that the divergence in AIDS strategies in the US, Britain, Sweden, Germany, and France is path dependent. Baldwin's use of historical institutionalism is helpful in highlighting history's contingencies and the persistence of precedents and path dependency. But while he emphasizes a conflict between individual liberty and the collective good, his framework neglects more fundamental norms of justice, fairness, redistribution, and human behavior. A more comprehensive analysis of AIDS would have placed greater emphasis on normative institutionalism, the rigorous analysis of the role of institutional norms and values in directing and constraining individual choice. Understanding a culture's respect for human dignity and agency is essential to any analysis of HIV and AIDS. This article argues that the moral templates and values of organizations, interest groups, political parties and individuals prompt them to take certain positions and advocate key agendas, which in turn shape societal decision-making. A normative framework is critical for understanding differing approaches to the AIDS epidemic across the globe.
Social Isolation and Inequality, Second Version

There is an increasing interest in the concept of social exclusion and the related concept of social isolation and their potential role in understanding inequality. We examine the degree to which voluntary separation from social activities during adolescence affects adult wages. It is well-known that participation in high school athletic programs leads to higher adult wages. We present empirical evidence that this premium is not primarily due to selection on predetermined characteristics valued in the labor market.
Simulation of the 2013 Solar House for Missouri S&T

This paper presents the findings of two equivalent size homes (990 ft 2 ) using Energy-10 (version 1.8) software. The home’s design was based on the solar house entry from Missouri S&T into the Department of Energy 2013 Solar Decathlon. The intent of the research was to determine the energy efficiency, consumption, and generation. The comparative home of similar size and layout was modelled using the IBC 2012 recommended insulated values and standard construction methods. As a baseline for occupant usage, a fictional American couple was created and a breakdown of their daily lifestyle was recorded to accurately depict the magnitude of energy consumption. Based on the comparative analysis and suggested energy conserving strategies, a 71% energy savings was forecasted using the Energy-10 software. In addition, if a 9.1 kW photovoltaic array is also installed on a home of this size, it is possible to fully offset the energy consumption of the home. The Missouri S&T Solar House Team used the forecasted energy usage and production to evaluate the integrity of their design for the Solar Decathlon in October 2013.
Encoded Simultaneous Source Full-Wavefield Inversion For Spectrally Shaped Marine Streamer Data

In this paper, we apply encoded simultaneous source fullwavefield inversion (FWI) to marine streamer data. FWI of large scale 3D data is a challenging problem, especially constraining the inversion using the high frequencies available in exploration seismic data. Two methodologies that make high-frequency FWI feasible for field data are: (a) applying encoded simultaneous source full-wavefield inversion (ESSFWI) and (b) shaping the data to provide a preferential weighting to the low-frequency components of the data. These two methods in combination provide us with the computational efficiencies needed for large 3D runs. To date, most encoded simultaneous source methods have been applied to fixed-receiver data; i.e., each receiver records data from all shots in the survey. We developed an approach that enables us to apply ESSFWI to marine streamer data that are non-fixed spread. The approach uses a normalized cross-correlation objective function with multiple realizations of the encoded data at each iteration of the nonlinear FWI. The method can be applied to 2D/3D data with any survey geometry. Here we demonstrate the methodology and discuss its details with synthetic examples. Although not presented here our initial investigations on 3D field streamer data look encouraging.
Census Distortions of Food Broker Sales

Because of the Census Bureau's methods of tabulating, there are distortions with respect to sales by food brokers. These affect Census of Business data.What can be done to improve methods of tabulation? This is a matter of concern to all marketing men.
A Valuable Tool in Predicting Poor Outcome due to Sepsis in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Tp-e/QT Ratio

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of 12-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) measures such as P wave dispersion (PWd), QT interval, QT dispersion (QTd), Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratio in predicting poor outcome in patients diagnosed with sepsis in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS Ninety-three patients diagnosed with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock and 103 age- and sex-matched healthy children were enrolled into the study. PWd, QT interval, QTd, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc ratios were obtained from a 12-lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS PWd, QTd, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc ratios were significantly higher in septic patients compared with the controls. During the study period, 41 patients had died. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, only Tp-e/QT ratio was found to be an independent predictor of mortality. CONCLUSION The ECG measurements can predict the poor outcome in patients with sepsis. The Tp-e/QT ratio may be a valuable tool in predicting mortality for patients with sepsis in the PICU.
Immunocompromised Children with Severe Adenoviral Respiratory Infection.

Purpose. To investigate the impact of severe respiratory adenoviral infection on morbidity and case fatality in immunocompromised children. Methods. Combined retrospective-prospective cohort study of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in four children’s hospitals with severe adenoviral respiratory infection and an immunocompromised state between August 2009 and October 2013. We performed a secondary case control analysis, matching our cohort 1 : 1 by age and severity of illness score with immunocompetent patients also with severe respiratory adenoviral infection. Results. Nineteen immunocompromised patients were included in our analysis. Eleven patients (58%) did not survive to hospital discharge. Case fatality was associated with cause of immunocompromised state (), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (), requirement of renal replacement therapy (), ICU admission severity of illness score (), and treatment with cidofovir (). Immunocompromised patients were more likely than matched controls to have multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (), require renal replacement therapy (), and not survive to hospital discharge (). One year after infection, 43% of immunocompromised survivors required chronic mechanical ventilator support. Conclusions. There is substantial case fatality as well as short- and long-term morbidity associated with severe adenoviral respiratory infection in immunocompromised children.
Design and manufacture of DIII-D neutral beam pole shields with copper plates and molybdenum inserts

The copper pole shields for the neutral beam lines that have been in service at DIII-D have experienced localized melting and fatigue cracks on the front faces which have migrated into the cooling tube grooves machined in the back of the copper plates, leading to water leaks. A solution was required for longer beam pulse lengths and higher beam power operation planned for DIII-D which was limited by the pole shield heat handling capability. An upgraded pole shield design was developed by the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory to handle these elevated and extended thermal loads.
Credit market conditions and economy-wide consequences of financial reporting quality

I examine the aggregate economic consequences of financial reporting quality (via its relation to the level of information asymmetry between firms and providers of capital). Economic theory argues that problems due to information asymmetry between borrowers and lenders in the credit markets can have economy-wide consequences by magnifying and prolonging the negative effects of an economic downturn. The literature refers to this effect of information asymmetry as the financial accelerator effect and argues that this effect contributes to the magnitudes of a business cycle and is an important source of a financial crisis. Using relevance, reliability, and persistence of reported earnings as financial reporting quality attributes, and the credit crisis of 2007-2008 as the setting, I find evidence that financial reporting quality is a key contributor to the financial accelerator effect. As a related research question, I examine the implications of the financial accelerator effect to a firm’s cost of equity capital. I find that higher quality reported earnings are associated with lower levels of financial constraints risk, a risk factor that is derived based on the financial accelerator effect.