cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Amelioration of rat cardiac cold ischemia/reperfusion injury with inhaled hydrogen or carbon monoxide, or both.

Background Recent advances in novel medical gases, including hydrogen and carbon monoxide (CO), have demonstrated significant opportunities for therapeutic use. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of inhaled hydrogen or CO, or both, on cold ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the myocardium. Methods Syngeneic heterotopic heart transplantation was performed in rats after 6 or 18 hours of cold ischemia in Celsior solution. Survival, morphology, apoptosis and marker gene expression were assessed in the grafts after in vivo inhalation of hydrogen (1% to 3%), CO (50 to 250 ppm), both or neither. Both donors and recipients were treated for 1 hour before and 1 hour after reperfusion. Results After 6-hour cold ischemia, inhalation of hydrogen (>2%) or CO (250 ppm) alone attenuated myocardial injury. Prolonged cold ischemia for 18 hours resulted in severe myocardial injury, and treatment with hydrogen or CO alone failed to demonstrate significant protection. Dual treatment with hydrogen and CO significantly attenuated I/R graft injury, reducing the infarcted area and decreasing in serum troponin I and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Hydrogen treatment alone significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels and serum high-mobility group box 1 protein levels as compared with air-treated controls. In contrast, CO only marginally prevented lipid peroxidation, but it suppressed I/R-induced mRNA upregulation for several pro-inflammatory mediators and reduced graft apoptosis. Conclusions Combined therapy with hydrogen and CO demonstrated enhanced therapeutic efficacy via both anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and may be a clinically feasible approach for preventing cold I/R injury of the myocardium.
Colorimetric analysis of benzene for use in environmental screening

Abstract We have developed a simple semi-quantitative colorimetric method for analysis of benzene that would be suitable for field applications. The method relies on conversion of benzene to phenol and catechol using Fenton's reagent under controlled conditions. The phenolic reaction products are then determined colorimetrically using the well known phenol 4-aminoantipyrine adducts. The detection limit for benzene in water or an aqueous soil extract, using this method, is 0.1 ppm.
Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Epidural Pneumatosis in an Adolescent Precipitated by Weight Lifting: A Case Report and Review

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon condition in athletes. The most common cause of spontaneous pneumomediastinum is alveolar rupture into the bronchovascular sheath as a result of increased intrathoracic pressure. Epidural pneumatosis (pneumorrhachis) has been rarely associated with spontaneous pneumomediastinum. In this article, we describe a case of a 17-year-old male who presented with neck and chest pain that started 14 hours after a weight lifting session. He developed both a pneumomediastinum and epidural pneumatosis--an association that is rarely reported in a setting without trauma. To our knowledge, there have been only 5 case reports of pneumomediastinum precipitated by weight lifting. Improper breathing technique during weight lifting can increase the intrathoracic pressure and the risk of pneumomediastinum; hence, it is important that physicians and trainers who work with athletes provide instructions regarding proper breathing techniques during weight lifting. In addition to the case discussion, this article reviews spontaneous pneumomediastinum and epidural pneumatosis.
X-Ray Diffuse Scattering and Martensitic Transformation in β(Au–Cd)+Cu Alloys

X-ray diffuse scattering measurements have been carried out on β-phase Au-47.5 at%Cd-0.75 at%Cu and Au-49.0 at%Cd-0.75 at%Cu alloys. Five notable features were found in the distribution of diffuse scattering: (i) diffuse sheets extending uniformly parallel to the (111) planes, (ii) diffuse streaks running through the fundamental reflection points in the [1\bar10] directions, (iii) diffuse peaks near q =(1/3)[110] along the [1\bar10] direction, (iv) diffuse peaks near q =(1/3)[112] along the [11\bar2] direction and (v) diffuse peaks near q =(3/4)[110] along the [110] direction. The intensity of these five kinds of anomalous diffuse scattering shows characteristic temperature dependence. The diffuse scattering is discussed in relation to the mechanism of martensitic transformation.
Constituents ofCrotalaria spectabilis roth

Steroidal saponins, possible precursors for cortisone synthesis, have been found to be absent in Crotalaria spectabilis Roth. Qualitative results were obtained for flavonols, alkaloids, tannins, unsaturated sterols, and organic acids. A characteristic infrared spectrum has been established for the toxic alkaloid, monocrotaline. The results of a routine drug analysis have been reported.
Use of Electronic Health Record Systems by Office-Based Pediatricians

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 accelerated the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) in pediatric offices. We sought to determine the prevalence and functionalities of EHRs, as well as pediatricians’ perceptions of EHRs. METHODS: An 8-page self-administered questionnaire was sent randomly to 1621 nonretired US members of the American Academy of Pediatrics from July to December 2012. Responses were compared with a similar survey in 2009. RESULTS: The percent of pediatricians, who are using EHRs, increased significantly from 58% in the 2009 survey to 79% in 2012. Only 31% used an EHR considered to have basic functionality, and only 14% used a fully functional EHR. Providers with equal or greater than 20% public insurance patients (threshold for meaningful use eligibility) were more likely to have an EHR. Solo/2-physician practices were least likely to have adopted an EHR. Younger physicians were more likely to consider an EHR important to quality care and perceived the presence of an EHR as more important in recruiting. CONCLUSIONS: The number of office-based pediatricians who are using an EHR has steadily risen to almost 80%. EHR cost and reduction in productivity remain serious concerns. Despite the widespread adoption of EHRs by pediatricians, only few use a basic or fully functional EHR and even fewer have added pediatric functionality. There is a role for the EHR certification process to advance functionalities used by pediatricians and to increase efficiency, data exchange capability, and general EHR functionality.
PROTOTYPE TIRE-SHRED EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION

The New York State Department of Transportation constructed a pilot project using tire shreds as embankment fill. The prototype section, measuring 200 m in length, used approximately 2500 metric tons of tire shreds as the core of the embankment section. The tire-shred zone had a maximum thickness of 3 m, and the tire shreds were covered with 1.5 and 1.0 m of embankment fill on the top and sides, respectively. The entire section was then surcharged with an additional 1.25 to 2.50 m of fill. After 4 months, the surcharge was removed to subgrade elevation, the granular base was placed, and the section was paved. The project was designed in accordance with the guidelines to limit internal heating of tire-shred fills distributed by the Federal Highway Administration. The tire shreds were produced by a hook and shear shredder, placed in the fill with a front-end loader, and compacted with a smooth-drum roller. Instrumentation of the prototype section was monitored both during and after construction. In all, 10 ...
Localization of newly synthesized vimentin subunits reveals a novel mechanism of intermediate filament assembly

We have assessed the mechanism of intermediate filament assembly by assaying the sites of incorporation of chicken vimentin subunits expressed under the control of an inducible promoter in transfected mouse fibroblasts. The localization of newly synthesized vimentin was determined by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy at short time periods of induced synthesis, using antibodies specific for chicken vimentin. Under conditions where neither the soluble subunit pools nor the steady-state distribution of endogenous filaments are affected, newly synthesized vimentin incorporates into the vimentin filament network at numerous and discrete sites throughout the cell. Over time, the pattern of newly assembled vimentin converts to a continuous array coincident with preexisting vimentin filaments. These results are consistent with a novel mechanism of intermediate filament assembly, whereby growth of intermediate filaments occurs by topographically restricted and localized subunit addition, necessitating a transient disruption of filament integrity.
Controls on Hydrocarbon Distribution in the Subandean Foldbelt, Colombia to Argentina

Inherited structures are responsible for the segmentation of hydrocarbon resources in the Cenozoic retroarc belt of South America. We use an 8000km-long strike cross-section from northern Colombia to central Argentina to illustrate how these inherited elements influence structural styles and resource distribution. Three events are responsible for segmentation of retroarc sub-basins. Late Ordovician terrane accretion in Argentina and Chile created a crustal welt oriented obliquely to the modern-day Andes. This long-lived Transpampean arch lacks thick Paleozoic sediments and Bolivian-style hydrocarbon occurrences, which are the most significant accumulations in the central Subandes. Important source rocks in the Chaco, Bene, Madre de Dios and Ucayali basins were deposited in middle and late Paleozoic time to the northeast of this arch. The arch shortens by thick-skinned contraction of rift basins and basement. A widespread mid-Carboniferous event rejuvenated pre-existing regional highs and created new contractional uplifts, most conspicuously in Peru. Lastly, protracted Mesozoic rifting is responsible for the second volumetrically important quantity of discovered hydrocarbons in the Subandean belt. In Argentina, the Neuquen (Jurassic), Cuyo (Triassic) and Salta (Cretaceous) rifts trend at moderate to high angles to the Andes. The Neuquen, following a long history of conventional production, is now being evaluated for unconventional resource potential from upper Jurassic and lower Cretaceous shales. The Cuyo basin produces from several reservoirs in inverted fault blocks. Several small fields are also present within and flanking the Salta rift. In central Peru, the Jurassic Pucara Formation has elevated TOCs due to deposition in restricted half-graben basins, but may have matured prior to formation of Subandean traps in the Late Cenozoic. In Colombia, Early Cretaceous normal faulting lead to thickening of section from the Llanos basin westward into the Eastern Cordillera. Fault blocks became covered by well-known, world class Cenomanian-Santonian sources, and later inverted, creating and filling several large closures in the Llanos foothills. In comparing the Subandes to foldbelts elsewhere, it is the rule rather than the exception that petroleum systems robustness varies on a scale of a few hundred kilometers in the strike direction, as most continents possess heterogeneous basement, superposed deformations, and sub-basin stratigraphy that vary over roughly that dimension.
Purification and characterization of 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase from Azotobacter vinelandii: evidence that the enzyme is bifunctional towards 2-keto-4-hydroxy glutarate cleavage.

2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase (E.C. 4.1.2.14) has been purified in two chromatographic steps to 99% purity in 73% overall yield from Azotobacter vinelandii. The pure enzyme is a 70 kD trimeric Class I aldolase, inhibitable by bromopyruvate or pyruvate plus sodium borohydride, with a specific activity of 625 mumol per min per mg protein and a Km of 38 microM for 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate. The enzyme also has 2-keto-4-hydroxy glutarate aldolase (E.C. 4.1.3.16) activity, with a specific activity of 4.8 mumol per min per mg protein and a Km of 39 microM. 2-keto-4-hydroxy glutarate inhibits the 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase activity of the enzyme with an apparent Ki of 0.17 mM. Slow steps following formation of the Schiff base intermediate between KHG and the enzyme are responsible for both the slower turnover of this substrate and for its inhibitory effect.
Optical implementation of code division multiplexing for super resolution. Part I. Spectroscopic method

This paper presents a technique to expand the resolving ability of an imaging system. Orthonormal coding of the input information does the expanding. The paper discusses the spectral coding approach that is applied to each one of the pixels in the input pattern. The paper presents computer simulations as well as experimental results that validate the theory.
FATIGUE OF THE INSPIRATORY MUSCLES OF THE RIB CAGE IN HUMANS

Studies on respiratory muscle fatigue have focused on the diaphragm (DIA). We have found, however, that maximal static inspiratory pleural pressure (Pi max) is limited by the strength of the inspiratory muscles of the rib cage (RC). Failure to maintain Pi max during inspiratory endurance tasks might therefore result from fatigue of the RC muscles rather than DIA. To test this hypothesis, 5 trained subjects repeated maximal inspiratory efforts (duty cycle, 0.5) until Pi max could not be maintained. Subjects performed such efforts with a minimum of abdominal muscle recruitment. Before and after inspiratory efforts, DIA muscle strength was evaluated by measuring the transdiaphragmatic pressure generated during maximal expulsive efforts with an open glottis (Pdi max). (During expulsive efforts the DIA is maximally activated; thus, the Pdi obtained is a true index of DIA strength). Results (x±SD, *p<.01, paired t): We conclude that (1) Pi max is not limited by DIA strength, and (2) because DIA strength was unchanged, failure to maintain Pi max in these subjects appeared to be due to fatigue of the inspiratory muscles of the RC. RC muscle fatigue may be important in the pathogenesis of respiratory muscle failure. Supported by HL 07633.
ReSCALE: recalibrating sensor circuits for aging and lifetime estimation under BTI

Bias temperature instability (BTI) induced delay shifts in a circuit depend strongly on its operating environment. While sensors can capture some operating parameters, they are ineffective in measuring vital performance shifts due to changes in the workloads and signal probabilities. This paper determines the delay of an aged circuit by amalgamating more frequent measurements on ring-oscillator sensors with infrequent online delay measurements on a monitored circuit to recalibrate the sensors. Our approach reduces the pessimism in predicting circuit delays, thus permitting lower delay guardbanding overheads compared to conventional methods.
Azulene: polarized absorption in stretched polymers and magnetic circular dichroism

Abstract Linear dichroic and magnetic circular dichroic spectroscopy is used to characterize the excited states of azulene. Comparison with crystal spectra underlines the necessity of using two-parameter equations for evaluations of stretched sheet spectra despite some previous claims to the contrary. The MCD spectrum reveals strong vibronic interactions in the second transition. The results are interpreted on the basis of Pariser—Parr—Pople (PPP) type calculations including some with extensive configuration interaction (CI). Calculated signs of the first three B terms spectrum agree with experimental signs irrespective of the details of the PPP model, and even the numerical values are in an order-of-magnitude agreement. Only the calculation with extensive CI gives agreement for signs of higher B terms. It suggest the possible presence of two excited states, but the present experimental evidence for these is insufficient. One of these new states would be best described as a predominantly doubly excited state. The origin of the B terms is traced to contributions due to magnetic mixing of individual zero-order excited states and the results permit determination of the absolute sense of magnetic dipole transition moments between excited states with respect to the sense of the vector product of the electronic dipole transition moments from the ground state to these excited states. A comparison is performed with B terms calculated using finite perturbation technique and gauge-invariant orbitals.
Genetic control of rhizomes and genomic localization of a major-effect growth habit QTL in perennial wildrye

Rhizomes are prostrate subterranean stems that provide primitive mechanisms of vegetative dispersal, survival, and regrowth of perennial grasses and other monocots. The extent of rhizome proliferation varies greatly among grasses, being absent in cereals and other annuals, strictly confined in caespitose perennials, or highly invasive in some perennial weeds. However, genetic studies of rhizome proliferation are limited and genes controlling rhizomatous growth habit have not been elucidated. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling rhizome spreading were compared in reciprocal backcross populations derived from hybrids of rhizomatous creeping wildrye (Leymus triticoides) and caespitose basin wildrye (L. cinereus), which are perennial relatives of wheat. Two recessive QTLs were unique to the creeping wildrye backcross, one dominant QTL was unique to the basin wildrye backcross, and one additive QTL was detectable in reciprocal backcrosses with high log odds (LOD = 31.6) in the basin wildrye background. The dominant QTL located on linkage group (LG)-2a was aligned to a dominant rhizome orthogene (Rhz3) of perennial rice (Oryza longistamina) and perennial sorghum (Sorghum propinquum). Nonparametric 99 % confidence bounds of the 31.6-LOD QTL were localized to a distal 3.8-centiMorgan region of LG-6a, which corresponds to a 0.7-Mb region of Brachypodium Chromosome 3 containing 106 genes. An Aux/IAA auxin signal factor gene was located at the 31.6-LOD peak, which could explain the gravitropic and aphototropic behavior of rhizomes. Findings elucidate genetic mechanisms controlling rhizome development and architectural growth habit differences among plant species. Results have possible applications to improve perennial forage and turf grasses, extend the vegetative life cycle of annual cereals, such as wheat, or control the invasiveness of highly rhizomatous weeds such as quackgrass (Elymus repens).
Pharmacological disposition of 1,4-dihydroxy-5-8-bis[[2[(2-hydroxyethal)amino] ethyl]amino]-9,10-anthracenedione dihydrochloride in the dog

DHAQ, a new antitumor agent, has been selected for clinical trial on the basis of its activity against a number of transplantable rodent tumors. In anticipation of the clinical trial of this agent, the pharmacology of DHAQ was studied in beagles by high-pressure liquid chromatographic and radiochemical techniques that are specific for the unchanged drug. 14C-DHAQ was administred IV to beagles at a dose of 5 mg/kg, 100–125 μCi total. With a maximal plasma concentration of 75 = 2.7 ng/ml, DHAQ was eliminated from the plasma with a half-life of 28.1 h during the terminal phase. The total clearance of DHAQ was 10.1±0.4 mg/kg/min, while the apparent volume of distribution was 26.6±4.9 l/kg. In 48 h 2.4%±0.6% of the dose was excreted in the urine and 3.0%±0.1% in the bile as the unchanged drug. At autopsy performed 5 h after dosing, the highest percentage of the administered DHAQ was in the liver (49.7%±2.7%), followed by the small intestine (7.1%±0.7%), kidneys (2.7%±0.1%), lung (1.9%±0.3%), spleen (1.6%±0.3%), and stomach (1.3%±0.1%). The heart, large intestine, pancreas, gallbladder, urinary bladder, and brain each retained less than 1% of the dose. However, 24 h after dosing 10.6% of the drug was detected in the liver and 2.9% in the small intestine. In terms of the percentage of the dose, the distribution of DHAQ in the other organs either remained unchanged or increased slightly. In concentrations varying from 10 ng/ml to 10 μg/ml the drug was 70%–80% bound to plasma protein. DHAQ was metabolized to two unidentified metabolites. Thus, this drug appeared to be cleared from the plasma of beagle dogs chiefly by tissue binding, leading to possible persistence of the drug in certain body compartments.
Three-dimensional architecture of extended synaptotagmin-mediated endoplasmic reticulum–plasma membrane contact sites

The close apposition between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the plasma membrane (PM) plays important roles in Ca2+ homeostasis, signaling, and lipid metabolism. The extended synaptotagmins (E-Syts; tricalbins in yeast) are ER-anchored proteins that mediate the tethering of the ER to the PM and are thought to mediate lipid transfer between the two membranes. E-Syt cytoplasmic domains comprise a synaptotagmin-like mitochondrial-lipid–binding protein (SMP) domain followed by five C2 domains in E-Syt1 and three C2 domains in E-Syt2/3. Here, we used cryo-electron tomography to study the 3D architecture of E-Syt–mediated ER–PM contacts at molecular resolution. In vitrified frozen-hydrated mammalian cells overexpressing individual E-Syts, in which E-Syt–dependent contacts were by far the predominant contacts, ER–PM distance (19–22 nm) correlated with the amino acid length of the cytosolic region of E-Syts (i.e., the number of C2 domains). Elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ shortened the ER–PM distance at E-Syt1–dependent contacts sites. E-Syt–mediated contacts displayed a characteristic electron-dense layer between the ER and the PM. These features were strikingly different from those observed in cells exposed to conditions that induce contacts mediated by the stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and the Ca2+ channel Orai1 as well as store operated Ca2+ entry. In these cells the gap between the ER and the PM was spanned by filamentous structures perpendicular to the membranes. Our results define specific ultrastructural features of E-Syt–dependent ER–PM contacts and reveal their structural plasticity, which may impact on the cross-talk between the ER and the PM and the functions of E-Syts in lipid transport between the two bilayers.
Metabolomic profiling for biomarker discovery in pancreatic cancer

Abstract Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with 4% survival, 5 years after diagnosis. Patients with pancreatic cancer are usually diagnosed at late stages, when the disease is incurable. Sensitive and more specific markers are critical for supporting new prevention, diagnostic or therapeutic strategies. Here, we report mass spectrometry-based metabolomic profiling of human pancreas matched tumor and normal tissue. Multivariate data analysis using two independent methods shows significant alterations in the profiles of the tumor metabolome as compared to the normal tissue. These findings offer an information-rich matrix for discovering novel candidate biomarkers with diagnostic or prognostic potential.
Nonneoplastic renal cortical scarring at tumor nephrectomy predicts decline in kidney function.

Context.—Evaluating nontumor portions of tumor nephrectomies is useful to diagnose nonneoplastic renal disease. Objective.—To determine the medical renal disease frequency and to assess the prognostic significance of the various renal pathologic variables with long-term follow-up in tumor nephrectomy patients. Design.—We reviewed nonneoplastic kidney sections of 456 consecutive cases from 1998 to 2008. Seventy-five cases were excluded (19 tumor compression, 25 no nonneoplastic tissue, 22 embolized kidneys, 9 end stage). Special staining, immunofluorescence, and/or electron microscopy was performed where appropriate. Vascular sclerosis was scored from mild to severe; interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy and global glomerulosclerosis (GS) were expressed as percentages. Follow-up, minimum 12 months, was evaluated in 156 cases. All renal pathologic variables were compared with regard to change in creatinine level from preoperative assessment to follow-up. Results.—Of 381 cases, 57 had additional medical rena...
Amorphous selenium flat panel detectors for digital mammography: Validation of a NPWE model observer with CDMAM observer performance experiments

Model observers have been developed which incorporate a specific imaging task, system performance, and human observer characteristics and can potentially overcome some of the limitations in using detective quantum efficiency for optimization and comparison of detectors. In this paper, a modified nonprewhitening matched filter (NPWE) model observer was developed and validated to predict object detectability for an amorphous selenium (a-Se) direct flat-panel imager (FPI) where aliasing is severe. A preclinical a-Se digital mammography FPI with 85 microm pixel size was used in this investigation. Its physical imaging properties including modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum, and DQE were fully characterized. An observer performance study was conducted by imaging the CDMAM 3.4 contrast-detail phantom designed specifically for digital mammography and presenting these images to a panel of seven observers. X-ray attenuation and scatter due to the phantom were determined experimentally for use in development of the model observer. The observer study results were analyzed via threshold averaging and signal detection theory (SDT) based techniques to produce contrast-detail curves where threshold contrast is plotted as a function of disk diameter. Validity of the model was established using SDT analysis of the experimental data. The effect of aliasing on the detectability of small diameter disks was determined using the NPWE model observer. The signal spectrum was calculated using the presampling MTF of the detector with and without including the aliased terms. Our results indicate that the NPWE model based on Fourier domain parameters provides reasonable prediction of object detectability for the signal-known-exactly task in uniform image noise for a-Se direct FPI.
The Effect of Auxin on the Incorporation of (3H)Thymidine into the DNA of Pea Epicotyls

Preincubation of apical segments of etiolated peas (Pisum sativum L.) in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) results in an inhibition of the incorporation of [3H] thymidine ([3H]TdR) into DNA. Preincubation in IAA for 4 h led to an inhibition of [3H]TdR incorporation only at the highest concentration of IAA tested (10−4 M). A 20-h preincubation in various concentrations of IAA resulted in a bimodal dose response curve. High concentrations of IAA (10−4 M) inhibited incorporation by ca. 50%, as did concentrations of about 10−6M, but 10−5 M IAA did not inhibit this incorporation. The absorption of [3H]TdR was not affected by preincubation in IAA for either 4 or 20 h. When the apical segments were cut into two portions, the hook with the shoot apex, and the portion remaining below the apical hook, preincubation in IAA for 20 h gave different results for the upper and lower portions of the apical segments. In the lower portion, concentrations of about 5×10−6 M gave a slight increase in [3H]TdR incorporation and 10−4 M IAA inhibited DNA synthesis. In the upper portion, IAA pretreatment for 20 h resulted in a bimodal dose response curve which was very similar to that found initially for the entire apical segment. Thus the effect of pretreatment of apical segments with IAA depends upon the physiological status of the tissue. The rapidly expanding cells in the lower portion of the apical segments respond to IAA differently than the cells of the upper portion which are principally quiescent.
Identification and characterization of somatic steroid 5alpha-reductase (SRD5A2) mutations in human prostate cancer tissue.

Prostate cancer is a very common disease in industrialized countries and it is known to be androgen-dependent. The human SRD5A2 gene encodes the prostatic (or type II) steroid 5α-reductase, which catalyses the irreversible conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the most active androgen in the prostate. We have sequenced the entire protein-coding region of this locus in 30 microdissected prostate adenocarcinomas. We identified a total of 17 de novo amino-acid substitutions in 13 of these tumors. We also identified six additional silent substitutions. In total, 18 out of 30 (60%) of the tumors examined had de novo somatic substitutions in the prostatic steroid 5α-reductase-coding region. We also characterized all of the SRD5A2 missense substitutions biochemically and pharmacologically, using three 5α-reductase inhibitors, including finasteride. The biochemical parameters of the distinct 5α-reductase missense substitutions varied substantially. We note that two out of the three recurrent SRD5A2 missense substitutions increased 5α-reductase in vitro activity, while the third one is essentially neutral. These findings are consistent with a role for increased DHT levels in the prostate through increased activity of the SRD5A2 locus in prostate cancer progression, in a subset of patients. Our pharmacologic studies also reveal substantial variability for each 5α-reductase inhibitor. These data, therefore, should be taken into account in both prevention as well as therapeutic trials of prostate cancer utilizing 5α-reductase inhibitors.
ABORIGINAL SUICIDE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

In 33 census divisions in British Columbia in 1986, aboriginal suicide rates were associated with the percentage living on reserves and the nonaboriginal suicide rate.
Square arrays and their role in ridge formation in human lens fibers

Square arrays in human lens fibers were studied with freeze-fracture and thin-section TEM. In superficial fibers a number of patches of square array particles in the P face and pits in the E face are found in the smooth membrane. In the deeper cortex and the nucleus, fiber cells have undulating membranes and many ridges. Numerous patches of the particles (P face) are distributed in the concave regions, and the pits (E face) in the convex areas of the bumpy membrane. In most ridges, patches of the particles occur at regular intervals in the “valley” portion, while the pits are on the “crest” portion of ridges. Also, continuous square arrays having the same “valley” location as the regularly arranged patches are found in areas with extensive ridge patterns. The overlapping of the outer portions of two adjacent square arrays is found on the sides between the “crest” and the “valley” of the ridges. Structurally, square arrays are located in a nonjunctional part of the membrane; in an orthogonal crystalline arrangement; and with a particle size of about 6 nm and center-center spacing about 6.4 nm. They are structurally different from gap junctions found in the lens fibers. Thin-section studies reveal two types of cellular contacts: (1) thin pentalamellar structures (about 12–13 nm in overall thickness) associated with the ridge patterns are believed to be square arrays; (2) thick heptalamellar structures (about 16–17 nm in overall thickness) with a narrow gap in between the two central laminae are believed to be gap junctions. This study strongly suggests that square arrays are specifically involved in ridge formation in human lens fibers.
SU-FF-T-265: Comparison of Absorbed Dose-To-Medium and Absorbed-Dose-To-Water for (head and Neck and Prostate) IMRT Treatment Plans

Purpose: Conventional photon dose calculation algorithms typically report the absorbed dose-to-water(Dwater). Monte Carlo(MC) dose calculation algorithms, however, by default reports the absorbed dose-to-medium(Dmedium). It has been suggested that for clinical comparisons, MC-Dmedium results should be converted into Dwater to ensure valid comparisons. The goal of this study is to assess if the difference between Dwater and Dmedium is clinically significant for MC calculated IMRT plans. Method and Materials: Ten patients with H&N and ten patients with prostate cancer were selected for this study. Existing IMRT plans were re-calculated using an EGS4-based MC dose calculation system. Dmedium was converted to Dwater by multiplying Dmedium results by average water-to-medium stopping power ratio. Dwater and Dmedium results for target and critical structures were evaluated using the DVH-based indices: D2(dose to 2% of the structure volume), D50(dose to 50% of the structure volume), D98(dose to 98% of the target volume), and Dmean(mean dose). Results: For H&N, although the changes in average dose-volume indices were less than 1.5%, up to 6.2% differences in PTVCTV D2 were observed for individual patients. The cord and brainstem D2 indices changed up to 2.5% and 2.7% respectively. For prostate, the differences in the indices for targets were less than 1%. The changes in critical structure indices were less than 1%, except for two patients in which changes up to 2.7% in rectum D50 index were observed. The increases in the range of 4.5– 11.5% in the femur dose-volume indices were observed in converting from Dmedium to Dwater due to the high calcium content of the hard bones. Conclusion: This study showed that converting dose-to-medium to dose-to-water in MC-based IMRT plans may significantly change the structure doses for some cases, especially when hard bone containing structures such as the femurs are present.
Efficient jamming attacks on MIMO channels

This paper investigates efficient jamming attacks against MIMO-enabled systems. Previous research has focused on jamming data transmissions. We instead focus on jamming channel sounding symbols, and introduce the MIMO Singularity Attack, which attempts to reduce the rank of the channel gain matrix estimate by the receiver through transmission of specific jamming signals. All MIMO systems need a method to estimate and equalize their channel, whether through channel reciprocity or sounding, and most modern OFDM-based MIMO waveforms use sounding via OFDM pilot tones. We develop the constraints associated with jamming MIMO sounding channels, and further describe how these attacks specifically impact data symbol estimates for OFDM pilot-based sounding systems.
Osteoblast cytoskeletal modulation in response to mechanical strain in vitro

The structural integrity of microfilaments has been shown to be necessary for the signal transduction of mechanical stimuli within osteoblasts. Qualitative and quantitative changes within the cytoskeleton of osteoblasts may therefore be crucial components of the signal transduction processes of these cells in response to mechanical stimulation. Avian osteoblasts were strained with a device that deforms a flexible, cell-laden membrane at a defined frequency and intensity in a uniform biaxial manner. We examined the effects of mechanical strain on the accumulation of protein and the expression of the major cytoskeletal elements and specific integrin-binding (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) proteins of these cells. Mechanical strain increased the level of total extracellular matrix-accumulated fibronectin by approximately 150% and decreased that of osteopontin by approximately 60% but had no quantifiable effect on the accumulation of beta1 integrin subunit or collagen type I. An examination of the major elements of the cytoskeleton demonstrated that neither the level of actin nor that of the intermediate filament protein vimentin changed; however, the amount of tubulin decreased by approximately 75% and the amount of vinculin, a major protein of focal adhesion complexes, increased by approximately 250%. An analysis of protein synthesis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of [35S]methionine-labeled cytoskeletal proteins demonstrated that the changes in the accumulation of vinculin and tubulin resulted from their altered synthesis. Messenger RNA analysis confirmed that the changes in accumulation and protein synthesis observed for vinculin, fibronectin, and osteopontin were controlled at a pretranslational level. Immunofluorescent microscopy demonstrated that mechanical strain led to increased formation and thickening of actin stress fibers, with a commensurate dissociation in microtubules and a clear increase in levels of vinculin at the peripheral edges of the cells. In conclusion, the elevated rate of synthesis and the increased accumulation of vinculin and fibronectin, as well as the increase in the number and size of stress fibers and focal adhesion complexes, suggest that mechanical strain leads to a coordinated change both in the cytoskeleton and in extracellular matrix proteins that will facilitate tighter adhesion of an osteoblast to its extracellular matrix.
Reactivity of common functional groups with urethanes: Models for reactive compatibilization of thermoplastic polyurethane blends

Two model urethane compounds, dibutyl 4,4′-methylenebis(phenyl carbamate) (BMB) and dioctyl 4,4′-methylenebis(phenyl carbamate) (OMO) were prepared by capping 4,4′-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) with n-butanol and n-octanol, respectively. The reactions of the two model urethane compounds with several small monofunctional compounds as well as two model poly(ethylene glycols) were carried out with neat mixtures at elevated temperatures. The ranking of reactivity of the functional groups with the urethanes was determined as follows—primary amine > secondary amine ≫ hydroxyl ∼ acid ∼ anhydride ≫ epoxide. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was used for the quantitative analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to complement the NMR analysis. Conversions of carbamate in each reaction were monitored over time at constant temperature (200 °C). The reactions between OMO and primary amine were conducted at 170, 180, 190, and 200 °C and best described with a second-order bimolecular reaction model. The rate constant was estimated to be 1.8 × 10−3 L · mol−1 · s−1 and activation energy 115 kJ · mol−1. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2310–2328, 2002
Signal transduction pathways, intrinsic regulators, and the control of cell fate choice ☆

Background Information regarding changes in organismal status is transmitted to the stem cell regulatory machinery by a limited number of signal transduction pathways. Consequently, these pathways derive their functional specificity through interactions with stem cell intrinsic master regulators, notably transcription factors. Identifying the molecular underpinnings of these interactions is critical to understanding stem cell function.
Academic Entrepreneurs: Organizational Change at the Individual Level

This study explores the process of organizational change by examining localized social learning in organizational subunits. Specifically, we examine participation in university technology transfer, a new organizational initiative, by tracking 1,780 faculty members, examining their backgrounds and work environments, and following their engagement with academic entrepreneurship. We find that individual adoption of the new initiative may be either substantive or symbolic. Our results suggest that individual attributes, while important, are conditioned by the local work environment. In terms of personal attributes, individuals are more likely to participate if they trained at institutions that had accepted the new initiative and been active in technology transfer. In addition, we find that the longer the time that had elapsed since graduate training, the less likely the individual was to actively embrace the new commercialization norm. Considering the localized social environment, we find that when the chair of the department is active in technology transfer, other members of the department are also likely to participate, if only for symbolic reasons. We also find that technology transfer behavior is calibrated by the experience of those in the relevant cohort. If an individual can observe others with whom they identify engaging in the new initiative, then they are more likely to follow with substantive compliance. Finally, when individuals face dissonance, a situation where their individual training norms are not congruent with the localized social norms in their work environment, they will conform to the local norms, rather than adhering to the norms from their prior experience.
Forbidden transition probabilities of astrophysical interest among low-lying states of V III

Electric and magnetic multipole transitions among low-lying states of doubly ionized vanadium were computed using the multi-configuration Hartree-Fock (MCHF) method with Breit-Pauli (BP) corrections to a non-relativistic Hamiltonian. Energy levels were determined up to and including 3d2(1G)4s b 2G7/2 and computed energies were found to be in good agreement with experiment and other theories. In addition to Einstein Aki coefficients for some E2 and M1 transitions, lifetime data and selected weighted oscillator strengths are also reported.
A Social Media Mindset

Social media has been and continues to be a game-changer for communications. Anyone reading this editorial knows the degree to which social media continue to impact human communication either posit...
Lenient learners in cooperative multiagent systems

In concurrent learning algorithms, an agent's perception of the joint search space depends on the actions currently chosen by the other agents. These perceptions change as each agent's action selection is influenced by its learning. We observe that agents that show lenience to their teammates achieve more accurate perceptions of the overall learning task. Additionally, lenience appears more beneficial at early stages of learning, when the agent's teammates are merely exploring their actions, and less helpful as the agents start to converge. We propose two multiagent learning algorithms where agents exhibit a variable degree of lenience, and we demonstrate their advantages in several coordination problems.
Modified closure technique for reducing sternal dehiscence; a clinical and in vitro assessment.

Objective: Although the incidence of sternal dehiscence is low its mortality can be high. An alternative technique is described (modified closure) which aims to redistribute the dehiscence force into the longer longitudinal axis rather than the shorter transverse axis, thereby maximising the closure strength. Four ethibond sutures, which interlock anteriorly, are used in addition to eight transverse sternal wires. The aim of the study was to assess the modified closure using both an in vitro and a clinical study. Methods: (a) In vitro study: A weight and traction pulley system applied a force of 0.1 kN to pairs of silicone rubber hemisterna approximated to each other using alternative closure techniques. The dehiscence tendency (DT) was measured as the amount of separation under tension. Using 10 pairs of hemisterna for each closure technique the measured DT for the modif ied closure (MC) was compare with those for each of fi ve alternative closures (two fi gure-ofeight and four transverse sutures (2C), 6 (6T), 8 (8T), 10 (10T) and 12 transverse sutures (12T)). (b) Clinical study: The incidence of sternal dehiscence for the first 4 years of a consultants’ practice (using 8T) was compared with the second 4 years (using MC). Results: (a) Measured DT (mean SEM), (MC: 149 14; 6T: 256 13; 8T: 223 9; 10T: 213 13; 12T: 203 8; 2C: 294 15). DTwas significantly smaller for MC (p < 0.003). (b) The incidence of dehiscence was significantly smaller in the second 4 years (MC) than in the first (8T): 0.2% (1/529) versus 1.6% (13/788); p =0 .01Conclusions: In vitro and clinical studies suggest that the modified closure technique can reduce the incidence of sternal dehiscence. # 2008 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Understanding Sexual Abstinence in Urban Adolescent Girls

Objectives- To gain insight into the context of sexual abstinence and identify potential determinants of abstinence in this population. Design- Four focus groups. Participants and Setting- Twenty-four, predominantly African American (88%) girls aged 14 to 19 years were recruited from urban health centers and youth development programs in Rochester, New York, between September and December 2006. Data Analysis- Content analysis was used to analyze the four verbatim transcripts. Using analytic induction, groups were compared and contrasted at the micro (within-group) and macro (between-group) levels to identify themes. Results- Four themes were identified that provided insight into how and why these girls remain abstinent despite being in sexually active social climates. They focused on the following: self-respect (I’m worth it), impact of mothers (Mama says … think before you let it go), influence of boys and other peers (Boys will be boys), and potential negative consequences of sex (Hold on, there’s a catch). Conclusions- Developing interventions to maintain abstinence, delay onset of sexual activity, and promote protected first and subsequent sexual contact in abstinent girls are key to decreasing future sexual risk. These findings suggest opportunities to develop HIV prevention strategies tailored to the needs of abstinent girls.
Plant Pathology: A Story About Biology

Disease is a universal feature of life for multicellular organisms, and the study of disease has contributed to the establishment of key concepts in the biological sciences. This implies strong connections between plant pathology and basic biology, something that could perhaps be made more apparent to undergraduate students interested in the life sciences. To that end, we present an instructional narrative that begins with a simple question: Why are there diseases? Responses and follow-up questions can facilitate exploration of such topics as the evolution of parasitism, plant adaptations to parasitism, impacts of parasites on native plant communities, and ways in which human intervention can foster the emergence of aggressive plant pathogens. This approach may help to attract students who would not have found their way to plant pathology through traditional pathways. Packaging the narrative as a game may render it more interesting and accessible, particularly to a younger audience.
Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling based on workload decomposition

This paper presents a technique called "workload decomposition" in which the CPU workload is decomposed in two parts: on-chip and off-chip. The on-chip workload signifies the CPU clock cycles that are required to execute instructions in the CPU whereas the off-chip workload captures the number of external memory access clock cycles that are required to perform external memory transactions. When combined with a dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) technique to minimize the energy consumption, this workload decomposition method results in higher energy savings. The workload decomposition itself is performed at run time based on statistics reported by a performance monitoring unit (PMU) without a need for application profiling or compiler support. We have implemented the proposed DVFS with workload decomposition technique on the BitsyX platform, an Intel PXA255-based platform manufactured by ADS Inc., and performed detailed energy measurements. These measurements show that, for a number of widely used software applications, a CPU energy saving of 80% can be achieved for memory-bound programs while satisfying the user-specified timing constraints.