cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health after Legionnaires' disease: A description of hospitalizations up to 5 years after Legionella pneumonia.

Background and objectives Research on Legionnaires' Disease (LD) suggests there may be long-term health complications, but data are limited. This study investigated whether Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission during LD hospitalization may be associated with adverse health outcomes and characterized subsequent discharge diagnoses in patients with LD up to 5 years post-LD. Methods We conducted a retrospective case series study with follow up for 5 years among patients hospitalized at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center between 2005 and 2010 with LD. Data were collected from medical records on health history, LD severity (including ICU admission), and discharge diagnoses for 5 years post-LD or until death. We used ordinal logistic regression to explore associations between ICU admission and hospitalizations post-LD. Frequency counts were used to determine the most prevalent discharge diagnoses in the 5 years post-LD. Results For the 292 patients with laboratory-confirmed LD, those admitted to the ICU during LD hospitalization were more likely to have a greater number of hospitalizations within 5 years compared to non-ICU patients (ORHosp 1.92 CI95% 1.25, 2.95). Fifty-five percent (161/292) had ≥ 1 hospitalization within 5 years post-LD. After accounting for pre-existing diagnosis codes in patients with at least one hospitalization in the 2 years prior to LD (n = 77/161 patients, 47.8%), three of the four most frequent new diagnoses in the 5 years post-LD were non-chronic conditions: acute renal failure (n = 22, 28.6%), acute respiratory failure (n = 17, 22.1%) and unspecified pneumonia (n = 15, 19.5%). Conclusions Our findings indicate that LD requiring ICU admission is associated with more subsequent hospitalizations, a factor that could contribute to poorer future health for people with severe LD. In addition to chronic conditions prevalent in this study population, we found new diagnoses in the 5-year post-LD period including acute renal failure. With LD incidence increasing, more research is needed to understand conditions and factors that influence long term health after LD.
Developmental shifts toward structural explanations and interventions for social status disparities

Abstract As part of their early “essentialist” intuitions, young children view intergroup differences as reflecting groups’ intrinsic natures. In the present study, we explore the nature and development of “structural” reasoning, or view of intergroup differences as reflecting groups’ extrinsic circumstances. We introduced participants (n = 315; ages 5–6, 9–10, and adults) to novel intergroup status disparities that could be attributed to either personal or structural causes. Disparities were verbally framed in either intrinsic, neutral or extrinsic terms. We assessed attributions by asking participants to explain the disparities and to offer interventions for them. We also assessed participants’ status-based social preferences. We found that attributions shifted from personal to structural over development. Explanations and interventions for the disparities were correlated and related to the same predictors (framing and age) and outcomes (social preferences), although interventions were consistently more structural than explanations. Implications for essentialism, causal reasoning, and social development are discussed.
Spiking neural networks and hippocampal function: A web-accessible survey of simulations, modeling methods, and underlying theories

Computational modeling has contributed to hippocampal research in a wide variety of ways and through a large diversity of approaches, reflecting the many advanced cognitive roles of this brain region. The intensively studied neuron type circuitry of the hippocampus is a particularly conducive substrate for spiking neural models. Here we present an online knowledge base of spiking neural network simulations of hippocampal functions. First, we overview theories involving the hippocampal formation in subjects such as spatial representation, learning, and memory. Then we describe an original literature mining process to organize published reports in various key aspects, including: (i) subject area (e.g., navigation, pattern completion, epilepsy); (ii) level of modeling detail (Hodgkin-Huxley, integrate-and-fire, etc.); and (iii) theoretical framework (attractor dynamics, oscillatory interference, self-organizing maps, and others). Moreover, every peer-reviewed publication is also annotated to indicate the specific neuron types represented in the network simulation, establishing a direct link with the Hippocampome.org portal. The web interface of the knowledge base enables dynamic content browsing and advanced searches, and consistently presents evidence supporting every annotation. Moreover, users are given access to several types of statistical reports about the collection, a selection of which is summarized in this paper. This open access resource thus provides an interactive platform to survey spiking neural network models of hippocampal functions, compare available computational methods, and foster ideas for suitable new directions of research.
Comparison of RNA-Based Next-Generation Sequencing Assays for the Detection of NTRK Gene Fusions.

Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration approved several targeted therapies directed against oncogenic fusions. One of the most effective such targeted therapies is Vitrakvi (larotrectinib), highly specific oral tropomyosin receptor kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with any solid tumor harboring a fusion involving one of the neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) genes. Although several diagnostic approaches can be used to detect these NTRK fusions, RNA-based next-generation sequencing remains one of the most sensitive methods, as it can directly detect the transcribed end product of gene fusion at the mRNA level. In this study, performance characteristics of three RNA-based next-generation sequencing assays with distinct mechanisms and chemistries were investigated: anchored multiplex PCR, amplicon-based multiplex PCR, and hybrid capture–based enrichment method. Analytical sensitivity analysis shows that the amplicon-based multiplex PCR method has the lowest limit of detection. However, both hybrid-capture and anchored multiplex PCR methods can detect NTRK fusions with uncommon or novel fusion partners, which is challenging for the amplicon-based multiplex method. As for clinical sensitivity, all three methods were highly concordant in detecting NTRK fusions in patient samples. Additionally, they all presented equivalent high-level performance in specificity, suggesting that all three platforms can detect NTRK fusions in clinical samples with similar performance characteristics.
Competitive Advantages from University Research Parks

The flow of knowledge from a university research park is not a new theme in the academic domain, but those studies that have focused on the prevalence of this phenomenon in the United States have been somewhat limited in the availability of data related to both the genesis of the park as well as to the performance of the park. The performance measures that I focus on in this paper are two: patents received and scholarly publications emanating from the research conducted by in-park firms. To place those flows of knowledge in perspective, I compare such in-park firm performance to matched pairs of off-park firms in an effort toward quantifying the impact of a firm being located in a university research park. My analysis shows that on average performance is greater among on-park firms than among off-park firms thus making a suggestive case that the environment created by a university research park confers competitive advantages in the form of new flows of knowledge.
Characterization of stable Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing wild-type, secreted, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein

We generated Chinese hamster ovary cell lines that stably express wild-type, secreted, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The cells expressing wild-type Env (WT cells) express both the precursor gp160 and the mature gp120/gp41 and readily form large syncytia when cocultivated with CD4+ human cells. The cells expressing secreted Env (SEC cells) release 140-kDa precursor and mature 120-kDa envelope glycoproteins into the supernatants. The cells expressing GPI-anchored Env (PI cells) express both 140-kDa precursor and mature gp120/gp41 envelope glycoproteins, which can be released from the cell surface by treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). Both the secreted and PI-PLC-released envelope glycoproteins form oligomers that can be detected on nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. In contrast to the WT cells, the SEC and PI cells do not form syncytia when cocultivated with CD4+ human cells. The availability of cells producing water-soluble oligomers of HIV-1 Env should facilitate studies of envelope glycoprotein structure and function. The WT cells, which readily induce syncytia with CD4+ cells, provide a convenient system for assessing potential fusion inhibitors and for studying the fusion mechanism of the HIV Env glycoprotein.
Cultures of Undergraduate Teaching at Research Universities

Teaching-oriented faculty have received scant attention as a distinctive cultural force. Even among those who would speak on their behalf, undergraduate teachers have been treated as little more than a dependable workforce whose interests are best served by top-down proposals for enhanced recognition and reward. Findings from a five-campus study suggest a more complex reality. Of particular interest is an explicitly oppositional culture that questions both the Scholarship of Teaching model and the ethos of competitive achievement. These views echo the longstanding populist tradition within American higher education and represent a potential counterforce to the recent narrowing of faculty roles.
Epidemiology Interacting Many-Body Models

Epidemics occur due to many complex reasons. When physical harm and or damage is brought upon humans by an outside biological agency, such epidemics can usually be traced to a harmful organism directly responsible such as an environment borne virus or an organism transmitted by a host that may or may not be itself harmed by the pathogen . We seek in this letter to derive theoretical models robust to the point of inclusion of any observable deemed relevant from psychological to social demographical to spatial and temporal to discrete and or continuous in interactions to describe statistically and dynamically interactions that lead to or are characteristic of an epidemic, deriving models of interacting many-body systems that are spatial and temporal and that are detailed models of the statistics of the species species interactionsthat are inherent to an epidemic and furthermore to characterize the outbreak of an epidemic as a resulting critical state of interacting many-body systems that includes the spatial and temporal details sought for.
Type Preservation as a Confluence Problem

This paper begins with recent work by Kuan, MacQueen, and Findler, which shows how standard type systems, such as the simply typed lambda calculus, can be viewed as abstract reduction systems operating on terms. The central idea is to think of the process of typing a term as the computation of an abstract value for that term. The standard metatheoretic property of type preservation can then be seen as a confluence problem involving the concrete and abstract operational semantics, viewed as abstract reduction systems (ARSs). In this paper, we build on the work of Kuan et al. by showing show how modern ARS theory, in particular the theory of decreasing diagrams, can be used to establish type preservation via confluence. We illustrate this idea through several examples of solving such problems using decreasing diagrams. We also consider how automated tools for analysis of term-rewriting systems can be applied in testing type
The nature and function of the Hodgkin's cell lectin and its role in lymphocyte agglutination.

Publisher Summary Despite remarkable progress in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease, there has been little advance in the understanding of the pathogenesis of this neoplasm. Even the nature of the diagnostic Hodgkin's cell, the giant Reed-Sternberg cell, and its mononuclear variants has remained obscure despite extensive speculation about its derivation from various hematopoietic cell lineages. Lymphocytes infiltrating involved organs in Hodgkin's disease exhibit both immunological and functional peculiarities. This chapter presents the dual role of Hodkin's cell lectin as a carbohydrate-binding protein and an ectosialyltransferase. Apart from providing new biological clues to the physiological properties of Hodgkin's cells, this lectin can be considered a prototype for adhesion molecules with carbohydrate-binding activity.
The Effects of Perinatal Androgen Deprivation on Body Weight and Spatial Working Memory in Male Rats

Testosterone and its metabolites—estrogen and dihydrotestosterone— are involved in the brain sex differentiation during the perinatal period by binding to androgen receptors (AR) or estrogen recept...
Effect of Sewage Outfall on a Stream Ecosystem

Human activity has affected profoundly streams and lakes in all parts of the world. Streams have been subjected to additions of gross amounts of domestic sewage, industrial effluents (e.g., wastes from tanneries, pulp mills, creameries, steel mills, and chemical factories), agricultural wastes, oil spills, mining wastes, urban runoff, radioactive materials, pesticides, waste heat, and numerous other pollutants, often because it was considered expedient and economical to have the unwanted materials carried away (“out of sight”) by the flowing water. Likewise, under the guise of “progress,” streams have been channelized, stabilized, de watered (for irrigation), and super-watered (artificially increased flow for drinking and power plant needs). In most cases, the effects on the aquatic biota are insidiously cumulative. In some cases, the effects are readily apparent [e.g., acid mine drainage; see Parsons (1986)], but in others the effects accumulate more slowly [e.g., accumulations of trace metals; see Whitton and Say (1975)]. In all cases, a longitudinal gradient develops below the point of insult and, given enough time (distance) without further insult, the stream ecosystem generally recovers to a state of well-being.
A Robust Portfolio Optimization Approach to System of System Architectures

The realization of military capability as a System of Systems (SoS), presents significant development challenges across technical, operational and programmatic dimensions. In particular, tools for deciding how to form and evolve SoS which consider performance and risk are lacking. This research leverages tools from financial engineering and operations research perspectives in portfolio optimization to assist decision making in this setting. Our approach facilitates evolutions of SoS architecture through a framework that supports architecture selection at a given decision-epoch of the evolutionary process. The approach models hierarchies of interdependent systems as generic nodes on a network that, subject to connectivity and compatibility constraints, work cohesively to fulfill overarching capability objectives. A robust portfolio algorithm is employed to address inherent real world issues of data uncertainty, inter-nodal performance and developmental risk. A naval warfare scenario illustrates application of the method to find “portfoliosˮ of systems from a candidate list of available systems. Results show how the framework effectively reduces the combinatorial complexity of tradespace exploration (e.g., connectivity rules, feasibility of solutions, optimality of solutions) by allowing the optimization problem to handle the mathematically intensive aspects of the decision-making process. As a result, human decision-makers can focus on choosing the appropriate weights for risk aversion in making final decisions.
Validation of the NEO PI-R Observer Form for College Students: Toward a Paradigm for Studying Personality Development.

Using correlational designs that included an evaluation of cross-observer convergence, research on the five-factor model of personality has documented it to be a robust, comprehensive taxonomy that remains extremely stable in adulthood. Because the cross-observer paradigm can also be useful for examining personality development in late adolescence, this study evaluated the reliability and construct validity of observer ratings on the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) in a sample of 101 college students. No such normative information is currently available. Each subject completed the NEO PI-R for themselves and had two individuals familiar to them complete the observer version. The results documented strong internal consistency for each rating scale and a factor structure which replicated previous findings using adult self-reports. Significant peer-peer and peer-self correlations were found as well as numerous cross-observer, cross-instrument convergence between the NEO PI-R ratings and self-rep...
The past and present status of the Red-backed Shrike in Great Britain

(1962). The past and present status of the Red-backed Shrike in Great Britain. Bird Study: Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 198-216.
Porous carriers for biomedical applications based on alginate hydrogels

Macroporous scaffolds are typically utilized in tissue engineering applications to allow for the migration of cells throughout the scaffold and integration of the engineered tissue with the surrounding host tissue. A method to form macroporous beads with an interconnected pore structure from alginate has been developed by incorporating gas pockets within alginate beads, stabilizing the gas bubbles with surfactants, and subsequently removing the gas. Macroporous scaffolds could be formed from alginate with different average molecular weights (5-200 kDa) and various surfactants. The gross morphology, amount of interconnected pores, and total void volume was investigated both qualitatively and quantitatively. Importantly, macroporous alginate beads supported cell invasion in vitro and in vivo.
Peer Victimization Among Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders

This study examined peer victimization among a sample of youth who were seeking treatment at an outpatient anxiety disorders clinic. The study examined the association between peer victimization and internalizing symptoms and looked at whether frequent victimization was more common among youth with Social Phobia (SoP) as compared to youth with other anxiety disorders The study also examined the relation between SoP and peer victimization dimensionally. Participants were 90 youth (47 boys; M age = 11.06 years) and their parents. Results showed that peer victimization was associated with social anxiety symptoms, and relational victimization, in particular, was associated with internalizing problems among youth with anxiety disorders. Negative beliefs about the peer group accounted for some of this relation. Victimization was associated with symptomatology rather than diagnosis. Peer victimization is important to assess and consider in the treatment of anxiety disorders in youth.
Toward a Working Model of Constructivist Teaching: A Reaction to Simon.

We start this discussion of the article by Martin A. Simon with two major conjectures that we will try to substantiate. The first is that there is a kind of teaching that can legitimately be called "constructivist teaching." The second is that Simon's model of teaching his prospective elementary school teachers, if modified, would fit our understanding of constructivist teaching, even though his basic premise is that constructivism does not tell us how to teach mathematics (Simon, 1995). The issue concerning whether constructivism tells us how to teach mathematics resides in how constructivism is understood. One way to understand constructivism is in terms of basic tenets like "knowledge is not passively received but is actively built up by the cognizing subject," and "the function of cognition is adaptive and serves in the organization of the experiential world rather than in the discovery of ontological reality" (von Glasersfeld, 1989, p. 162). These basic tenets are orienting, but as indicated by Simon, they do not stipulate a particular model of teaching mathematics. Neither do they tell us how to do family therapy or how to provide psychiatric counseling. People who engage in these types of human activities, however, can use the basic tenets of constructivism in building models of the realities of those with whom they interact. If a teacher formulates a model of children's mathematical knowledge, including its construction, we claim that the model is an important part of the teacher's understanding of constructivism. Similarly, if the teacher formulates a model of how she makes sense of children's mathematical knowledge, including its construction, this would be a constructivist model of teaching. It, too, would be an important part of the teacher' s meaning for constructivism. Regarding the teacher as a learner in the activity of teaching is essential in our understanding of constructivist teaching, and it is a basic aspect of Simon's model of teaching as well.
Incorporating pest management into the design of multiple goal-oriented cropping systems

Dan O. Chellemi born in the USA in 1959. Research Plant Pathologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA, ARS). 1982, B.S. Plant Science, U. of Florida; 1986, M.S. Plant Pathology, U. of Hawaii-Manoa; 1990, Ph.D., Plant Pathology, U. of California-Davis. 1990 Post-Doctoral Researcher, U.S. Forest Service, Coweeta, North Carolina; 1991–96 Assistant Prof., and 1996–97 Associate Prof., U. of Florida, Plant Pathology Department, North Florida Research & Education Center, Quincy, FL, USA; 1997–present, Lead Scientist, USDA, ARS research project ‘Alternatives to methyl bromide soil fumigation for vegetable and floriculture production’; 2007–present, Project Coordinator, USDA, ARS AreaWide Pest Management Project for Methyl Bromide Alternatives. Publications: Over 50 published papers in peer-reviewed journals, four peer-reviewed book chapters. Research: Current research involves the development and implementation of pest management systems designed to minimize environmental disruption and reduce chemical inputs while remaining technically feasible and economically viable. Research accomplishments include the evaluation of bacterial wilt-resistant tomato genotypes using a regional approach, the adaptation of soil solarization to the integrated management of soilborne pests of tomato under humid conditions, development of an alternative, low-input production system for fresh market tomatoes, and the characterization of land and crop management effects on the stability of soil fungal and bacterial communities. Phytoparasitica (2009) 37:101–103 DOI 10.1007/s12600-008-0016-1
REPAIR OF ULTRAVIOLET-DAMAGED TRANSFORMING DNA IN A MISMATCH REPAIR-DEFICIENT STRAIN OF HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE

— Ultraviolet inactivation ofHaemophilus influenzae transforming DNA followed inverse square root kinetics in both mismatch repair-proficient(hex+) and deficient(hex-1) recipients. No DNA concentration effect was seen with UV-excision repair-deficient(uvr-) strains. Low-efficiency genetic markers remained more sensitive than high-efficiency ones when they were assayed on excision repair-deficienthex+ uvr- strains. They were equally resistant whenhex+ uvr- recipients were used. We explain this by assuming that recombinational repair of UV lesions in the donor strand and mismatch repair of the recipient strand may overlap and cause double strand interruptions. This will eliminate low-efficiency transformants.
Particle temperature and flux measurement utilizing a nonthermal signal correction process

In-flight measurement of the surface temperature of plasma-sprayed particles is important for the correlation of particle characteristics to coating structure and properties. However, the use of optical pyrometry for particle surface temperature measurement has inherent uncertainties due to nonthermal emission signals in the plasma/particle plume. This nonthermal signal is especially pronounced near the torch exit and in regions of the plume where there are few particles. This work shows that both plasma and particle vapor signals in the form of line emission and continuum emission can be compensated for when calculating particle temperatures from the emission of the plasma/particle plume. The nonthermal signals have been estimated and removed from the raw spectral data, producing a more accurate calculated particle temperature. Using spectral shape fitting to determine the particle temperatures allows the radiant intensity to be used for particle flux estimation, thus providing more information on the state of the particle plume. Additionally, the spectral emittance of molybdenum particles sprayed in air was found to more closely resemble the emittance of pure molybdenum than the emittance of MoO3.
Growth of Alaskan tundra plants in relation to water potential

The relationship of growth to plant water potential was studied in several arctic tundra species by experimentally altering the water regimes on excised tussocks, by clipping leaf area, and by clipping roots. Most species, including evergreen shrubs, showed greater growth under waterlogged conditions. The reduction of leaf area did not affect plant water potentials or growth. Root pruning decreased both plant water potentials and growth. Growth was suppressed when plant water potentials were −12 to −15 bars.
Gravitational Properties of Monopole Spacetimes Near the Black Hole Threshold

Although nonsingular spacetimes and those containing black holes are qualitatively quite different, there are continuous families of configurations that connect the two. In this paper we use self-gravitating monopole solutions as tools for investigating the transition between these two types of spacetimes. We show how causally distinct regions emerge as the black hole limit is achieved, even though the measurements made by an external observer vary continuously. We find that near-critical solutions have a naturally defined entropy, despite the absence of a true horizon, and that this has a clear connection with the Hawking-Bekenstein entropy. We find that certain classes of near-critical solutions display naked black hole behavior, although they are not truly black holes at all. Finally, we present a numerical simulation illustrating how an incident pulse of matter can induce the dynamical collapse of a monopole into an extremal black hole. We discuss the implications of this process for the third law of black hole thermodynamics.
Mutual neutralization and ter-molecular recombination between alkali metal and halogen ions in burnt flame gases

Abstract Monte Carlo calculations are reported which give the mutual neutralization and ter-molecular recombination coefficients for various alkali-halide ion pairs in a burnt flame gas mixture. The results obtained differ very greatly from those which have been deduced from laboratory data. It is argued that the latter are incorrect.
Elastostatic load-transfer to a half-space from a partially embedded axially loaded rod

Abstract This investigation is concerned with the diffusion of an axial load from a bar of arbitrary uniform cross-section that is immersed in, up to a finite depth, and bonded to a semi-infinite solid of distinct elastic properties. The bar is perpendicular to the plane boundary of the embedding medium. The determination of the desired resultant force in the submerged bar-segment is reduced to a Fredholm integral equation by means of an approximative scheme developed and tested earlier in connection with a more elementary three-dimensional load-transfer problem. Extensive numerical results illustrating the decay of the bar-force, appropriate to various choices of the governing geometric and material parameters, are presented for the particular case of a bar of circular cross-section.
Managing clinical terminology data while requirements are changing

This presentation is a practical approach for managing change in requirements. A reality of our times is the continuous change in the world, which is reflected also in project requirements that frequently change during the solution development phase. This affects not only the software development, but also the project data which has to be setup for testing and implementation. The challenge is to have the project data ready when testing starts (unit test or system test). The task becomes more difficult when project data has multiple dependencies and has to be defined by external sources that we do not control. Typically, the external data definitions are not available in time for the start date of testing. The presentation is based on the author's experience with the Pan-Canadian Health Surveillance project and the clinical terminology data. In our project, terminology data is used by the presentation layer as well as in information exchange through standard messaging. The solution adopted had as objectives the availability of required test data for development and test teams, even when the external definitions were missing or were outdated due to changes in the specifications. We developed a strategy and a process for continuously configuring and updating the project data without impacting the development and test teams. This process will be discussed in detail during the presentation, bringing forward our challenges and lessons learned. In closing, data quality assessment and improvement methods will be suggested with specific details from the Pan-Canadian Health Surveillance project. With the H1N1 influenza virus affecting Canadians and the World Health Organization declaring the H1N1 Pandemic in 2009, the importance of controlling disease outbreaks becomes even more important.
Abstract 498: Blunting the radical scavenging property of mitochondria-targeted, triphenylphosphonium-linked antioxidants failed to mitigate their anti-proliferative and antitumor effects

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, are implicated in cancer cell proliferation. Therefore, strategies to mitigate ROS levels were proposed as a viable mechanism to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. As mitochondria are believed to be a major contributor to intracellular ROS production, mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (MTAs) (e.g., Mito-Q, Mito-CP, Mito-Vitamin-E or Mito-chromanol) were successfully used to stop proliferation and kill cancer cells in vitro and attenuate tumor growth in vivo. MTAs also inhibited mitochondrial oxygen consumption and ATP production. In this study, we tested whether the antioxidant moiety and related antioxidant function of MTAs or other mitochondrial mechanism is responsible for inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and resulting cytotoxicity. To this end, we compared the anti-proliferative and antitumor effects of Mito-CP, a mitochondrially-targeted nitroxide exhibiting superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, and a synthetic analog of Mito-CP (Mito-CP acetamide), lacking the nitroxide moiety and SOD-like activity. Both Mito-CP and Mito-CP acetamide were equally potent in different cancer cell types (breast, pancreatic, colon, skin, bladder and lung). Additionally, both compounds inhibited mitochondrial function and decreased intracellular ATP levels to the same extent. We conclude that MTAs such as Mito-CP, Mito-Vitamin-E exert their antiproliferative effects in cancer cells due to mitochondrial localization and targeting cellular bioenergetics and not due to their antioxidative activity. Results from this study strongly question the present dogma on mitochondrial ROS involvement in cancer cell proliferation. Citation Format: Gang Cheng, Jacek Zielonka, Joy Joseph, Balaraman Kalyanaraman. Blunting the radical scavenging property of mitochondria-targeted, triphenylphosphonium-linked antioxidants failed to mitigate their anti-proliferative and antitumor effects. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 498. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-498
Nonmethane hydrocarbon and oxy hydrocarbon measurements during the 2002 New England Air Quality Study

[1] Nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and oxy hydrocarbons (oxy HCs) were measured aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research vessel Ronald H. Brown during the New England Air Quality Study from 13 July to 10 August 2002 by an online dual gas chromatographic instrument with two separate analytical columns equipped, respectively, with flame ionization and mass spectrometer detectors. Measurements, taken each half hour, included C2 to C10 alkanes, C2 to C5 alkenes, alcohols and ketones, C6 to C9 aromatics, and biogenic volatile compounds including six monoterpenes, isoprene and its immediate oxidation products methacrolein and methylvinylketone. All compounds have been categorized by their contribution to the OH loss rate calculated for 298K and 1 atm. Large temporal variability was observed for all compounds. Airflow from the Providence, Rhode Island/Boston, Massachusetts, urban corridor northeast to the New Hampshire coast was usually heavily laden with NMHCs and oxy HCs of anthropogenic origin. Comparison of specific compound ratios with automotive tunnel studies suggested that these were predominantly mobile source emissions. When such flow occurred during daylight hours, these urban plumes were accompanied by increases in ozone in the 80 to 120 ppbv range. About equally as often, much less chemically mature NMHC plumes were encountered near the New Hampshire coast. Ozone was titrated out of these latter plumes, and the unusually high mixing ratios of C4 and C5 alkenes suggested that their source was partly gasoline vapor release rather than mobile source emissions. In the New England coastal region explored, in spite of the large anthropogenic NMHC input during periods of offshore flow, OH loss with hydrocarbons was frequently dominated by compounds of biogenic origin. During periods of cleaner marine air inflow the OH loss rate was dominated by reaction with methane and with oxy HCs, predominantly acetone, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde.
Microfluidic Confinement of Single Cells of Bacteria in Small Volumes Initiates High-Density Behavior of Quorum Sensing and Growth and Reveals Its Variability

One is a quorum: As few as one to three cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria are confined in small volumes by the use of microfluidics. These small numbers of cells are able to activate quorum sensing (QS) pathways and achieve QS-dependent growth. The results also show that at low numbers of cells, initiation of QS is highly variable within a clonal population.
Single-Molecule Dynamics Reveal an Altered Conformation for the Autoinhibitory Domain of Plasma Membrane Ca2+-ATPase Bound to Oxidatively Modified Calmodulin†

We used single-molecule polarization modulation methods to investigate the activation of the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) by oxidized calmodulin (CaM). Oxidative modification of methionine residues of CaM to their corresponding sulfoxides is known to inhibit the ability of CaM to activate PMCA. Single-molecule polarization methods were used to measure the orientational mobility of fluorescently labeled oxidized CaM bound to PMCA. We previously identified two distinct populations of PMCA−CaM complexes characterized by high and low orientational mobilities, with the low-mobility population appearing at a subsaturating Ca2+ concentration [Osborn, K. D., et al. (2004) Biophys. J. 87, 1892−1899]. We proposed that the high-mobility population corresponds to PMCA−CaM complexes with a dissociated (and mobile) autoinhibitory domain, whereas the low-mobility population corresponds to PMCA−CaM complexes where the autoinhibitory domain is not dissociated and therefore the enzyme is not active. In the present ex...
Multi-level converters for three-phase photovoltaic applications

This paper presents an approach to generate three-phase multi-level AC voltage output using a switching matrix device and photovoltaic (PV) panels. The approach is based on the dynamic reconfiguration of PV panels distributed in a matrix. The principle is similar to methods used in multi-level inverters related to the technique of matrix reconfiguration. The concept is to switch in and out solar panels in series to create a higher three-phase voltage level. The focus of the project is optimizing the PV array usage and improving the output current while generating three-phase multi-level waveforms.
Insight into the functional consequences of hMYH variants associated with colorectal cancer: distinct differences in the adenine glycosylase activity and the response to AP endonucleases of Y150C and G365D murine MYH.

Escherichia coli MutY and its eukaryotic homologues play an important role in preventing mutations by removing adenine from 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (OG):A mismatches. It has recently been demonstrated that inherited biallelic mutations in the genes encoding the human homologue of MutY (hMYH) are correlated with a genetic predisposition for multiple colorectal adenomas and carcinomas. The two most common hMYH variants found in patients with colorectal cancer are Y165C and G382D. In this study, we examined the equivalent variants in the murine MutY homologue (mMYH), Y150C and G365D. The Y150C mMYH enzyme showed a large decrease in the rate of adenine removal from both OG:A- and G:A-containing substrates, while G365D mMYH showed a decrease in the ability to catalyze adenine removal only with a G:A-containing substrate. Both mMYH variants exhibit a significantly decreased affinity for duplexes containing noncleavable 2′-deoxyadenosine analogues. In addition, the human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (Ape1) stimulated product formation by wild-type and G365D mMYH with an OG:A substrate under conditions of multiple-turnover ([E] < [S]). In contrast, the presence of Ape1 nearly completely inhibited adenine removal by Y150C mMYH from the OG:A mismatch substrate. The more deleterious effect of Ape1 on the glycosylase activity of Y150C relative to G365D mMYH correlated with the more compromised binding affinity of Y150C to substrate analogue duplexes. These results suggest that the equivalent hMYH variants may be significantly compromised in substrate targeting in vivo due to a decrease in binding to substrate DNA; moreover, competition with other DNA binding proteins may further reduce the effective adenine glycosylase activity in vivo.
Successful reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections: focus on nurse-directed catheter removal.

Background Despite using sterile technique for catheter insertion, closed drainage systems, and structured daily care plans, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) regularly occur in acute care hospitals. We believe that meaningful reduction in CAUTI rates can only be achieved by reducing urinary catheter use. Methods We used an interventional study of a hospital-wide, multidisciplinary program to reduce urinary catheter use and CAUTIs on all patient care units in a 300-bed, community teaching hospital in Connecticut. Our primary focus was the implementation of a nurse-directed urinary catheter removal protocol. This protocol was linked to the physician's catheter insertion order. Three additional elements included physician documentation of catheter insertion criteria, a device-specific charting module added to physician electronic progress notes, and biweekly unit-specific feedback on catheter use rates and CAUTI rates in a multidisciplinary forum. Results We achieved a 50% hospital-wide reduction in catheter use and a 70% reduction in CAUTIs over a 36-month period, although there was wide variation from unit to unit in catheter reduction efforts, ranging from 4% (maternity) to 74% (telemetry). Conclusion Urinary catheter use, and ultimately CAUTI rates, can be effectively reduced by the diligent application of relatively few evidence-based interventions. Aggressive implementation of the nurse-directed catheter removal protocol was associated with lower catheter use rates and reduced infection rates.
Comments on "comparison of alternatives to multidimensional scoring in the assessment of language comprehension in aphasia" by odekar and hallowell (2005).

Purpose These comments are written in response to an article by A. Odekar and B. Hallowell (2005) which argues that the use of plus-minus scoring may be faster and more efficient than “traditional ...
Fractional isomorphism of graphs

Abstract Let the adjacency matrices of graphs G and H be A and B . These graphs are isomorphic provided there is a permutation matrix P with AP = PB , or equivalently, A = PBP T . If we relax the requirement that P be a permutation matrix, and, instead, require P only to be doubly stochastic, we arrive at two new equivalence relations on graphs: linear fractional isomorphism (when we relax AP = PB ) and quadratic fractional isomorphism (when we relax A = PBP T ). Further, if we allow the two instances of P in A = PBP T to be different doubly stochastic matrices, we arrive at the concept of semi-isomorphism . We present necessary and sufficient conditions for graphs to be linearly fractionally isomorphic, we prove that quadratic fractional isomorphism is the same as isomorphism and we relate semi-isomorphism to isomorphism of bipartite graphs.
The lingering question of menthol in cigarettes

Tobacco use is the single most important preventable cause of cancer-related deaths in the USA and many parts of the world. There is growing evidence that menthol cigarettes are starter tobacco products for children, adolescents, and young adults. Accumulating research also suggests that smoking menthol cigarettes reinforces nicotine dependence, impedes cessation, and promotes relapse. However, menthol cigarettes are exempt from the US Food and Drug Administration ban on flavored cigarettes due, in part, to the lack of empirical evidence describing the health consequences of smoking menthol cigarettes relative to regular cigarettes. Determining the biological effects of menthol cigarette smoke relative to regular cigarette smoke can clarify the health risks associated with the use of respective products and assist regulatory agencies in making scientifically based decisions on the development and evaluation of regulations on tobacco products to protect public health and to reduce tobacco use by minors. We highlight the inherent shortcomings of the conventional epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory research on menthol cigarettes that have contributed to the ongoing debate on the public health impact of menthol in cigarettes. In addition, we provide perspectives on how future investigations exploiting state-of-the-art biomarkers of exposure and disease states can help answer the lingering question of menthol in cigarettes.
Diurnal pituitary-adrenal activity during schedule-induced polydipsia of water and ethanol in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

Intermittent delivery of an important commodity (e.g., food pellets) generates excessive behaviors as an adjunct to the schedule of reinforcement (adjunctive behaviors) that are hypothesized to be due to conflict between engaging and escaping a situation where reinforcement is delivered, but at suboptimal rates. This study characterized the endocrine correlates during schedule-induced polydipsia of water and ethanol using a longitudinal approach in non-human primates. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were measured in samples from awake cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis, 11 adult males) obtained at the onset, mid-day, and offset of their 12-h light cycle. The monkeys were induced to drink water and ethanol (4 % w/v, in water) using a fixed time (FT) 300-s interval schedule of pellet delivery. The induction fluid changed every 30 sessions in the following order: water, 0.5 g/kg ethanol, 1.0 g/kg ethanol, and 1.5 g/kg ethanol. Following induction, ethanol and water were concurrently available for 22 h/day. The FT 300-s schedule gradually increased ACTH, but not cortisol, during water induction to a plateau sustained throughout ethanol induction in every monkey. Upon termination of the schedule, ACTH decreased to baseline and cortisol below baseline. Diurnal ACTH and cortisol were unrelated to the dose of ethanol, but ACTH rhythm flattened at 0.5 g/kg/day and remained flattened. The coincidence of elevated ACTH with the initial experience of drinking to intoxication may have altered the mechanisms involved in the transition to heavy drinking.
Quadrangolide, a heliangolide from Eupatorium quadrangularae

Abstract A new heliangolide, quadrangolide, was isolated from the chloroform extract of Eupatorium quadrangularae , together with three known sesquiterpene lactones.
The mechanism of the singlet oxygen ene reaction

Abstract A complex between singlet oxygen and olefins is proposed in which frontier orbital interactions between the oxygen and both the olefin π orbitals and C-H bonds are important. Formation of this complex is proposed to dominate the chemistry of this reaction and is shown to be consistent with the available data.
Photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol to carbon dioxide and HCl using high surface area titanium dioxide anodes

High surface area titanium dioxide films coated on conductive glass were evaluated for light-assisted electrochemical oxidation of the model aryl halide pollutant 4-chlorophenol. Operation of the electrochemical cell with the anode at 0.8 V vs SCE and illuminated with light of λ>320 nm. gave complete conversion of micromolar concentrations of 4-chlorophenol to carbon dioxide, HCl, and water in oxygen saturated solutions. Experiments at open circuit in a cell with separate anode and cathode compartments suggest the possibility of generating hydrogen gas at the platinum cathode in the cell.
Congenital Heart Disease Caused by Mutations in the Transcription Factor NKX2-5

Mutations in the gene encoding the homeobox transcription factor NKX2-5 were found to cause nonsyndromic, human congenital heart disease. A dominant disease locus associated with cardiac malformations and atrioventricular conduction abnormalities was mapped to chromosome 5q35, where NKX2-5, a Drosophila tinman homolog, is located. Three different NKX2-5 mutations were identified. Two are predicted to impair binding of NKX2-5 to target DNA, resulting in haploinsufficiency, and a third potentially augments target-DNA binding. These data indicate that NKX2-5 is important for regulation of septation during cardiac morphogenesis and for maturation and maintenance of atrioventricular node function throughout life.
Design considerations for prepress color proof measurement

For our purposes, we needed colorimetric measurements or, better yet, spectral reflectance data. Our survey of commercially available instruments identified one spectrocolorimeter, the Hunter PICS (manufactured by Hunter Associates Laboratory, Inc.), which could be programmed to automatically measure the color (and spectral reflectance) of large numbers of samples on a proof sheet. After an evaluation of this instrument, which included measuring over 10,000 exhibits, it was decided that the unit did not fully meet our needs. This resulted in a decision to integrate another instrument, the Byk-Gardner Color Machine (manufactured by Byk-Gardner, Inc.), with an x-y positioning mechanism. This paper describes the design considerations used in the development of our color measurement system.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.