cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Allergen-dependent solubilization of IL-13 receptor α2 reveals a novel mechanism to regulate allergy

Background Allergic sensitization affects half of western populations and often precedes the development of allergic disorders including asthma. Despite the critical role of allergens in the pathogenesis of these disorders, little is known about how allergens modulate the immune response. IL-13 receptor α2 (IL-13Rα2) is a decoy receptor for IL-13. Objective Although the existence of soluble IL-13Rα2 has been documented, the mechanisms underlying its generation are unknown. Many allergens possess protease activity; we investigated whether IL-13Rα2 is solubilized in response to allergen treatment. Methods We evaluated the ability of allergens to solubilize IL-13Rα2 in vitro and in vivo and examined the effect on IL-13 signaling and responses. Results We determined that treatment of cells with house dust mite (HDM) allergen or purified Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus or Dermatophagoides farinae , but not other allergens, resulted in release of soluble IL-13Rα2 that was biologically active and inhibited IL-13 signaling. Prolonged exposure to HDM or treatment with mold allergens resulted in IL-13Rα2 degradation. This was associated with increased IL-13 signaling. A single treatment of HDM in vivo resulted in release of IL-13Rα2 into the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. BAL fluid from humans also contained IL-13Rα2; BAL fluid from individuals with asthma contained less IL-13Rα2 than that from controls. Conclusion Allergen exposure can directly affect the level of soluble IL-13Rα2 in a way that affects IL-13 signaling and responses. Clinical implications Soluble IL-13Rα2 may be an important biomarker of environmental allergen exposure and asthma.
In vivo electrochemistry: behavior of micro electrodes in brain tissue

Abstract Micro graphite electrodes, chronically implanted in small animal brains, have been used for some time to monitor continuously changes of electroactive species in situ. This study examines some of the fundamental electrochemical characteristics of these electrodes in solution and in vivo. A restricted mass transport model is proposed which appears to explain the unusual chronoamperometric results obtained during brain measurements.
Effective-interaction formulation of bound and continuum shell-model calculations

Abstract The Bloch-Horwitz effective interaction, or reaction matrix, V (E), plays a central role in most of the current realistic shell-model calculations of bound-state nuclear spectra. Its relation to continuum shell-model calculations is less widely appreciated, however, and the purpose of the present review is to formulate the usual bound-state calculation in a manner which is readily generalized to describe scattering as well, in order to show that the analytic continuation of V (E) to continuum energies is just the effective or closed-channel interaction which appears in the reaction formalisms of MacDonald and Feshbach. Since the utility of the effective-interaction concept in practical calculations appears to depend on the convergence of its Born series, this convergence is discussed in terms of Weinberg eigenvalues, and its relation to the state dependence of V (E) is indicated.
On interchangeability of Nash equilibria in multi-player strategic games

The article studies properties of interchangeability of pure, mixed, strict, and strict mixed Nash equilibria. The main result is a sound and complete axiomatic system that describes properties of interchangeability in all four settings. It has been previously shown that the same axiomatic system also describes properties of independence in probability theory, nondeducibility in information flow, and non-interference in concurrency theory.
A statistical approach to IMRT patient-specific QA.

Purpose: The intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) patient-specific quality assurance (QA) (referred to as QA in this paper for simplicity) process is a time and resource intensive effort in every clinic. The use of a global QA tolerance criterion for all treatment sites may be too tight for some complex sites increasing false negatives and rejections of QA measurements which typically results in wasted efforts, treatment delays, and decreased efficiency. At the same time, other sites requiring a less complex plan might have a high false positive leading to approvals of QA measurements that actually need to be rejected. This work is an effort to adopt statistical tools to 1. develop a tool to identify statistical variations in the process, monitor trends, detect outliers, and proactively identify drifts in the overall QA results; 2. analyze the results of the QA process, identify similarities and differences between treatment plans of different treatment sites, and evaluate the possibility of site-specific tolerance levels for QA approval tolerances. Methods: The analysis was performed for QA measurements made using two ion chamber points. A custom software tool was developed for data processing and analysis. This tool facilitated QA data collection, retrieval, visualization, real-time feedback, and advanced statistical analysis of the data. Statistical techniques based on analysis of variance were used to evaluate the need for site-specific tolerances and statistical process control was used to study statistical variations in the process. Results: A retrospective analysis of the QA process variability was performed in order to identify site-specific tolerances for the QA measurements and to reduce false positive and false negative QA results. From the data, it can be seen that the treatment sites are significantly different and need site-specific tolerance levels for QA approval. The in-house developed tool was used to further monitor the QA process using individual (I), standard deviations (S), and exponentially weighted moving averages charts for process variability studies. Conclusions: The authors have studied the analysis of variance on ion chamber measurements made for IMRT treatment plans on different sites, identified similarities and differences between different sites, and thereby evaluated the need for site-specific tolerances for QA acceptance policy. The authors have proposed a way to calculate the appropriate tolerances for different treatment sites and illustrated the clinical usage. Variability at each step of the process increases the uncertainty in the process. The authors have explained the different approaches taken to reduce the variability at each step of the entire process. This process can be used for the benefit during/as part of an IMRT commissioning process in any clinic. The authors have also developed a tool to automate the process of data collection, analysis, and monitoring the process quality via standard deviations and EWMA charts.
Pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor AT-101 enhances tumor cell killing by EGFR targeted T cells.

Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease and has the worst prognosis among almost all cancers and is in dire need of new and improved therapeutic strategies. Conditioning of tumor cells with chemotherapeutic drug has been shown to enhance the anti-tumor effects of cancer vaccines and adoptive cell therapy. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor AT-101 on pancreatic cancer (PC) cell cytotoxicity by activated T cells (ATC). The effects of AT-101 on cytotoxicity, early apoptosis, and Granzyme B (GrzB) and IFN-γ signaling pathways were evaluated during EGFR bispecific antibody armed ATC (aATC)-mediated killing of L3.6pl and MiaPaCa-2 PC cells pre-sensitized with AT-101. We found that pretreatment of tumor cells with AT-101 enhanced susceptibility of L3.6pl and MiaPaCa-2 tumor cells to ATC and aATC-mediated cytotoxicity, which was in part mediated via enhanced release of cytolytic granule GrzB from ATC and aATC. AT-101-sensitized L3.6pl cells showed up-regulation of IFN-γ-mediated induction in the phosphorylation of Ser727-Stat1 (pS727-Stat1), and IFN-γ induced dephosphorylation of phospho-Tyr705-Stat3 (pY705-Stat3). Priming (conditioning) of PC cells with AT-101 can significantly enhance the anti-tumor activity of EGFRBi armed ATC through increased IFN-γ induced activation of pS727-Stat1 and inhibition of pY705-Stat3 phosphorylation, and resulting in increased ratio of pro-apoptotic to anti-apoptotic proteins. Our results verify enhanced cytotoxicity after a novel chemotherapy conditioning strategy against PC that warrants further in vivo and clinical investigations.
Charisma and Moral Reasoning

Charisma is morally problematic insofar as it replaces followers’ capacity to engage in genuine moral reasoning. When followers defer to charismatic leaders and act in ways that are morally wrong they are not only blameworthy for wrongdoing but for failing in their deliberative obligations. Even when followers defer to charismatic leaders and do the right thing, their action is less praiseworthy to the extent that it was the result of charisma rather than moral deliberation. Therefore, effective charismatic leadership reliably undermines the praiseworthiness and amplifies the blameworthiness of follower’s actions.
Photoelectrochemistry and Raman spectroelectrochemistry of cuprous thiocyanate films on copper electrodes in acidic media

Abstract The formation of cuprous thiocyanate films on polycrystalline copper electrodes in acidic KSCN solutions was studied at controlled potentials and at open circuit using a combination of voltammetry, chronoamperometry, Raman spectroelectrochemistry and photoelectrochemistry techniques. A restricted potential domain was used to avoid incipient oxide formation at the copper surface. Cyclic photovoltammetry, coupling white light illumination and voltammetric scanning between −0.80 V and −0.20 V (vs. Ag/ AgCl) of the working Cu electrode, showed the formation of a p-type semiconductor film at the Cu surface. Film formation was accompanied by the evolution of a Raman band at 2172 cm−1 in the cyanide stretching region. These observations, coupled with other Raman and IR spectral data, enabled the chemical identification of the photoactive film as α-CuSCN. However, the films formed at open circuit (−0.41 V) manifested another Raman band at 2120 cm−1. This band also appeared and “peaked” in intensity during the electroreduction of α-CuSCN. A mechanism involving (CuSCN)x aggregates is proposed. The evolution of the interphasial chemistry at the Cu electrode surface from adsorbed SCN− to aggregate formation, finally culminating in the α-CuSCN phase, is reminiscent of the “sliding scale” observed by previous authors for the Ag + SCN system. However, this study further shows that this scale is dependent on the film growth history.
High affinity binding of ankyrin induced by volume expansion in skate erythrocytes.

Abstract Volume expansion of little skate (Raja erinacea) erythrocytes increases the affinity of ankyrin binding without altering in the number of binding sites. Potassium iodide-stripped inside-out vesicles (KI-IOV) were used to assess ankyrin binding under volume-expanded conditions. Under isoosmotic conditions, ankyrin binds nearly exclusively to a single class of sites (Bmax, 52 ± 12 μg/mg; Kd, 150 ± 28 n). KI-IOV from volume-expanded cells (either with one-half osmolarity medium or with inclusion of the permeant solute ethylene glycol) demonstrate two ankyrin-binding populations. A high affinity population occurs transiently under volume-expanded conditions. This population has a Bmax of 18 ± 7 μg/mg and a Kd of 25 ± 9 n. Total binding of high and low affinity sites is 57 ± 17 μg/mg. This change in ankyrin affinity is reversible on volume regulatory decrease. A major target protein in the KI-IOV was identified as the skate homolog of the mammalian red cell anion exchanger band 3. Inclusion of the purified cytoplasmic domain of band 3 competes away more than 80% of the ankyrin binding. To determine whether increased ankyrin affinity is due to band 3 tetramer formation that occurs in volume expansion, cells were treated with pyridoxal 5-phosphate or 4,4′-dinitrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid, two agents that increase tetramer formation under isoosmotic conditions. Both treatments altered the binding affinity with a shift toward higher affinity binding without significant alteration in the number of binding sites.
Use of smac peptidomimetic compounds as effective radiosensitizers of human cancer cell lines

Purpose/Objective: IAPs (inhibitor of apoptosis proteins) comprise a family of well-conserved eukaryotic anti-apoptotic proteins. It has been shown that IAP over-expression is one of the mechanisms cancer cells use to counteract the induction of apoptosis by ionizing radiation. Smac/DIABLO (second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase or direct IAP binding protein with low pI) was recently identified as a protein released from mitochondria in response to apoptotic stimuli. Smac was shown to promote apoptosis by directly binding to and displacing caspase-9 from XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) and other IAPs. Hence, Smac appears to functions as an endogenous pro-apoptotic protein by directly inhibiting the function of IAPs. We have designed and synthesized a series of potent peptidomimetics with high affinity to the BIR3 domain of the XIAP protein by mimicking the conserved IAP binding motifs in Smac and caspase-9 proteins. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of these peptidomimetics to act as potent radiosensitizers.
Limnological education‐reply to the comment by Kalff

The comment by Kalff (199 1) in response to my essay (Wetzel 199 1) on the needs for improved limnological instruction is simultaneously supportive and contentious. Two important points of our differing opinions should be noted. First, Kalff declares a purported scarcity of “predictive” empirical relationships, based on correlation analyses of subjectively determined variables, as the cause of contemporary limnological weaknesses. These Popperian and Riglerian criticisms of contemporary ecological analyses have been detailed elsewhere (Rigler 1982; Peters 1986, 1991). The profound weaknesses of these empirical approaches to understanding biogeochemical regulation and ecosystem integration have been discussed by Lehman (1986). Although certain empirical approaches are useful and should be used for selected management of certain water resources, implications are erroneous that these methods are the only meaningful tools. It is nonsense to equate the need to understand regulatory mechanisms for community and ecosystem responses to disturbances or changes as scientific reductionism. One can treat a disease without knowing the causal agents, but true management efficacy occurs only when the controlling mechanisms are understood within the dynamics of the vector and host ecosystem. My thesis is that both avenues must be taught, and in the long term the only eflective route is to understand the regulatory mechanisms within true aquatic ecosystems-drainage basins, land-water interface regions, and the water bodies per se. Second, implications that “applied” limnological instruction cannot be done effectively in universities must be quelled. My arguments were that limnological instruction must be university based and must be expanded, not supplanted, to include exten-
Seasonal variability of formaldehyde production from photolysis of rainwater dissolved organic carbon

Abstract Photochemical production of formaldehyde (HCHO) was measured in rainwater from 13 precipitation events in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA under conditions of simulated sunlight. HCHO concentrations increased in all samples irradiated with no changes observed in dark controls. HCHO photoproduction rates were strongly correlated with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) suggesting HCHO was derived from direct or indirect photolysis of rainwater DOC. The higher photoproduction rates (0.03–2.9 μM h−1) relative to those reported for surface waters suggests that rainwater DOC is more photolabile in terms of HCHO production than surface waters. HCHO photoproduction rates were higher in growing season (1.0 ± 1.0 μM h−1) compared to non-growing season (0.08 ± 0.05 μM h−1) even when rates were normalized for DOC (6.8 ± 3.6 μM h−1 mM C−1 versus 1.8 ± 1.0 μM h−1 mM C−1). The higher growing season rate may be related to seasonal differences in the composition of DOC as evidenced by differences in fluorescence per unit carbon of rainwater samples. Irradiation of C18 extracts of rainwater also produced HCHO, but at lower rates compared to corresponding whole rain samples, suggesting that hydrophyllic components of rainwater play a role in HCHO photoproduction. Our results indicate that photolysis of rainwater DOC produces significant amounts of HCHO, and possibly other low molecular weight organic compounds, likely increasing its reactivity and bioavailability.
Locating target at high speed using image decimation decomposition processing

Abstract We develop a decimation-decomposition processing technique that consists of judiciously selecting certain decimation-decomposed components of an image and then performing inter-component processing. For a ( k x , k y )-decimation decomposition, there may be up to kxky decimation-decomposed components. The minimal surviving and maximal non-surviving lengths associated with inter-component processing algorithm allows for clutter suppression. By removing detection redundancies, one can locate the target at high speed. A “where-then-what” model is proposed for target tracking and recognition. It locates the target by-image decimation-decomposition processing first and then recognizes the target in question using a suitable image recognition technique.
Inhibitory effect of PPAR-Gamma activator on IL-6 and mPGES protein expression in PBMC induced by homocysteine

The objective was to investigate the relationship between homocysteine (HCY), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)-gamma and the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES) by peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture in vitro, as well as to look at the intervention with HCY and PPAR-gamma activators (troglitazone and rosiglitazone). PBMC were isolated from venous blood of normal volunteers and incubated with HCY and PPAR-gamma activator of varying concentrations for 24 hr. The supernatant of the culture medium was collected in order to determine the IL-6 and mPGES levels by ELISA assay. The results show that the expression of IL-6 and mPGES in the HCY experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). Additionally, the IL-6 and mPGES levels rose with the increase of HCY in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). PPAR-gamma activator could significantly inhibit the increase of IL-6 and mPGES induced by 100 micromol/L HCY (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). In conclusion, HCY can increase the expression of IL-6 and mPGES, while PPAR-gamma activator can inhibit the increase of IL-6 and mPGES induced by HCY.
Effectiveness of Muscimol-containing Microparticles against Pilocarpine-induced Focal Seizures

Summary: Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of in situ lipid–protein–sugar particles (LPSPs) in mitigating the epileptogenic and histologic effects of intrahippocampal pilocarpine in rats. Methods: LPSPs with and without muscimol were produced by spray-drying, sized by Coulter counter, and muscimol content determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HLPC). Particles, free muscimol or saline, were injected into the hippocampi of Sprague–Dawley rats before 40 mM pilocarpine, and seizure activity was scored. The trajectories of behavioral scores between groups were compared with two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Animals were killed after 2 weeks. Brain sections were stained (Timm and thionin) and scored. Results: LPSPs were 4 to 5 μm in diameter, and contained 0 or 2% (wt/wt) muscimol. In vitro, muscimol was released over a 5-day period. Intrahippocampal injections of normal saline and blank LPSPs did not deter seizure activity from pilocarpine. The rise of the trajectory in behavior scores in animals given LPSPs containing 5 μg muscimol was significantly slower than in those receiving saline, blank particles, or 5 μg of unencapsulated muscimol. There was less apparent neuronal injury and CA3 and supragranular mossy fiber sprouting in hippocampi of animals receiving muscimol-containing particles than in animals that did not receive muscimol. Hippocampi of animals that received 5 μg of encapsulated muscimol showed less supragranular sprouting than did those receiving 5 μg of unencapsulated muscimol, but showed no difference in cell loss or CA3 sprouting. Conclusions: Focally delivered biodegradable microparticles loaded with muscimol are effective in reducing seizure activity from pilocarpine in animals and mitigate the histologic effects.
Phosphorylation of Threonine 68 Promotes Oligomerization and Autophosphorylation of the Chk2 Protein Kinase via the Forkhead-associated Domain

Phosphorylation of Thr-68 by the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated is necessary for efficient activation of Chk2 when cells are exposed to ionizing radiation. By an unknown mechanism, this initial event promotes additional autophosphorylation events including modifications of Thr-383 and Thr-387, two amino acid residues located within the activation loop segment within the Chk2 catalytic domain. Chk2 and related kinases possess one or more Forkhead-associated (FHA) domains that are phosphopeptide-binding modules believed to be crucial for their checkpoint control activities. We show that the Chk2 FHA domain is dispensable for Thr-68 phosphorylation but necessary for efficient autophosphorylation in response to ionizing radiation. Phosphorylation of Thr-68 promotes oligomerization of Chk2 by serving as a specific ligand for the FHA domain of another Chk2 molecule. In addition, Chk2 phosphorylates its own FHA domain, and this modification reduces its affinity for Thr-68-phosphorylated Chk2. Thus, activation of Chk2 in irradiated cells may occur through oligomerization of Chk2 via binding of the Thr-68-phosphorylated region of one Chk2 to the FHA domain of another. Oligomerization of Chk2 may therefore increase the efficiency of trans-autophosphorylation resulting in the release of active Chk2 monomers that proceed to enforce checkpoint control in irradiated cells.
Supporting the Students Most in Need: Academic Self-Efficacy and Perceived Teacher Support in Relation to Within-Year Academic Growth.

Academic self-efficacy and perceived teacher support in relation to academic skill growth across one academic year were examined in the study. Participants included 193 5th-grade students. Teachers collected curriculum-based measures (CBM) of reading and math on three occasions as part of routine academic benchmarks, and researchers collected student-reported measures of academic self-efficacy and perceived teacher support in the spring of the same academic year. Results indicated that academic self-efficacy was positively related to fall reading and math CBM scores and that perceived teacher support was unrelated to fall scores or growth across the academic year. Academic self-efficacy and perceived teacher support interacted in relation to math CBM growth such that low levels of perceived teacher support were related to greater growth, particularly for students with high academic self-efficacy. Follow-up analyses indicated that students with the lowest fall CBM scores and smallest growth rates reported higher levels of perceived teacher support, suggesting that teachers support the students most in need.
A new method for high speed, sensitive detection of minimal residual disease.

Investigations of rare cell types in peripheral blood samples, such as tumor, fetal, and endothelial cells, represent an emerging field with several potentially valuable medical applications. Peripheral blood is a particularly attractive body fluid for the detection of rare cells as its collection is minimally invasive and can be repeated throughout the course of the disease. Because the number of rare cells in mononuclear cells can be very low (1 in 10 million), a large number of cells must be quickly screened, which places demanding requirements on the screening technology. While enrichment technology has shown promise in managing metastatic disease, enrichment can cause distortions of cell morphology that limit pathological identification, and the enrichment targeting adds additional constraints that can affect sensitivity. Here, we describe a new approach for detecting rare leukemia cells that does not require prior enrichment. We have developed an immunocytochemical assay for identification of leukemia cells spiked in peripheral blood samples, and a high-speed scanning instrument with high numerical aperture and wide field of view to efficiently locate these cells in large sample sizes. A multiplex immunoassay with four biomarkers was used to uniquely identify the rare cells from leukocytes and labeling artifacts. The cytometer preserves the cell morphology and accurately locates labeled rare cells for subsequent high resolution imaging. The sensitivity and specificity of the approach show promise for detection of a low number of leukemia cells in blood (1 in 10 million nucleated cells). The method enables rapid location of rare circulating cells (25 M cells/min), no specific enrichment step, and excellent imaging of cellular morphology with multiple immunofluorescent markers. The cell imaging is comparable to other imaging approaches such as laser scan cytometry and image flow cytometry, but the cell analysis rate is many orders of magnitude faster making this approach practical for detection of rare cells. © 2011 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Neuroprotective Effects of the Triterpenoid, CDDO Methyl Amide, a Potent Inducer of Nrf2-Mediated Transcription

The NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway regulates phase 2 detoxification genes, including a variety of antioxidative enzymes. We tested neuroprotective effects of the synthetic triterpenoid CDDO-MA, a potent activator of the Nrf2/ARE signaling. CDDO-MA treatment of neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells resulted in Nrf2 upregulation and translocation from cytosol to nucleus and subsequent activation of ARE pathway genes. CDDO-MA blocked t-butylhydroperoxide-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by activation of ARE genes only in wild type, but not Nrf2 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Oral administration of CDDO-MA resulted in significant protection against MPTP-induced nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration, pathological alpha-synuclein accumulation and oxidative damage in mice. Additionally, CDDO-MA treatment in rats produced significant rescue against striatal lesions caused by the neurotoxin 3-NP, and associated increases in the oxidative damage markers malondialdehyde, F2-Isoprostanes, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, 3-nitrotyrosine, and impaired glutathione homeostasis. Our results indicate that the CDDO-MA renders its neuroprotective effects through its potent activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway, and suggest that triterpenoids may be beneficial for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.
Genomewide selection with minimal crossing in self-pollinated crops.

Genomewide selection in plants has focused on cross-pollinated species, such as maize (Zea mays L.), in which selected plants can be easily crossed to obtain a large number of seeds for the next cycle of selection. Here I describe and present simulation results for a genomewide selection procedure that requires minimal crossing in self-pollinated crops. This procedure, referred to as GWS self , involves producing only a few F 1 seeds from crosses among the selected progenies in Cycle 0, allowing the F 1 seeds to naturally self-pollinate to produce F 2 seeds, conducting marker-based selection among the resulting F 2 plants, and repeating this select-recombine-self procedure in a year-round nursery or greenhouse. With barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as a model species, I found from simulation experiments that selection responses with GWS Setf were 81 to 87% of the responses obtained if genomewide selection procedures appropriate for maize were used. These lower responses can be compensated for by more stringent selection.
Loeys-Dietz syndrome in a Southeast Asian Hospital: a case series.

Loeys–Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a heritable connective tissue disease in which the activity of the transforming growth factor (TGF) beta signalling pathway is disrupted. The clinical features of LDS represent a clinical continuum that includes LDS type 1, with cutaneous, vascular, skeletal and craniofacial findings, and LDS type 2, with cutaneous, vascular and skeletal findings. We describe five Asian patients with genetically confirmed LDS with mutations in either the TGFBR1 or TGFBR2 gene. Their clinical features were similar to those reported in Caucasian patients. Two patients have novel mutations in TGFBR2. Transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was safe and successful in three patients. Treatment with Losartan for aortic root dilatation was well tolerated in our patients, but the outcome is mixed. Among the three patients with follow-up data, aortic root dilatation has improved in two patients but continues to progress in the third patient despite treatment. Conclusion: We describe two novel mutations in TGFBR2 leading to LDS; PDA is common in our patients and can be safely occluded via transcatheter procedure.
Biosynthesis of Tiglic, Ethacrylic, and 2-Methylbutyric Acids in a Carabid Beetle, Pterostichus ( Hypherpes ) californicus

Tiglic, 2-methylbutyric, and ethacrylic acids are found in the pygidial gland defensive fluid of many carabid beetles. By injecting a deuterium-labeled precursor into the carabid beetle Pterostichus (Hypherpes) californicus, and analyzing the defensive fluid by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we were able to demonstrate that tiglic and ethacrylic acids are biosynthesized from isoleucine via 2-methylbutyric acid. Moreover, we observed that the injection of l-isoleucine induces an increased production of tiglic acid in P. californicus. A strong primary kinetic isotope effect was found to operate in the dehydrogenation step of 2-methylbutyric acid to tiglic and ethacrylic acids. Consequently, ethacrylic acid was found to preferentially accumulate the deuterium labeling from [2,3,4,4-2H4]isoleucine during our biosynthetic experiments.
SYNTHESIS OF AGERATOCHROMENE DIMER

Reflux of a benzene solution of 2,2-dimethyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-chromanol in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid leads to ageratochromene dimer (II) rather than to ageratochromene (I). Treatment of I under the same conditions also produces II which is identical with the dimer of ageratochromene isolated by Kasturi and Manithomas from Ageratum conyzoides L.
Converting Pork into Porcelain: Cultural Institutions and Downtown Development

The importance of cultural ins titutionsto contemporary revitalization effortsin U.S. citiesis attributed to several factors. First, the transformation of the urban political economy has made cities more dependent on their consumption economies. Second, urban cultural institutions have a strong interest in improving their surroundings, especially now that they have become more dependent on revenue-generating activitiesand on funding sourcesinterested in attracting broad audiences. Finally, cultural hierarchies have become less rigid, allowing cultural institutions to draw on serious and popular art forms. American cities have rediscovered their cultural resources. During the past two decades, city officials have learned to value the historic communities that their predecessors have been eager to raze; have dubbed desolate, derelict warehouses "arts districts"; and have committed local tax dollars to their museums and performing arts complexes, many newly built or recently expanded. A survey of 65 U.S. cities (those with populations of 250,000 and above) findsthat 71 major performing artscentersand museumshave been either built or substantially expanded since 1985 (see Table 1).
Design and control of a piezoelectric driven reticle assist device for prevention of reticle slip in lithography systems

Abstract This paper presents a device for managing the inertial loads on photoreticles of lithography scanners. At high scan accelerations, the reticle inertial load can approach the clamp force limit. As a result, nanometer-level presliding slip can occur. Reticle slip is one limitation on increasing the throughput of the lithography scanners. In this paper, we present a reticle assist device which can eliminate reticle slip by compensating better than 95% of the inertial loads when tested in a bench-top tester. The reticle assist device consists of a coarse approach mechanism, for accommodating reticle load/unload, and a piezoelectric stack for fine actuation. The device utilizes a sensorless control system design. The control system uses a self-sensing contact detection method, which is inspired by self-sensing scanning probe microscopy, to find the reticle edge. It also uses a charge amplifier with a novel hybrid hysteresis compensation technique to linearly control the piezoelectric actuator extension, without the need for closed-loop position control. When tested with a replicated force profile with 60 N peak force and 6400 N/s force rate, the assist device compensated better than 95% of the inertial load.
CPK-MB isoenzyme determinations in blunt chest trauma

To identify the most sensitive screening test for cardiac contusions, a series of 35 patients with blunt chest trauma was evaluated with serial electrocardiograms (ECGs), creatine phosphokinase isoenzymes, and serum enzymes (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase). Twenty of the 35 patients had diagnoses of cardiac contusions by ECG. Three with contusions developed complications. Although isoenzyme elevation was present in most patients sustaining blunt chest trauma, no complications of the injury were seen in patients with elevated enzymes and normal ECGs. The ease of obtaining ECGs and their reliability in identifying patients who will have complications make it the best screening procedure for the diagnosis of cardiac contusions.
Examining the Structure of Reading Comprehension: Do Literal, Inferential, and Evaluative Comprehension Truly Exist?.

Although the recent identification of the five critical components of early literacy has been a catalyst for modifications to the content of materials used to provide reading instruction and the tools used to examine student’s acquisition of early literacy skills, these skills have not received equal attention from test developers and publishers. In particular, a review of early literacy available measures for screening and monitoring students reveals a dearth of tools for examining different facets of reading comprehension. The purposes of this study were twofold: (a) to examine the relative difficulty of items written to assess literal, inferential, and evaluative comprehension, and (b) to compare single factor and bifactor models of reading comprehension to determine if items written to assess students’ literal, inferential, and evaluative comprehension abilities comprise unique measurement factors. Data from approximately 2,400 fifth grade students collected in the fall, winter, and spring of fifth grader were used to examine these questions. Findings indicated that (a) the relative difficulty of item types may be curvilinear, with literal items being significantly less challenging than inferential and evaluative items, and (b) literal, inferential, and evaluative comprehension measurement factors explained unique portions of variance in addition to a general reading comprehension factor. Instructional implications of the findings are discussed.
Clarification of microbial polysaccharides with enzymes secreted from Lysobacter species

Different species of Gram-negativeLysobacter grown in liquid culture secrete a variety of hydrolytic enzymes. The natural enzyme mixtures lyse several Gram-negative polysaccharide-producing bacteria of commercial importance, especiallyXanthomonas campestris. We describe optimal methods for producing and using the lytic enzymes to clarify microbial polysaccharides and show that the proteases are responsible for lysingX. campestris.
Consumer-Driven Health Plans: Employer Take-Up and Average Contributions

In an era of rising health care costs, employers seek cost reduction strategies, with many relying on consumer-driven health plans (CDHP). Utilizing data from a nationally representative survey of firms, this article explores employer experiences with CDHP in two areas. First, it describes those firms most likely to offer CDHP. Second, it estimates potential cost reductions from an emphasis on CDHP. Results indicate that large, nonunion employers offer CDHP most often. Furthermore, an emphasis on CDHP plans is not associated with a reduction in average contributions to insurance policies.
THE COHORT AS A CONCEPT IN THE STUDY OF SOCIAL CHANGE

Society persists despite the mortality of its individual members, through processes of demographic metabolism and particularly the annual infusion of birth cohorts. These may pose a threat to stability but they also provide the opportunity for societal transformation. Each birth cohort acquires coherence and continuity from the distinctive development of its constituents and from its own persistent macroanalytic features. Successive cohorts are differentiated by the changing content of formal education, by peer-group socialization, and by idiosyncratic historical experience. Young adults are prominent in war, revolution, immigration, urbanization and technological change. Since cohorts are used to achieve structural transformation and since they manifest its consequences in characteristic ways, it is proposed that research be designed to capitalize on the congruence of social change and cohort identification.
Follicular lymphoma and the microenvironment.

In this issue of Blood , Byers and colleagues validate the role of immune signatures for prognosis in follicular lymphoma by applying RT-PCR.
Up-regulation of HIV-1 transduction in nondividing cells by double-strand DNA break-inducing agents

Efficient HIV-1 transduction depends on a number of cellular co-factors. Cellular double-strand DNA break (DSB) repair proteins have been proposed, by ourselves and others, to be required for efficient HIV-1 transduction. Expression and/or activity of these DNA repair proteins can be induced by the introduction of DSBs into the host cell genome. HIV-1 transduction was up-regulated by treatment with DSB-inducing agents in both drug-arrested cells and differentiated neuronal cells. The presented data support the hypothesis that DSB repair proteins are involved in the early steps of the retroviral life-cycle.
Correlation between EF pinning and development of metallic character in Ag overlayers on GaAs(110).

Ag is deposited on room-temperature and low-temperature GaAs(ll0). Correlation is found between the appearance of metallicity in the Ag layer, as inferred from the width of the Ag-4dband, and the pinning of the Fermi level at the GaAs surface. These results suggest the importance of metal-induced gap states at high coverage (> 2 A) in the formation of the Schottky barrier.
Gaussian free-energy dependence of electron-transfer rates in iridium complexes

The kinetics of photoinduced electron-transfer (ET) reactions have been measured in a series of synthetic donor-acceptor complexes. The electron donors are singlet or triplet excited iridium(I) dimers (Ir_2), and the acceptors are N-alkylpyridinium groups covalently bound to phosphinite ligands on the Ir_2 core. Rate constants for excited-state ET range from 3.5 x 10^6 to 1.1 x 10^(11) per second, and thermal back ET (pyridinium radical to Ir_(2)^+) rates vary from 2.0 x 10^(10) to 6.7 x 10^7 per second. The variation of these rates with driving force is in remarkably good agreement with the Marcus theory prediction of a Gaussian free-energy dependence.
Partition ratios, Pareto optimal cake division, and related notions

Abstract We consider the problem of partitioning a `cake' C among n players. Various criteria have been considered for deciding whether a partition 〈 P 1 , P 2 ,…, P n 〉 of C , where piece P i goes to player i , is a `good' partition. See, for example, Barbanel (1996) [Barbanel, J.B., 1996. Super envy-free cake division and independence of measures. J. Math. Anal. Appl. 197, 54–60] or Brams and Taylor (1996) [Brams, S.J., Taylor, A.D., 1996. Fair Division: From Cake-Cutting To Dispute Resolution. Cambridge Univ. Press]. In this paper we study certain real numbers (the `partition ratios' of this paper's Section 2) which can be associated in a natural way with any partition. We show that various types of products of these numbers provide us with useful information about certain trades and transfers between players.
Kingship, Power and the Hsüan-Wu Men Incident of the T'Ang

This article will discuss the politics of succession in the Northern Dynasties and the early T'ang. The discussion will focus on the institution of the retired emperorship (t'ai-shang huang-ti, 7&W). In a broad sense, modes of political succession are component parts of the general political culture of a polity (be this polity a tribe, empire, or nation-state). The development of specific modes of political succession are, of course, a function of contingent historical circumstances. The historical actors may not be fully conscious of being the architects of enduring political institutions. However, for the historian looking back over a large expanse of time, broad patterns can be discerned. The pre-modern native Chinese empires practiced a form of "vertical" succession to the throne. That is, in terms of both ideology and often praxis, the imperial succession was expected to travel from the father to the eldest son born of the main consort. The tribal confederacies and empires of North Asia (which were often political competitors with Chinese regimes) had a tendency to practice a variety of forms of horizontal succession. Horizontal succession could mean brother to brother (often, though not always, focusing on uterine brothers), nephew to uncle or to even more distant kin, depending on specific circumstances. Generally, North Asian political culture was familiar with the practice of a rotating succession. North Asian regimes also demonstrated a notable capacity consciously, and quite rapidly, to switch from one mode of succession to another, that is, from a horizontal mode to a vertical mode, or vice versa (note the Hsiung-nu practice during the early Eastern Han period, the Toba alteration of the succession in the late fourth century under Tao-wu-ti, and the practice of the Turkish regimes in Asia Minor). In the tribal confederacies and pre-modern empires, succession
The Degrees of Freedom Problem in Human Standing Posture: Collective and Component Dynamics

The experiment was setup to investigate the coordination and control of the degrees of freedom (DFs) of human standing posture with particular reference to the identification of the collective and component variables. Subjects stood in 3 postural tasks: feet side by side, single left foot quiet stance and single left foot stance with body rocking at the ankle joint in the sagittal plane. All three postural tasks showed very high coherence (∼1) of center of pressure (COP) - center of mass (COM) in the low frequency range. The ankle and hip coherence was mid range (∼.5) with the tasks having different ankle/hip compensatory cophase patterns. The findings support the view that the in-phase relation of the low frequency components of the COP-COM dynamic is the collective variable in the postural tasks investigated. The motions of the individual joints (ankle, knee, hip, neck) and couplings of pair wise joint synergies (e.g., ankle-hip) provide a supporting cooperative role to the preservation of the collective variable in maintaining the COM within the stability region of the base of support (BOS) and minimizing the amount of body motion consistent with the task constraint.
II. The Ohio Epidemic

Definition of Terms.—A glossary of terms used in this publication is included in a previous paper.1 The present communication describes a study carried out in the nurseries of the Cincinnati General Hospital and represents our first controlled investigation utilizing artificial nasal and umbilical colonization with strain 502A. These series of observations provided evidence which further substantiated the concept of interference between coagulase positive staphylococcal strains of bacteria and indicated that this phenomenon could be used on a practical scale to terminate an epidemic of staphylococcal disease. Impetigo and furuncles in recently discharged newborn infants and their family contacts had been reported intermittently to one of us (J.S.), the Director of the nursery of the Cincinnati General Hospital. This particular nursery had been under continuous close observation for over two years, and a previous outbreak of staphylococcal disease had been intensively investigated.2A system of weekly discharge cultures
Rapid X-Ray Fluorescence Determination of Phosphorus in Geologic Samples

Calcium Kβ1 and Kβ5 both have second order (II) lines that interfere spectrally with the phosphorus Kα1 first order (I) analytical line in the x-ray fluorescence determination. By combining maximum pulse height discrimination with a mathematical correction for peak overlap, phosphorus can be accurately determined in a wide variety of geologic samples.
Annie Mae Kenion (1912–2009) Teaching and Community Building in the Jim Crow South

This article examines the career of Annie Mae Kenion who worked as a Jeanes teacher and supervisor of African American schools for more than 40 years. Strict racial segregation and disenfranchisement was the order of the day throughout most of her career, forcing her to negotiate the system gingerly in order to serve children. Kenion’s professional life illustrates an unyielding love of learning and the stark connection between education and the African American struggle against oppression.
The versatility of intraosseous vascular access in perioperative medicine: a case series

Intraosseous vascular access is a time-tested procedure that is reemerging in popularity. This is primarily a result of the emphasis on intraosseous access in the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Modern intraosseous insertion devices are easy to learn and use, suggesting the possibility of use beyond the resuscitation setting. We present a case series of recent intraosseous insertions for a variety of indications by anesthesiologists at our institution to demonstrate the potential utility of this alternative access technique.
Intraocular pressure in exfoliation syndrome.

. Two studies, both retrospective, were done at our institution. The first study evaluated 100 consecutive patients with exfoliation (EX) syndrome found as an incidental finding in a private, general ophthalmology practice, to determine the incidence of glaucoma. The second determined the long-term course of EX as it relates to the onset of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). In the first study, of 124 eyes having EX 78 % had normal IOP, 15 % had intraocular pressure greater then 22 mm Hg but no cupping or field loss (ocular hypertension or glaucoma suspect), and 7 % had glaucoma. In the second study 347 patients who initially had normal IOPs and either unilateral or bilateral EX were followed over time. Elevated IOP developed in 35 patients (44 eyes) during the study. The cumulative probability for eyes with EX to develop elevated intraocular pressure was 5.3 % in 5 years and increased to 15.4 % in 10 years. These probabilities predict that patients with EX have a higher incidence of developing elevated intraocular pressure than would be expected in patients without EX of similar age.