cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sensitive detection and serovar differentiation of typhoidal and nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica species using 16S rRNA Gene PCR coupled with high-resolution melt analysis.

Salmonella enterica species infections are a significant public health problem causing high morbidity rates worldwide and high mortality rates in the developing world. These infections are not always rapidly diagnosed as a cause of bloodstream infections because of the limitations of blood culture, which greatly affects clinical care as a result of treatment delays. A molecular diagnostic assay that could rapidly detect and identify S. enterica species infections as a cause of sepsis is needed. Nine typhoidal and nontyphoidal S. enterica serovars were used to establish the limit of detection (LOD) of a previously published 16S rRNA gene PCR (16S PCR) in mock whole blood specimens. In addition, 16 typhoidal and nontyphoidal S. enterica serovars were used to evaluate the serovar differentiation capability of 16S PCR coupled with high-resolution melt analysis. The overall LOD of 16S PCR for the nine typhoidal and nontyphoidal S. enterica serovars analyzed was
Approximability issues of guarding a set of segments

In this paper we consider the following problem: given a finite set of straight-line segments S in ℝ2, find minimum in size set V of points on the segments, such that each segment of S contains at least one point in V. We call this problem guarding a set of segments GSS. GSS is a special case of the set cover problem where the given family of subsets can be taken as a set of intersections of the straight-line segments in S. Requiring that the given subsets can be interpreted geometrically this way is a major restriction on the input, yet it has been shown that the problem is still strongly NP-complete [V.E. Brimkov, A. Leach, M. Mastroianni, and J. Wu, Guarding a set of line segments in the plane, Theor. Comput. Sci. 412 2011, pp. 1313–1324]. In light of this result, in Brimkov et al. [Experimental studies on approximation algorithms for guarding sets of line segments, in Advances in Visual Computing, G. Bebis, R. Boyle, B. Parvin, D. Koracin, R. Chung, R. Hammoud, M. Hussain, T. Kar-Han, R. Crawfis, D. Thalmann, D. Kao, and L. Avila, eds., ISVC 2010, Part I, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 6453, Springer, Berlin, 2010, pp. 592–601; V.E. Brimkov, A. Leach, M. Mastroianni, and J. Wu, Approximation algorithms for a geometric set cover problem, Discrete Appl. Math. 160 2012, pp. 1039–1052] the GSS approximability was studied both theoretically and experimentally. Here we continue these investigations. In particular, we obtain conditions under which GSS admits good approximation.
Clinical utility of considering Digits Forward and Digits Backward as separate components of the wechsler adult intelligence Scale‐Revised

This study investigated the utility of considering Digits Forward (DF) and Digits Backward (DB) as separate components of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). Protocols of WAIS-Rs, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Tests-Revised (PPVT-Rs), and Standard Progressive Matrices (SPMs) were examined (N = 50). Pearson correlations of Forward and Backward digit repetition and scores from PPVT-Rs and SPMs were calculated. Repetitions of DF were correlated significantly (p < .01) with SPM performance. Repetitions of DB were correlated significantly with performance on the PPVT-R (p < .02), although a stronger correlation was obtained between DB and SPM performance (p < .001). These findings indicate that although DF and DB tasks are related, the combination of these tasks into a single score might obscure important information.
Advancing the Theory and Practice of Metacognitive Therapy: A Commentary on the Special Issue

This commentary evaluates the accomplishments of research on metacognitive therapy (MCT) featured in the Special Issue on this topic. It begins with an overview of key features of MCT and highlights its basis in information-processing theory. A summary of the contributions to the Special Issue demonstrates that contemporary research supports both the theoretical principles and clinical effectiveness of MCT. Several challenges will remain as MCT becomes further established as a therapy of first recourse for a range of emotional disorders. At a theoretical level, more fine-grained understanding of the temporal dynamics of specific attentional processes is needed, as well as investigation of implicit processing. For clinical application, larger scale trials of the effectiveness of MCT in comparison with other therapies are needed. Progress in meeting these challenges is expected as the benefits of MCT become more widely-known.
Dimensions of Acculturation in Native American College Students

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied to the responses of two respective independent samples of Native American college students on the Native American Acculturation Scale (NAAS). Three correlated dimensions were found to underlie NAAS items and these dimensions may also comprise a broader higher order dimension of Native American acculturation.
Rumination and intentional forgetting of emotional material

The tendency to respond to negative life events and negative mood states with ruminative thinking has been linked to emotion dysregulation and to a heightened risk for the onset and maintenance of emotional disorders. To further investigate this maladaptive response style, the present study examined whether rumination is linked to individual differences in the ability to intentionally forget emotional material. In a directed forgetting task, participants were instructed to memorise a list of positive and negative words and were subsequently told to forget these words. Next, participants were told to memorise a new list and, finally, recall was tested for all to-be-forgotten and to-be-remembered words. Our results demonstrate a close relation between rumination and recall in the forget condition but not in the remember condition. Specifically, compared to participants who scored low on the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), participants who scored high exhibited reduced forgetting of positive and negative t...
Risk-based access control systems built on fuzzy inferences

Fuzzy inference is a promising approach to implement risk-based access control systems. However, its application to access control raises some novel problems that have not been yet investigated. First, because there are many different fuzzy operations, one must choose the fuzzy operations that best address security requirements. Second, risk-based access control, though it improves information flow and better addresses requirements from critical organizations, may result in damages by malicious users before mitigating steps are taken. Third, the scalability of a fuzzy inference-based access control system is questionable. The time required by a fuzzy inference engine to estimate risks may be quite high especially when there are tens of parameters and hundreds of fuzzy rules. However, an access control system may need to serve hundreds or thousands of users. In this paper, we investigate these issues and present our solutions or answers to them.
Genetic algorithms for agent-based infrastructure interdependency modeling and analysis

Today's society relies greatly upon an array of complex national and international infrastructure networks such as transportation, electric power, telecommunication, and financial networks. This paper describes initial research combining agent-based infrastructure modeling software and genetic algorithms (GAs) to help optimize infrastructure protection and restoration decisions. This research proposes to apply GAs to the problem of infrastructure modeling and analysis in order to determine the optimum assets to restore or protect from attack or other disaster.This research is just commencing and therefore the focus of this paper is the integration of a GA optimization method with a simulation through the simulation's agents.
Development of coarse-grained facies in lacustrine rift basins: Examples from East Africa

Detailed studies of high-resolution and multifold seismic reflection data from the two largest East African rift lakes, Malawi and Tanganyika, reveal a complex suite of coarse-grained depositional facies. These facies occur within specific regions of the controlling half grabens that compose the rift lakes. Sand-prone environments include subaqueous channels and small drowned fluvial complexes. Channel systems range from large erosional canyons to deep-water turbidite channel-levee systems. Lowstand and highstand deltas of axial and shoaling-side rivers are volumetrically important coarse-grained facies. Fan deltas develop along the base of major border faults during lake lowstands; subaqueous talus fan deposits occur along the base of the border faults during lake highstands. Lowstand deltas are the best-preserved progradational facies in these rift lakes. In addition to simple tectonic control, drastic tectonically or climatically induced lake-level change significantly regulates the production of coarse-grained lacustrine synrift deposits.
The history of PATA and its effect on advance pricing arrangements and mutual agreement procedures

Abstract In its 25 years of existence, the Pacific Association of Tax Administrators (PATA) has attempted to protect tax revenues and combat tax evasion techniques (including transfer pricing) by transnational corporations (TNCs). To that end, the tax authorities of its four member countries (Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States) have met at least annually to exchange information and identify specific deterrents to tax evasion activities that could be implemented quickly. Recently, PATA has released several documents to assist both tax authorities and TNCs in the area of advance pricing agreements, mutual agreement procedures, and transfer-pricing documentation. The study looks at the PATA's influence on tax authorities and TNC behavior in these and other areas.
Unblocking the traffic jams in corporate thinking

If the sciences of complexity are ever to enter the business mainstream, we will need more than good new science; we will need to get people to see the world differently. The lessons of complexity—and perhaps most notably the phenomenon of self-organization—challenge fundamental prejudices people have about how the world works. This article proposes that such prejudices are the product of a “centralized mindset,” and it suggests how a “decentralized mindset” is more appropriate at times. The author has dedicated his recent work at MIT to educating students—from grade school through graduate school—about fundamental principles of decentralized systems. One way the author teaches the importance and usefulness of a decentralized framework is through the use of simulation fools, including some intriguing devices called “thinking tags.” These “toys” do more than make learning fun. Those who play with them experience network effects in a decentralized system, and so begin to grasp the new mind-set intuitively. Many examples of educational software used in schools and businesses are nothing more than tireless drill-masters. The author has developed an exception, designed to develop capacity for innovation—the kind of learning that business people now believe matters most. The approach is especially worth our attention because, as you'll see here, “thinking tags” are coming of the classroom and into business: At least they helped our corporate conference audience see the world differently.
Social information changes the brain

Social animals live in complex physical and social environments requiring them to attend and rapidly respond to social and environmental information by changing their behavior. A key social influence is rank or status, a ubiquitous element in animal societies. Rank typically regulates access to reproduction and other resources, among other consequences for individuals. Because reproduction is arguably the most important event in any animals’ life, understanding how reproduction is regulated by social status and related physiological factors can instruct our understanding of evolutionary change. This article reviews evidence from a model social system in which reproduction is tightly controlled by social status. Surprisingly, changes in social status have rapid and profound effects over very short time scales and radically alter overt behavior, as well as physiological, cellular, and molecular factors that regulate reproductive capacity.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF THE SHOOT APICAL MERISTEM OF SEED PLANTS. I. MORPHOLOGICAL AND CYTOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF IAA APPLIED TO THE EXPOSED MERISTEM OF LUPINUS ALBUS

Application of 1.5 ,g indoleacetic acid (IAA) in a lanolin droplet to the exposed apical meristem of Lupinus albus seedlings caused: (I) axillary buds to form closer to the apex than normal, (2) displacement of primordia formed during the first two plastochrons following treatment, and (3) significant increases in concentration of RNA, protein, and unsaturated lipids in the meristems. Primordial displacement tended to be random relative to the site of the treatment, which may be a feature common to dicotyledonous plants exhibiting spiral phyllotaxis. That IAA conferred initiation site capabilities to all of the peripheral zone for a short time was indicated by (2) and (3) above, and by decreases in concentrations of the observed compounds toward control levels after the second plastochron following treatment. Effects of IAA on RNA suggest that nucleic acid metabolism, and possibly gene action, was involved in the response. Kinetin or gibberellic acid had no apparent morphogenetic effect on
Behavioral training for myopia: generalization of effects.

Abstract The present study assessed generalization of training effects using a video computer system (VCS) as a training medium for modifying acuity. Eighteen myopic volunteers were matched according to pre-training acuity and assigned to either fading and feedback training group or a practice only control. Subjects were pre- and post-tested on three measures: the Snellen Letter Chart, a Behavioral Acuity Test and a performance test with the VCS. Compared to controls, trained subjects displayed significant improvements in acuity on the Behavioral Acuity Test. These results suggest that training effects generalize to untrained stimuli. Implications for the clinical implementation of behavioral training procedures for modifying myopia are discussed.
The Slippery Sliding Interaction of Acetylene with Polyynes

Ab initio calculations were carried out for dimers of acetylene and a polyyne chain with two to five triple bonds at the MP2 level. The structure and energies of several symmetry-constrained structures were found and used to guide refinement of a model potential that could be applied to longer polyyne chains. The slice of the intermolecular potential surface for sliding an acetylene along the polyyne chain in a T-shaped orientation was mapped and showed shallow corrugation over a large region. This amounts to slipperiness in this type of weak bonding.
Synthesis of an Optically Active Template for 4‘-Substituted Nucleoside Analogs via Chromium Carbene Complex Photochemistry

Procedures for the efficient synthesis and handling of [ethoxy((benzyloxy)methyl)carbene]pentacarbonylchromium(0) have been developed. Photolysis in the presence of the optically active ene carbamate 12 followed by Baeyer-Villiger oxidation and oxazolidinone elimination gave (R)-(+)-5-ethoxy-5-((benzyloxy)methyl)-2(5H)-furanone in good yield and with high enantiomeric purity. This compound provides a potential template for the synthesis of 4‘-substituted nucleoside analogs.
Enthalpy of formation of lithium monoselenide

Abstract The energy of the reaction between F2 and Li2Se(c) to give LiF(c) and SeF6(g) was measured in a bomb calorimeter. From this, the standard enthalpy of formation ΔHfo(Li2Se, c, 298.15 K) = −(101.8 ± 2.0) kcalth mol−1 was derived.
Effect of dietary vitamin E and selenium on susceptibility of brain regions to lipid peroxidation

The effect of dietary vitamin E and/or selenium (Se) supplementation (200 IU and/or 0.2 ppm, respectively) or deficiency for two months on lipid peroxidation in cerebrum, cerebellum, mid-brain, and brain stem of one-month-old male F344 rats was investigated. Dietary treatment had a minimal effect on weight gain of rats for the period tested. Plasma α-tocopherol (α-T) concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were reflective of dietary treatments. Supplementation of diets with vitamin E and/or Se increased plasma α-T and/or GSH-Px activity, while diets devoid of these nutrients reduced them significantly. Increased GSH-Px activity in Sesupplemented rats was further enhanced by vitamin E supplementation. Differential concentrations of α-T among brain regions were affected by dietary vitamin E but not by Se. In vitro lipid peroxidation of brain homogenates was inhibited by dietary vitamin E supplementation and increased by deficiency. Addition of 0.25 mM ascorbic acid or 0.1 mM of Fe2+ to brain homogenates markedly increased in vitro lipid peroxidation. Ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation was inversely correlated with dietary vitamin E and Se in cerebrum. In vitro Fe2+-addition induced the greatest stimulation of lipid peroxidation, with cerebellum and brain stem of vitamin E-deficient rats showing the highest response to Fe2+ challenge. These findings indicate that concentrations of α-T among the brain regions are different and can be altered by dietary vitamin E treatments, cerebellum and brain stem are more susceptible to in vitro challenge by peroxidative agents than other regions, and the degree of lipid peroxidation of brain regions is partially affected by dietary vitamin E but not by Se in the levels tested.
Why the lack of reproducibility is crippling research in data mining and what you can do about it

In this talk I will make a strong and potentially controversial claim. The majority of papers published in the best data mining conferences make no contribution.The reason for this is that in most cases, no one, including the original authors can reproduce the findings in the papers. As I shall argue, non-reproducible results are the same as no results at all. The irreproducibility of results may be explicit, the refusal to share data or to give parameter settings, or implicit, the effort to reproduce may be so great that the authors ensure that no one will ever try.I will argue that this lack of reproducibility is crippling research progress, and allowing a large number of false research findings go unchallenged and enter the popular consciousness as true. I will demonstrate my claims with the deconstruction of several influential papers and (reproducible!) experiments.
Determinants of software volatility: a field study

Although technology advances have provided new tools for maintaining software, maintenance costs remain the largest component of software life cycle cost. A basic factor claimed to be one of the driving factors in the cost of maintenance is software volatility. The objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between certain software attributes and software volatility. In this study, software volatility refers to the frequency or number of enhancements per unit of application over a specified time normalized. However, this metric is divided by the number of source lines of code (SLOC) to obtain a measure that takes into account the size of the software application. The research model is built on previous research concerning software volatility. Three factors are examined to determine their influence on software volatility normalized for SLOC: age, software complexity, and software complexity normalized for SLOC. In addition, we introduce the notion that mean time between software enhancements moderates the relationship of age, complexity, and complexity normalized for SLOC with software volatility. A field study at a major corporation allowed for the collection of data from a 13-year-time period. These data are used to empirically test the hypotheses presented in this study. As a moderator variable, mean time between enhancements significantly contributes to the explanatory power of a prediction model for software volatility adjusted for SLOC. Software administrators may wish to use the proposed model in their decision-making plans to control for software costs.
Local low-dose lovastatin delivery improves the bone-healing defect caused by Nf1 loss of function in osteoblasts

Postfracture tibial nonunion (pseudoarthrosis) leads to lifelong disability in patients with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), a disorder caused by mutations in the NF1 gene. To determine the contribution of NF1 in bone healing, we assessed bone healing in the Nf1(ob) (-/-) conditional mouse model lacking Nf1 specifically in osteoblasts. A closed distal tibia fracture protocol and a longitudinal study design were used. During the 21- to 28-day postfracture period, callus volume, as expected, decreased in wild-type but not in Nf1(ob) (-/-) mice, suggesting delayed healing. At these two time points, bone volume (BV/TV) and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) measured by 3D micro-computed tomography were decreased in Nf1(ob) (-/-) callus-bridging cortices and trabecular compartments compared with wild-type controls. Histomorphometric analyses revealed the presence of cartilaginous remnants, a high amount of osteoid, and increased osteoclast surfaces in Nf1(ob) (-/-) calluses 21 days after fracture, which was accompanied by increased expression of osteopontin, Rankl, and Tgfbeta. Callus strength measured by three-point bending 28 days after fracture was reduced in Nf1(ob) (-/-) versus wild-type calluses. Importantly, from a clinical point of view, this defect of callus maturation and strength could be ameliorated by local delivery of low-dose lovastatin microparticles, which successfully decreased osteoid volume and cartilaginous remnant number and increased callus BV/TV and strength in mutant mice. These results thus indicate that the dysfunctions caused by loss of Nf1 in osteoblasts impair callus maturation and weaken callus mechanical properties and suggest that local delivery of low-dose lovastatin may improve bone healing in NF1 patients.
RD-114 virus: analysis of viral gene sequences in feline and human cells by DNA-DNA reassociation kinetics and RNA-DNA hybridization.

Abstract RD-114 virus is a C-type virus found growing in a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD) after inoculation into a fetal cat. To investigate the host species of origin of RD-114 virus and its relationship to other oncornaviruses, we performed molecular hybridization and reassociation kinetic experiments using three radioactive probes—the double stranded (ds) and single stranded (ss) DNA products of the viral RNA-directed DNA polymerase and the viral 60–70 S [ 3 H ]RNA genome. DNA was synthesized by the endogenous DNA polymerase reaction of purified RD-114 virions disrupted with detergent and dsDNA was isolated by hydroxyapatite chromatography. The most efficiently transcribed dsDNA segment represented approximately 50% or more of dsDNA transcripts and had a sequence complexity of about 0.8 × 106 daltons. The kinetics of reassociation of this rapidly reassociating dsDNA segment in the presence of cellular DNA was used to detect viral gene sequences in human and feline cells. The RD-114 cell line which chronically produces RD-114 virus contains 20–30 copies of this DNA sequence while normal feline tissues contain 100–200 copies. Less than one copy of DNA sequences homologous to this RD-114 viral dsDNA segment were detected in uninfected human, hamster, and rat cells. RD-114 viral [ 3 H]ssDNA did not hybridize significantly with RNA of several strains of feline and murine leukemia and sarcoma viruses. RD-114 viral 60–70S [ 3 H]RNA hybridized to the same extent and with similar kinetics to RD-114 cell and feline tissue DNA indicating that similar numbers of copies of most, if not all, of RD-114 viral genome, are present in normal feline cells as well as in RD-114 virus-producing human cells. No hybridization was detected between RD-114 viral 60–70S RNA and the DNA of the parental human RD cell line, or the DNA of uninfected human, hamster or rat cells. These measurements indicate that RD-114 virus incorporates less than 10% human cell DNA sequences even after replicating in human cells for many generations. We conclude that the major portion of the RD-114 virus genome is of feline derivation, that it shares base sequences with a repetitive class of normal feline cell DNA, and that it is genetically distinct from known isolates of feline leukemia-sarcoma viruses. These properties suggest that RD-114 virus is an endogenous virus of normal feline cells.
Peripheral Insulin Parallels Changes in Insulin Secretion More Closely Than C-Peptide After Bolus Intravenous Glucose Administration

The changes in peripheral serum insulin and plasma C-peptide levels and in the insulin secretory rate in response to iv glucose (0.5 g/kg BW) administration were studied in seven normal subjects. Insulin secretory rates were calculated according to a two-compartment model of distribution for Cpeptide, using individual C-peptide kinetics calculated from iv bolus injections of biosynthetic human C-peptide. The mean plasma glucose level increased from a fasting level of 5.1 ± 0.1 (±se) to a peak of 24.0 ± 1.0 mmol/L at 3 min and reached basal levels 101 ± 6 min after glucose administration. The mean serum insulin value increased from 50 ± 12 to a peak of 405 ± 58 pmol/L at 3 min and then declined to fasting levels 139 ± 14 min after the stimulus. In contrast, the mean plasma C-peptide level increased from 390 ± 50 to a peak of 1460 ± 210 pmol/L at 3 min and only began declining 45 min after glucose administration, reaching fasting levels 191 ± 15 min after the stimulus. The mean insulin secretory rate increa...
Resveratrol Inhibits Protein Translation in Hepatic Cells

Resveratrol is a plant-derived polyphenol that extends lifespan and healthspan in model organism. Despite extensive investigation, the biological processes mediating resveratrol's effects have yet to be elucidated. Because repression of translation shares many of resveratrol's beneficial effects, we hypothesized that resveratrol was a modulator of protein synthesis. We studied the effect of the drug on the H4-II-E rat hepatoma cell line. Initial studies showed that resveratrol inhibited global protein synthesis. Given the role of the mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) in regulating protein synthesis, we examined the effect of resveratrol on mTOR signaling. Resveratrol inhibited mTOR self-phosphorylation and the phosphorylation of mTOR targets S6K1 and eIF4E-BP1. It attenuated the formation of the translation initiation complex eIF4F and increased the phosphorylation of eIF2α. The latter event, also a mechanism for translation inhibition, was not recapitulated by mTOR inhibitors. The effects on mTOR signaling were independent of effects on AMP-activated kinase or AKT. We conclude that resveratrol is an inhibitor of global protein synthesis, and that this effect is mediated through modulation of mTOR-dependent and independent signaling.
Timing and recovery of postweaning exposure to diethylstilbestrol on early pregnancy in CD-1 mice

Abstract Exposure timing could play an important role in the effects of estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EEDCs) on early pregnancy. This study examined the sensitivity of different exposure periods from weaning to gestation day 4.5 (D4.5) to 50 ppb diethylstilbestrol (DES, a test EEDC) diet on embryo implantation and potential recovery upon temporary cessation of DES exposure in CD-1 mice. Peripubertal (3–5 weeks old) DES exposure reduced the numbers of corpora lutea and implantation sites. Postpubertal (5–7 weeks old) DES exposure did not have significant effects on early pregnancy. Postmating (D0.5–D4.5) DES exposure affected postovulation events leading to impaired embryo implantation. A 5-day premating rest from 5-week DES exposure (3–8 weeks old) resulted in recovery of early pregnancy rate. These data demonstrate that peripubertal and postmating periods are sensitive windows to endocrine disruption of early pregnancy and temporary cessation of exposure could partially alleviate adverse effects of DES on early pregnancy.
Narrating authenticity in northern Italian historical cafés

Abstract While many migrants are now legal workers in Italian corporations (usually holding less desirable jobs), tensions between this new migratory workforce and Italians continue today. During the 1970s and 1980s, Italy changed from being a country of emigrants to a receiver of immigrants (the so called “extracomunitari”). This increased flow of immigrants has affected Italian self-perceptions of national culture and identity, and has led to new forms of strong anti-immigration legislation, supported especially by the influential Lega Nord (‘Northern League’) political party. A new wave of narratives that either counter or foster these anti-immigrant discourses has emerged. Using a corpus of naturally recorded oral narratives about migrants that I collected in several northern Italian historical cafes, this article explores how executives redefine both their individual and their corporate identities in narratives about immigrants. In particular, this article analyzes the different stances, or positionings, that executives assume to construct their corporate identity vis-a-vis the challenging Italian political climate surrounding migratory politics.
Characterization of Thyrotropin Receptor Antibody-Induced Signaling Cascades

The TSH receptor (TSHR) is constitutively active and is further enhanced by TSH ligand binding or by stimulating TSHR antibodies (TSHR-Abs) as seen in Graves’ disease. TSH is known to activate the thyroid epithelial cell via both Gαs-cAMP/protein kinase A/ERK and Gαq-Akt/protein kinase C coupled signaling networks. The recent development of monoclonal antibodies to the TSHR has enabled us to investigate the hypothesis that different TSHR-Abs may have unique signaling imprints that differ from TSH ligand itself. We have, therefore, performed sequential studies, using rat thyrocytes (FRTL-5, passages 5–20) as targets, to examine the signaling pathways activated by a series of monoclonal TSHR-Abs in comparison with TSH itself. Activation of key signaling molecules was estimated by specific immunoblots and/or enzyme immunoassays. Continuing constitutive TSHR activity in thyroid cells, deprived of TSH and serum for 48 h, was demonstrated by pathway-specific chemical inhibition. Under our experimental conditions, TSH ligand and TSHR-stimulating antibodies activated both Gαs and Gαq effectors. Importantly, some TSHR-blocking and TSHR-neutral antibodies were also able to generate signals, influencing primarily the Gαq effectors and induced cell proliferation. Most strikingly, antibodies that used the Gαq cascades used c-Raf-ERK-p90RSK as a unique signaling cascade not activated by TSH. Our study demonstrated that individual TSHR-Abs had unique molecular signatures which resulted in sequential preferences. Because downstream thyroid cell signaling by the TSHR is both ligand dependent and independent, this may explain why TSHR-Abs are able to have variable influences on thyroid cell biology.
On the use of asymptotics in detection and estimation

We illustrate the importance of a finite dimensionality assumption when using functions of asymptotic statistics. We also note that asymptotic distributions need to converge uniformly to facilitate algebraic manipulations. Finally, we point to subtleties in using detection statistics stemming from the central limit theorem and Taylor series without entering the large deviations regime.
Gossypol Detoxication by Fungi

An unidentified Diplodia isolate representative of several fungi tested and grown for 13 days on gossypol-containing cottonseed reduced the amount of free gossypol by 90 percent and detoxified the cottonseed for weanling rats and chickens. Residual free gossypol was also less toxic than equivalent amounts of normal free gossypol.
Monitoring Earth's Critical Zone

Geologists tell us that we live in the Anthropocene, the period marked by humanity's global transformation of the environment ( 1 ). More than half of Earth's terrestrial surface is now plowed, pastured, fertilized, irrigated, drained, fumigated, bulldozed, compacted, eroded, reconstructed, manured, mined, logged, or converted to new uses. These activities have long-lasting effects on life-sustaining processes of the near-surface environment, recently termed Earth's “critical zone” ( 2 ). The full range of Anthropocene changes in Earth's critical zone is not well quantified, especially belowground (see the figure) ( 3 – 6 ), where observed changes justify a major expansion in monitoring to better ensure the sustainability of crop and soil productivity, and the functioning of the global atmosphere and hydrosphere ( 3 ).
A novel GABAA antagonist [3H]SR 95531: microscopic analysis of binding in the rat brain and allosteric modulation by several benzodiazepine and barbiturate receptor ligands.

Recent reports have demonstrated that the synthetic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-derivative, SR 95531 [2-(3′-carbethoxy-2′-propyl)-3-amino-6-paramethoxy-phenyl-pyridazini-um bromide], possesses selective GABAA sites, this agent has been used to identify GABAA receptors. In the present investigation, we studied the binding of [3H]SR 95531 to tissue sections of rat brain using microscopic analysis of receptor localization. The appropriate binding conditions for defining GABAA receptors with this radioligand were obtained by determining the dissociation and association kinetics, and performing saturation and displacement studies. Using membrane preparations from whole rat brain (or brain regions representing cortex, striatum, hippocampus, midbrainthalamus, medulla-pons and cerebellum), saturation and displacement studies were analyzed, and allosteric modulation of [3H]SR 95531 binding was examined by including several benzodiazepine and barbiturate receptor ligands in the incubation media. To assess the stereoselective properties of [3H]SR 95531 binding in rat membranes, numerous barbiturates were added during the incubation. The binding of [3H]SR 95531 was demonstrated to be saturable, specific and to bind with relatively high affinity to low-affinity GABAA sites. Scatchard analysis performed on saturation data of binding to tissue sections showed a dissociation constant (KD) of 42.4 nM and a maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) of 105.8 fmol/mg tissue. Microscopic analysis showed that intermediate to high densities of [3H]SR 95531 binding occurred in brain regions containing intermediate to high densities of low-affinity GABAA sites. Results from competition studies demonstrated that [3H]SR 95531 is displaceable by GABAA agents and displaced preferentially by GABAA antagonists. Scatchard analysis of saturation experiments from membrane preparations indicated that the KD and Bmax from the centrifugation assay was 53.0 nM and 4.26 pmol/mg protein, respectively. Using the filtration assay, binding to membranes yielded a KD value of 45.6 nM and a Bmax of 0.77 pmol/mg protein. The allosteric modulation data demonstrated that numerous benzodiazepine and barbiturate agents inhibited [3H]SR 95531 binding and this varied according to brain region. Several barbiturates included in the incubation media exhibited a stereoselective inhibition of [3H]SR 95531 binding to whole rat brain membranes. In summary, [3H]SR 95531 identifies the antagonist conformation of GABAA receptors in the rat brain and binds preferentially to the low-affinity site. The data collected in the present study show that [3H]SR 95531 is an excellent probe to recognize the GABAA receptor subtype and allows for the identification of the interactions of subcomponents of the macromolecular GABA receptor complex.
Forty Theories of Urban Decline

The causes of urban decline and urban development have been much discussed. Seldom, however, have systematic efforts been made to codify causes and assess their relative importance. This paper helps move in that direction by listing 40 theories of urban decline (or conversely urban development). The theories are based on a review of a range of literature and are presented here as propositions. Elsewhere we are testing their relative importance.
Waste heat utilization from the electric arc process for absorption refrigeration in Nepal

Abstract Energy costs constrain Nepalese agriculture and fertilizer usage in particular. The electric arc process may loosen this constraint. This process produces large quantities of waste heat. Ammonia absorption refrigeration requires high-grade heat input. An energy balance model was developed for the electric arc and ammonia absorption refrigeration systems. Laboratory experimentation combined these two complementary technologies, and the energy balance model was applied in providing an explanation of system performance. Economic analysis examined the feasibility of implementing such a combined technology in Nepal. This analysis concluded that it is more feasible to use waste heat from the electric arc system in traditional Nepalese processes which normally consume large quantities of fuelwood than for refrigeration purposes.
Oxygen transfer and axial dispersion in an aeration tower containing static mixers

Oxygen transfer from gas to liquid under steady-state cocurrent flow conditions was modeled using the dispersion model, and the oxygen transfer coefficients were estimated from available data for a column with Koch motionless mixers. The dispersion in the column was estimated for several different gas and liquid flow rates using steady-state tracer experiments. The estimated oxygen transfer coefficients were compared with those estimated using complete mixing and plug flow models. The results indicate that the dispersion model is the most appropriate model for estimating the mass transfer coefficient from the available data.
Numerical investigation of the rheology of a dilute emulsion of drops in an oscillating extensional flow

Abstract The rheology of a dilute emulsion of viscous drops in an oscillating extensional flow is investigated. Deforming drop shape is computed using a front tracking finite difference method. Excess stresses due to drops are determined using Bachelor's formula neglecting drop–drop interactions. We present and discuss the relations between the excess stress and the applied strain rate. We explore the linear extensional rheology by computing extensional storage and loss moduli. The effects of frequency and surface tension variations are discussed and compared with analytical models of Oldroyd and Yu and Bousmina. We find that the nature of the excess interfacial stress depends on the relative magnitudes of the time period of oscillation and the relaxation time of the droplet. The excess stress is predominantly elastic (viscous) if the period is much smaller (larger) than the relaxation time. These phenomena are explained using the detail drop dynamics.
The Behavior of Planetary Wave 2 in Preconditioned Zonal Flows

The response of linear planetary wave 2 to changes in the isentropic zonally symmetric distribution of potential vorticity (PV) is investigated numerically. Wave 2 is sensitive to the width and position of a region where the meridional derivative of PV is weak, denoted the 'surf zone', in the middle stratosphere. A narrow surf zone leads to an amplification of wave 2, and confines some of its Eliassen-Palm wave activity in high latitudes. For wider surf zones the wave activity is concentrated near the associated critical surface, and the amplitude of the wave decreases. Large changes in the wave amplitude and in the distribution of its activity are associated with the subtle changes in the zonal winds produced by modest modifications in the distribution of PV. Basic states that include regions of reversed meridional gradients of PV lead to wave overreflection and strong poleward focusing of wave activity. The amplitude of wave 2 is enhanced in the presence of negative gradients, with large responses occurring for eastward traveling waves.
“Distant spin trapping”: a method for expanding the availability of spin trapping measurements

Abstract The technique of spin trapping is used to study a wide range of free radicals in various systems, including those generated in vitro and in vivo. But unfortunately, EPR spectrometers are not always immediately accessible at the site of experimentation, and therefore it is important to find a method that can preserve a radical adduct over longer periods of time. We describe here an alternative method in which the samples can be frozen and transported for EPR measurements at another site. Various spin adducts of DEPMPO were frozen and measured at 0 °C at various intervals after freezing to determine their stability in the frozen state. The radical adducts were generated by established methods and stored at two different temperatures; −196 °C (liquid nitrogen) and −80 °C (dry ice). The experiments were carried out in an aqueous solution with and without a model of reducing environment (2 mM ascorbate). The results indicate that it is feasible to store and transport spin adducts for subsequent analysis. We conclude that this approach, which we term “distant spin trapping”, makes it feasible to transport samples to another site for EPR measurements. This should significantly expand the ability to use spin trapping in biology and medicine.
Hydroxymalonyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) and aminomalonyl-ACP are two additional type I polyketide synthase extender units

Combinatorial biosynthesis of type I polyketide synthases is a promising approach for the generation of new structural derivatives of polyketide-containing natural products. A target of this approach has been to change the extender units incorporated into a polyketide backbone to alter the structure and activity of the natural product. One limitation to these efforts is that only four extender units were known: malonyl-CoA, methylmalonyl-CoA, ethylmalonyl-CoA, and methoxymalonyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP). The chemical attributes of these extender units are quite similar, with the exception of the potential hydrogen bonding interactions by the oxygen of the methoxy moiety. Furthermore, the incorporated extender units are not easily modified by using simple chemical approaches when combinatorial biosynthesis is coupled to semisynthetic chemistry. We recently proposed the existence of two additional extender units, hydroxymalonyl-ACP and aminomalonyl-ACP, involved in the biosynthesis of zwittermicin A. These extender units offer unique possibilities for combinatorial biosynthesis and semisynthetic chemistry because of the introduction of free hydroxyl and amino moieties into a polyketide structure. Here, we present the biochemical and mass spectral evidence for the formation of these extender units. This evidence shows the formation of ACP-linked extender units for polyketide synthesis. Interestingly, aminomalonyl-ACP formation involves enzymology typically found in nonribosomal peptide synthesis.
Coal oxidation and calcium loading on oxidized coal

Abstract A Pittsburgh No. 8 coal, and two IBC (Illinois Basin Coal) 101 and 112 coals were oxidized in a 2 1 Parr Stirred Bench Top Reactor. The oxidation time was varied up to 5 h; the temperature from 150°C to 225°C, the oxygen pressure from 100 to 600 psi, and coal dosage from 15 to 60 g in 600 ml of distilled water. The oxidation of coal was evaluated by measuring total acidic group formed on the coal surface as well as by measuring adsorption of calcium ion on the oxidized coal from a solution in a separate system. It was found that upon oxidation of coal, acidic groups were formed on the coal surface and were responsible for the adsorption of calcium ion. The oxidation increased with increasing oxygen pressure without much leveling-off effect. However, the oxidation increased sharply with increase in temperature from 150°C to 180°C and then tended to level off above 180°C. The optimum oxidation conditions were determined by considering BTU loss and Ca/S molar ratio where S is the total sulfur in coal. The optimum oxidation conditions of Pittsburgh No. 8 coal were 170°C and 500 psi O 2 with 60 g of coal for 3 h, while those of IBC 112 coal were 150°C and 500 psi O 2 with 60 g of coal for 3 h. Under these conditions, the Ca/S molar ratio reached approximately 1.3 and the BTU loss was less than 20%. This value of Ca/S molar ratio may be high enough to capture sulfur during fluidized combustion and coal gasification. Thus, it is concluded that the present method has the potential to be used in a commercial process for preparation of a feed stock for fluidized-bed combustion and coal gasification.
Long-term visual and anatomical outcomes following anti-VEGF monotherapy for retinal angiomatous proliferation.

Aim To study the long-term visual and anatomical outcomes of antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monotherapy for the treatment of patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Methods Retrospective review of patients who were diagnosed as having AMD and RAP lesions, and who received anti-VEGF injections as the only mode of therapy. Results 20 eyes (15 patients; nine women, six men) with RAP lesions treated by anti-VEGF were encountered. The mean patient age was 85.8 years (SD±4.54). Nine eyes were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab alone, eight eyes were treated with bevacizumab alone, and three eyes received both drugs. At 1, 3 and 6 months9 follow-up the median VA had improved from baseline (20/72) to 20/52 (range: 20/25 to 20/400), 20/45 (range 20/20 to 20/400), and 20/56 (range 20/20 to 20/400), respectively, (p>0.001, p=0.001 and p=0.05, respectively). At the 24-month follow-up, the improvement in VA, defined as a halving of the visual angle, occurred in 37.5% of the cases. Conclusions Anti-VEGF monotherapy represents a useful treatment option for RAP, with stable or improved visual acuity in 62.5% of patients at 2 years. 25% of eyes required only a single injection, but in most cases (75%) repeated treatments were required, highlighting the need for long term follow-up. Although, in this small study, the results for visual improvement were not statistically significant beyond 3 months, our findings warrant further large-scale investigation.
Bupropion and cognitive-behavioral therapy for smoking cessation in women

Gender data for bupropion suggest that it may be a particularly effective smoking cessation medication for women. It is not known whether the efficacy of this pharmacotherapy differs as a function of the psychotherapy with which it is administered. This study used a two level factorial design to examine the independent and interactive effects of medication (bupropion 300 mg/day vs. placebo) and psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBT] vs. supportive therapy [ST]). In addition to testing the hypothesis that bupropion with CBT would be most effective of all the treatments, we examined medication compliance and its role in the efficacy of bupropion. Participants were 154 women, aged at least 30 years and smoking more than 10 cigarettes/day. Compliance with study medication was assessed using Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS) over 7 weeks of treatment. Psychological interventions were delivered in 60-min weekly group sessions. Longitudinal analysis of abstinence outcomes from end of treatment (EOT) through 12 months after treatment revealed a significant interaction of medication and therapy. Higher abstinence rates at EOT and 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups were observed when bupropion was delivered concurrently with CBT (44%, 24%, 30%, 23%, 17%) rather than with ST (18%, 1%, 8%, 5%, 2%). The bupropion-CBT combination, however, was not clearly superior to placebo, regardless of therapy assignment. Higher rates of medication compliance were positively predictive of abstinence, and this effect was most evident in the placebo condition. Findings provide only modest support for CBT as the preferred type of intensive therapy in conjunction with bupropion in women.