cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell type specific profiling of alternative translation identifies novel protein isoforms in the mouse brain

Translation canonically begins at a single AUG and terminates at the stop codon, generating one protein species per transcript. However, some transcripts may use alternative initiation sites or sustain translation past their stop codon, generating multiple protein isoforms. Through other mechanisms such as alternative splicing, both neurons and glia exhibit remarkable transcriptional diversity, and these other forms of post-transcriptional regulation are impacted by neural activity and disease. Here, using ribosome footprinting, we demonstrate that alternative translation is likewise abundant in the central nervous system and modulated by stimulation and disease. First, in neuron/glia mixed cultures we identify hundreds of transcripts with alternative initiation sites and confirm the protein isoforms corresponding to a subset of these sites by mass spectrometry. Many of them modulate their alternative initiation in response to KCl stimulation, indicating activity-dependent regulation of this phenomenon. Next, we detect several transcripts undergoing stop codon readthrough thus generating novel C-terminally-extended protein isoforms in vitro. Further, by coupling Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification to ribosome footprinting to enable cell-type specific analysis in vivo, we find that several of both neuronal and astrocytic transcripts undergo readthrough in the mouse brain. Functional analyses of one of these transcripts, Aqp4, reveals readthrough confers perivascular localization, indicating readthrough can be a conserved mechanism to modulate protein function. Finally, we show that AQP4 readthrough is disrupted in multiple gliotic disease models. Our study demonstrates the extensive and regulated use of alternative translational events in the brain and indicates that some of these events alter key protein properties.
Characterization of dysfunctional factor VIII molecules.

Abstract Immunopurification and characterization of dysfunctional factor VIII-like molecules in CRM-positive and CRM-reduced hemophilia A permit correlation of structural changes with molecular defects. The technique described here is sufficiently sensitive to characterize the molecular mass and enzymatic fragments of the factor VIII chains in patients with as little VIII: Ag as 0.05 units/ml. Specific abnormalities have been identified in 5 of the first 24 samples tested. In each case, the mutation responsible for factor VIII dysfunction has been determined by sequencing a part of the abnormal gene. Mutations have been identified that abolish critical thrombin cleavage sites or which generate new N-glycosylation sites. The technique provides a useful approach to the study of factor VIII structure-function relationships, and it has the potential to clarify further the molecular basis of factor VIII procoagulant activity.
Neurological Complications of Primary Brain Tumors

The supportive care of brain tumor patients includes the treatment of brain edema, seizures, and cognitive dysfunction. Each of these complications may occur in patients with either primary or metastatic brain tumors. The development of any of these complications significantly increases the morbidity and mortality associated with brain tumors. However, effective treatment is usually possible and can result in an improved quality of life for these patients.
Mathematical models for thermal imaging-an heuristic approach

Thermal imaging involves movement of heat and materials through a heterogeneous material; see Figure 7.1. It is however complicated by the fact that the materials involved are polymers and mixture of polymers. This causes nonlinear thermal and diffusion characteristics at the temperatures involved.
Variable-Temperature NMR Studies of Polyphosphazenes

Polyphosphazenes are a diverse class of inorganic polymers based on chains of alternating phosphorus and nitrogen atoms. These polymers have unique physical and chemical properties which make them of interest to chemists and material scientists. We report variable-temperature (VT), multinuclear, NMR results which address several important problems in polyphosphazene chemistry. P-31 and C-13 VT magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR are being used to study morphology, cross-linking, and thermal degradation of these polymers. Solid-state H-l NMR is being used to examine the effects of water on the melt polymerization of the hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene.
Improved RNS-based PRNGs

In developing pseudorandom number generation mechanisms for low-power systems like the Internet of Things (IoT), there exists a large tradeoff between computational complexity and the resulting security enabled by the generator. For most communications applications, the use of any PRNG stream must be performed in a synchronizable, and sometimes invertible, fashion. This paper focuses on improvements to prior residue number space (RNS)-based PRNGs, configured to support extremely low-power IoT applications via internal dynamics like switching between PRNG components, simpler permutation-based mappings as opposed to pre-defined polynomials, dynamic indexing processes for improved multiple access operation, and computationally efficient sequence combination techniques. While similarly scalable to applications of prior RNS-based PRNGs, simulation and hardware prototyping results on an MSP430 and Altera FPGAs (Cyclone V and Arria 10) equally validate the suitability of the proposed PRNG techniques for microprocessor-level low-power implementations like industrial IoT.
Factors affecting survival in laparoscopic vs. open surgery among stage III colon cancer patients.

e15095Background: The role of laparoscopic surgery (LS) in the cure of advanced non-metastatic colon cancer is controversial. The study aims to define long-term survival of LS and open surgery (OS)...
Assessing susceptibility of a temporal discounting task to faking

Objective Temporal discounting describes the devaluation of delayed rewards. Because temporal discounting is predictive of substance misuse, its clinical assessment could improve prevention (e.g., identifying at-risk youth) and treatment (e.g., predicting relapse). However, if discounting rates can be faked (e.g., to avoid treatment), their clinical utility may be limited. For the first time, we measured the influence of deception in a temporal discounting task. Method We recruited 200 participants (44% female, M age = 33) through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants completed a discounting assessment with instructions to (a) respond honestly, (b) fake good (i.e., simulate better versions of themselves), or (c) fake bad. Results Generalized linear mixed effects analysis showed that in Experiment 1, nonclinical samples faked good ( M hyperbolic discounting rate = 0.002) or bad ( M = 0.086) compared to the Honest group ( M = 0.008). In Experiment 2, cigarette smokers faked good ( M = 0.003) compared to the Honest group ( M = 0.025). Conclusions Temporal discounting transects the disciplines of psychology, biology, and behavioral economics. Before its promise as an endophenotype can be realized, assessments must be translated for clinical use. Opaquer temporal discounting tasks, or secondary measures of lying, may be required before temporal discounting can be confidently extended to clinical settings.
Mapping the Future of Hearables: Lessons from Online and the “Oldest Old” Consumers

Living with hearing loss presents challenges for an aging population. Hearing loss without intervention is associated with a plethora of negative consequences for older adults including loneliness, cognitive decline and falls. In this study, members of the MIT AgeLab 85+ Lifestyle Leaders Panel were surveyed and interviewed to learn about their experiences with hearing loss and audio-assistive device adoption, and their hopes for the hearables of the future. Additionally, 583 written customer reviews were accumulated from Amazon.com and HearingTracker.com for analysis. Several themes emerged along with an imperative to industry to explore further the enduring challenges and future opportunities of human-hearable design.
COMPLICATIONS OF SERIAL ANTERIOR CHAMBER PARACENTESIS FOR INCREASED INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE AFTER INTRAVITREAL INJECTIONS.

Purpose To report complications after serial anterior chamber (AC) paracentesis for sustained elevation of intraocular pressure after intravitreal injection. Methods A retrospective interventional case series of five patients who had received AC paracentesis after intravitreal injection. Results Five patients presented with either decreased vision or increased pain after intravitreal injection with planned AC paracentesis. Of the five patients, three patients presented with profound hypotony due to persistent wound leak from the AC paracentesis site. Of these three, one resolved with pressure patch and cycloplegia. The other two patients required further intervention with either polyethylene glycol hydrogel or nylon suture for wound closure. The fourth patient presented with IOL optic prolapse into the AC that resolved with dilation. The fifth patient presented with vitreous prolapse through the AC paracentesis wound and was treated with YAG vitreolysis. Conclusion A single AC paracentesis has been shown to demonstrate a favorable safety profile. Serial AC paracenteses may degrade the integrity of the peripheral cornea in patients with sustained elevation of intraocular pressure after repeated intravitreal injections.
SPIN (Self-powered Paper Interfaces): Bridging Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Folding Paper Creases

We present Self-powered Paper INterfaces (SPIN) combining folding paper creases with triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Embedding TENG into paper creases, we developed a design editor and set of fabrication techniques to create paper-based interfaces that power sensors and actuators. Our SPIN design editor enables users to design their own crease pattern by changing parameters, embed power generating modules into the design, estimate total power generation, and export the files. Then following the fabrication instructions, users can cut and crease materials, and assemble them to build their own interfaces. We employ repetitive push-and-pull based embodied interactions with the mechanism of paper creases and demonstrate four application examples that show new expressive possibilities applying different scales of embodied interactions.
The impact of sea level rise on maritime navigation within a large, channelized estuary

ABSTRACTVessel handling guidelines in Tampa Bay have been developed and refined over many years to prevent vessel groundings, collisions, and other maritime incidents. These guidelines restrict nav...
Aldose Reductase as Dihydrodiol Dehydrogenase

Animals fed with naphthalene quickly develop cataracts. The mechanism of this cataract has been explained by the formation of the biologically active compound 1,2-naphthoquinone. Naphthalene is first oxidized to naphthalene-1,2-oxide and then converted to naphthalene-1,2,-dihydrodiol in liver. Naphthalene-1,2-dihydrodiol is carried to the lens and further metabolized into 1,2-naphthoquinone through 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene. Because 1,2-naphthoquinone quickly reacts with various biologically important compounds, the formation of 1,2-naphthoquinone is considered to cause various biochemical changes such as depletion of glutathione and modification of lens proteins, which eventually leads to the formation of cataract (van Heyningen, 1979; Xu et al., 1992a,b). Recently, some aldose reductase inhibitors have been reported to prevent the formation of cataract in naphthalene-fed rats (Hockwin et al., 1984–85; Tao et al., 1991; Xu et al., 1992a). This has renewed the interest in naphthalene cataract and also raised the question of whether aldose reductase is involved in naphthalene metabolism in rat lens.
Adequacy Conditions for a Prescriptive Theory of Racism: Toward an Oppression-Centered Account

This chapter articulates criteria for a prescriptive theory of racism and introduces an oppression-centered theory of racism. The author proposes three adequacy criteria. First, prescriptive theory ought to accommodate usage of “racism” that corresponds to the legitimate need we have for the convention. Second, the explanatory condition holds that a theory of “racism” should seek to explain one form of racism in terms of more basic forms, viz. those that most closely meet the need for the convention. Third, a theory of racism should, as much as possible, resolve practical problems prompted by ordinary usage of “racism,” and should avoid generating any practical problems of its own. The author’s case for defining “racism” as racial oppression is made by reference to these three criteria. Along the way, he repudiates Tommie Shelby and Charles Mills’ arguments against moralist accounts of racism and draws from his oppression theory to illustrate how it might be used to show that implicit racial bias and white privilege are racist phenomena.
Docetaxel Rechallenge in Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Review.

Background Recent years have witnessed a huge shift in the management and prognosis of metastatic prostate cancer with the advent of new-generation anti-hormonal treatments. Docetaxel, which was initially approved in the castrate-resistant prostate cancer setting, has been approved in the earlier course of the disease as it is still castrate sensitive. Summary Apart from cabazitaxel and in the absence of other effective chemotherapies, docetaxel rechallenge (DR) in patients with proved sensitivity to docetaxel in the earlier stage of the disease remains a possible option. Unfortunately, the pivotal trials rarely reported on the outcomes of docetaxel retreatment which seems a plausible option in patients initially responding to docetaxel and maintaining a minimum progression-free interval of 3-6 months. In this review, a summary of the clinical evidence and potential concerns for the use of DR in patients with metastatic prostate cancer will be presented. Key Messages: Pivotal trials of docetaxel in metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer as well as metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer have not reported on the outcomes of DR except in the GETUG-AFU 15 trial where the outcomes were disappointing. Based on the published retrospective data, DR may be effective in patients who initially responded to docetaxel and maintained a progression-free interval exceeding 6 months.
Biological control of Halymorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in apple orchards versus corn fields and their adjacent woody habitats: High versus low pesticide-input agroecosystems

Abstract Halymorpha halys is an invasive pest in the USA that inflicts damage to specialty crops, and conventional growers have increased use of broad-spectrum insecticides to manage this pest. The impacts of pest management programs on natural enemies of H. halys were examined in high vs. low intensity insecticide input agroecosystems in western North Carolina (USA). Apple orchards and corn fields, with their adjacent wooded habitats, served as the high and low-input environments, respectively. Sentinel egg masses and yellow sticky cards were deployed in these agroecosystems to compare predation and parasitism on H. halys eggs, and presence, abundance, and richness of natural enemies. A total of approximately 85% of all sentinel eggs deployed in apple orchards in both 2018 and 2019 produced a healthy stink bug nymph, higher than all other habitats. A total of 26.6% and 32.9% of eggs deployed in wooded habitats bordering corn exhibited mortality due to natural enemy attack in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Comparatively, eggs deployed in apple borders had 10.0% and 17.8% of total eggs killed by natural enemies, in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Corn agroecosystems generally had greater predation and parasitism of sentinel eggs, and greater richness and abundance of predators detected on yellow sticky cards compared to apple agroecosystems. Wooded habitats bordering crops serve as population reservoirs for H. halys, allowing for egg laying and dispersal into crops. If these areas are protected as refuge areas free from insecticide drift, such as from apple orchards, they can also harbor thriving natural enemy populations that could reduce populations of H. halys. Wooded areas free from harsh broad-spectrum insecticides are an important component for successful conservation and augmentative biological control in neighboring crops.
Risk Management of Clinical Reference Dosimetry of a Large Hospital Network Using Statistical Process Control

Managing TG-51 reference dosimetry in a large hospital network can be a challenging task. The objectives of this study are to investigate the effectiveness of using Statistical Process Control (SPC) to manage TG-51 workflow in such a network. All the sites in the network performed the annual reference dosimetry in water according to TG-51. These data were used to cross-calibrate the same ion chambers in plastic phantoms for monthly QA output measurements. An energy-specific dimensionless beam quality cross-calibration factor, kqnSW , was derived to monitor the process across multiple sites. The SPC analysis was then performed to obtain the mean, 〈kqnSW〉 , standard deviation, σk , the Upper Control Limit (UCL) and Lower Control Limit (LCL) in each beam. This process was first applied to 15 years of historical data at the main campus to assess the effectiveness of the process. A two-year prospective study including all 30 linear accelerators spread over the main campus and seven satellites in the network followed. The ranges of the control limits (±3σ) were found to be in the range of 1.7% - 2.6% and 3.3% - 4.2% for the main campus and the satellite sites respectively. The wider range in the satellite sites was attributed to variations in the workflow. Standardization of workflow was also found to be effective in narrowing the control limits. The SPC is effective in identifying variations in the workflow and was shown to be an effective tool in managing large network reference dosimetry.
Enhancing online protocols through design-based research to improve cognitive presence in a large enrolment course

Instructors face challenges in facilitating higher levels of shared cognition in large enrolment classes. One strategy to foster shared cognition is the use of asynchronous discussions; however, these can be difficult to support with large numbers of students. Online protocols have been found to help students take more ownership of the discussion, reducing the workload of instructors and thus may be helpful in this context. The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective design of online protocols in large enrolment classes. The study used a design-based research methodology to iteratively design, assess and refine the online protocols and the design principles of its underlying protocol pedagogy. Participants for this study were 1,286 students enrolled in a blended undergraduate class in business that used online protocols for discussions over three semesters. The paper describes how iterative changes in the design of protocol-based discussions influenced students' cognitive presence. Students’ perceptions of cognitive presence were significantly higher in the second and third iterations, and the concepts shared by group members were significantly more integrated by the third iteration. Findings suggest that with careful design, these enhanced protocols are a potentially useful strategy to facilitate asynchronous online discussions in large classes. Implications for practice or policy: Students need additional incentives to actively participate in large enrolment courses. Instructors can use peer questioning to increase shared cognition in large enrolment courses. Instructors should create concise directions with modelling of exemplary posts to help reduce confusion. Students in large enrolment courses benefit from additional scaffolding of norms to foster a sense of trust. Design-based research provides an effective methodology to examine both theoretical and practical implications of online protocols on cognitive presence.
On the role of array structure in the simultaneous matching task: a stages of processing analysis

iv INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 1 A "Fast-Same" Phenomenon 2 Major "Same-Different" Theoretical Models 3 Spatial Organization and Visual Information Processing 9 On the Role of Pattern "Goodness" 10 Effects of Pattern "Goodness" on "Same-Different" Judgments 13 Focus of the Present Research 14 EXPERIMENT 1 15 Method 16 Results and Discussion 18 EXPERIMENT 2 22 Method 22 Results and Discussion 23 DISCUSSION OF EXPERIMENTS 1 AND 2 27 EXPERIMENT 3 32 Method 35 Results and Discussion 35 EXPERIMENT 4 46 Method 47 Results and Discussion 48
The numerical solution of some elliptic boundary value problems by integral operator methods

An integral representation for the solution of elliptic equations of the form Δnu - P(r2)u=0, developed by Gilbert, is used to construct approximate solutions for problems of this type. Properties of the G-function, needed in the integral representation, are discussed and a numerical scheme for its computation is given. The approximate G-function is used to represent the solution and minimization techniques are used to satisfy the boundary conditions. A discussion of the practical usefulness of methods of this type is given.
Turbulence: Diffusion, Statistics, Spectral Dynamics

It is probably a bit misleading to say that turbulent flow is “random”; even if the birth of an eddy out of an instability somewhere in the flow field is a matter of “chance,” its subsequent evolution must be governed by the Navier-Stokes equations. Being careful, we shall say no more than that the turbulence is chaotic, and that for many practical purposes it is sufficient to know something about the statistical properties of the flow field. However, there are circumstances in which a statistical treatment will not do. For example, in weather forecasting, we want to predict at what time a particular eddy will pass over a certain area, and at which stage in its life cycle.
Climate Change in the Era of the Anthropocene - an Institutional Analysis

Recently, many geoscientists have re-conceptualized and re-labelled our current Holocene Era as “the Anthropocene,” a less stable era with biophysical characteristics and processes strongly influenced by human activity. Yet much of the contemporary research done in organizations and the natural environmental (OandNE) theory is around climate change, which is but one of nine inter-connected “planetary boundaries” that mark this new geological epoch. With the goal of aligning institutional theory to address the deeper cultural and ideological issues of the Anthropocene, we examine this disjuncture between climate change and Anthropocene research and offer suggestions for realignment. Of particular interest to this paper is the exploration of (1) field level constituencies that have engaged, not only on climate change, but also on the other domains of the Anthropocene, and (2) the forms of discourse, meaning and framing that take place within each logic community. Empirically, we draw on systematically collected discourse data and consider specific institutional case examples of the ways in which the Anthropocene, in part or in whole, has, is or is not being engaged by various constituencies.
Obliteration of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone derived from POMC in pituitary and brains of PC2-deficient mice

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a neuropeptide expressed in pituitary and brain that is known to regulate energy balance, appetite control, and neuroimmune functions. The biosynthesis of α-MSH requires proteolytic processing of the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) precursor. Therefore, this study investigated the in vivo role of the prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) processing enzyme for production of α-MSH in PC2-deficient mice. Specific detection of α-MSH utilized radioimmunoassay (RIA) that does not crossreact with the POMC precursor, and which does not crossreact with other adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) and β-endorphin peptide products derived from POMC. α-MSH in PC2-deficient mice was essentially obliterated in pituitary, hypothalamus, cortex, and other brain regions (collectively), compared to wild-type controls. These results demonstrate the critical requirement of PC2 for the production of α-MSH. The absence of α-MSH was accompanied by accumulation of ACTH, ACTH-containing imtermediates, and POMC precursor. ACTH was increased in pituitary and hypothalamus of PC2-deficient mice, evaluated by RIA and reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Accumulation of ACTH demonstrates its role as a PC2 substrate that can be converted for α-MSH production. Further analyses of POMC-derived intermediates in pituitary, conducted by denaturing western blot conditions, showed accumulation of ACTH-containing intermediates in pituitaries of PC2-deficient mice, which implicate participation of such intermediates as PC2 substrates. Moreover, accumulation of POMC was observed in PC2-deficient mice by western blots with anti-ACTH and anti-β-endorphin. In addition, increased β-endorphin1−31 was observed in pituitary and hypothalamus of PC2-deficient mice, suggesting β-endorphin1−31 as a substrate for PC2 in these tissues. Overall, these studies demonstrated that the PC2 processing enzyme is critical for the in vivo production of α-MSH in pituitary and brain.
VA LOVIT II: a protocol to compare low vision rehabilitation and basic low vision.

Citation information: Stelmack JA, Tang XC, Reda DJ, Stroupe KT, Rinne S & Massof RW. VA LOVIT II: a protocol to compare low vision rehabilitation and basic low vision. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2012, 32, 461–471. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2012.00933.x Abstract Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of low vision rehabilitation (LVR) and basic low vision (LV) in a single masked multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT). Methods: Three hundred and thirty patients eligible for US. Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare services with primary eye diagnosis (better-seeing eye) of macular disease and best-corrected distance visual acuity of 0.40–1.00 logMAR (6/15 to 6/60 or 20/50 to 20/200 Snellen) are being enrolled at seven VA facilities. All participants receive an optometric LV examination; and they are eligible to receive the same LV devices that are provided without charge. In LVR, a LV therapist dispenses devices and provides 2 or 3 (1½ to 2½ h) therapy sessions with assigned homework to teach effective use of remaining vision and LV devices. Contact time with the therapist depends upon the devices prescribed and the patient’s progress in learning the skills that are taught. In basic LV, devices are dispensed by the optometrist without LV therapy. Contact time for dispensing is one hour or less depending on LV devices prescribed. The primary outcome measure is a comparison of the changes in visual reading ability (estimated from patients’ difficulty ratings of reading items on the VA LV VFQ-48 questionnaire) between the treatment and control arms from pre-intervention baseline to 4 months (2 months after completion of treatment). Secondary outcome measures are changes in overall visual ability, visual ability domain scores calculated from subsets of items (mobility, visual information processing and visual motor skills), Short Form-36, and Minnesota Low Vision Reading Test scores. Cost-effectiveness analysis will be conducted using VA LV VFQ-48 scores and QALYS computed from EuroQol scores. Results: A total of 137 patients representing 41.5% of the study target of 330 patients were randomised from October 2010 to March 2012. Among those 137 patients, mean age was 80.2 (S.D. ± 9.9) years at enrollment; 97.1% of the patients were males; 94.2% were white. Mean best corrected VA was 0.65 (S.D. ± 0.3) logMAR (approximately Snellen 6/27 or 20/90) at baseline. Conclusions: LOVIT II is the first multicentre RCT comparing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of LVR and basic LV for patients with macular diseases and near normal or moderate levels of visual impairment.
Initial Experiments of Reconfigurable Sensor Adapted by Evolution

Missions to planets with unknown environmental condition, have recently been approached with new ideas, such as use of biology-inspired mechanisms for hardware sensor adaptation. In this paper we describe the initial development of efficient mechanisms for smart sensing which will lead to higher quality data. The self-reconfigurable pre-processing analog electronics is based on evolvable hardware.
Model recommendation: Generating object detectors from few samples

In this paper, we explore an approach to generating detectors that is radically different from the conventional way of learning a detector from a large corpus of annotated positive and negative data samples. Instead, we assume that we have evaluated “off-line” a large library of detectors against a large set of detection tasks. Given a new target task, we evaluate a subset of the models on few samples from the new task and we use the matrix of models-tasks ratings to predict the performance of all the models in the library on the new task, enabling us to select a good set of detectors for the new task. This approach has three key advantages of great interest in practice: 1) generating a large collection of expressive models in an unsupervised manner is possible; 2) a far smaller set of annotated samples is needed compared to that required for training from scratch; and 3) recommending models is a very fast operation compared to the notoriously expensive training procedures of modern detectors. (1) will make the models informative across different categories; (2) will dramatically reduce the need for manually annotating vast datasets for training detectors; and (3) will enable rapid generation of new detectors.
Bounds for parametric sequence comparison

We consider the problem of computing a global alignment between two or more sequences subject to varying mismatch and indel penalties. We prove a tight 3(n/2/spl pi/)/sup 2/3/+O(n/sup 1/3/logn) bound on the worst-case number of distinct optimum alignments for two sequences of length n as the parameters are varied. This refines a O(n/sup 2/3/) upper bound by D. Gusfield et al. (1994). Our lower bound requires an unbounded alphabet. For strings over a binary alphabet, we prove a /spl Omega/(n/sup 1/2/) lower bound. For the parametric global alignment of k/spl ges/2 sequences under sum-of-pairs scoring, we prove a 3((k/2)n/2/spl pi/)/sup 2/3/+O(k/sup 2/3/n/sup 1/3/logn) upper bound on the number of distinct optimality regions and a /spl Omega/(n/sup 2/3/) lower bound. Based on experimental evidence, we conjecture that for two random sequences, the number of optimality regions is approximately /spl radic/n with high probability.
Randomized Clinical Trial of Family-Based Treatment and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adolescent Bulimia Nervosa

Objective There is a paucity of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for adolescents with bulimia nervosa (BN). Prior studies suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy adapted for adolescents (CBT-A) and family-based treatment for adolescent bulimia nervosa (FBT-BN) could be effective for this patient population. The objective of this study was to compare the relative efficacy of these 2 specific therapies, FBT-BN and CBT-A. In addition, a smaller participant group was randomized to a nonspecific treatment (supportive psychotherapy [SPT]), whose data were to be used if there were no differences between FBT-BN and CBT-A at end of treatment. Method This 2-site (Chicago and Stanford) randomized controlled trial included 130 participants (aged 12–18 years) meeting DSM-IV criteria for BN or partial BN (binge eating and purging once or more per week for 6 months). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, end of treatment, and 6 and 12 months posttreatment. Treatments involved 18 outpatient sessions over 6 months. The primary outcome was defined as abstinence from binge eating and purging for 4 weeks before assessment, using the Eating Disorder Examination. Results Participants in FBT-BN achieved higher abstinence rates than in CBT-A at end of treatment (39% versus 20%; p = .040, number needed to treat [NNT] = 5) and at 6-month follow-up (44% versus 25%; p = .030, NNT = 5). Abstinence rates between these 2 groups did not differ statistically at 12-month follow-up (49% versus 32%; p = .130, NNT = 6). Conclusion In this study, FBT-BN was more effective in promoting abstinence from binge eating and purging than CBT-A in adolescent BN at end of treatment and 6-month follow-up. By 12-month follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 treatments. Clinical Trial Registration Information —Study of Treatment for Adolescents With Bulimia Nervosa; http://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT00879151.
Preparation of Conjugates of Proteins with Amyloses by Elongation of Covalently Attached Primers Using Glycogen Phosphorylase a1

Abstract This paper describes convenient preparations of protein-amylose conjugates. These preparations are based on the elongation of maltooligosaccharides by reaction with glucose-1-phosphate, catalyzed by glycogen phosphorylase a . Coupling of maltooligosaccharides to proteins by reductive amination generated covalently attached primers for the glycogen phosphorylase a -catalyzed polymerization of glucose-1-phosphate. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was useful for characterizing these conjugates. 31 P NMR spectroscopy could be used conveniently to assay simultaneously the formation and the enzymatic activity of the amylose-conjugated proteins. This assay could be used directly in reactions catalyzed by glycogen phosphorylase a; it should also he applicable to protein mixtures of greater complexity than the ones used here. Methods of synthesizing enzymatically active neoglycoproteins having a range of molecular weights are described.
PALATABILITY AND VISUAL ACCEPTANCE OF DARK, NORMAL AND PALE COLORED PORCINE M. LONGISSIMUS

Pork loins from carcasses weighing 68–75 kg were compared for quality characteristics. A total of 120 loins, with equal numbers of pale and watery, normal and dark colored loins, were evaluated. Pale chops had a significantly higher cooking loss than normal or dark colored chops. The consumer panel scored the pale chops significantly lower in organoleptic acceptability than normal or dark chops. The trained panel gave a similar rating for the organoleptic evaluation. When the consumer panel selected pork chops from a retail display case, the normal colored chops received the highest rating and the pale, watery chops the lowest. The pale chops were the most unstable and developed a greenish-gray cast after 2–3 days' storage. The normal colored chops had significantly more intramuscular fat and less protein than either pale or dark chops.
Synthesis of perfluorinated analogs of DOTA and NOTA: bifunctional chelating groups with potential applications in hybrid molecular imaging

Abstract The synthesis of novel NOTA (1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid) and DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) chelating groups bearing perfluorinated appendages is described. DOTA and NOTA groups are used in the production of radiopharmaceutical agents for PET and SPECT imaging (by chelation of radioactive metal ions), as well as MRI contrast agents (by chelation of lanthanide Ln 3+ ions). The novel perfluorinated variants disclosed herein will enhance the synthesis and purification of such agents, as they are compatible with fluorous purification strategies. Moreover, the perfluorous tag is anticipated to be detectable by 19 F-MRI, suggesting future applications in hybrid molecular imaging such as PET–MRI.
High expression levels in cones of RGS9, the predominant GTPase accelerating protein of rods

RGS9 is a member of the RGS family of GTPase accelerating proteins (GAPs) for heterotrimeric G proteins. We have explored its contribution to GTPase acceleration in mammalian rod and cone photoreceptors. When RGS9 was specifically removed from detergent extracts of rod outer segments by immunodepletion, the extracts lost nearly all of their GAP activity stimulatable by the inhibitory subunit of cGMP phosphodiesterase. Immunolocalization using monoclonal antibodies and confocal microscopy revealed that RGS9 is present in cones at significantly higher levels than in rods. Thus, RGS9 is the predominant source of GAP activity in rod outer segments, and RGS9 concentration emerges as a potentially important determinant of the faster response kinetics and lower sensitivity of mammalian cones, as compared with rods.
A note on a result of M. Grossi

The purpose of this note is to present a fact complementary to a result in a recent paper of M. Grossi. Making use of an energy balance identity, it is shown that the sufficient conditions for existence of solutions proved in Grossi's paper are also almost necessary.
Sediment and particulate phosphorus characteristics in grassed waterways from row crop corn and alfalfa fields collected by manual University of Exeter samplers and automatic sampling

Phosphorus (P) export from agricultural lands above known threshold levels can result in adverse impacts to receiving water quality. Phosphorus loss occurs in dissolved and sediment-bound, or particulate phosphorous (PP), forms, with the latter often dominating losses from row-cropped systems. To target practices, land managers need good computer models and model developers need good monitoring data. Sediment monitoring data (e.g. radiometric finger printing and sediment P sorption capacity) can help identify sediment source areas and improve models, but require more sediment mass than is typically obtained by automatic sampling. This study compares a simple suspended sediment sampler developed at the University of Exeter (UE) with automatic sampling in intermittent channels draining corn and alfalfa fields. The corn field had a greater runoff coefficient (27%) than alfalfa (11%). No differences were found in enrichment ratios (sediment constituent/soil constituent) in PP (PPER) or percent loss on ignition (LOIER) between paired UE samplers on corn. The median LOIER for the UE samplers (1Ð9%) did not differ significantly ( p> 0Ð13) from the automatic sampler (2Ð0%). The PPER from the UE samplers was on average 20% lower than the automatic samplers. A correlation (r 2 D 0Ð75) was found between sediment PP and % LOI from automatic samplers and UE samplers for particles 50 µm PP concentration did not change with changes in % LOI. Sediment ammonium-oxalate extractable metals were similarly related to LOI, with the strongest correlation for iron (r 2 D 0Ð71) and magnesium (r 2 D 0Ð70). Copyright  2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The immunologic and ultrastructural characterization of the cellular infiltrate in acute cardiac allograft rejection: Prevalence of cells with the natural killer (NK) phenotype

Abstract The inflammatory cell infiltrates in 15 endomyocardial biopsies serially obtained from a human cardiac allograft during a 1 1 2 - year period were characterized. An indirect immunofluorescent technique with hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibodies which preferentially react with B lymphocytes (anti-Ia), mature T cells (OKT3, Leu 1), and helper (OKT4b,d) and supressor/cytotoxic (OKT8) T-cell subsets and with natural killer cells, macrophages, and granulocytes (OKM1) was used. During each of seven rejection episodes the overwhelming majority of infiltrating cells in the endomyocardial biopsy were OKM1+Ia−. These cells displayed short microvilli, a moderate amount of cytoplasm, numerous mitochondria, a large amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, and an indented nucleus, that is, the ultrastructural features of large, granular lymphocytes. Thus, they morphologically and phenotypically resemble those lymphoid cells which have been shown to possess natural killer (NK) functions in man. Occasional Leu 1+OKT3− cells, some of which were OKT8+, were also seen during acute rejection. In each instance following therapy and resolution of the rejection episode only rare OKM1+Ia− cells were present. At this time the majority of the cells were Leu 1−OKT3+OKT8−. Routine biopsies, performed at times without evidence of rejection, showed only reactivity for Ia antigens by the capillary endothelium. These studies demonstrate the prevalence of cells with the natural killer phenotype in this human cardiac allograft during episodes of acute graft rejection.
Induced homocytotropic antibody to bovine serum albumin in nonatopic dogs.

Abstract Six dogs with no skin reactivity to bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used to determine the antibody response to that antigen. The animals were divided into 3 equal groups given 5, 10, or 25 mg. BSA in Freund's incomplete adjuvant weekly, until a definite skin reaction could be detected. All sera were studied by passive transfer, double-gel diffusion, tanned sheep red blood cell hemagglutination, co-precipitation, and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA). Serum from one dog contained passively transferable antibody and was studied further by autoradiography and fractionation on Sephadex G-200. Skin reactivity to BSA could be detected up to 27 weeks in 5 of the 6 dogs. Hemagglutinating antibody was inhibited by the addition of 2-mercaptoethanol, and coprecipitation demonstrated that the antigenbinding capacity could be correlated with hemagglutinating antibody. Serum from the dog with passive transfer activity also contained precipitating antibody, and PCA activity could be demonstrated in guinea pigs. Autoradiography of the serum demonstrated 2 distinct arcs of anti-BSA activity. Homocytotropic antibody activity could be detected on the ascending slope of the second peak by Sephadex G-200 filtration, while hemagglutination antibody was localized to the first peak. These results indicate that antibodies with different activities can be induced in the dog following injection of BSA. The induced homocytotropic antibody has characteristics similar to spontaneous canine homocytotropic antibody.
The Intrusion of Animals into the Human Body: Fantasy and Reality

(1995). The Intrusion of Animals into the Human Body: Fantasy and Reality. Folklore: Vol. 106, No. 1-2, pp. 89-92.
Calmodulin-dependent NAD kinase of human neutrophils.

Abstract NAD kinase from human neutrophils has been partially purified by sequential application of Red Agarose, ion-exchange, and gel-filtration chromatography. The enzyme has a broad pH optimum, 7.0–9.5, is strictly dependent upon the presence of Mg 2+ , and in the absence of calcium exhibits K m values of 0.6 and 0.9 m m for NAD and ATP, respectively. NAD kinase activity is extremely sensitive to free calcium concentration, with half-maximal activity observed at free calcium concentrations of approximately 0.4 μ m . In cellular extracts calcium-dependent activation of NAD kinase increases the maximum velocity of the reaction from 2- to 5-fold while not affecting K m values for NAD and ATP. The activity of the partially purified NAD kinase is stimulated 3.5-fold by the addition of calmodulin in the presence of calcium. This stimulation is inhibited by the addition of 20 μ m trifluoperazine to the incubation. These data are interpreted as implicating calmodulin in NAD kinase regulation. The total concentration of NADP + NADPH in the human neutrophil used increased 2.2-fold in response to activation by phorbol myristic acetate. Finally, neutrophil NAD kinase has a M r , based upon gel filtration, of 169,000.
Factors associated with the willingness of health care personnel to work during an influenza public health emergency: an integrative review.

IntroductionThe first decade of the 21st century has witnessed three major influenza public health emergencies: (1) the severe acute respiratory syndrome of 2002-2003; (2) the avian flu of 2006; and (3) the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza. An effective public health response to an influenza public health emergency depends on the majority of uninfected health care personnel (HCP) continuing to report to work. The purposes of this study were to determine the state of the evidence concerning the willingness of HCP to work during an influenza public health emergency, to identify the gaps for future investigation, and to facilitate evidence-based influenza public health emergency planning.MethodsA systemic literature review of relevant, peer-reviewed, quantitative, English language studies published from January 1, 2001 through June 30, 2010 was conducted. Search strategies included the Cochrane Library, PubMed, PubMed Central, EBSCO Psychological and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Google Scholar, ancestry searching of citations in relevant publications, and information from individuals with a known interest in the topic.ResultsThirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Factors associated with a willingness to work during an influenza public health emergency include: being male, being a doctor or nurse, working in a clinical or emergency department, working full-time, prior influenza education and training, prior experience working during an influenza emergency, the perception of value in response, the belief in duty, the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), and confidence in one's employer. Factors found to be associated with less willingness were: being female, being in a supportive staff position, working part-time, the peak phase of the influenza emergency, concern for family and loved ones, and personal obligations. Interventions that resulted in the greatest increase in the HCP's willingness to work were preferential access to Tamiflu for the HCP and his/her family, and the provision of a vaccine for the individual and his/her family.ConclusionsUnderstanding the factors that contribute to the willingness of HCP to report to work during an influenza public health emergency is critical to emergency planning and preparedness. Information from this review can guide emergency policy makers, planners, and implementers in both understanding and influencing the willingness of HCP to work during an influenza public health emergency.DevnaniM. Factors Associated with the Willingness of Health Care Personnel to Work During an Influenza Public Health Emergency: An Integrative Review. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(6):1-16.
Systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt using the internal mammary artery

Systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts may be useful for palliation of cyanotic congenital heart disease. We report the case of a 5-year-old boy in whom the internal mammary artery was used to create a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt after failure of a previous Blalock-Taussig shunt. This technique may have distinct advantages in selected cases and should be considered as an alternative during investigation of the older child who requires a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt.