cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Should Cost Be Formally Incorporated into Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations

There is increasing discussion worldwide on explicitly including cost as part of the clinical practice guideline development process. While this could enhance our understanding of value-based care and improve resource utilization, there are many practical challenges for cost inclusion. This commentary explores this issue, examining it from multiple angles and giving pros and cons to inclusion in future guidelines.
Triton X-100 or octyl glucoside inactivates acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 by dissociating it from a two-fold dimer to a two-fold monomer

Cholesterol is an important lipid molecule and is needed for all mammalian cells. In various cell types, excess cholesterol is stored as cholesteryl esters; acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) plays an essential role in this storage process. ACAT1 is located at the endoplasmic reticulum and has nine transmembrane domains (TMDs). It is a member of the membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) family, in which members contain multiple TMDs and participate in a variety of biological functions. When solubilized in the zwitterionic detergent CHAPS, ACAT1 can be purified to homogeneity with full enzyme activity and behaves as a homotetrameric protein. ACAT1 contains two dimerization motifs. The first motif is located near the N-terminus and is not conserved in MBOATs. Deletion of the N-terminal dimerization domain converts ACAT1 to a dimer with full catalytic activity; therefore, ACAT1 is a two-fold dimer. The second dimerization domain, located near the C-terminus, is conserved in MBOATs; however, it was not known whether the C-terminal dimerization domain is required for enzyme activity. Here we show that treating ACAT1 with non-ionic detergent, Triton X-100 or octyl glucoside, causes the enzyme to become a two-fold monomer without any enzymatic activity. Detergent exchange of Triton X-100 with CHAPS restores ACAT1 to a two-fold dimer but fails to restore its enzymatic activity. These results implicate that ACAT1 requires hydrophobic subunit interactions near the C-terminus in order to remain active as a two-fold dimer. Our results also caution the use of Triton X-100 or octyl glucoside to purify other MBOATs.
Enhancing Self-Determination Skills for Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders:

Research suggests a potential relationship between self-determination and improved post-school outcomes for students with disabilities. Self-determination represents a particularly relevant variabl...
Nilotinib-associated Demyelinating Disease (P2.2-093)

Objective: To report a case of possible tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) associated demyelination. Background: Therapies targeting genetic mutations have revolutionized cancer treatments in recent years, allowing for a targeted, non-toxic approach to chemotherapy. However, with these new therapies have come unanticipated side effects. Nilotinib has been associated with a variety of side effects of uncertain etiology. Design/Methods: A 62-year-old woman with medical history significant for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) on maintenance nilotinib for the previous 5 years presented with a ten day history of descending weakness and subjective sensory loss, followed by dyspnea requiring emergent intubation. Neurologic exam revealed quadriparesis and areflexia with a seemingly intact though limited sensory exam. Initial MRI of the C spine was motion degraded but concerning for possible abnormality at C2. Lumbar puncture demonstrated albuminocytologic dissociation with protein 82mg/dL and 9 WBCs/uL. Nilotinib was discontinued due to case reports of association with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy was initiated. Subsequent examination revealed a C2 sensory level with quadriplegia, and repeat MRI now demonstrated clear T2 signal abnormalities extending from C2–C7. MRI brain was without demyelination. Further negative work up included aquaporin-4 antibodies, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies, Mayo clinic cerebrospinal fluid paraneoplastic and autoimmune panels. The patient developed only minimal upper extremity improvement and required tracheostomy with subsequent transfer to a ventilator facility. Results: N/A Conclusions: TKIs including nilotinib and dasatinib have been implicated in causing both CNS and PNS demyelinating disease. The mechanism behind these reactions is not well-elucidated but is postulated to be autoimmune. Early recognition of potential severe side effects and alteration of therapy can significantly improve outcomes. Disclosure: Dr. Judge has nothing to disclose. Dr. Moheb has nothing to disclose. Dr. Melinosky has nothing to disclose.
Fourier Analysis of the Parity-Vector Parameterization of the Generalized Collatz px+1 maps

Let p be an odd prime, and consider the map H_p which sends an integer x to either x/2 or (px+1)/2 depending on whether x is even or odd. The values at x=0 of arbitrary composition sequences of the maps x/2 and (px+1)/2 can be parameterized over the 2-adic integers (Z2) leading to a continuous function from Z2 to Zp which the author calls the "characteristic function" (or "numen") of H_p. Lipschitz-type estimates are given for the characteristic function when p-1 is a power of 2 and 2 is a primitive root mod p, and it is shown that the set of periodic points of H_p is equal to the set of (rational) integer values attained by the characteristic function over Z2. Additionally, although the pre-image of R under the characteristic function has zero Haar measure in the Z2, by pre-composing the characteristic function with an appropriately selected self-embedding of Z2, one can perform Fourier analysis of the aforementioned composite. Using this approach, explicit upper bounds are computed for the absolute value of a periodic point of H_p whose parity vector contains at least ceil(ln(p)/ln2)-1 zeroes between any two consecutive ones
Discovery of a Pulsar Wind Nebula around B0950+08 with the ELWA

With the Expanded Long Wavelength Array and pulsar binning techniques, we searched for off-pulse emission from PSR B0950 + 08 at 76 MHz. Previous studies suggest that off-pulse emission can be due to pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) in younger pulsars. Other studies, such as that done by Basu et al., propose that in older pulsars this emission extends to some radius that is on the order of the light cylinder radius, and is magnetospheric in origin. Through imaging analysis, we conclude that this older pulsar with a spin-down age of 17 Myr has a surrounding PWN, which is unexpected since as a pulsar ages its PWN spectrum is thought to shift from being synchrotron to inverse Compton scattering dominated. At 76 MHz, the average flux density of the off-pulse emission is 0.59 ± 0.16 Jy. The off-pulse emission from B0950+08 is ∼ 110 ± 17 arcsec (0.14 ± 0.02 pc) in size, extending well beyond the light cylinder diameter and ruling out a magnetospheric origin. Using data from our observation and the surveys VLSSr, TGSS, NVSS, FIRST, and VLASS, we have found that the spectral index for B0950 + 08 is about −1.36 ± 0.20, while the PWN’s spectral index is steeper than −1.85 ± 0.45.
Nanoparticle affinity for natural soils: a functional assay for determining particle attachment efficiency in complex systems

Few standardized methods and reference systems have been established for evaluating the behavior of engineered nanomaterials in complex media like natural soils. In this study, a working method for a functional assay to determine the affinity of nanoparticles (NPs) for soil surfaces by batch test is provided along with a case study demonstrating the utility of the method using a proposed reference soil (LUFA 2.2) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with four different surface treatments (citrate [Cit], gum arabic [GA], polyvinylpyrrolidone [PVP], and branched polyethylenimine [bPEI]). Particle attachment efficiencies (α) of AuNPs with LUFA 2.2 soil spanned four orders of magnitude, with αbPEI-Au > αPVP-Au > αCit-Au ≫ αGA-Au, suggesting that GA-Au will be significantly more mobile in this soil than the other AuNPs. These results run counter to a widely held assumption that acquired macromolecular coatings in natural systems will likely mask engineered coatings and dictate NP mobility. Moreover, the trend in attachment efficiency could not be predicted based on differences in intrinsic or extrinsic NP properties alone, which supports the need for development and validation of well-controlled functional assays performed in complex media.
Hybrid rye may replace up to 75% of the corn in diets for gestating and lactating sows without negatively impacting sow and piglet performance

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that hybrid rye can replace a part of the corn in gestation and lactation diets without negatively affecting sow and litter performance. For each phase, a corn-soybean meal diet and three diets in which hybrid rye replaced 25%, 50%, or 75% of corn were formulated. Two hundred sows were randomly allotted by parity to the four treatments. Results indicated that diet did not affect body weight or average daily gain (ADG) of sows or number of pigs born. The number of pigs weaned, litter weaning weight, and litter ADG increased and then decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as hybrid rye in diets increased. Pig mortality and number of crushed pigs tended (quadratic, P < 0.10) to be reduced as hybrid rye was added to the diet. Serum cytokines did not differ among treatments on day 105 of gestation or in pigs on the day of weaning, but interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and IL-18 on day 13 of lactation increased and then decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as hybrid rye inclusion increased in diets. Milk urea N increased (linear, P < 0.05) as hybrid rye was included in the diet, but no other differences in milk composition were observed. Overall, replacing 25% or 50% of corn with hybrid rye resulted in improved lactation performance, and replacing 75% of corn with hybrid rye resulted in sow and litter performance that was not different from that of sows fed control diets.
Modifiable Factors Associated With Chronic Pain 1 Year After Operative Management of Distal Radius Fractures: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Despite appropriate treatment, many patients who sustain distal radius fractures (DRFs) report persistent wrist pain. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is among the leading health problems in the elderly population associated with significant personal and societal burden. Objective To identify modifiable preoperative factors that are significantly associated with developing chronic pain. Design, Setting, and Participants This is a secondary analysis of the Wrist and Radius Injury Surgical Trial (WRIST), a randomized multicenter clinical trial of 24 study sites in the United States, Canada, and Singapore that enrolled patients from April 10, 2012, to December 31, 2016. Adults older than 60 years who sustained closed extra-articular DRFs, were treated operatively, and completed 12-month Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaires (MHQs) were included in this study. Analysis was conducted from September to December 2019. Interventions Volar locking plate internal fixation, external fixation, or percutaneous pinning. Main Outcomes and Measures 12-month MHQ pain domain score. Inverse probability weighted logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with of chronic pain. Results A total of 146 patients with DRF who were treated operatively and had 12-month MHQ scores met inclusion criteria. The mean (SD) patient age was 68.9 (7.2) years, 128 (87.6%) were women, and 93 (63.7%) were retired. Chronic pain was present in 87 patients (59.6%) and absent in 59 patients (40.4%) at 1-year follow-up. A 1-week delay in surgery was associated with more than triple the odds of developing chronic pain (odds ratio [OR], 3.65; 95% CI, 1.48-9.00), and each 10-point increase in preoperative pain was associated with a 17% increase in the odds of experiencing chronic pain (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02-1.34). Internal fixation was associated with decreased odds of developing chronic pain compared with the other 2 procedures (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.10-0.90). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, preoperative pain, time to surgery, and procedure type were modifiable factors associated with chronic pain 1 year after DRF treated with surgery. Adequate pain control in patients with acute DRFs even before definitive surgical management and earlier fixation for patients requiring surgery may decrease the risk of developing chronic pain. Internal fixation may decrease the risk of chronic pain after DRF surgery, compared with percutaneous pinning or external fixation. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT01589692
Mds1 CreER , a New Inducible Cre Allele Specific to Adult-Repopulating Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Hematopoietic ontogeny consists of two broad programs: an initial hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-independent program arising from the yolk sac followed by HSC-dependent hematopoiesis arising from intra-embryonic arteries. While HSC-independent erythro-myeloid (EMP) progenitors and rare lymphoid progenitors, as well as HSCs, sequentially seed the fetal liver and generate blood cells, the transition from HSC-independent to HSC-derived hematopoiesis remains poorly characterized. To help resolve this question, we developed Mds1CreER mice, which inducibly express Cre-recombinase specifically in HSCs. Our lineage tracing studies indicate that HSC-derived progeny significantly expand in the liver between E14.5-E16.5. Additionally, we find that HSCs contribute the majority of F4/80+ macrophages in adult spleen and marrow, in contrast to their limited contribution to macrophage populations in brain, liver and lungs. The Mds1CreER mouse model will be useful to deconvolute the complexity of hematopoiesis as it unfolds in the embryo and functions postnatally.
Flow increases tolerance of heat and hypoxia of an aquatic insect.

Recent experiments support the idea that upper thermal limits of aquatic insects arise, at least in part, from a lack of sufficient oxygen: rising temperatures typically stimulate metabolic demand ...
Mechanisms of phase-3 early afterdepolarizations and triggered activities in ventricular myocyte models.

Early afterdepolarizations (EADs) are abnormal depolarizations during the repolarizing phase of the action potential, which are associated with cardiac arrhythmogenesis. EADs are classified into phase-2 and phase-3 EADs. Phase-2 EADs occur during phase 2 of the action potential, with takeoff potentials typically above -40 mV. Phase-3 EADs occur during phase 3 of the action potential, with takeoff potential between -70 and -50 mV. Since the amplitude of phase-3 EADs can be as large as that of a regular action potential, they are also called triggered activities (TAs). This also makes phase-3 EADs and TAs much more arrhythmogenic than phase-2 EADs since they can propagate easily in tissue. Although phase-2 EADs have been widely observed, phase-3 EADs and TAs have been rarely demonstrated in isolated ventricular myocytes. Here we carry out computer simulations of three widely used ventricular action potential models to investigate the mechanisms of phase-3 EADs and TAs. We show that when the T-type Ca2+ current (ICa,T ) is absent (e.g., in normal ventricular myocytes), besides the requirement of increasing inward currents and reducing outward currents as for phase-2 EADs, the occurrence of phase-3 EADs and TAs requires a substantially large increase of the L-type Ca2+ current and the slow component of the delayed rectifier K+ current. The presence of ICa,T (e.g., in neonatal and failing ventricular myocytes) can greatly reduce the thresholds of these two currents for phase-3 EADs and TAs. This implies that ICa,T may play an important role in arrhythmogenesis in cardiac diseases.
16S rRNA gene sequencing data of the human skin microbiome before and after swimming in the ocean

These data represent the abundance, diversity and predicted function gene profiles of the microbial communities present on human skin before and after swimming in the ocean. The skin microbiome has been shown to provide protection against infection from pathogenic bacteria. It is well-known that exposure to ocean water can cause skin infection, but little is known about how exposure can alter the bacterial communities on the skin. Skin microbiome samples were collected from human participants before and after swimming in the ocean. These data were used to analyze the changes in abundance and diversity of microbial communities on the skin and the changes in the functional profiles of the bacteria, specifically focusing on genes involved in antibiotic resistance and bacterial virulence.
Health Care Justice: The Social Insurance Approach

There are four basic models for health care systems: the private market insurance model, the national single-payer model, the national health service model, and the social insurance model. The social justice debate over health care usually focuses on the comparative efficiency and quality of competitive private market insurance and the universal coverage and equity of national health care systems. It is a mistake, however, to think that a universal right to health care services requires a single-payer, government-run, national health care system. The social insurance model of Germany, France, Japan, and many other countries, deserves more attention, as it incorporates the strengths of both market models and national health care models.
Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Transhiatal Esophagectomy with Cervical Anastomosis

In this chapter, we will outline our technique for laparoscopic and thoracoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis. We utilize this technique routinely in patients with esophageal and Siewert’s types 1 and 2 gastroesophageal junction cancer. This technique has been shown to be safe in the setting of neoadjuvant chemoradiation since most patients in the western world present with locally advanced carcinoma and receive multimodality treatment. This technique is best reserved for those patients who have no history of previous gastric surgery such as a Nissen fundoplication. In such patients, the amount of gastric conduit available to reach the neck may be limited and an intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis may be preferable as described in other portions of this book.
Image-Based Rendering Using Parameterized Image Varieties

This paper addresses the problem of characterizing the set of all images of a rigid set of m points and n lines observed by a weak perspective or paraperspective camera. By taking explicitly into account the Euclidean constraints associated with calibrated cameras, we show that the corresponding image space can be represented by a six-dimensional variety embedded in {\cal R}^{2(m+n)} and parameterized by the image positions of three reference points. The coefficients defining this parameterized image variety (or PIV for short) can be estimated from a sample of images of a scene via linear and non-linear least squares. The PIV provides an integrated framework for using both point and line features to synthesize new images from a set of pre-recorded pictures (image-based rendering). The proposed technique does not perform any explicit three-dimensional scene reconstruction but it supports hidden-surface elimination, texture mapping and interactive image synthesis at frame rate on ordinary PCs. It has been implemented and extensively tested on real data sets.
African American Mayors: Impact on African American Economic Development

This paper examines the impact of contemporary African American mayors on the economic condition of African Americans. This study is an attempt to better understand the extent to which African American mayors have improved the performance of key economic indicators specific to African Americans. The primary indicators used to make this assessment are per capita income, labor force participation and poverty rates. Income is the critical variable in this evaluation. Income can be used to make inferences about the economic predicament of a city, as well as, distinct populations within a well defined geographic area. For example, most social programs have income requirements. As such, people with wages and salaries above the national poverty line will not qualify for rental assistance, food subsidies, free healthcare or a variety of other government sponsored programs. More importantly, inferences can certainly be made about the economic predicament of distinct populations based on the percentage of those persons from a particular group who qualify for government assistance. This paper also examines various social, economic and political factors which may impede the ability of African American mayors to successfully improve the economic predicament of African Americans.
Metabolic interference and the + - heterozygote. a hypothetical form of simple inheritance which is neither dominant nor recessive.

Abstract Another form of simple inheritance is possible which is neither dominant nor recessive and in which the heterozygote alone is affected. In this system, homozygosity for the normal allele AA, and the mutant allele A'A', give a normal phenotype. Only the heterozygous condition AA' (+ − heterozygote) produces an abnormal phenotype because the two alleles, when present together, interact to produce a harmful effect. This metabolic interference may occur because the two allelic genes code for different subunits of a multisubunit enzyme or structural protein. The two genes may interact in other ways and need not be allelic. The various matings result in pedigrees, which in some cases resemble those of dominant or recessive inheritance, and in other cases are unique. Certain unusual pedigrees in the literature are compatible with the predictions of metabolic interference and are difficult to explain by other means. Metabolic interference is most likely to be recognized as: (1) a disorder limited to females, apparently dominant or recessive, especially a disorder passed to affected females through unaffected males; (2) a disorder occurring in all members of a large sibship with normal parents; (3) a disorder occurring in all members of a large sibship with one parent similarly affected; (4) an apparently dominant disorder with females more severely affected than males; (5) an apparently X-linked dominant disorder in which males are not more severely affected; or (6) any autosomal dominant disorder. Examples of possible metabolic interference exist among disorders of animals, and the mechanism could be a factor in speciation. Tissue culture methods could be used to demonstrate metabolic interference.
Seeing Is Believing: Mathematics Visualization In Economics Education

Visualization through the use of physical objects is an important method that instructors can use to convey and solidify an understanding of economic principles in their novice students of economics. This paper outlines three simple examples which have been successful in the classroom, each taking a question that students frequently ask --- why we build models, what a model looks like, and what we learn from a model --- and answering them with images of airplanes, watermelons and windows.
Dissociation of Tolerance and Dependence for Opioid Peripheral Antinociception in Rats

Repeated peripheral administration of the μ-opioid agonist [d-Ala 2 , N -Me-Phe 4 ,gly 5 -ol] enkephalin (DAMGO) produces acute tolerance and dependence on its peripheral antinociceptive effect against prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 )-induced mechanical hyperalgesia. In this study we evaluated the roles of protein kinase C (PKC) and nitric oxide (NO) in the development of this tolerance and dependence. Repeated administration of PKC inhibitors chelerythrine and 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride with DAMGO did not alter the tolerance to DAMGO; however, dependence (defined as naloxone-induced withdrawal hyperalgesia) was blocked. Repeated administration of N -( n -heptyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide, a PKC activator, which alone did not produce tolerance, mimicked the dependence produced by DAMGO. Repeated administration of the NO synthase inhibitor N G -methyl-l-arginine with DAMGO blocked the development of tolerance to DAMGO but had no effect on the development of dependence. Repeated administration of l-arginine, a NO precursor, mimicked tolerance produced by repeated administration of DAMGO (i.e., the antinociceptive effect of DAMGO was lost); however, l-arginine did not mimic dependence. These findings suggest that the development of acute tolerance and dependence on the peripheral antinociceptive effects of DAMGO have different, dissociable mechanisms. Specifically, PKC is involved in development of μ-opioid dependence, whereas the NO signaling system is involved in the development of μ-opioid tolerance.
Anthropology and Photography, 1860‐1920.

Anthropology and Photography, 1860-1920. Edited by Elizabeth Edwards. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, in Association with the Royal Anthropological Institute, London, 1992. 275 pp., 160 illus., bibliography, index. $35.00 (cloth).
Incoherent dynamics of vibrating single-molecule transistors

We study the tunneling conductance of nanoscale quantum ``shuttles'' in connection with a recent experiment [H. Park et al., Nature $407,$ 57 (2000)] in which a vibrating ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecule was apparently functioning as the island of a single electron transistor (SET). While our calculation starts from the same model of previous work [D. Boese and H. Schoeller, Europhys. Lett. $54,$ 668 (2001)] we obtain quantitatively different dynamics. Calculated $I\ensuremath{-}V$ curves exhibit most features present in experimental data with a physically reasonable parameter set, and point to a strong dependence of the oscillator's potential on the electrostatics of the island region. We propose that in a regime where the electric field due to the bias voltage itself affects island position, a ``catastrophic'' negative differential conductance (NDC) may be realized. This effect is directly attributable to the magnitude of overlap of final and initial quantum oscillator states, and as such represents experimental control over quantum transitions of the oscillator via the macroscopically controllable bias voltage.
Human colon cancer stem cells: a new paradigm in gastrointestinal oncology.

For the past half century, oncologists have had systemic drugs available, agents that are able to induce tumor responses in patients with colorectal cancer. However, in cases of advanced colorectal cancer, these regimens are almost never curative. The recently introduced concept that cancer stem cells (SCs) drive tumor growth suggests a reason for these therapeutic failures— current chemotherapeutics target rapidly dividing cells but cancer SCs divide only slowly, and, they are relatively resistant to cytotoxic systemic therapies. It also suggests a solution—development of therapeutics that target cancer SCs. However, there is a paucity of information about the mechanisms by which SC populations are maintained and about the mechanisms by which tumor SCs are involved in colon cancer development. In this article, we discuss these mechanisms and recent developments in the identification and isolation of colon cancer SCs using new SC markers. We then discuss the role of SCs in homeostasis of normal colonic ep...
Evaluation of BA1112 rhabdomyosarcoma oxygenation with microelectrodes, optical spectrophotometry, radiosensitivity, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

We studied tumor tissue oxygenation in the BA1112 rhabdomyosarcoma using microelectrode pO2 measurements, optical spectrophotometry, analyses of cell survival after irradiation, and 31 P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Studies were carried out in WAG/Rij/Y rats breathing normoxic, hypoxic, and hyperoxic gas mixtures with and without iv administration of perfluorochemical. Significant changes in tissue oxygenation and metabolic status were found when pO2 values, optical measurements of hemoglobin saturation and cytochrome a, a3 reduction-oxidation, radiation cell survival determinations, and MRS measurements of phosphometabolite ratios were obtained in rats breathing different gas mixtures. Inhalation of 100% O2 caused increases in tumor pO2, hemoglobin saturation, cytochrome a, a3 oxidation, tumor radiosensitivity, and PCr/Pi, NTP/Pi, and PDE/Pi ratios. Such changes were augmented by pretreatment with iv perfluorochemicals. Inhalation of hypoxic gas mixtures resulted in reductions in the above paramenters. These results indicate that tissue oxygenation can be manipulated reproducibly in the BA1112 rhabdomyosarcoma and suggest that 31 P MRS can be used to monitor changes in tumor oxygenation in this model system.
The deformational instability of an Al-4% Cu alloy

Abstract A dynamic structural instability due to strain affects the deformation texture and work hardening characteristics of an Al-4% Cu alloy. It is hypothesized that this structural instability is composed of at least two parts: (1) that due to a redistribution of solute, (2) that due to a change in distribution of line defects.
Lats2, a putative tumor suppressor, inhibits G1/S transition.

Lats2 is a new member of the Lats tumor suppressor family. The human LATS2 gene is located at chromosome 13q11–12, which has been shown to be a hot spot (67%) for LOH in nonsmall cell lung cancer. In order to understand the function of LATS2 in the control of tumor development, we ectopically expressed mouse Lats2 via retroviral infection in NIH3T3/v-ras cells to examine whether Lats2 plays a role in suppressing tumor development and regulating cell proliferation. We have found that ectopic expression of Lats2 in NIH3T3/v-ras cells suppresses development of tumors in athymic nude mice and inhibits proliferation of NIH3T3/v-ras cells in an in vitro assay. Cell cycle profile analysis demonstrated that ectopic expression of Lats2 inhibited the G1/S transition. Further mechanistic studies revealed that cyclin E/CDK2 kinase activity was downregulated in Lats2-transduced NIH3T3/v-ras cells, while other cell cycle regulators controlling the G1/S transition were not affected. We have also shown that LATS2 kinase activity and two LATS conserved domains (LCDs) are required for Lats2 to suppress tumorigenicity and to inhibit cell growth. In addition, the LATS2 protein is cytoplasmic during interphase in NIH3T3 cells, while it becomes localized to the mitotic apparatus during mitosis. Finally, we propose a model in which a combination of mammalian Lats2 and Lats1 control cell proliferation by negatively regulating different cell cycle check points.
Intra-islet regulation.

Abstract Intra-islet regulation of islet cells by one another is theoretically possible by two routes: (1) paracrine (i.e., interstitial, which is unproved); and (2) direct cellular perfusion through the islet microvasculature. The latter was tested in in vitro rat pancreases by anterograde and retrograde perfusion with or without anti-insulin or antisomatostatin antibody. Anterograde infusion of insulin antibody increased glucagon and somatostatin secretion (p
Experimental and Systems Studies of the Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Converter for Aerospace Power

The alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) is a thermally regenerative electrochemical device for the direct conversion of heat to electrical energy. It is characterized by high potential efficiencies and no moving parts, which makes it a candidate for space power applications. This paper presents a review of AMTEC operating principles and characteristics showing that device conversion efficiencies of 15-40% may be achievable. Experimental voltage vs current curves are presented where power densities of 0.7 W/cm are observed. Measured electrode efficiencies of up to 40% that confirm the high potential efficiencies of the AMTEC are presented. Also shown are the results of preliminary radiation heat-transfer measurements, data that can be utilized to study methods for reducing parasitic radiation losses in the AMTEC. Finally, the results of a preliminary design study are presented showing that by incorporating the AMTEC into existing space power system designs, conversion efficiencies of 15-20% may be achieved at specific powers of 14-17 We/kg in a small power system (800 W). Similar performance is also predicted for a much larger («360 kW) nuclear electric system.
Hetero Helix: Synchronous and asynchronous control systems in heterogeneous distributed networks☆

Abstract Hetero Helix is a programming environment which simulates shared memory on a heterogeneous network of computers. The machines in the network can vary with respect to their native operating systems and internal representation of numbers. Hetero Helix was designed to present in simple programming model to developers, and also considers the needs of designers, system integrators, and maintainers. The key software technology underlying Hetero Helix is the use of a ‘compiler’ which analyzes the date structures in shared memory and automatically generates code which translated data representations from the format native to each machine into a format understood by all machines, and vice versa. This automatic code generation insures correctness and eases the burden on code developers, who would otherwise have to do the same job by hand. Hetero Helix has been used successfully in connection with an integration effort involving 27 CPUs in a heterogeneous network and a body of software totalling roughly 100,000 lines of code.
The superconformal index of the E 6 SCFT

We derive an integral representation for the superconformal index of the strongly-coupled $ \mathcal{N} = 2 $ superconformal field theory with E 6 flavor symmetry. The explicit expression of the index allows highly non-trivial checks of Argyres-Seiberg duality and of a class of S-dualities conjectured by Gaiotto.
Population structure of pierid butterflies IV. Genetic and physiological investment in offspring by male Colias

Population structure encompasses all the rules by which a population's gametes come together, including genetic and physiological investment in offspring. We document female use of nutrients donated by males at mating, and complete sperm precedence, in Colias eurytheme Boisduval. The effect of these phenomena on the population structure of this species is discussed.
Numerical Simulation of Saltwater Intrusion in Response to Sea-Level Rise

A two-dimensional numerical model of variable-density groundwater flow and dispersive solute transport was used to predict the extent, rate, and lag time of saltwater intrusion in response to various sea-level rise scenarios. Three simulations were performed with varying rates of sea-level rise. For the first simulation, sea-level rise was specified at a rate of 0.9 mm/yr, which is the slowest rate of sea-level rise estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). After 100 years, the 250 mg/L chloride isochlor moved inland by about 40 m, and required an additional 8 years for the system to reach equilibrium. For the next simulation, sealevel rise was specified at 4.8 mm/yr, which is the central value of the IPCC estimate. For this moderate rate of sea-level rise, the 250 mg/L isochlor moved inland by about 740 m after 100 years, and required an additional 10 years for the system to reach equilibrium. For the fastest rate of sea-level rise estimated by IPCC (8.8 mm/yr), the 250 mg/L isochlor moved inland by about 1800 m after 100 years, and required more than 50 years to reach equilibrium.
Demography of pastoralists: preliminary data on the Datoga of Tanzania.

Preliminary demographic data are presented on the Datoga, a semi-nomadic pastoral population of northern Tanzania. In comparison with other pastoral populations Datoga fertility is high. There is a marked seasonal distribution of births that is only partly associated with rainfall patterns. Survivorship chances up to the age of 15 are poor, and are independently affected by both length of the preceding interbirth interval and survivorship of the previous child. The results are discussed in the context of ecological and social factors that affect fertility and offspring mortality rates in pastoral populations.
Development of new methods to assess invertebrate immunology and immunotoxicology in aquaculture: oysters and lobsters as examples

In order to support healthy aquaculture, we developed assays to assess immune functions and their susceptibility to environmental conditions or toxicants. Flow cytometry allowed the rapid and quantitative analysis of oyster and lobster cell subpopulations and their functions (phagocytosis, peroxide production, natural killer cell-like activity and apoptosis). We demonstrated experimentally that water salinity, water temperature and infection with P. marinus modulated oyster defence mechanisms, and lobsters relative sensitivity to the effects of pesticides. This information will improve the understanding of resistance to pathogens as well as the potential effects of environmental changes to affect disease resistance.
An upper limit on ultraviolet shot noise from Cygnus X-1

Rapid photometry of Cygnus X-1 through an ultraviolet filter centered on 0.35 micron has been obtained at 100-ms sampling intervals. The autocorrelation function of these data has been examined for shot noise analogous to the behavior of the X-ray light curve. The ultraviolet data are entirely consistent with white noise. Considering randomly occurring ultraviolet shots with the same duration (0.5 s) and average rate (1 per sec) as the X-ray shots, a 3-sigma upper limit on the ratio of optical to X-ray energies per shot is estimated to be 0.13, before the ultraviolet light is attenuated by interstellar dust. This limit is then generalized for shots of arbitrary duration and rate.
The inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by benz(a)anthracene and its derivatives after exposure to laboratory lighting

Abstract Colloidal dispersions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were found to inhibit glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) after a short exposure of the incubation medium to laboratory lighting. The activation effect was observed with substituted 7-methyl derivatives of 12-methylbenz(a)anthracene also. One minute exposure of 7-methoxy methyl-12-methylbenz (a)anthracene (MeO-DMBA) to light was sufficient to produce a measurable amount of GPDH inhibition. The rate of enzyme inhibition was related to the pH of the dispersion. A small but significant effect of light on the inhibition of the enzymes by K-region epoxides was seen. Protein binding of the epoxides was not well correlated with the inhibition. The light effect was oxygen-dependent and was related to the hydrocarbon concentration. The active form decayed over a period of more than 25 days. The necessity for protecting reactions involving hydrocarbons and their derivatives from light is emphasized.
Anaerobic biodegradation of ethylene dibromide and 1,2-dichloroethane in the presence of fuel hydrocarbons.

Field evidence from underground storage tank sites where leaded gasoline leaked indicates the lead scavengers 1,2-dibromoethane (ethylene dibromide, or EDB) and 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) may be present in groundwater at levels that pose unacceptable risk. These compounds are seldom tested for at UST sites. Although dehalogenation of EDB and 1,2-DCA is well established, the effect of fuel hydrocarbons on their biodegradability under anaerobic conditions is poorly understood. Microcosms (2 L glass bottles) were prepared with soil and groundwater from a UST site in Clemson, South Carolina, using samples collected from the source (containing residual fuel) and less contaminated downgradient areas. Anaerobic biodegradation of EDB occurred in microcosms simulating natural attenuation, but was more extensive and predictable in treatments biostimulated with lactate. In the downgradient biostimulated microcosms, EDB decreased below its maximum contaminant level (MCL) (0.05 µg/L) at a first order rate of 9.4 ± 0...
Ungulate populations in Chitawan Valley, Nepal

Abstract The population composition and density of wild and domestic ungulates in selected areas of Chitawan Valley, Nepal, are estimated and compared with other regions. Species considered include Axis axis, Axis porcinus, Cervus unicolor, Muntiacus muntjak, Sus scrofa, Rhinoceros unicornis, and domestic cattle, water buffalo, sheep, and goats. Rhinoceros constituted the bulk of the wild ungulate biomass in the riverine forest and grassland within the Royal Chitawan National Park. Species differed in their occurrence in various vegetation types and these differences afforded a degree of ecological separation. Counts indicated that juvenile mortality for most wild ungulates was high and seemed related to both nutritional and predatory factors. Suggestions for increasing the precision of counts of wild ungulates in monsoonal forest areas are included and conservation implications are discussed.
Three-dimensional structure of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 matrix protein.

The HIV-1 matrix protein forms an icosahedral shell associated with the inner membrane of the mature virus. Genetic analyses have indicated that the protein performs important functions throughout the viral life-cycle, including anchoring the transmembrane envelope protein on the surface of the virus, assisting in viral penetration, transporting the proviral integration complex across the nuclear envelope, and localizing the assembling virion to the cell membrane. We now report the three-dimensional structure of recombinant HIV-1 matrix protein, determined at high resolution by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. The HIV-1 matrix protein is the first retroviral matrix protein to be characterized structurally and only the fourth HIV-1 protein of known structure. NMR signal assignments required recently developed triple-resonance (1H, 13C, 15N) NMR methodologies because signals for 91% of 132 assigned H alpha protons and 74% of the 129 assignable backbone amide protons resonate within chemical shift ranges of 0.8 p.p.m. and 1 p.p.m., respectively. A total of 636 nuclear Overhauser effect-derived distance restraints were employed for distance geometry-based structure calculations, affording an average of 13.0 NMR-derived distance restraints per residue for the experimentally constrained amino acids. An ensemble of 25 refined distance geometry structures with penalties (sum of the squares of the distance violations) of 0.32 A2 or less and individual distance violations under 0.06 A was generated; best-fit superposition of ordered backbone heavy atoms relative to mean atom positions afforded root-mean-square deviations of 0.50 (+/- 0.08) A. The folded HIV-1 matrix protein structure is composed of five alpha-helices, a short 3(10) helical stretch, and a three-strand mixed beta-sheet. Helices I to III and the 3(10) helix pack about a central helix (IV) to form a compact globular domain that is capped by the beta-sheet. The C-terminal helix (helix V) projects away from the beta-sheet to expose carboxyl-terminal residues essential for early steps in the HIV-1 infectious cycle. Basic residues implicated in membrane binding and nuclear localization functions cluster about an extruded cationic loop that connects beta-strands 1 and 2. The structure suggests that both membrane binding and nuclear localization may be mediated by complex tertiary structures rather than simple linear determinants.
Parameterization and prediction of temporal fuel cell voltage behavior during flooding and drying conditions

Abstract This paper describes a simple isothermal two-phase flow dynamic model that predicts the experimentally observed temporal behavior of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack. This model is intended for use in embedded real time control where computational simplicity is of critical importance. A reproducible methodology is presented to experimentally identify six (6) tunable physical parameters based on the estimation of the cell voltage, the water vapor transport through the membrane and the accumulation of liquid water in the gas channels. The model equations allow temporal calculation of the species concentrations across the gas diffusion layers, the vapor transport across the membrane, and the degree of flooding within the cell structure. The notion of apparent current density then relates this flooding phenomena to cell performance through a reduction in the cell active area as liquid water accumulates. Despite the oversimplification of many complex phenomena, this model provides a useful tool for predicting the resulting decay in cell voltage over time only after it has been tuned with experimental data. The calibrated model and tuning procedure is demonstrated with a 1.4 kW (24 cell, 300 cm 2 ) stack, using pressure regulated pure hydrogen supplied to a dead-ended anode, under a range of operating conditions typical for multi-cell stacks.
Induction of the glyoxylate cycle in Tetrahymena

Abstract The activities of glyoxylate cycle enzymes and the incorporation of acetate-C 14 into metabolic intermediates during the induction of stationary phase in growing cultures of Tetrahymena pyriformis GL were determined. The specific activities of the glyoxylate cycle enzymes, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase, doubled in the stationary cells; at the same time, the activities of acetyl-coenzyme A synthase and malate dehydrogenase did not change significantly. The ratio of radioactivity in malate and aspartate to that in citrate and glutamate changed from 0.45 in log-phase suspensions to 1.5 in suspensions of induced stationary phase cells. The increased cellular capacity for glyconeogenesis from acetate could be accounted for by the increased metabolic role of the glyoxylate cycle.
Evaluation of site impacts associated with three silvicultural prescriptions in an upland hardwood stand in northern Alabama, USA

Soil disturbance patterns and associated changes in soil physical status were measured in a study that evaluated the implementation of three alternative management prescriptions in an upland hardwood stand in northern Alabama, USA. Management prescriptions applied in this study consisted of a clear-cut, strip cut, and deferment cut that were compared to a non-harvested control. Final tabulations of disturbance types indicated disturbance to be similar in clear-cut and deferment cut treatments with less disturbance in strip cut sites. Soil physical response varied by soil property but, in general, as disturbance intensity increased, soil physical properties responded accordingly. Bulk densities were elevated to the highest degree in the clear-cut sites while soil strength as indicated by cone index measurements attained its highest levels in the deferment cut. These differences were thought to be due to differences in trafficking patterns related to the implementation of each management prescription.
Experimental and computational modeling of biphenyl twisting in a solid-to-solid carbene reaction

Abstract Computational modeling of a carbene 1,2-H shift in the solid-to-solid reaction of 1-(4-biphenyl)-2-phenyldiazopropane to (Z)-1-(4-biphenyl)-2-phenylpropene predicts that the planar biphenyl substituent of molecules witnessing the reaction will twist to relieve some of the steric strain accumulated in the crystal lattice. Changes in Raman spectra followed as a function of reaction progress confirmed that prediction and suggest a solid state reaction that proceeds through continuous solid solution.