cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of personalized molecular biomarkers in the clinical care of adults with glioblastomas

This study was conducted to assess the current pattern of use and the impact of available molecular predictive and prognostic biomarkers on clinical care in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). An online questionnaire consisting of 15 questions about the frequency of use and clinical utility of tissue-based molecular tests was distributed to 1,053 members of the Neuro-Oncology Community in the United States. A total of 320 responses (30.4 %) were collected. 73 respondents who did not see GBM patients were excluded from analysis. MGMT promoter methylation testing (MGMT-meth) was the most commonly requested (37.2; 95 % CI, 31–44), followed by EGFR amplification (22.7; 95 % CI, 18–28), co-deletion of 1p/19q (22.3 %), EGFR expression (21.5 %), P53 mutation (19.8 %), PTEN mutation or deletion (17.4 %), EGFRvIII mutation (12.1 %), IDH1/2 mutation (12.1 %), PDGFR (4.5 %), and PIK3CA (0.8 %). The perceived utility of these studies was variable between participants. A small percentage of respondents felt that any of the studies were “always” or “almost always” helpful in clinical decision making (MGMT-meth 10.9 %; range, 0–13.8 %), but more frequently “never” or “almost never” helpful (MGMT-meth 25.9 %; range, 25–54.7 %). 26.7 % reported not to routinely order any of these studies. Although molecular markers are frequently ordered for patients with GBM, only a minority of clinicians ordering these tests report that the results influence clinical decision-making. Molecular markers that are likely to affect patient care should be ordered with the goal to maximize benefit for patients and to avoid non-actionable results and additional costs.
The cyclical lower extremity exercise for Parkinson’s trial (CYCLE): methodology for a randomized controlled trial

Background Motor and non-motor impairments affect quality of life in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Our preliminary research indicates that forced exercise cycling, a mode of exercise in which a participant’s voluntary rate of exercise is augmented on a stationary cycle, results in global improvements in the cardinal symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The objective of the Cyclical Lower Extremity Exercise (CYCLE) trial for Parkinson’s disease is to determine the effects of forced exercise cycling on motor and non-motor performance when compared to voluntary rate cycling and a non-exercise control group. Additionally, we plan to identify any associated changes in neural activity determined by functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Using Mitochondrial DNA to Determine the Identity and Origin of a Gartersnake Found in Alaska

Abstract In an era of rapidly changing environments and greater human mobility and penetration into wild areas, organisms are being discovered in increasingly unexpected places. One such finding is a road-killed juvenile gartersnake (Thamnophis) outside of Haines, Alaska, in August 2005. The poor condition of the specimen prevented a positive identification based on morphology alone. Furthermore, no snakes are known to be native to this region. We therefore undertook a molecular approach to determine the species and geographic origin of the individual. We sequenced two partial loci of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b and NADH subunit 2) from the Alaska specimen and seven specimens from localities in the lower northwestern United States. Phylogenetic reconstruction using our sequences and additional GenBank samples unambiguously revealed that the Alaska specimen is Thamnophis ordinoides and that it shares a haplotype with the northernmost sampled Washington population of T. ordinoides. In light of these ana...
The use of textbooks in evaluating the collection of an undergraduate library

The study was intended as a pilot study to test the value of the technique in the evaluation of the collection of the Undergraduate Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The subject area used, that of religious studies, was selected because it is one that is not a strong focus in the instructional program at Illinois and therefore was expected to offer a reasonable test of the method
Applicability of the Fracture Toughness Master Curve to Irradiated Highly Embrittled Steel and Intergranular Fracture

The Heavy-Section Steel Irradiation Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has evaluated a submerged-arc (SA) weld irradiated to a high level of embrittlement and a temper embrittled base metal that exhibits significant intergranular fracture relative to representation by the Master Curve. The temper embrittled steel revealed that the intergranular mechanism significantly extended the transition temperature range up to 150°C above To. For the irradiated highly embrittled SA weld study, a total of 21 1T compact specimens were tested at five different temperatures and showed the Master Curve to be nonconservative relative to the results, although that observation is uncertain due to evidence of intergranular fracture.
Neonatal Stroke in Mice Causes Long-Term Changes in Neuronal Notch-2 Expression That May Contribute to Prolonged Injury

Background and Purpose— Notch receptors (1–4) are membrane proteins that, on ligand stilumation, release their cytoplasmic domains to serve as transcription factors. Notch-2 promotes proliferation both during development and cancer, but its role in response to ischemic injury is less well understood. The purpose of this study was to understand whether Notch-2 is induced after neonatal stroke and to investigate its functional relevance. Methods— P12 CD1 mice were subjected to permanent unilateral (right-sided) double ligation of the common carotid artery. Results— Neonatal ischemia induces a progressive brain injury with prolonged apoptosis and Notch-2 up-regulation. Notch-2 expression was induced shortly after injury in hippocampal areas with elevated c-fos activation and increased cell death. Long-term induction of Notch-2 also occurred in CA1 and CA3 in and around areas of cell death, and had a distinct pattern of expression as compared to Notch-1. In vitro oxygen glucose deprivation treatment showed a similar increase in Notch-2 in apoptotic cells. In vitro gain of function experiments, using an active form of Notch-2, show that Notch-2 induction is neurotoxic to a comparable extent as oxygen glucose deprivation treatment. Conclusions— These results suggest that Notch-2 up-regulation after neonatal ischemia is detrimental to neuronal survival.
Theory of the Structural Phase Transformations in Tetrathiafulvalene-Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ)

An order parameter theory is derived and used to explain the observed structural phase transformations in tetrathiafulvalene tetracyanoquinodimethane. It is shown that there should be three transitions. One set of chains orders at 54 K, the other at 47 K. The modulation wave vector in the ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{a}}^{*}$ direction is equal to $\frac{{a}^{*}}{2}$ between 54 and 47 K, increases as $\frac{{a}^{*}}{2}+\ensuremath{\lambda}{(47\ensuremath{-}T)}^{\frac{1}{2}}$ between 47 and 38 K, and locks to a value of $\frac{{a}^{*}}{4}$ below 38 K as a consequence of Umklapp terms in the free energy.
A Purified Serum Glycopeptide from Controls and Cystic Fibrosis Patients. III. The Association of the Ciliary Dyskinetic Activity with the Oligosaccharide Component

Summary: We have previously described the purification and partial characterization of a serum glycopeptide with mucociliary activity from cystic fibrosis patients and a normal counterpart from sera of controls (3,4). After removal of its oligosaccharide component by β-elimination, the peptide portion of the glycopeptide from cystic fibrosis patients did not reveal any mucociliary activity on rabbit tracheal explants. This mucociliary activity was shown to be inhibited by mannose, glucose, and N-acetyl-galactosamine as well as by the glycopeptide purified from controls. It was not affected by xylose, fucose, galactose, or N-acetyl-glucosamine.
Altered Metabolism of DNA in Rat Thymus, an Early Response to Cortisol

Slices of thymus glands, prepared from adrenalectomized rats treated with cortisol for 1 hr, released over twice as much DNA into the incubation medium as did slices from control rats during a 2-hr incubation period. The material released was identified as DNA by its precipitation in cold acid, its solubilization in hot acid, its ultraviolet absorption, its reaction with diphenylamine, and its susceptibility to purified DNAase. Slices of thymus prepared from rats 2 hr after cortisol treatment incorporated thymidine- methyl-3H into DNA at only about 50% ofthe rate of control slices when 0.01 mM 3H-thymidine was added to the incubation medium. In contrast, incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA was not depressed when the labeled thymidine was present at the 1 mM level in the incubation medium. These findings suggest that in cortisol- altered tissue higher levels of deoxyribonucleotides dilute the labeled thymidine nucleotides, thus leading to a decreased incorporation of label when the tracer is added in lo...
A translational approach to modeling pneumonia dynamics

METHODS: Mice underwent intratracheal (i.t.) injections of P. aeruginosa, S. pneumoniae or normal saline. GeneChip analysis of circulating leukocyte RNA identified twenty-seven genes that distinguished between the two infections. Similarly, leukocyte microarray expression profiles were generated from mechanically ventilated patients every two days for three weeks. Patients developed nosocomial pneumonia within ten days of being ventilated. Homologs for 16 of the 27 genes identified in the murine study were represented on the human microarray.
The “Metabolic Syndrome” Is Less Useful than Random Plasma Glucose to Screen for Glucose Intolerance

Aims To compare the utility of metabolic syndrome (MetS) to random plasma glucose (RPG) in identifying people with diabetes or prediabetes.
Internal Waves in the Arctic Ocean: Comparison with Lower-Latitude Observations

Abstract A thermistor chain was moored below the pack ice from 50–150 m in the Arctic Ocean for five days in 1981. Oscillations in temperature are attributed to the vertical dispalcement of internal waves. The spectral shape of isotherm dispalcement is consistent with the Garrett-Munk model and other internal wave observations, but the spectral level is significantly lower. Other observations from the Arctic Ocean also exhibit lower internal-wave energy when compared with historical data from lower latitudes. The lower energy may be related to the unique generation and dissipation mechanisms present in the ice-covered Arctic Ocean. Significant peaks in vertical coherence occur at 0.81 and 2.6 cph. The peak at 2.6 cph coincides approximately with the high-frequency spectral cutoff near the local buoyancy frequency; this feature has been observed in many other internal wave experiments. The coherent oscillations at 0.81 cph exhibit a node in vertical dispalcement at 75–100 m. This is consistent with either ...
Metastatic basal cell carcinoma of the skin: Metastasis to the skeletal system producing myelophthisic anemia

In the typical patient with a metastasizing basal cell carcinoma, the tumor is large, ulcerated, and has been neglected. Recurrences are common, and the tumor is usually refractory to all modalities of treatment. Our patient neglected to seek medical help for 10 years, at which time metastases were already present. Our case is unique because the metastases to the skeletal system produced a myelophthisic anemia.
Systemic Reactions to Ophthalmic Drug Preparations

Adverse systemic reactions associated with the use of topical ophthalmic timolol, chloramphenicol, phenylephrine and cyclopentolate are surveyed, with special emphasis on precautions and contraindications for these ophthalmic drug preparations. Systemic reactions secondary to timolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist indicate that it should be used with caution in patients with asthma or a history of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cardiovascular disease and in those patients receiving systemic administration of beta-blockers or verapamil. Because significant blood dyscrasias or aplastic anaemia have been reported following topical ophthalmic chloramphenicol, the only absolute indication in ocular conditions is an organism that is resistant to all other antibiotics. Both 2.5% and 10% phenylephrine have been associated with cardiovascular effects and should be used with caution in selected patients on monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants or atropine or in those with hypertension, advanced arteriosclerotic changes, aneurysms, orthostatic hypotension, long-standing insulin-dependent diabetes and in children with low bodyweights. Central nervous system toxicity secondary to cyclopentolate is dose-related and can be avoided by use of minimal concentrations and avoidance of unnecessary repetition of administration. Occlusion of the nasolacrimal passage with finger pressure immediately after instillation of any eyedrop also decreases the amount of drug that is absorbed systemically.
Shear and compression buckling analysis for anisotropic panels with centrally located elliptical cutouts

An approximate analysis for buckling of biaxial- and shear-loaded anisotropic panels with centrally located elliptical cutouts is presented in the present paper. The analysis is composed of two parts, a prebuckling analysis and a buckling analysis. The prebuckling solution is determined using Lekhnitskii's complex variable equations of plane elastostatics combined with a Laurent series approximation and a boundary collocation method. The buckling solution is obtained using the principle of minimum potential energy. A by-product of the minimum potential energy equation is an integral equation which is solved using Gaussian quadrature. Comparisons with documented experimental results and finite element analyses indicate that the approximate analysis accurately predicts the buckling loads of square biaxial- and shear-loaded panels having elliptical cutouts with major axes up to sixty percent of the panel width. Results of a parametric study are presented for shear- and compression-loaded rectangular anisotropic panels with elliptical cutouts. The effects of panel aspect ratio, cutout shape, cutout size, cutout orientation, laminate anisotropy, and combined loading on the buckling load are examined.
Directed motion of an atomic scale engine and stability analysis

Atomic scale engines have received increasing research interests due to recent advances in nano-particle manipulation techniques. We study the model of an artificial atomic scale engine proposed by [1], and show numerically that the model exhibits directed motion under asymmetric particle coupling. We then conduct stability analysis of a 3-particle engine and prove that stable and unstable equilibrium points arise in an alternating sequence thus step motion can be deduced. Our analytic understanding of the complex nonlinear dynamics may guide future design of such an envisioned engine at the atomic scale.
Metal and pH Dependence of Heptapeptide Catalysis by Human Matrilysin

Human matrilysin devoid of its propeptide is expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity by heparin chromatography after refolding of the guanidine hydrochloride solubilized protein. Matrilysin autolytically removes its N-terminal tripeptide Met-Tyr-Ser during the refolding process. The enzyme contains 1.91 +/- 0.08 zinc atoms/mol of protein and retains full activity when stored several months at 4 degrees C. It hydrolyzes the fluorescent substrate Dns-PLALWAR at the Ala-Leu bond with a kcat of 3.1 s-1 and K(m) of 1.8 x 10(-5) M at pH 7.5, 37 degrees C, values closely similar to those for the matrilysin produced by activation of the Chinese hamster ovary and E. coli-expressed promatrilysin. The properties of this form of matrilysin demonstrate that the propeptide is not essential for proper folding or stability of the enzyme but likely determines the N-terminal amino acid of the mature enzyme. The pH dependence of kcat/K(m) for Dns-PLALWAR shows that matrilysin has a broad pH optimum (5.0-9.0) and the pKa values obtained are 4.3 and 9.6 at 25 degrees C. The activity is inhibited by several metal binding agents including 1, 10-phenanthroline, OP, but not by the nonchelating isomer, 1,7-phenanthroline. OP inhibits instantaneously by likely forming a transient ternary enzyme.metal.chelator complex. The zinc atom is then removed from the protein in a time-dependent manner. In agreement with the kinetic studies, dialysis in the presence of OP and CaCl2 removes only the catalytic zinc atom. The monozinc enzyme can be reactivated to 90%, 56%, 27%, and 17% of the native activity by addition of zinc, manganese, nickel, and cobalt, respectively. Cadmium, on the other hand, forms an inactive Cd/Zn hybrid. The differences in the chelator accessibility properties of the two zinc sites can thus be exploited to yield metallohybrids of matrilysin.
Evaluations of White American versus Black American discrimination claimants' political views and prejudicial attitudes

Abstract Although White Americans experience less frequent and less severe forms of discrimination than ethnic minorities ( Schmitt & Branscombe, 2002 ), White Americans may actually be more likely to claim discrimination compared to ethnic minorities ( Goldman, 2001 ). The present research investigated evaluations of White and Black American discrimination claimants' political views and prejudicial attitudes. Across two studies, a White American target was evaluated as more politically conservative when claiming discrimination compared to a control condition. In contrast, a Black American target was evaluated as more politically liberal when claiming discrimination compared to a control condition. Both the White and Black American target were evaluated as more prejudiced against the outgroup when claiming discrimination; however the increase in prejudice evaluations was more pronounced for the White American target. The present research suggests that lay people make distinct inferences about the political views and prejudicial attitudes of White versus Black American discrimination claimants.
167. Polyethyleneimines as Vehicles for Oral Gene Delivery

Oral gene therapy aims to treat immune-, gastrointestinal- or systemic diseases by ingestion of genetic materials. Compared to the other routes of administration, the oral route is the most convenient, but also the most challenging for gene delivery. Previous studies have shown that oral delivery of chitosan nanoparticles complexed with 0.6 mg DNA encoding FVIII resulted in phenotypic correction of Hemophilia A. The treated animals, unlike control group survived a tail-clipping test.
Multigeneration data migration from legacy systems

The migration of image data from different generations of legacy archive systems represents a technical challenge and in incremental cost in transitions to newer generations of PACS. UCLA medical center has elected to completely replace the existing PACS infrastructure encompassing several generations of legacy systems by a new commercial system providing enterprise-wide image management and communication. One of the most challenging parts of the project was the migration of large volumes of legacy images into the new system. Planning of the migration required the development of specialized software and hardware, and included different phases of data mediation from existing databases to the new PACS database prior to the migration of the image data. The project plan included a detailed analysis of resources and cost of data migration to optimize the process and minimize the delay of a hybrid operation where the legacy systems need to remain operational. Our analysis and project planning showed that the data migration represents the most critical path in the process of PACS renewal. Careful planning and optimization of the project timeline and resources allocated is critical to minimize the financial impact and the time delays that such migrations can impose on the implementation plan.
Cycloaddition across the benzofuran ring as an approach to the morphine alkaloids.

The intramolecular Diels−Alder reaction of several amidofurans tethered onto a benzofuran ring was examined as a strategy for the synthesis of morphine. Bromo substitution on the furan ring did not provide sufficient activation to allow the cycloaddition to take place across the aromatic benzofuran. However, the presence of a large o-methylbenzyl group on the amido nitrogen atom causes the reactive s-trans conformation of the amidofuran to be highly populated, thereby facilitating its Diels−Alder cycloaddition across a tethered benzofuran.
"Big" Growth Hormone Components from Human Plasma: Decreased Reactivity Demonstrated by Radioreceptor Assay

Plasma as well as pituitary immunoreactive human growth hormone (HGH) comprises at least two discrete components which have been designated as "big" HGH and "little" HGH. Using a newly developed radioreceptor assay, which depends on the ability of a substance to compete with labeled HGH for binding sites on cultured human lymphocytes, we find that the big HGH component from both normal and acromegalic subjects has much less activity in the radioreceptor assay than in the radioimmunoassay, whereas the little HGH component has simnilar activity in both assays.
Study of the reactions of hexanitrocobaltates(III) with amino acids. V. Absolute configuration and geometrical isomerism of dinitrobis(aminoacidato)cobaltate(III) ions

Abstract Circular dichroism and proton magnetic resonance data of some cis -dinitrobis(amino acidato) cobalt(III) ions are reported which establish their absolute configuration and geometrical isomerism. It is shown that rearrangement of the chelate rings must occur during the preparation from tris(aminoacidato) cobalt(III) complexes.
Ontogeny of fetal CD8lo4lo thymocytes: Expression of CD44, CD25 and early expression of TcR α mRNA

CD8lo4lo cells are the immediate precursors of immature CD8hi4loTcRlo, CD8lo4hiTcRlo and CD8hi4hiTcRlo double-positive (DP) thymocytes in the adult murine thymus. These cells are the first subset in the adult thymus to express accessory CD8 and CD4 molecules, to rearrange the T cell receptor (TcR) alpha chain genes and to express the TcR alpha beta heterodimer at low levels at the surface. Here, we investigate the fetal ontogeny of CD8lo4lo cells. We detect these cells on day 15 of fetal development. They dominate the thymus on day 15.5, to become progressively less prominent thereafter. An important characteristic of fetal CD8lo4lo cells is the early expression of TcR alpha mRNA (on fetal day 15, 36-48 h earlier than reported previously). Our results also suggest, but do not prove, that the receptor may be expressed on the surface as early as day 15.5. Fetal CD8lo4lo cells, like their adult counterparts, become DP in vitro. However, early fetal CD8lo4lo thymocytes express both CD44 and CD25--unlike the adult subset--and that links them to their putative precursors, fetal CD44+CD25+ double-negative cells. This finding underscores the difference between adult and fetal thymocytes in turnover of membrane molecules and/or the kinetics of progression through phenotypic stages.
Een kreunende pasgeborene met navelklem

Een een dag oude jongen werd na een ongecompliceerde graviditeit en partus gezien wegens persisterend kreunen. Het initieel lichamelijk onderzoek was normaal. Pas bij het tweede contact viel er iets aan de navelstreng op.
Recent advances in hepatic resection.

Hepatic surgery has emerged over the last three decades and has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for primary and secondary malignancies, as well as for benign diseases of the liver. During the past 10 years, several major advances have been made in 1) surgical technique with the advent of portal pedicle ligation maneuvers and the implementation of mechanical staplers, 2) intraoperative management with the development of low central venous pressure anesthesia, and 3) surgical technology with the innovation of laparoscopy for staging of patients with cancer and performing minimally invasive liver resection. We present a summary of our experience with these advances. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 19:200–207, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Utility of Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Disorders of Sex Development Who Undergo Prophylactic Gonadectomy.

Abstract Study Objective To evaluate ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying gonads in patients with disorders of sex development (DSD) who undergo prophylactic gonadectomy, and to assess the capacity of preoperative imaging to detect premalignant and malignant transformation. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort at a tertiary referral center of 39 patients with DSD who underwent MRI and/or ultrasonography before prophylactic gonadectomy. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Identification of gonads on preoperative imaging. Results Thirty-three patients underwent ultrasonography, which identified 54% (35/65) of gonads and 14 patients had MRI, which identified 41% (11/27) of gonads. There was no significant difference between imaging modalities in the proportion of gonads identified ( P = .25). The proportion of pathology-confirmed dysgenetic gonads identified was higher on ultrasound compared with MRI (51% vs 8%; P = .02). There was no difference in the proportion of pathology-confirmed testes identified on ultrasound and MRI (54% vs 71%; P = .33). Eleven out of 39 patients (28%) were diagnosed with a premalignant lesion, and there were no distinguishing characteristics documented on imaging reports to suggest transformation. The only diagnosed malignancy in this series had imaging describing a “normal-sized ovary.” Conclusion Ultrasonography and MRI identified 40%-50% of gonads in patients with DSD who underwent prophylactic gonadectomy, with no significant difference between the 2 modalities. Clinicians should, therefore, consider ultrasonography as a first-line imaging modality. Premalignant lesions were not detected on either imaging modality. The only malignancy was described as a “normal-sized ovary” which should raise concern in a patient with complete gonadal dysgenesis expected to have streak gonads.
The interpersonal process of cognitive–behavioral therapy: An examination of complementarity over the course of treatment.

Data from 20 clients seeing 4 experienced therapists conducting time-limited, cognitive-behavioral therapy in a university counseling center were examined with respect to the pattern of complementarity and its relation to outcome. The Interpersonal Communication Rating Scale-Revised (S. R. Strong, H. Hills, & B. Nelson, 1988) was used to determine levels of complementarity. Results of growth curve analyses support the covariation of the U-shaped pattern of complementarity with outcome. More successful dyads demonstrated a pattern of initial high levels of complementarity, decreasing levels in the middle of treatment, and then increasing levels at the end, but not as high as at the beginning. Less successful dyads did not demonstrate this pattern.
Exposure information in environmental health research: Current opportunities and future directions for particulate matter, ozone, and toxic air pollutants

Understanding and quantifying outdoor and indoor sources of human exposure are essential but often not adequately addressed in health effect studies for air pollution. Air pollution epidemiology, risk assessment, health tracking, and accountability assessments are examples of health effect studies that require but often lack adequate exposure information. Recent advances in exposure modeling along with better information on time-activity and exposure factor data provide us with unique opportunities to improve the assignment of exposures for both future and ongoing studies linking air pollution to health impacts. In September 2006, scientists from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with scientists from the academic community and state health departments convened a symposium on air pollution exposure and health to identify, evaluate, and improve current approaches for linking air pollution exposures to disease. This manuscript presents the key issues, challenges, and recommendations identified by the exposure working group, who used case studies of particulate matter, ozone, and toxic air-pollutant exposure to evaluate health effects for air pollution. One of the overarching lessons of this workshop is that obtaining better exposure information for these different health effect studies requires both goal setting for what is needed and mapping out the transition pathway from current capabilities for meeting these goals. Meeting our long-term goals requires definition of incremental steps that provide useful information for the interim and move us toward our long-term goals. Another overarching theme among the three different pollutants and the different health study approaches is the need for integration among alternate exposure-assessment approaches. For example, different groups may advocate exposure indicators, biomonitoring, mapping methods (GIS), modeling, environmental media monitoring, and/or personal exposure modeling. However, emerging research reveals that the greatest progress comes from integration among two or more of these efforts.
Shocks and sheaths in the heliosphere

Abstract This paper compares three kinds of shocks and sheaths; the bow shock and magnetosheaths of planets, interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) shocks and sheaths, and the termination shock and heliosheath. We compare the energy balance across these shocks, fluctuations in the sheaths, asymmetries, and shock evolution. All three shocks and sheaths display asymmetries imposed by outside magnetic fields. Energy balance is often achieved through reflection of ions of the shocks, but in some cases no reflected ions are observed. The shocks may have similar small scale fluctuations which drive density changes in the sheaths.
Increasing Biopsy Number and Sampling from Gastric Body Improve the Sensitivity of Rapid Urease Test in Patients with Peptic Ulcer Bleeding

Background Previous studies demonstrated that the sensitivity of rapid urease test (RUT) for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection decreased during peptic ulcer bleeding.
Second Generation Protease Inhibitors and Nucleotide Inhibitors

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease and polymerase inhibitors are in rapid phases of development. Following closely behind the approval of the inhibitors of the HCV RNA NS3/4A protease, boceprevir and telaprevir, include both a) more potent protease inhibitors and b) the development of the viral NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors. Protease inhibitors generally have a low barrier to resistance and extensive cross-resistance between agents. NS5B polymerase inhibitors are generally considered to have a high barrier to resistance and the potential for use across all genotypes. However, in the absence of ribavirin or of other direct-acting antivirals these agents may predispose to the selection of resistant variants or for viral relapse following treatment completion. Optimal combination of agents and therapy durations remain major challenges in clinical research.
Rapid detection of IHNV by molecular padlock recognition and surface-associated isothermal amplification

RNA sequences derived from infectious hematopoeitic necrosis virus (IHNV) could be detected using a combination of surface-associated molecular padlock DNA probes (MPP) and rolling circle amplification (RCA) in microcapillary tubes. DNA oligonucleotides with base sequences identical to RNA obtained from IHNV were recognized by MPP. Circularized MPP were then captured on the inner surface of glass microcapillary tubes by immobilized DNA oligonucleotide primers. Extension of the immobilized primers by isothermal RCA gave rise to DNA concatamers, which were in turn bound by the fluorescent reporter SYBR Green II nucleic acid stain, and measured by microfluorimetry. Surface-associated molecular padlock technology, combined with isothermal RCA, exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity without thermal cycling. This technology is applicable to direct RNA and DNA detection, permitting detection of a variety of viral or bacterial pathogens.
Acetylation Is Indispensable for p53 Activation

The activation of the tumor suppressor p53 facilitates the cellular response to genotoxic stress; however, the p53 response can only be executed if its interaction with its inhibitor Mdm2 is abolished. There have been conflicting reports on the question of whether p53 posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation or acetylation, are essential or only play a subtle, fine-tuning role in the p53 response. Thus, it remains unclear whether p53 modification is absolutely required for its activation. We have now identified all major acetylation sites of p53. Although unacetylated p53 retains its ability to induce the p53-Mdm2 feedback loop, loss of acetylation completely abolishes p53-dependent growth arrest and apoptosis. Notably, acetylation of p53 abrogates Mdm2-mediated repression by blocking the recruitment of Mdm2 to p53-responsive promoters, which leads to p53 activation independent of its phosphorylation status. Our study identifies p53 acetylation as an indispensable event that destabilizes the p53-Mdm2 interaction and enables the p53-mediated stress response.
Small Subunit rRNA Gene Comparisons of Four Actinosporean Species to Establish a Polymerase Chain Reaction Test for the Causative Agent of Proliferative Gill Disease in Channel Catfish

Abstract Proliferative gill disease (PGD) causes high morbidity and mortality in cultured channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. The presence of the myxozoan Aurantiactinomyxon ictaluri (class Actinosporea) is strongly associated with PGD. This parasite, shed as an actinospore from the aquatic oligochaete Dero digitata, infects channel catfish by an undetermined route. Several other actinosporeans have been identified that are shed from D. digitata isolated from catfish ponds, including those designated A. mississippiensis, Helioactinomyxon sp., and the actinospore stage of Henneguya exilis. By the use of multiple sequence alignment of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes of A. ictaluri, A. mississippiensis, and H. exilis, we identified two variable regions. The largest variable region was PCR amplified, sequenced from the Helioactinomyxon sp., and used in addition to the other three sequences in multiple-sequence alignment comparison to develop PCR primers ...
BLyS and BLyS receptor expression in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Abstract Objective B Lymphocyte Stimulator (BLyS) protein and its receptor are new members of the tumor necrosis factor family, with specific effects exclusively on B cells. We have studied the tumor cell expression of the BLyS-Receptor (BLyS-R) and the serum BLyS protein levels in patients with different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). Methods BLyS-R expression was assessed by flow cytometry on B cells from 43 NHL patients and 10 normal donors. BLyS protein serum levels were analyzed by ELISA. Results All B cells, tumor and normal, expressed BLyS-R. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI ± SD) of BLyS-R on normal B cells was 25.2 ± 2.3 arbitrary units, while follicular NHL and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) exhibited significantly lower expression of the BLyS-R (17.7 ± 3.1; 15.5 ± 3.9, respectively, p p Conclusion The specificity of the expression of BLyS-R by B-cell lymphomas opens new opportunities for the treatment of these cancers by targeting this ligand-receptor pair.
Complementary structural information from a tryptic N-linked glycopeptide via electron transfer ion/ion reactions and collision-induced dissociation.

Glycosylation is an important post-translational modification. Analysis of glycopeptides is difficult using collision-induced dissociation, as it typically yields only information about the glycan ...
Optimal pavement design and rehabilitation planning using a mechanistic-empirical approach

This paper presents the development of a pavement design and rehabilitation optimization decision-making framework based on Mechanistic-Empirical (ME) roughness transfer models. The AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design (the software of Pavement ME Design) is used to estimate pavement deterioration based on the combined effects of permanent deformation, fatigue, and thermal cracking. The optimization problem is first formulated into a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model to address the predominant trade-off between agency and user costs. To deal with the complexity associated with the pavement roughness transfer functions in the software and to use the roughness values as input to the optimization framework, a dynamic programming subroutine is developed for determining the optimal rehabilitation timing and asphalt concrete design thickness. An application of the proposed model is demonstrated in a case study. Managerial insights from a series of sensitivity analyses on different unit user cost values and model comparisons are presented.
Landscape pattern of seed banks and anthropogenic impacts in forested wetlands of the northern Mississippi River Alluvial Valley

ABSTRACT Agricultural development on floodplains contributes to hydrologic alteration and forest fragmentation, which may alter landscape-level processes. These changes may be related to shifts in the seed bank composition of floodplain wetlands. We examined the patterns of seed bank composition across a floodplain watershed by looking at the number of seeds germinating per m2 by species in 60 farmed and intact forested wetlands along the Cache River watershed in Illinois. The seed bank composition was compared above and below a water diversion (position), which artificially subdivides the watershed. Position of these wetlands represented the most variability of Axis 1 in a Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) analysis of site environmental variables and their relationship to seed bank composition (coefficient of determination for Axis 1: r2 = 0.376; Pearson correlation of position to Axis 1: r = 0.223). The 3 primary axes were also represented by other site environmental variables, including farming ...
The effect of ankle position on the static tension in the Achilles tendon before and after operative repair: a biomechanical cadaver study.

Background: We hypothesized that there no need to position the foot in plantarflexion after operative repair of an Achilles tendon rupture. Methods: In five fresh cadaver lower extremity specimens, the static tension in the Achilles tendon was measured as the ankle was sequentially dorsiflexed from 30, to 20, to 10, to 0 degrees of plantarflexion. The tendon was then transected and repaired using a modified Krakow locking loop suture technique. The tension in the tendon was again measured as the foot was sequentially dorsiflexed through the same range of motion: 30, to 20, to 10, to 0 degrees. The repair was then tensile tested to failure. Results: The intact Achilles tendons generated on average 10 N, 10 N, 15.8 N and 31.9.0 N of tension at 30, 20, 10, and 0 degrees of plantarflexion, respectively. After a modified Krakow locking loop repair, the tension across the repair site was 10 N, 11.46 N, 18.4 N, and 30.3 N at 30, 20, 10, and 0 degrees of plantarflexion. Thus, moving the ankle from 30 degrees to n...
Growth of Laboratory-Held Gulf of Mexico Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus desotoi)

Abstract The first recorded growth of two Gulf of Mexico sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus desotoi), obtained as recently hatched fry and reared for 17 months (March 25, 1989, through August 31, 1990) in laboratory conditions, is presented. During the first 1.5 months, sturgeon number 1, held in a tank with natural substrates and aerated well water, was offered homogenized amphipods, snails, prawns, crayfish, and chironomid larvae. Sturgeon number 2, held in a 3.8-L aquarium with pea gravel, was offered live brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) and whole aquatic blackworms (Lumbriculus van egatus). For the next 10 months, both Gulf of Mexico sturgeons were fed whole live blackworms and thereafter were provided whole live West African nightcrawlers (Eudrilus eugeniae) and brandling worms (Eisenia foetida). In the first year, sturgeon 1 attained a total length of 71.6 cm and weight of 1.87 kg, and sturgeon 2 grew to 63.4 cm and 1.41 kg. After 17 months before release to the Suwannee River, Florida, sturgeon 1 was 84.9 ...
Dual-region in vivo Functional Imaging with a Spatial Light Modulator

We demonstrate dual-region functional imaging, using a spatial light modulator as a programmable beam steering element. Two lateral cortical regions in layers 2/3 of a mouse expressing GCaMP6 are simultaneously scanned, and signals extracted using independent-component-analysis.
Over 90% of implants supporting bridges and crowns survive 5 years

Objective To assess the survival of implants supporting fixed partial dentures and single crowns in partially edentulous patients. Data Sources MEDLINE 1980–1996 using terms, dental implants, cylindrical intraosseous, osseo-integration, edentulous, partial, single, fixed bridges, fixed partial dentures, prosthodontic treatment, survival. In addition reference lists of collected papers were searched. Only papers published in English or with English abstracts were included. Study selection Studies were included which reported on cylindrical metallic threaded intraosseous implants, had a minimal follow-up period of 1 year, implant failure was defined and cumulative survival rate could be calculated. Where multiple reports used the same implants only the most recent data was used. Data extraction and synthesis A life-table actuarial analysis was performed for each study and for pooled data on implants from single crown and fixed partial denture groups. Results 66 studies were identified. Nine studies on single crown (SC) supporting implants, 9 on implants supporting fixed partial dentures (FPD) and one reporting on both SC and FPD were included (19 in all). The included studies totalled 2686 implants 570 supporting SC and 2116 supporting FPDs. Conclusion The cumulative survival rate for implants supporting fixed partial dentures and single crowns in partially edentulous jaws was found to be over 90%. Lindh T, Gunne J, Tillberg A, Molin M. A meta-analysis of implants in partial edentulism. Clin Oral Impl Res. 1998: 9; 80–90
PHYTOSTEROLS AND FATTY ACIDS IN FIG (FICUS CARICA, VAR. MISSION) FRUIT AND TREE COMPONENTS

: The phytosterol compositions in unsaponifiables of fig (Ficus carica, var. Mission) fruit and 3 structural components of the branches; and the fatty acid composition of fig fruits were studied using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The phytosterols were determined from the trimethylsilyl ether (TMS) derivatives of the unsaponifiable samples. Fourteen compounds were separated from fig fruit; 13, 10, and 6 in bark, stem, and pith, respectively. Sitosterol was the most predominant sterol in all parts. Also detected were campesterol, stigmasterol, and fucosterol. Fatty acids in fig fruit, determined as their methyl esters, were myristic (14:0), palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2), and linolenic (18:3) acids.
First Impressions Making Up Your Mind After a 100-Ms Exposure to a Face

People often draw trait inferences from the facial appearance of other people. We investigated the minimal conditions under which people make such inferences. In five experiments, each focusing on a specific trait judgment, we manipulated the exposure time of unfamiliar faces. Judgments made after a 100-ms exposure correlated highly with judgments made in the absence of time constraints, suggesting that this exposure time was sufficient for participants to form an impression. In fact, for all judgments-attractiveness, likeability, trustworthiness, competence, and aggressiveness-increased exposure time did not significantly increase the correlations. When exposure time increased from 100 to 500 ms, participants' judgments became more negative, response times for judgments decreased, and confidence in judgments increased. When exposure time increased from 500 to 1,000 ms, trait judgments and response times did not change significantly (with one exception), but confidence increased for some of the judgments; this result suggests that additional time may simply boost confidence in judgments. However, increased exposure time led to more differentiated person impressions.
A least-squares algorithm for multipath time-delay estimation

We consider the problem of estimating the arrival times of overlapping ocean-acoustic signals from a noisy received waveform that consists of attenuated and delayed replicas of a known transient signal. We assume that the transmitted signal and the number of paths in the multipath environment are known and develop an algorithm that gives least-squares (LS) estimates of the amplitude and time delay of each path. Direct computation of the LS estimates would involve minimization of a highly oscillatory error function. By allowing the amplitudes to be complex valued, a much smoother error function that is easier to minimize using gradient-based techniques is obtained. Using this property and the knowledge (derived from the data) of the spacing between adjacent minima in the actual LS error function, an efficient algorithm is devised. The algorithm is a function of a data-dependent parameter, and we give rules for choosing this parameter. The algorithm is demonstrated on a broad-band signal, using simulated data. The proposed method is shown to achieve the Cramer-Rao lower bound over a wide range of SNR's. Comparisons are made with alternating projection (AP) and estimate maximize (EM) algorithms. >
Sidelobe level and wideband behavior of arrays of random subarrays

We propose an extension to the concept of random antenna arrays. Three new array geometries are introduced which are intended to incorporate the wide bandwidth capability of a random array while having simplified geometry to increase their suitability for lower-cost applications. The behaviors of the periodic array of random subarrays, array of periodically rotated random subarrays, and array of randomly rotated random subarrays are each characterized probabilistically. Results indicate that subarray rotation can lower the sidelobe level of the array factor. An example of the design process is presented with calculated array factors
A density-based greedy router

A track-by-track routing algorithm based on a greedy heuristic on density structure is presented. By applying a dynamic programming technique using an accurate criterion of density structure, the algorithm guarantees finding a set of wire segments for a track whose routing can decrease the channel density by one, if it exists. It is believed that none of the existing track-by-track routers can achieve this even by resorting to exhaustive search. With its accurate calculation in selecting wire segments in each track, the new two-layer router solves Deutsch's difficult example in 19 tracks in the two-layer restricted-Manhattan model by a simple density-related function, and the extended three-, four-, and five-layer routers also outperform other routers without backtracking, rerouting, or routing transformation. The experimental results are presented for performance comparison. >