cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selektiv S-geschützte Cysteinpeptide. Zur Synthese von Cysteinpeptiden unter Verwendung der S-Äthylmercapto-Schutzgruppe

Zum Studium der Probleme des selektiven Schwefelschutzes an Cysteinpeptiden wurde ein Modellheptapeptid aus der Schafinsulin-A-Kette unter Verwendung der S-Athylmercapto- und der S-Diphenylmethyl-Schutzgruppe durch klassische Synthese und nach der Festphasenmethode dargestellt. Die Synthese des Heptapeptides N-tert.-Butyloxycarbonyl-S-athyl-mercaptocysteinyl-S-diphenylmethylcysteinyl-alanyl-glycyl-valyl-S-athylmercaptocysteinyl-alanin 1 erfolgte auf konventionellem Wege aus den Fragmenten N- tert.- Butyloxycarbonyl- S-athylmercaptocysteinyl-S-diphenylmethylcysteinyl-alanyl-glycin 2 und Valyl-S-athylmercaptocysteinyl-alanin 3 uber den Hydroxysuccinimidester von 2. Auf Grund der geringen Alkalistabilitat S-Athylmercaptogeschutzter Cysteinpeptide wurde 2 carbonylungeschutzt uber Hydroxysuccinimidesterkupplungen vom C-terminalen Ende aufgebaut, wahrend 3 unter Verwendung der 2-p-Toluolsulfonylathylester-Carboxylschutzgruppe, die sich bei pH 10 selektiv unter Erhalt der S-Schutzgruppe verseifen last, synthetisiert werden konnte. Die S-Athylmercaptogruppe wies eine relativ geringe Saurestabilitat auf und war bei den acidolytischen Abspaltungen der Nα-Boc-Gruppe nicht in allen Fallen vollig stabil. Deshalb konnte uber die Festphasenmethode weder 3 noch 1 in reiner Form erhalten werden. Selectively S-Protected Cysteine Peptides. Synthesis of Cysteine Peptides Using the S-Ethylthio Protecting Group Studying the problems of the selective sulphur protection in cysteine peptides, a model heptapeptide from the sheep insulin A-chain was prepared by conventional and solid phase synthesis using the S-ethylthio and the S-diphenylmethyl group. The conventional synthesis of the heptapeptide N-tert.-butyloxycarbonyl-S-ethylthiocysteinyl-S-diphenylmethylcysteinyl-alanyl-glycyl-valyl-S-ethylthiocysteinyl-alanine 1 was carried out with the fragments N-tert.-butyloxycarbonyl-S-ethylthiocysteinyl-S-diphenylmethyleysteinyl-alanyl-glycine 2 and valyl-S-ethyl-thiocysteinyl-alanine 3 by means of the hydroxysuccinimide ester of 2. Because of the small stability of S-ethylthio-protected cysteine peptides against alkali, 2 was synthesized without carbonyl protecting group by hydroxysuccinimide ester couplings from the carboxyterminal end, whereas 3 was obtained using the 2-p-toluenesulphonyl ethyl ester carboxyl protecting group, which can be saponified selectively at pH 10 preserving the S-protecting group. The S-ethylthio group exhibits only a small acid stability and was not completely stable during the deprotection of the Nα-Boc-group. Therefore neither 3 nor 1 could be obtained in a pure state by solid phase technique.
Prediction of in vitro hepatic biliary excretion using stochastic agent-based modeling and fuzzy clustering

We present a method for estimating (predicting) parameter values for an agent-based model of in silico hepatocytes (ISH). The method enables the ISH to interact with simulated drugs to reasonably match results from in vitro hepatocyte excretion studies. Further, we make the estimation method available to the model, itself, to enable it to reasonably anticipate (predict) the biliary transport and excretion properties of a new compound based on the acceptable parameter values for previously encountered compounds. We use Fuzzy c-Means (FCM) classification algorithm to determine the degree of similarity between previously tuned compounds and the new compound. Specifically, a set of simulation parameters for enkephalin was predicted using the tuned parameter values of salicylate, taurocholate, and methotrexate. The feature space for the FCM classification is the physicochemical properties of the compounds.
Minimally invasive approaches to prostate cancer: a review of the current literature.

INTRODUCTION While radical retropubic prostatectomy has been the gold standard surgical approach, the explosion of minimally invasive methods has led to the search for less invasive treatment options. We offer an overview of the evolution of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) in terms of the landmark publications and recent head-to-head comparisons, and we review our own experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS A Medline search was performed using the keywords prostate cancer, prostatectomy, laparoscopic, and robotic. All pertinent articles concerning localized prostate cancer were reviewed. The Montefiore experience consisted of a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained confidential database. RESULTS Several laparoscopic and robotic series were identified including review articles of each modality as well as studies directly comparing the two. Both LRP and RALP compare very favorably with conventional open surgery in terms of safety and oncologic efficacy. Both minimally invasive approaches offer decreased blood loss, transfusion rate, and length of hospital stay when contrasted with open surgery. When compared directly, LRP and RALP offer similar surgical, oncologic, and functional outcomes. However, RALP likely requires a shorter learning curve. CONCLUSION The use of minimally invasive techniques has revolutionized the surgical treatment of prostate cancer. Pure LRP has been shown to be feasible and reproducible. However, it has a steep learning curve and is difficult to learn. In contrast, RALP is easier to learn and is now the surgical treatment of choice in most centers of excellence in the United States. The superior optics with respect to visualization and magnification translates into a procedure that is equivalent, if not superior, with respect to perioperative parameters, oncologic outcomes, and functional outcomes to its open counterpart.
The Human TLR Innate Immune Gene Family Is Differentially Influenced by DNA Stress and p53 Status in Cancer Cells

The transcription factor p53 regulates genes associated with a wide range of functions, including the Toll-like receptor (TLR) set of innate immunity genes, suggesting that p53 also modulates the human immune response. The TLR family comprises membrane glycoproteins that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and mediate innate immune responses, and TLR agonists are being used as adjuvants in cancer treatments. Here, we demonstrate that doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, and UV and ionizing radiation elicit changes in TLR expression that are cell line- and damage-specific. Specifically, treatment-induced expression changes led to increased downstream cytokine expression in response to ligand stimulation. The effect of DNA stressors on TLR expression was mainly mediated by p53, and several p53 cancer-associated mutants dramatically altered the pattern of TLR gene expression. In all cell lines tested, TLR3 induction was p53-dependent, while induction of TLR9, the most stress-responsive family member, was less dependent on status of p53. In addition, each of the 10 members of the innate immune TLR gene family tested was differentially inducible. Our findings therefore demonstrate that the matrix of p53 status, chromosome stress, and responsiveness of individual TLRs should be considered in TLR-based cancer therapies.
Profiles as Conversation: Networked Identity Performance on Friendster

Profiles have become a common mechanism for presenting ones identity online. With the popularity of online social networking services such as Friendster.com, Profiles have been extended to include explicitly social information such as articulated "Friend" relationships and Testimonials. With such Profiles, users do not just depict themselves, but help shape the representation of others on the system. In this paper, we will discuss how the performance of social identity and relationships shifted the Profile from being a static representation of self to a communicative body in conversation with the other represented bodies. We draw on data gathered through ethnography and reaffirmed through data collection and visualization to analyze the communicative aspects of Profiles within the Friendster service. We focus on the role of Profiles in context creation and interpretation, negotiating unknown audiences, and initiating conversations. Additionally, we explore the shift from conversation to static representation, as active Profiles fossilize into recorded traces.
Perceptions of Testicular Cancer and Testicular Self-Examination Among College Men A Report on Intention, Vulnerability, and Promotional Material Preferences

Testicular self-exam (TSE) is an important tool to prevent late-stage diagnosis of testicular cancer (TC). However, most young men remain unaware of their risk for TC despite a growing number of interventions promoting knowledge and awareness of the disease. Of those interventions, very few discuss perceived vulnerability, perceived value of health promotion, and/or preference for informational materials as viable predictors of behavioral change. In this study, 300 university males were surveyed on their perceptions of vulnerability, perceived value of health promotion methods, TC/TSE knowledge, and preference for health promotional information. The results indicated that men were generally unaware of TC and were unsure of their risk of developing the disease. Participants reported very positive responses to questions about the value of health promotion methods, particularly TSE, and indicated a high intention to perform health promotion behaviors. Most important, participants noted that they preferred personalized, tailored information to learn about TC and TSE. Significant predictors of intention to perform TSE include knowledge and awareness of TC/TSE, perceived value of health promotion, and attitudes. Significant predictors of promotional tool preferences differed among generalized pamphlets, personalized messages, and group training sessions. The authors recommend that researchers tailor promotional messages in TC/TSE awareness campaigns with an individual's preference for promotional tool.
Tension-dependent Regulation of Microtubule Dynamics at Kinetochores Can Explain Metaphase Congression in Yeast

During metaphase in budding yeast mitosis, sister kinetochores are tethered to opposite poles and separated, stretching their intervening chromatin, by singly attached kinetochore microtubules (kMTs). Kinetochore movements are coupled to single microtubule plus-end polymerization/depolymerization at kinetochore attachment sites. Here, we use computer modeling to test possible mechanisms controlling chromosome alignment during yeast metaphase by simulating experiments that determine the 1) mean positions of kinetochore Cse4-GFP, 2) extent of oscillation of kinetochores during metaphase as measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of kinetochore Cse4-GFP, 3) dynamics of kMTs as measured by FRAP of GFP-tubulin, and 4) mean positions of unreplicated chromosome kinetochores that lack pulling forces from a sister kinetochore. We rule out a number of possible models and find the best fit between theory and experiment when it is assumed that kinetochores sense both a spatial gradient that suppresses kMT catastrophe near the poles and attachment site tension that promotes kMT rescue at higher amounts of chromatin stretch.
Effectiveness of a Perinatal High-Risk Follow-Up Program in the Early Identification of Cerebral Palsy

Newfoundland is the most easterly of Canada’s Atlantic provinces, with a population of 500,000 scattered over an island 500 mi across, and even more sparsely over the large mainland section of Labrador. The area was settled 400 years ago predominantly by English and Irish emigrants who joined the native Inuit and Indian populations. The province’s birth rate and family size formerly was the highest in Canada, and remains high (average family size is still 3.8 persons). Family ties are strong in New-foundland, and the divorce rate is low. The perinatal mortality rate, previously considerably higher than the Canadian average, has declined to 11.5 per 1,000 births, as compared with 10.9 for Canada as a whole (Statistics Canada, 1983).
Lessons on Sustainability and Effectiveness

Numerous public health and development colleagues can readily present valid lists of factors associated with program success and failure, citing experiences throughout the world. Rather than going down that path or attempting to summarize such experiences, this chapter presents a program effectiveness framework by comparing experiences in two sharply contrasting countries, Thailand and Haiti, each with its own unique history, culture, and resources. We can begin with a few health statistics:
The Colorimetric Determination of Cystine in Tobacco Mosaic Virus Protein

SummaryThe Sullivan colorimetric method can be applied satisfactorily to hydrolysates of tobacco mosaic virus if humin formation is inhibited by hydrolyzing with hydrochloric acid-titanous chloride, or better with hydriodic acid.
Back to the garden again: Joni Mitchell's ‘Woodstock’ and utopianism in song

Joni Mitchell's ‘Woodstock’ is one of the most recognisable songs about the 1969 festival, yet Mitchell did not attend Woodstock and instead wrote her song in a New York City hotel room. The song ‘Woodstock’, then, represents the event not as it literally happened, but as it could have been, as an idealised depiction of nostalgia for the festival and the era's utopian potential. I analyse Mitchell's song as a utopian text and investigate the political efficacy of ‘Woodstock's musical and lyrical content for Mitchell, for other artists who cover the song, and for audiences who may recognise it as the festival's ‘theme’. As her career continues, Mitchell abandons the folk-based style of her early albums, but keeps ‘Woodstock’ an active part of her performance repertoire. I trace three later versions to show that the utopianism of the original disappears as Mitchell re-imagines the song, the event and its ideological legacy.
Understanding the Diversity of Student Computing Activity

A College of Education and Psychology undertook a survey of its majors to gain a better understanding of computer ownership and usage. Of interest was whether all logical groupings of students (e.g., graduate vs. undergraduate, gender, age, ethnicity) could be created equivalent in terms of their access and experience with computing. The results of the survey found a very high percentage of students (91.1 percent) owned computers, with no difference found on the basis of year in school, gender, or ethnicity. Differences in the number of hours per week that a computer was used and the types of activities the computer was used for were found based on the age and full/part-time status in school. The results of the survey also indicated that Internet usage is ubiquitous across all years in school but with differences seen based on gender and ethnicity. Differences in other types of applications (i.e., word processing, presentation, spreadsheet/database, and statistics) were also seen both between applications...
Laser-Induced Chemical Vapor Deposition of Ge-Se Thin Films

The synthesis of Ge-Se deposits has been demonstrated by using continuous wave CO2 laser excited reactions of GeC14 and Se2Cl2 precursors, each transported in an argon carrier gas. The deposited Ge-Se layers are rich in Ge with a composition of 70% of Ge and 30% of Se. Microstructural examinations reveal that the microstructure consists of amorphous Ge-Se particles ranging in diameter from 2000 A to 7000 A. Suggestions are made for the possible mechanisms that might occur during film deposition including, pyrolytic reactions, multiphoton dissociations, and Volmer-Weker film growth.
Resistance of Blattella germanica to seven insecticides

Objective To investiga te infestation condition and resistance of Bl attella germanica in Nanning restaurant s.Methods Investigating encroachm ents by sight and testing resistance to ins ecticides based on WHO.Results 69 7% roo m s of the 422 surveyed were encroached upo n by Blattella germanica and 79 6% of the main habitates were positive.Resistance ratioes to pyr ethroid and propoxur were ranged from 2 56 to 4 05 fold Resistance to DDVP was more than 8 5 fold. Conclusion Bl attella germanica in Nanning restaurant s were mainly introduced from other provin ces and became local preponderant population in short time.Their habitat es were varied. The resistance levels corresp onded to other provinces l evel,not changed with environment.
How protonation and deprotonation of 9-methylguanine alter its singlet O2 addition path: about the initial stage of guanine nucleoside oxidation

Mutagenicity of singlet O2 is due to its oxidatively generated damage to the guanine nucleobases of DNA. Oxidation of neutral guanosine has been assumed to be initiated by the formation of a transient 4,8-endoperoxide via a Diels–Alder cycloaddition of singlet O2. Protonation and deprotonation of guanosine represent another factor related to DNA damage and repair. Herein, 9-methylguanine was utilized as a model substrate to mimic the correlation between singlet O2 oxidation of the nucleoside and its ionization states, both in the absence and in the presence of water ligands. We used guided-ion-beam scattering tandem mass spectrometry to detect and quantify transient intermediates at room temperature. To provide a reliable description of reaction potential surfaces, different levels of theory including restricted and unrestricted density functional theory, CCSD(T), MP2, and multi-reference CASSCF and CASMP2 were applied. By means of molecular potential, kinetic and direct dynamics simulations, two reaction pathways were identified and neither follows the mechanism for neutral guanosine. Singlet O2 oxidation of protonated 9-methylguanine begins by a concerted cycloaddition; but it is mediated by a 5,8-endoperoxide. By contrast, a concerted cycloaddition does not occur for deprotonated 9-methylguanine. The latter involves a stepwise addition starting with the formation of an 8-peroxide, which subsequently evolves to a 4,8-endoperoxide. This dichotomy implies that acidic and basic media may lead to different chemistries for guanosine oxidation in aqueous solutions, starting from initial stage. The comparison with oxidation of protonated/deprotonated guanine illustrates the different mechanisms and products and particularly the suppressed oxidizability of 9-methylguanine vs. free guanine.
Inverted papilloma of the urinary tract: malignant potential.

Abstract Inverted papilloma of the urinary tract usually is considered a benign lesion. The second case of this lesion with malignant degeneration is reported.
The End of a War and the Rise of a Nation: A Lesson on the American Revolution

History is a means to categorize past events in order to create meaning for present circumstances. However, teachers; particularly at the elementary level, are not equipping students with the appropriate skills to master and understand history. This article establishes the necessity of incorporating the process of historical inquiry, especially for the upper elementary grades (e.g. 4 th and 5 th ), and it provides a sample lesson on the American Revolutionary War.
Management of Malignant Schwannomas of the Paranasal Sinuses and Anterior Skull Base

The evolution of skull base surgery has facilitated the extirpation of previously unresectable tumors. As experience with skull base surgery increases, the feasibility of resection and long-term outcomes is becoming apparent for the more common lesions. Neoplasms such as malignant schwannomas are rare and, therefore, defy single-institution analysis. The treatment and four-year follow-up of a malignant paranasal sinus and anterior skull base schwannoma is described. Analysis of the literature confirms the low incidence of this tumor and supports the efficacy of skull base surgery in its treatment.
Purification of semi-synthetic metalworking fluids by microfiltration

The applicability of microfiltration for achieving simultaneous waste reduction and bacterial control was investigated. Microfiltration productivity and separation performance was determined with an α-alumina membrane of 0.5 μm pore-size and a commercial semi-synthetic microemulsion with and without model contaminants such as hydraulic oil and bacteria. Results indicate that it is possible to obtain excellent separation of extraneous emulsified tramp oil from native semi-synthetic emulsion while maintaining high productivity at low pressure. A 7-log reduction in bacteria is attained along with a 50-95 % reduction in endotoxin.
College Students' Interpretation of Research Reports on Group Differences: The Tall-Tale Effect.

How does the student untrained in advanced statistics interpret results of research that reports a group difference? In two studies, statistically untrained college students were presented with abstracts or professional associations’ reports and asked for estimates of scores obtained by the original participants in the studies. These estimates were converted to inferred effect sizes and compared with the actual effect sizes. Inferred effect sizes substantially overestimated actual effect sizes for all reports, a phenomenon dubbed the tall-tale effect. The effect was obtained with a variety of reports and statistics. The tall-tale effect could be controlled somewhat with simple changes in wording. This finding suggests a program of research which would better calibrate inferences with those actually obtained in the research. First published May 2015 at Statistics Education Research Journal Archives
Some implications of recidivism as a criterion in program evaluation

This article discusses the use of recidivism statistics in corrections. Recent attacks on the relevance of recidivism have come from both the left and the right of the political spectrum. It is argued here that despite these attacks there are still reasonable grounds for maintaining rehabilitation as a major goal, and recidivism as a meaningful criterion of that goal. The purpose of this essay, however, is not so much to defend the use of recidivism, as to caution against its narrow use. Examples are given from the areas of parole contracts, juvenile awareness programs and approaches to probation and parole to illustrate the possible misuse of recidivism. It is argued here that it is more important to evaluate the effect of a program on a system, than to try to evaluate its impact on individual offenders.
Dexamethasone Attenuates the Enhanced Rewarding Effects of Cocaine Following Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Clinical studies have identified traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a risk factor for the development of cocaine dependence. This claim is supported by our recent preclinical studies showing enhancement of the rewarding effects of cocaine in mice sustaining moderate controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury during adolescence. Here we test the efficacy of dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, to attenuate augmentation of the behavioral response to cocaine observed in CCI-TBI animals using the conditioned place preference (CPP) assay. These studies were performed in order to determine whether proinflammatory activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain nucleus in the reward pathway, mediates enhanced cocaine-induced CPP in adolescent animals sustaining moderate CCI-TBI. Our data reveal robust glial activation in the NAc following CCI-TBI and a significant increase in the cocaine-induced CPP of untreated CCI-TBI mice. Furthermore, our results show that dexamethasone treatment following CCI-TBI can attenuate the cocaine place preference of injured animals without producing aversion in the CPP assay. Our studies also found that dexamethasone treatment significantly reduced the expression of select immune response genes including Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( ICAM-1), returning their expression to control levels, which prompted an investigation of peripheral blood monocytes in dexamethasone-treated animals. Experimental findings showed that no craniectomy/dexamethasone mice had a significant increase, while CCI-TBI/dexamethasone animals had a significant decrease in the percentage of circulating nonclassical patrolling monocytes. These results suggest that a portion of these monocytes may migrate to the brain in response to CCI-TBI, potentially sparing the development of chronic neuroinflammation in regions associated with the reward circuitry such as the NAc. Overall, our findings indicate that anti-inflammatory agents, such as dexamethasone, may be effective in normalizing the rewarding effects of cocaine following CCI-TBI.
Jane Harrison’s Ritual Scholarship

This chapter argues that Jane Harrison’s writing on ancient Greek religion constitutes a modernist project to create a new version of a very old religious experience. Harrison took Victorian theories of religion centered on the decline of faith and reworked them to insist on, and celebrate, religion’s persistence into the twentieth century. Linking religion’s increasing prominence with that of women, she claimed a parallel between her present moment and the archaic Greek world of goddess worship she described in her classical studies. In these, Harrison further elaborated an understanding of religion grounded in ritual and mystical experience. Her scholarly books act as sacred texts of this feminist, post-theological religion, and in them scholarship itself comes to offer a peculiarly modern form of ritual practice.
Community Theater Participation and Nutrition-Related Practices: Evidence from Nepal.

Suaahara, a nutrition-enhancement program in Nepal, conducted participatory community theater (CT) dramas with the goal of improving nutrition-related practices. To evaluate CT, a pre/posttest with randomized intervention and matched control sites was used. Dramas were conducted in Nawalparasi, Bajhang, and Sindhupalchowk Districts to represent the mountain, hill, and terai/plains regions. Within each study district, two intervention sites were randomly selected and two matched comparison sites were identified for inclusion in the study. At both baseline and endline, 600 individuals aged 18–59 (100 men and 100 women/district × 3 districts) were interviewed in the control sites and 600 in the intervention sites (1200 total respondents). Multivariate logistic analysis controlling for background characteristics found that CT attendance was significantly and positively associated with improved nutrition-related knowledge (adjusted odds ratio ratio [aORR] 10.2, p < 0.001) and communication (aORR 2.4, p < 0.001...
High performance PMOS with strained high-Ge-content SiGe fins for advanced logic applications

FinFETs with strained-SiGe channel have recently drawn significant attention due to their built in uniaxial strain, higher mobility and better reliability over conventional Si FETs. Research on pure Ge has been the major focus of many institutes over the past few years. However, with high-Ge-content (HGC) SiGe one can benefit from competitive or better performance over pure Ge and overcome the thermal budget constraints required for Ge. In this paper, we briefly review our latest advancements in high-Ge-content strained-SiGe FinFETs featuring gate first and Replacement HK/MG (RMG) flows with record mobility and short-channel performance to extend the roadmap for advanced FinFET and FDSOI generations.
PREDICTING VO2 MAX USING ACCELEROMETRY AND HEART RATE METRICS

Traditional physical activity metrics include reported time spent in various levels of exertion, from sedentary to vigorous. Previous research has shown an association between time spent in moderate or vigorous activities and maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max) in older adults, but the association between accelerometry derived activity metrics and VO2 max remains undefined. We modeled the association between VO2 max and objectively measured physical activity and heart rate in 411 BLSA participants (53% male, mean age 67, range 31–88), using percentages of heart rate reserve to define intensity of daily activities. Although the association between time spent in vigorous activities and VO2 max was significant, a continuous measure of total daily activity provided stronger results and a better model fit (accounting for 12% vs. 8% of unexplained variance), suggesting that total daily activity is a better predictor of VO2 max with aging, likely due to reduced intensity of daily activities.
Transfer and analysis of Salmonella pdu genes in a range of Gram-negative bacteria demonstrate exogenous microcompartment expression across a variety of species.

Bacterial microcompartments (MCPs) are protein organelles that typically house toxic or volatile reaction intermediates involved in metabolic pathways. Engineering bacteria to express exogenous MCPs will allow these cells to gain useful functions involving molecule compartmentalization. We cloned a 38 kb region from the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium genome containing the pdu 1,2 propanediol (1,2 PD) utilization and cob/cbi genes using the FRT-Capture strategy to clone and transfer large genomic segments. We transferred this clone to a range of Gram-negative bacteria and found the clone to be functional for 1,2 PD metabolism in a variety of species including S. Typhimurium Δpdu, Escherichia coli, Salmonella bongori, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Cronobacter sakazakii, Serratia marcescens, and different Pseudomonas species. We successfully isolated MCPs expressed from the clone from several, but not all, of these strains, and we observed this utilizing a range of different media and in the absence of protease inhibitor. We also present a mini-prep protocol that allows rapid, small-scale screening of strains for MCP production. To date, this is the first analysis of cloned, exogenous microcompartment expression across several different Gram-negative backgrounds and provides a foundation for MCP use in a variety of bacterial species using a full, intact clone.
Reflectance retrieval in the presence of optically opaque broken clouds

This paper will discuss the effects of broken cloud fields on solar illumination reaching the ground. Broken cloud fields pose a problem for many atmospheric compensation algorithms which retrieve reflectance and/or aerosol properties from measured spectral imagery. In the reflective domain (visible to the SWIR), the application of atmospheric compensation algorithms in the vicinity of broken clouds leads to inaccuracies because of the enhanced number of photons scattered from the clouds into the clear sunlit areas. These illumination effects are simulated for simple slab clouds and complex broken cloud fields using the MCScene code, a high fidelity model for full optical spectrum (UV through LWIR) hyperspectral image simulation. MCScene provides an accurate, robust, and efficient means to generate spectral scenes for algorithm validation. MCScene utilizes a Direct Simulation Monte Carlo approach for modeling 3D atmospheric radiative transfer including full treatment of molecular absorption and Rayleigh scattering, aerosol absorption and scattering, and multiple scattering and adjacency effects, as well as scattering from spatially inhomogeneous surfaces. The model includes treatment of land and ocean surfaces, 3D terrain, 3D surface objects, and effects of finite clouds with surface shadowing.
Forum: ASTA Research Poster Sessions (2006-2014):

The American String Teachers Association (ASTA) has held research poster sessions as part of its national conferences annually since 2006. From 2006-2014, 98 researchers contributed 147 original re...
Cardiovascular Computed Tomography: Current and Future Scanning System Design

Since the heart is continually in motion, cardiac computed tomography (CT) has capabilities required to scan the heart with high spatial resolution, high temporal resolution, larger detector coverage and fast scan speed. Recent technology enabled current versions of cardiac CT to display the heart with much fewer artifacts and less radiation dose. In this chapter, we will address the current and future scanning system design of cardiac CT.
Combined Open and Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Resection of a Rare Endometrial Carcinoma Metastasis

In the absence of significant extracranial disease, patients with solitary brain metastases have shown benefit with resection. Brain lesions due to endometrial cancer are uncommon, and the only described skull base involvement is limited to the pituitary gland. We report the case of a 60-year-old female with endometrial cancer who presented with weeks of right cheek pain and numbness that was accompanied by headaches. We describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and surgical resection of a solitary endometrial metastasis involving the infratemporal fossa, middle fossa, cavernous sinus, trigeminal nerve, and nasal sinuses. Due to extensive nasal and lateral involvement, a combined open and endoscopic approach was planned. The patient was discharged home without complication. She underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. Despite its suspected indolent course, intracranial endometrial adenocarcinoma metastases are gaining higher prevalence. This case report documents the first direct neural spread of an endometrial primary, and highlights the potential for extra-axial sites of metastasis.
Internists' Perceptions of Proton Pump Inhibitor Adverse Effects and Impact on Prescribing Practices: Results of a Nationwide Survey.

Background Observational studies have linked proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with serious adverse effects. The study aimed to evaluate internists' perceptions of PPI harms and effects on prescribing. Methods This was an online survey of a representative sample of the American College of Physicians in 2013. We queried familiarity with and concern about PPI adverse effects (1 - 7 Likert-type scales, anchored by "not at all" and "extremely"). We also asked how frequently (often, sometimes, rarely, or never) participants used any of three "de-escalation" strategies to stop or reduce PPIs because of concern about adverse effects: reducing patients' PPI dose, switching to H2 blocker, or discontinuing PPI. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate associations between sometimes/often using any PPI de-escalation strategy and gender, time in practice, familiarity, and concern. Results The response rate was 53% (487/914). Seventy percent were male, median time in practice was 11 - 15 years, and most practiced general medicine (58%). Ninety-nine percent reported at least some familiarity with reported adverse effects (mean 4.9, standard deviation (SD) 1.0), and 98% reported at least some concern (mean 4.6, SD 1.3). Sixty-three percent reported sometimes/often reducing the PPI dose, 52% switching to H2 blocker, and 44% discontinuing PPI. In multivariable analysis, familiarity with adverse effects (OR 1.66 (1.31 - 2.10) for 1-point increase, P < 0.001) and concern (OR 2.14 (1.76 - 2.61) for 1-point increase, P < 0.001) were independently associated with de-escalation. Gender and time in practice had no effects. Conclusion Almost all internists report awareness and concern about PPI adverse effects, and most are de-escalating PPIs as a result. Research on which approach is most effective for which patients is critically important.
Laser communications for human space exploration in cislunar space: ILLUMA-T and O2O

In recent years, NASA has been developing a scalable, modular space terminal architecture to provide low-cost laser communications for a wide range of near-Earth applications. This development forms the basis for two upcoming demonstration missions. The Integrated Low-Earth Orbit Laser Communications Relay Demonstration User Modem and Amplifier Optical Communications Terminal (ILLUMA-T) will develop a user terminal for platforms in low-Earth orbit which will be installed on the International Space Station and demonstrate relay laser communications via NASA’s Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD) in geo-synchronous orbit. The Orion EM-2 Optical Communication Demonstration (O2O) will develop a terminal which will be installed on the first manned launch of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and provide direct-to-Earth laser communications from lunar ranges. We describe the objectives and link architectures of these two missions which aim to demonstrate the operational utility of laser communications for manned exploration in cislunar space.
Oral Ibuprofen Interferes with Cellular Healing Responses in a Murine Model of Achilles Tendinopathy.

Background The attempted healing of tendon after acute injury (overloading, partial tear or complete rupture) proceeds via the normal wound healing cascade involving hemostasis, inflammation, matrix synthesis and matrix remodeling. Depending on the degree of trauma and the nature of the post-injury milieu, a variable degree of healing and recovery of function occurs. Post-injury analgesia is often achieved with NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen, however there is increasing evidence that NSAID usage may interfere with the healing process. This study aimed to investigate the cellular mechanism by which IBU therapy might lead to a worsening of tendon pathology. Methods We have examined the effect of oral Ibuprofen, on Achilles tendon healing in a TGFb1-induced murine tendinopathy model. Dosing was started 3 days after initial injury (acute cellular response phase) and continued for 22 days or started at 9 days after injury (transition to matrix regeneration phase) and given for 16 days. Cellular changes in tendon and surrounding peritenon were assessed using Hematoxylin/Eosin, chondroid accumulation with Safranin O and anti-aggrecan immunohistochemistry, and neo-vessel formation with GSI Lectin histochemistry. Markers of inflammation included histochemical localization of hyaluronan, immunohistochemistry of heavy chain 1 and TNFα-stimulated glycoprotein-6 (TSG6). Cell responses were further examined by RT-qPCR of 84 NFκB target genes and 84 wound healing genes. Biomechanical properties of tendons were evaluated by tensile testing. Results At a clinically-relevant dosage, Ibuprofen prevented the process of remodeling/removal of the inflammatory matrix components, hyaluronan, HC1 and TSG6. Furthermore, the aberrant matrix remodeling was accompanied by activation at day 28 of genes (Col1a2, Col5a3, Plat, Ccl12, Itga4, Stat3, Vegfa, Mif, Col4a1, Rhoa, Relb, F8, Cxcl9, Lta, Ltb, Ccl12, Cdkn1a, Ccl22, Sele, Cd80), which were not activated at any time without the drug, and so appear most likely to be involved in the pathology. Of these, Vegfa, Col4a1, F8, Cxcl9 and Sele, have been shown to play a role in vascular remodeling, consistent with the appearance at 25 days of vasculogenic cell groups in the peritenon and fat pad stroma surrounding the Achilles of the drug-dosed mice. Tensile stiffness (p = 0.004) and elastic modulus (p = 0.012) were both decreased (relative to age-matched uninjured and non-dosed mice) in mice dosed with Ibuprofen from day 3 to day 25, whether injured or not. Conclusion We conclude that the use of Ibuprofen for pain relief during inflammatory phases of tendinopathy, might interfere with the normal processes of extracellular matrix remodeling and cellular control of expression of inflammatory and wound healing genes. It is proposed that the known COX2-mediated anti-inflammatory effect of ibuprofen has detrimental effects on the turnover of a pro-inflammatory HA matrix produced in response to soft-tissue injury, thus preventing the switch to cellular responses associated with functional matrix remodeling and eventual healing.
Heteroskedasticity in Repeat Sales House Price Equations

Several authors have attributed heteroskedasticity in repeat sales house price equations exclusively to length of time between sales. Goodman and Thibodeau (1995) developed a theoretical model relating heteroskedasticity in hedonic house price equations to dwelling age. Their model has the following implications for repeat sales equations? Properties must be older to be held longer, so heteroskedasticity observed in repeat sales equations could be caused primarily by dwelling age rather than by the time between sales. Alternatively, owner-occupied homes tend to be improved (by sellers, buyers, or both) at the time of sale. The shorter the time between sales, the less extensive are the improvements. Less extensive (undocumented) improvements translate into more accurate predictions of house prices and of subsequent appreciation rates. Consequently, the heteroskedasticity observed in repeat sales equations could also be related to the time between sales holding dwelling age constant. Empirical results using nearly 2,000 Dallas repeat sales from 1979 through 1993 indicate that both dwelling age and time between sales contribute to heteroskedasticity in repeat sales equations. The Davidian and Carroll iterative estimation technique is then used to incorporate both dwelling age and time between sales to estimate efficient repeat sales house price indexes.
Human NK Resistant Tumor Cell Lysis is Effected by IL-2 Activated Killer Cells

In experimental animal systems, trarlsfer of cell populations immune to solid tumors has been successful in mediating the regression of such tumors. In human systems, much conflicting and confusing data has been reported attempting to define the analogous effector cells. Our approach to define human anti-tumor effectors cells was to avoid as many in vitro induced artifacts as possible, and to employ fresh (or cyropreserved, uncultured) surgical biopsy specimens of tumors as target cells, and to generate effectors in human serum with naturally occurring immune stimulants. We have found that normal or cancer patients1 PBL incubated for 2–3 days in preparations of IL-2, including purified recombinant IL-2 (RIL-2) acquires the unique capacity to kill human tumors in 4 hour chromium release assays (1–6). These lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK) kill NK resistant fresh tumors with an efficiency and polyspecificity that has not been found reproducible in any other anti-tumor lytic system, and therefore provides yet another interesting and potentially biologically relevant system in which to examine the mechanism of cell mediated cytotoxicity. This report addresses some of the basic aspects of LAK killing, such as the killing efficiency of whole populations versus clones, kinetics of lysis as measured by the chromium release assay, correlation of chromium release with the expression of LAK effector cell markers, and morphology and phenotype of LAK effector cells, thereby setting the groundwork for further detailed studies of the mechanism of tumor killing by LAK.
EPR Spectroscopy and Imaging of Oxygen: Applications to the Gastrointestinal Tract

EPR imaging has emerged as an important tool for noninvasive three-dimensional (3D) spatial mapping of free radicals in biological tissues. Spectral-spatial EPR imaging enables mapping of the spectral information at each spatial position, and, from the observed linewidth, the localized tissue oxygenation can be mapped. We report the application of EPR imaging techniques enabling 3D spatial and spectral-spatial EPR imaging of small animals. This instrumentation, along with the use of a biocompatible charcoal oximetry-probe suspension, enabled 3D spatial imaging of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, along with mapping of oxygenation in living mice. By using this technique, the oxygen tension was mapped at different levels of the GI tract from the stomach to the rectum. The results clearly show the presence of a marked oxygen gradient from the proximal to the distal GI tract, which decreases after respiratory arrest. This technique for in vivo mapping of oxygenation is a promising method, enabling the noninvasive imaging of oxygen within the normal GI tract. This method should be useful in determining the alterations in oxygenation associated with disease.
Submicroscopic structure of photo-receptors of bird and insect eyes as revealed by electron microscopy

The submicroscopic structure of the visual cells in the retina of such vertebrates as guinea pig and perch (2, 8–12), albino rat and mouse (5–7), and frog (14) has been studied by electron microscopy and their characteristic internal structure well defined. However, the peculiarities of the inner segments of the rod and cone of the avian retina have so far attracted little attention.
Placental growth factor blunts uterine artery responses to angiotensin II.

OBJECTIVE Changes in maternal serum concentration of placental growth factor (PlGF) and vascular response to intravascular infusion of Angiotensin II (Ang II) follow a bell-shaped curve pattern during gestation. This study evaluates the effects of PlGF and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sFlt-1) on responses of human uterine arteries (UA) to Ang II. DESIGN Experimental. SETTING Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital-Pavilion for Women. SAMPLE Uterine arteries samples (n = 14) were obtained from normotensive women undergoing caesarean hysterectomy at ≥32 weeks. METHODS Uterine arteries rings were incubated with (1) Krebs solution; (2) PlGF at 1.45, 14.5, and 500 pg/ml; (3) sFlt-1 at 2 ng/ml; and (4) a combination of sFlt-1, and PlGF. Dose-contraction responses to Ang II were determined in UA rings incubated in the above-mentioned conditions. Responses were also measured in presence of L-NAME or inhibitors of endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factor: apamine and charybdotoxin. The t-test was used for comparisons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Changes in vascular reactivity of UA rings. RESULTS PlGF blunted (P = 0.03) and sFlt-1 increased (P <0.01) the UA maximum responses to Ang II. A combination of sFlt-1 and PlGF blunted UA responses to Ang II (P < 0.05). l-NAME, apamine, and charybdotoxin reversed the relaxation effects of PlGF on UA responses to Ang II (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS PlGF contributes to the blunted vascular response to Angiotensin II during normotensive pregnancies and sFlt-1 appears to attenuate this effect. PlGF and sFlt-1 may contribute to the regulation of vascular tone during pregnancy by altering the vascular response to Angiotensin II. FUNDING Baylor College of Medicine. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Placental growth factor and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 modulate the uterine artery response to Angiotensin II in normotensive pregnant women.
Anesthesia for Supratentorial Brain Tumor (SBT)

Supratentorial craniotomy is performed for a variety of indications. The supratentorial region of the brain is the area overlying the tentorium cerebelli. It contains two cerebral hemispheres separated by the falx cerebri. Each hemisphere in turn is subdivided into four lobes which are the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. Other supratentorial contents include the basal ganglia, thalamic nuclei, lateral ventricles, hypothalamus, and corpus callosum. Lesions in the supratentorial lesion are broad based. This chapter will focus on the treatment of tumors in the supratentorial region in adults. Other causes for a craniotomy are discussed in subsequent chapters throughout the book. These include endocrine tumors, treatment of epidural and subdural hematomas, traumatic brain injury, and intracranial vascular lesions including aneurysms and other vascular malformations. In this chapter, we discuss the unique challenges of a supratentorial craniotomy for supratentorial brain tumor (SBT) for the anesthesiologist. While there are common themes with infratentorial craniotomies, a unique set of principle apply to this procedure and location which must be understood in order to provide safe and state-of-the-art care to the neurosurgical patient.
Bridges Stockholm 2018

The international Bridges Conference is the world’s largest conference on the mathematical connections with art, music, architecture, education, and culture. Since 1998, Bridges has traveled to North America, Europe, and Asia, and attracted participants from over thirty countries. Bridges 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden, provided 5 days of invited and contributed paper presentations, workshops, a juried art exhibition, a short film festival, the premier of a play, a poetry reading, a public Family Day, and more.
Moving beyond resilience education: musical counterstorytelling

ABSTRACTEducation discourse has recently turned toward resilience and grit. This article critiques the neoliberalism embedded in resilience education and the manner in which a resilience focus enco...