cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expansion of a Banded Killifish Fundulus diaphanus Population into Benthic Nearshore Waters of Lake Michigan around Calumet Harbor

Banded Killifish Fundulus diaphanus are considered a nearshore species closely associated with emergent or submergent vegetation in shallow calm waters. This species is commonly collected in nearshore waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes, usually along margins of coastal wetlands, beaches, drowned river mouth lakes, and slow-moving streams. However, in recent years (2015–2018) Banded Killifish have commonly been collected along the exposed, industrialized nearshore waters of Lake Michigan around the Calumet Harbor area (Chicago, IL). Individual specimens have been collected up to 2.8 km from shore and in depths up to 9.8 m in open waters of Lake Michigan. Capture of this species along hardened shoreline habitat, including rip-rap and steep drop-offs is also highly unusual for this small, littoral species and is not documented in the available literature. These observations provide an extreme example of habitat use by this littoral species and broadens our understanding of their habitat in nearshore waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes.
Autophagy Compensates for Lkb1 Loss to Maintain Adult Mice Homeostasis and Survival

Liver Kinase B1 (LKB1) is the major energy sensor for cells to respond to metabolic stress. Autophagy degrades and recycles proteins, macromolecules, and organelles for cells to survive starvation. To access the role and cross-talk between autophagy and Lkb1 in normal tissue homeostasis, we generated genetically engineered mouse models where we can conditionally delete Lkb1 and autophagy essential gene, Atg7, respectively or simultaneously, throughout the adult mice. We found that Lkb1 was essential for the survival of adult mice, and autophagy activation could temporarily compensate for the acute loss of Lkb1 and extend mouse life span. We further found that acute deletion of Lkb1 in adult mice led to impaired intestinal barrier function, hypoglycemia, and abnormal serum metabolism, which was partly rescued by the Lkb1 loss induced autophagy upregulation via inhibiting p53 induction. Taken together, we demonstrated that autophagy and Lkb1 work synergistically to maintain adult mouse homeostasis and survival.
Survival of Salmonella and Enterococcus faecium in high fructose corn syrup and honey at room temperature (22 °C)

Abstract Salmonellosis has been frequently associated with the consumption of high-sugar, low-moisture foods. Honey and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) are widely used liquid sugars that are added as humectants in low-moisture foods. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of Salmonella and its presumable surrogate, Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354, to survive in honey and HFCS during storage at room temperature (~22 °C). Using freeze-dried and lawn grown bacteria, the survival of Salmonella and E. faecium in honey and HFCS was determined. Regardless of the inoculation methods, more than 5 log10 reductions were observed in both bacteria in honey and HFCS after 21-days of storage at 22 °C. The pathogens and surrogate in honey and HFCS fell below the detectable limit after 28-days of storage. Thus, the tested bacteria are not able to survive in honey and HFCS over one-month storage at room temperature. The similar level of bacterial reduction in honey and HFCS in storage suggests that the main cause was not the commonly perceived antimicrobial agents in honey. In addition to high acidity of these liquid sugars, the extremely high osmotic pressure is likely the main reason for bacterial death in honey and HFCS during storage. The data provided useful information in developing effective microbial-safe strategies to be incorporated in the preparation or storage of low-moisture food and ingredients.
Test automation in open-source Android apps: a large-scale empirical study

Automated testing of mobile apps has received significant attention in recent years from researchers and practitioners alike. In this paper, we report on the largest empirical study to date, aimed at understanding the test automation culture prevalent among mobile app developers. We systematically examined more than 3.5 million repositories on GitHub and identified more than 12, 000 non-trivial and real-world Android apps. We then analyzed these non-trivial apps to investigate (1) the prevalence of adoption of test automation; (2) working habits of mobile app developers in regards to automated testing; and (3) the correlation between the adoption of test automation and the popularity of projects. Among others, we found that (1) only 8% of the mobile app development projects leverage automated testing practices; (2) developers tend to follow the same test automation practices across projects; and (3) popular projects, measured in terms of the number of contributors, stars, and forks on GitHub, are more likely to adopt test automation practices. To understand the rationale behind our observations, we further conducted a survey with 148 professional and experienced developers contributing to the subject apps. Our findings shed light on the current practices and future research directions pertaining to test automation for mobile app development.
Focus on disability-free life expectancy: implications for health-related quality of life

Since the end of the industrial revolution, advances in public health and clinical medicine have contributed to dramatic decreases in infant and childhood mortality, improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), increases in overall life expectancy (LE), and rectangularization of survival curves. In this article, we focus on disability that has occurred with the overall lengthening of LE in many populations and the implications this has for decreased HRQoL. We utilize the concept of rectangularization of population survival to depict the rising prevalence of disability associated with increased LE, especially among racial and ethnic minorities and people of low socioeconomic status (SES) and relate this to HRQoL. Disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) and healthy life expectancy (HLE) are defined in terms of HRQoL. Specific attention is focused on disability experienced by disparate populations around the globe. By focusing on disparities in DFLE, and the need to expand LE to include HLE as a central component of HRQoL, this work provides an important counterpoint to the attention that has been paid to LE disparities according to race, gender, ethnicity, education, and SES. By calling attention to those factors that appear to be the most important drivers of the differences in quality and length of DFLE between different groups (i.e., the components of the social gradient, exposure to chronic stress, systemic inflammation, and the psychological and biological mechanisms associated with the gut–brain axis) and, by logical extension, HRQoL, we hope to promote research in this arena with the ultimate goal of improving DFLE, HLE, and overall HRQoL, especially in disparate populations around the globe.
Patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of Rickettsial diseases among a commercially insured population in the United States, 2005-2017.

Rickettsial diseases (RDs) are transmitted to humans by ectoparasites, including ticks and fleas. Symptoms range from mild febrile illness, to severe disease or death. Doxycycline is the treatment of choice for patients of all ages; early treatment based on clinical diagnosis is critical to prevent severe outcomes. We conducted a descriptive analysis using insurance claims data captured by IBM MarketScan® research databases to describe demographics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of patients diagnosed with RDs in the United States during 2005–2017. Overall, 14,830 patients had a RD diagnosis during 2005–2017; 7,517 (50.7%) spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR), 4,571 ( 30.8%) ehrlichiosis, 1,362 (9.2%) typhus group rickettsiosis (TGR), and 1,193 (8.0%) other rickettsial diseases. Among all patients diagnosed, 53.1% received doxycycline. Prescription rates varied by diagnosis and age; 24.1% of TGR and 61.1% of SFR patients received doxycycline; 23.9% of persons < 8 years received doxycycline, compared with 47.7% for 8–17 years, and 55.4% for ≥ 18 years. RDs are frequently diagnosed in the outpatient population; however, providers prescribed the recommended treatment to about half of patients. Continued education of treatment recommendations is critical to prevent severe outcomes.
Optimizing outcomes for EUS-guided gastroenterostomy; results of a Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plan (with video).

Abstract Background and Aims Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) has emerged as an option for managing malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). However, there is currently no standardized technique and outcomes are variable with inconsistencies both within and across centers. The present study aims to develop and assess outcomes of a Standardized Clinical and Assessment Management Plan (SCAMP) for EUS-GE. Methods A SCAMP was created by a multidisciplinary team to develop and optimize a systematic approach for EUS-GE. This is a single-center prospective cohort study on patients undergoing EUS-GE for GOO, using the developed SCAMP. Baseline demographics, cancer diagnosis and stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score, clinical and technical success, adverse events and obstruction recurrence were collected. Primary outcomes included technical and clinical success. Obstruction-free and overall survival were calculated and compared with Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results 50 patients underwent EUS-GE in accordance with the SCAMP. Mean age was 67 years, 54% were females, and pancreatic cancer represented the largest cancer type (51%). Technical success was 100% and clinical success was 92%. Adverse events occurred in 2 patients (4%). Recurrent obstruction occurred in 16%, related to distal small-bowel obstruction from carcinomatosis. Estimated mean obstruction-free survival was 217 days. Median overall survival was 230 days among patients with ECOG scores 0 to 2 and 82 days for ECOG=>3, p=0.008. Conclusions The standardized technique used was associated with high technical and clinical success, and low rates of adverse events, morbidity and procedure-related mortality. Adopting a similar uniform systematic approach may improve procedural outcomes and dissemination.
Endogenous Sex Steroids and Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis in Cynomolgus Macaques

Whether endogenous sex steroids influence the atherosclerotic process in human beings remains unclear. It is widely believed that ovarian estrogen is responsible for the relatively low risk of coronary heart disease observed in premenopausal white women; however, this relationship has not been proven by population studies of human beings. Studies of coronary risk in menopause, an estrogen deficiency state, and pregnancy, a hyperestrogenic state, and studies of the influence of estrogen treatment on coronary risk have produced contradictory results. We have previously shown that, like premenopausal white women, female cynomolgus macaques are relatively protected against coronary artery atherosclerosis (CAA). Ovariectomy results in a more atherogenic plasma lipid pattern (15–20% increase in total plasma cholesterol and 20–25% decrease in plasma HDL cholesterol concentrations) and an approximate doubling in extent of coronary artery atherosclerosis. Also, reproductively intact females with chronic ovarian endocrine deficiency cannot be distinguished from ovariectomized females in regard to plasma lipid patterns and extent of coronary artery atherosclerosis; and there is an inverse relationship between degree of ovarian deficiency and extent of coronary artery atherosclerosis. In contrast, frequent pregnancy, a hyperestrogenic state, results in 15–20% reductions in both total plasma cholesterol and HDL cholesterol concentrations and an approximate 50% reduction in extent of coronary artery atherosclerosis. Also, among pregnant females, extent of coronary artery atherosclerosis was inversely associated (p = -0.66, P ≤ 0.01) with an index of the magnitude and duration of pregnancy-induced elevations in plasma estradiol concentrations. This index was the single variable that correlated most strongly with the extent of coronary artery atherosclerosis. Females ranking in the top half of the distribution of both magnitude and duration of the pregnancy-induced estradiol elevation were virtually unaffected by coronary artery atherosclerosis (median = 0.001 mm2). These results indicate that factors that influence endogenous reproductive steroid levels also seem to influence the atherosclerotic process, and evidence exists for a relationship between circulating levels of estradiol and extent of coronary artery atherosclerosis.
Myths About Masturbation Throughout The Ages

Masturbatory activities have always been shrouded in myths.In the Judeo Christian tradition it has been—and still is—considered as sinful. In the 18th Century it was widely believed that this habit...
In vitro biological methods for determination of carotenoid activity.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the biological assays available for in vitro analysis of cell biological effects of carotenoids, with a particular focus on neoplastic cells and lymphoid cells. For the study of the biological function of carotenoids, the chapter focuses on their ability to capture free radicals and function as antioxidants. To understand the relevance of in vitro assays, some of the in vivo studies that have been performed are described. In vivo β -carotene treatment of mice with mammary carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, rats with colon carcinoma and hamsters with salivary and oral carcinomas have resulted in the inhibition of tumor growth. β -Carotene has been shown to inhibit initiation or promotional phases in oral carcinogenesis as well as to prevent oral carcinoma development. β -Carotene, therefore, appears to induce a change in the growth pattern of tumor cells at an early stage in their development. In an unrelated area, an emulsion of β -carotene produces a maintainable serum level in rabbits and accumulates in atherosclerotic plaques in these rabbits. The plaques are eliminated using a laser with a visible light frequency directed at the β -carotene containing plaques in both rabbits and humans. The in vivo results have provided sufficient reason to pursue the mechanisms of action for the carotenoids.
Estimates of the Effect of Feeding on Whole-Body Protein Degradation in Women Vary with the Amino Acid Used as Tracer

We measured how feeding status affects the kinetics of multiple indispensable amino acids in four adult female subjects studied both in fed and fasted state. The subjects ingested one dose of uniformly 13 C-labeled algae (Spirulina platensis). The isotopic enrichments (measured with negative chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) of the branched chain amino acids, phenylalanine, lysine and threonine were followed for 24 h in both the plasma and in VLDL-apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100). Fasting lowered body protein degradation when measured with the branched chain amino acids, increased it when measured with phenylalanine and had no statistically significant effect when determined from the kinetics of lysine and threonine. These apparent differences challenge the adequacy of current models of whole-body protein turnover. The ratio of the peak labeling of amino acids in plasma and apoB-100 was used as an estimate of the isotopic dilution in the hepatic pool. In contrast to our earlier observations during intravenous tracer amino acid administration, in the present study fasting lowered the ratio of the peak isotopic enrichments of apoB-100 and plasma amino acids. This supports our contention that feeding increases the use of hepatic portal amino acids for hepatic secretory protein synthesis.
Lightpath establishment in wavelength-routed WDM optical networks

Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technology has been improving steadily in recent years, with existing systems capable of providing huge amounts of bandwidth on a single fiber link WDM systems are currently being deployed in long-distance telecommunication networks on a point-to-point basis, with the optical signals being converted back to electronics at each node. Тhe electronic switching and processing costs at the nodes can potentially be very high, leading to severe performance bottlenecks and limiting the delivery of optical link bandwidth to the end users.
Normal and reconstructed mandibular condyle mechanics

One approach to reconstructing a damaged mandibular condyle is to replace it with a rib graft. This procedure requires removal of the lateral pterygoid muscle. The rib graft has significantly different shape and mechanical properties than the original condyle. These three factors can be expected to alter mandible (jaw) mechanics. We used voxel-based finite element methods to analysis both normal and a simulated reconstructed mandible using data from the US NIH Visible Human Female. Results demonstrated significant differences between normal and reconstructed mandible mechanics. The reconstructed mandible displaced more than the normal mandible. Stresses in the rib graft were 3 to 4 times higher than in a normal mandibular condyle. Stresses in the rest of the mandible were also higher in the reconstructed case. Further analyses are required to determine how each of the alterations in the reconstructed mandible contributes to the difference in reconstructed mandible mechanics.
Di-π-methane hypersurfaces and reactivity; multiplicity and regioselectivity; relationship between the di-π-methane and bicycle rearrangements: Mechanistic and exploratory organic photochemistry

Abstract The photochemistry of 1,1-dicarbomethoxy-3,3,5,5-tetraphenyl-1,4-pentadiene and 3,3-dicarbomethoxy-1,1,5,5-tetraphenyl-1,4-pentadiene was investigated. Both direct and sensitized photolyses of the 3,3-diester afforded 1,1-dicarbomethoxy-2,2-diphenyl-3-(2′,2′-diphenylvinyl)cyclopropane with quantum yields of 0.42 and 0.32, respectively. Direct irradiation of the 1,1-dicarbomethoxy-pentadiene gave this same diphenylvinyl-cyclopropane product (O = 0.39), while acetophenone sensitization of the 1,1-dicarbomethoxy-pentadiene led to the regioisomeric 1,1,2,2-tetraphenyl-3-{2′,2′-dicarbomethoxyvinyl) cyclopropane (O = 0.92). Thus the unsymmelrically substituted cyclopropyldicarbinyl diradical opened one or the other of two three-ring bonds depending on multiplicity. Direct irradiation of the dicarbomethoxyvinylcyclopropane resulted in a bicycle rearrangement affording the diphenylvinyl-cyclopropane (O = 0.10): additionally, the 1,1-dicarbomethoxy-pentadiene was formed (O = 0.069) in this photolysis. The second product can be viewed as arising from a reverse di-π-methane rearrangement or, alternatively, as deriving from partial bicycling of the diphenylcarbon moiety. To confirm that the bicycling process was intramolecular rather then by disengagement of a diphenylcarbene followed by readdition, a crossover experiment was run using 1,1-dicarbomethoxy-4,4-di-p-tolylbutadiene. However, no diphenylcarbene transfer was seen. Single photon counting was employed to obtain unimolecular rate constants for the S1, excited states undergoing the di-π-methane rearrangements. A plot of the log of the S1 rates for centrally disubstituted 1,1,5,5-tetraphenyl-1,4-pentadienes-having central carbomethoxy, cyano or methyl groups—vs Hammelt ground stale sigma constants proved linear with a rho value of −2.53. The various excited states, intermediate species and the related hypersurfaces were subjected to SCF and SCF-CI calculations. The delta-P treatment showed that excitation is concentrated in the cyclopropyldicarbinyl diradical moiety as the di-π-methane rearrangement proceeds. The calculations also suggest that for a successful bicycle rearrangement excitation energy needs to be distributed into the three-ring bond not conjugated with the vinyl group. Triptych correlation diagrams were constructed using SCF and SCF-CI energies and are used to interpret the photochemistry. The differing singlet versus triplet regiochemistry was found to follow the “small K vs large K” generalization used previously.
Decreased brain cannabinoid CB1 receptor binding in tobacco smokers examined with positron emission tomography

84 Objectives Cannabinoid CB1 receptors are involved in the rewarding effects of nicotine, and tobacco smoking may confound clinical studies. We previously found reduction of brain cannabinoid CB1 receptor binding in both cannabis abuse and alcohol dependence. In this study, we tested whether tobacco smokers have reduced cannabinoid CB1 receptor binding, using positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]FMPEP-d2, a radioligand for CB1 receptors. Methods We measured CB1 receptors in 13 healthy male subjects who smoked tobacco (age 35 ± 9 years), and in 31 healthy male subjects who did not smoke (or have smoked) tobacco (age 33 ± 10 years). Smokers had an average Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence score of 4 (mild to moderate nicotine addiction) and smoked an average of 14 cigarettes per day (range: 1-20). We sampled arterial blood during PET scans to estimate receptor binding as distribution volume (VT). Results VT of [18F]FMPEP-d2 was about 20% lower in tobacco smokers than in non-smokers throughout the brain (main effect of smoking: F=5.9, p=0.020; smoking by region interaction: F=2.6, p=0.055). The plasma free fraction of [18F]FMPEP-d2 was similar between smokers (0.45%) and non-smokers (0.41%). Among smokers, VT did not correlate with number of cigarettes smoked per day (R=-0.14, p=0.64), lifetime duration of tobacco smoking (R=0.29, p=0.33), age at onset of tobacco smoking (R=0.19, p=0.54), or Fagerstrom score (R=0.46, p=0.14). Conclusions Tobacco smoking is associated with a reduction of cannabinoid CB1 receptors. This reduction occurred throughout the brain, in contrast to regionally specific downregulation in cannabis smoking, and was smaller in magnitude than that in patients with alcohol dependence. Future clinical studies on the CB1 receptor should control for tobacco smoking. Research Support Intramural Research Program, NIH, National Institute of Mental Health and National Institute on Drug Abuse.
2 Social Interaction Problems in Infants and Preschool Children

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the social interaction problems in infants and preschool children. Social interaction is important for social and emotional development. Problems in social interaction are often evident in children with psychiatric and developmental disorders In the literature, many aspects of social behavior have been included under social interaction (social skills, social competence). It is important to define social interaction and distinguish it from other concepts of social behavior and social development. Social interaction can be defined as an intentional event in which one person's behavior is directed toward another person or is in response to the other person's behavior. The developmental progression of social interaction in infants and preschool children is discussed. Methods to assess social interaction in infants and preschool children is described, which is followed by a description of social interaction problems in infants and preschool children with autism and fragile X syndrome.
The epoch of the constellations on the Farnese Atlas and their origin in Hipparchus's lost catalogue

1. BACKGROUND The Farnese Atlas is a Roman statue depicting the Titan Atlas holding up a celestial globe that displays an accurate representation of the ancient Greek constellations (see Figures 1 and 2). This is the oldest surviving depiction of this set of the original Western constellations, and as such can be a valuable resource for studying their early development. The globe places the celestial fi gures against a grid of circles (including the celestial equator, the tropics, the colures, the ecliptic, the Arctic Circle, and the Antarctic Circle) that allows for the accurate positioning of the constellations. The positions shift with time due to precession, so the observed positions on the Farnese Atlas correspond to some particular date. Also, the declination of the Arctic and Antarctic Circles will correspond to a particular latitude for the observer whose observations were adopted by the sculptor. Thus, a detailed analysis of the globe will reveal the latitude and epoch for the observations incorporated in the Atlas; and indeed these will specify enough information that we can identify the observer. Independently, a detailed comparison of the constellation symbols on the Atlas with those from the other surviving ancient material also uniquely points to the same origin for the fi gures. The Farnese Atlas 1 fi rst came to modern attention in the early sixteenth century when it became part of the collection of antiquities in the Farnese Palace in Rome, hence its name. The statue was later transferred to the museum in Naples now called the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli. It is carved in white marble and depicts the bearded Atlas crouched down on one knee with a cloak over his shoulder and holding the celestial globe on his shoulder with both hands. The globe is 65cm in diameter. Its top has a substantial hole knocked into it and this has obliterated the constellations of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. A total of 41 constellations 2 are depicted, each drawn in positive relief as the classical fi gure, with no individual stars shown. Art historians conclude that the statue is a Roman copy from the second century A.D. of a Greek original dating to before the birth of Christ. 3 What is the date of the observations used for depicting the constellation positions on the Farnese Atlas? A very wide range of plausible answers is possible. First, the Roman sculptor could have updated the constellation positions with his own observations (or those of a contemporary), hence suggesting a date of c. 150 A.D. Second, the Roman sculptor could have used the latest star catalogue to place the constellations accurately onto the coordinate grid of the sky, and this would be from the Almagest of Ptolemy,
P-T-t evolution of granulite facies metamorphism and partial melting in the Winding Stair Gap, Central Blue Ridge, North Carolina, USA

The Winding Stair Gap in the Central Blue Ridge province exposes granulite facies schists, gneisses, granofelses and migmatites characterized by the mineral assemblages: garnet-biotite-sillimanite- plagioclase-quartz, garnet-hornblende-biotite-plagioclase-quartz ± orthopyroxene ± clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene-biotite-quartz. Multiple textural populations of biotite, kyanite and sillimanite in pelitic schists support a polymetamorphic history characterized by an early clockwise P-T path in which dehydration melting of muscovite took place in the stability field of kyanite. Continued heating led to dehydration melting of biotite until peak conditions of 850 ± 30 � C, 9 ± 1 kbar were reached. After equilibrating at peak temperatures, the rocks underwent a stage of near isobaric cooling during which hydrous melt ± K-feldspar were replaced by muscovite, and garnet by sillimanite + biotite + plagioclase. Most monazite crystals from a pelitic schist display patchy zoning for Th, Y and U, with some matrix crystals having as many as five compositional zones. A few monazite inclusions in garnet, as well as Y-rich cores of some monazite matrix crystals, yield the oldest dates of c. 500 Ma, whereas a few homogeneous matrix monazites that grew in the main foliation plane yield dates of 370-330 Ma. Culling and analysis of individual spot dates for eight monazite grains yields three age populations of 509 ± 14 Ma, 438 ± 5 Ma and 360 ± 5 Ma. These data suggest that peak-temperature metamor- phism and partial melting in the central Blue Ridge occurred during the Salinic or Taconic orogeny. Following near isobaric cooling, a second weaker thermal pulse possibly related to intrusion of nearby igneous bodies resulted in growth of monazite c. 360 Ma, coinciding with the Neoacadian orogeny.
Characterization of transfusion-elicited acute antibody-mediated rejection in a rat model of kidney transplantation.

Animal models of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) may provide important evidence supporting proof of concept. We elicited donor-specific antibodies (DSA) by transfusion of donor blood (Brown Norway RT1n) into a complete mismatch recipient (Lewis RT1l) 3 weeks prior to kidney transplantation. Sensitized recipients had increased anti-donor splenocyte IgG1, IgG2b and IgG2c DSA 1 week after transplantation. Histopathology was consistent with ABMR characterized by diffuse peritubular capillary C4d and moderate microvascular inflammation with peritubular capillaritis + glomerulitis > 2. Immunofluorescence studies of kidney allograft tissue demonstrated a greater CD68/CD3 ratio in sensitized animals, primarily of the M1 (pro-inflammatory) phenotype, consistent with cytokine gene analyses that demonstrated a predominant T helper (TH)1 (interferon-γ, IL-2) profile. Immunoblot analyses confirmed the activation of the M1 macrophage phenotype as interferon regulatory factor 5, inducible nitric oxide synthase and phagocytic NADPH oxidase 2 were significantly up-regulated. Clinical biopsy samples in sensitized patients with acute ABMR confirmed the dominance of M1 macrophage phenotype in humans. Despite the absence of tubulitis, we were unable to exclude the effects of T cell–mediated rejection. These studies suggest that M1 macrophages and TH1 cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute mixed rejection in sensitized allograft recipients.
Complement-inactivating proteinase(s) from Clostridium histolyticum.

A proteinase fraction inhibiting the hemolytic activity of guinea pig complement was obtained from supernatant fluids of Clostridium histolyticum cultures and purified 150- to 350-fold by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-75 gel filtration, and diethylaminoethyl cellulose chromatography. An assay was developed based on the inactivation of hemolytic complement. Partially purified anticomplementary preparations were active against casein and were capable of “solubilizing” Escherichia coli endotoxin. Two components were found by differential heat inactivation, with complement and casein as substrates, but only one of these components was active against endotoxin. The more heat-stable activity, showing 50% inactivation at about 47 C, was characterized as to p H and ionic strength optima and sensitivity to reagents such as cysteine, β-mercaptoethanol, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, and heavy metals.
Effect of Adulteration versus Storage on Volatiles in Unifloral Honeys from Different Floral Sources and Locations

UNLABELLED High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was added at 5% to 40% to Indiana wildflower honey and added at 40% to Ohio and Indiana honeys from blueberry, star thistle, clover and wildflower, and an unknown source to simulate honey adulteration. Unadulterated honeys were also stored at 37 oC from 1 to 6 mo. The volatile composition was measured by Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS). Most volatiles decreased in concentration with both increasing HFCS and storage time. Furfural significantly increased in concentration in all adulterated honeys and 1,3-butanediol, acetonitrile, and heptane in some adulterated honeys. During storage, the volatiles that increased were maltol, furfural, 5-methylfurfural, and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural in all honeys and also acetic acid and 1-octen-3-ol levels in some honeys. Soft independent modeling by class analogy (SIMCA) was used to differentiate the volatile profiles of adulterated honeys from fresh and stored honeys. The volatile profiles of honeys in accelerated storage for up to 4 mo and the honeys adulterated with 40% HFCS were significantly different. Acetic acid had the most discriminating power in Ohio star thistle and blueberry honeys and unknown honey while furfural had the greatest discriminating power in Indiana blueberry, star thistle, and clover honeys. Adulteration and storage of honey both reduced the volatile levels, but since they changed the volatile composition of the fresh honey differently, SIMCA was able to differentiate adulteration from storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Analysis of adulterated and stored honeys determined that both decrease volatile levels, and no clear indicator volatiles were found. However, SIMCA can be used to distinguish the volatile profiles of fresh or stored honeys, from adulterated honeys.
Abstract 207: Unc-51-like Kinase 1 (ULK1) Plays A Crucial Role In Mitophagy In Cardiomyocytes

The mitochondrion is an essential organelle that supplies ATP in cardiomyocytes (CMs). However, damaged mitochondria are harmful via the production of reactive oxygen species and induction of apoptosis in pathological conditions. Therefore, quality of mitochondria should be controlled tightly through various mitochondrial quality control mechanisms. Mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) is considered an integral part of this mechanism, and recent investigations uncovered the role of PINK1 and Parkin in mitophagy. However, these observations were made under artificial conditions, such as over-expression of Parkin or treatment with CCCP, and thus the precise mechanism has not been fully elucidated in more pathophysiologically relevant conditions. Recent evidence suggests that mitophagy can take place independently of ATG7, a molecule essential for the conventional form of autophagy, and that this form of autophagy is ULK1-dependent. We investigated the role of ULK1 and ATG7 in mediating mitophagy using mitoch...
Fragile balance: RNA editing tunes the synapse.

Orchestration of gene expression enables coordination between the nucleus and synapses. A report now uncovers a function for the fragile X mental retardation protein in RNA editing necessary for synaptic development.
Agenda Trending: Reciprocity and the Predictive Capacity of Social Networking Sites in Intermedia Agenda Setting across Topics over Time

In the contemporary converged media environment, agenda setting is being transformed by the dramatic growth of audiences that are simultaneously media users and producers. The study reported here addresses related gaps in the literature by first comparing the topical agendas of two leading traditional media outlets (New York Times and CNN) with the most frequently shared stories and trending topics on two widely popular Social Networking Sites (Facebook and Twitter). Time-series analyses of the most prominent topics identify the extent to which traditional media sets the agenda for social media as well as reciprocal agenda-setting effects of social media topics entering traditional media agendas. In addition, this study examines social intermedia agenda setting topically and across time within social networking sites, and in so doing, adds a vital understanding of where traditional media, online uses, and social media content intersect around instances of focusing events, particularly elections. Findings identify core differences between certain traditional and social media agendas, but also within social media agendas that extend from uses examined here. Additional results further suggest important topical and event-oriented limitations upon the predictive capacit of social networking sites to shape traditional media agendas over time.
Help texts vs. help mechanisms: A new mandate for documentation writers

To compare different methods of accessing and presenting on-line help, controlled experiments were conducted. Several different help systems were compared, including a natural language help system and a human tutor. The results indicate that, while varying the help mechanism may have some effect on learning, its importance is greatly overshadowed by the simple quality of the help texts being presented. Even for on-line help, good writing seems to be the most important part of helping the user, far more important than elaborate or sophisticated mechanisms.
Current trends in computing: hardware, software, software and nuclear magnetic resonance research

Abstract In almost no field of technology are current developments as dramatic as in computing hardware and software and their applications in scientific research. This article briefly summarizes the history of computing and its applications in the laboratory, with particular citation of developments supporting nuclear magnetic resonance research, including increased use of graphics techniques. The article also attempts to forecast future trends leading to automated intelligent molecular structure determination from nuclear magnetic resonance and other experiments, coming to utilize, the author believes, extensive use of molecular graphics.
Percutaneous management of malignant fluid collections

The development of a pleural effusion or ascites in patients with underlying malignancy typically heralds end-stage disease and often results in a significant reduction in the patient&'s quality of life. The goal of treatment is the safe and effective palliation of symptoms with minimal inconvenience to the patient. Malignant fluid collections in the chest and abdomen are amenable to percutaneous management with either intermittent thoracentesis or paracentesis or by placement of temporary or permanent drainage catheters.
Influence of Grain Boundary Structure on Liquid Metal Penetration Behavior

The penetration of Ga along Al grain boundaries under stress-free conditions is investigated in the present study. In-situ SEM observations indicate that the penetration rate of Ga along Al grain boundaries at room temperature ranged from 6.4 to 9.2 μm/s, which is similar to the rate of diffusion in the liquid state. For a specific high energy grain boundary, the grain boundary misorientation is determined from the TEM diffraction Kikuchi pattern, and a molecular statics simulation method was employed to investigate grain boundary structure. A comparison of the structure of this high energy boundary is made with the Σ11(131)[101] tilt grain boundary that is not penetrated by Ga in the absence of the applied stress. The results indicate that the grain boundary plane void structure in the high energy grain boundary may provide void channels for Ga monolayer penetration. In addition, penetration behavior investigated under different length scales supports this model.
Performance of the empirical Bayes estimator for fixed parameters

Abstract When the unbiased estimators of a set of parameters are independently and normally distributed, the Empirical Bayes Estimator (EB) for each of the parameters depends on all the parameters. When these parameters are considered to be fixed, Rao and Shinozaki (1978) [7] compared the mean square error (MSE) of this estimator for an individual parameter with the variance of its unbiased estimator, and cautioned that its bias may be large. In this article, the conditions required for (a) the MSE of the EB to be smaller than the variance of the unbiased estimator and (b) at the same time, for its bias to be smaller than a specified fraction of the square root of the MSE are evaluated. To satisfy these conditions, critical limits for the difference of the parameter from the average of all the parameters and the sum of such differences over all the parameters are determined. As an illustration, for the daily inpatient hospital expenses in the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) of 15 states in the US, the sample means and EBs are compared through the estimates of these limits.
Wild Host Plants of Helicoverpa zea and Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Eastern Tennessee

Corn earworm, Helicoverpa (= Heliothis ) zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworm, H. virescens (F.), arc polyphagous, multivoltine insect pests that feed on numerous cultivated and wild bost plants. In eastern Tennessee during 1990 and 1991, larvae of H. zea were collected from 34 species of wild host plants in 11 families, and huvae of H. virescens were collected from 20 species in 9 families. One or the other or both species were found on a total of 39 species of wild hosts in 11 families. Early-season (june through July) wild host plants of both insect species included common mallow. Malva neglecta Wallroth, black medic, Medicago lupulina L., and crown vetch, Coronilla varia L. Hophornbeam copperleaf, Acalypha ostryaefolia Ridell, hairy galinsoga, Galinsoga cilliata (Rafinesque Blake, and crown vetch may be new host-plant records for H. zea and H. virescens . Dovefoot gerauium, Geraniium molle L., may represent a new host-plant record for H. zea . The diversity of the wild hostplant complex of H. zea and H. virescens in eastern Tennessee reflects the variety of suitable flora in this region. This host-plant diversity coupled with the patchy distribution of cropland within the regional agroecosystems may combine to prevent populations of H. zea and H. virescens from reaching the outbreak levels expelienced in other regions of the United States.
Rapid evolution of morphology and adaptive life history in the invasive California wild radish (Raphanus sativus) and the implications for management

Understanding the evolution and demography of invasive populations may be key for successful management. In this study, we test whether or not populations of the non-native, hybrid-derived California wild radish have regionally adapted to divergent climates over their 150-year history in California and determine if population demographic dynamics might warrant different region-specific strategies for control. Using a reciprocal transplant approach, we found evidence for genetically based differences both between and among northern, coastal and southern, inland populations of wild radish. Individual fitness was analyzed using a relatively new statistical method called ‘aster modeling’ which integrates temporally sequential fitness measurements. In their respective home environments, fitness differences strongly favored southern populations and only slightly favored northern populations. Demographic rates of transition and sensitivities also differed between regions of origin, suggesting that the most effective approach for reducing overall population growth rate would be to target different life-history stages in each region.
Correlation of Vectorcardiogram and Electrocardiogram with Coronary Arteriogram

One hundred patients with suspected coronary heart disease were studied by vectorcardiography (VCG), electrocardiography (ECG), and coronary arteriography. Twenty-eight patients had VCG evidence of anterior infarction; 26 of this group had severe narrowing or obstruction of the left anterior descending branch. Five did not have anterior infarction by ECG. Twenty-seven patients had VCG evidence of diaphragmatic infarction; 25 of this group had severe narrowing of the right coronary artery or the left circumflex branch or both. Six of the 27 did not have ECG evidence of diaphragmatic infarction. Twelve patients had VCG evidence of posterior infarction whereas it was detected by ECG in only two. Only six of the 12, however, had severe narrowing of the nutrient arteries to the posterobasal part of the myocardium. Thirteen patients with infarction had severe narrowing but not total obstruction of a coronary artery. On the other hand, 15 patients had total obstruction of a major coronary vessel without actual infarction.
Isozyme variation in germplasm accessions of the wild oat Avena sterilis L.

Optimal exploitation of crop genetic resources requires a knowledge of the range and structure of the variation present in the gene pool of interest. Avena sterilis L., the cultivated oat progenitor, contains a store of genetic diversity that is readily accessible to the oat breeder. The objectives of the present paper were: (1) to evaluate isozyme polymorphisms in a sample of A. sterilis accessions from the U.S. National Small Grains Collection, (2) to analyze the distribution of isozyme diversity across the geographic range of the accessions, (3) to classify the accessions into groups based on isozyme variation, and (4) to suggest strategies for efficient sampling of this germplasm collection. One thousand and five accessions from 23 countries and 679 collection sites were screened for variation using 23 enzyme systems. Due to limited information about the genetic relationship among individual members of families of isozymes in hexaploid oat species, data were recorded solely for band presence. The frequencies of bands in accessions from the various countries were used to calculate the probability of genotypic identity (Ix.y), the probability of a unique genotype (Ux.y), and an adjusted polymorphic index (Hx). Accessions from Turkey and Lebanon had the largest polymorphic index values, Turkish and Moroccan accessions displayed the greatest numbers of bands. Accessions from Iran, Turkey, Iraq, and Lebanon had the largest mean probabilities of containing unique genotypes. Based on isozyme data, Turkey appeared to represent the center of diversity in this germplasm collection. Band frequencies calculated among countries were used in a principal component analysis. Accessions from Israel and Morocco clustered together; accessions from Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Ethiopia formed another group; and Algerian accessions formed an outlying group. Several isozyme bands had a regional distribution. These results suggested that choosing accessions from countries based on their groupings in the principal component analysis should secure a greater range of diversity than sampling from the collection at random. Cluster analyses based on Jaccard's distances calculated for all pairwise combinations of the 1005 accessions revealed six broad genetic groups of accessions. Groups 1 and 6 contained accessions from many countries and encompassed half of all accessions. Groups 2 and 4 were heavily populated by accessions from Israel and Morocco. Groups 3 and 5 were composed almost exclusively of accessions from Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. By selecting representative accessions from these six groups, oat breeders could most effectively sample the range of genetic variation in this A. sterilis collection.
Expression of multiple eukaryotic genes from a single promoter in Nicotiana.

We engineered an expression unit composed of three eukaryotic genes driven by a single plant-active promoter and demonstrated functional expression in planta. The individual genes were linked as translational fusions to produce a polyprotein using spacer sequences encoding specific heptapeptide cleavage recognition sites for NIa protease of tobacco vein mottling virus (TVMV). The NIa gene itself was included as the second gene of the multi-gene unit. The first and third genes, obtained from the TR region of pTi15955, encoded enzymatic functions associated with the mannityl opine biosynthetic pathway. The mannityl opine conjugase gene (mas2) was the first unit of the construct and provided the native plant-active promoter and 5′ untranslated regulatory sequence. The third gene (mas1), encoding the mannityl opine reductase, furnished the native 3′ untranslated region. Cis-processing of the polyprotein by the NIa protease domain was demonstrated in vitro using rabbit reticulocyte lysate and wheat germ cell-free translation systems. Tobacco plant cells transformed with the multi-gene unit produced detectable levels of mannopine, mannopinic acid, and their biosynthetic intermediates, deoxyfructosyl-glutamate and deoxyfructosyl-glutamine. This indicates that the polygene construct results in a set of functional enzymatic activities that constitute a complete metabolic pathway.
Inhibition of α-aminoisobutyric acid uptake by diisothiocyanostilbenedisulphonic acid in the amphibian cornea

Abstract α-Aminoisobutyric acid accumulation of the toad's ( Bufo marinus ) cornea and lens is inhibited by 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid. This effect is seen at pH 8.4; at pH 7.4 a small increase in aminoisobutyric acid uptake was observed. Efflux of aminoisobutyric acid is unchanged by diisothiocyanostilbenedisulphonic acid at either pH. The inhibitory effect of diisothiocyanostilbenedisulphonic acid on aminoisobutyric acid accumulation appears to reflect a direct action on membrane mechanisms that mediate its influx.