cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potent Anticoagulation Does Not Reduce Venous Thromboembolism in High-Risk Patients.

Background Based on current guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), a number of prophylactic modalities for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in total joint arthroplasty may be used. It is common practice that more potent prophylactic agents are used for patients at higher risk of venous thromboembolism. However, we are aware of no studies that have investigated the efficacy of potent anticoagulation in higher-risk individuals. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to test the hypothesis that low-molecular-weight heparin and warfarin result in a reduction in venous thromboembolism events in high-risk patients. Methods A retrospective, multi-institutional study of 60,467 primary and revision total joint arthroplasties from 2000 to 2015 was performed. Identified medications were classified as aspirin, low-molecular-weight heparin, or warfarin. Patients with unavailable venous thromboembolism prophylaxis information or those not receiving the aforementioned prophylaxis were excluded. Information pertinent to the objective of this study was collected and a venous thromboembolism risk score was calculated based on 26 variables. Treatment outcomes assessed included 90-day rate of symptomatic venous thromboembolism and periprosthetic joint infection. Propensity score matching was performed (1:1), as well as logistic regression analysis on the total sample. Results Aspirin prophylaxis demonstrated a lower rate of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and venous thromboembolism than warfarin and low-molecular-weight heparin alone throughout all risk scores. In the matched propensity score analysis, low-molecular-weight heparin and warfarin demonstrated increased odds of venous thromboembolism for both standard-risk and high-risk patients undergoing total knee arthroplasties compared with aspirin. For primary total hip arthroplasty, warfarin demonstrated an increased risk for high-risk patients and low-molecular-weight heparin demonstrated an increased risk for standard-risk patients. The prevalence of periprosthetic joint infection was higher in patients receiving warfarin (p Conclusions The results of this multi-institutional study demonstrate that the use of warfarin and low-molecular-weight heparin in higher-risk patients does not necessarily result in a reduction in symptomatic venous thromboembolism. Aspirin administered to higher-risk patients seems to be as effective as potent anticoagulation and more effective than warfarin. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Matrix Analysis of Structures Curved in Space

General solution is given in matrix form for analysis of member curved or segmental in space and continuous between 2 supports; solution also yields general slope deflection equation which involves stiffness matrix; stiffness matrix contains all stiffness and carryover factors for ends of member.
Bacillus spore awakening: recent discoveries and technological developments

Elucidating the mechanistic basis of spore germination and outgrowth remains a difficult challenge with crucial implications in the numerous scientific and engineering disciplines. Omics studies have revealed numerous new biochemical insights and single-spore studies link molecular insights directly with spore heterogeneity behaviors. This field is expected to advance at greater speed with the application of newer omics tools such as metabolomics and ingenious combination of omics with single-spore techniques. Combining the modern techniques with traditional techniques will resolve the inconsistencies in literature such as the case of protein synthesis in germination. Lastly, mining of the experimental data with data science tools is expected to reveal new insights in the regulatory networks in spore germination and outgrowth.
A revision of Xylopia L. (Annonaceae): the species of Madagascar and the Mascarene islands

We recognize 30 species of the pantropical genus Xylopia L. from Madagascar and an additional three species from the Mascarene Islands. Of the six sections of the genus, three are represented in the region: sect. Xylopia, sect. Verdcourtia, and sect. Stenoxylopia. All species are endemic, and many are microendemics of conservation concern. The greatest species richness occurs in humid forests below 1000 m. Taxonomic review supports the hypothesis that the genus dispersed to Madagascar from continental Africa five times. Ten new species are described: Xylopia anomala D.M.Johnson & N.A.Murray, sp. nov., X. australis D.M.Johnson & N.A.Murray, sp. nov., X. carinata D.M.Johnson & N.A.Murray, sp. nov., X. galokothamna D.M.Johnson & N.A.Murray, sp. nov., X. lokobensis D.M.Johnson & N.A.Murray, sp. nov., X. longirostra D.M.Johnson & N.A.Murray, sp. nov., X. marojejyana D.M.Johnson & N.A.Murray, sp. nov., X. ravelonarivoi D.M.Johnson & N.A.Murray, sp. nov., X. retusa D.M.Johnson & N.A.Murray, sp. nov., and X. sclerophylla D.M.Johnson & N.A.Murray, sp. nov. An identification key, technical descriptions, illustrations, and distribution maps are provided.
Blood Urea Nitrogen to Creatinine Ratio at Listing is Associated with Poor Outcomes in Heart Transplant Recipients with Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease

Purpose Non-dialysis dependent patients with renal impairment undergoing heart transplantation (HT) alone are at significantly higher risk of mortality and poor renal outcomes compared with those undergoing heart-kidney transplantation (HKT). It remains unclear what parameters might identify patients who may benefit from HKT compared to HT alone. We investigated whether blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio (BCR) at time of HT listing among those with stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 30 and 59 ml/min/1.73 m2) is associated with higher risk of post-HT death or dialysis. Methods We identified 159 patients who underwent HT alone at our institution between 1/2009 and 2/2018. Univariate and multivariate Cox-proportional regression analyses were used to investigate the association between BCR and composite risk of post-HT death or dialysis at 1 year. Results At listing, average age was 55±10 years (74% male and 28% African American) and eGFR was 47 ± 8. Mean eGFR did not differ between those with the composite outcome (46 ± 8) and those without (47 ± 8; p = 0.60). Overall, 14 patients (9%) died and 25 (16%) needed dialysis by 1 year post-HT. The univariate and multivariate adjusted hazard ratios for continuous variable BCR as a predictor of the composite outcome were 1.05 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.09; p Conclusion Heart transplant candidates with stage 3 CKD and elevated BCR at time of listing are at increased risk of post-HT mortality or dialysis. Further investigation of HKT outcomes among those with stage 3 CKD and elevated BCR at listing is warranted.
Trends, factors, and disparities associated with length of stay after lower extremity bypass for tissue loss.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine predictors of increased length of stay (LOS) in patients who underwent lower extremity bypass for tissue loss. METHODS Using 2011 to 2016 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program vascular targeted databases, we compared demographics, comorbidities, procedural characteristics, and 30-day outcomes of patients who had expected LOS vs extended LOS (>75th percentile, 9 days) after nonemergent lower extremity bypass for tissue loss. We also compared factors associated with short LOS ( 75th percentile, 9 days) vs the interquartile range of LOS (4-9 days). Yearly trends and independent predictors were determined by linear and logistic regression. This study was exempt from Institutional Review Board approval. RESULTS In 4964 analyzed patients, there were no significant yearly trends or changes in LOS in the recent 5 years (P > .05). Overall 30-day mortality, major amputation, and reintervention rates were 1.6%, 4.5%, and 4.8%, respectively, also with no significant yearly trends (all P > .05). On univariate analysis, nonwhite race, dependent functional status, transfers, dialysis, congestive heart failure, hypertension, beta blockers, distal bypass targets, and extended operative time were associated with extended LOS (P < .05). Extended LOS was also associated with higher rates of 30-day major adverse limb and cardiac events, additional procedures related to wound care, deep venous thrombosis, complications (pulmonary, renal, septic, bleeding, and wound), and discharge to facility but lower 30-day readmission rates. After adjustment for covariates, the independent factors for extended LOS included dialysis, beta blockers, prolonged operative time, reintervention, major amputation, additional procedures related to wound care, deep venous thrombosis, complications (pulmonary, renal, septic, bleeding, and wound), and discharge to facility (P < .05). On the other hand, multivariable analysis showed that patients with expected LOS were significantly more likely to have been of white race or readmitted postoperatively (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS From 2011 to 2016, there were no significant changes in LOS. Efforts to decrease LOS without increasing readmission rates while focusing on some of the identified factors, including preventable postoperative complications and pre-existing socioeconomic factors, may improve the overall vascular care of these challenging patients.
Composition Effects on Ultrafast Optical Properties of CuxOy Thin Films: A Transient Absorption Study

Cu2O, CuO, and mixed-phase Cu2O/CuO thin films with different relative compositions were prepared by oxidizing Cu films at temperatures 150–380 °C for a time period ranging from 2 to 24 h, and thei...
Epidemiology of organ failure before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Rationale: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic led to elevated inhospital morbidity and mortality. We aim to understand the frequency, timing, and outcomes associated with organ failure as defined by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score for adult inpatients before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 17,722 unique patients age ≥18 years and their 20,675 admissions to 3 hospitals within the Montefiore Health System from 1 February 2020 through 31 May 2020 was constructed from the electronic health record. The cohort was stratified into two groups based on admission date with the cutoff being on or after 17 March 2020, when the confirmed index case of SARS-CoV-2 was admitted. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were computed every 2 hours for each patient starting at admission using an automated SOFA calculator to produce a SOFA score composed of cardiovascular, coagulation, liver, renal, and respiratory components. The neurologic component was not computed due to sparsity of Glasgow Coma Scale data captured electronically. Results: A total of 1,789,930 SOFA scores were computed for the 20,675 admissions. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 occurred more during the pandemic (87.6% vs. 1.7%), with 48.4% of pandemic admissions testing positive. There was a significant increase in ICU admissions, usage of invasive mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital length of stay, and mortality during the pandemic as compared to before (Table 1). Renal failure was the most common organ failure on presentation for both periods, but the most common organ failure during hospitalization was respiratory, which increased 53% during the pandemic. The burden of organ failure was higher during the pandemic, with a significant increase in multiorgan failure as indicated by the number of patients with maximum SOFA scores ≥ 6 as compared to before the pandemic. Conclusions: Before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, respiratory and renal systems were the most common organ systems to fail. There was a marked increase in the burden of multiorgan failure during the pandemic leading to increased ICU admissions, invasive mechanical ventilation, hospital length of stay, and mortality.
Exercise 20: Mitogen Induced Response of Lymphocytes. Detection of B and T Lymphocytes Using Immunofluorescence

Mitogens are substances, which are capable of inducing mitosis in cells of the immune system. B and T lymphocytes are induced to proliferate when exposed to mitogens in the same way that proliferation are induced by exposure to antigen. The lymphocytes undergo the same cellular and chemical activation that occurs in antigen induced mitosis namely, blast transformation. In this mitotic state they are called lymphoblasts. Lymphoblasts can be found in lymphoid organs of animals responding to an antigenic challenge. When lymphoid cell suspensions are prepared from an animal immunized to a specific antigen, and then incubated with the antigen, blast formation occurs in response to the antigen. Several different mitogens can be used to demonstrate the same effect in culture. Many mitogens are plant lectins e.g. phytohemagglutinins (these will also agglutinate erythrocytes), and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from the cell wall of gram negative bacteria. The mitogens bind to cell surface receptors on the lymphocytes.
On Recovery of Discrete Time Signals with Single-Point Spectrum Degeneracy

The paper studies recoverability of missing values for sequences in a pathwise setting without probabilistic assumptions. Sufficient conditions of recoverability are obtained; it is shown that square summable sequences are recoverable if the Z-transforms vanish at a single point. The recovery is based on a new family of transfer functions defined by locations of missing values. Some robustness of the solution with respect to noise contamination and truncation is established.
TU-B-210-01: MRg HIFU - Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Ablation

MR guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), or alternatively high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU), is approved for thermal ablative treatment of uterine fibroids and pain palliation in bone metastases. Ablation of malignant tumors is under active investigation in sites such as breast, prostate, brain, liver, kidney, pancreas, and soft tissue. Hyperthermia therapy with MRgFUS is also feasible, and may be used in conjunction with radiotherapy and for local targeted drug delivery. MRI allows in situ target definition and provides continuous temperature monitoring and subsequent thermal dose mapping during HIFU. Although MRgHIFU can be very precise, treatment of mobile organs is challenging and advanced techniques are required because of artifacts in MR temperature mapping, the need for intercostal firing, and need for gated HIFU or tracking of the lesion in real time. The first invited talk, “MR guided Focused Ultrasound Treatment of Tumors in Bone and Soft Tissue”, will summarize the treatment protocol and review results from treatment of bone tumors. In addition, efforts to extend this technology to treat both benign and malignant soft tissue tumors of the extremities will be presented. The second invited talk, “MRI guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound – Advanced Approaches for Ablation and Hyperthermia”, will provide an overview of techniques that are in or near clinical trials for thermal ablation and hyperthermia, with an emphasis of applications in abdominal organs and breast, including methods for MRTI and tracking targets in moving organs. Learning Objectives: 1. Learn background on devices and techniques for MR guided HIFU for cancer therapy 2. Understand issues and current status of clinical MRg HIFU 3. Understand strategies for compensating for organ movement during MRgHIFU 4. Understand strategies for strategies for delivering hyperthermia with MRgHIFU CM - research collaboration with Philips
Guilt and Sexuality in Adolescents

Publisher Summary Sexual guilt is an auxiliary affect that functions as a barrier to sexual excitement and enjoyment within certain sexual scenes. Being betwixt and between, adolescents are gored on the horns of the conservative religious dilemma of original innocence and original sin. As children, adolescents are innocent, unaware of sexuality, and not to be sullied and polluted by sexual information; but as sexually mature, they are lustful and must be controlled or punished. The threat to sexual freedom is that an immoral but moralistic intolerance instills a spiral of silence in which most people, feeling unsure of their grounding in a critical morality, fail to speak out against intolerance and oppression of sexual minorities, including teenagers distinguished between “positive (conventional or traditional) morality,” the morality accepted by a given social group, and “critical morality,” the rationally justified set of moral principles used to criticize existing social institutions, including positive morality. At the heart of the conflict over tolerance versus so-called moral disgust and repugnance at sexual expression is whether cruelty is ever justified as moral retribution; although private sexual acts between consenting partners have not produced any harmful and wrongful setbacks of interest to self or other, moralists claim to be offended when they merely imagine their occurrence. The experience of disgust with other is not a true test within a critical morality. The affective experience of disgust with other may reflect the individual's sex-negative ideology and their own history of a punitive socialization of sexuality. It is asserted that neither cruelty nor intolerance is ever moral, being instead always evil.
Increased collagen biosynthesis and increased expression of type I and type III procollagen genes in tight skin (TSK) mouse fibroblasts

The Tight Skin (TSK) mouse is a mutant strain that displays connective tissue abnormalities characterized by excessive accumulation of collagen in skin, subcutaneous tissues, and some internal organs such as the heart. Increased collagen biosynthesis by skin organ cultures from affected mice has been previously demonstrated, but the mechanisms responsible have not been identified. In order to examine the molecular alterations responsible for the increased production of this protein, normal and TSK mouse dermal fibroblast cell lines were established, and studies of collagen biosynthesis and expression of Types I and III procollagen genes were performed. Secondary cultures of 5 normal and 5 TSK mice dermal fibroblasts were incubated in media containing 10% fetal calf serum and 50 micrograms/ml ascorbic acid and after labeling with [14C]proline for 72 h the amount of [14C]hydroxyproline synthesized was determined. The results showed that TSK mice dermal fibroblasts produced significantly greater amounts of [14C]hydroxyproline than their normal counterparts (118 +/- 28.3 X 10(-2) versus 53.7 +/- 21.9 X 10(-2) dpm/micrograms of DNA; p less than 0.004). Subsequently, the expression of three procollagen genes in normal and TSK mice fibroblasts was analyzed by Northern blot hybridization of polyadenylated RNA to the human cDNA clones alpha 12, Hf 32, and RJ 5 which are specific probes for transcripts of alpha 1(I), alpha 2(I), and alpha 1(III) procollagen chains, respectively. It was found that TSK mice fibroblasts consistently displayed increased levels (up to 5-fold) of all three collagen transcripts while beta-actin mRNA levels were unchanged. The results demonstrate that TSK mice dermal fibroblasts produce excessive amounts of collagen in culture concomitant with a dramatic increase in the expression of Types I and III procollagen genes.
Abstract 2887: Molecular farming and molecular engineering of cancer vaccines

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)+ cancers are aggressive, have poor prognoses, high rate of metastasis and relapse. Immunotherapy (e.g. trastuzumab) has shown improvement in outcome for HER2+ patients. Development of drug resistance and short half-lives limiting the duration of the therapy, are barriers in the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, while passive immunotherapy provides treatment, it does not reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease. Therefore, we propose a HER2 vaccine to mount an active HER2-specific immune response, with long lasting immunological memory to overcome the limitations of passive immunotherapy and prevent tumor progression, metastasis, and relapse. We hypothesize that integration of HER2 epitopes on the plant-produced vaccination platform potato virus X (PVX) will overcome immunological tolerance against HER2. We have shown that PVX naturally targets dendritic and B-cells stimulating Th1 biased immunity, important for successful tumor prevention. The carrier acts as an adjuvant, improves stability of epitopes, and increases circulation time, therefore ensuring a sustained stimulus post vaccination and production of HER2-specific antibodies that could act against HER2+ tumors via a variety of effector mechanisms. Immunizations of FBV/N mice resulted in the production of HER2-specific antibodies, as shown by ELISA and confocal microscopy using HER2+ human cancer cell lines. Vaccination studies using animals pre-disposed to HER2+ cancer are currently ongoing. Our long-term goal is to produce the vaccine through molecular farming in edible plant tissue and make it available globally, especially in underdeveloped countries where repeated administration of costly immunotherapies is not affordable or unavailable. Citation Format: Sourabh Shukla, Nicole F. Steinmetz. Molecular farming and molecular engineering of cancer vaccines. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2887. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2887
Alzheimer’s is associated with neuropathological changes in olfactory bulb that are related to APOE genotype (728.1)

Alzheimer patients (AD) may experience changes in olfaction before clinical or neuropathological manifestations. Neuroinflammation, in particular interleukin-1 (IL-1), is known to induce each of the precursors of these manifestations. We studied anatomical and pathological features in frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue sections of olfactory bulbs resected from autopsy tissue of 15 patients (5 APOE e3,3 neurologically normal, 5 APOE e3,3 and 5 APOE e4,4 AD patients) with an age range from 68 to 85 yrs, using fluorescent and western immunochemistry. Compared to control, patients with AD had greater expression of hyper-phosphorylated tau, particularly in those of APOE e4,4 genotype compared to e3,3. These findings were associated with increased expression of IL-1, and the number of activated microglia was elevated. Furthermore, hyperphosphorylated tau expression was high in neuron cell bodies compared to that in axons in the olfactory tract. Although corpora amylacea were abundant, there was no disease-rela...
Total reconstitution of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase.

Abstract The total reconstitution of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase by stoichiometric addition of the metals to completely metal-free apoprotein is described. Reconstitution has been monitored by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and absorption spectroscopy, enzymic activity, and acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under the same conditions, it has been possible to prepare highly active enzymes with cobalt, mercury, or cadmium in place of zinc. The properties of these derivatives demonstrate that the replacement is exact, that copper has the major influence on the spectral properties of the enzyme, and that occupation of the zinc site is necessary in order to attain fully native properties. A technique is described which allows the extraction of superhyperfine patterns from the bulk of magnetic resonance spectra. Use of this technique shows that the superhyperfine patterns of superoxide dismutase from animal sources differ from those of fungal enzymes. In addition, the technique of shows that the superhyperfine patterns in the EPR spectra reconstituted Cu2-, Cu2, Cd2-, Cu2, Hg2-, and Cu2, Zn2-derivatives are very similar to that in the EPR spectrum of native enzyme. Reconstitution with 63Cu and treatment with cyanide demonstrates that three magnetically equivalent nitrogens are the source of these patterns. The results of this study are shown to be consistent with the copper binding site being a distorted square planar arrangement of ligands and neighboring the zinc-binding site.
Dilemmas of a Divisive Concept

Race The Power of an Illusion. Larry Adelman, Executive Producer. California Newsreel, San Francisco. On PBS, Thursdays, 24 April to 8 May 2003. Companion Web site, [www.pbs.org/race][1] This three-part series on PBS examines the idea of race from the varied perspectives of science, history, and our social institutions. [1]: http://www.pbs.org/race
The Role of Perfectionism and Depressive Cognitions in Understanding the Hopelessness Experienced by Adolescent Suicide Attempters

This study examined the relation of two cognitive variables, depressive cognitions and perfectionism, to the hopelessness experienced by adolescent suicide attempters. Adolescent suicide attempters (N = 68) were administered three measures assessing cognitive characteristics commonly associated with adolescent suicidal behavior: the Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale (CAPS), the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire for Adolescents (DEQ-A), and the Hopelessness Scale for Children (HSC). Socially prescribed perfectionism on the CAPS and self-criticism on the DEQ-A were both highly correlated with HSC. Regression analyses indicated that perfectionism was significantly related to hopelessness, but this relationship was attenuated after the effects of depressive cognitions on hopelessness were controlled. Self-criticism was the cognitive variable most strongly associated with hopelessness suggesting that it is a more important focus for cognitive interventions in adolescent suicide attempters than perfectionism.
Application of rasch analysis exploring differences in depression between african-american and white children

ABSTRACT The use of Rasch analysis to elicit the structure of depression was investigated. Responses from 102 African-American and white adolescents were evaluated using Rasch analysis. Responses from African-Americans and whites were compared to discern differences in the operational definition of depression for the two groups. How Rasch analysis can be used to increase the understanding of depression for African-Americans and other minority groups is discussed.
The role of the yolk syncytial layer in germ layer patterning in zebrafish

Formation of the three germ layers requires a series of inductive events during early embryogenesis. Studies in zebrafish indicate that the source of these inductive signals may be the extra-embryonic yolk syncytial layer (YSL). The characterization of genes encoding the nodal-related factor, Squint, and homeodomain protein, Bozozok, both of which are expressed in the YSL, suggested that the YSL has a role in mesendoderm induction. However, these genes, and a second nodal-related factor, cyclops, are also expressed in the overlying marginal blastomeres, raising the possibility that the marginal blastomeres can induce mesendodermal genes independently of the YSL. We have developed a novel technique to study signaling from the YSL in which we specifically eliminate RNAs in the YSL, thus addressing the in vivo requirement of RNA-derived signals from this region in mesendoderm induction. We show that injection of RNase into the yolk cell after the 1K cell stage (3 hours) effectively eliminates YSL transcripts without affecting ubiquitously expressed genes in the blastoderm. We also present data that indicate the stability of existing proteins in the YSL is unaffected by RNase injection. Using this technique, we show that RNA in the YSL is required for the formation of ventrolateral mesendoderm and induction of the nodal-related genes in the ventrolateral marginal blastomeres, revealing the presence of an unidentified inducing signal released from the YSL. We also demonstrate that the dorsal mesoderm can be induced independently of signals from the YSL and present evidence that this is due to the stabilization of (b)-catenin in the dorsal marginal blastomeres. Our results demonstrate that germ layer formation and patterning in zebrafish uses a combination of YSL-dependent and -independent inductive events.
Genomic Organization of Plant Terpene Synthases and Molecular Evolutionary Implications

Terpenoids are the largest, most diverse class of plant natural products and they play numerous functional roles in primary metabolism and in ecological interactions. The first committed step in the formation of the various terpenoid classes is the transformation of the prenyl diphosphate precursors, geranyl diphosphate, farnesyl diphosphate, and geranylgeranyl diphosphate, to the parent structures of each type catalyzed by the respective monoterpene (C(10)), sesquiterpene (C(15)), and diterpene synthases (C(20)). Over 30 cDNAs encoding plant terpenoid synthases involved in primary and secondary metabolism have been cloned and characterized. Here we describe the isolation and analysis of six genomic clones encoding terpene synthases of conifers, [(-)-pinene (C(10)), (-)-limonene (C(10)), (E)-alpha-bisabolene (C(15)), delta-selinene (C(15)), and abietadiene synthase (C(20)) from Abies grandis and taxadiene synthase (C(20)) from Taxus brevifolia], all of which are involved in natural products biosynthesis. Genome organization (intron number, size, placement and phase, and exon size) of these gymnosperm terpene synthases was compared to eight previously characterized angiosperm terpene synthase genes and to six putative terpene synthase genomic sequences from Arabidopsis thaliana. Three distinct classes of terpene synthase genes were discerned, from which assumed patterns of sequential intron loss and the loss of an unusual internal sequence element suggest that the ancestral terpenoid synthase gene resembled a contemporary conifer diterpene synthase gene in containing at least 12 introns and 13 exons of conserved size. A model presented for the evolutionary history of plant terpene synthases suggests that this superfamily of genes responsible for natural products biosynthesis derived from terpene synthase genes involved in primary metabolism by duplication and divergence in structural and functional specialization. This novel molecular evolutionary approach focused on genes of secondary metabolism may have broad implications for the origins of natural products and for plant phylogenetics in general.
MOLECULAR DYNAMICS OF THE SODIUM CHANNEL PORE VARY WITH GATING : INTERACTIONS BETWEEN P-SEGMENT MOTIONS AND INACTIVATION

Disulfide trapping studies have revealed that the pore-lining (P) segments of voltage-dependent sodium channels undergo sizable motions on a subsecond time scale. Such motions of the pore may be necessary for selective ion translocation. Although traditionally viewed as separable properties, gating and permeation are now known to interact extensively in various classes of channels. We have investigated the interaction of pore motions and voltage-dependent gating in μ1 sodium channels engineered to contain two cysteines within the P segments. Rates of catalyzed internal disulfide formation ( k SS ) were measured in K1237C+W1531C mutant channels expressed in oocytes. During repetitive voltage-clamp depolarizations, increasing the pulse duration had biphasic effects on the k SS , which first increased to a maximum at 200 msec and then decreased with longer depolarizations. This result suggested that occupancy of an intermediate inactivation state ( I M ) facilitates pore motions. Consistent with the known antagonism between alkali metals and a component of slow inactivation, k SS varied inversely with external [Na + ] o . We examined the converse relationship, namely the effect of pore flexibility on gating, by measuring recovery from inactivation in Y401C+E758C (YC/EC) channels. Under oxidative conditions, recovery from inactivation was slower than in a reduced environment in which the spontaneous YC/EC cross-link is disrupted. The most prominent effects were slowing of a component with intermediate recovery kinetics, with diminution of its relative amplitude. We conclude that occupancy of an intermediate inactivation state facilitates motions of the P segments; conversely, flexibility of the P segments alters an intermediate component of inactivation.
A compact, wideband array of coupled quarter-wavelength slot antennas for the 700 MHz band

In the United States, the UHF television broadcast switched from analog to digital in 2009. The spectrum efficiency of the digital broadcast has freed up about 108 MHz of bandwidth that is considered for wireless communication. This band is located between 698MHz to 806 MHz part of the spectrum and referred to as the 700 MHz band. Out of this spectrum, 70 MHz is allocated for commercial use, 34 MHz for public safety, and 4 MHz for guard band. It is expected that all mobile devices be capable of operating over the entire 700 MHz band. For this purpose, small antennas that can be incorporated into handheld devices are of interest. This poses a challenge to design small antennas that can provide the required bandwidth. It is also highly desirable to design such antennas to be compatible with PCB fabrication technology for cost requirements.
Increased serum cortisol binding in chronic active hepatitis.

Abstract purpose: A high serum cortisol concentration, apparently due to increased cortisol-binding globulin (CBG), was found in a patient (index case) with chronic active hepatitis (CAH). We therefore performed further studies to determine whether increased cortisol binding is generally associated with CAH. patients and methods: Serum samples were obtained from 15 hospitalized patients with long-term liver function test elevations but no evidence of cirrhosis, 15 normal subjects without a history of hepatitis, four healthy pregnant women, and 10 alcoholic patients with stigmata of cirrhosis. Serum cortisol binding was measured by an adaptation of a previously described charcoal uptake method. Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) and sex hormone-binding globulin were determined by radio-immunoassays. results and conclusion: Charcoal uptake of 125 I cortisol from sera of normal subjects and additional patients with CAH revealed that increased serum cortisol binding by a saturable site, presumably CBG, was associated with CAH. Cortisol binding was significantly correlated with immunoassayable TBG, suggesting that in CAH, similar mechanisms may be responsible for increasing the serum concentrations of CBG and TBG.
Accessory Factors Facilitate the Binding of Glucocorticoid Receptor to the Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Gene Promoter

Glucocorticoid induction of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene requires a glucocorticoid response unit (GRU) comprised of two non-consensus glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding sites, GR1 and GR2, and at least three accessory factor elements (gAF1-3). DNA-binding accessory proteins are commonly required for the regulation of genes whose products play an important role in metabolism, development, and a variety of defense responses, but little is known about why they are necessary. Quantitative, real time homogenous assays of cooperative protein-DNA interactions in complex media (e.g. nuclear extracts) have not previously been reported. Here we perform quantitative, real time equilibrium and stopped-flow fluorescence anisotropy measurements of protein-DNA interactions in nuclear extracts to demonstrate that GR binds to the GR1-GR2 elements poorly as compared with a palindromic or consensus glucocorticoid response element (GRE). Inclusion of either the gAF1 or gAF2 element with GR1-GR2, however, creates a high affinity binding environment for GR. GR can undergo multiple rounds of binding and dissociation to the palindromic GRE in less than 100 ms at nanomolar concentrations. The dissociation rate of GR is differentially slowed by the gAF1 or gAF2 elements that bind two functionally distinct accessory factors, COUP-TF/HNF4 and HNF3, respectively.
New Boronic Acid Fluorescent Reporter Compounds. 2. A Naphthalene-Based On−Off Sensor Functional at Physiological pH†

A new boronic acid fluorescent on−off reporter compound (1) was synthesized. This fluorescent sensor shows a 41-fold emission intensity increase upon addition of 50 mM fructose in 0.1 M aqueous phosphate buffer at pH 7.4.
Impasse-directed mediation with high conflict families in custody disputes

In this article we review current mediation models for resolving custody and visitation disputes and their success rates and identify the characteristics of a subpopulation with poor outcome: those parents who are in high conflict, ambivalent about separation, emotionally distressed, and limited in their capacity to protect their children. Based on an understanding of what creates impasses, and how children are affected, we present a new model of mediation for this subpopulation. Preliminary outcome data using this model with 80 families is reported. Implications for establishing a network of services for divorcing families are discussed. Language: en
The bond strength of a visible light-cured reline resin to acrylic resin denture base material

The introduction of Triad visible light-cured denture resin has led to several applications. Among them is direct intraoral relining of complete and partial dentures. This study investigated the bonding characteristics of Triad reline resin to four commonly used heat-cured denture base resins. The shear and tensile bond strengths of Triad resin and four denture base resins were determined and compared with intact tensile strengths. The findings of this study indicate that the bond strength of Triad resin to denture base resin is sufficiently high to suggest its clinical applicability.
Regulation of caspase-9 activity by differential binding to the apoptosome complex

Proteolytic processing of procaspase-9 is required for its activation, but processing in itself appears to be insufficient for its activity. We studied caspase activation in a cell-free system and found that incubation of cytosol from rat kidney proximal tubule cells with Cytochrome c (Cyt c) and dATP results in rapid autocatalytic processing of procaspase-9 from ~50 kD to ~38 kD size fragment. Moreover, Cyt c concentration influences the production of alternatively processed forms of caspase-9. At lower Cyt c concentration (0.01-0.05 mg/ml), two fragments of caspase-9 of the size 38 and 40 kD are produced. In contrast, at higher concentrations of Cyt c (>0.1 mg/ml) only 38 kD fragment will prevail. However, our failure to capture processed caspase-9 by affinity labeling or co-elution with Apaf-1 suggested that caspase-9 undergoes a conformational change during its enzymatic action on effector caspases, resulting in its release from the apoptosome complex and inactivation. In support of this hypothesis, catalytic inhibitors of caspase-9 prevented its release from the apoptosome complex without affecting its auto-processing and allowed successful capture of active caspase-9 (38 kD) and its complex by affinity labeling. These observations suggest that complex allosteric interactions with the apoptosome complex influence caspase-9 activity and function by controlling not only the induction of its enzymatic activity, but also its rapid termination.
Acquisition and Analysis System of the Ballistocardiogram Signal Based on Virtual Instruments

Ballistocardiogram signal (BCG) is a non-invasive technique for the assessment of the cardiac function. It consists mainly of heart movement and the movement of blood in aorta, arteries, and periphery, which can be used to real-time monitor the heart rate and respiration frequency at home. In our laboratory, a sitting BCG detection chair has been designed successfully, and the acquisition and analysis system based on virtual instruments is proposed in this paper. MATLAB7.0 and LabVIEW8.5 were used to simulate the operational environment, and the results show high efficiency and accuracy in displaying waveform and spectrum, extracting main characteristics of heart rate and respiratory frequency, and alerting when abnormal heart-rate occurs.
Case study of open-source enterprise resource planning implementation in a small business

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have been recognised as offering great benefit to some organisations, although they are expensive and problematic to implement. The cost and risk make well-developed proprietorial systems unaffordable to small businesses. Open-source software (OSS) has become a viable means of producing ERP system products. The question this paper addresses is the feasibility of OSS ERP systems for small businesses. A case is reported involving two efforts to implement freely distributed ERP software products in a small US make-to-order engineering firm. The case emphasises the potential of freely distributed ERP systems, as well as some of the hurdles involved in their implementation. The paper briefly reviews highlights of OSS ERP systems, with the primary focus on reporting the case experiences for efforts to implement ERPLite software and xTuple software. While both systems worked from a technical perspective, both failed due to economic factors. While these economic conditio...
Investigating the biology of consciousness

The fact that consciousness is a private, first-person phenomenon makes it more difficult to study than other cognitive phenomena that, although being equally private, also have characteristic behavioural signatures. Nonetheless, by combining cognitive and neurobiological methods, it is possible to approach consciousness, to describe its cognitive nature, its behavioural correlates, its possible evolutionary origin and functional role; last but not least, it is possible to investigate its neuroanatomical and neurophysiological underpinnings. In this brief essay I distinguish between two kinds of consciousness: core consciousness and extended consciousness. Core consciousness corresponds to the transient process that is incessantly generated relative to any object with which an organism interacts, and during which a transient core self and transient sense of knowing are automatically generated. Core consciousness requires neither language nor working memory, and needs only a brief short-term memory. Extended consciousness is a more complex process. It depends on the gradual build-up of an autobiographical self, a set of conceptual memories pertaining to both past and anticipated experiences of an individual, and it requires conventional memory. Extended consciousness is enhanced by language.
Subcoulomb fission induced by Xe and Kr ions

Abstract Excitation functions have been measured for fission of 232 Th and 238 U induced by 86 Kr and 136 Xe beams at energies around the Coulomb barrier. Fission events were detected in coincidence with the back-scattered projectiles. The results suggest that Coulomb fission is occuring in the Xe + U reaction.
Assignment of the 1511 cm(-1) UV resonance Raman marker band of hemoglobin to tryptophan.

New UV resonance Raman (UVRR) data provide convincing evidence that a characteristic 1511 cm(-1) band in the T - R difference spectra of hemoglobin is due to the overtone of the Trp W18 fundamental at 756 cm(-1). Measured isotope shifts for 2-H and 15-N substitution at the indole NH group are twice as large for the 1511 cm(-1) band as for W18, and the 1511 cm(-1) intensity scales with that of W18 in the difference spectrum. Moreover, the UVRR excitation profile of the 1511 cm(-1) band tracks that of another tryptophan band, W16. Both are redshifted in hemoglobin, relative to aqueous tryptophan, reflecting H bonding within a hydrophobic environment in the protein. The 2xW18 assignment had been thrown into question by the observation of remnant 1511 cm(-1) intensity in the T - R spectra of hemoglobin labeled with tryptophan-d(5), a substitution that shifts W18 over 50 cm(-1). However, reexamination of the data suggests that this remnant intensity may result from a subtraction artifact arising from the downshift of another difference band, W3, from 1549 cm(-1) in unlabeled protein to 1522 cm(-1) in labeled protein. Restoration of the 2xW18 assignment establishes that the 1511 cm(-1) difference band, which is a useful indicator of the extent of T-state formation in hemoglobin, arises from the same residue, Trpbeta37, that gives rise to essentially all of the T - R signal from tryptophan.
Interrelationships between coal compositional parameters

Abstract Analytical data from a set of 66 coal samples, ranging in rank from lignitic to low-volatile bituminous, were used to define relationships between coal properties. Unusual care was taken in selecting, collecting, preparing and analysing this set of premium samples providing a high degree of confidence in the conclusions obtained. It was found that univariate relationships between properties, which might seem to convey useful information, are generally of limited operational value and can lead to erroneous conclusions. However, multivariate correlations can predict a number of properties. Specific energy, volatile matter yield, and density (by helium pycnometry) can be estimated from the elemental composition according to the following expressions: Btulb−1 = 145.9%C + 569.6%H − 53.89%O + 43.08%S − 6.3%Ash%VM = −0.408%C + 11.25%H + %O + 1.3%Sgml−1 = 0.01556%C − 0.04117%H + 0.02247%O + 0.02049%S + 0.0208%Ash The standard deviations of the residuals (estimated-experimental) for the above three correlations are 86 Btu lb−1, 1.5% VM and 0.013 g ml−1. The free-swelling index was found to correlate strongly with the oxygen content (for coals containing > 2 wt% oxygen, daf) and the petrographic composition according to the following expression: FSI = 5 + 4.68f(O) − 0.00395NPC2 + 0.0897NPC − 0.06LIP where f(O) = sin(0.2513Odaf + 0.9505)NPC = ashweight% + inertinite, volume% mineral-freeLIP = liptinite, volume%, mineral-free It is concluded that the elemental composition of coal can predict many physical properties and process responses. The petrographic composition must be considered when predicting plastic properties. Though petrographic composition influences other properties and process responses, microscopically obtained maceral percentages did not prove useful for quantitatively predicting properties or responses.
Predictors of interobserver agreement in breast imaging using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System

The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) was introduced in 1993 to standardize the interpretation of mammograms. Though many studies have assessed the validity of the system, fewer have examined its reliability. Our objective is to identify predictors of reliability as measured by the kappa statistic. We identified studies conducted between 1993 and 2009 which reported kappa values for interpreting mammograms using any edition of BI-RADS. Bivariate and multivariate multilevel analyses were used to examine associations between potential predictors and kappa values. We identified ten eligible studies, which yielded 88 kappa values for the analysis. Potential predictors of kappa included: whether or not the study included negative cases, whether single- or two-view mammograms were used, whether or not mammograms were digital versus screen-film, whether or not the fourth edition of BI-RADS was utilized, the BI-RADS category being evaluated, whether or not readers were trained, whether or not there was an overlap in readers' professional activities, the number of cases in the study and the country in which the study was conducted. Our best multivariate model identified training, use of two-view mammograms and BI-RADS categories (masses, calcifications, and final assessments) as predictors of kappa. Training, use of two-view mammograms and focusing on mass description may be useful in increasing reliability in mammogram interpretation. Calcification and final assessment descriptors are areas for potential improvement. These findings are important for implementing policies in BI-RADS use before introducing the system in different settings and improving current implementations.