cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) and EV-cargo in virally-mediated CNS diseases. (1569)

Objective: To characterize extracellular vesicle and EV-cargo in virally-mediated CNS diseases. To elucidate EV-mediated host-pathogen dynamics in virally-mediated CNS diseases. Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained increased attention as novel orchestrators of intercellular communication and key mediators of pathogen-host dynamics in viral infections. In HTLV-associated myelopathy (HAM), HTLV-1 specific T cells are identified in the CSF of patients in the absence of cell-free virus. In Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), caused by JC virus, infected cells lack the viral receptors for JCV, however post-mortem autopsy samples of PML patients demonstrate JCV within these same cells. We hypothesize that a subset of neuroinvasive viruses exploit EVs in order to promote viral spread and chronic inflammation. Design/Methods: This is a proof-of-principle pilot study to determine the feasibility of isolating and characterizing EVs from study participants in our Neuroimmunology clinic. Study participant CSF and serum were analyzed for EVs by several methods. Exosome isolation was performed with qEV SEC columns or MagCapture Exosome Isolation Kit PS. EV concentration and size distribution was determined by microfluidics resistive pulse sensing (MRPS). Exosome markers (CD63, CD9, CD81) were detected by Western Blot. JCV viral DNA was detected by ddPCR. Results: EVs were successfully isolated from the CSF or serum of PML, HAM, multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy volunteers (HV). qEV SEC isolation demonstrated EV heterogeneity in the size and type of EVs in HAM, MS, HV. Paired serum-CSF exosome analysis revealed distinct exosome populations in the periphery vs. CNS compartment. MRPS allowed for the characterization of CSF-derived EVs in the absence of EV isolation. Conclusions: Our preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of isolating various EV subpopulations from the serum and CSF of healthy and diseased study participants. Ongoing studies are aimed at validating these findings in a larger cohort and further characterizing the role of EVs in neuroinvasive CNS diseases. Disclosure: Dr. Magana has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pleet has nothing to disclose. Dr. Monaco has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ngouth has nothing to disclose. Dr. Montojo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kashanchi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jacobson has received research support from Reithera.
No CpGs for AAVs

In this issue of Blood, Konkle et al report that 7 of 8 participants in a phase 1/2 trial of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector (BAX335) for factor IX (FIX)-Padua gene transfer in patients with hemophilia B did not maintain expression despite steroid intervention, which the authors hypothesize is a result of the innate immune stimulatory effect of CpG motifs enriched within their vector cassette. Their study demonstrates that the cellular immune response to AAV vectors does not always respond to steroids and provides insight into mechanisms that may contribute to the AAV immune response with implications for the future design of AAV vectors.
2018 New Employer Business Report: National and State Trends

The Kauffman New Employer Business Indicators series has been compiled in an effort to provide information on new employer businesses, a subset of all entrepreneurial activity. The series provides users with measures to track trends in the emergence of these businesses, their representation in the population and among all firms, and the time it takes these businesses to become employers. This report presents indicators for the United States and all 50 states and Washington, D.C., beginning in 2005 and through the most recent year of data available for each metric. Rate of new employer business actualization: This indicator reflects the proportion of all new business applications that become employer businesses within eight quarters. In 2018, the national rate of new employer business actualization was 11.33%, meaning that for every 100 new business applications, about 11 businesses made a first payroll within eight quarters. For the same year, the value of this indicator ranged from 6.59% in Delaware to 17.36% in Washington, with a median of 11.30% across states. Rate of new employer businesses: The rate of new employer businesses reflects new employer businesses in the population. The national rate of new employer businesses was 0.12 in 2018, meaning there were 120 new employer businesses for every 100,000 people. This ranged from 0.07 in West Virginia to 0.31 in Wyoming in 2018, with a median of 0.12 across states. New employer business velocity: New employer business velocity is the average amount of time it takes, in quarters, for a new business application to become an employer, assuming it does so within eight quarters. In 2014, the national new employer business velocity was 1.92, indicating that, on average, approximately six months pass between business application and first payroll. For the same year, the value of this indicator ranged from 1.46 in North Dakota to 2.37 in Washington, D.C., with a median of 1.83. Employer business newness: Employer business newness captures new employer businesses as a share of employer firms, regardless of age. In 2016, national employer business newness was 6.8%, meaning that almost 7 out of every 100 employer businesses were new businesses that made a first payroll within the first eight quarters. This ranged from 4.44% in Washington, D.C. to 8.67% in Nevada in 2016, with a median of 5.99%. We also calculate the New Employer Business Actualization Speed (NEBAS) Index, a snapshot reflecting both the emergence (actualization) and speed (velocity) of new employer businesses. In 2014 (the most recent year for which data are available), the national NEBAS index was 0.76. The value of this measure in 2014 ranged from 0.60 in Washington, D.C., to 0.93 in South Dakota, with a median of 0.79 across states. The Kauffman New Employer Business Indicators series has been compiled in an effort to provide information on new employer businesses and provides users with measures to track trends in the emergence of these businesses, their representation in the population and among all firms, and the time it takes these businesses to become employers.
The effects of debt restructurings on income inequality in the developing world

Developing countries, saddled with debts, often prefer investors absorb losses through debt restructurings. By not making full repayments, debtor governments could increase social spending, serving...
Evidence for Deleterious Original Antigenic Sin in SARS-CoV-2 Immune Response

A previous report demonstrated the strong association between the presence of antibodies binding to an epitope region from SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid, termed Ep9, and COVID-19 disease severity. Patients with anti-Ep9 antibodies (Abs) had hallmarks of original antigenic sin (OAS), including early IgG upregulation and cytokine-associated injury. Thus, the immunological memory of a previous infection was hypothesized to drive formation of suboptimal anti-Ep9 Abs in severe COVID-19 infections. This study identifies a putative original antigen capable of stimulating production of cross-reactive, anti-Ep9 Abs. From bioinformatics analysis, 21 potential "original" epitope regions were identified. Binding assays with patient blood samples directly show cross-reactivity between Abs binding to Ep9 and only one homologous potential antigen, a sequence derived from the neuraminidase protein of H3N2 Influenza A virus. This cross-reactive binding affinity is highly virus strain specific and sensitive to even single amino acid changes in epitope sequence. The neuraminidase protein is not present in the influenza vaccine, and the anti-Ep9 Abs likely resulted from the widespread influenza infection in 2014. Therefore, OAS from a previous infection could underlie some cases of COVID-19 disease severity and explain the diversity observed in disease outcomes.
Nudges as Norms: Evidence from the NYC Taxi Industry

This paper explores how default options influence perception of the social norm though changes in tipping behavior where consumers can use a suggested default or manually enter a tip amount. To identify the impact suggested tip levels have on behavior, I take advantage of the variation of credit payment vendors within the New York City taxi industry. Using both timing of the payment screen installations and variation across taxis in the technology vendor, I find that a five percentage point increase in the default tip percentages results in decreased default selection, albeit an increase in frequency of manual tips. Furthermore, I find that this increase is significantly greater for individuals who place relatively lower weight on their norm belief. This research demonstrates how the interaction of implicit social norms and cognitive costs together explain the ‘trade-off’ phenomena within the default literature where following an increase in defaults, the propensity to leave a default contribution decreases while the average contribution increases. The results of this research provides a practical perspective for firms considering the implementation of default suggestions.
Engaging Startup Employees via Charismatic Leadership Communication: The Importance of Communicating “Vision, Passion, and Care”:

This study explores how startup leadership communication influences employee outcomes. Specifically, drawing upon interdisciplinary insight from public relations, leadership, and managerial psychol...
Excellent ballistic impact resistance of Al0.3CoCrFeNi multi-principal element alloy with unique bimodal microstructure.

Multi-principal element alloys represent a new paradigm in structural alloy design with superior mechanical properties and promising ballistic performance. Here, the mechanical response of Al0.3CoCrFeNi alloy, with unique bimodal microstructure, was evaluated at quasistatic, dynamic, and ballistic strain rates. The microstructure after quasistatic deformation was dominated by highly deformed grains. High density of deformation bands was observed at dynamic strain rates but there was no indication of adiabatic shear bands, cracks, or twinning. The ballistic response was evaluated by impacting a 12 mm thick plate with 6.35 mm WC projectiles at velocities ranging from 1066 to 1465 m/s. The deformed microstructure after ballistic impact was dominated by adiabatic shear bands, shear band induced cracks, microbands, and dynamic recrystallization. The superior ballistic response of this alloy compared with similar AlxCoCrFeNi alloys was attributed to its bimodal microstructure, nano-scale L12 precipitation, and grain boundary B2 precipitates. Deformation mechanisms at quasistatic and dynamic strain rates were primarily characterized by extensive dislocation slip and low density of stacking faults. Deformation mechanisms at ballistic strain rates were characterized by grain rotation, disordering of the L12 phase, and high density of stacking faults.
Management of Distal Esophageal Pulsion Diverticula

Esophageal diverticular disease is an uncommon entity for which appropriate treatment remains somewhat controversial. The acquired diverticulum is typically classified by its location (upper, middle, epiphrenic) and pathogenesis (traction, pulsion). Traction diverticula have been ascribed to inflammation and adhesions from periesophageal lymph nodes arising from, for example, pulmonary tuberculosis or histoplasmosis. Pulsion diverticula arise from a number of factors, most notably esophageal dysmotility, functional or mechanical distal esophageal obstruction, and focal weakness of the esophageal wall.
Quadratic filters for image contrast enhancement

The classical unsharp masking method of image contrast enhancement is based on the addition of an amplitude scaled linear highpass filtered version of the image to itself. However, the highpass filter also enhances noise components present in the image. Some improvement in the quality of the enhancement has been obtained using a fairly simple quadratic filter in place of the linear highpass filter. The authors first explain why the linear unsharp masking performs well for contrast enhancement of noise free images. A further modification to make the overall approach considerably less sensitive to noise is then proposed. A general class of quadratic filters utilizing Weber's law is also introduced and their important properties are discussed. The modified unsharp masking scheme together with the proposed class of quadratic filters is shown to provide significant improvement in the quality of enhanced images compared to that obtained using similar approaches. >
A hardware-friendly adaptive tensor based optical flow algorithm

A tensor-based optical flow algorithm is presented in this paper. This algorithm uses a cost function that is an indication of tensor certainty to adaptively adjust weights for tensor computation. By incorporating a good initial value and an efficient search strategy, this algorithm is able to determine optimal weights in a small number of iterations. The weighting mask for the tensor computation is decomposed into rings to simplify a 2D weighting into 1D. The devised algorithm is well-suited for real-time implementation using a pipelined hardware structure and can thus be used to achieve real-time optical flow computation. This paper presents simulation results of the algorithm in software, and the results are compared with our previous work to show its effectiveness. It is shown that the proposed new algorithm automatically achieves equivalent accuracy to that previously achieved via manual tuning of the weights.
Effect of dietary saturated fatty acids on hormone-sensitive lipolysis in rat adipocytes

The objective of this work was to examine the mechanism by which dietary saturated fatty acids, as compared with polyunsaturated fatty acids, lower hormone-sensitive lipolysis in rat adipocytes. Rats were fed a purified diet containing 14% of a fat with a high concentration of either saturated fatty acids (coconut oil or beef fat) or polyunsaturated fatty acids (safflower oil) as a control. In addition, each diet contained 2% corn oil. The animals were fed these diets for 4 wk. Norepinephrine-stimulated lipolysis was 50% lower when diets rich in saturated fatty acids, regardless of their chain length, were fed than when a diet containing a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids was fed. The specific activities of adenylate cyclase, 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide (cAMP) phosphodiesterase and hormone-sensitive lipase were lower when saturated fatty acids were fed than when polyunsaturated fatty acids were fed. Accumulation of cAMP upon stimulation with 10(-5) M norepinephrine was lower when saturated fatty acids were fed than when polyunsaturated fatty acids were fed. Moreover, adipocytes were larger when saturated fatty acids were fed than when polyunsaturated fatty acids were fed. The data obtained suggest that dietary saturated fats exert their inhibitory effect on hormone-stimulated lipolysis by influencing several points in the lipolytic cascade.
Synthesis and Characterization of Physical Crosslinking Systems Based on Cyclodextrin Inclusion/Host-Guest Complexation

New supramolecular assemblies based on cyclodextrin and adamantane were prepared. Two methacrylate monomers bearing cyclodextrin and adamantane were synthesized, and copolymerized with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, (PEGMA, 300 g/mol), by free radical polymerization. Copolymers bearing pendent cyclodextrin and adamantane were characterized by NMR, FTIR, TGA, SEC, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and UV-visible spectrophotometer. All copolymers showed two distinct glass transitions. The specific interaction between pendent adamantyl and cyclodextrin was examined by 1 H-NMR. The viscoelastic properties of supramolecular assemblies were investigated with frequency and temperature sweep experiments. The specific host-guest interaction between pendent adamantyl and cyclodextrin lead to large increases of the viscosity; and depending on the concentration of these groups, also to gel formation.
Head Start-Operated Full-Day Services: Successes, Challenges, and Issues

Abstract Researchers conducted focus groups in three Minnesota Head Start programs that provide full-day services. The purpose of this descriptive study was to understand how these programs operated, the strengths and challenges of full-day Head Start programs, and how working parents and those on public assistance described these services. Findings include parents' satisfaction with various models of full-day services and parents' needs for extended hour care, transportation, information about full-day options, and child care assistance. Attributes of successful models include guaranteed fiscal support to programs, long-term partnerships with community programs, equipment, supplies, and renovation funds for child care programs, and Head Start mentoring and support personnel to work with family and center providers. Full-day models coupled with postsecondary training opportunities provide a viable means to help families obtain family self-sufficiency. Challenges and issues include concerns about the quali...
The characterization of sphingolipids from neurons and astroglia of immature rat brain.

— Isolated neuronal cell bodies and astroglia of young (15–20-day-old) rat brains were both found to contain small concentrations of a variety of glycosphingolipids, including glucosylceramide, galactosylceramide, sulphatide, dihexosylceramide and gangliosides. These sphingolipids, plus sphingomyelin, were isolated, quantitated and their fatty acid and long chain base patterns determined. These data were compared to similar data obtained on these lipids isolated from whole brain and myelin of rats of the same age range. Glucosylceramide was found in an amount equal to galactosylceramide in neurons, and accounted for 35 per cent of the total monohexosylceramide in astroglia. Dihexosylceramide was present in nearly the same amount as sulphatide in both cell types. The sphingolipids of each cell type had characteristic fatty acid patterns. Generally the whole brain fatty acid patterns resembled those of astroglial lipids rather than neuronal lipids. In no case did the cell sphingolipid fatty acids resemble those of myelin. However, the galactosylceramide and sulphatides of both cells had unsubstituted and α-hydroxy acids, both of which had appreciable quantities of C24 acids. The ganglioside fatty acids of each cell type were similar and not unusual, but were quite different from those of glucosylceramide and dihexosylceramide; the latter having appreciable quantities of 16:0 and acids longer than 18:0. The ganglioside patterns of these cells were similar and only slightly different from that of whole brain. Long chain bases of sphingolipids were mainly C18-sphingosine in both cell types, and those of ganglioside and sphingomyelin contained small amounts of C20-sphingosine.
Three-dimensional electrospun ECM-based hybrid scaffolds for cardiovascular tissue engineering

Electrospinning using natural proteins or synthetic polymers is a promising technique for the fabrication of fibrous scaffolds for various tissue engineering applications. However, one limitation of scaffolds electrospun from natural proteins is the need to cross-link with glutaraldehyde for stability, which has been postulated to lead to many complications in vivo including graft failure. In this study, we determined the characteristics of hybrid scaffolds composed of natural proteins including collagen and elastin, as well as gelatin, and the synthetic polymer poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), so to avoid chemical cross-linking. Fiber size increased proportionally with increasing protein and polymer concentrations, whereas pore size decreased. Electrospun gelatin/PCL scaffolds showed a higher tensile strength when compared to collagen/elastin/PCL constructs. To determine the effects of pore size on cell attachment and migration, both hybrid scaffolds were seeded with adipose-derived stem cells. Scanning electron microscopy and nuclei staining of cell-seeded scaffolds demonstrated the complete cell attachment to the surfaces of both hybrid scaffolds, although cell migration into the scaffold was predominantly seen in the gelatin/PCL hybrid. The combination of natural proteins and synthetic polymers to create electrospun fibrous structures resulted in scaffolds with favorable mechanical and biological properties.
Oxypurinol-Enhanced Postischemic Recovery of the Rat Brain Involves Preservation of Adenine Nucleotides

The present study investigated the effect of the administration of oxypurinol (40 mg/kg), an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, on adenosine and adenine nucleotide levels in the rat brain during ischemia and reperfusion. The brains of the animals were microwaved before, at the end of a 20-min period of cerebral ischemia, and after 5, 10, 45, and 90 min of reperfusion. Cerebral ischemia was elicited by four-vessel occlusion with arterial hypotension to 45-50 mm Hg. Adenosine and adenine nucleotide levels in the oxypurinol-pretreated (administered intravenously 20 min before ischemia) rats were compared with those in nontreated animals exposed to the same periods of ischemia and reperfusion. Oxypurinol administration resulted in significantly elevated ATP levels at the end of ischemia and 5 min after ischemia, but not at 10 min after ischemia. ADP levels were also elevated, in comparison with those in the control rats, at the end of the ischemic period. Conversely, AMP levels were significantly reduced at the end of ischemia and during the initial (5 min) period of reperfusion. Adenosine levels were lower in oxypurinol-treated rats, during ischemia, and in the initial reperfusion phase. Oxypurinol administration resulted in a significant increase in the energy charge both during ischemia and after 5 min of reperfusion. Physiological indices, namely, time to recovery of mean arterial blood pressure and time to onset of respiration, were also shortened in the oxypurinol-treated animals. These beneficial effects of oxypurinol may have been a result of its purine-sparing (salvage) effects and of its ability to inhibit free radical formation by the enzyme xanthine oxidase. Preservation of high-energy phosphates during ischemia likely contributes to the cerebroprotective potency of oxypurinol.
Temperature dependence of stress birefringence in an elliptically clad fiber.

The stress birefringence in a fiber with a three-component silica-glass elliptical cladding is found to be a strongly nonlinear function of temperature. The observed birefringence is a factor of 1.6 greater than that predicted from linear approximations of this dependence and estimates of the fiber material’s properties. The fiber’s birefringence can be predicted from a linear extrapolation of the low-temperature data.
Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Lifetimes of Jet-Cooled 7-Azaindole: Electronic States and Solvent Complex Geometry

Additional spectroscopic studies have been carried out on jet-cooled 7-azaindole and 7-azaindole clusters with polar solvent adducts, primarily water. New lifetime data and more extended excitation scans strengthen an earlier conclusion that S1 levels mix with nearby levels from another electronic state. Our complete data set indicates the likelihood of mixing with 1La rather than with nπ*, as was previously postulated. The excitation and dispersed emission spectra suggest that addition of one water to the chromophore induces 1La emission. Polar solvent induction of 1La emission in 7-azaindole bears some similarities to analogous phenomena in conventional indoles.
Predicting out-of-plane distortions during x-ray mask fabrication

Sub-0.25 μm technology may require gap settings as small as 10 μm. Consequently, it is of the utmost importance to fabricate masks which do not have large curvature towards the device wafer. In this work, finite element methods are used to predict the out-of-plane shape of the mask blank throughout the fabrication process in order to predict and correct bow (out-of-plane distortion) of mask blanks.
Thermal shock in an edge-cracked plate subjected to uniform surface heating

Abstract Thermal shock due to sudden surface heating of an edge-cracked plate is examined and compared with the opposite thermal shock condition that is associated with surface cooling. The plate is assumed to be insulated on one face with convective thermal boundary conditions existing on the side of the plate containing the crack. It is shown that surface heating results in compressive transient thermal stresses close to the plate surface which force the crack surfaces together over a certain contact length. The resulting nonlinear crack contact problem is formulated in terms of a singular integral equation and solved numerically. Calculated results include the transient stress intensity factors for various crack lengths at different values of the Biot number. A result of particular interest is the crack length at which the maximum stress intensity factor during heating exceeds the maximum stress intensity factor for cooling with otherwise identical heat transfer conditions.
Substrate oxidation and availability during acute exercise in non‐obese, obese, and post‐obese sedentary females

OBJECTIVE: This study compared fat oxidation rates during an acute bout of cycle ergometry exercise (E) typical of progressive fat oxidation in healthy, but sedentary, women of different obesity histories. DESIGN: Five never‐obese (NO) (mean age=25±3 (s.e.)y, mean body fat=25.0±2.8 (s.e.)%), five obese (O) (26±3 y, 44.4±1.7%), and five post‐obese (PO) (22±1 y, 32.2±3.0%) women cycled for 60 min at 60–65% peak VO2. To identify the specific effects of E, a control trial consisting of 60 min of seated rest (R) was also performed. E and R trials were counterbalanced one month apart in the follicular phase and conducted following a 3 d normalized, eucaloric diet. MEASUREMENTS: Dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to determine body composition, and all were weight stable for at least eight weeks prior to experimentation. During both trials breath by breath measurements of VO2 and RER were used to determine substrate oxidation and energy expenditure. Blood samples were collected for hormone and metabolite analysis before, and every 15 min during exercise or rest. RESULTS: All three groups showed a similar and progressive shift toward fat oxidation as exercise progressed. No group differences were observed for E energy expenditure or fat oxidation. Glycerol (P<0.0001) and free fatty acids (P<0.0001) increased similarly in all three groups, but PO maintained the highest free fatty acid level during exercise (group effect; P<0.01). E and R decreased (P<0.001 for both) insulin levels across groups, with lowest levels noted in PO and highest in O. Plasma epinephrine (P<0.0001) and norepinephrine (P<0.001) increased similarly during E in all three groups. Plasma growth hormone (GH) levels rose (P<0.05) during E, with a pronounced increase observed in PO. CONCLUSION: We conclude that exercise of equal relative intensity elicited similar fat oxidation rates among NO, O, and PO women, despite group differences in free fatty acid availability. The PO women's persistently lower insulin and higher plasma GH levels may have enhanced free fatty acid availability.
FKF1 is essential for photoperiodic-specific light signalling in Arabidopsis

Adaptation to seasonal change is a crucial component of an organism's survival strategy. To monitor seasonal variation, organisms have developed the capacity to measure day length (photoperiodism). Day-length assessment involves the photoperiodic control of flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana, whereby the coincidence of light and high expression of CONSTANS (CO) induces the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), leading to flowering in long-day conditions1. Although controlling CO expression is clearly a key step in day-length discrimination, the mechanism that generates day-length-dependent CO expression remains unknown. Here we show that the clock-controlled FLAVIN-BINDING, KELCH REPEAT, F-BOX (FKF1)2 protein has an essential role in generating the diurnal CO peak and that this function is dependent on light. We show that a recombinant FKF1 LIGHT, OXYGEN OR VOLTAGE (LOV)3 domain binds the chromophore flavin mononucleotide and undergoes light-induced photochemistry, indicating that FKF1 may function as a photoperiodic blue-light receptor. It is likely that the circadian control of FKF1 expression and the light regulation of FKF1 function coincide to control the daytime CO waveform precisely, which in turn is crucial for day-length discrimination by Arabidopsis.
Spectral stratigraphy: Remote sensing lithostratigraphic procedures for basin analysis, central wyoming examples

Stratigraphic and structural analysis of the Wind River and Bighorn basins of central Wyoming are in progress. One result has been the development of spectral stratigraphy, an approach to stratigraphic analysis that uses photogeologic and spectral interpretation of multispectral image data combined with topographic information to remotely characterize thickness and lithology of strata exposed in sedimentary basins. Thus, spectral stratigraphy is a new tool for use in integrated investigations of the evolution of sedimentary basins.
Mechanical properties of perfluoro sulfonated acids: The role of temperature and solute activity

Water sorption and mechanical properties of perfluoro sulfonated acids (PFSAs), Aquivion and Nafion, are compared under environmentally controlled conditions from 25 to 120 degrees C and water activities of 00.95. Under dry conditions Nafion and Aquivion have thermal transitions at 60 degrees C and 95 degrees C, respectively, where the elastic modulus decreases rapidly with increasing temperature. Below their thermal transition temperatures water sorption plasticizes both PFSAs; the elastic moduli decrease with increasing water activity. Above the thermal transition water sorption stiffens both polymers; increasing the water activity from 0 to 0.01 increases the elastic moduli by a factor >10. Plasticization and stiffening are reversible with changing water activity at constant temperature. The thermal transition in PFSAs is suggested to result from reversible clustering of ionic groups. The higher thermal transition temperature for Aquivion is suggested to reduce the risk of membrane thinning and failure due to creep. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 915925
Effectiveness of resident-prepared conferences in teaching imaging utilization guidelines to radiology residents.

Rationale and Objectives. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of a resident-prepared conference series for teaching imaging utilization guidelines to radiology residents. Materials and Methods. Brown University radiology residents (n = 17) gave 61 presentations on imaging utilization to their colleagues during 16 1-hour conferences. The residents were later examined on the topics presented and surveyed about their familiarity with the American College of Radiology appropriateness criteria, their exposure to issues of cost-effectiveness, and their degree of confidence in providing imaging consultation. The same examination and survey were administered to control residents from the University of Wisconsin (n = 14) and the Oregon Health Sciences University (n = 14). Scores were compared by using linear regression and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results. Controlling for years in radiology residency, residents at Brown scored on average 16.0% (standard error = 2.2%) higher than residents at the other universities (P Conclusion. Resident-prepared conferences are an effective means of teaching imaging utilization guidelines to residents, but they do not affect the residents' perception of their ability to provide imaging consultation.
Dimension reduction method for reliability-based robust design optimization

In reliability-based robust design optimization (RBRDO) formulation, the product quality loss function is minimized subject to probabilistic constraints. Since the quality loss function is expressed in terms of the first two statistical moments, mean and variance, three methods have been recently proposed to accurately and efficiently estimate the moments: the univariate dimension reduction method (DRM), performance moment integration (PMI) method, and percentile difference method (PDM). In this paper, a reliability-based robust design optimization method is developed using DRM and compared to PMI and PDM for accuracy and efficiency. The numerical results show that DRM is effective when the number of random variables is small, whereas PMI is more effective when the number of random variables is relatively large.
Rb-Sr age of a Luna 16 basalt and the model age of lunar soils.

An internal isochron was determined on a small basalt fragment (sample B-1) returned from the Luna 16 mission, which yields an age of 3.42 plus or minus 0.8 b.y. and a low initial Sr87/Sr86 value. A comparison is made of the data from four lunar missions to mare sites which shows that the last period of major flooding of the mare basins is confined to a narrow time interval of only 0.55 b.y. The direct evidence of major lunar magmatic activity appears to be confined to the interval from 3.1 to 4.0 b.y. The Sr87/Sr86 values for all mare basalts are extremely primitive and lie in a rather narrow range. A diagram is given for initial Sr87/Sr86 as a function of time for all lunar rocks.
Generation of monodisperse aerosols in the 0.1-1.0-μm diameter range using a mobility classification-inertial impaction technique

A new technique to generate monodisperse aerosols in the 0.1–1.0-μm diameter range has been developed and tested. This technique involves the use of a differential mobility analyzer to classify “equal mobility” aerosol particles and a micro-orifice impactor to remove undesirable, multiply charged particles of larger size. The system is capable of reducing the multiply charged particles to 6% or less of the primary-size, singly charged particles. Details of the selection of the system components and experimental procedures are provided.
Nanometer-scale optical imaging of collagen fibers using gold nanoparticles

We describe 3D single particle tracking of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) moving along collagen fibers in aqueous environment with two-photon excitation conditions. The photoacoustic effect at the collagen fiber caused by the irradiation with ultrashort, near-infrared laser pulses propels the particles adsorbed to the surface of the collagen fibers. We report the tracking of individual AuNPs in three dimensions with high spatial and temporal resolution, of few nanometers and milliseconds, respectively. Due to the emission signal caused by the interaction between the AuNPs and the weak chromophores in the collagen fiber, the trajectories of individual AuNPs reveal the fiber topography with nanometric resolution. The intensity along the trajectory shows that we are sensitive to the distribution of the weak chromophores on the fiber.
Elective preterm section for improved primary repair of gastroschisis

For the first time in some 36 years of experience with gastroschisis. the author has encountered in short order both his first and second cases of gastroschisis without any thickening of the eviscerated intestine. Both infants, whose gastroschisis had been detected by maternal alphafetoprotein and ultrasound studies, were delivered by elective preterm cesarean section and were repaired easily with closure of the abdomen in layers. It is suggested that the bowel thickening and rigidity in gastroschisis may result from the trauma of labor and delivery and that elective preterm section, as soon as lung maturity can be demonstrated, may substantially improve the ease of primary repair in gastroschisis.
The leukokinin system; its role in fluid accumulation in malignancy and inflammation.

Leukokinins are peptides having 20–25 amino acids. They are formed by acid proteases contained in leukocytes, cancer cells, and ascites fluids acting on a protein substrate known as leukokininogen. The leukokinins do not contain the bradykinin sequence in their molecule. The leukokinins are extremely potent (even more so than bradykinin) in causing increased vascular permeability and hypotensive blood pressure changes. The substrate from which leukokinins are cleaved, leukokininogen is ‘not’ a normal constituent of plasma, but is formed in certain pathological conditions in plasma or in pathological fluids from a ‘proleukokininogen’. This conversion is the limiting step in the availability of leukokinins. While all white cells so far tested contain cathepsins D- and E-like enzymes which act as leukokininogenases (form leukokinins), the white cells do ‘not’ contain kallikreins and consequently do not form bradykinin. The leukokinin system may represent the system which generates fluid accumulation in pathology such as ascites of neoplastic disease, arthritis and inflammation. Strong proof of this is seen in the experiments to be described in which an inhibitor of leukokinin formation, in vitro, ‘Pepstatin’ retards and even prevents ascites fluid accumulation in mice in vivo.
Mutation of Arg-115 of human class III alcohol dehydrogenase: a binding site required for formaldehyde dehydrogenase activity and fatty acid activation.

Abstract The origin of the fatty acid activation and formaldehyde dehydrogenase activity that distinguishes human class III alcohol dehydrogenase (alcohol:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.1) from all other alcohol dehydrogenases has been examined by site-directed mutagenesis of its Arg-115 residue. The Ala- and Asp-115 mutant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography and ion-exchange HPLC. The activities of the recombinant native and mutant enzymes toward ethanol are essentially identical, but mutagenesis greatly decreases the kcat/Km values for glutathione-dependent formaldehyde oxidation. The catalytic efficiency for the Asp variant is < 0.1% that of the unmutated enzyme, due to both a higher Km and a lower kcat value. As with the native enzyme, neither mutant can oxidize methanol, be saturated by ethanol, or be inhibited by 4-methylpyrazole; i.e., they retain these class III characteristics. In contrast, however, their activation by fatty acids, another characteristic unique to class III alcohol dehydrogenase, is markedly attenuated. The Ala mutant is activated only slightly, but the Asp mutant is not activated at all. The results strongly indicate that Arg-115 in class III alcohol dehydrogenase is a component of the binding site for activating fatty acids and is critical for the binding of S-hydroxymethylglutathione in glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase activity.
Benzo[a]pyrene-hydroxylase catalyzed by purified isozymes of cytochrome P-450 from β-naphthoflavone-fed rainbow trout

We have purified five isozymes of liver microsomal (LM) P-450 from beta-naphthoflavone-fed rainbow trout. Four forms (LM3, LM1, LM4a and LMx) were resolved on DEAE-Sepharose. Chromatography on hydroxylapatite further resolved LMx into two components, LM2 and LM4b. This latter form, obtained in highest yield (5%), had an apparent minimum molecular weight (Mr), as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), of 58,000, a specific content of 11.9 nmoles/mg, a lambda max in the carbon monoxide-ligated, reduced difference spectrum of 447.0 nm, and was active towards benzo[a]pyrene in a reconstituted system. A second form, LM4a, obtained in a final yield of 2%, had a specific content of 10.3 and was indistinguishable from Lm4b by Mr, lambda max, or activity towards benzo[a]pyrene. Form LM2 (2% yield) had a specific content of 10.8, a Mr of 54,000, a lambda max of 449.5 nm, and was not effective in reconstitution of benzo[a]pyrene-hydroxylase. In addition, two other forms with lower specific contents were obtained, LM1 and LM3. Neither LM1 nor LM3 was active towards benzo[a]pyrene. The properties of LM2, LM4a and LM4b were further examined with the aid of antibodies prepared from rabbits. Antibodies to LM4a and LM4b each cross-reacted with the other antigen and formed lines of identity on Ouchterlony plates, and both IgGs exhibited some cross-reaction to P-448 from rat. Neither antibody cross-reacted with trout LM2, and LM2-IgG did not cross-react with any other purified P-450. Benzo[a]pyrene-hydroxylase, catalyzed by either LM4a or LM4b, was inhibited by LM4b-IgG but not by LM4a-IgG, suggesting that these antibodies recognize different antigenic sites. Further comparison of LM4a and LM4b by amino acid composition, peptide mapping, kinetic properties, sensitivity to alpha-naphthoflavone, and regioselectivity towards benzo[a]pyrene-dihydrodiol formation indicates that these forms are highly similar in structure and function.
B Cell-specific Activator Protein Prevents Two Activator Factors from Binding to the Immunoglobulin J ChainPromoter until the Antigen-driven Stages of B Cell Development

The immunoglobulin J chain gene is inducibly transcribed in mature B cells upon antigen recognition and a signal from interleukin-2 (IL-2). B cell-specific activator protein (BSAP), a transcription factor that silences J chaintranscription, has been identified as a nuclear target of the IL-2 signal. The levels of BSAP progressively decrease in response to IL-2 and this change correlates with the differentiation of B cells into antibody secreting plasma cells. Here we report the binding of the upstream stimulatory factor (USF) to an E-box motif immediately upstream from the BSAP site on the J chain promoter. Mutations in the USF binding motif significantly decrease J chain promoter activity in J chain expressing B cell lines. We also show that a functional relationship exists between USF and a second J chain positive-regulating factor, B-MEF2, using co-immunoprecipitation assays and transfections. Finally, we provide evidence that the binding of BSAP prevents USF and B-MEF2 from interacting with the J chain promoter during the antigen-independent stages of B cell development. It is not until the levels of BSAP decrease during the antigen-driven stages of B cell development that both USF and B-MEF2 are able to bind to their respective promoter elements and activate J chaintranscription.
Studying the effect of core displacement on the resonance wavelength of a nanoegg

Broken symmetry adds to the tunability of nanoparticles, which increases the flexibility of the design process, but, on the other hand, complicates the modeling process, due to the additional parameters and the symmetry breaking. In this paper, we present an analytical analysis scheme for the properties of non-concentric core-shell particle sensors based on the quasistatic approximation. We use our scheme to study the sensitivity of the nanoparticle, its Q-factor, and the stability of the Q-factor for changing outer dielectric constant.
Reinforcement therapy for behavior problems in severely retarded children.

Six severely retarded children (IQ below 25) were treated in a small home-like living unit. The project emphasized the “total milieu” use of reinforcement techniques by regular attendants trained as therapists, and the behavioral measurement of both target childen and matched ward controls. Treatment was generally effective, with less success obtained for retarded children who also presented psychotic behavior.
Root cause analysis of problems in the frozen section diagnosis of in situ, minimally invasive, and invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Context.—Frozen sections can help determine the extent of surgery by distinguishing in situ, minimally invasive, and invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung. Objective.—To evaluate our experience with the frozen section diagnosis of these lesions using root-cause analysis. Design.—Frozen sections from 224 consecutive primary pulmonary adenocarcinomas (in situ, 27 [12.1%]; minimally invasive, 46 [20.5%]; invasive, 151 [67.4%]) were reviewed. Features that could have contributed to frozen section errors and deferrals were evaluated. Results.—There were no false-positive diagnoses of malignancy. Frozen section errors and deferrals were identified in 12.1% (27 of 224) and 6.3% (14 of 224) of the cases, respectively. Significantly more errors occurred in the diagnosis of in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma than in the diagnosis of invasive adenocarcinoma (P < .001). Frozen section errors and deferrals were twice as frequent in lesions smaller than 1.0 cm (P = .09). Features significantly associated with ...
Characteristics of surface temperature structure and subsurface mesoscale features

Abstract Preliminary results of near-synoptic surveys of midocean thermal variability in the upper layers indicate that the near-surface water temperature is at times a poor indicator of spatial variability in the thermocline structure. Data which were obtained in one mid-North Atlantic survey and which exhibit prominent mesoscale features are analyzed descriptively. Out of four large-amplitude cyclonic eddies only one had a tell-tale surface temperature signature, while one prominent surface thermal front had no accompanying feature in the permanent thermocline, and one prominent thermocline front had no accompanying surface temperature signature.
Challenges with Endoscopic Therapy for Barrett’s Esophagus

Barrett's esophagus is the only identifiable premalignant condition for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) has revolutionized the management of Barrett's-related dysplasia and intramucosal cancer. The primary goal of EET is to prevent progression to invasive esophageal adenocarcinoma and ultimately improve survival rates. There are several challenges with EET that can be encountered before, during, or after the procedure that are important to understand to optimize the effectiveness and safety of EET and ultimately improve patient outcomes. This article focuses on the challenges with EET and discusses them under the categories of preprocedural, intraprocedural, and postprocedural challenges.
Mechanisms underlying vernalization-mediated VIN3 induction in Arabidopsis

VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3 (VIN3) is required for vernalization-mediated repression of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in Arabidopsis. The induction of VIN3 by long-term exposure to cold is one of earliest events in vernalization response. However, molecular mechanisms underlying for the VIN3 induction are poorly understood. Recently, we reported that the constitutive repression of VIN3 in the absence of the cold exposure is due to multiple repressive chromatin modifying components, including a transposable element (TE)-derived sequence, LIKE-HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN 1 (LHP1) and POLYCOMB REPRESSION COMPLEX 2 (PRC2). In addition, the maximum level of VIN3 induction requires EARLY FLOWERING 7 (ELF7) and EARLY FLOWERING IN SHORDAYS (EFS), which are components of activating chromatin modifying complexes. Furthermore, dynamic changes in histone modifications at VIN3 chromatin are observed during the course of vernalization. Thus, mechanisms underlying the induction of VIN3 include changes at the level of chromatin.