cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential effects of calorie restriction on glomeruli and tubules of the remnant kidney.

Differential effects of calorie restriction on glomeruli and tubules of the remnant kidney. We have previously shown that 40% calorie restriction (CR) prevents renal injury 21 weeks after 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx) in rats, regardless of whether protein intake was concurrently restricted or not. Growth retardation appeared to be a necessary prerequisite for the protective effects of CR. To further study these mechanisms, we performed 5/6 Nx in male F344 rats and pair-fed them with a control diet (ad lib group) or a high protein diet restricted by 40% so that protein intake was similar, but calorie consumption was reduced (CR group). Four weeks after 5/6 Nx, when glomerulosclerosis had not yet developed, we compared various parameters as follows in both dietary groups and sham operated rats: urinary protein excretion (uPr), GFR ( 14 C inulin clearance), mean nephron GFR (MNGFR; GFR divided by total number of glomeruli), glomerular volume (V G ), tubulointerstitial index (TII), a measure of tubular damage kidney weight (kidney wt), kidney IGF-I content by RIA, and IGF-I immunohistochemistry. CR ameliorated the increase of MNGFR, but not glomerular hypertrophy. TII, kidney wt and kidney IGF-I content were increased in the ad lib Nx group; these changes were alleviated by CR. Two weeks after 5/6 Nx, immunohistochemistry for IGF-I showed increased staining in superficial distal nephrons in the ad lib group, and this was also suppressed by CR. The occurrence of tubulointerstitial pathology prior to glomerulosclerosis, and the beneficial effects of CR on all parameters except Vg indicate a dissociation of mechanisms which result in tubular versus glomerular hypertrophy and damage. Specifically, they suggest that tubular damage may occur secondarily to glomerular hyperfiltration and work-related tubular hypertrophy, rather than as a process of ischemia due to compromise of post glomerular circulation by glomerulosclerosis.
Development and Validation of a Measure of Organizational Culture in Public Child Welfare Agencies

Objective: To develop and explore the validity characteristics of a new measure of organizational culture in public child welfare agencies. Method: Multiple validation methods were used, including expert judgment and criterion-related validity procedures using a statewide sample of 1,033 child welfare caseworkers, supervisors, and administrators. Results: Principal components analyses identified seven measurement dimensions positively correlated with a criterion measure of intent to remain employed in child welfare. Regression analyses showed that four measurement dimensions accounted for 26% of the variation in the criterion measure. Conclusions: The validity evidence for this new measure supports its use in a variety of ways in child welfare practice and in continued research on organizational culture and in child welfare workforce and child outcomes research.
The tiling phenomenon in /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulation

The theoretical error signal analysis of a sigma-delta (/spl Sigma//spl Delta/) modulator is a difficult problem due to the presence of a nonlinear operation (the amplitude quantization) in a feedback loop. In this paper, new deterministic knowledge on the transfer function of a /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator is established, thanks to some recently observed properties of its state variables. For a large class of typical /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulators with constant inputs, the state variables appear to remain in a tile. We show what characteristics in a /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator are specifically responsible for this property and give some initial proof of it. Under a constant input, the tiling phenomenon has as fundamental consequence that the output is a fixed and memoryless modulo function of n successive integrated versions of the input. This gives the theoretical knowledge that the modulator has an equivalent feedforward circuit expression. We give some immediate theoretical consequences on error analysis including the case of time-varying inputs.
A Second Generation Highly Crosslinked UHMWPE: Vitamin E Stabilization Does Not Adversely Affect the Wear Rate of Irradiated Acetabular Liners

We developed a second generation highly cross-linked UHMWPE by doping and stabilizing irradiated UHMWPE with the antioxidant vitamin E. With this stabilization method, the crystallinity of the irradiated polyethylene is not decreased as with melting, and hence mechanical properties and fatigue strength can be preserved. Vitamin E-doped, irradiated second generation highly cross-linked UHMWPE showed wear comparable to and higher strength and fatigue resistance than that of 100-kGy irradiated and melted first generation highly cross-linked UHMWPE.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Circadian cortisol profiles, anxiety and depressive symptomatology, and body mass index in a clinical population of obese children

Obesity is highly co-morbid with anxiety and/or depression in children, conditions that may further worsen the metabolic and cardiovascular risks for obese individuals. Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is involved in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders, depression, and obesity, and diverse cortisol concentrations may be found in obese children, depending on their degree of psychological distress. The aim of this study was to examine cortisol profiles among obese children with or without symptoms of anxiety and depression. A group of 128 children (53% females; mean age ± SD: 11.2 ± 2.2 years) derived from a pediatric obesity clinic were studied. Anxiety and depressive symptomatology were assessed with appropriate instruments. Morning serum and five diurnal salivary cortisol concentrations were measured. Obese children were 3.1/2.3 times more likely to report state and trait anxiety, respectively, and 3.6 times more likely to report depressive symptoms than children of the same age group, from a contemporary Greek sample. Trait anxiety and noon salivary cortisol concentrations were significantly positively correlated (p = 0.002). Overall, salivary cortisol concentrations were increased in children with anxiety or depression symptomatology compared to obese children without any affective morbidity (p = 0.02) and to those with anxiety and depression co-morbidity (p = 0.02). In conclusion, in obese children, emotional distress expressed by symptoms of anxiety and/or depression is associated with circadian cortisol profiles reflecting a potential pathway for further morbidity. Longitudinal studies may reveal a role of cortisol in linking obesity, anxiety, and depression to the development of further psychological and physical morbidity.
A three-frequency feed for millimeter wave radiometry

A three-frequency millimeter-wave feed horn was developed as part of an advanced component technology task that provides components necessary for higher-frequency radiometers to meet the needs of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission. The primary objectives of SWOT are to characterize ocean sub-mesoscale processes on 10-km and larger scales in the global oceans, and to measure the global water storage in inland surface water bodies, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands. In this innovation, the feed provides three separate output ports in the 87-to- 97-GHz, 125-to-135-GHz, and 161-to-183- GHz bands; WR10 for the 90-GHz channel, WR8 for the 130-GHz channel, and WR5 for the 170-GHz channel. These ports are in turn connected to individual radiometer channels that will also demonstrate component technology including new PIN-diode switches and noise diodes for internal calibration integrated into each radiometer front end. For this application, a prime focus feed is required with an edge taper of approximately 20 dB at an illumination angle of 40 deg. A single polarization is provided in each band. Preliminary requirements called for a return loss of better than 15 dB, which is achieved across all three bands. Good pattern symmetry is also obtained throughout all three-frequency bands. This three-frequency broadband millimeter-wave feed also minimizes mass and provides a common focal point for all three millimeter-wave bands.
ME-01GLIOMA CELL ADHESION AND INVASION REGULATED BY PROINFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE IN A NOVEL SURFACE/MATRIX CULTURE SYSTEM.

Brain tumors are complex integrated tissues containing microglia and tumor associated macrophages in addition to glioma cells and vascular elements. These monocyte-lineage cells make important contributions to the tumor microenvironment. Activated M1-polarized microglia secrete a number of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF). We have previously reported that TNF increases surfaced expression of the adhesion molecule VCAM-1 [Mahadev et al. (2014) PLoSOne 9:e95123; PMID:24787244], and expression profiling indicates an increase in markers of mesenchymal phenotype. We have extended these observations to examine glioma cell adhesion and invasion in a novel 2.5D culture system. In brain, one route of brain tumor dissemination from an already-formed mass is along blood vessels in their associated extracellular matrix (ECM). We have recapitulated this arrangement by initiating tumor cell cultures by placing 10 µl drops of 500-10,000 patient-derived brain tumor cells in stem cell medium supplemented with 3% Matrigel in the centers of 12-mm diameter glass coverslips, allowing them to adhere, and then flooding the well with 1 ml of the same culture solution. Addition of TNF (2.5-20 ng/ml) increased surface expression of VCAM-1 and CD44, and enhanced formation of fascicles resembling chain migration of neural progenitor, and of subsidiary tumor islands. These processes are reminiscent of tumor cell invasion in vivo. These studies will be extended to include activated monocyte-lineage cells and other cell types in vitro, and subsequently into in vivo xenograft models.
Mass spectral determination of aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids using 1,1-dimethylhydrazine

Analyses of nanogram to milligram quantities of aliphatic aldehydes, fatty acids, and unhindered aliphatic ketones such as those typically found in pheromonal blends have been effected by treating these mixtures with 1,1-dimethylhydrazine. The aldehydes and ketones formN,N-dimethylhydrazones, while the fatty acids form methyl esters. Structural elucidation of the reaction products was achieved using EI and CI gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Oxidative Halogenation of Cisplatin and Carboplatin: Synthesis, Spectroscopy, and Crystal and Molecular Structures of Pt(IV) Prodrugs

A series of Pt(IV) prodrugs has been obtained by oxidative halogenation of either cisplatin or carboplatin. Iodobenzene dichloride is a general reagent that cleanly provides prodrugs bearing axial chlorides without the need to prepare intervening Pt(IV) intermediates or handle chlorine gas. Elemental bromine and iodine afford Pt(IV) compounds as well, although in the case of the iodine-mediated oxidation of carboplatin, an amido-bridged Pt(IV) side product also formed. A detailed analysis of the changes in spectroscopic and structural parameters induced by varying the axial halide is presented. A number of recurring motifs are observed in the solid state structures of these compounds.
An automated technique for analysis of current transitions in multilevel single-channel recordings.

Detailed kinetic studies of ion channel gating are best carried out using the patch-clamp technique which permits the measurement of the ionic current through individual channels. Typical patch-clamp recordings show the current signal, in the form of a sequence of rectangular pulses (analogous to a random telegraph signal), riding on slow baseline drift, partially obscured by high-frequency noise and distorted by filtering. In order to analyze such recordings, we have developed a set of interactive Pascal programs based on a feature-detection algorithm capable of identifying current transitions in multiple-channel recordings in the presence of substantial levels of noise and drift. Software operation is largely automated but includes provisions for examination and correction of the output. The software was optimized and systematically evaluated using simulated data with variable amounts of noise and drift. Results indicate that satisfactory performance is obtained for signal-to-noise ratio as low as four even with uncommonly large baseline drift. Steady-state processing speeds varied from 1000 to 4000 samples per second depending on data complexity.
The enzymatic iodination of the red cell membrane.

An enzymatic iodination procedure utilizing lactoperoxidase (LPO), radioactive iodide, and hydrogen peroxide generated by a glucose oxidase-glucose system has been described and utilized for a study of the red cell membrane. 97% of the incorporated isotope is in the erythrocyte ghost and 3% is associated with hemoglobin. No significant labeling of the red cell membrane occurs in the absence of LPO or by the deletion of any of the other reagents. A 6 million-fold excess of chloride ions inhibits iodination by no more than 50%. Incorporation of up to 1 x 106 iodide atoms into a single erythrocyte membrane results in no significant cell lysis. The incorporated label is exclusively in tyrosine residues as monoiodotyrosine. 10–15% of the trichloroacetic acid-precipitable radioactivity can be extracted with lipid solvents but is present as either labeled protein or 125I. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of solubilized membrane proteins reveals only two labeled protein bands out of the 15 present, and the presence of 50-1 x 106 iodide atoms per ghost does not alter this pattern. Component a has a molecular weight of 110,000, is carbohydrate poor, and represents 40% of the total label. Component b has an apparent molecular weight of 74,000, contains all of the demonstrable sialic acid, and accounts for 60% of the total label. Trypsinization of iodinated, intact red cells results in the disappearance of only component b, the appearance of labeled glycopeptides in the medium, and the absence of smaller, labeled peptides remaining in the membrane. Pronase treatment hydrolyzes component b in a similar fashion, but also cleaves component a to a 72,000 mol wt peptide which is retained in the membrane. A combination of protease treatment and double labeling with 125I and 131I does not reveal the appearance of previously unexposed proteins.
Lumbosacral osteomyelitis after robot-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy and sacral colpopexy

We report on the transabdominal resection of infected lumbosacral bone, synthetic mesh, and sinus tract following sacral colpopexy. A 45-year-old nulliparous patient who had undergone transvaginal mesh followed by robot-assisted sacral colpopexy presented with increasing back pain and foul-smelling vaginal drainage. An epidural abscess required surgical intervention, including diskectomy, sacral debridement, and mesh removal to drain the abscess and vaginal sinus tract. Recognized complications of open prolapse procedures also manifest following minimally invasive approaches. Osteomyelitis of the sacral promontory following sacral colpopexy may require gynecologic and neurosurgical management.
Novel role of hematopoietic stem cells in immunologic rejection of malignant gliomas

Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) after lymphodepletive conditioning can induce dramatic clinical responses, but this approach has been largely limited to melanoma due to a lack of reliable methods for expanding tumor-specific lymphocytes from the majority of other solid cancers. We have employed tumor RNA-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) to reliably expand CD4+ and CD8+ tumor-reactive T lymphocytes for curative ACT in a highly-invasive, chemotherapy- and radiation-resistant malignant glioma model. Curative treatment of established intracranial tumors involved a synergistic interaction between myeloablative (MA) conditioning, adoptively transferred tumor-specific T cells, and tumor RNA-pulsed DC vaccines. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), administered for salvage from MA conditioning, rapidly migrated to areas of intracranial tumor growth and facilitated the recruitment of tumor-specific lymphocytes through HSC-elaborated chemokines and enhanced immunologic rejection of intracranial tumors during ACT. Furthermore, HSC transplant under non-myeloablative (NMA) conditions also enhanced immunologic tumor rejection, indicating a novel role for the use of HSCs in the immunologic treatment of malignant gliomas and possibly other solid tumors.
2012 Special Issue: A modular neural model of motor synergies

Animals such as reptiles, amphibians and mammals (including humans) are mechanically extremely complex. It has been estimated that the human body has between 500 and 1400 degrees of freedom! And yet, these animals can generate an infinite variety of very precise, complicated and goal-directed movements in continuously changing and uncertain environments. Understanding how this is achieved is of great interest to both biologists and engineers. There are essentially two questions that must be addressed: (1) What type of control strategy is used to handle the large number of degrees of freedom involved? and (2) How is this strategy instantiated in the substrate of neural and musculoskeletal elements comprising the animal bodies? The first question has been studied intensively for several decades, providing strong indications that, rather than using standard feedback control based on continuous tracking of desired trajectories, animals' movements emerge from the controlled combination of pre-configured movement primitives or synergies. These synergies represent coordinated activity patterns over groups of muscles, and can be triggered as a whole with controlled amplitude and temporal offset. Complex movements can thus be constructed from the appropriate combination of a relatively small number of synergies, greatly simplifying the control problem. Although experimental studies on animal movements have confirmed the existence of motor synergies, and their utility has been demonstrated in the control of fairly complex robots, their neural basis remains poorly understood. In this paper, we introduce a simple but plausible and general neural model for motor synergies based on the principle that these functional modules reflect the structural modularity of the underlying physical system. Using this model, we show that a small set of synergies selected through a redundancy-reduction principle can generate a rich motor repertoire in a model two-jointed arm system. We investigate the synergies generated by this model systematically with respect to various parameters, and compare them to those observed in experiments.
Positional small angle X-ray scattering from flaws

Theorie de la PSAXS qui aide a interpreter les donnees sur les defauts (fissuration, contrainte interne)
MRI characterization of cerebral dysgenesis in maternal PKU

MPKU pregnancies, with or without dietary treatment to reduce maternal plasma phenylalanine (phe), show variable, increased non-physiologic levels, as the putative cause of fetal teratogenicity. Cerebral dysgenesis with clinical neonatal microcephaly and congenital heart disease indicates altered organ morphogenesis. Although there is not an established precise relationship between maternal phe levels and outcome, dietary restriction before or early in gestation is universally advised. Both human experience and animal research have suggested differential organ responses to high and low phe levels. Structural microencephaly may be due to reduced brain volume or abnormal regional brain development. Infants in MPKU are also at risk to develop PKU. Microencephaly was evident by MRI in 8 of 21 infants born to 12 MPKU mothers; 2 infants of one mother developed PKU. All levels of gestational plasma phe were associated with otherwise structurally normal infant microencephalic brains appropriate for age in myelination. CHD occurred in one microencephalic infant of a classic MPKU treated in the first trimester. Maternal, cord and neonatal plasma phenylalanine at delivery did not correlate with teratogenic effects. Only untreated 'classic' MPKU fetal effects appear predictable.
The therapeutic implications of diastolic time changes in systemic hypertension

Abstract Twenty-five patients with chronic systemic hypertension were studied. Systolic time intervals and diastolic time were determined at baseline and after 12 weeks of therapy with nadolol, with or without bendroflumethiazide (treatment phase I), then after 12 weeks of therapy with hydralazine, bendroflumethiazide, or both (treatment phase II). Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures were equally controlled after either treatment regimen. Heart rate was significantly slower after treatment phase I compared to baseline or after treatment phase II ( p p p
Applications of petroleum fingerprinting in known and suspected pipeline releases—two case studies

Abstract In this paper, two small but practical case studies are presented that demonstrate the utility of detailed petroleum fingerprinting in investigating known or suspected pipeline releases. The two cases involve: (1) a known release of automotive gasoline from a product pipeline, which was accompanied by an intense fire, which prompted an investigation to determine the source of a peculiar, non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) discovered beneath the affected area during the accident’s clean-up and (2) a former trunk line pipeline from an oil field that was suspected as the source of a recently discovered NAPL. The known facts, analytical strategy, petroleum fingerprinting data and results for each case study are presented. Respectively, these cases highlight the utility of detailed petroleum fingerprinting of the diagnostic (1) volatile hydrocarbons comprising gasoline(s) and (2) non-volatile hydrocarbons, including petroleum biomarkers and an extended suite of parent and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, found in crude oil(s) (and other heavy petroleum products).
A clustering method to identify who benefits most from the treatment group in clinical trials

In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the most compelling need is to determine whether the treatment condition was more effective than control. However, it is generally recognized that not all participants in the treatment group of most clinical trials benefit equally. While subgroup analyses are often used to compare treatment effectiveness across pre-determined subgroups categorized by patient characteristics, methods to empirically identify naturally occurring clusters of persons who benefit most from the treatment group have rarely been implemented. This article provides a modeling framework to accomplish this important task. Utilizing information about individuals from the treatment group who had poor outcomes, the present study proposes an a priori clustering strategy that classifies the individuals with initially good outcomes in the treatment group into: (a) group GE (good outcome, effective), the latent subgroup of individuals for whom the treatment is likely to be effective and (b) group GI (g...
Biology, Population Estimates, and Movement of, Native and Introduced Striped Bass, Apalachicola River, Florida

Abstract Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in the Apalachicola River, Florida, were tagged from 1978 to 1982 to estimate population size, measure growth, monitor movement, and determine the exploitation rate. Native Gulf Coast striped bass (STB-G) and introduced striped bass from the Atlantic Ocean (STB-A) have occurred together in the Apalachicola River system since 1966 when STB-A were first stocked. Growth of both races was similar and comparable to growth in other waters. In 1981, the population estimate for all striped bass more than 381 mm long in the upper Apalachicola River was 1,500-2,000 fish, of which 43% were STB-G, 51% STB-A, and 6% intermediates. STB-G larger than 600 mm SL had statistically significant (P = 0.05) higher yearly average condition factors. Average percent weight loss during the summer was less (9.4 vs. 15%) in STB-G than in the STB-A race striped bass. The population of fish age 7 and older was composed of 29% STB-G and only 8% STB-A. Longevity of STB-G was greater (maximum age ...
Improving college campus-based prevention of violence against women: A strategic plan for research built on multipronged practices and policies

Growing awareness of the scope of violence against women (VAW) on college campuses has led to innovations in intervention and prevention These efforts have often followed best practices in prevention, have targeted different campus populations, and used varied tools. Prevention evaluation on campuses is increasing. This review briefly summarizes what we have learned about preventing VAW on campus from evaluation research and then describes a roadmap for where research needs to go. To date, most work focuses almost exclusively on sexual violence, concentrates on single programs on one campus, focuses on attitude outcomes, and most research explores main effects of program utility. More complex prevention and research models are needed including the use of multipronged prevention approaches and researching their synergistic effects; investigation of more specific program effects to better unpack what essential elements of different prevention tools are driving changes; and more complex analyses of outcomes including exploration of moderating variables. This research agenda has implications for new programs, policies, and research designs including the importance of partnerships between practitioners and researchers to actualize these goals. Language: en
Battery and ultracapacitor combinations — Where should the converter go?

This paper is focused on what is being referred to now as the hybridized battery. Hybridized energy storage at the package level entails combination architectures of battery and capacitor enabled with a power electronic converter. The introduction of power electronics into the energy storage component mix brings with it considerable flexibility in decoupling the power and energy functions of storage but also introduces the new feature of advanced energy management directly into the storage system. The benefits of power electronic enabled energy storage are numerous and include greater flexibility in meeting individual application demands for burst power and for sustained energy all the while subject to an OEM specific energy management strategy. Power electronic managed energy storage not only decouples power and energy but facilitates improved reliability and life for cold temperature performance; enables the separation of Joule losses, moved from the battery and minimized in the ultracapacitor; presents the opportunity to introduce a true energy battery at lower cost/Wh without loss of high burst power; enhances the capability of energy storage to source and sink high power at end of life without over sizing the battery; sustains the capability of the energy storage to fully recuperate braking energy in a vehicle when cold and when the battery is at high state of charge.
The Reduction of α,β-Unsaturated Nitroalkenes to Nitroalkanes with Borohydride Supported on an Ion Exchange Resin

Abstract Borohydride supported on an ion exchange resin selectively reduced α,β-unsaturated nitroalkenes to nitroalkanes in high yields. The isolation of pure products by simple filtration is a key feature of this method.
Impact of Nonadherence to Antihypertensive Therapy

The benefits of antihypertensive therapy in reducing cardiovascular complications have been impressive. Several clinical trials in hypertension have shown that reduction of blood pressure is associated with significant decreases in the incidence of stroke, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, and renal failure, irrespective of age, gender, race or ethnicity, type of antihypertensive used, or severity of hypertension.1 Nevertheless, control of hypertension remains unsatisfactory in the United States and throughout the world. Recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicate that approximately 40% of hypertensive individuals are untreated, and 65% do not have their hypertension controlled to a blood pressure level of <140/90 mm Hg.2 Although control rates have improved in the past several years, the total number of patients with uncontrolled hypertension has actually increased because of the rise in hypertension prevalence during this period (Figure).3 Figure. Changes in the prevalence and control of hypertension in the United States (1988–2004). The total number of persons with uncontrolled hypertension has increased from 37 million to 42 million during the past 2 decades, even though the rate of control has increased from 27% to 35% during the same period. Data are from Cutler et al2 and Chobanian.3 Reprinted from Chobanian.3 Article see p 1598 The capability currently exists to lower blood pressure to goal levels in most hypertensive individuals. As with the treatment of other chronic illnesses in which long-term treatment is required, adherence to prescribed medications for hypertension can be a problem. Studies have shown that ≈50% of individuals discontinue antihypertensive medications within 6 to 12 months of their initiation.4 It has been assumed that inadequate adherence to antihypertensive medications and lack of persistence of therapy contribute to the development of cardiovascular complications, although little information has been available …
Type III secretion as a generalizable strategy for the production of full-length biopolymer-forming proteins

Biopolymer-forming proteins are integral in the development of customizable biomaterials, but recombinant expression of these proteins is challenging. In particular, biopolymer-forming proteins have repetitive, glycine-rich domains and, like many heterologously expressed proteins, are prone to incomplete translation, aggregation, and proteolytic degradation in the production host. This necessitates tailored purification processes to isolate each full-length protein of interest from the truncated forms as well as other contaminating proteins; owing to the repetitive nature of these proteins, the truncated polypeptides can have very similar chemistry to the full-length form and are difficult to separate from the full-length protein. We hypothesized that bacterial expression and secretion would be a promising alternative option for biomaterials-forming proteins, simplifying isolation of the full-length target protein. By using a selective secretion system, truncated forms of the protein are not secreted and thus are not found in the culture harvest. We show that a synthetically upregulated type III secretion system leads to a general increase in secretion titer for each protein that we tested. Moreover, we observe a substantial enhancement in the homogeneity of full-length forms of pro-resilin, tropo-elastin crosslinking domains, and silk proteins produced in this manner, as compared with proteins purified from the cytosol. Secretion via the type III apparatus limits co-purification of truncated forms of the target protein and increases protein purity without extensive purification steps. Demonstrating the utility of such a system, we introduce several modifications to resilin-based peptides and use an un-optimized, single-column process to purify these proteins. The resulting materials are of sufficiently high quantity and yield for the production of antimicrobial hydrogels with highly reproducible rheological properties. The ease of this process and its applicability to an array of engineered biomaterial-forming peptides lend support for the application of bacterial expression and secretion for other proteins that are traditionally difficult to express and isolate from the bacterial cytoplasm. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2313-2320. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Macromolecular Subunits in the Walls of Marine Photosynthetic Bacteria

Abstract Electron micrographs of sectioned and frozen-etched marine species of Chromatium revealed that at least two different patterns of macromolecular subunits are present on the cell wall.
Severe strabismus after scleral buckling: Multiple mechanisms revealed by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose Strabismus occurring after scleral buckling for retinal detachment typically is attributed to scarring, but this is not the only mechanism. We investigated use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify a spectrum of mechanisms of strabismus occurring after scleral buckling. Design Prospective, noncomparative, observational case series in an academic referral setting. Participants Six patients with long-standing, large-angle strabismus after monocular or binocular scleral buckling. Horizontal and vertical preoperative deviations, present from 8 to 120 months, ranged from 25 prism diopters to more than 90 prism diopters. Methods Multipositional high-resolution MRI of both orbits was performed using surface coils in multiple, controlled gaze positions. Coronal, sagittal, and axial images were obtained as clinically appropriate. Main outcome measures Different mechanisms of pathologic characteristics of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) in complicated strabismus after scleral buckling. Results Magnetic resonance imaging readily demonstrated EOM size and contractility, as well as features of scleral buckle hardware such as grooves and junctions and relationships of EOMs to the buckle and sclera. Imaging demonstrated that 5 rectus EOMs were disinserted from the globe at the buckle: 2 superior rectus, 2 medial rectus, and 1 lateral rectus. One patient with suspected inferior rectus muscle disinsertion had restrictive strabismus as a result of interference by a meridional explant and myopic staphyloma. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated anterior migration and transection by the silicone element through rectus EOMs in 3 patients. Disinserted EOMs were retrieved successfully by transconjunctival surgery in 4 patients and by orbitotomy in 1 patient, markedly improving alignment even as long as 5 years after EOM disinsertion. Conclusions Multipositional high-resolution MRI provides valuable information such as location and contractile potential of disinserted EOMs, as well as mass effect from the scleral buckle. Preoperative orbital MRI may be a useful tool to distinguish multiple mechanisms of persistent severe strabismus after scleral buckling and is helpful in surgical planning.
Chaperone-mediated autophagy: roles in neurodegeneration

Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) selectively delivers cytosolic proteins with an exposed CMA-targeting motif to lysosomes for degradation and plays an important role in protein quality control and cellular homeostasis. A growing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that CMA dysfunction may be involved in the pathogenic process of neurodegenerative diseases. Both down-regulation and compensatory up-regulation in CMA activities have been observed in association with neurodegenerative conditions. Recent studies have revealed several new mechanisms by which CMA function may be involved in the regulation of factors critical for neuronal viability and homeostasis. Here, we summarize these recent advances in the understanding of the relationship between CMA dysfunction and neurodegeneration and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting CMA in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Effect of 1-2-4 Dinitrophenol on Cellular Respiration:

ConclusionSince dinitrophenol is unable to oxidize such a labile compound as lactate activated by a-hydroxyoxidase; is without effect Lvhen the respiration of cells and tissues has been inhibited by cyanide or carbon monoxide; and has no action on the respiration of certain bacteria, where the complicated controlling mechanisms present in highly organized cells are absent, it is concluded that the increase in respiration produced by dinitrophenol is not due to direct oxidation of the oxidizable substrates. It is suggested that dinitrophenol acts by combining with some of the substances acting as agents for the control of the speed of cellular oxidations, thus increasing the activity of the oxidizing enzymes.
EFTEM and Spectrum Imaging of Mechanically Alloyed Oxide-Dispersion-Strengthened 12YWT and 14YWT Ferritic Steels

J. Bentley, D.T. Hoelzer, D.W. Coffey and K.A. YarboroughMetals & Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN 37831Late last century, a cooperative effort by Kobe Steel, Nagoya University and Oak Ridge NationalLaboratory (ORNL) resulted in the production of a mechanically alloyed (MA), oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) Fe-12%Cr-3%W-0.4%Ti-0.25%Y
Measures of Cognitive Functioning in the AHEAD Study

Decline in cognitive functioning and onset of cognitive impairment are potentially important predictors of elderly persons needing informal assistance and formal health care. This article describes the measures of cognitive functioning that were developed for the Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD) study of some 6,500 Americans aged 70 years and older. The study was designed to investigate the impact of health on disbursement of family and economic resources. Evaluation of the cognitive measures in terms of psychometric properties and missing data, telephone administration, and formation of an aggregate index is encouraging. Their construct validity is evidenced by their correlations with sociodemographic characteristics and health indicators that replicate existing findings as well as by their prediction of IADL and ADL functioning that are consistent with theory.
Treatment of Inflamed Hypertrophic Scars Using Intralesional 5‐FU

Background.Hypertrophic scars and keloids may complicate wound healing secondary to trauma or surgery. A variety of treatment regimens have been used with a range of success.Objective.The purpose of this paper is to report the use of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) intralesionally in treatment of inflamed hyp
Genetic diversity of Agrobacterium vitis as determined by DNA fingerprints of the 5?-end of the 23S rRNA gene and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA

E.A. MOMOL, T.J. BURR, C.L. REID, M.T. MOMOL, S.H. HSEU AND L. OTTEN. 1998.Sixty-nine strains of Agrobacterium vitis, the causal agent of grape crown gall, originating from different geographical regions of the USA and Europe, were characterized by fingerprint analysis of the 5?-end of the 23S rRNA gene and by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. For 5?-end 23S fingerprinting, amplicons were digested with TaqI, RsaI, AvaI, CfoI and AluI. For RAPD analysis, three 10-mer primers were used to generate PCR products. There was a high degree of correlation between strain groupings generated by the two methods. However, more diversity was identified when groupings were based on RAPDs. For example, 28 of 29 strains having nopaline type Ti plasmids generated identical 5?-end 23S patterns but formed two distinct RAPD groups that separated strains originating from the USA and Hungary. Similarly by RAPDs, one cluster of strains carrying vitopine-type Ti plasmids could be separated into those originating in the USA and Europe. The composition of strain groups generated by 5?-end 23S and RAPDs were highly correlated with a previous fingerprint analysis of the intergenic spacer region (located between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes) and with RFLP analysis for characterizing Ti plasmids. These findings show that among Ag. vitis strains there is a high level of correlation between two regions of the rRNA operon, total genomic DNA (as determined by RAPDs) and the type of Ti plasmid they carry.
Challenges in Reusing Lithography Equipment for Multiple Generations

The capital investment for semiconductor fabrication continues to increase as pricing pressure for microprocessors is greater than ever. This profit margin challenge is especially taxing in the area of lithography as the increasing transistor count also drives an increase in the number of mask layers. The cost of lithography equipment for a leading edge factory today is ~$0.5-1 billion. Intel continues to have an aggressive lithography equipment reuse strategy in order to have a tangible impact on the lithography investment required for each new technology. In this paper, we discuss Intel's most recent focus regarding lithography equipment reuse, better internal business systems and supplier infrastructure to support multi-generational lithography equipment.
Implementation of a phased medical educational approach in a developing country.

Objective : Healthcare provider education can serve as one method for improving healthcare in developing countries. Working with providers at St Luke Hospital in Haiti, we developed a phased educational approach through partnership development, face-to-face teaching, and virtual educational tools. Design : Our novel approach included three phases: direct patient care, targeted education, and utilization of the train-the-trainer model. Our end goal was an educational system that could be utilized by the local medical staff to continually improve their medical knowledge, even after our educational project was completed. We implemented pre- and post-lecture evaluations during our teaching phase to determine whether the education provided was effective and beneficial. Additionally, we provided medical lectures on a shared file internet platform, Box.com, during the train-the-trainer phase to allow healthcare providers in Haiti to access the educational content electronically. Results : In total, 47 lectures were given to 150 medical providers, including nurses, physicians, and pharmacists. Pre- and post-lecture evaluations were administered. The mean was 30.63 (14.40) for pre-lecture evaluations and 93.36 (9.80) for post-lecture evaluations indicating improvement out of a total of 100 possible points. Our collaborative Box.com account contains 214 medical education lectures available for viewing as a constant resource to St Luke Hospital staff. Thus far, 20 of the 43 (47%) Haitian medical providers have viewed lectures, with an average of 5.6 lectures viewed per person. Qualitative data suggest that these methods improved communication between healthcare staff, promoted better ways of triaging patients, and improved job satisfaction. Conclusions : A phased educational approach can improve healthcare workers’ knowledge through partnership in a developing country. Educating local providers is one way of ensuring that in-country healthcare staff will improve their medical knowledge and expertise. Keywords: phased educational approach; sustainability; educational initiative; medical education; educating in developing countries; Haiti; healthcare (Published: 11 November 2015) Citation: Glob Health Action 2015, 8 : 29882 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/gha.v8.29882
Smokeless tobacco potentiates VIP-induced DNA synthesis and inactivates NEP 24.11 in oral keratinocytes

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure of cultured chemically transformed hamster oral keratinocytes (HCPC-1) to an aqueous extract of smokeless tobacco (STE) potentiates DNA s...
Testing of Fracture Resistance of Materials

Both energy and load required to fracture the material are important quantities and they are not necessarily related to each other as suggested by the fracture mechanics of brittle materials. For example, the difference of the failure behavior between the semi-brittle ABS polymer and the ductile Al 6061-TO can be well characterized by a pre-fracture energy E0 (Joule/m) and a fracture energy E f (Joule/m2 ). Al 6061-TO has much higher values of E0 and E F than the ABS polymer. This accounts for the ductility of Al 6061-TO. However, the applied stress intensity factor KIapp for both materials are similar. The reason is that their plastic zones have similar shielding effects, even though Aluminum has dislocations and the ABS polymer has cavities and crazes.
Efficient torque ripple minimization for variable reluctance motors

Addresses the design of current waveforms that minimize torque ripples in variable reluctance (VR) motors at low excitation levels. The general problem of torque ripple reduction has been investigated before by several researchers, but the approach presented here exploits magnetic linearity to derive an efficient excitation that is much easier to calculate. A nonlinear optimal design problem is developed and then converted to a linear representation by a simple transformation. The transformed linear optimization problem is straightforwardly solved by standard numerical methods, and yields the optimal current waveform in a transformed variable. Finally, the optimal current waveform is found by applying an inverse transformation. The analytical result presented in this paper is supplemented by a design example. >
Influence of nursery soil amendments on water relations, root architectural development, and field performance of Douglas-fir transplants

This experiment evaluated the influence of manure, peat, and vermiculite incorporated at low and high rates (0.0118 and 0.0236 m3/m2) and under two soil moisture regimes on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedling (1+0 for 1+1) xylem water potential (Ψxylem), whole-plant growth, root architectural development, and subsequent field performance under fertilized and non-fertilized conditions. Trends in soil moisture retention were observed (high manure > high peat > control) but there were no differences in Ψxylem. Root length in the wetter soil moisture experiment was initially (three months) greatest for seedlings in high vermiculite and least in high manure but there were no differences among treatments at lifting (eight months). Mean height was greatest for seedlings grown in vermiculite and peat (wetter nursery experiment) after two field seasons. Field fertilization (35 g/seedling) with controlled-release fertilizer in the planting hole stimulated height growth initially, but decreased height and diameter growth during the second growing season. Dramatic improvements associated with the use of nursery soil amendments were not realized, but the failure to identify negative effects, a potential reduction in disease incidence, and improvement of nursery soil physical and chemical properties may justify their use.
Editorial: New Approaches in the Philosophy of Learning

(2005). Editorial: New Approaches in the Philosophy of Learning. Educational Philosophy and Theory: Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 627-631.
Ion and Fluid Dynamics in Hypertension

Among the many determinants of blood pressure, ion transport has played a key role in both the basic understanding and the clinical management of hypertension. For decades, clinicians have counseled their hypertensive patients to limit salt intake. This approach has been codified in clinical guidelines and forms the backbone of what has been termed therapeutic lifestyle modifications (1,2). Sodium restriction has been studied in clinical trials as an effective measure for the control of moderately elevated blood pressure (3,4). In addition to sodium restriction, the role of natriuresis has been translated into pharmacologic therapy as thiazide diuretics have assumed the role of first-line pharmacologic therapy for hypertension in adults (5,6).