cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The passage and propagation of fecal indicator phages in birds

The presence of F-specific phages in the diet of birds influenced the presence of these fecal indicators in their feces. F-specific phage concentrations in the feces of Canada geese and pigeons, which are normally low, increased greatly the same day coliphage MS2 was added to their diets. F-specific phage concentrations decreased to the original low levels a week after the phage-spiked feed was removed. Geese kept in pens that were cleaned regularly to reduce fecal-oral contamination had significantly lower somatic coliphage concentrations in their feces than wild geese had in their feces. Somatic coliphage concentrations in feces of feral pigeons were typically low with an occasional fecal sample having high numbers of either one of the two types of phages seen in this population of birds. Sometimes many birds had high numbers of only one type of phage in their feces. This lasted only a day and was probably due to fecal contamination of the feeding pans by the pigeons. The degree to which birds are a source of phage indicators of fecal pollution can change in a short period of time. Thus the presence of contaminated feeding sites should be considered before ruling out animals as a possible source of fecal indicators. F-specific phages may be useful tracers for modeling viral transmission and tracking feeding habits in birds. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 127–131.
Comparison of Invasive Shrub Honeysuckle Eradication Tactics for Amateurs: Stump Treatment versus Regrowth Spraying of Lonicera maackii

Elimination of Asiatic shrub honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.) from preserves and conservation areas in eastern North America is difficult because bird dispersal reintroduces seeds from shrubs in the neighborhood. To reduce this problem, honeysuckle control must be instituted on a broad scale and involve public participation. Many techniques for honeysuckle control are beyond the capabilities and inclinations of volunteers and local landowners. In a replicated study, we evaluated two suitable techniques and applied them in spring, early summer, late summer, fall, and winter 2009. These were stem cutting followed by painting with 18% glyphosate, and stem cutting followed by spraying of regrown shoots with 1% glyphosate about 40 days later. We regarded the spraying of regrown shoots as more practical for neophytes. Overall, cutting followed by stump treatment is more effective, killing 75–85% of individuals in spring and early summer, and >90% later in the year. Cutting and spraying regrowth was most effective in spring (56% killed), and poorer thereafter (20–40% killed). The result for spring was much lower than previously observed. Death rates for the cutting and regrowth spraying treatment were not affected by shrub size, but the amount of regrowth after spraying responded strongly to size. Cutting and regrowth spraying may be suitable in situations where reducing the competitive effects and reproduction of individuals is sufficient, or the resources to treat stumps with concentrated glyphosate are limited.
Deamidation Affects Structural and Functional Properties of Human αA-Crystallin and Its Oligomerization with αB-Crystallin *

To determine the effects of deamidation on structural and functional properties of αA-crystallin, three mutants (N101D, N123D, and N101D/N123D) were generated. Deamidated αB-crystallin mutants (N78D, N146D, and N78D/N146D), characterized in a previous study (Gupta, R., and Srivastava, O. P. (2004) Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 45, 206–214) were also used. The biophysical and chaperone properties were determined in (a) homoaggregates of αA mutants (N101D, N123D, and N101D/N123D) and (b) reconstituted heteroaggregates of α-crystallin containing (i) wild type αA (WT-αA): WT-αB crystallins, (ii) individual αA-deamidated mutants:WT-αB crystallins, and (iii) WT-αA:individual αB-deamidated mutant crystallins. Compared with the WT-αA, the three αA-deamidated mutants showed reduced levels of chaperone activity, alterations in secondary and tertiary structures, and larger aggregates. These altered properties were relatively more pronounced in the mutant N101D compared with the mutant N123D. Further, compared with heteroaggregates of WT-αA and WT-αB, the heteroaggregates containing deamidated subunits of either αA- or αB-crystallins and their counterpart WT proteins showed higher molecular mass, altered tertiary structures, lower exposed hydrophobic surfaces, and reduced chaperone activity. However, the heteroaggregate containing WT-αA and deamidated αB subunit showed lower chaperone activity, smaller oligomers, and 3-fold lower subunit exchange rate than heteroaggregate containing deamidated αA- and WT-αB subunits. Together, the results suggested that (a) both Asn residues (Asn-101 and Asn-123) are required for the structural integrity and chaperone function of αA-crystallin and (b) the presence of WT-αB in the α-crystallin heteroaggregate leads to packing-induced structural changes which influences the oligomerization and modulate chaperone activity.
Starch Characteristics of Modern and Heirloom Potato Cultivars

In a number of ways, modern potato breeding efforts differ from those that created heirloom cultivars. As a result of the rapid expansion of the potato processing industry in the mid twentieth century, potato breeders shifted their focus from fresh market varieties to those intended for the fry and chip markets. Selection for higher dry matter content and lower reducing sugar levels in tubers was successful. This study sought to determine whether modern processing cultivars differ from heirloom cultivars for two major characteristics of tuber starch, amylose content and starch granule morphology. Since breeding efforts for processing potatoes have focused on the maintenance of tuber quality during storage, these parameters were measured in both fresh and stored tubers. Twenty cultivars selected to span the range of cultivar release dates in the U.S. were grown at Hancock, WI in 2009 and 2010 and evaluated for tuber amylose content and measurements of starch granule surface area, length, width, length to width ratio, and smoothness. These traits were found to be stable across years and during storage. Significant differences in the amylose content and starch granule morphology exist among cultivars, but there is no clear distinction between modern and heirloom cultivars. Genetic variation for amylose content and starch granule morphology was found within the set of clones sampled for this study. However, germplasm with higher amylose content will need to be identified and utilized in breeding if the nutritional benefits associated with high fiber and low glycemic index are to be realized.
Effects of 5-bromodeoxyuridine on development of Mauthner's neuron and neural retina of Xenopus laevis embryos

Abstract Bromodeoxyuridine (BrUdR) injected into Xenopus embryos at stages before, during or after the last period of DNA synthesis in Mauthner's neurons had no serious effect on differentiation of Maunthner's neurons. However, the BrUdR caused widespread cell degeneration in the central nervous system. The action of BrUdR on retinal neuronal differentiation depended on dose and stage of injection. At all doses (0.005–0.9 μg per injection), and all stages (22–29), the main effect was retinal cell degeneration. The drug produced complete absence of differentiated retinal neurons only when given at early stages (22–24) and at the highest doses (0.5–0.9 μg) that enable the embryo to survive to stage 44. At stages 22–24 at lower doses (0.005 or 0.05 μg per injection) and at stages 26–29 at all doses, some retinal neurons differentiated, although retinal cell degeneration was the main effect. In these two system BrUdR did not selectively inhibit neuronal differentiation.
Congestive heart failure: a review and case report from a chiropractic teaching clinic

Objective To discuss the case of a 62-year-old woman with congestive heart failure (CHF), precipitated by a previous arteriovenous malformation, and to review the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and treatment options for patients with CHF. Clinical Features The patient complained of pain, rapid weight gain, and shortness of breath. The index event for this patient was known to be an arteriovenous malformation. Biventricular cardiomegaly with pulmonary venous hypertension was evident on chest radiographs. Intervention and Outcome The patient received both medical care (drug therapy) and chiropractic care (manipulation and soft tissue techniques to alleviate symptoms and discomfort). Conclusion Patients with known and undiagnosed CHF may visit the chiropractic physician; thus, knowledge of comprehensive care, differential diagnosis, and continuity of care are important. Chiropractic management may be helpful in alleviating patient discomfort. Further clinical investigations may help to clarify the role of complementary and alternative care in the diagnosis and treatment of CHF.
Interferon-induces expression of cyclin-dependent kinase-inhibitors p21WAF1 and p27Kip1 that prevent activation of cyclin-dependent kinase by CDK-activating kinase (CAK)

To understand the mechanism of interferon (IFN)-mediated suppression of cell cycle progression, we have earlier shown that IFN-alpha enhances the expression of underphosphorylated retinoblastoma protein by inhibiting the cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (CDK-2) activity (Kumar and Atlas, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 89, 6599-6603, 1992; Zhang and Kumar, Biochem. Biophysi. Res. Comm., 200, 522-528, 1994). In the studies presented here, we investigated the mechanism of inhibition of CDKs in IFN-treated cells by delineating the potential role(s) of CDK-inhibitors (CKIs) and CDK-activating kinase (CAK). We report that IFN-alpha inhibits the H-1 kinase activity associated with CDK-4 or CDK-2 due to induction of expression of CDK-inhibitor p21WAF1 (but not p27Kip1) as its immunodepletion from IFN-treated extracts restored the CDK-associated H-1 kinase activity. In addition, we also show that IFN-gamma induces expression of CDK-inhibitors p21WAF1 and p27Kip1 and inhibited the H-1 kinase activity associated with CDK-2 or CDK-4. The observed IFN-gamma-mediated inhibition of CDK-2 and CDK-4 kinase activity was due to enhanced interactions with p21WAF1 and p27Kip1, respectively. We also demonstrated that IFN-induced CKIs prevent CAK from activating the CDK-2 as immunodepletion of induced CKIs from the inhibitory extracts resulted in the restoration of CAK-mediated activation of CDK-2.
Symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders among apprentice construction workers.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major cause of work-related disability and lost-time illnesses for many occupational groups. This study determined the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among young construction workers. A symptom and job factors survey was self-administered to 996 construction apprentices. Prevalence was determined by the percent of positive responses to musculoskeletal symptom questions. Odds ratios and 95 percent confidence intervals were the measures of association between prevalent musculoskeletal symptoms and demographic, leisure, and job factors and were determined by logistic regression. The low back was the site most commonly reported for job-related musculoskeletal symptoms (4.54%), which was also the most common reason for seeking care from a physician (16.8%) and missing work (7.3%). Number of years worked in the construction trade was significantly associated with knee (p-trend = 0.0009) and wrist/hand (p-trend < 0.04) MSD symptoms and was suggestive of an associati...
Dissection and Imaging of Active Zones in the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction

The Drosophila larvae neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an excellent model for the study of synaptic structure and function. Drosophila is well known for the ease of powerful genetic manipulations and the larval nervous system has proven particularly useful in studying not only normal function but also perturbations that accompany some neurological disease (Lloyd and Taylor, 2010). Many key synaptic molecules found in Drosophila are also found in mammals and like most CNS excitatory synapses in mammals, the Drosophila NMJ is glutamatergic and demonstrates activity-dependent remodeling (Koh et al. , 2000). Additionally, Drosophila neurons can be individually identified because their innervation patterns are stereotyped and repetitive making it possible to study identified synaptic terminals, such as those between motor neurons and the body-wall muscle fibers that they innervate (Keshishian and Kim, 2004). The existence of evolutionarily conserved synapse components along with the ease of genetic and physical manipulation make the Drosophila model ideal for investigating the mechanisms underlying synaptic function (Budnik, 1996). The active zones at synaptic terminals are of particular interest because these are the sites of neurotransmitter release. NC82 is a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the Drosophila protein Bruchpilot (Brp), a CAST1/ERC family member that is an important component of the active zone (Wagh et al. , 2006). Brp was shown to directly shape the active zone T-bar and is responsible for effectively clustering Ca(2+) channels beneath the T-bar density (Fouquet et al. , 2009). Mutants of Brp have reduced Ca(2+) channel density, depressed evoked vesicle release, and altered short-term plasticity (Kittel et al., 2006). Alterations to active zones have been observed in Drosophila disease models. For example, immunofluorescence using the NC82 antibody showed that the active zone density was decreased in models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (Ratnaparkhi et al. , 2008; Zweier et al. , 2009). Thus, evaluation of active zones, or other synaptic proteins, in Drosophila larvae models of disease may provide a valuable initial clue to the presence of a synaptic defect. Preparing whole-mount dissected Drosophila larvae for immunofluorescence analysis of the NMJ requires some skill, but can be accomplished by most scientists with a little practice. Presented is a method that provides for multiple larvae to be dissected and immunostained in the same dissection dish, limiting environmental differences between each genotype and providing sufficient animals for confidence in reproducibility and statistical analysis.
Interpretation of the dynamic mechanical response of heterogeneous polymer blends in terms of continuum models

Dynamic mechanical measurements have been widely used for characterization of polymer blends and composites. This paper discusses application of continuum models to interpretation of the dynamic mechanical response of isotropic microscopically heterogeneous polymer blends. The models typically predict shifts in apparent glass transition temperature (location of principal loss tangent maximum) for each blend constituent. Experimentally observed shifts in the apparent glass transition of heterogeneous blend constituents may thus arise at least partly for mechanical reasons rather than because of changes in the properties or glass transition temperature of the blend constituents. It is suggested that, for heterogeneous blends of well characterized phase morphology, changes in glass transition behavior of blend constituents be determined by comparison of measured and calculated loss tangent maxima. For two-component blends, the loss tangent at the temperature at which the loss tangents of the blend constituents are equal may be useful as a further diagnostic tool for changes in loss mechanisius.
An integral manifold approach to reduced order dynamic modeling of synchronous machines

The concept of integral manifolds is used to create systematically improved reduced-order models of synchronous machines. The approach is illustrated through a detailed example of a single machine connected to an infinite bus. The example shows the advantages of the manifold approach and clarifies several issues regarding such models. The basic objective of the method is to include the effects of more complex models without including the additional differential equations. This is illustrated for the effects of stator transients and damper windings on the swing equation. >
Samuel Ibn Tibbon on the Book of Job

Samuel ibn Tibbon (died ca. 1232) is best known as the translator of Maimonides' Guide of the Perplexed. But as Aviezer Ravitzky has shown in his doctoral dissertation and in a series of recent articles, ibn Tibbon was an important thinker in his own right. First and foremost, ibn Tibbon appears to have been the earliest significant interpreter of Maimonides' philosophical thought. He was also one of the most influential. While there had been suspicions, even during his lifetime, that Maimonides held radical esoteric philosophical views, ibn Tibbon was the first to lend sophistication to this viewpoint by developing an elaborate system of interpretation for unlocking the secrets of the Guide, one that would have a significant impact on subsequent interpreters of Maimonides.
Rationalizing key design decisions in the ATM user plane

Any technology requires some number of key design decisions. In the case of the ATM user plane, the choices to use fixed length, 53 byte cells and virtual connections were unorthodox from the perspective of many in the networking research community. This paper attempts a technical justification for those design decisions.
CD4 downregulation by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef protein is dispensable for optimal output and functionality of viral particles in primary T cells

Nef is a multifunctional protein of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) required for high viral replication and disease progression. Several findings indicate that the capacity of Nef to downregulate surface CD4 is essential for the protein's pathogenic activity, although the mechanisms that link the two functions are yet unclear. It is believed that, by reducing surface CD4 levels, Nef counteracts the receptor's negative effects on virion infectivity and release. Here, we show that, in 293T cells co-expressing CD4 and HIV-1, the capacity of Nef to enhance the virion incorporation of Env products and release of viral particles was mediated by retention-degradation of neo-synthesized CD4 rather than by accelerated receptor endocytosis. Different results were observed in primary CD4+ T lymphocytes in which Nef-mediated CD4 downregulation occurs primarily by accelerated internalization. In HIV-infected T cell cultures, Nef was crucial for the removal of surface CD4 at the beginning of the infection, while later on maximal CD4 downregulation was achieved in a Nef-independent manner. Moreover, by means of in vivo selected Nef mutants, we observed that CD4 downregulation is not essential for Nef ability to enhance Env incorporation into virions and increase viral infectivity or replication in CD4+ T lymphocytes. Notably, Nef expression itself was dispensable for efficient release of HIV-1 particles by T cells. In conclusion, we propose that the CD4 downregulation activity of Nef plays a role before the late productive phases of HIV-1 replication.
Comparative effectiveness of augmented reality in object assembly

Although there has been much speculation about the potential of Augmented Reality (AR), there are very few empirical studies about its effectiveness. This paper describes an experiment that tested the relative effectiveness of AR instructions in an assembly task. Task information was displayed in user's field of view and registered with the workspace as 3D objects to explicitly demonstrate the exact execution of a procedure step. Three instructional media were compared with the AR system: a printed manual, computer assisted instruction (CAI) using a monitor-based display, and CAI utilizing a head-mounted display. Results indicate that overlaying 3D instructions on the actual work pieces reduced the error rate for an assembly task by 82%, particularly diminishing cumulative errors - errors due to previous assembly mistakes. Measurement of mental effort indicated decreased mental effort in the AR condition, suggesting some of the mental calculation of the assembly task is offloaded to the system.
Reindustrialization in Detroit: Capital Mobility and Corporate Influence

The absence of a national economic development policy and the need of officials in older cities to rebuild the urban tax base have produced intense competition among municipalities and states to attract corporate investment. Local economic development programs combine state enabling legislation and federal funds to provide financial incentives and facilitate site preparation for new industrial and commercial facilities. The winners in this competition, however, have not been cities and their residents, but large corporations, whose position as major local revenue producers enables them to shape policies, not through behind the scenes manipulation, but through their capacity to withdraw badly needed private capital Although city officials are responsible for formulating development packages, they exercise little policy discretion: the mobility of corporate capital forces them to offer the maximum incentives allowed by state and federal laws.
Failure statistics for diode laser array modules and replacement model in large-scale laser systems

This paper presents a methodology for synthesizing diode-laser array module failure statistics from the failure statistics of constituent diode laser arrays. In addition, a model is elucidated for analyzing replacement strategies of systems containing large numbers of diode laser array modules. Simulations reveal the dependence of synthesized module failure statistics and replacement characteristics on module size and failure statistics of the constituent diode laser arrays.
Bureaucratic Politics and Regulatory Reform: The EPA and Emissions Trading

Preface Abbreviations The Regulatory Reform Landscape The Regulatory Form Debate Congress and Economic Incentives An Emissions Trading Chronicle Challenges to Implementation Ideological Controversies Organizational Character and Policy Reform Appendix: A Note About Research Methods References Index
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Outcomes and Appropriateness of Carotid Endarterectomy: Impact of Patient and Provider Factors

Background and Purpose— Prior work documented racial and ethnic disparities in incidence of stroke, stroke risk factors, and use of carotid endarterectomy. Less is known about disparities in outcomes and appropriateness of carotid endarterectomy or reasons for such inequalities. Methods— This was a population-based cohort of carotid endarterectomy performed in Medicare beneficiaries in New York. Clinical data were abstracted from medical charts to assess sociodemographics, clinical indication for carotid endarterectomy, disease severity, comorbidities, and deaths and strokes within 30 days of surgery. Appropriateness was based on validated criteria from a national expert panel. Differences in patients, providers, outcomes, and appropriateness were compared using χ 2 tests. Differences in risk-adjusted rates of death or nonfatal stroke were compared using multiple logistic regression accounting for patient, physician, and hospital-level risk factors. Results— Overall, 95.3% of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were white, 2.5% black, and 2.2% Hispanic (N=9093). Minorities had more severe neurological disease and more comorbidities and were more likely to be cared for by lower-volume surgeons and hospitals ( P P P Conclusions— Minorities had worse outcomes and higher rates of inappropriate surgery. Differences in underlying presurgical risk factors and provider characteristics explained the higher risk of complications in blacks, but not Hispanics.
Point Defect Cluster Formation in Iron Displacement Cascades UP to 50 keV

The results of molecular dynamics displacement cascade simulations in iron at energies up to 50 keV and temperatures of 100, 600, and 900K are summarized, with a focus on the characterization of interstitial and vacancy clusters that are formed directly within the cascade. The fraction of the surviving point defects contained in clusters, and the size distributions of these in-cascade clusters have been determined. Although the formation of true vacancy clusters appears to be inhibited in iron, a significant degree of vacancy site correlation was observed. These well correlated arrangements of vacancies can be considered nascent clusters, and they have been observed to coalesce during longer term Monte Carlo simulations which permit short range vacancy diffusion. Extensive interstitial clustering was observed. The temperature and cascade energy dependence of the cluster size distributions are discussed in terms of their relevance to microstructural evolution and mechanical property changes in irradiated iron-based alloys.
Adverse Effects of Human Immunoglobulin Therapy

Human immunoglobulin (IG) is used for IgG replacement therapy in primary and secondary immunodeficiency, for prevention and treatment of certain infections, and as an immunomodulatory agent for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. IG has a wide spectrum of antibodies to microbial and human antigens. Several high-titered IGs are also available enriched in antibodies to specific viruses or bacterial toxins. IG can be given intravenously (IGIV), intramuscularly (IGIM) or by subcutaneous infusions (SCIG). Local adverse reactions such as persistent pain, bruising, swelling and erythema are rare with IGIV infusions but common (75%) with SCIG infusions. By contrast, adverse systemic reactions are rare with SCIG infusions but common with IGIV infusions, occurring as often as 20% to 50% of patients and 5% to 15% of all IGIV infusions. Systemic adverse reactions can be immediate (60% of reactions) occurring within 6 hours of an infusion, delayed (40% of reactions) occurring 6 hours-1 week after an infusion, and late (less than 1% of reactions), occurring weeks and months after an infusion. Immediate systemic reactions such as head and body aches, chills and fever are usually mild and readily treatable. Immediate anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions are uncommon. The most common delayed systemic reaction is persistent headache. Less common but more serious delayed reactions include aseptic meningitis, renal failure, thromboembolism, and hemolytic reactions. Late reactions are uncommon but often severe, and include lung disease, enteritis, dermatologic disorders and infectious diseases. The types, incidence, causes, prevention, and management of these reactions are discussed.
Novel Spanish Translators for Acute Care Nurses and Physicians: Usefulness and Effect on Practitioners’ Stress

• BACKGROUND Language barriers are significant impediments to providing quality healthcare, and increased stress levels among nurses and physicians are associated with these barriers. However, little evidence supports the usefulness of a translation tool specific to healthcare. • OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel English-Spanish translator designed specifically for nurses and physicians. The hypothesis was that the translator would be useful and that use of the translator would decrease stress levels among nurses and physicians caring for Spanish-speaking patients. • METHODS Novel English-Spanish translators were developed entirely on the basis of input from critical care nurses and physicians. After 7 months of use, users completed surveys. Usefulness of the translator and stress levels among users were reported. • RESULTS A total of 60% of nurses (n = 32) and 71% (n = 25) of physicians responded to the survey. A total of 96% of physicians and 97% of nurses considered the language barrier an impediment to delivering quality care. Nurses reported significantly more stress reduction than did physicians (P = .01). Most nurses and physicians had used the translator during the survey period. Overall, 91% of nurses and 72% of physicians found that the translator met their needs at the bedside some, most, or all of the time. All nurses thought that they most likely would use the translator in the future. • CONCLUSIONS The translator was useful for most critical care nurses and physicians surveyed. Healthcare providers, especially nurses, experienced decreased stress levels when they used the translator. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2005;14:545-550)
A parallel architecture for large scale production systems

The authors present an architecture, suitable for implementation on a shared memory multiprocessor system, in which all the phases can run in parallel. Running multiple match, execution, and select phases causes subtle synchronization problems, which if not resolved can lead to altered semantics. The proposed architecture uses a lock and interference manager and a scheduler to resolve the possible synchronization conflicts. A new lock which provides concurrency beyond the standard two-phase locking in databases is used. The conflict resolution phase has been formalized as a scheduling problem. The approach taken is conservative in the sense that the scheduler performs careful analysis (interference avoidance and abort avoidance tests) to prevent interference, abort, and blocking. >
Effects of Cyclosporin A on the Synthesis, Excretion, and Metabolism of Endothelin in the Rat

Abstract Increasing evidence suggests that endothelin, a potent vasoconstrictor, is implicated in cyclosporin A (CsA)–induced nephrotoxicity. Increased levels of urinary and circulating endothelin have been described in CsA-treated humans and animals. The exact mechanisms by which CsA induces these increases are still unknown, and no data indicate whether these elevated levels reflect increased synthesis or decreased clearance of endothelin. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CsA administration (50 mg/kg per day IP for 6 days) to rats on plasma and urinary levels of endothelin; expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1), ET-3, and endothelin-converting enzyme in renal tissue; clearance of infused 125 I–ET-1; and degradation of 125 I–ET-1 by recombinant neutral endopeptidase. Rats given CsA for 6 days developed severe renal insufficiency, as shown by a 74% decrease in creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) ( P P P 125 I–ET-1 from the blood or the renal and pulmonary uptake of the peptide. Moreover, CsA did not affect the degradation of 125 I–ET-1 by highly purified recombinant neutral endopeptidase, a well-known endothelinase. Taken together, these data suggest that the elevated urinary endothelin levels obtained after CsA treatment originate from the kidney and reflect increased renal synthesis of ET-1. Moreover, the production of endothelin appears to be regulated at the mRNA transcription level, and expressions of ET-1 and ET-3 are regulated independently.
Ontogenetic and among-individual variation in foraging strategies of northeast Pacific white sharks based on stable isotope analysis.

There is growing evidence for individuality in dietary preferences and foraging behaviors within populations of various species. This is especially important for apex predators, since they can potentially have wide dietary niches and a large impact on trophic dynamics within ecosystems. We evaluate the diet of an apex predator, the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), by measuring the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope composition of vertebral growth bands to create lifetime records for 15 individuals from California. Isotopic variations in white shark diets can reflect within-region differences among prey (most importantly related to trophic level), as well as differences in baseline values among the regions in which sharks forage, and both prey and habitat preferences may shift with age. The magnitude of isotopic variation among sharks in our study (>5‰ for both elements) is too great to be explained solely by geographic differences, and so must reflect differences in prey choice that may vary with sex, size, age and location. Ontogenetic patterns in δ15N values vary considerably among individuals, and one third of the population fit each of these descriptions: 1) δ15N values increased throughout life, 2) δ15N values increased to a plateau at ∼5 years of age, and 3) δ15N values remained roughly constant values throughout life. Isotopic data for the population span more than one trophic level, and we offer a qualitative evaluation of diet using shark-specific collagen discrimination factors estimated from a 3+ year captive feeding experiment (Δ13Cshark-diet and Δ15Nshark-diet equal 4.2‰ and 2.5‰, respectively). We assess the degree of individuality with a proportional similarity index that distinguishes specialists and generalists. The isotopic variance is partitioned among differences between-individual (48%), within-individuals (40%), and by calendar year of sub-adulthood (12%). Our data reveal substantial ontogenetic and individual dietary variation within a white shark population.
Random Insertion of mCherry Into VP3 Domain of Adeno-associated Virus Yields Fluorescent Capsids With no Loss of Infectivity

Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-derived vectors are promising gene delivery systems, and a number of design strategies have been pursued to improve their performance. For example, genetic insertion of proteins into the capsid may be used to achieve vector retargeting, reduced immunogenicity, or to track vector transport. Unfortunately, rational approaches to genetic insertion have experienced limited success due to the unpredictable context-dependent nature of protein folding and the complexity of the capsid's macroassembly. We report the construction and use of a frame-enriched DNase-based random insertion library based on AAV2 cap, called pAAV2_RaPID (Random Peptide Insertion by DNase). The fluorescent mCherry protein was inserted randomly throughout the AAV2 capsid and the library was selected for fluorescent and infectious variants. A capsid site was identified in VP3 that can tolerate the large protein insertion. In contrast to previous efforts to incorporate fluorescent proteins into the AAV2 capsid, the isolated mCherry mutant maintains native infectivity while displaying robust fluorescence. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the pAAV2_RaPID platform library can be used to create fully infectious AAV vectors carrying large functional protein domains on the capsid.
Urodynamics: Examining the Current Role of UDS Testing. What is the Role of Urodynamic Testing in Light of Recent AUA Urodynamics and Overactive Bladder Guidelines and the VALUE Study?

Urodynamics testing is a diagnostic assessment of the lower urinary tract system composed of multiple tests to obtain physiologic data regarding lower urinary tract function (detrusor and outlet) during storage and emptying. The necessity of urodynamics has been both supported and challenged in various urologic conditions such as urinary incontinence, neurogenic bladder, lower urinary tract symptoms, and bladder outlet obstruction. This review discusses the most recent studies with regards to the utility of urodynamics in current practice, highlighting the recent American Urologic Association Adult Urodynamics and Overactive Bladder Guidelines and the Value of Urodynamic Evaluation study.
Comparative Analysis of Immunoglobulin M (IgM) Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Using Virus-Like Particles or Virus-Infected Mouse Brain Antigens To Detect IgM Antibody in Sera from Patients with Evident Flaviviral Infections

The use of immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) serves as a valuable tool for the diagnosis of acute flaviviral infections, since IgM antibody titers are detectable early, peak at about 2 weeks postinfection, and subsequently decline to lower levels over the next few months. Traditionally, virus-infected tissue culture or suckling mouse brain (SMB) has been the source of viral antigens used in the assay. In an effort to provide a reliable source of standardized viral antigens for serodiagnosis of the medically important flaviviruses, we have developed a eukaryotic plasmid vector to express the premembrane/membrane and envelope proteins which self-assemble into noninfectious virus-like particles (VLPs). In addition to the plasmids for Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), and dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) reported earlier, we recently constructed the DENV-1, -3, and -4 VLP expression plasmids. Three blind-coded human serum panels were assembled from patients having recent DENV, SLEV, and WNV infections to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the MAC-ELISA using VLPs or SMB antigens. In addition, serum specimens from patients infected with either Powassan virus or La Crosse encephalitis virus were used to evaluate the cross-reactivity of seven mosquito-borne viral antigens. The results of the present studies showed higher sensitivity when using SLEV and WNV VLPs and higher specificity when using SLEV, WNV, and the mixture of DENV-1 to -4 VLPs in the MAC-ELISA than when using corresponding SMB antigens. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, a plot of the sensitivity versus false positive rate (100 − specificity), was applied to discriminate the accuracy of tests comparing the use of VLPs and SMB antigen. The measurement of assay performance by the ROC analysis indicated that there were statistically significant differences in assay performance between DENV and WNV VLPs and the respective SMB antigens. Additionally, VLPs had a lower cutoff positive/negative ratio than corresponding SMB antigens when employed for the confirmation of current infections. The VLPs also performed better than SMB antigens in the MAC-ELISA, as indicated by a higher positive prediction value and positive likelihood ratio test. Cell lines continuously secreting these VLPs are therefore a significantly improved source of serodiagnostic antigens compared to the traditional sources of virus-infected tissue culture or suckling mouse brain.
Institutions, Latent Entrepreneurship, and Self–Employment: An International Comparison:

This paper examines how the institutional environment in 18 countries affects the self–employment decision, as well as the preferences of latent entrepreneurs—individuals who prefer to be self–empl...
The history of urea as a hyperosmolar agent to decrease brain swelling

In 1919, it was observed that intravascular osmolar shifts could collapse the thecal sac and diminish the ability to withdraw CSF from the lumbar cistern. This led to the notion that hyperosmolar compounds could ameliorate brain swelling. Since then, various therapeutic interventions have been used for the reduction of intracranial pressure and brain volume. Urea was first used as an osmotic agent for the reduction of brain volume in 1950. It was associated with greater efficacy and consistency than alternatives such as hyperosmolar glucose. Its use became the standard of clinical practice by 1957, in both the intensive care unit and operating room, to reduce intracranial pressure and brain bulk and was the first hyperosmolar compound to have widespread use. However, the prime of urea was rather short lived. Reports of side effects and complications associated with urea emerged. These included coagulopathy, hemoglobinuria, electrocardiography changes, tissue necrosis with extravasation, and a significant potential for rebound intracranial hypertension. Mannitol was introduced in 1961 as a comparable and potentially superior alternative to urea. However, mannitol was initially purported to be less effective at rapidly reducing intracranial pressure. The debate over the two compounds continued for a decade until mannitol eventually replaced urea by the late 1960s and early 1970s as the hyperosmolar agent of choice due to the ease of preparation, chemical stability, and decreased side effect profile. Although urea is not currently the standard of care today, its rise and eventual replacement by mannitol played a seminal role in both our understanding of cerebral edema and the establishment of strategies for its management.
Upper molar morphology of the early oligocene egyptian anthropoid Qatrania wingi.

Objectives Qatrania wingi is a poorly documented fossil anthropoid known only from Quarry E in the Jebel Qatrani Formation, Fayum Depression, Egypt. This report augments our knowledge of the dental morphology of Qatrania in order to clarify its phylogenetic relationships with other early African anthropoids. Materials and Methods YPM 18008 from Quarry E is the first example of an upper molar fragment that can reasonably be assigned to Qatrania wingi. Maximum parsimony phylogenetic analyses incorporating the new data from YPM 18008 were performed. Results If YPM 18008 is treated as a separate OTU, it is reconstructed as a member of Qatraniinae (the parapithecid clade containing Qatrania and Apidium). The only qatraniine known to occur at Quarry E is Qatrania wingi, and YPM 18008 is allocated to this species based on its size, provenance, and morphology. Despite its small size and early stratigraphic occurrence, the upper molar morphology of Qatrania wingi is highly derived with respect to that of other parapithecids aside from Apidium. Like that of Apidium, the upper molar morphology of Qatrania bears multiple neomorphic cusps and cuspules. These features appear to be synapomorphies linking Apidium and Qatrania to the exclusion of other parapithecids for which upper molar morphology is known, namely Simonsius grangeri and Biretia spp. Discussion YPM 18008 supports the recent proposal of a Qatrania + Apidium clade within Parapithecidae. This conflicts with earlier hypotheses, in which Qatrania was reconstructed as being phylogenetically basal to a clade including the younger, larger-bodied parapithecid taxa Apidium, Parapithecus, and Simonsius. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phantom smoking among young adult bar patrons.

Objective To explore the prevalence and sociodemographic makeup of smokers who do not self-identify as smokers (ie, phantom smokers) compared with self-identifying smokers in a sample of bar-going young adults aged 18–30 years to more accurately assess young adult prevalence of smoking and inform cessation message targeting. Methods Cross-sectional surveys of smokers (n=3089) were conducted in randomly selected bars/nightclubs in seven US cities. Logistic regression models assessed associations between phantom smoking (past 30-day smoking and denial of being a smoker), tobacco and alcohol use behaviours (eg, social smoking, nicotine dependence, smoking while drinking, past 30-day alcohol use) and demographics. Results Compared with smokers, phantom smokers were more likely to be college graduates (OR=1.43, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.98) and to identify themselves as social smokers (OR=1.60, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.12). Phantom smokers had lower odds of smoking while drinking (OR=0.28, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.32), being nicotine dependent (OR=0.36, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.76) and having quit for at least 1 day in the last year (OR=0.46, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.69) compared with smokers. Conclusions This research extends phantom smoking literature on college students to provide a broader picture of phantom smoking among young adults in high-risk contexts and of varying levels of educational attainment. Phantom smokers may be particularly sensitive to social pressures against smoking, suggesting the importance of identifying smoking as a behaviour (rather than identity) in cessation messaging to ensure that phantom smokers are reached.
Pulsed and steady field gradient NMR diffusion measurements in polymers

Abstract Some twenty years after the development of the steady and pulsed gradient spin-echo NMR methods of measuring self-diffusion, these techniques are now maturing and experiencing a surge of interest, much of it concentrated on polymer systems. The methods are briefly reviewed here, together with the most important results in polymers, with particular concentration on work described within the last few years. The research is divisible into three categories: diffusion of diluent and penetrant molecules in rubbery high polymers, diffusion of polymer molecules in dilute and semidilute solutions with liquid solvents, and diffusion of macromolecules dissolved in concentrated solutions or melts of equivalent or different polymers of arbitrary molecular weight. The review includes the main theoretical interpretations of the experiments, particularly the free-volume theory in its various forms and power-law behaviors postulated by recent refinements of tube/reptation and scaling theory. This article represen...
Solution Chemistry Effects on the Nonlinear Optical Properties of Phosphazenes

Using the combination of experimental (DFWM) measurements and electronic structure calculations, ligand electron donating power and explicit solvent interactions were shown to have critical roles in enhancing the χ 3 yields for phosphonitrilic materials. Experimental measurements have shown that decreasing solution pH to 1.0 can significantly increase the χ 3 yield for P 3 N 3 (NHCH 3 ) 6 and P 3 N 3 (N(CH 3 ) 2 ) 6 . Corresponding electronic structure calculations indicate replacement of amino by thiomethyl groups will also significantly enhance these yields. Comparison of electrostatic-based solvation effects and explicit water molecules indicates that dielectric stabilization from the solvent plays a minor influence on χ 3 in comparison to strategies which affect the strong P-N bond polarity.
Abstract IA24: Developing and deploying experimental models systems towards novel drug discovery in ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer carries significant mortality in the absence of effective methods for prevention and screening. Preventive salpingo-oophorectomy is currently the only method known to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer-related death. Histopathological analyses of these surgical specimens indicate that a high proportion of ovarian cancers in women at high risk and in the general population arise from the fallopian tube. This paradigm shift in our understanding of the cell of origin for the most common subtype of ovarian cancer, high-grade serous carcinoma, has sparked a major effort within the research community to develop new and robust model systems to study the fallopian tube epithelium, it susceptibility to neoplastic transformation, and opportunities for therapeutic intervention. These models include primary cell line cultures, fallopian tube-derived lines, epithelial-stromal co-cultures, genetically-engineered mouse models, and patient-derived tumor xenografts or ‘avatars’. There has also been a re-evaluation of the fidelity of established ovarian cancer cell lines and the need to develop new lines that represent the human disease. Critical to this effort is the need to go beyond genomics and critically evaluate the functional utility of new cell lines. The deploying of these new models is already have a profound effect on our ability to identify unique susceptibilities in ovarian cancer through genetic screens, chemical screens, and targeted approaches. In addition, the search for novel biomarkers that can play a role in early detection or prognostication is being re-defined by looking at the fallopian tube fimbria as the source. Citation Format: Ronny Drapkin, Anna Budina, Yi Feng, Kai Doberstein. Developing and deploying experimental models systems towards novel drug discovery in ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research: Exploiting Vulnerabilities; Oct 17-20, 2015; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(2 Suppl):Abstract nr IA24.