cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CT urography: how to optimize the technique

Computed tomography urography (CTU) has emerged as the modality of choice for imaging the urinary tract within the past few decades. It is a powerful tool that enables detailed anatomic evaluation of the urinary tract in order to identify primary urothelial malignancies, benign urinary tract conditions, and associated abdominopelvic pathologies. As such, there have been extensive efforts to optimize CTU protocol. This article reviews the published literature on CTU protocol optimization, including contrast bolus timing, dose reduction, reconstruction algorithms, and ancillary practices. There have been many advances in CTU techniques, which allow for imaging diagnosis of a wide spectrum of diseases while minimizing radiation dose and maximizing urinary tract distension and opacification.
Trail marking by the larva of the Madrone butterfly Eucheira socialis and the role of the trail pheromone in communal foraging behavior

The larva of the Madrone butterfly Eucheira socialis (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) secretes a trail pheromone from the ventral surface of the posterior tip of its abdomen. Caterpillars mark trails by bringing the secretory site into brief contact with the substrate during a locomotive cycle. Foragers mark most heavily when they move onto new branches and little, if at all, when they move over established trails or when they return to the communal shelter after feeding. The caterpillars make careful comparisons of alternative pathways at choice points and select newer and stronger trails over older and weaker trails. Differential marking of new and established trails during nightly forays, coupled with sensory discrimination of trails by strength and age, leads colonies to abandon old trails in favor of new trails. When applied at a rate as low as 2.5 × 10 −10 g/mm, caterpillars followed synthetic trails prepared from 5β-cholestane-3-one, a trail pheromone previously reported from the tent caterpillars (Malacosoma spp.). Although both Eucheira and Malacosoma mark with the tip of the abdomen and have near-identical sensitivites to 5β-cholestane-3-one, our study shows that Eucheira employs a relatively unsophisticated system of trail-based communication and does not recruit to food. The trail-based communication system of Eucheira appears to represent an early stage in the evolution of cooperative foraging that is derived from, and motivationally linked to, conflict behavior.
NaCaN i 2 F 7 : A frustrated high-temperature pyrochlore antiferromagnet with S = 1 N i 2 +

$\mathrm{NaCaN}{\mathrm{i}}_{2}{\mathrm{F}}_{7}$ is an insulating, frustrated ${A}_{2}{B}_{2}{\mathrm{F}}_{7}$ pyrochlore with magnetic $S=1\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{i}}^{2+}$ on the pyrochlore B site. Nonmagnetic Na and Ca are disordered on the A site. Magnetic susceptibility measurements made on an oriented single crystal, grown in a floating zone furnace, show isotropic behavior at temperatures between 5 and $300\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, with an effective moment of $3.7\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\mathrm{B}}/\mathrm{Ni}$. Despite displaying a large Curie-Weiss theta $(\ensuremath{-}129\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$, spin-ordering-related features are not seen in the susceptibility or specific heat until a spin glass transition at $3.6\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. This yields an empirical frustration index of $f=\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{\mathrm{CW}}/{\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{f}}\ensuremath{\approx}36$. The spin glass behavior is substantiated by a shift of the freezing temperature with frequency in the ac susceptibility, bifurcation in the dc susceptibility, and by a broad maximum in the magnetic specific heat. The observations as made on large single crystals suggest that $\mathrm{NaCaN}{\mathrm{i}}_{2}{\mathrm{F}}_{7}$ is likely a realization of a frustrated spin 1 pyrochlore antiferromagnet with weak bond disorder.
Quantitative evaluation of bioaerosols in different particle size fractions in dust collected on the International Space Station (ISS)

Exposure to bioaerosols can adversely influence human health through respiratory tract, eye, and skin irritation. Bioaerosol composition is unique on the International Space Station (ISS), where the size distribution of particles in the air differs from those on Earth. This is due to the lack of gravitational settling and sources of biological particles. However, we do not understand how microbes are influenced by particle size in this environment. We analyzed two types of samples from the ISS: (1) vacuum bag debris which had been sieved into five different size fractions and (2) passively collected particles on a tape substrate with a passive aerosol sampler. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), the highest concentration of fungal spores was found in the 106-150 μm-sized sieved dust particles, while the highest concentration of bacterial cells was found in the 150-250 μm-sized sieved dust particles. Illumina MiSeq DNA sequencing revealed that particle size was associated with bacterial and fungal communities and statistically significant (p = 0.035, p = 0.036 respectively). Similar fungal and bacterial species were found within the passive aerosol sample and the sieved dust samples. The most abundant fungal species identified in the aerosol and sieved samples are commonly found in food and plant material. Abundant bacterial species were most associated with the oral microbiome and human upper respiratory tract. One limitation to this study was the suboptimal storage conditions of the sieved samples prior to analysis. Overall, our results indicate that microbial exposure in space may depend on particle size. This has implications for ventilation and filtration system design for future space vehicles and habitats.
Thymectomy (Open and MIS Approaches)

This chapter describes open, thoracoscopic, or robotic thymectomy. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the critical concepts and different techniques for this procedure.
Rapid degradation of C. elegans proteins at single-cell resolution with a synthetic auxin

Author(s): Martinez, Michael; Kinney, Brian; Medwig-Kinney, Taylor; Ashley, Guinevere; Ragle, James; Johnson, Londen; Aguilera, Joseph; Hammell, Christopher; Ward, Jordan; Matus, David | Abstract: ABSTRACT As developmental biologists in the age of genome editing, we now have access to an ever-increasing array of tools to manipulate endogenous gene expression. The auxin-inducible degradation system, allows for spatial and temporal control of protein degradation, functioning through the activity of a hormone-inducible Arabidopsis F-box protein, transport inhibitor response 1 (TIR1). In the presence of auxin, TIR1 serves as a substrate recognition component of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex SKP1-CUL1-F-box (SCF), ubiquitinating auxin-inducible degron (AID)-tagged proteins for proteasomal degradation. Here, we optimize the Caenorhabditis elegans AID method, utilizing 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), an indole-free synthetic analog of the natural auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). We take advantage of the photostability of NAA to demonstrate via quantitative high-resolution microscopy that rapid degradation of target proteins can be detected in single cells within 30 minutes of exposure. Additionally, we show that NAA works robustly in both standard growth media and physiological buffer. We also demonstrate that K-NAA, the water-soluble, potassium salt of NAA, can be combined with microfluidics for targeted protein degradation in C. elegans larvae. We provide insight into how the AID system functions in C. elegans by determining that TIR1 interacts with C. elegans SKR-1/2, CUL-1, and RBX-1 to degrade target proteins. Finally, we present highly penetrant defects from NAA-mediated degradation of the Ftz-F1 nuclear hormone receptor, NHR-25, during C. elegans uterine-vulval development. Together, this work provides a conceptual improvement to the AID system for dissecting gene function at the single-cell level during C. elegans development.
Spatial analysis of gut microbiome reveals a distinct ecological niche associated with the mucus layer.

Mucus associated bacterial communities are critical for determining disease pathology and promoting colonization resistance. Yet the key ecological properties of mucus resident communities remain poorly defined. Using an approach that combines in situ hybridization, laser microdissection and 16s rRNA sequencing of spatially distinct regions of the mouse gut lumen, we discovered that a dense microbial community resembling a biofilm is embedded in the mucus layer. The mucus associated biofilm-like community excluded bacteria belonging to phylum Proteobacteria. Additionally, it was significantly more diverse and consisted of bacterial species that were unique to it. By employing germ-free mice deficient in T and B lymphocytes we found that formation of biofilm-like structure was independent of adaptive immunity. Instead the integrity of biofilm-like community depended on Gram-positive commensals such as Clostridia. Additionally, biofilm-like community in the mucus lost fewer Clostridia and showed smaller bloom of Proteobacteria compared to the lumen upon antibiotic treatment. When subjected to time restricted feeding biofilm like structure significantly enhanced in size and showed enrichment of Clostridia. Taken together our work discloses that mucus associated biofilm-like community represent a specialized community that is structurally and compositionally distinct that excludes aerobic bacteria while enriching for anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridia, exhibits enhanced stability to antibiotic treatment and that can be modulated by dietary changes.
Effect of Statin Therapy on Age-Associated Changes in Physical Function Among Men With and Without HIV in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND The longer-term risks of statins on physical function among people with HIV are unclear. METHODS Longitudinal analysis of Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study men between 40 and 75 years of age with ≥2 measures of gait speed or grip strength. Generalized estimating equations with interaction terms between (1) statin use and age and (2) HIV serostatus, age, and statin use were considered to evaluate associations between statin use and physical function. Models were adjusted for demographics and cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS Among 2021 men (1048 with HIV), baseline median age was 52 (interquartile range 46-58) years; 636 were consistent, 398 intermittent, and 987 never statin users. There was a significant interaction between age, statin, and HIV serostatus for gait speed. Among people with HIV, for every 5-year age increase, gait speed (m/s) decline was marginally greater among consistent versus never statin users {-0.008 [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.017 to -0.00007]; P = 0.048}, with more notable differences between intermittent and never users [-0.017 (95% CI -0.027 to -0.008); P < 0.001]. Similar results were observed among men without HIV. Significant differences in grip strength (kg) decline were seen between intermittent and never users [-0.53 (95% CI -0.98 to -0.07); P = 0.024] and differences between consistent and never users [-0.28 (95% CI -0.63 to 0.06); P = 0.11] were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Among men with and without HIV, intermittent statin users had more pronounced declines in physical function compared with consistent and never users. Consistent statin use does not seem to have a major impact on physical function in men with or without HIV.
Mediated Critical Communication Pedagogy: by A. Atay and D. L. Fassett, Lanham, Lexington Books, 2020, $95.00(Hardback), ISBN: 978-1-4985-6870-8

While Mediated Communication is not a new pedagogical topic, its relevance has sprung to the forefront of many educators’ minds over the course of 2020, as education relies more and more – and very...
Collectivistic Leadership in Context: An Examination of How and When Collective Charismatic Leadership Relates to Unit Functioning:

This research explores the nature of collective leadership by examining the boundary conditions of how and when it relates to unit functioning. Building from a contingency perspective that consider...
Perineuriomatous nevi: A series of eight cases highlighting unifying pathologic features to avoid misdiagnosis.

BACKGROUND Perineuriomatous nevi are rare and diagnostically problematic. We report a series of eight perineuriomatous nevi to highlight the diagnostic features. METHODS Cases were retrospectively reviewed and characterized. RESULTS Median age was 42.5 years (range 25-64), with equal sex distribution. Lesions occurred on the arm (n = 4), trunk (n = 2), and head/neck (n = 2). Median size was 7.5 mm (range 5-12 mm). Clinical differential diagnoses included atypical nevus (3), blue nevus (1), neurofibroma (1), and dermatofibroma (1). Lesions were circumscribed, dome-shaped (5/8), and biphasic (8/8) with nested epithelioid cells and wavy spindled cells arranged in whorled fascicles in a myxocollagenous stroma. When present, junctional growth was lentiginous (4/8). No cases displayed pleomorphism or mitotic figures. The perineuriomatous component stained positively for epithelial membrane antigen (8/8 focal to diffuse) and CD34 (4/5 focal to diffuse). SOX10 and S100 protein stained all nevoid cells and in some cases a subset of intermingled spindled cells in perineuriomatous areas, where other melanocytic markers were negative. p16 protein expression was uniformly retained (3/3), and p53 negative (0/2). Nevoid cells in most lesions were positive for BRAFV600E (5/7). Ki67 was mildly elevated (~5%) in 3/3 cases. CONCLUSIONS Recognizing the histopathologic and immunophenotypic features in these unusual nevi helps avoid overdiagnosis.
A model-agnostic approach for understanding heart failure risk factors.

OBJECTIVE Understanding the risk factors for developing heart failure among patients with type 2 diabetes can contribute to preventing deterioration of quality of life for those persons. Electronic health records (EHR) provide an opportunity to use sophisticated machine learning models to understand and compare the effect of different risk factors for developing HF. As the complexity of the model increases, however, the transparency of the model often decreases. To interpret the results, we aimed to develop a model-agnostic approach to shed light on complex models and interpret the effect of features on developing heart failure. Using the HealthFacts EHR database of the Cerner EHR, we extracted the records of 723 patients with at least 6 yeas of follow up of type 2 diabetes, of whom 134 developed heart failure. Using age and comorbidities as features and heart failure as the outcome, we trained logistic regression, random forest, XGBoost, neural network, and then applied our proposed approach to rank the effect of each factor on developing heart failure. RESULTS Compared to the "importance score" built-in function of XGBoost, our proposed approach was more accurate in ranking the effect of the different risk factors on developing heart failure.
The significance of epidermal involvement in primary cutaneous gamma/delta T-cell lymphoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Primary cutaneous gamma/delta T-cell lymphoma (PCGDTCL) is a rare, aggressive peripheral T-cell lymphoma. There is evidence that patients with epidermotropic PCGDTCL may have an improved prognosis compared with those with only dermal and/or subcutaneous involvement. Methods Systematic review of the literature and application of inclusion criteria yielded 48 manuscripts detailing the cases of 104 patients. Results Individuals included 57 male (51.4%) and 47 female (48.5%) patients. Of 104 patients included in this analysis, 57 (54.8%) had no epidermotopism, 47 (45.2%) demonstrated any degree of epidermotropism, and 25 cases were predominantly epidermotropic (25/104, 24%). There was no significant difference in survival between these groups (P = 0.398). The most commonly performed immunohistochemical markers were CD3, CD4, CD8, CD5, CD7, CD30, CD56, TCR beta, TCR gamma, and TCR delta. There was no statistically significant difference in immunophenotype between groups. Lesion morphology was described in the majority of cases (85/104, 80.9%), most commonly some combination of nodules, plaques, and tumors (77.4%). Several cases had more atypical presentations, including "mycosis-fungoides-like" and ulcerated. Five-year overall survivals for patients with no epidermotropism, any epidermotropism, and predominantly epidermotropic presentation were 32.8%, 28.9%, and 40.0%, respectively (P = 0.40). Conclusions 1) Neither epidermotropism nor a predominantly epidermotropic phenotype in PCGDTCL predict a better prognosis and that 2) the case report literature in dermatology and dermatopathology is rich and highly valuable. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Outcomes for posterior uveal melanoma: Validation of American Brachytherapy Society Guidelines.

Abstract PURPOSE To assess outcomes of small and medium choroidal melanoma (less than 5.0 mm in height) following Iodine-125 episcleral brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS Patients with small and medium choroidal melanoma that underwent Iodine-125 brachytherapy with apical height of 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm and largest basal diameter of ≤16.0 mm were included. Data were extracted from the original dosimetry plans to determine doses to vision critical structures with the prescription point to the apical height (actual dose, ABS guidelines) and, after simulation, with the prescription point to the height of 5.0 mm (simulated dose, COMS protocol). Visual acuity (VA) outcomes with actual dose and that predicted with the simulated dose were estimated along with local recurrence, ocular survival, and survival at 5 years. RESULTS A total of 339 patients with a mean age of 61.5 years with a mean follow up duration of 43.4 months were included. The mean dose reduction for lens, optic disc, and fovea was 34%, 39.4%, and 41.4%, respectively with actual dose when compared with simulated dose. The Kaplan-Meier estimations for 3 year event free rate of VA of 20/50 or better were 56% and 31% for actual dose and simulated dose, respectively. Only 3 events of local recurrence were observed (enucleated) yielding 5 year local control and ocular survival rate of 98%. Overall survival (OS) and metastasis free survival (MFS) were 95% and 87.5% at 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Small and medium choroidal melanoma treated according to ABS has excellent outcomes. Brachytherapy planning using ABS guidelines as compared to COMS protocol may be associated with lower rates of radiation toxicity and vision loss.
Why haven't the observed high-frequency QPOs been produced by (MHD) computer simulations of black hole accretion disks?

We compare some predictions of Wagoner & Tandon (2021) with the results of the hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of Reynolds & Miller (2009). It appears that the MHD simulations were not run for long enough and the numerical damping was not small enough to produce the observed high-frequency QPOs (and the g-mode seen in the hydro simulations).
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Improve Social Skills in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The UCLA PEERS ® Program

Research suggests that impaired social skills are often the most significant challenge for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet few evidence-based social skills interventions exist for adults on the spectrum. This replication trial tested the effectiveness of PEERS, a caregiver-assisted social skills program for high-functioning young adults with ASD. Using a randomized controlled design, 22 young adults 18-24 years of age were randomly assigned to a treatment (n = 12) or delayed treatment control (n = 10) group. Results revealed that the treatment group improved significantly in overall social skills, frequency of social engagement, and social skills knowledge, and significantly reduced ASD symptoms related to social responsiveness following PEERS. Most treatment gains were maintained at a 16-week follow-up assessment with new improvements observed.
Genetic Disease, Government, and Social Justice

A series of critical discoveries in biochemical, cellular, and molecular biology, coupled with an array of innovative technologies, inaugurated the “golden age of medical genetics” in the 1950s. A cascade of brand-new genetic information and techniques followed. Many of these discoveries had immediate and direct clinical application, leading to an expansion of diagnostic treatment and counseling capabilities. Comprehensive genetic service and screening programs began to be organized and implemented. These programs were designed to meet the needs of an ever-increasing number of individuals and their familes that had or were at risk for genetic disease or birth defects. Public interest and expectations grew, reinforced by the information media’s unprecendented coverage of all aspects of medical genetics.
A comparison of a hierarchical tree to an associative map interface for the selection of classification terms

This paper reports the results of a user study comparing the use of a traditional hierarchical tree interface with an associative graphical interface to select controlled vocabulary terms for document classification. The results suggest that users prefer to have both the hierarchical and associative map rather than the hierarchical tree alone and tend to ascribe more categories when using the experimental interface.
Moisture and Total Solids Analysis

Moisture assays can be one of the most important analyses performed on a food product and yet one of the most difficult from which to obtain accurate and precise data, for reasons described in this chapter. The first sections of this chapter describe both direct and indirect methods for moisture content analysis: instrumentation, principles, procedures, applications, cautions, advantages, and disadvantages. The choice of moisture analysis method is often determined by the expected moisture content, nature of other food constituents (e.g., highly volatile, heat sensitive), equipment available, speed necessary, accuracy and precision required, and intended purpose (e.g., regulatory or in-plant quality control). Latter parts of this chapter describe water activity measurement, since it parallels the measurement of total moisture as an important stability and quality factor. Determining both the water content and the water activity of a food provides a complete moisture analysis. Also included in the chapter is a major section on moisture sorption isotherms. With an understanding of the techniques described in this chapter, one can apply appropriate moisture analyses to a wide variety of food products.
Arbitrage pricing, transaction costs and taxation of capital gains

Abstract This paper examines one of the few cases of seemingly redundant securities: sets of three government bonds with the same maturity date. Within the bounds on relative bond prices established by tax-exempt investors in a market with proportional transaction costs, the taxation of capital gains on the basis of realization has a significant impact on relative prices. The empirical evidence supports the tax option effect discussed by Constantinides and Ingersoll, but does not generally support the segmented tax-clientele equilibrium discussed by Schaefer.
On the Twist of Emerging Flux Loops in the Solar Convection Zone

We perform numerical simulations of emerging flux loops in the solar convective envelope based on a weakly twisted thin flux tube model recently derived by Longcope and Klapper, generalizing the original formulation for the dynamics of untwisted thin flux tubes by Spruit. The generalized formulation includes the description of torsional Alf ven waves and takes into account the coupling of the writhing motion of the tube axis to the change in the flux tube twist based on the requirement of global helicity conservation of the closed thin flux tube. In this model, the twist of the thin flux tube is described by a quantity q defined as the angular rate of field-line rotation about the tube axis per unit length of the tube. We examine the evolution of twist along Ω-shaped emerging flux loops which are formed as a result of the non-linear growth of the Parker instability of toroidal magnetic flux tubes at the base of the solar convection zone. We find that: (1) In the northern hemisphere, a left-handed twist is generated in the flux tubes as a result of the right-handed tilt or writhe of the emerging loops induced by the Coriolis force. The generated twist increases with the latitude of emergence over the range from 0° to about 38° latitude, but then decreases when the emerging latitude exceeds 38°, because of a change in the preferred eruption pattern. The magnitude of the generated twist q is very small, ≗ 2 × 10-4 rad Mm-1, more than an order of magnitude smaller than the observed amplitude of twist (~ 0.01 rad Mm-1) in solar active regions. (2) For a toroidal flux ring with a uniform initial twist q 0 along the ring, the twist amplitude |q| at the apex of the emerging loop decrease by a factor of about 0.67 because of the stretching of the loop, as it rises from the base of the convection zone to about 20 Mm below the photosphere, at which depth the flux tube can no longer be considered thin. However, because of the more rapid increase of the tube cross-sectional radius a with height, |qa|, which corresponds to the ratio between the azimuthal field to the axial field B θ /B l of the tube, increases by a factor of about 2.5 at the apex of the loop, as it rises over the same distance. (3) Because of the effect of the Coriolis force, the distribution of twist along the emerging loop is asymmetric between the leading (in the direction of rotation) and the following sides of the loop. Both |q| and |qa| are greater at the following side than the leading at any depth. Based on the evolution of twist along emerging flux loops, we discuss possible constraints on the twist q 0 of initial toroidal flux tubes at the base of the convection zone.
The Lessons of History: Radical Product Innovation and the Incumbent’s Curse

A common view in the field of innovation is that large, incumbent firms rarely introduce radical product innovations. Such firms tend to solidify their market positions with relatively incremental innovations. As a result, radical innovations tend to come from small firms, the outsiders.
Reflection removal using ghosting cues

Photographs taken through glass windows often contain both the desired scene and undesired reflections. Separating the reflection and transmission layers is an important but ill-posed problem that has both aesthetic and practical applications. In this work, we introduce the use of ghosting cues that exploit asymmetry between the layers, thereby helping to reduce the ill-posedness of the problem. These cues arise from shifted double reflections of the reflected scene off the glass surface. In double-pane windows, each pane reflects shifted and attenuated versions of objects on the same side of the glass as the camera. For single-pane windows, ghosting cues arise from shifted reflections on the two surfaces of the glass pane. Even though the ghosting is sometimes barely perceptible by humans, we can still exploit the cue for layer separation. In this work, we model the ghosted reflection using a double-impulse convolution kernel, and automatically estimate the spatial separation and relative attenuation of the ghosted reflection components. To separate the layers, we propose an algorithm that uses a Gaussian Mixture Model for regularization. Our method is automatic and requires only a single input image. We demonstrate that our approach removes a large fraction of reflections on both synthetic and real-world inputs.
Group II archaeal chaperonin recognition of partially folded human γD‐crystallin mutants

The features in partially folded intermediates that allow the group II chaperonins to distinguish partially folded from native states remain unclear. The archaeal group II chaperonin from Methanococcus Mauripaludis (Mm-Cpn) assists the in vitro refolding of the well-characterized β-sheet lens protein human γD-crystallin (HγD-Crys). The domain interface and buried cores of this Greek key conformation include side chains, which might be exposed in partially folded intermediates. We sought to assess whether particular features buried in the native state, but absent from the native protein surface, might serve as recognition signals. The features tested were (a) paired aromatic side chains, (b) side chains in the interface between the duplicated domains of HγD-Crys, and (c) side chains in the buried core which result in congenital cataract when substituted. We tested the Mm-Cpn suppression of aggregation of these HγD-Crys mutants upon dilution out of denaturant. Mm-Cpn was capable of suppressing the off-pathway aggregation of the three classes of mutants indicating that the buried residues were not recognition signals. In fact, Mm-Cpn recognized the HγD-Crys mutants better than (wild-type) WT and refolded most mutant HγD-Crys to levels twice that of WT HγD-Crys. This presumably represents the increased population or longer lifetimes of the partially folded intermediates of the mutant proteins. The results suggest that Mm-Cpn does not recognize the features of HγD-Crys tested—paired aromatics, exposed domain interface, or destabilized core—but rather recognizes other features of the partially folded β-sheet conformation that are absent or inaccessible in the native state of HγD-Crys.
Transitional Changes in the Surface Epithelium of the Cycling Mouse Vagina, Cervix and Uterus: Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies

During the estrous cycle, the mouse reproductive tract undergoes a number of specific morphological changes. The alterations which occur in the luminal surface of the vagina, cervix and uterus were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The stage of estrus was identified by vaginal observation, cytology and histology. The lumen of the reproductive tract was observed with the SEM at low powers of magnification as well as at the subcellular level. Surface epithelial alterations associated with mucification and keratinization of vaginal epithelium were identified by SEM; changes in the squamocolumnar junction were studied as were the cyclic variations in the mouse endometrium. This study was done to characterize the morphological appearance of the normal female mouse reproductive tract and thereby establish a normal baseline for the evaluation of samples from subsequent studies of corresponding pathologic tissue. A comparison of the similarity of the epithelial characteristics observed in normal cervix and vagina at diestrus to those in cells described by other investigators in reportedly dysplastic tissue demonstrates the need for this type of systematic approach in SEM studies.
Global cities in East Asia: empirical and conceptual analysis†

East Asia is now the scene of very rapid and dynamic urban growth. Its great cities range from Tokyo (unquestionably a key “global city”) to Hong Kong, Seoul, and Taipei (ascending through the “world city” ranks) to Jakarta or Ho Chi Minh City (usually regarded as developing world “megacities”). How are social scientists to understand this dynamic of urbanisation and (under-) development? This paper argues that we must begin with a framework that locates cities in global urban networks and in relation to world-systemic changes. It sketches how the East Asian regional patterns “fit” with global ones. Finally, the essay suggests renewed focus on the “dependent / peripheral” cities at the “bottom” of the world urban hierarchy.
Microtubules Are Essential for Guard-Cell Function in Vicia and Arabidopsis

Radially arranged cortical microtubules are a prominent feature of guard cells. Guard cells expressing GFP-tubulin showed consistent changes in the appearance of microtubules when stomata opened or closed. Guard cells showed fewer microtubule structures as stomata closed, whether induced by transfer to darkness, ABA, hydrogen peroxide, or sodium hydrogen carbonate. Guard cells kept in the dark (closed stomata) showed increases in microtubule structures and stomatal aperture on light treatment. GFP-EB1, marking microtubule growing plus ends, showed no change in number of plus ends or velocity of assembly on stomatal closure. Since the number of growing plus ends and the rate of plus-end growth did not change when microtubule structure numbers declined, microtubule instability and/or rearrangement must be responsible for the apparent loss of microtubules. Guard cells with closed stomata showed more cytosolic GFP-fluorescence than those with open stomata as cortical microtubules became disassembled, although with a large net loss in total fluorescence. Microtubule-targeted drugs blocked guard-cell function in Vicia and Arabidopsis. Oryzalin disrupted guard-cell microtubules and prevented stomatal opening and taxol stabilized guard-cell microtubules and delayed stomatal closure. Gas exchange measurements indicated that the transgenes for fluorescent-labeled proteins did not disrupt normal stomatal function. These dynamic changes in guard-cell microtubules combined with our inhibitor studies provide evidence for an active role of microtubules in guard-cell function.
Melanopsin-dependent light avoidance in neonatal mice.

Melanopsin-expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) form a light-sensitive system separate from rods and cones. Direct light stimulation of ipRGCs can regulate many nonimage-forming visual functions such as photoentrainment of circadian rhythms and pupil responses, and can intensify migraine headache in adults. In mice, ipRGCs are light responsive as early as the day of birth. In contrast, their eyelids do not open until 12–13 d after birth (P12–13), and light signaling from rods and cones does not begin until approximately P10. No physiological or behavioral function is established for ipRGCs in neonates before the onset of rod and cone signaling. Here we report that mouse pups as young as P6 will completely turn away from a light. Light-induced responses of ipRGCs could be readily recorded in retinas of pups younger than P9, and we found no evidence for rod- and cone-mediated visual signaling to the RGCs of these younger mice. These results confirm that negative phototaxis is evident before the onset of rod- and cone-mediated visual signaling, and well before the onset of image-forming vision. Negative phototaxis was absent in mice lacking melanopsin. We conclude that light activation of melanopsin ipRGCs is necessary and sufficient for negative phototaxis. These results strongly suggest that light activation of ipRGCs may regulate physiological functions such as sleep/wake cycles in preterm and neonatal infants.
Oxidation behavior of matrix-inhibited carbon/carbon composites

Abstract The oxidation behavior of carbon/carbon composites, with added matrix inhibitors intended to reduce the reactivity of the material, has been studied in the temperature range 600 to 1000°C. Additives such as zirconium boride, boron, and boron carbide particles progressively reduced the oxidation rate of the carbon in air as a result of spreading of a borate glass within the composite. However, the inhibitors only became effective after appreciable fractions of the carbon had been gasified.
Performance of a Neural Network Based 3-D Object Recognition System*

Object recognition in laser radar sensor imagery is a challenging application of neural networks. The task involves recognition of objects at a variety of distances and aspects with significant levels of sensor noise. These variables are related to sensor parameters such as sensor signal strength and angular resolution, as well as object range and viewing aspect. The effect of these parameters on a fixed recognition system based on log-polar mapped features and an unsupervised neural network classifier are investigated. This work is an attempt to quantify the design parameters of a laser radar measurement system with respect to classifying and/or identifying objects by the shape of their silhouettes. Experiments with vehicle silhouettes rotated through 90 deg-of-view angle from broadside to head-on ('out-of-plane' rotation) have been used to quantify the performance of a log-polar map/neural-network based 3-D object recognition system. These experiments investigated several key issues such as category stability, category memory compression, image fidelity, and viewing aspect. Initial results indicate a compression from 720 possible categories (8 vehicles X 90 out-of-plane rotations) to a classifier memory with approximately 30 stable recognition categories. These results parallel the human experience of studying an object from several viewing angles yet recognizing it through a wide range of viewing angles. Results are presented illustrating category formation for an eight vehicle dataset as a function of several sensor parameters. These include: (1) sensor noise, as a function of carrier-to-noise ratio; (2) pixels on the vehicle, related to angular resolution and target range; and (3) viewing aspect, as related to sensor-to-platform depression angle. This work contributes to the formation of a three- dimensional object recognition system.
Doppler spectral estimation using time-frequency distributions

The time-frequency distribution (TFD) of Doppler blood flow signals is usually obtained using the spectrogram, which requires signal stationarity and is known to produce large estimation variance. This paper examines four alternative, nonstationary spectral estimators: a smoothed pseudo-Wigner distribution (SPWD), the Choi-Williams distribution (CWD), the Bessel distribution (BD), and the novel, adaptive constant-Q distribution (AQD) for their applicability to Doppler ultrasound. A synthetic Doppler signal, simulating the nonaxial and pulsatile flow of the common carotid artery, was used for quantitative comparisons at different signal-to-noise-ratios (SNR) of 0, 10, 20, and 30 dB as well as noise free. The cross-correlation (/spl rho/) and the root-mean-square-error (RMSE) were calculated after log-compression for each technique and SNR relative to the theoretical distribution. The AQD consistently had the lowest RMSE (/spl les/53.7%) and the highest /spl rho/ (/spl ges/0.889) of all the TFDs, irrespective of the SNR. The SPWD performed better than the spectrogram, which performed better than the BD and the CWD. Qualitative comparisons were carried out using in vivo data acquired with a 10 MHz ultrasound cuff transducer positioned around the distal aorta of a rabbit. In vivo, the AQD was considered best with respect to background noise and internal gray scale features; it was rated second (after the spectrogram) in depicting the spectral envelope. The AQD performed better as a Doppler spectral estimator than the traditional spectrogram and the other TFDs under the conditions studied here.
Structural Interaction Fingerprints: A New Approach to Organizing, Mining, Analyzing, and Designing Protein–Small Molecule Complexes

The combination of advances in structure-based drug design efforts in the pharmaceutical industry in parallel with structural genomics initiatives in the public domain has led to an explosion in the number of structures of protein-small molecule complexes structures. This information has critical importance to both the understanding of the structural basis for molecular recognition in biological systems and the design of better drugs. A significant challenge exists in managing this vast amount of data and fully leveraging it. Here, we review our work to develop a simple, fast way to store, organize, mine, and analyze large numbers of protein-small molecule complexes. We illustrate the utility of the approach to the management of inhibitor complexes from the protein kinase family. Finally, we describe our recent efforts in applying this method to the design of target-focused chemical libraries.
Influence of Monoprop® in Controlling Mold Growth and Improving Chick Performance When Fed High Moisture Corn

Abstract Two trials were conducted with broiler chicks from hatch to 21 days of age to study the effects of feeding high moisture corn diets with and without a mold inhibitor, Monoprop®. High moisture corn (HMC) diets supported growth rates and dry matter feed conversion ratios as well as dry corn diets when Monoprop® was present in the feed even when the feed was seeded with moldy corn screenings. Without the mold inhibitor, body weight gains were depressed. This was not due to depressed feed intake as feed consumption for chicks on HMC diets without mold inhibitor was as high as other groups.
Demonstration of Accessory Pathway Interaction by Computerized Mapping in Preexcitation Syndrome

While interaction between the normal conduction system and an accessory pathway (AP) has been reported, interaction between two APs has not been well documented. With the assistance of computerized mapping techniques, we recently operated on a patient with two APs. One of these two APs had slow anterograde conduction velocity and was concealed during sin us rhythm and atrial pacing. Intraoperative computerized mapping studies revealed that the interaction between the APs was responsible for the anterograde conduction block of the slow AP during sinus rhythm and atrial pacing. This is the first direct demonstration of inhibition of conduction of one AP by the other AP in a patient with preexcitation syndrome.
Calcium coagulation properties of hydrothermally processed soymilk

The effects of hydrothermal cooking (HTC), a steam-injection process otherwise known as jet cooking, on the calcium salt coagulation properties of soymilk were determined. Full-fat soymilk was processed at five different conditions (traditional kettle cooking at 100°C for 5 min, HTC at 100°C for 20 s, HTC at 134°C for 26 s, HTC at 154°C for 31 s, and HTC at 162°C for 35 s) and coagulated at four calcium chloride concentrations (0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.30%). Tofu yields and recoveries of dry matter and protein in the coagulated curd followed similar trends with increasing calcium chloride concentration, namely, an initial increase rising to a peak followed by a decrease. HTC-processed soymilks, especially those processed at high temperature (162°C), gave lower tofu yields and lower recoveries of dry matter and protein in tofu. HTC-processed soymilks, especially those processed at 134°C or higher, resulted in very soft, fragile, and adhesive tofu. The high calcium salt tolerance of HTC-processed soymilk might be used to improve dispersion stability of calcium-fortified soy-based dairy analogs.
Abstract 4080: TGF-β Effects on prostate cancer cell migration are mediated by PGE2through activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) plays an important role in the progression of prostate cancer. It exhibits both tumor suppressor and tumor promoting activities. Correlations between COX-2 overexpression and enhanced production of PGE2 have been implicated in cancer progression; however, there are no studies indicating that TGF-β effects in prostate cancer cells involve PGE2 synthesis. In this study, we investigated TGF-β regulation of COX-1 and COX-2 expression in prostate cancer cells and whether the effects of TGF-β on cell proliferation and migration are mediated by PGE2. COX-1 protein was ubiquitously expressed in prostate cells; however, COX-2 protein levels were only detected in prostate cancer cells. TGF-β treatment increased COX-2 protein levels and PGE2 secretion in PC3 cells. Exogenous PGE2 and PGF2α had no effects on cell proliferation in LNCaP, DU145, and PC3 cells while PGE2 and TGF-β induced migratory behavior only in PC3 cells. Only EP2 and EP4 receptors were detected at mRNA levels in prostate cells. The EP4-targeting siRNA inhibited PGE2 and TGF-β-induced migration of PC3 cells. PGE2 and TGF-β induced phosphorylation of AKT which was blocked by antagonists of PGE2 (EP4) receptors (L161982, AH23848) and PI3-kinase inhibitor (LY294002) in PC3 cells. Pretreatment with L161982 or AH23848 blocked the stimulatory effects of PGE2 and TGF-β on cell migration, while LY294002 or rapamycin completely eliminated PGE2, TGF-β, and EGF-induced migration PC3 cells. We conclude that TGF-β increases COX-2 levels and PGE2 secretion in prostate cancer cells which, in turn, mediates TGF-β effects on cell migration through the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Acknowledgements: These studies were supported by the NIH/NIMHD/RCMI grant #G12MD007590, NIH/NIMHD #5P20MD002285, and DOD grant # W8I-08-1-0077. Citation Format: Baohan T. Vo, Derrick Morton, Shravan Komaragiri, Ana C. Millena, Shafiq A. Khan. TGF-β Effects on prostate cancer cell migration are mediated by PGE2 through activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4080. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4080
Cosmopolitanism, internationalization and orientalism: Bharati Mukherjee’s peritexts

This article explores the ways in which cosmopolitanism is intertwined with orientalism in consumer-oriented societies as well as on academic campuses and school playgrounds in the US. Even though Bharati Mukherjee has warned against the dangers of exoticism, the book covers from editions of her novels in three separate decades indicate that her work has, if anything, been increasingly commodified as exotic. This is one effect of what is here termed “orientalist cosmopolitanism” – a phenomenon similar to Edward Said’s “latent orientalism”, or the European fascination with non-European peoples which Meyda Yegenoglu has discussed in terms of an unconscious and permanent desire for the other. Cosmopolitanism often becomes orientalist because a focus on the global can cause a culture to lose sight of local particularities which can resist orientalism. We need to pay particular attention to the local and the global without falling prey to the pull of nationalism, orientalism or imperialism. Such a stance, grou...
Characterization of tissue and serum alkaline phosphatases.

Abstract Tissue extracts of liver, intestine, bone, leukocytes and aortic intima have been prepared, subjected to starch gel electrophoresis, and stained for alkaline phosphatase activity. A number of serum and plasma samples were also studied and the bands were compared with the tissue extracts. Similarities of tissue extracts and serum samples were based on migration as well as clinical correlations ((a) band), heat inactivation ((b) band), l -(+)-phenylalanine inhibition ((c) band) and histochemical staining ((d) band), (e) bands seen in 2 sera may represent renal phosphatase. Normal serum phosphatase in children appears to be of mixed bone and liver origin and phosphatase in adults appears to be derived from the liver. An intestinal component is present variably in children and adults. Differential inhibition appears to be of help in distinguishing bone from liver phosphatase when values are elevated. Possible functional variation of the enzyme bands described remains unknown.