cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Binding of calcium to synthetic peptides containing γ-carboxyglutamic acid

The Ca2+ binding properties of various γ-carboxyglutamic acid (gla)-containing synthetic peptides with counterpart sequences in human protein C were investigated employing potentiometry with a Ca2+-selective electrode and titration calorimetric techniques. The shortest peptides, FL(gla)(gla)LR, DF(gla)(gla)AK, and the oxidized form of the cyclic hexapeptide CI(gla)(gla)IC, each of which contains one pair of gla residues, have a weak affinity for Ca2+, with some peptides probably involved in intermolecular bridging of the Ca2+. The best example of this is the oxidized form of the peptide, CI(gla)(gla)IC, where one g-atom of Ca2+ interacts with 2 mol of peptide (n= 0.5) with a Kd value of 1.6 mM. A second g-atom of Ca2+ interacts with 2 mol of this same peptide (n= 0.5) and is characterized by a Kd of 8.8 mM. A longer peptide containing this same sequence, viz. L(gla)R(gla)CI(gla)(gla)IC, possesses two binding sites (n= 2.0)for Ca2+ of Kd=16.1 mM, as well as a tighter site (n= 1), Of Kd= 0.4 mM. An increase in stoichiometry of tight binding sites as the peptide is elongated is observed from binding data obtained on a 38-residue peptide that possesses all nine of the gla-residues of protein C in their proper sequence positions. The strongest Ca2+ binding sites (n= 3–4) possess an average Kd of 0.4 mM, followed by another class of sites (n= 5–10, average Kd= 1.5–3.0 mM). The affinity and stoichiometry of these stronger sites mimic those observed for binding of Ca2+ to the gla region of prothrombin fragment 1. By selective [13C]-labeling of the essential gla 16 residue of the 38-mer peptide, we demonstrate that this particular gla residue participates as a donor for a high-affinity Ca2+ site. These similarities in binding properties between the synthetic peptide containing the entire gla domain and the gla domain as it exists in proteins and protein fragments indicate suitably designed peptides of this type may constitute appropriate models for investigation of the binding of Ca2+ to intact gla-containing proteins.
Neuroanatomy Of The Ureterovesical Junction: Clinical Implications

ABSTRACTPurpose: The anatomy of the ureterovesical junction is germane to surgical reconstruction in patients with significant reflux. In this study we refine the description of the neuroanatomy of the distal ureter and ureterovesical junction.Materials and Methods: The distal ureter and bladder including the ureterovesical junction from 6 normal human fetuses (3 female and 3 male) at 21 to 40 weeks of gestation were studied using immunohistochemical analysis and 3-dimensional imaging techniques with antibodies against the nonspecific neuronal markers S-100 and nitric oxide synthase (nNOS).Results: Nerves were observed to occupy the medial aspect of the distal ureter. At the ureterovesical junction the nerves encircled the entire ureter. They traveled just outside Waldeyer’s sheath, leaving a safe area for surgical dissection under the sheath. As the ureter tunneled into the bladder, the nerves localized to the lateral wall of detrusor muscle. The nerves originating from the ureter and bladder and innerva...
Combined exposure to nicotine and ethanol throughout full gestation results in enhanced acquisition of nicotine self-administration in young adult rat offspring

Rationale Epidemiological evidence shows positive correlation between either maternal cigarette smoking or alcohol consumption on subsequent drug-taking behavior in offspring. However, the consequences of full gestational exposure to both drugs have not been studied experimentally despite concurrent use frequently reported among women of childbearing age. Such comorbid gestational drug exposure may increase susceptibility to acquiring cigarette smoking (i.e., nicotine self-administration), a major gateway drug.
Bimodality and the formation of Saturn's ring particles

The F ring appears to have an outer and an inner rim, with only the latter observed by the imaging photopolarimeter (IPP) on the Pioneer Saturn spacecraft. The inside of the G ring, near 2.49 R/sub S/, may also be seen in the optical data. 1979S1 is red as well as dark. The light scattered through the B ring is noticeably red. The A ring has a dense outer rim. The Cassini Division and the French Division (Dollfus Division) have a dark gap near their centers. The C ring becomes weaker toward the center such that outer, middle, and inner C rings can be recognized. The Pioneer and earth-based observations are explained with a model for the B and A rings to some extent of a bimodal size distributions of particles; the larger ones may be original accretions, while small debris diffuses inward through the Cassini Division and the C ring. During the formation of the ring system, differential gravitation allowed only silicaceous grains of higher density (rho> or approx. =3 g cm/sup -3/) to coagulate. These serve as interstitial cores for snowy carbonaceous grains, between the times of accretion from interplanetary cometary grains and liberation by collision followed bymore » diffusion inward to Saturn and final evaporation.« less
Abstract 550: Increased risk of persistent human papillomavirus infection and abnormal Pap tests in African American compared to European American women in a college-age cohort

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the causative agent of genital warts, cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer and is also associated with oropharyngeal and ano-rectal cancers. While HPV is necessary for these malignancies to develop, infection with HPV is not predictive of which women will develop cervical dysplasia or cancer. Most high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infections resolve within 12-24 months. Persistence of HR-HPV infection is a risk factor for the development of pre-cancerous cervical lesions and cervical cancer. A disparity exists in the incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer, with African American (AA) women being more likely to develop cervical cancer and about twice as likely to die of the disease, as compared to European American (EA) women. The Carolina Women9s Care Study (CWCS) was initiated in 2004 to assess HPV infection and persistence in a college-age cohort from the University of South Carolina. In this longitudinal study, 467 study participants (70% EA and 24% AA) underwent biannual pelvic exams during the duration of their college experience. Exfoliated cervical cells were collected at each visit and screened for HPV using PCR and the Inno-LiPA assay was subsequently used to determine HPV types. The AA and EA participants in the CWCS were similar upon comparison of several demographic characteristics, including those often associated with increased risk of cervical lesions, such as age at sexual debut and average number of sexual partners. While the incidence of new HR-HPV infections in AA and EA participants was similar, at any visit AA participants were about 1.5-fold more likely to test HR-HPV positive than EA participants (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 550. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-550
Effects of adrenergic agonists on electrolyte transport in perfused salivary duct of rat

Abstract The Na and Cl absorption and K secretion that occur in the main duct of rat submandibular gland are affected by adrenergic actions. The specific effects of stimulation of α-, β 1 ,- and β 2 -adrenergic receptors on net transepithelial fluxes of Na, K and Cl were investigated in microperfused main excretory duct of rat submandibular gland. Administration of methoxamine (2.5 μ g · kg −1 · min −1 , i.v.) resulted in marked decreases in net efflux (or absorption) of Na (38%) from the duct into the interstitial fluid and net influx (or secretion) of K (20%) from interstitial fluid into the ductal lumen without any effect on net efflux or reabsorption of Cl. A higher dose of methoxamine (5 μ g · kg −1 · min −1 , i.v.) produced further inhibition of net fluxes of Na and K without affecting net flux of Cl. Dobutamine (50 μ g · kg −1 · min −1 , i.v.) enhanced net effluxes of Na (40%) and Cl (300%) from the lumen but did not alter net K influx into the lumen. When the dosage of dobutamine was increased to 200 μ g · kg −1 · min −1 , an inhibition of net influx of K (28%) into ductal fluid was observed in addition to enhanced net fluxes of Na and Cl from the lumen. Administration of terbutaline (15 and 30 μg · kg −1 · min −1 , i.v.) decreased net influx of K (30–40%) and increase net efflux of Cl (280%) without affecting net efflux of Na. The data indicate that α-, β 1 - and β 2 -adrenergic receptors play specific roles in the regulation of transepithelial electrolyte transport and the effects of activation of β 1 -adrenergic receptors are qualitatively similar to those of low doses of isoproterenol.
New Functions for the Ancient DedA Membrane Protein Family

The DedA protein family is a highly conserved and ancient family of membrane proteins with representatives in most sequenced genomes, including those of bacteria, archaea, and eukarya. The functions of the DedA family proteins remain obscure. However, recent genetic approaches have revealed important roles for certain bacterial DedA family members in membrane homeostasis. Bacterial DedA family mutants display such intriguing phenotypes as cell division defects, temperature sensitivity, altered membrane lipid composition, elevated envelope-related stress responses, and loss of proton motive force. The DedA family is also essential in at least two species of bacteria: Borrelia burgdorferi and Escherichia coli. Here, we describe the phylogenetic distribution of the family and summarize recent progress toward understanding the functions of the DedA membrane protein family.
Tissue-Specific Stem Cells: Lessons from the Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cell

In 1961, the satellite cell was first identified when electron microscopic examination of skeletal muscle demonstrated a cell wedged between the plasma membrane of the muscle fiber and the basement membrane. In recent years it has been conclusively demonstrated that the satellite cell is the primary cellular source for muscle regeneration and is equipped with the potential to self renew, thus functioning as a bona fide skeletal muscle stem cell (MuSC). As we move past the 50 th anniversary of the satellite cell, we take this opportunity to discuss the current state of the art and dissect the unknowns in the MuSC field.
Bonding and oxidation state of a transition metal atom encapsulated in an isolated octahedral cluster cation of main group elements: Synthesis, crystal structure, and electronic structure of Pt2In14Ga3O8F15 containing highly positive 18-electron complex [PtIn6]10+ and low-valent In+ ions

Colorless transparent single crystals and white polycrystalline powder samples of Pt2In14Ga3(O)8F15 were obtained by heating a mixture of stoichiometric amounts of Pt, In, InF3, and Ga2(O)3, in a Pt crucible under Ar at 600 degrees C. The new oxyfluoride crystallizes in a new structure type in the trigonal space group Rm (No. 166) with a = 709.0(6) pm, c = 4556.4(3) pm, and Z = 6 with characteristic building units of PtIn6 octahedra (Pt-In = 255-257 pm), GaF6 octahedra (Ga-F = 189 pm), and GaO(4) tetrahedra (Ga-O = 186-187 pm). This oxyfluoride consists of a highly positive 18-electron complex [PtIn6]10+ as well as low-valent In+ ions. Electronic band structure calculations for Pt2In14(Ga3)O(8)F15 and molecular orbital (MO) calculations for [PtIn6]10+ were carried out to analyze the electronic structure of [PtIn6]10+ and estimate the oxidation state of Pt. Our analysis indicates that the oxidation state of the Pt atom in [PtIn6]10+ is negative rather than positive. For other octahedral cluster cations of main group elements stuffed with a transition metal atom (e.g., [RuSn6]14+ and "[IrBi6]11+") as well, we showed that the oxidation state of the transition metal atom is most probably negative by studying their electronic structures.
Gravity and Intracellular Differences in Membrane Potentials of Plant Cells

The electrical potentials across the cell membranes of the lower parts of Zea mays coleoptile cells are about 2 millivolts more negative than across the upper parts. This electrical polarization with respect to gravity occurs when coleoptiles are oriented with their apical ends either up or down and seems independent of the magnitude of the potential when the potential is modified by other treatments.
The natural history of uncomplicated syphilitic aortitis

Abstract 1.1. One hundred forty-one patients with syphilitic aortitis diagnosed clinically at the New York Hospital between 1935 and 1950 were studied. 2.2. All patients with aortic insufficiency, aneurysm, or coronary ostial stenosis due to syphilis at the time of diagnosis were excluded. 3.3. Patients who had arteriosclerosis or hypertension at the time of diagnosis were included in the study. 4.4. The average age at diagnosis was 51 years. White men predominated (63 per cent), white women being the next most common (20 per cent); Negro men were more common than Negro women. 5.5. The subsequent history of the patients substantiated the diagnosis thirty-nine times by the development of other evidence of aortic syphilis, positive angiocardiographic diagnosis, or autopsy findings. Seven times the diagnosis was apparently in error as indicated by lack of confirmation by angiocardiogram or autopsy. 6.6. The diagnosis was most often made in the presence of x-ray evidence of aortic dilatation (present in 122 patients), accentuation of the aortic second sound (found sixty-eight times), submanubrial dullness (found fifty-two times), or an aortic systolic murmur (present in seventy-eight patients). The diagnosis was made in the presence of any one or any combination of these changes. Electrocardiogram, symptoms, pulse pressure changes, and heart size were not useful in making the diagnosis. The single sign or symptom considered most important in making the diagnosis was x-ray evidence of aortic dilatation in eighty-three patients and accentuated second aortic sound in thirty-seven patients. 7.7. A positive angiocardiographic diagnosis appears to be significant, whereas a normal angiocardiogram does not rule out aortitis. 8.8. Fifteen per cent of all patients in this series, whether or not they had hypertension or arteriosclerosis, developed aortic insufficiency or aneurysm after an average of 3.5 years. Their prognosis was no worse than that of the group as a whole. 9.9. No worse prognosis was found to exist in those patients in whom the diagnosis was made at an early age than in the group as a whole. 10.10. The prognosis was not affected by the age of the patient at the time of the diagnosis of aortitis. 11.11. The prognosis of those patients who had arteriosclerosis and hypertension at the time of the original diagnosis of aortitis was worse than the group as a whole and is apparently that of the hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease. 12.12. The patients in this series were followed for an average of 7.1 years. Sixty-two per cent were followed for more than five years and 41 per cent for over ten years. The death rate was no greater in the group followed ten years and more (12 per cent) than for the other groups.
SGK1: a fine balancing act for human pregnancy

A new study suggests that regulation of the serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK1) is important for ensuring uterine receptivity and maintenance of pregnancy (pages 1509–1513). Additional work will be required to determine whether SGK1 could be potentially targeted to treat infertility and prevent miscarriage and whether it can be used as a biomarker.
The self-organizing field [Kohonen maps]

Many of the properties of the well-known Kohonen map algorithm are not easily derivable from its discrete formulation. For instance, the "projection" implemented by the map from a high dimensional input space to a lower dimensional map space must be properly regarded as a projection from a smooth manifold to a lattice and, in this framework, some of its properties are not easily identified. This paper describes the self-organizing field: a continuous embedding of a smooth manifold (the map) into another (the input manifold) that implements a topological map by self-organization. The adaptation of the self-organizing field is governed by a set of differential equations analogous to the difference equations that determine weights updates in the Kohonen map. This paper derives several properties of the self-organizing field, and shows that the emergence of certain structures on the brain-like the columnar organization in the primary visual cortex-arise naturally in the new model.
A meta-analysis of methodologies for research in knowledge management, organizational learning and organizational memory: five years at HICSS

The Task Force on Organizational Memory presented a report at the Hawaii International Conference for System Sciences in January 1998. The report included perspectives on knowledge-oriented research, conceptual models for organizational memory, and research methodologies for researchers considering work in organizational memory. This paper builds on the ideas originally presented in the 1998 report by examining research presented at HICSS in the general areas of knowledge management, organizational memory and organizational learning in the five years since the original task force report.
Sulfur Amino Acid and Methyl Donor Status of Corn-Soy Diets Fed to Starting Broiler Chicks and Turkey Poults

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing corn-soybean meal-white grease diets with sulfur amino acids and methyl group donors for starting broiler-strain chicks. The diets (23% protein and 3200 kcal ME/kg) were fed to quadruplicate lots of chicks in battery brooders. The diets were calculated to contain .37% methionine, .37% cystine, and 1499 mg/kg choline. Chemical and microbiological assays yielded values of .32% and .42% for methionine and cystine content respectively. Results of 5 chick experiments showed that supplementing this diet with .23% DL-methionine significantly (P .05) response, compounds capable of donating methyl groups were fed. Significant (P .05) different from that obtained with methionine. Serine and sodium formate failed to give consistent responses. Using a poult diet of 28% protein and 2800 kcal ME/kg, a significant (P
Single cell motion in aggregates of embryonic cells.

We investigate the motion of individual pigmented retinal cells in aggregates of neural retinal cells obtained from chicken embryos. Individual cells in aggregates move randomly in the absence of chemical or adhesion gradients: the power spectrum of position and velocity versus time correspond to Brownian motion and the velocities are uncorrelated in time. Thus a quasithermal model of cell migration like the extended Potts model is appropriate. We also measure cell diffusivity and the cell velocity distribution. The results support the idea that collections of embryonic cells behave as liquids with membrane fluctuations playing the role of temperature.
Smiling for a Wage: What Emotional Labor Teaches Us About Emotion Regulation

“I’ve never thought of it that way before!” The graduate student who said this to me seemed sincerely surprised to learn about emotional labor, the study of emotion regulation in the workplace. Rep...
Inverse bi-scale material design

One major shortcoming of existing bi-scale material design systems is the lack of support for inverse design: there is no way to directly edit the large-scale appearance and then rapidly solve for the small-scale details that approximate that look. Prior work is either too slow to provide quick feedback, or limited in the types of small-scale details that can be handled. We present a novel computational framework for inverse bi-scale material design. The key idea is to convert the challenging inverse appearance computation into efficient search in two precomputed large libraries: one including a wide range of measured and analytical materials, and the other procedurally generated and height-map-based geometries. We demonstrate a variety of editing operations, including finding visually equivalent details that produce similar large-scale appearance, which can be useful in applications such as physical fabrication of materials.
Real-time scheduling of logical processes for parallel discrete-event simulation

We tackle the problem of scheduling logical processes that can significantly affect the performance of running parallel simulation either in real time or proportional to real time. In particular, we present a comprehensive solution to dealing with the mixture of simulated and emulated events in a full-fledged conservatively synchronized parallel simulation kernel to improve efficiency and timeliness for processing the emulated events. We propose an event delivery mechanism for the parallel simulator to incorporate emulated events originated from the physical system. We augment the parallel simulation API to support emulation capabilities independent from a particular simulation domain. Preliminary experiments demonstrate the our simulator's real-time performance on high-performance computing platforms.
PHYLOGENY OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION : V. VALENCES AND ASSOCIATION CONSTANTS OF TELEOST ANTIBODIES TO A HAPTENIC DETERMINANT

The giant grouper, Epinephelus itaira, was shown to synthesize 16 and 6.4S antibodies specific for the dinitrophenyl determinant (DNP). Sera obtained at various intervals between 1 month and 2 yr after initial immunization contained both species of antibody; no temporal synthesis was evident. Equilibrium dialysis studies employing epsilon-dinitrophenyl-amino caproic acid were conducted with purified grouper antibodies specific for DNP. The 16S antibody preparations obtained at 1 and 2 months of immunization showed heterogeneity of hapten binding indicative of two populations of combining sites. One-half of these sites (an average of four sites per 16S molecule) exhibited an average intrinsic association constant (K(o)) of approximately 10(6)M(-1); the K(o) of the remaining four-sites was approximately 10(4)M(-1). Thus, the valence of the grouper 16S antibody molecule appears to be eight although the distribution of the high and low K(o) sites is unknown, i.e., are they each on the same or on different molecules? The 16S antibody preparations obtained after more prolonged immunization exhibited increasingly lower K(o) values; the so-called low K(o) sites were no longer detectable. These findings are in contrast to reports of rabbit IgG antibodies showing an increase in K(o) with increased time. The 6.4S antibody preparations obtained from the 1 and 2 month antisera had K(o) values of approximately 10(6)M(-1) and a valence of one. These antibodies would not precipitate with antigen. The 6.4S antibody preparations obtained at later times showed decreasing K(o) values comparable to those of the 16S antibodies from the same bleedings. Studies on the thermodynamic parameters of the hapten-antibody interaction showed the grouper 16 and 6.4S antibodies to be similar to each other. These data also showed that the enthalpy and entropy changes of grouper antibody-hapten reactions resemble those reported for rabbit IgG antibodies to this hapten. It is thus suggested that, although considerable evolution of immunoglobulin classes has occurred between fish and rabbits, the antibody combining site may have remained relatively unchanged during a large part of evolutionary time.
Total quality management and engineering education at Alfred University

Despite the existing structures which discourage TQM (total quality management) the Mechanical Engineering Division at Alfred University has begun to implement some TQM practices and has plans to continue to expand its dedication to being quality-driven, customer oriented, marked by teamwork, and avid about improvement. Since the Mechanical Engineering Division began practicing TQM principles in 1989, without calling them TQM at the time, total enrollment has increased significantly with large gains in students retained in the program. >
Roles of interleukin-12 and gamma interferon in murine Chlamydia pneumoniae infection.

BALB/c and strain 129 mice infected intranasally with Chlamydia pneumoniae displayed a moderate-to-severe inflammation in the lungs and produced interleukin-12 (IL-12), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and IL-10, with peak levels on days 1 to 3 postinfection (p.i.), returning to basal levels by day 16 p.i. Anti-IL-12 treatment resulted in less-severe pathological changes but higher bacterial titers on days 3 and 7 p.i. By day 16 p.i., the inflammatory responses of control antibody-treated mice subsided. The bacterial titers of both anti-IL-12- and control antibody-treated mice decreased within 3 weeks to marginally detectable levels. Anti-IL-12 treatment significantly reduced lung IFN-γ production and in vitro spleen cell IFN-γ production in response to either C. pneumoniae or concanavalin A. In γ-irradiated infected mice, cytokine production was delayed, and this delay correlated with high bacterial titers in the lungs. Following C. pneumoniae infection, 129 mice lacking the IFN-γ receptor α chain gene (G129 mice) produced similar IL-12 levels and exhibited similarly severe pathological changes but had higher bacterial titers than 129 mice. However, by day 45 p.i., bacterial titers became undetectable in both wild-type 129 and G129 mice. Thus, during C. pneumoniae lung infection, IL-12, more than IFN-γ, plays a role in pulmonary-cell infiltration. IFN-γ and IL-12, acting mostly through its induction of IFN-γ and Th1 responses, play an important role in controlling acute C. pneumoniae infection in the lungs, but eventually all mice control the infection to undetectable levels by IL-12- and IFN-γ-independent mechanisms.
On the interpretation of dynamic contact angles in capillaries

The motion of two immiscible fluids with arbitrary viscosities flowing through a capillary with an almost flat fluid-fluid interface is investigated in the limit of small capillary and Reynolds numbers. A complete description of the dynamics of the fluids is presented. It is shown that the motion of the fluid away from the moving contact line can be completely determined in terms of one material parameter, and how the capillary can be viewed as a device for measuring it. The dynamic behaviour of various contact angles, measured by others, is calculated. It is shown that they all depend on the radius of the capillary; hence, they do not represent properties of only the materials of the system.
Normal Lung Function in Subjects Heterozygous for Surfactant Protein-B Deficiency

Inherited deficiency of surfactant protein-B (SP-B) is a fatal autosomal recessive disorder of lung cell metabolism caused most frequently by a frameshift mutation in codon 121 of the SP-B gene (121ins2) and is characterized by rapidly progressive respiratory failure immediately after birth. Lungs from genetically engineered heterozygous SP-B-deficient mice exhibit decreased compliance and mild air trapping. To determine whether pulmonary function of heterozygous SP-B-deficient humans is similarly affected, we studied nine heterozygous subjects 16 to 44 yr of age and two unaffected subjects 7 and 23 yr of age from five families of 121ins2 SP-B-deficient infants. An increase in residual volume was noted in one heterozygous family member and one unaffected family member. Compliance, maximal transpulmonary pressure, air flow, and gas exchange were normal in all heterozygous subjects tested. These data suggest that humans heterozygous for the 121ins2 mutation have normal pulmonary function through the first four decades of life. The impact of advancing age and environmental exposures on the lung function of heterozygotes remains to be determined.
The effect of estradiol on testicular testosterone biosynthesis.

The presence of an estrogen receptor in Leydig cell cytosol suggests that estrogen could have a direct action on Leydig cell function. We have studied the direct effects of estradiol (E2) on Leydig cell testosterone (T) biosynthesis using hypophysectomized rats treated daily for 4 days with 400 IU hCG (Pregnyl) and 1 IU human FSH (Pergonal), a model that eliminates the possibility of feedback effects of E2 on gonadotropin secretion. E2 was administered in sc silastic capsules. Rats having capsules that contained E2 were compared to rats having capsules that were empty. E2 treatment increased plasma E2 concentration from 380 ± 56 to 670 ± 64 pg/ml (mean ± se; P < 0.01) and decreased plasma T levels from 999 ± 167 to 461 ± 156 ng/100 ml (P < 0.01). These plasma steroid changes were associated with a decrease in testis weight from 1167 ± 170 to 870 ± 72 mg (P < 0.01). No change was seen in prostate or seminal vesicle weight. Three possible mechanisms by which E2 treatment could decrease plasma T were investi...
Acceleration of Medical Image Registration Using Graphics Process Units in Computing Normalized Mutual Information

This paper presents a computational performance analysis of an accelerated medical image registration using Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). In our previous work, a multi-resolution approach using normalized mutual information (NMI) has proven to be useful in medical image registration. In this paper, we propose an acceleration of the NMI procedure using GPU implementation because of the parallel processing capabilities. Registration algorithms were implemented on NVIDIA’s GeForece 9600 GT graphic processor with the Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) programming environment. Experimental results showed that the GPU implementation improves the registration computational performance with a speedup factor of 23.4x. In addition, the maximum speedup can be achieved with diligent data profiling.
Resolution and systematic limitations in beam-based alignment

Beam based alignment of quadrupoles by variation of quadrupole strength is a widely-used technique in accelerators today. The authors describe the dominant systematic limitation of this technique, which arises from the change in the center position of the quadrupole as the strength is varied, and derive expressions for the resulting error. In addition, the authors derive an expression for the statistical resolution of such techniques in a periodic transport line, given knowledge of the line's transport matrices, the resolution of the beam position monitor system, and the details of the strength variation procedure. These results are applied to the Next Linear Collider main linear accelerator, an 11 kilometer accelerator containing 750 quadrupoles and 5,000 accelerator structures. The authors find that in principle a statistical resolution of 1 micron is easily achievable but the systematic error due to variation of the magnetic centers could be several times larger.
Antiviral therapy in management of chronic hepatitis B viral infection in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Most individuals with chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection acquired the infection around the time of birth or during early childhood. We aimed to synthesize evidence regarding the effectiveness of antiviral therapy in the management of chronic HBV infection in children. We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases from 1988 to December 2, 2014, for studies that enrolled children (<18 years) with chronic HBV infection treated with antiviral therapy. We included observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two independent reviewers selected studies and extracted data. In the 14 included studies, two cohort studies showed no significant reduction in the already low risk of hepatocellular carcinoma or cirrhosis and 12 RCTs reported intermediate outcomes. In RCTs with posttreatment follow-up <12 months, antiviral therapy compared to placebo improved alanine aminotransferase normalization (risk ratio [RR] = 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-3.2), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) clearance/loss (RR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.5-3.1), HBV DNA suppression (RR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.8-4.6), HBeAg seroconversion (RR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-3.3), and hepatitis B surface antigen clearance (RR = 5.8, 95% CI 1.1-31.5). In RCTs with posttreatment follow-up ≥12 months, antiviral therapy improved cumulative HBeAg clearance/loss (RR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.7-3.1), HBeAg seroconversion (RR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.5), alanine aminotransferase normalization (RR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.7), and HBV DNA suppression (RR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8) but not hepatitis B surface antigen clearance or seroconversion. Conclusion: In children with chronic HBV infection, antivirals compared to no antiviral therapy improve HBV DNA suppression and frequency of alanine aminotransferase normalization and HBeAg seroconversion. (Hepatology 2016;63:307–318)
Survey of Solenopsis fire ants and their parasitoid flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Pseudacteon) in central Chile and central western Argentina.

Twenty-two species of Pseudacteon flies (Diptera: Phoridae) are known to attack fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, but none are known in Chile. Surveys were conducted in central Chile and at similar latitudes in western Argentina to detect the presence of fire ants and parasitoid flies and to determine their relationship. Flies and fire ants were much more common and abundant in Argentina. In total, 100 colonies of four fire ant species were found at 63.6% of the sites surveyed. In contrast, only six colonies of one species, Solenopsis gayi (Spinola), were found at 4.7% of the sites surveyed in Chile. Our survey includes the first record of five parasitic fly species in central western Argentina and a new host, Solenopsis quinquecuspis Forel. The large form of Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier was found attacking S. gayi in Chile, which is the first record in that country, and the first record on this host species. The southern-most and western-most records were established for fire ant-decapitating flies. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) indicates that S. gayi is genetically closer to the Argentine fire ants (saevissima-group) than the North American S. geminata-group. However, S. gayi venom alkaloid composition is similar to S. geminata-group, whereas cuticular hydrocarbon composition has characteristics of both groups. Analysis of mtDNA from the collected flies supports the monophyly of P. obtusus and suggests that the Chilean population is similar to populations in eastern Argentina. The presence of P. obtusus in Chile could be explained by immigrant parasitized fire ant species from Argentina or by an accidental introduction.
Mammary fibroblasts stimulate growth, alveolar morphogenesis, and functional differentiation of normal rat mammary epithelial cells.

Stromal-epithelial interactions play a profound role in regulating normal and tumor development in the mammary gland. The molecular details of these events, however, are incompletely understood. A novel serum-free transwell coculture system was developed to study the natural paracrine interactions between mammary epithelial cells (MEC) and mammary fibroblasts (MFC) isolated from normal rats during puberty. The MEC were cultured within a reconstituted basement membrane (RBM) in transwell inserts with or without MFC in the lower well. The presence of MFC stimulated epithelial cell growth, induced alveolar morphogenesis, and enhanced casein accumulation, a marker of the functional differentiation of MEC, but did not induced ductal morphogenesis. Potent mitogenic, morphogenic, and lactogenic effects were observed after 1 wk in serum-free medium, fibroblast survival was enhanced significantly when the MFC were cultured within the RBM. Taken together, this in vitro model effectively reconstitutes a physiologically relevant three-dimensional microenvironment for MEC and MFC, and seems ideal for studying the locally derived factors that regulate the developmental fate of the epithelial and fibroblast compartments of the mammary gland.
Thinking Outside the Box: An Absorptive Capacity Approach to the Product Development Process

In high technology markets, the development of new products has received widespread interest among marketing and management scholars. Popular wisdom suggests that a consumer driven approach to the product development process is key to a firm’s competitive success. Organizational learning research however has argued that a narrow focus on customer needs restricts a firm’s ability to search for unconventional product market opportunities. Hence, a greater openness to external ideas that extend beyond the interests of the consumer has been called for. In drawing on concepts of absorptive capacity and strategic alliances, this study develops a conceptual model to examine a firm’s product development process. This conceptual model is examined in the biotechnology industry. Regression analyses show a firm’s absorptive capacity exhibits a positive yet diminishing effect on a firm’s ability to introduce products to the market. Findings also indicate the type of knowledge possessed by a firm yields a distinct moderating effect to the product benefits of alliances..
A Review of "Javascript Step by Step, Third Edition"

Almost every modern Web site uses JavaScript to track users’ actions, modify the look of the page based on the size of the screen, or provide an interactive layer. The latest version of HTML (HTML5...
Prevention of a sexually transmitted disease versus prevention of a serious female cancer: remarkably divergent views of HPV vaccination.

Human pappilomavirus vaccination as a strategy to prevent a serious cancer To an oncologist, and particularly to any clinical oncologist who has ever had experienced managing women with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, there can surely be no debate [1,2]. A relatively simple vaccination strategy that has the very realistic potential to ultimately prevent 70–90% of cases of invasive cervical cancer if initiated and completed prior to a young woman’s sexual debut must be considered a truly major public health triumph [3]. It is anticipated that there will be approximately 12,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer in the USA this year resulting in approximately 4000 deaths [4]. Imagine at some point in the not-so-distant future completely preventing 70–90% of these events. And worldwide there will be at least 500,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer next year resulting in more than 250,000 deaths [3]. Further, it is almost certain these figures are vastly understated due to recognized inadequacies with the public health infrastructure of developing world countries that are required to accurately report cancer incidence. Again, imagine preventing 70–90% of these cases with the associated recognized striking reduction in morbidity and mortality. Finally, it is critical to note for the nononcologist health professional reading this editorial that the current management of metastatic and recurrent cervical cancer unquestionably remains among the least effective and least satisfactory in all of cancer medicine [1,2]. The pain and suffering associated with this condition can truly be difficult if not impossible to comprehend, and particularly in societies that lack even the most basic health delivery infrastructure or the absolutely essential availability of potent narcotic analgesia. And although perhaps not in the direct line-of-sight of practicing family physicians, gynecologists, gynecologic oncologists or medical oncologists, it is not difficult to appreciate the cost savings in the management of cervical cancer (to an individual, employer, payer or society) associated with eliminating the required surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, home assistance or palliative/end-of-life care. Finally, it is important in this discussion to acknowledge another human pappilomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer impacting both women and men whose rapid increase has been labeled by some as an ‘epidemic’ [5,6]. It has been estimated that as many as 70% of new cases of oropharyngeal cancers are associated with HPV exposure and persistent infecPrevention of a sexually transmitted disease versus prevention of a serious female cancer: remarkably divergent views of HPV vaccination
Three-Party Multistate Sales Transactions: Drop Shipments and Similar Arrangements

The author examines sales and use tax issues concerning multistate drop shipments. Roughly two-thirds of the states with sales and use taxes take the position that the sale from supplier to retailer is an exempt sale for resale under all circumstances. Some states take the position that the sale from supplier to retailer is a taxable sale because they refuse to honor resale certificates issued by other states.
PREFERENCES VS. DESIRES: DEBATING THE FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE OF CONATIVE STATES

I address an overlooked question about the structure of the cognitive/conative model of the mind that underlies much of the work in economics, psychology and philosophy: namely, whether conative states are fundamentally monistic (desire-like) or comparative (preference-like). I argue that two seemingly promising sets of theoretical considerations – namely, the structure of Rational Choice Theory, and considerations of computational efficiency – are unable to resolve this debate. Given this, I suggest that a consideration that speaks in favour of the preference-based view is the fact that it makes it easier to explain certain empirically observed patterns in decision making.
Neurological Deterioration After Mild TBI

Investigators from UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, studied the cause, course, and outcomes of 757 patients who were admitted over 54 months following mild head injury (MHI) complicated by intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).
Association Between Hay Fever and High Myopia in United States Adolescents and Adults.

Objectives:To investigate the relationship between hay fever and refractive error in a representative sample of adolescents and adults in the United States.Methods:This cross-sectional study included 5,744 participants aged ≥12 years from the 2005 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Su
Mobile Message Board: Location-based message dissemination in wireless ad-hoc networks

Smartphones play an important role in mobile social networks. This paper presents a Mobile Message Board (MMB) system for smartphone users to post and share messages in a certain area. Our system is built upon ad-hoc communication model, and allows the users to browse the nearby information without pre-registration with any servers. Our algorithm design focuses on the message management on each phone considering its own schedule of turning the wireless device on and off. We present algorithms for two different cases to maximize the availability of the messages. Furthermore, our evaluation results from experiments and simulation show that the MMB system is efficient and effective for location-based message dissemination.
The Equation X2+PX+Q=0 In Binary Matrices

(1954). The Equation X2+PX+Q=0 In Binary Matrices. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 61, No. 1, pp. 8-17.
Respiratory Environments of Grain-Infesting Weevils. II. Comparison of Respiratory Atmospheres Produced by Laboratory Populations of Three Species of Grain Weevils.

Atmosphelic concentrations of carbon dioxide and oxygen were obtained at 4-day intervals from 3 levels in culture jars containing selected infestations of rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.); maize weevil, S. zeamais (Mot. sehu/sky); and granary weevil, S. granarius (L.). The populations varied from 5 to 20% with each infestation. As insect populations were increased from 5 to 20%, the CO2 content increased proportionally during the period from oviposition to pupation. CO2 increased gradually during carly instars to a maximum on the 22nd day with S.oryzae and S. zeamais . It decreased rapidly during pupation until the 30th day when it dropped to 15-25% of the maximum. A subsequent buildup of CO2 occurred again as the adults emerged. Maximum CO2 Accumulation occurred on the 26th day with S. gratlarius which has a longer developmental period than the other species. Larval development of the 3 species was not retarded or curtailed by the high CO2 in the culture jars. The CO2 concentrations during larval development were highest in S.zeamais , intermediate in S. gratlarius , and least in S.oryzae cultures. The O2decreased during larval development as CO2 increased. The depletion of O2Was not proportional to the buildup of CO2
His26 Protonation in Cytochrome c Triggers Microsecond β-Sheet Formation and Heme Exposure: Implications for Apoptosis

Cytochrome c unfolds locally and reversibly upon heating at pH 3. UV resonance Raman (UVRR) spectra reveal that instead of producing unordered structure, unfolding converts turns and some helical elements to β-sheet. It also disrupts the Met80–heme bond, and has been previously shown to induce peroxidase activity. Aromatic residues that are H-bonded to a heme propionate (Trp59 and Tyr48) alter their orientation, indicating heme displacement. T-jump/UVRR measurements give time constants of 0.2, 3.9, and 67 μs for successive phases of β-sheet formation and concomitant reorientation of Trp59. UVRR spectra reveal protonation of histidines, and specifically of His26, whose H-bond to Pro44 anchors the 40s Ω loop; this loop is known to be the least stable ‘foldon’ in the protein. His26 protonation is proposed to disrupt its H-bond with Pro44, triggering the extension of a short β-sheet segment at the ‘neck’ of the 40s Ω loop into the loop itself and back into the 60s and 70s helices. The secondary structure chan...
Diabetes, hyperglycemia, and the burden of functional disability among older adults in a community-based study

Background There is a need for continued surveillance of diabetes-related functional disability. In the present study, we examined associations between diabetes, hyperglycemia, and the burden of functional disability in a community-based population. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of 5035 participants who attended Visit 5 (2011–13) of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Functional disability was dichotomously defined by any self-reported difficulty performing 12 tasks essential to independent living grouped into four functional domains. Associations of diagnosed diabetes (via self-report) and undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes (via HbA1c) with functional disability were evaluated using Poisson regression. Results Participants had a mean age of 75 years, 42 % were male, 22 % were Black, and 31 % had diagnosed diabetes. Those with diagnosed diabetes had a significantly greater burden of functional disability than those without diabetes, even after adjustment for demographics, health behaviors, and comorbidities: prevalence ratios (95 % confidence intervals) were 1.24 (1.15, 1.34) for lower extremity mobility, 1.14 (1.07, 1.21) for general physical activities, 1.33 (1.16, 1.52) for instrumental activities of daily living (ADL), and 1.46 (1.24, 1.73) for ADL (all P 0.05). Conclusions Among older adults, the burden of functional disability associated with diabetes was not entirely explained by known risk factors, including comorbidities. Hyperglycemia below the threshold for the diagnosis of diabetes was not associated with disability. Research into effective strategies for the prevention of functional disability among older adults with diabetes is needed.
A method for checking interobserver reliability in observational sleep studies

Disturbances of the sleep/wake cycle occur frequently in nursing home residents. Because of the many technical difficulties in studying sleep and rhythms in such patients, systematic behavioral observations offer an alternative approach. In this study we describe a method for determining interrater reliability of such observations. Two individuals observed 39 nursing home residents four times per hour during daytime and nighttime hours. Results indicated high interrater reliability for both sleep/wake and the presence of apnea during sleep. Both day and night observations were made reliably. We found only 101 discrepancies of 1.160 tandem observations. These results suggests that behavioral observations are a viable approach in the study of the sleep/wake cycle in nursing home settings.