cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward a revision of the bamboo corals: Part 3, deconstructing the Family Isididae.

Bamboo corals are distinguished from most other octocorals by an articulated skeleton. The nodes are proteinaceous and sclerite-free while the internodes are composed of non-scleritic calcium carbonate. This articulation of the skeleton was thought to be unique and a strong synapomorphy for the family Isididae. Our phylogeny, based on the amplification of mtMutS and 18S, shows an articulating skeleton with sclerite-free nodes has arisen independently at least five times during the evolutionary history of Octocorallia rather than being a synapomorphy characteristic of a monophyletic bamboo coral clade. The family Isididae is currently composed of four subfamilies (Circinisidinae, Isidinae, Keratoisidinae, and Mopseinae). Not only is the family polyphyletic, but our genetic analyses suggest also the subfamily Isidinae is polyphyletic based on current taxonomic classifications, and Mopseinae is not monophyletic. The type, Isis, is found outside of the well-supported Calcaxonia – Pennatulacea clade where the other members of Isididae cluster. The current classification of the family Isididae does not reflect the evolutionary history of an articulated skeleton. To better reflect the evolutionary history of these taxa we propose that three of the four the subfamilies, the genus Isidoides, and genera within the subfamily Isidinae, be elevated to family level to produce a classification with five families with a bamboo-like skeleton: Chelidonisididae, Isididae, Isidoidae, Keratoisididae, and Mopseidae.
Antifungals: Drug Class, Mechanisms of Action, Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics, Drug-Drug Interactions, Toxicity, and Clinical Use

Antifungal therapeutic outcomes have been historically suboptimal, in part, due to a relatively small number of safe and effective antifungal drugs. There are many important characteristics of antifungal drugs to consider in treatment of invasive fungal infection. Among these traits, spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, potential drug-drug interactions, and toxicities are the most critical. This chapter focuses on these antifungal traits for available systemic agents for treatment of Candida infection. The main toxicities include renal damage, electrolyte abnormalities from renal toxicity, hepato-toxicity, and infusion-related reactions. The majority of the drug-drug interactions are related to potentiation of the electrolyte disturbances and renal dysfunction typical of amphotericin B. For example, the risk of renal toxicity is increased if amphotericin B is used concomitantly with the organ transplant immuno-suppressants cyclosporine and tacrolimus. In addition, lipid-based amphotericin B formulations are preferred for treatment of pregnant patients due to gestational toxicity with the triazole drug class. Studies have found the primary toxicity of flucytosine, bone marrow toxicity, to be associated with high peak concentrations. The fact that the pharmacodynamic drivers of success and toxicity are different provides an opportunity to design dosing strategies to both optimize treatment efficacy and reduce toxicity. The major toxicities of flucytosine include bone marrow suppression and hepato-toxicity. The major route of elimination for echinocandins is non-enzymatic degradation to inactive molecules which are excreted primarily in the bile.
Emission Control: Is it Efficient to Change Location?

The authors of several leading undergraduate textbooks on environmental economics use a MD-MAC model to graphically show and explain emission control. Their analysis, however, is site specific with an individual emission source using a least cost strategy to abate its emissions at a specific location. In this paper I expand the traditional textbook model with a graphical representation of the net gain to society when an emission source changes its venue. Specifically, I use my analysis to evaluate various emission control policies in terms of whether or not an individual policy will bring about the efficient move.
Experimental and numerical investigation of saltwater intrusion dynamics in flux-controlled groundwater systems.

[1] Sea level rise and reduction of groundwater fluxes due to changes in rainfall patterns are the two major climate change–induced hydrological variables that can severely affect saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers. In this study we use a combination of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations to study the impacts of changes in one of these climate change–induced hydrological variables, groundwater flux, on saltwater intrusion process. We have completed experiments in a laboratory-scale model to study the changes in two types of groundwater fluxes—areal recharge flux and regional flux. The experimental results were modeled using the numerical code SEAWAT. The transient data sets reported in this study are useful benchmarks for testing numerical models that employ flux-type boundary conditions. Also, based on the experimental observations, we hypothesize that when the fluxes are perturbed, it would require relatively less time for a salt wedge to recede from an aquifer when compared to the time required to advance into the aquifer. This rather counterintuitive hypothesis implies that saltwater intrusion and receding processes are asymmetric and the timescales associated with these processes will be different. We use a combination of laboratory and numerical experiments to test this hypothesis and use the resulting data set to explain the reason for the difference in intrusion rates.
Fuel from Photons

Biological photosynthesis is the main energy source for life on Earth, but as McCusker explains in his Perspective, artificial methods for harnessing solar energy efficiently have been difficult to achieve. McCusker highlights the report by Heyduk and Nocera, who have devised a molecule that can generate molecular hydrogen photolytically from protons in homogeneous solution. A key to the success of their system lies in the clever use of the valency of the metal atoms in the catalyst.
The use of nuclear bone scanning after fibula free tissue transfer.

Objectives/Hypothesis To understand the role of nuclear bone scanning in the evaluation of threatened osteocutaneous free tissue transfers, identify patients who may benefit from nuclear bone scanning after head and neck reconstructive surgery, and be able to use nuclear bone scanning to help guide management of the threatened free flap. Study Design Retrospective case series design set in a tertiary referral center. Methods Records of patients undergoing bone scan in the context of threatened osteocutaneous free tissue transfer between July 1998 and December 2008 were reviewed. Results Over a 10-year period, 205 fibula free tissue transfers were performed, with an overall 94% success rate. Fifteen fibular free flaps in 14 patients were determined to be threatened in the late postoperative period, and nuclear bone scanning was performed. Seven of 15 flaps had regions of certain flap nonviability, with five flaps clearly appearing viable on bone scanning. No graft read as potentially viable eventually failed. All grafts read as nonviable underwent exploration and debridement, with confirmation of nonviability in all cases. In eight cases, bone scanning allowed preoperative planning for soft tissue flap reconstruction. Conclusions In those instances in which the skin paddle dies in the late postoperative period and determination of bone viability is required, a bone scan can demonstrate whether or not the bone is alive. This information can help determine the future operative and reconstructive options available for the patient. Level of Evidence: 4. Laryngoscope, 123:2980–2985, 2013
Distance to stable stage distribution in plant populations and implications for near‐term population projections

Summary 1. Matrix population models capture how variation in vital rates among life stages translates to population dynamics. Analyses of these models generally assume that populations have reached a stable stage distribution (SSD), where the proportion of individuals in each stage remains constant. However, when life stages respond differentially to environmental cues and perturbations, a population may be moved away from equilibrium. Given the multitude of stochastic processes acting in natural systems, populations may never be exactly at SSD. It is thus critical to understand how far away populations are from SSD and how distance from SSD influences near-term model projections. 2. We analysed published matrix models from 46 plant species spanning a range of life histories that reported both a current stage distribution and projection matrix. We examined the distance between observed and theoretical SSD and the associated consequences for near-term transient population dynamics for each species. 3. In the majority of studies, populations were near their expected SSD, with 80% falling within one unit of a projection distance (α0) of zero. This distribution was skewed towards positive values of α0, indicating that the majority of populations had individuals concentrated into stages with high reproductive values. 4. Half of the populations in our survey had projection distances such that transient projections of population size and growth rate were within 10% of asymptotic projections at 5 years. However, in populations where projection distance was > 2, deviations from SSD caused important (more than twofold) differences. 5. We also found that larger deviations from SSD were positively correlated with generation time and matrix size. 6. Synthesis. When some life stages within a plant population are more strongly affected by disturbances or stresses than others, the results of our literature survey suggest that equilibrium projections will tend to underestimate projections that account for the current stage distribution. Measuring the current stage distribution can help determine whether asymptotic measures of matrix model analyses are reliable, and is a crucial step to take when precise population metrics are necessary for guiding conservation and management.
Leukocyte Arrest During Cytokine-Dependent Inflammation In Vivo

Leukocyte rolling along the walls of inflamed venules precedes their adhesion during inflammation. Rolling leukocytes are thought to arrest by engaging β 2 integrins following cellular activation. In vitro studies suggest that chemoattractants may instantaneously activate and arrest rolling leukocytes. However, how leukocytes stop rolling and become adherent in inflamed venules in vivo has remained rather mysterious. In this paper we use a novel method of tracking individual leukocytes through the microcirculation to show that rolling neutrophils become progressively activated while rolling down the venular tree. On average, leukocytes in wild-type mice roll for 86 s (and cover 270 μm) before becoming adherent with an efficiency around 90%. These rolling leukocytes exhibit a gradual β 2 integrin-dependent decrease in rolling velocity that correlates with an increase in intracellular free calcium concentration before arrest. Similar tracking analyses in gene-targeted mice demonstrate that the arrest of rolling leukocytes is very rare when β 2 integrins are absent or blocked by a mAb. Arrest is ∼50% less efficient in the absence of E-selectin. These data suggest a model of leukocyte recruitment in which β 2 integrins play a critical role in stabilizing leukocyte rolling during a protracted cellular activation period before arrest and firm adhesion.
Considering Hierarchical Hybrid Systems for Intelligent Animated Agents

We consider potential benefits of representing intelligent animated agents as hierarchical hybrid dynamical systems (i.e., systems with both continuous and discrete dynamics). We begin by directly applying hybrid systems theory to animation, using a general-purpose hybrid system specification tool to generate multi-agent animations. This application illustrates that a hybrid system architecture can provide a systematic, modular way to incorporate low-level behavior into a design for higher-level behavioral modeling. We then apply the logical framework of hybrid systems to animation, formally stating properties that may not be readily expressed in other frameworks and mechanically checking a collision-avoidance property for a simple race-like game.
The enlarging spectrum of focal cortical dysplasias

This scientific commentary refers to ‘PI3K/AKT pathway mutations cause a spectrum of brain malformations from megalencephaly to focal cortical dysplasia’, by Jansen et al. (doi: 10.1093/brain/awv045). Focal malformations of cortical development, including focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), are among the most common causes of intractable epilepsy in children. In this issue of Brain , Jansen and colleagues provide evidence that hemimegalencephaly (HMEG) and FCD type IIa result from mosaic mutations in components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway, i.e. PI3KCA , AKT3 , or PTEN , in 4/33 patients using targeted screening of a panel of PI3K , AKT , and PTEN genes (Jansen et al. , 2015). These individuals suffered from intractable seizures, and exhibited radiographic and histopathologically defined evidence of either HMEG or FCD. An additional single case of dysplastic megalencephaly (DMEG) was linked to PI3KCA. In the remaining 29 patients with HMEG, or FCD type I, type IIa, or type IIb, no mutations were identified. The phosphorylation profile of components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway showed that phosphorylation of Akt at threonine (T)308 and serine (S)473 was enriched in all HMEG and FCD cases, and in conjunction with measured Akt kinase activity, could distinguish mutation-positive dysplasia cortex, mutation-negative dysplasia cortex, and non-dysplasia epilepsy cortex. In conclusion, Jansen et al. suggest that FCD, HMEG and DMEG comprise a spectrum of developmental malformations linked to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Focal malformations of the cerebral cortex have been reported since the 1800s, with the first description of HMEG by Sims in 1835 and tuberous sclerosis complex by Bourneville in 1880. In 1957, Crome published a short pathological report describing abnormally ‘large neurons’ in the brains of three patients with intractable epilepsy within areas of ‘ulegyria’, which set the conceptual stage for the index report of focal dysplasia of the …
Comparative stability of the bioresorbable ferric crosslinked hyaluronic acid adhesion prevention solutions

The Intergel® ferric crosslinked hyaluronate (FeHA) adhesion prevention solution (APS) (FDA) is associated with serious post-operative complications (Henley, http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/features/gynecare-intergel/intergel-timeline.html, 2007; FDA, 2003; Roman et al., Fertil Steril 2005, 83 Suppl 1:1113–1118; Tang et al., Ann Surg 2006;243(4):449–455; Wiseman, Fertil Steril 2006;86(3):771; Wiseman, Fertil Steril 2006;85(4):e7). This prompted us to examine the in situ stability of crosslinked HA materials to hyaluronidase lyase degradation. Variables such as ferric ionic crosslink density, HA concentration, gel geometry, and molecular weight (MW) of HA polymer were studied. Various formulations of the crosslinked “in house” [Isayeva et al., J Biomed Mater Res: Part B – Appl Biomater 2010, 95B (1):9–18] FeHA (0.5%, w/v; 30, 50, 90% crosslinked), the Intergel® FeHA (0.5%, w/v; 90%), and the non-crosslinked HA (0.05–0.5%, w/v) were degraded at a fixed activity of hyaluronidase lyase from Streptomyces hyalurolyticus (Hyase) at 37°C over time according to the method [Payan et al., J Chrom B: Biomed Sci Appl 1991;566(1):9–18]. Under our conditions, the data show that the crosslink density affects degradation the most, followed by HA concentration and then gel geometry. We found that MW has no effect. Our results are one possible explanation of the observations that the Intergel® FeHA APS (0.5%, w/v; 90%) material persisted an order of magnitude longer than expected [t1/2 = 500 hrs vs. t1/2 = 50 hrs (FDA; Johns et al., Fertil Steril 1997;68(1):37–42)]. These data also demonstrate the sensitivity of the in vitro hyaluronidase assay to predict the in situ stability of crosslinked HA medical products as previously reported [Sall et al., Polym Degrad Stabil 2007;92(5):915–919]. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
The Small Business Innovation Research Program

The Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 created the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to stimulate technological innovation, to use small businesses of 500 or fewer employees to meet federal R&D needs, to foster and encourage participation of minority and disadvantaged persons in technological innovation, and to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D. In 1983, this set-aside program totaled $45 million. The SBIR program grew to nearly $2 billion by 2008 when Congress failed to reauthorize it. For several years it survived through a series of multi-month extensions, and at the end of December 2011 it was finally reauthorized for another six years.
Critical (Intensive) Care Medicine and CPR A Personal History By Max Harry Weil

I perceive that the most consitent pursuits of successful innovators and leaders in medicine, as in all endeavors, come from aspirations generated by dreams rather than hope or by fate alone; from the excitement with which the dreamer atracts collaborators who have prepared minds and skillful hands; they join talents and destinities to convert the dream to expert plans.Contigent on the vigor, the persistence and on the attention to detail with which they commit to the execution of their plans, the secure the advances that contribute to the social goods and bring ultimate success to all who have jioned des-tinies to seriously pursue those dreams.
Assessing the impact of the sugar programme on the US economy

Abstract This study examines the effect of the sugar tariff-rate import quota program on the United States economy. Based on a computable general equilibrium model, the analysis suggests that a complete elimination of the sugar program would reduce output for all producing sectors by about $2.85 billion. For producing sectors besides the agriculture programme crops, crude oil and petroleum refining sectors, output would increase by about $2.98 billion. Additionally, there would be an increase of about $197 million and $121 million in the consumption of goods and services and in welfare respectively. The government sector would realize a reduction in revenue of about $15 million.
Demonstration of anterograde labeling of primary auditory projections following intracochlear injections of horseradish peroxidase in the guinea pig

Abstract Intracochlear injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were used to map eighth nerve fiber projections from the cochlea to cochlear nucleus complex. Projection patterns revealed by HRP were identical to those previously demonstrated by intracochlear injections of tritiated amino acids known to be axoplasmic transport-dependent. These findings provide evidence in the auditory system for anterograde or transganglionic transport of HRP demonstrated for other sensory neurons.
Altered expression of thin filament-associated proteins in hypertrophied urinary bladder smooth muscle.

Aims Obstruction of the urinary bladder outlet induces detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) hypertrophy. The goal of this study was to determine whether the composition of thin filament-associated proteins, known to play important roles in cytoskeletal structure and/or the regulation of contraction, is altered in DSM during hypertrophy. Methods DSM hypertrophy was induced in male rabbits by partial ligation of the urethra. Sham-operated rabbits served as a control. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR revealed a significant increase in the expression of mRNAs for basic (h1) calponin (CaP), and α-isoform of tropomyosin (Tm) in hypertrophied DSM compared to controls. Western blotting and two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis showed enhanced expression of these proteins and also a significant increase in the expression of β-non muscle and γ-smooth muscle actin in the DSM from obstructed bladders, while α-actin remained constant. Results Enhanced expression of these proteins in the DSM from obstructed bladders was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Double immunostaining with Cap/Tm and α/β-actin-specific antibodies showed co-localization of these proteins in myocytes. Colocalization of smooth muscle specific myosin and CaP to cytoplasmic filaments in cells dissociated from the hypertrophied DSM indicated that these cells are differentiated smooth muscle cells. Conclusions The change in the isoforms of actin, Cap, and Tm may be part of the molecular mechanism for bladder compensation in increased urethral resistance. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comment on: 'guidelines for the use of cell lines in biomedical research': human-to-human cancer transmission as a laboratory safety concern.

The guidelines for using cell lines in biomedical research, published recently in BJC (Geraghty et al, 2014), include a pioneering safety warning about human-to-human cancer transmission through cancer cells, a route that we will call extracorporeal metastasis (XM). Because XM has been tacitly dismissed as implausible in everyday laboratory practice, if considered at all, we emphasise the warning by reviewing the underlying evidence and preventive measures.
Diet of prosauropod dinosaurs from the late Triassic and early Jurassic

Prosauropods were not scavenger-predators, rather they were the dominant large terrestrial herbivores during the late Triassic and early Jurassic. The herbivorous adaptations of anchisaurids include spatulate teeth with anteroposteriorly expanded crowns (maximum width apical to base of crown) which are obliquely inclined with respect to the jaws so each slightly overlaps the tooth behind it, and which have coarse marginal serrations at 45° to the cutting edges. Most of the teeth of yunnanosaurids lack serrations and resemble those of sauropod dinosaurs in form and in having self-sharpening surfaces, formed by tooth-to-tooth wear, which increased the efficiency of dealing with more resistant plant material. Anchisaurids and yunnanosaurids had a ventrally set jaw articulation; the teeth and skull of melanorosaurids are unknown. All prosauropods were high browsers that extended the feeding range with a long neck and tripodal feeding (long hindlimbs and stout tail for support). They used herding and the enormous claw on the pollex for defense, and probably had a muscular gastric mill with stones that was used for grinding the food. They account for at least 95% of the biomass in their respective faunas.
Mycobacterium kansasii infection with multiple cutaneous lesions

Mycobacterium kansasii infections of the skin are rarely seen and present variable clinical and histopathologic features. Laboratory identification of the organism is essential for proper diagnosis and selection of appropriate antimycobacterial medications. Antituberculous drugs are the standard treatment; however, therapy with tetracycline or minocycline is a provocative alternative.
Lake-size variations in the Lahontan and Bonneville basins between 13,000 and 9000 14C yr B.P.

Abstract Recessions of Lakes Lahontan and Bonneville that commenced ∼13,500 14 C yr B.P. were interrupted at ⪖11,500 14 C yr B.P. in the Lahontan basin and ∼12,200 14 C yr B.P. in the Bonneville basin by relatively large perturbations in lake level that persisted for ∼ 2000 years. Minor glacial readvances in the Sierra Nevada and White Mountains of California-Nevada occurred during the latter half of this interval (between 11,000 and 9700 14 C yr B.P.). The hydrologic response of Lakes Lahontan and Bonneville and the mountain glacial advances were concurrent with the Allerod/Younger Dryas climatic intervals recorded in vegetational and glacial records of western and central Europe.
Micrometer-sized droplet ejection from a millimeter-sized spherical water drop using a megahertz multiple-fourier horn ultrasonic nozzle

A new phenomenon on droplet ejection, namely, one large spherical water drop ejecting simultaneously a very large number of monodisperse micro droplets was observed and studied in detail. An ultrasonic nozzle with multiple-Fourier horns in resonance enables controlled excitation of megahertz Faraday waves on the spherical water surface which leads to the ejection of 3.5-4.4μm monodisperse droplets at a high rate (>107 droplets per second). This is in stark contrast to the RayleighPlateau instability, which ejects one droplet at a time.
Remote Ischemic Preconditioning: Making the Brain More Tolerant, Safely and Inexpensively

Circulatory arrest and stroke are among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and they are difficult to treat. Only a limited number of therapeutic approaches have reached the bedside (eg, hypothermia and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator)1 and, unfortunately, relatively few patients are eligible. Virtually all experimental compounds tested so far have failed at some stage of translational development. Preconditioning is an attractive strategy that makes the brain and other visceral organs relatively resistant to tissue injury. It develops when a noxious stimulus, below the damage threshold, leads to reduced tissue injury on subsequent challenge with a stimulus given above injury threshold. It is an appealing strategy to identify novel endogenous protective mechanisms and, as demonstrated by Jensen, Loukogeorgakis, and their colleagues in this issue of Circulation ,2 it may prove useful to prevent brain damage in the clinical context when there is a high probability of cerebral ischemia (eg, before high-risk surgery or in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage). Article see p 714 Various types of preconditioning stimuli have been used experimentally to protect brain, heart, retina, liver, kidney, and other organs.3 Some use ischemic preconditioning, in which the blood supply to a target organ is temporarily interrupted before introducing a longer infarct-generating insult that would ordinarily produce infarction; other studies use hypoxic preconditioning, in which animals are exposed to oxygen levels around 8% to 9% for a few hours. But ischemia and hypoxia are just 2 examples in a larger list of strategies that induce tolerance to brain injury: hypoglycemia, hypoxia, kainate-induced seizures, and exposure to volatile anesthetics, to name a few.4 Preconditioning can protect the brain either rapidly after stimulation (known as early, first window, or classical preconditioning) or after a 24-hour delay to induce protein synthesis-dependent protection lasting up to 96 hours …
Prolactin Specifically Regulates Citrate Oxidation and m-Aconitase of Rat Prostate Epithelial Cells

The prostate gland of many animals, including humans, produces and secretes extremely high levels of citrate. To achieve this function, prostate secretory epithelial cells possess unique metabolic properties that permit accumulation and ultimate secretion (net citrate production) of citrate. Mounting evidence continues to support the concept that prostate epithelial cells possess a limiting mitochondrial (m)-aconitase activity that minimizes citrate oxidation and results in the accumulation of citrate synthesized by the cells. Recent studies have revealed that prolactin (PRL) stimulates net citrate production of rat lateral prostate (RLP). The mechanism of this PRL effect has not been established. The current studies were concerned with the possibility that PRL might be involved in the regulation of citrate oxidation and m-aconitase of prostate cells. Studies were conducted with RLP, RVP (rat ventral prostate), RDP (rat dorsal prostate), and kidney cells. The results showed that PRL in vitro and in vivo decreased citrate utilization and the level of m-aconitase in RLP cells, and conversely increased citrate utilization and m-aconitase in RVP cells. Furthermore, PRL had no effect on either RDP or kidney cells. The effects of PRL on both citrate utilization and m-aconitase of RLP and RVP were abolished by cycloheximide and actinomycin. Mitochondrial studies revealed that PRL decreased citrate oxidation of RLP and increased citrate oxidation of RVP, but had no effect on isocitrate oxidation. In conclusion, these studies establish that PRL has a physiological role in the regulation of citrate oxidation in prostate, and that this action is associated with PRL regulation of the biosynthesis of m-aconitase. Furthermore, the effects of PRL are cell-specific and targeted at m-aconitase.
Trophic transmission of parasites and host behavior modification.

Thomas et al. (2005) provide a wide-ranging and insightful review of issues surrounding the evolution and ecology of parasite manipulation of host behavior. To support their goal seeking future directions I offer three comments. Firstly, several very different types of interactions are combined under the vague label “parasite”. This obscures important differences with respect to host behavior modification. These host–parasite interactions are pathogens, parasitoids, parasitic castrators and trophic a e s e o p t 2 f p p s a t the issue of adaptation since there is no countervailing host interest. However, they are of great interest as to mechanisms of host control with respect to the time and place of death (parasitoids), and longevity and risk aversive behavior (parasitic castrators). Pathogens may well modify host behavior, often to disseminate dispersal stages. For these interactions, issues of non-adaptive pathology and host defensive responses are highly relevant. Further, these behavior modifications are usually not complex, so sophisticated
The Relative Value of Non‐U.S.‐Based Annual Reports and Accounts: A Price and Trading Volume Analysis

This paper reports the results of the effects of the release, in the United Kingdom, annual reports and accounts (ARA), on security prices and trading volume of the U.K. firms. If the information reported in the annual reports and accounts (ARA) is relevant, the U.S. security market will respond to the release news through return and volume variances. Both signals are indicators of the relevance of the annual reports and accounts. The results of the analysis suggest the existence of unexpected returns to the annual reports and accounts and no corresponding U.S. trading volume response. The price results are in marked contrast to the findings of previous research that examined the information content of U.S. domestic annual reports, but do not detect a stock price response (e.g., Foster et al. 1986; Bernard and Stober 1989; Cready and Mynatt 1991). Our stock price analyses indicate that non‐U.S. GAAP accounting measures do not impede U.S investors' ability to use U.K. firms' ARA in valuing the sample firms. Indeed, U.S. investors use information from the ARA in their valuation of U.K. firms. Since trading responses to a disclosure are generally more easily detected than price responses (Cready and Hurtt 1999), these findings jointly suggest the provincial nature of the ARA release.
A potential endogenous ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor has potent agonist activity in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is best known as a mediator of toxicity of a diverse family of xenobiotic chemicals such as dioxins and PCBs. However, many naturally occurring compounds also activate AhR. One such compound, 2-(1′ H -indole-3′-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE), was isolated from tissue and found to be potent in preliminary tests [J. Song, M. Clagett-Dame, R.E. Peterson, M.E. Hahn, W.M. Westler, R.R. Sicinski, H.F. DeLuca, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99 (2002) 14694–14699]. We have synthesized ITE and [ 3 H]ITE and further evaluated its AhR activity in several in vitro and in vivo assays in comparison with the toxic ligand, TCDD. AhR in Hepa1c1c7 cell cytosol bound [ 3 H]ITE with high affinity and the AhR · ITE complex formed in vitro bound dioxin response element (DRE) oligonucleotide as potently as TCDD · AhR. In cells treated with ITE, nuclear translocation of AhR, and induction of CYP1A1 protein and of a DRE-dependent luciferase reporter gene were observed. ITE administered to pregnant DRE- LacZ transgenic mice activated fetal AhR, observed as X-gal staining in the same sites as in TCDD-treated mice. However, unlike TCDD, ITE did not induce cleft palate or hydronephrosis. TCDD but not ITE induced thymic atrophy in young adult mice, but both ITE and TCDD caused similar loss of cells and alterations of cell profiles in cultured fetal thymi. These data demonstrate that ITE is a potent AhR agonist in cell extracts, cultured cells, and intact animals, but does not cause the toxicity associated with the more stable xenobiotic ligand, TCDD.
Material and device properties of MOCVD grown {InAlAs}/{InGaAs} HEMTs

Abstract A systematic study of MOCVD grown InP based heterostructures and their application in HEMT technology is reported. The heterostructures are realized by Metal-Organic-Chemical-Vapor-Deposition (MOCVD) which is a well suited for production growth technique. The impact of growth temperature and AsH3 flow rates on the material properties was investigated and optimized. To improve the device performance even further, Fe-doped InAlAs is also studied. By optimizing the growth conditions of InAlAs InGaAs heterostructure, we demonstrates high performance 1 μm gate length InAlAs InGaAs HEMTs which show ft of 60 GHz and fmax of 120 GHz. By applying the same submicron technology on MOCVD HEMT layers grown by a commercial vendor as on Molecular-Beam-Epitaxy grown layers, we could demonstrate equivalent ft (180 GHz) and fmax (220 GHz) performance.
On the threshold for triggering substorms

The substorm-neutral-line model of Hones (1984) is extended in order to interpret substorm-related effects that have not previosly been linked to model. It is proposed that the level of stress at which the substorm expansion starts is controlled by the tail field geometry and that substorms most easily initiate when the bending of the magnetotail is most extreme. Using this 'bent-tail' (BT) hypothesis, a new interpretation is developed for the annual and diurnal variations of the level of geomagnetic activity, that are independent of the polarity of the IMF but are due to the BT effect. The BT effect leads to predictions regarding annual and diurnal signatures of substorm occurrence frequency and magnitude that can be tested.
SU-E-T-535: Preliminary 2D and 3D Gamma Calculation Comparison Using PRESAGE

Purpose: To compare gamma calculations from 2D and 3D dosimetry measurements for phantom quality assurance. Methods: An IROC Houston (RPC) head and neck phantom was irradiated with a 9 beam IMRT plan using two inserts: a TLD and film insert and a PRESAGE insert. Both inserts were irradiated 3 times. The film and PRESAGE doses were scaled to the TLD dose and 2D gamma calculations were made in the axial and sagittal planes bisecting the primary target. 3D gamma measurements were taken within the PRESAGE dosimeter volume. Gamma constraints of 3%/3mm distance to agreement (DTA), 5%/3mm DTA and 7%/4mm DTA were used in the study. The 3 irradiations for each insert were averaged together for comparison. Results: Film measurements for the 2D gamma showed 85% pixels passing at 3%/3mm in both planes. The 5%/3 mm constraint had 93% and 90% passing in the two planes. The 7%/4mm restraint resulted in 99% passing in both planes. The PRESAGE 2D gamma passed 66% and 61% of pixels in the both planes at 3%/3mm. At 5%/3mm 86% and 82% passed. For 7%/4mm, 94% of pixels passed in both planes. The 3D gamma resulted in a pass rate of 90% at 3%/3mm, 95% atmore » 5%/3mm, and 99% at 7%/4mm. Conclusion: 2D gamma pass rates using film showed a higher pass rate than PRESAGE using the same criteria in the same planes. This may be due to poor 3D registration with the treatment plan compared to the 2D film registration system. The 3D gamma results had a higher pass rate (> 90% pass rate) possibly because it sampled many more pixels in noncritical volumes thus diluting the percent of pixels passing. 3D restraints should be more restrictive to be comparable to 2D results. Funding from NIH grant 5R01CA100835.« less
Planning for mine closure: Some case studies in Ghana

Abstract Mines are known to generate environmental impacts both during their useful lifetime and after they have ceased to be in operation. At closure, when the mine is not generating any income, it is difficult if not impossible to raise the financial resources necessary to carry out any meaningful remedial works. It is therefore important to plan the closure phase and to make financial provision to meet all environmental requirements while the mine is still in production. It has become the accepted practice in many countries that measures are in place to ensure that, after closure, mines are left in a condition which will minimize long‐term environmental problems. Good planning is the key to the successful control of long‐term environmental problems associated with the post‐operational phase of mining, and planning for mine closure should be an integral part of the general mining plan. In Ghana, mines are required to operate in accordance with, inter alia, the Minerals and Mining Law (PNDCL 153), Ghana'...
Pharmacologic Options for the Management and Prevention of Migraines

Objective:To review available pharmacologic options for the management and prevention of migraine headaches.Data Sources:A PubMed literature search (1985–December 2010) was conducted using the following MeSH search terms: migraine, aura, headache, triptans, ergot derivatives, NSAIDs, opioids, analgesics, antiepileptics, antidepressants, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and prophylaxis. Tertiary references and prescribing information for included medications were used for dosing recommendations.Study Selection and Data Extraction:English-language reviews, tertiary references, guidelines, and clinical trials of newly released medications were reviewed for inclusion. Articles using pharmacotherapy in human models were reviewed.Data Synthesis:Migraine headaches are a costly and painful problem that affects 12% of the US population. Current treatment options may be divided into either acute treatments or preventive therapy. Nonpharmacologic therapy, such as the identification of triggers and maintenance o...
Inertial particle relative velocity statistics in homogeneous isotropic turbulence

In the present study, we investigate the scaling of relative velocity structure functions, of order two and higher, for inertial particles, both in the dissipation range and the inertial subrange using direct numerical simulations (DNS). Within the inertial subrange our findings show that contrary to the well-known attenuation in the tails of the one-point acceleration probability density function (p.d.f.) with increasing inertia (Bec et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 550, 2006, pp. 349–358), the opposite occurs with the velocity structure function at sufficiently large Stokes numbers. We observe reduced scaling exponents for the structure function when compared to those of the fluid, and correspondingly broader p.d.f.s, similar to what occurs with a passive scalar. DNS allows us to isolate the two effects of inertia, namely biased sampling of the velocity field, a result of preferential concentration, and filtering, i.e. the tendency for the inertial particle velocity to attenuate the velocity fluctuations in the fluid. By isolating these effects, we show that sampling is playing the dominant role for low-order moments of the structure function, whereas filtering accounts for most of the scaling behaviour observed with the higher-order structure functions in the inertial subrange. In the dissipation range, we see evidence of so-called ‘crossing trajectories’, the ‘sling effect’ or ‘caustics’, and find good agreement with the theory put forth by Wilkinson et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 97, 2006, 048501) and Falkovich & Pumir (J. Atmos. Sci., vol. 64, 2007, 4497) for Stokes numbers greater than 0.5. We also look at the scaling exponents within the context of the model proposed by Bec et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 646, 2010, pp. 527–536). Another interesting finding is that inertial particles at low Stokes numbers sample regions of higher kinetic energy than the fluid particle field, the converse occurring at high Stokes numbers. The trend at low Stokes numbers is predicted by the theory of Chun et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 536, 2005, 219–251). This work is relevant to modelling the particle collision rate (Sundaram & Collins, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 335, 1997, pp. 75–109), and highlights the interesting array of phenomena induced by inertia.
Synthesis and coordination chemistry of tripodal dialkyl[1,2-bis(diethylcarbamoyl)ethyl]phosphonates with lanthanide nitrates

Abstract Trifunctional dialkyl [1,2-bis(diethylcarbamoyl)- ethyl] phosphonates, (RO)2P(O)CH[C(O)N(C2H5)2]- [CH2C(O)N(C2H5)2] R  CH3, C2H5, i-C3H7, n-C6H13 were prepared from the respective sodium salts, Na[(RO)2P(O)CHC(O)N(C2H5)2] and N,N- diethylchloroacetamide, and they were characterized by elemental analysis, mass, infrared and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of (i-C3H7O)2- P(O)CH[C(O)N(C2H5)2][CH2C(O)N(C2H5)2] was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and found to crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a=15.589(6), b=9.783(4), c= 16.283(7) A, β = 110.90(3)°, Z = 4 and V= 2320(2) A3. The structure was solved by direct methods and blocked least-squares refinement converged with Rf = 5.7% and RwF= 4.4% on 2266 unique data with F>4σ(F). Important bond distances include PO 1.459(3) A, CHCO 1.228(3) A and CHCH2CO 1.223(3) A. The coordination chemistry of the ligand with several lanthanides was examined, and the structure of the complex Gd(NO3)3{[(i-C3H7O)2P(O)CH[C(O)N(C2H5)2][CH2C(O)N(C2H5)2]}2·H2O was determined. The complex crystallized in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 13.524(5), b = 22.033(4), c = 19.604(4) A β = 106.22(2)°, Z = 4 and V= 5609(3) A3. The structure was solved by heavy atom techniques and blocked least-squares refinement converged with RF = 5.9% and RwF = 4.1% on 5275 reflections with F > 4σ(F). Both trifunctional ligands were found to bond to Gd(III) through only the phosphoryl oxygen atoms. The remainder of the Gd coordination sphere was composed of three bidentate nitrate oxygen atoms and an oxygen bonded water molecule. Several important bond distances include GdO(phosphoryl)av = 2.343(5) A, GdO(nitrate)av = 2.475(7) A, GdO(water) = 2.354(5) A, PO(phosphoryl)av = 1.467(6) A, CHCOav = 1.242(10) A and CHCH2COav = 1.209(11) A.
HIV infection and the mental health clinician: future directions.

With the increasing incidence of HIV infection, the role of mental health practitioners will extend far beyond the care of those directly affected by the epidemic.
Thyroidal 131 I Uptake of Japanese Quail in Response to Three Different Dietary Goitrogens

Abstract Body weight, thyroid weight and thyroidal radioiodine (131 I) uptake were evaluated with respect to 3 lines of Japanese quail in response to 3 different dietary goitrogens (0.2% thiouracil, 0.2% potassium thiocyanate, and 2.0% sulfaguanidine). Prior to this experiment, one line (P) was established by 18 generations of selection for high 4-week body weight on an adequate 28% protein diet, the second line (T) was similarly established using a protein deficient diet (20% crude protein) containing 0.2% thiouracil, and a third line (C) was maintained as a randomly mating control. The 3 goitrogens were fed from day of hatch through 32 days of age. On the 28th day post hatching, all quail were injected interperitoneally with 6 μc. of 131 I. Body weight, thyroid weight and 131 I uptake were measured at daily intervals beginning at 29 days of age through 32 days of age. Thyroids were sectioned and examined microscopically. Thiouracil (0.2%) in the diet of C and P-line quail significantly decreased body weight and significantly increased both thyroid weight and thyroidal 131 I uptake. In contrast, no significant reduction in body weight or increase in thyroidal 131 I uptake was observed in T-line quail receiving 0.2% thiouracil. While thyroid weight was increased significantly in T-line quail receiving thiouracil, histological examination of the glands revealed a greater loss of colloid and an increased cellular invasion of follicles which was not observed in thyroid sections from C and P-line quail. Potassium thiocyanate failed to produce a significant goitrogenic influence on the parameters evaluated in any of the 3 lines. Sulfaguanidine (2.0%) in the diet of C and P-line quail decreased body weight and increased both thyroid weight and thyroidal 131 I uptake. In contrast, body weight, thyroid weight, and thyroidal 131 I uptake of T-line quail were unaffected by sulfaguanidine. The existence of a compensating mechanism active in mitigating the goitrogenic effects of both thiouracil and sulfaguanidine in T-line quail is discussed.
MyD88 Is an Adaptor Protein in the hToll/IL-1 Receptor Family Signaling Pathways

The Toll-mediated signaling cascade using the NF-kappaB pathway has been shown to be essential for immune responses in adult Drosophila, and we recently reported that a human homolog of the Drosophila Toll protein induces various immune response genes via this pathway. We now demonstrate that signaling by the human Toll receptor employs an adaptor protein, MyD88, and induces activation of NF-kappaB via the Pelle-like kinase IRAK and the TRAF6 protein, similar to IL-1R-mediated NF-kappaB activation. However, we find that Toll and IL-1R signaling pathways are not identical with respect to AP-1 activation. Finally, our findings implicate MyD88 as a general adaptor/regulator molecule for the Toll/IL-1R family of receptors for innate immunity.
High-Temperature Creep Under a Nonuniform Temperature Distribution,

Abstract : This report analyzes an example of creep in a material under a nonuniform temperature distribution, and uses simple but realistic assumptions for that distribution and for the material creep properties as a function of temperature. This analysis was motivated by measurements of creep at high temperatures in unidirectional, fibrous carbon carbon composites.
Moving forward with clinical proteomics

A remarkable development in the postgenome era is the emergence of proteomics as a new discipline that is rooted in old fashioned chemistry and biochemistry, as well as molecular biology and genomics. Chemistry has provided basic strategies for sorting proteins into classes with different properties and for elucidating their posttranslational modifications, and biochemistry has contributed decades of know-how in elucidating functional aspects of proteins and their involvement in different pathways. Genomics has provided a sequencebased framework for mining proteomics data. Molecular biology has contributed numerous tools for manipulating proteins and for elucidating their interactions and their occurrence as part of complexes. What about clinical proteomics? The past few years have seen a tremendous interest in the potential ability of proteomics to address many unfulfilled needs in clinical research. Such unmet needs include more effective strategies for early disease detection and monitoring, more effective therapies, and developing a better understanding of disease pathogenesis. Proteomics is particularly suited for investigating biological fluids to identify disease related alterations and to develop molecular signatures for disease processes. A mobilization effort is under way involving academia, governments, industry, and philanthropy to develop agendas for medical proteomics. This is reflected for example in the prominence of proteomics in the National Institues of Health (NIH) roadmap, in the interest on the part of major medical centers to develop plans for faculty recruitment, for investing in proteomics resources, and for developing a focus on specific diseases based on areas of strengths at their institutions. It is also reflected in the prominence given to proteomics at annual meetings of societies that have a disease focus, from heart disease to cancer.