cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping and Prediction of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis with Bioavailable Iron Content in the Bituminous Coals

Based on the first National Study of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP) and the U.S. Geological Survey database of coal quality, we show that the prevalence of CWP in seven coal mine regions correlates with levels of bioavailable iron (BAI) in the coals from that particular region (correlation coefficient r = 0.94, p < 0.0015). CWP prevalence is also correlated with contents of pyritic sulfur (r = 0.91, p < 0.0048) or total iron (r = 0.85, p < 0.016) but not with coal rank (r = 0.59, p < 0.16) or silica (r = 0.28, p < 0.54). BAI was calculated using our model, taking into account chemical interactions of pyrite, sulfuric acid, calcite, and total iron. That is, iron present in coals can become bioavailable by pyrite oxidation, which produces ferrous sulfate and sulfuric acid. Calcite is the major component in coals that neutralizes the available acid and inhibits iron’s bioavailability. Therefore, levels of BAI in the coals are determined by the available amounts of acid after neutralization of calcite and the amount of total iron in the coals. Using the linear fit of CWP prevalence and the calculated BAI in the seven coal mine regions, we have derived and mapped the pneumoconiotic potencies of 7,000 coal samples. Our studies indicate that levels of BAI in the coals may be used to predict coal’s toxicity, even before large-scale mining.
Determination of the poloidal magnetic field profiles in a tokamak by polarization spectroscopy of an impurity ion line.

Profiles of the poloidal magnetic field in Ohmically heated, sawtoothing discharges are determined in the Texas Experimental Tokamak (TEXT) from a precise measurement of the partial circular polarization of an impurity-ion line, TiXVII 3834 \AA{}. The sawtooth-period-averaged safety factor (inverse of the rotational transform) on the plasma axis is found to be close to 1.0, independent of its value on the plasma edge. The measurements indicate a decoupling of the current and temperature profiles and a flat current density profile in the center of the discharge.
Stability and detection of α-pinene oxide in aqueous culture medium

Methane consumption by methanotrophic bacteria was previously shown to be temporarily inhibited by α-pinene. Based on literature considerations, loss of inhibition may be due to bacterial degradation of the monoterpene to α-pinene oxide, an anticipated metabolite. However, since α-pinene oxide is unstable in aqueous media, detection of its production by methanotrophs or other bacteria is problematic. Therefore, we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis to study the chemical breakdown of α-pinene oxide in various buffer systems (Tris[hydroxymethyl]am inomethane, 3-[N-morpholino]propanesulfonic acid, phosphate; pH 7-9) suitable for bacterial whole-cell and cell-free experiments. In every case, aqueous phase α-pinene oxide was unstable and its disappearance was accompanied by the appearance of five decomposition products in a characteristic fingerprint that was in part buffer dependent. However, this fingerprint was adequately stable in phosphate buffer such that its appearance could be used to infer the intermediacy of α-pinene oxide if produced by the bacteria at or near their optimal pH.
Recreational ecstasy use and depression

Research in laboratory animals has shown that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) destroys serotonergic axons in the brain at certain doses. Serotonin is known to take part in the regulation of mood in humans. Many researchers have hypothesized that if recreational ecstasy use destroys serotonergic axons, then a corresponding decline in the mood of ecstasy users should be seen. The purpose of the present study was to look at the relationship between recreational ecstasy use and depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II. No significant differences were found between Beck Depression Inventory-II scores of heavy ecstasy users and ecstasy-naive college students. No significant relationships were found between Beck Depression Inventory-II scores and any of the measures of ecstasy use. Most ecstasy users who had been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder reported that being diagnosed preceded their use of ecstasy.
An analytical and experimental study of the plate tearing mode of fracture

Abstract Certain analytical and experimental aspects of the fracture of cracked thin plates subjected to pure twisting moments are examined. A simplified analytical and finite element approach to evaluate plate tearing mode stress intensity factors is proposed. A photoelastic study was also performed to observe the crack-tip fringe patterns and evaluate the plate tearing mode stress intensity factors. Although the observed fringe patterns differed considerably from the predictions obtained using Williams' analysis, they were much closer to the predictions obtained using Reissner's bending theory and the approach proposed in this paper. The finite-element study using the proposed method as well as the Kirchoff bending theory showed that the stress intensity factors obtained using the proposed method agree more closely with the photoelastic results.
Dual-role self-assembling nanoplexes for efficient gene transfection and sustained gene delivery.

Abstract Novel cationic pentablock copolymers with poly(diethylamino ethyl methacrylate) blocks covalently attached to parent triblock Pluronic copolymers have been designed and developed as sustained release non-viral gene delivery vectors. These copolymers electrostatically condense plasmid DNA into nanostructures (nanoplexes) and further self-assemble above critical concentration to form thermoreversible hydrogels at physiological temperatures. Unlike other sustained gene delivery systems of non-ionic copolymers that release naked DNA, hydrogels of pentablock copolymer/DNA nanoplexes dissolve in excess buffers to release DNA compacted inside the nanoplexes. These hydrogels permit aqueous pharmaceutical formulations that do not involve organic solvents and are non-invasively injectable with syringes into localized tissues where they instantly form hydrogels in situ. The hydrogels were found to have better mechanical strength than Pluronic gels. Hydrogels of nanoplexes containing 15 wt% copolymer dissolved to release nanoplexes up to 5 days in vitro, compared to rapid release of up to 90% entrapped naked DNA from only Pluronic gels by day 1. The release profile of the nanoplexes from the hydrogels could be modulated by changing the concentration of copolymer or plasmid DNA in the hydrogel formulation. Since DNA is electrostatically bound to copolymer molecules, it does not freely diffuse out of the polymeric network, preventing initial release bursts observed with other such controlled release gels/matrices/microspheres. The released nanoplexes were colloidally stable, preserved the integrity of supercoiled plasmid DNA, and gave good transfection efficiencies in vitro upon dissolution. These novel copolymers, thus, act as both nanoscale gene delivery vectors and macroscale sustained delivery agents, and make a clinically viable long-term sustained gene delivery system.
Comparison of genetically engineered herpes simplex viruses for the treatment of brain tumors in a scid mouse model of human malignant glioma.

Abstract Genetically engineered viruses and viral genes inserted into retroviral vectors are increasingly being considered for experimental therapy of brain tumors. A primary target of these viruses and vectors is human gliomas, the most frequently occurring primary human brain tumor. To investigate the potential of genetically engineered herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) in the therapy of these tumors, we compared the attributes of two viruses, a recombinant from which the gamma 1(34.5) gene had been deleted (R3616) and a recombinant in which the gamma 1(34.5) gene had been interrupted by a stop codon (R4009). Previous studies have shown that these recombinants were completely devoid of the ability to multiply in the central nervous system of rodents. To pursue these studies, we developed a scid mouse glioma model. Tumor cell response (survival) for 10(3), 10(4), and 10(5) implanted MT539MG glioma cells was 38, 23, and 15 days, respectively. The results were as follows: (i) both R3616 and R4009 replicate and cause cytolysis in diverse glioma cell lines of murine and human origin in vitro, and (ii) Winn-type assays 10(5) MT539MG cells coinoculated with R3616 or R4009 as compared to saline significantly prolonged survival in a dose-dependent fashion. Mice that received only tumor cells or the wild-type parent strain of the recombinants, HSV-1(F), died within 15 days. Survival was greatest with R4009. These experiments define both a model for screening oncolytic viruses and a genetically engineered virus of significant potential use as an oncolytic agent.
Polymers for colon-specific drug delivery

Abstract New types of synthetic water soluble polymeric systems for the treatment of colon disease are described. These systems are based on the concept of binding of polymeric carriers containing carbohydrate moieties complementary to colonie mucosal lectins and on the concept of site-specific release of drug (5-aminosalicylic acid) from the polymeric carrier by the degrading action of microbial enzymes present in the colon. New synthetic pathways have been developed for the synthesis of N -(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide copolymers containing high amounts of both the bioadhesive moiety (fucosylamine) and 5-aminosalicylic acid. Fucosylamine containing copolymers bind to the colonie mucosa of guinea pigs. The higher the content of fucosylamine, the higher the binding. The binding can be inhibited by unbound fucose indicating the presence of specific lectin-like structures in the guinea pig colon. New biodegradable hydrogels containing both acidic comonomers and enzymatically degradable azoaromatic crosslinks were synthesized. These hydrogels are suitable for site-specific delivery of peptides (proteins) into the colon. In the low pH range of the stomach, the gels have a low equilibrium degree of swelling and the drug is protected against digestion by enzymes. The degree of swelling increases as the hydrogel passes down the gastrointestinal tract due to increased pH. In colon, the hydrogels have reached a degree of swelling that makes the crosslinks accessible to azoreductases and mediators. The rate of degradation depends on the structure of the hydrogels. Total dissolution in vivo can be achieved in less than 48 h. Brush border membrane and luminal enzymes were isolated from guinea pig small intestine and colon. Their enzymatic activity towards insulin and insulin B-chain was compared. It was shown that the extent of peptide degradation is substantially lower with colonic enzymes when compared to those isolated from the small intestine.
Lasing at 79 {Angstrom} in Ni-like Nd using multiple pulse illumination and other new results

We present results which show lasing at 79 {Angstrom} in nickel-like neodymium (Z=60) when a series of short 100--150 ps pulses which are 400--500 ps apart are used to illuminate slab targets of neodymium. This multiple pulse technique was first used successfully with germanium and selenium targets where strong lasing was observed on the neon-like 3p {yields} 3s(J=0{yields}1) transitions at 196 and 182 {Angstrom}, respectively. We also will present results which use this technique on both higher and lower Z targets of neon-like ions. For the higher-Z ions such as yttrium, zirconium, and molybdenum we observe the usual lasing dominated by the pair of 3p {yields} 3s(J=2{yields}1) transitions as seen in other experiments using single pulse illumination. For lower-Z ions such as iron, nickel and zinc we see dominant lasing from the 3p {yields} 3s(J=0{yields}1) transition however it is relatively weak for iron and increases with Z to become quite strong for zinc. We present results which show the advantages of coupled slab targets and of using a traveling wave geometry to drive targets with these short pulses. The main result of this work is combining the advantages of the double slab targets, the traveling wave geometry, and the multiple pulse technique to improve the output of the nickel-like neodymium laser at 79 {Angstrom}.
Abstract 2798: Cytotoxic and cystostatic properties of rapamycin are due to differential effects on the phosphorylation of mTORC1 substrates S6 kinase and 4E-BP1

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been widely implicated in signals that promote cell cycle progression and survival in cancer cells. Rapamycin, which inhibits mTOR with high specificity, has consequently attracted much attention as an anti-cancer therapy. Used clinically at nano-molar concentrations, rapamycin suppresses phosphorylation of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) substrate S6 kinase and has been considered a cytostatic drug. However, we have reported that higher (micro-molar) doses are required for complete cell cycle arrest. Such high doses suppress phosphorylation of another mTORC1 substrate, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binding protein-1 (4E-BP1). In this state, eIF4E is sequestered and unable to facilitate mRNA translation. Dual ablation of S6 kinase and eIF4e resulted in a larger increase in G1 content than by ablation of S6 kinase alone. This confirmed the complete cytostatic effect of high-dose rapamycin. We also demonstrated that the differential dose effects of rapamycin correlate with partial and complete dissociation of Raptor from mTORC1 at low and high doses, respectively. Therefore, high-dose rapamycin ensures complete non-functionality of mTORC1. Interestingly, in the absence of serum, high dose rapamycin induces apoptosis and dual inhibition of S6 kinase and eIF4e does not prevent it. We have established that the differential cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of rapamycin are due to intact TGFb signaling. In serum, TGFb is activated upon low dose rapamycin (suppression of of S6 kinase phosphorylation). The lack of TGFb in the absence of serum allows cells to progress through the cell cycle; at high rapamycin doses, the inactivity of eIF4e results in cell death. This study reveals the mechanism for both cytostatic and cytotoxic properties of rapmaycin. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2798. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2798
Grain growth of CZTSSe via nanocrystal selenization

Achieving micro-sized and closed packed grains is an essential requirement for high performance chalcogenide thin film solar cells. The grain growth mechanism of CZTSSe starting from nanocrystal films appears to be affected by the capping ligands composed of long hydrocarbon chains. The growth of grains relies heavily on the selenium vapor supplied in the thermal process. This study decouples the selenium evaporation temperature apart from the substrate temperature to allow the investigations of their individual effects. We found that the two temperatures have distinctive effects on grain morphology, and the combination of a lower substrate temperature and a higher selenium evaporation temperature is favorable to produce flat and closely-packed grains and also a thinner MoSe2 layer. Cell efficiency of 8.0% has been achieved by the film with favorable morphology. Also we show that the removal of carbon from the as-deposit films effectively improves the grain size of the selenized films. The understanding of the roles of selenium vapor and carbon content may further improve the device performance.
Enhancing Catalog Records with Photographs for a Curriculum Materials Center

At the University of Wyoming Libraries, patrons and staff at the Curriculum Materials Center experienced difficulties in search and inventory control for nontraditional curriculum items. Librarians in Technical Services and the Information Technology departments developed a workflow to photograph these items and add the images to catalog records using Innovative Interfaces's (III's) Media Management, while also enhancing traditional metadata for these records. Images of the curriculum materials now display as visual metadata in the catalog along with improved textual metadata from the MARC record.
Fixed Bed Adsorption of Acetone and Ammonia onto Oxidized Activated Carbon Fibers

The tailoring of the pore surface chemistry of activated carbon fibers is shown to be an effective method for increasing the removal efficiencies of various contaminants under a fixed bed configuration. An oxidation treatment with nitric and sulfuric acids resulted in a significant increase in the adsorption capacities and breakthrough times. The adsorption kinetics were described by a homogeneous surface diffusion model. Although the effective diffusion coefficients were actually reduced by the oxidation process, the improvement in equilibrium adsorption capacities more than compensated, to result in the overall improved breakthrough times.
Specific Ion Effects in Common Black Films: The Role of the Thermal Undulation of Surfaces

It has long been demonstrated that the traditional double layer theory does not provide an accurate description for the repulsion between colloidal particles at small separations and high ionic strengths. Recent experiments on black films revealed that the traditional theory seems to be inadequate even for large separation distances and moderate ionic strengths. These results raise doubts about the validity of the DLVO approximations. It is argued here that the results can be, however, understood within the framework of the traditional theory if one accounts for the thermal undulation of the film interfaces, and a new treatment to account for the thermal undulations is suggested.
Rectification of skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor mediated by FK506 binding protein

The cytosolic receptor for immunosuppressant drugs, FK506 binding protein (FKBP12), maintains a tight association with ryanodine receptors of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane in skeletal muscle. The interaction between FKBP12 and ryanodine receptors resulted in distinct rectification of the Ca release channel. The endogenous FKBP-bound Ca release channel conducted current unidirectionally from SR lumen to myoplasm; in the opposite direction, the channel deactivated with fast kinetics. The binding of FKBP12 is likely to alter subunit interactions within the ryanodine receptor complex, as revealed by changes in conductance states of the channel. Both on- and off-rates of FKBP12 binding to the ryanodine receptor showed clear dependence on the membrane potential, suggesting that the binding sites of FKBP12 reside in or near the conduction pore of the Ca release channel. Rectification of the Ca release channel would prevent counter-current flow during the rapid release of Ca from SR membrane, and thus may serve as a negative feedback mechanism that participates in the process of muscle excitation-contraction coupling.
A New Approach to Aggregate Production Planning

Abstract This paper proposes a new framework for modelling aggregate production planning problems in which emphasis is placed upon offering the user the flexibility to specify (1) the production options to be employed, (2) the relationships among those options (some of which may be highly situation-specific), and (3) the relevant cost structure. The procedure offered for solving the problem embeds Bowmann's “transportation” approach to aggregate production planning into a large mixed integer programming framework.
Mill Creek Chert Hoes and Prairie Soils: Implications for Cahokian Production and Expansion

Population growth in the American Bottom after A.D. 1050 may have outstripped agricultural productivity. It has been suggested that farmers expanded agricultural practices into previously unused upland prairies to expand production. Historic accounts describe the difficulty that early settlers had with prairie, making this supposition questionable. However, experiments with replica Mill Creek hoes suggest that these tools were capable of converting prairie into farmland.
On better heuristics for Steiner minimum trees

Finding a shortest network interconnecting a given set of points in a metric space is called the Steiner minimum tree problem. The Steiner ratio is the largest lower bound for the ratio between lengths of a Steiner minimum tree and a minimum spanning tree for the same set of points. In this paper, we show that in a metric space, if the Steiner ratio is less than one and finding a Steiner minimum tree for a set of size bounded by a fixed number can be performed in polynomial time, then there exists a polynomialtime heuristic for the Steiner minimum tree problem with performance ratio bigger than the Steiner ratio. It follows that in the Euclidean plane, there exists a polynomial-time heuristic for Steiner minimum trees with performance ratio bigger than $${\textstyle{1 \over 2}}\sqrt 3 $$ . This solves a long-standing open problem.
#Thevagenda's War on Headlines: Feminist Activism in the Information Age

In journalism, the headline reigns supreme. From the age-old adage “if it bleeds, it leads” to contemporary twenty-four-hour news cycles, headlines function as both attention seeking and attention ...
‘Sealing off the CNS’: cellular and molecular regulation of blood–brain barriergenesis

From their initial ingression into the neural tube to the established, adult vascular plexus, blood vessels within the CNS are truly unique. Covered by a virtually continuous layer of perivascular cells and astrocytic endfeet and connected by specialized cell–cell junctional contacts, mature CNS blood vessels simultaneously provide nutritive blood flow and protect the neural milieu from potentially disruptive or harmful molecules and cells flowing through the vessel lumen. In this review we will discuss how the CNS vasculature acquires blood–brain barrier (BBB) properties with a specific focus on recent work identifying the cell types and molecular pathways that orchestrate barriergenesis.
The value of adriamycin in the treatment of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma

Thirty-six patients with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma were seen over a period of 15 years. The median age was 60 years (range, 21 to 75 years), and the male to female ratio was 2.3 to 1. The most common symptoms were chest pain and shortness of breath and all patients presented with pleural effusion on chest x-ray. The diagnosis was established by tissue biopsy in all cases. The median survival time for all patients was 12.5 months. Twenty-one patients were treated with an adriamycin-containing regimen and in this group, the median survival time from histological diagnosis was 14 months. In contrast, the median survival time for the 15 patients, who did not receive adriamycin, was 6 months (p = 0.009). The median survival time from the initiation of chemotherapy was 9 months for the adriamycin group and 2 months for patients treated with other types of chemotherapy (p = 0.001). Adriamycin appears to be of benefit in the treatment of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma. Cancer 42:1692–1696, 1978.
Newer concepts in endoscopic imaging of the larynx

Methods of endoscopic documentation of the larynx have dramatically changed with advances in optical and video technology. With the introduction of laryngeal endoscopes with superb optics, compact light-sensitive CCD color video cameras and newer color video printers, it has now become possible to obtain high quality laryngeal pictures instantaneously from video images.
Maize population hybrids: Successful genetic resources for breeding programs and potential alternatives to single-cross hybrids

Conservation of maize ( Zea mays L.) genetic resources has been the emphasis of national and international institutions for the benefit of mankind. However, limited resources have been devoted to their adequate exploitation, making genetic resources less useful to the public and private scientific community. As a consequence, public maize breeders have exploited a limited number of heterotic combinations for cultivar development and basic molecular studies while genetic effects are different for different hybrids. Extensive testing of maize population hybrids is a successful approach to choose and improve germplasm sources with high mean performance, useful genetic variability, and excellent combining ability. There is a need to keep applied breeding programs strong in order to link efforts in germplasm conservation with its improvement and utilization.
Glutamate Receptor GluR3 Antibodies and Death of Cortical Cells

Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE), a childhood disease characterized by epileptic seizures associated with progressive destruction of a single cerebral hemisphere, is an autoimmune disease in which one of the autoantigens is a glutamate receptor, GluR3. The improvement of some affected children following plasma exchange that removed circulating GluR3 antibodies (anti-GluR3) suggested that anti-GluR3 gained access to the central nervous system where it exerted deleterious effects. Here, we demonstrate that a subset of rabbits immunized with a GluR3 fusion protein develops a neurological disorder mimicking RE. Anti-GluR3 IgG isolated from serum of both ill and healthy GluR3-immunized animals promoted death of cultured cortical cells by a complement-dependent mechanism. IgG immunoreactivity decorated neurons and their processes in neocortex and hippocampus in ill but not in healthy rabbits. Moreover, both IgG and complement membrane attack complex (MAC) immunoreactivity was evident on neurons and their processes in the cortex of a subset of patients with RE. We suggest that access of IgG to epitopes in the central nervous system triggers complement-mediated neuronal damage and contributes to the pathogenesis of both this animal model and RE.
Computer analysis of amino acid chromatograms

Abstract A systematic procedure is described which is arranged for computerized qualitative and quantitative analysis of amino acid analyzer chromatograms of protein hydrolysates. The identification of amino acids has usually been made by inspection, before the numerical data are entered into the computer for calculation of the concentrations of the amino acids. In this report we describe a program by which the computer can identify as well as quantitatively determine the amino acids from the data provided by the integrator attached to the automatic amino acid analyzer. The program is written in a common language and calculates amino acid compositions of proteins or peptides.
TNFα G308A polymorphism is associated with resilience to sleep deprivation-induced psychomotor vigilance performance impairment in healthy young adults

Cytokines such as TNFα play an integral role in sleep/wake regulation and have recently been hypothesized to be involved in cognitive impairment due to sleep deprivation. We examined the effect of a guanine to adenine substitution at position 308 in the TNFα gene (TNFα G308A) on psychomotor vigilance performance impairment during total sleep deprivation. A total of 88 healthy women and men (ages 22-40) participated in one of five laboratory total sleep deprivation experiments. Performance on a psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) was measured every 2-3h. The TNFα 308A allele, which is less common than the 308G allele, was associated with greater resilience to psychomotor vigilance performance impairment during total sleep deprivation (regardless of time of day), and also provided a small performance benefit at baseline. The effect of genotype on resilience persisted when controlling for between-subjects differences in age, gender, race/ethnicity, and baseline sleep duration. The TNFα G308A polymorphism predicted less than 10% of the overall between-subjects variance in performance impairment during sleep deprivation. Nonetheless, the differential effect of the polymorphism at the peak of performance impairment was more than 50% of median performance impairment at that time, which is sizeable compared to the effects of other genotypes reported in the literature. Our findings provided evidence for a role of TNFα in the effects of sleep deprivation on psychomotor vigilance performance. Furthermore, the TNFα G308A polymorphism may have predictive potential in a biomarker panel for the assessment of resilience to psychomotor vigilance performance impairment due to sleep deprivation. Language: en
Memory for drug-related visual stimuli in young adult, cocaine-dependent polydrug users

AbstractBackground and objectives: Implicit (unconscious) and explicit (conscious) memory associations with drugs have been examined primarily using verbal cues. However, drug seeking, drug use behaviors, and relapse in chronic cocaine and other drug users are frequently triggered by viewing substance-related visual cues in the environment. We thus examined implicit and explicit memory for drug picture cues to understand the relative extent to which conscious and unconscious memory facilitation of visual drug cues occurs during cocaine dependence. Methods: Memory for drug-related and neutral picture cues was assessed in 14 inpatient cocaine-dependent polydrug users and a comparison group of 21 young adults with limited drug experience (n = 35). Participants completed picture cue exposure, free recall and recognition tasks to assess explicit memory, and a repetition priming task to assess implicit memory. Results: Drug cues, compared to neutral cues, were better explicitly recalled and implicitly primed, a...
Transgenic C. elegans Dauer Larvae Expressing Hookworm Phospho Null DAF-16/FoxO Exit Dauer

Parasitic hookworms and the free-living model nematode Caenorhabtidis elegans share a developmental arrested stage, called the dauer stage in C. elegans and the infective third-stage larva (L3) in hookworms. One of the key transcription factors that regulate entrance to and exit from developmental arrest is the forkhead transcription factor DAF-16/FoxO. During the dauer stage, DAF-16 is activated and localized in the nucleus. DAF-16 is negatively regulated by phosphorylation by the upstream kinase AKT, which causes DAF-16 to localize out of the nucleus and the worm to exit from dauer. DAF-16 is conserved in hookworms, and hypothesized to control recovery from L3 arrest during infection. Lacking reverse genetic techniques for use in hookworms, we used C. elegans complementation assays to investigate the function of Ancylostoma caninum DAF-16 during entrance and exit from L3 developmental arrest. We performed dauer switching assays and observed the restoration of the dauer phenotype when Ac-DAF-16 was expressed in temperature-sensitive dauer defective C. elegans daf-2(e1370);daf-16(mu86) mutants. AKT phosphorylation site mutants of Ac-DAF-16 were also able to restore the dauer phenotype, but surprisingly allowed dauer exit when temperatures were lowered. We used fluorescence microscopy to localize DAF-16 during dauer and exit from dauer in C. elegans DAF-16 mutant worms expressing Ac-DAF-16, and found that Ac-DAF-16 exited the nucleus during dauer exit. Surprisingly, Ac-DAF-16 with mutated AKT phosphorylation sites also exited the nucleus during dauer exit. Our results suggest that another mechanism may be involved in the regulation DAF-16 nuclear localization during recovery from developmental arrest.
Training sequence design for data-aided synchronization of burst-mode CPM

In this paper, we study the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) for continuous phase modulation (CPM) signals. Based on the CRB computations, we propose the optimum training sequence for joint estimation of carrier phase, frequency offset and symbol timing. Our proposed training sequence is optimum in the sense that it minimizes the CRBs for all three estimation parameters simultaneously. The results are useful in the design of training sequences attached to data packets in burst-mode transmissions where data-aided (DA) synchronization is employed.
The relationship between empirical orthogonal functions and sources of air pollution

Abstract Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) of airborne pollutant concentrations are shown to be closely related to the underlying advection differential equation. The averge balance of sources and sinks of a pollutant is equal to the sum of the dot product of the gradient of the EOFs with specially weighted transport winds, plus some corrections for initial and final conditions. This relationship is the basis for the Source identification Through Empirical Orthogonal Functions (SITEOF) model, a hybrid receptor model. This model is tested by applying it to simulated data from a simple dispersion model and 2 years of airborne fine sulfur concentrations from 24 western sites in the National Park Service monitoring network. In both cases, the predicted net source and sink areas derived form the SITEOF model are in good agreement with known major sulfur dioxide source areas. The effect of source location, turbulent diffusion, and averaging time of the observations on the model are discussed. Possible application include estimating emission from fugitive or nontraditional sources, estimating production rates of secondary pollutants, and deposition rates.
A Wealth of New Options: A Case Presentation of the Management of Castration-Recurrent Prostate Cancer

a t f t p p t At times we encounter clinical problems for which there are no directly applicable evidence-based solutions, but we are compelled by circumstances to act. When doing so we rely on related evidence, general principles of best medical practice, and our experience. Each ”Current Clinical Practice” feature article in Seminars in Oncology describes such a challenging presentation and offers treatment approaches from selected specialists. We invite readers’ comments and questions, which, with your approval, will be published in subsequent issues of the Journal. It is hoped that sharing our views and experiences will better inform our management decisions when we next encounter similar challenging patients. Please send your comments on the articles, your challenging cases, and your treatment successes to me at Dr.gjmorris@gmail.com. I look forward to a lively discussion.
The First Antibody Responses to DNA Vaccines in Humans

To the Editor—In their recent article, Martin et al. [1] report an important phase 1 clinical trial of a DNA vaccine for West Nile Virus. They conclude that “[t]his clinical study represents the first report of neutralizing antibody activity elicited by a DNA vaccine in humans” [1, p. 1739]; the accompanying editorial commentary, by Peterson and Roehrig, repeats this claim [2, p. 1722]. Although Martin et al. elegantly demonstrate neutralizing-antibody responses by using plaque-reduction neutralization and reporter-virus particles, multiple earlier clinical trials demonstrating putative neutralizing-antibody responses have been reported. To our knowledge, the first report of a protective antibody response induced by a DNA vaccine was published in 2000 by Roy et al. [3]. DNA encoding the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was administered to 12 healthy, hepatitis-naive human volunteers via particle-mediated epidermal delivery (PMED). All volunteers developed protective antibody responses, defined as 10 mIU/mL. This level of antibody response against HBV has long been considered sufficient to protect against HBV infection [4]. Subsequent studies confirmed that this HBV DNA vaccine could elicit antibody responses in those who do not respond to conventional vaccine [5] and could increase antibody titers when administered via a disposable, commercial prototype device [6]. These reports, in combination with other clinical studies of DNA vaccines for a variety of pathogens, provide considerable evidence to support further human trials of DNA vaccines. Both the PMED system used in these HBV DNA vaccine studies and the Biojector 2000 NeedleFree Injection Management System that Martin et al. use for West Nile virus are excellent examples of innovative needlefree methods for the delivery of DNA vaccine. These novel delivery methods provide increased hope for the development of a commercially feasible DNA vaccine for use in humans.
Diagnostic value of differential expression of CK19, Galectin-3, HBME-1, ERK, RET, and p16 in benign and malignant follicular-derived lesions of the thyroid: an immunohistochemical tissue microarray analysis.

Several immunohistochemical markers have been used to aid in the diagnosis of follicular-derived lesions of the thyroid (FDLT). In this study we analyze the diagnostic efficacy of an immunopanel of antibodies to cytokeratin-19 (CK19), galectin-3 (GAL-3), HBME-1, anti-MAP kinase (ERK), ret-oncoprotein (RET), and p16 using a tissue microarray consisting of both benign and malignant FDLT. The study cohort consisted of 90 cases of FDLT (53 benign, 37 malignant) embedded in a microarray and immunostained with antibodies to CK19, Gal-3, HMBE-1, ERK, RET, and p16. Staining was scored as positive when >25% of the lesional cells showed positive immunostaining. HMBE-1 was expressed in 70% of malignant and 10% of benign FDLT (p value: <0.0001). (CK19 and GAL-3 were positive in 70% and 73% of malignant lesions, respectively, and 34% of benign FDLT (p value 0.0005 and 0.0015, respectively). ERK was positive in 4% of the benign and 32% of the malignant cases (p value 0.0002). p16 was expressed in 2% and 46% of the benign and malignant lesions, respectively (p value 0.0001). RET positivity was identified in 15% of the benign lesions and 27% of the malignant cases (p value 0.0016). HBME-1, ERK, and p16 were more specific for malignancy, whereas CK19 and GAL-3 stained benign lesions with a higher frequency and were not specific for malignant FDLT. RET-oncoprotein showed poor sensitivity and specificity.
Comment on “Taylor dispersion of a solute in a microfluidic channel” [J. Appl. Phys. 89, 4667 (2001)]

In a recent article [J. Appl. Phys. 89, 4667 (2001)], Beard applies Taylor dispersion theory for two-dimensional Poiseuille flow between flat plates to analyze mixing processes occurring at the entrance of a microfluidic T sensor. The classical value of the coefficient of the Taylor dispersivity, 1/210, differs from Beard’s result, and this Comment points out elements of Beard’s derivation which lead to his erroneous value of 33/560. Moreover, the lateral boundedness of the actual device and the long-time asymptotic nature of Taylor dispersion theory call into question the use of the latter model in the context of the T sensor described in Beard’s analysis.
Genetics and genomics integration into undergraduate nursing education

Genetic and genomic science is redefining the understanding of the continuum of human health and illness. The required competency of providing essential information, support, guidance and education pertaining to genetic conditions is expected for all levels of initial pre-licensure preparation. How a nursing curriculum prepares these student nurses to function at their highest capacity depends on how genetics and genomics are integrated into the curriculum. Integrating genetics and genomics as a stand-alone course needs to be innovative and creative while teaching the scientific content. By exploring innovative and creative formats, nurse educators will learn how to enhance their students learning process to become active participants, engaged and focused as they learn to apply their knowledge of genetics and genomics. This paper will discuss practical suggestions for integrating a stand-alone genetic course for baccalaureate nursing students or for threading genetic content through-out the curricula.
Multispectral Radiation Detection Of Small Changes In Target Emissivity

An investigation into the multispectral radiation detection of small changes in target emissivity has been performed by Georgia Tech. A series of ice detection measurements on the shuttle external tank (ET) were performed using an advanced instrumentation radiometer operating at 35/95 GHz. Actual shuttle ET ice detection measurements were run at NASA's National Space Technology Laboratory (NSTL) during cryogenic fueling operations prior to orbiter engine firing tests. Investigations revealed that ET icing caused an increase in surface brightness temperature and the test results further demonstrated the usefulness of millimeter wave radiometry for the detection of ice on the ET.
Molybdenum Gate Work Function Engineering for Ultra-Thin-Body Silicon-on-Insulator (UTB SOI) MOSFETs

In this paper, we demonstrate threshold voltage (VT) adjustment for Mo-gated ultra-thin-body (UTB) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs by nitrogen (14N+) implantation for the first time. In order to avoid dopant fluctuation effects and impurity scattering, a lightly doped (1015 cm-3) Si body is used without degrading the short channel effects by virtue of an ultra-thin body. Metallic gate materials are desirable for reducing resistance, and for eliminating the gate depletion effect as well as dopant penetration through an ultra-thin gate dielectric. The VT for Mo-gated UTB SOI p-channel MOSFET is -0.2 V, and it can be shifted by approximately -65 mV for every 1×1015 cm-2 increment in 14N+ implant dose. An estimated dose of 6–8×1015 cm-2 is needed for achieving low VT (0.2–0.3 V) Mo-gated UTB SOI n-channel MOSFET.
A correlative lipid and lipolytic study of the pancreas and small intestine of the guinea-pig

Abstract 1. 1. With the aid of a variety of TLC preparations the phospholipid and neutral lipid profiles of guinea-pig pancreas and small intestine has been established. 2. 2. Changes in these profiles, subsequent to incubation of these tissues and prior to lipid extraction, has provided evidence relating to their respective lipolytic enzyme capabilities, mainly in the phospholipase group.
Antenna structure and excitation dynamics in photosystem I. II. Studies with mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii lacking photosystem II

Using time-resolved single photon counting, fluorescence decay in photosystem I (PS I) was analyzed in mutant strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that lack photosystem II. Two strains are compared: one with a wild-type PS I core antenna (120 chlorophyll a/P700) and a second showing an apparent reduction in core antenna size (60 chlorophyll a/P700). These data were calculated from the lifetimes of core antenna excited states (75 and 45 ps, respectively) and from pigment stoichiometries. Fluorescence decay in wild type PS I is composed of two components: a fast 75-ps decay that represents the photochemically limited lifetime of excited states in the core antenna, and a minor (less than 10%) 300–800 ps component that has spectral characteristics of both peripheral and core antenna pigments. Temporal and spectral properties of the fast PS I decay indicate that (a) excitations are nearly equilibrated among the range of spectral forms present in the PS I core antenna, (b) an average excitation visits a representative distribution of core antenna spectral forms on all pigment-binding subunits regardless of the origin of the excitation, (c) reduction in core antenna size does not alter the range of antenna spectral forms present, and (d) transfer from peripheral antennae to the PS I core complex is rapid (less than 5 ps).
Tech to the Future: Making a "Kinection" with Haptic Interaction

The Kinect camera has been a great success in gaming but more importantly it has opened up new fields for researchers. The data streamed from the Kinect in real time requires new haptic algorithms. By developing a novel haptic rendering algorithm we have shown feasibility for using the Kinect in telerobotic applications such as robotic surgery. Providing the surgeon with a "sense of touch" could improve telerobotic surgery. One way to obtain data for such a haptic rendering is from sensors in the robot or on end-effectors (i.e., the surgical tools). But the latter raises issues of calibration as "well as sterilization. An alternative approach is to use depth camera information for haptic rendering. RGB-D cameras like Kinect present a possible way to do this, if the device can be suitably miniaturized. Developing this algorithm into a practical tool for robotic surgeons requires a number of improvements and extensions. One concern is the presence of noise and shadows in depth data especially since shadows will be caused by surgical tools positioned between the Kinect and tissue being acted upon by the tools. A second challenge is to enhance the resolution of the depth data since surgical operations are at a relatively small size scale. A third concern is the need to register the virtual 3-D environment with the real environment. Finally, there is a need to capture haptic properties of tissues such that they can be rendered realistically with the appropriate stiffness.
Diversity and biomass dynamics of marine algae in Biosphere II's tropical reef macrocosm

Abstract Macrocosms can be used to study complex ecological processes in a small physical space, but the validity of the studies depends on how well the macrocosm simulates natural ecosystem functions. We measured the standing crop of macroalgae and nutrient levels over 4 years in the Biosphere II macrocosm tropical reef biome at Oracle, Arizona. Ten years after this system was closed to outside introductions, it still contained 35 species of macroalgae, within the range found on natural reefs. The macroalgae community was recognizable as a late-successional, coralline algal turf community similar to those found in the low-energy portions of inner tropical reefs. However, biomass values for the most abundant species were in a continual state of flux over the study, and no single species was dominant. Nutrient levels were also unexpectedly dynamic, with dissolved inorganic phosphorous, nitrate, and ammonium each varying by a factor of 10 over the study. The dynamic nature of biomass and nutrient cycles would make it difficult to use this macrocosm for controlled studies. On the other hand, the community dynamics in the Biosphere II ocean may shed light on processes controlling biodiversity and succession on natural reefs. The apparently chaotic swings in biomass and nutrient levels suggested that the paradox of the plankton, which explains how seemingly uniform aquatic environments can support a wide diversity of planktonic forms, may apply to reef macroalgae as well. The Biosphere II ocean biome demonstrates that a diverse macroalgal reef community can be restored relatively easily, supporting the feasibility of actively restoring damaged natural reefs. Macrocosms such as this could be used in manipulative experiments to study the effects of nutrient enrichment and herbivory on coral–algal phase shifts.
Epitaxial Relationships in Esd Processes on Oxide Surfaces

During intense electron irradiation inside the electron microscope, the electron—stimulated desorption of oxygen from the surfaces of several maximally—valent transition—metal oxides (TiO2, V2O5, Nb2 O5 and WO3) has been observed [1]. The irradiatedsurfaces become covered with a crystalline layer of the corresponding monoxide phase. These reduced phases, which are all based on cubic structures and have metallic conductivity, grow with a well— defined epitaxial relationship with the bulk oxide. Computer—drawn models of the crystal structures have been used to study the atomic arrangements implied by the epitaxial relationship, and certain structural features were found to be common to the oxides studied.