cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards building an automated bioinformatician: more accurate transcript assembly via parameter advising

Abstract Computational tools used for genomic analyses are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex. While these applications often provide more accurate results than their predecessors, a new problem is emerging in that these pieces of software have a large number of tunable parameters. Choosing the wrong parameter values for an application may lead to significant results being overlooked or false results being reported. We take some first steps towards generating a truly automated genomic analysis pipeline by developing a method for automatically choosing input-specific parameter values for reference-based transcript assembly. We extend the parameter advising framework, first developed for multiple sequence alignment, to optimize parameter choices for the Scallop transcript assembler. In doing so, we provide the first method for finding advisor sets for applications with large numbers of tunable parameters. By choosing parameter values for each input, the area under the curve (AUC) when comparing assembled transcripts to a reference transcriptome is increased by 28.9% over using only the default parameter choices on 1595 RNA-Seq samples in the Sequence Read Archive. This approach is general, and when applied to StringTie it increases AUC by 13.1% on a set of 65 RNA-Seq experiments from ENCODE. Parameter advisors for both Scallop and StringTie are available on Github1.
Multiple recurrences from cervical cancer presenting as skin metastasis of different morphologies.

Abstract Skin metastasis is an infrequent manifestation in oncology, with reported incidence of about 1.3% in cervical cancer. When present, it usually signals advanced disease with very limited, mostly palliative treatment options. Here we present a patient who was diagnosed with cervical cancer at an early stage and later recurred twice with skin lesions of different morphologies.
Descriptive Analyses of Behaviors during Social Interactions

Individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders demonstrate difficulty initiating and maintaining eye contact from early infancy into adulthood. However, interventions aimed at improving eye contact ...
Pediatric Somatic Tumor Sequencing Identifies Underlying Cancer Predisposition

PURPOSEThe diagnosis of cancer predisposition in pediatric patients with cancer is vital for treatment decisions, surveillance, and management of at-risk family members. Somatic tumor testing can i...
Roughing the caster! Sexism and perceived female sports broadcasters’ credibility

Women football broadcasters still face challenges in obtaining careers and advancing professionally. The researchers sought to bridge the gap in research to better understand the audience’s percept...
Global Optimum Search in Quantum Deep Learning.

This paper aims to solve machine learning optimization problem by using quantum circuit. Two approaches, namely the average approach and the Partial Swap Test Cut-off method (PSTC) was proposed to search for the global minimum/maximum of two different objective functions. The current cost is $O(\sqrt{|\Theta|} N)$, but there is potential to improve PSTC further to $O(\sqrt{|\Theta|} \cdot sublinear \ N)$ by enhancing the checking process.
The Lawrence D. Dorr Surgical Techniques & Technologies Award: Using Big Heads and Small Acetabular Components With Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylene in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Is It Safe?

Abstract Background Contemporary total hip arthroplasty (THA) employs larger femoral heads to optimize hip stability. However, the combination of large femoral heads and comparatively small acetabular components poses a potential risk for implant failure secondary to polyethylene (PE) liner fracture or dissociation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of liner fracture or dissociation, implant survivorship, and PE wear rates in primary THAs using large femoral heads and small acetabular components. Methods Between 2000 and 2017, we retrospectively identified 882 primary THAs with 36 mm femoral heads and acetabular components ≤52 mm with highly cross-linked polyethylene liners. Mean age was 66 years, 88% were females, and mean body mass index was 30 kg/m2. We evaluated the cumulative incidences of dislocation, any revision, and any reoperation utilizing a competing risk model. Osteolysis and femoral head penetration were assessed with a validated radiographic technique at minimum 10-year follow-up (n = 18). Mean follow-up was 4 years. Results There were no liner fractures or dissociations in the entire cohort. The 10-year cumulative incidences of dislocation, any revision, and any reoperation were 3.2%, 5.6%, and 9.3%, respectively. Mean linear femoral head penetration was 0.042 mm/y and mean volumetric wear rate was 44 mm3/y. No THAs demonstrated evidence of osteolysis or component loosening at long-term follow-up. Conclusion In a large cohort of primary THAs pairing large femoral heads with small acetabular components, there was no evidence of liner fracture or dissociation. Cumulative incidences of dislocation, any revision, and any reoperation were low at mid-term. Level of Evidence IV.
Physician Communication and Patient Understanding of Molecular Testing Terminology.

BACKGROUND The use of molecular testing in oncology is rapidly expanding. The aim of this study was to determine how oncologists describe molecular testing and whether patients understand the terminology being used. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty conversations between oncologists and patients about molecular testing were observed, and the used technical terms were noted by the researcher. Patients were interviewed post-conversation to assess their understanding of the noted technical terms. A patient understanding score was calculated for each participant. Comparisons of the terms were conducted using χ2 tests, Fisher's exact tests, or ANOVA when appropriate. RESULTS Sixty-one unique technical terms were used by oncologists, to describe seven topics. "Mutation" was a challenging term for patients to understand with 48.8% (21/43 mentions) of participants correctly defining the term. "Genetic testing" and "Gene" were understood a little more than half the time (53.3%; 8/15 and 56.4%; 22/39 respectively). "DNA" was well understood (80%; 12/15). There was no correlation between the terms being defined by the oncologist in the conversation, and the likelihood of the patient providing a correct definition. White participants were significantly more likely to understand both "mutation" and "genetic testing" than non-White participants. Forty-two percent (n = 25) of participants had an understanding score below 50%, and a higher family income was significantly correlated with a higher score. CONCLUSION Our results show that oncologists use variable terminology to describe molecular testing, which is often not understood. Because oncologists defining the terms did not correlate with understanding, it is imperative to develop new, improved methods to explain molecular testing. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The use of molecular testing is expanding in oncology, yet little is known about how effectively clinicians are communicating information about molecular testing and whether patients understand the terminology used. The results of this study indicate that patients do not understand some of the terminology used by their clinicians and that clinicians tend to use highly variable terminology to describe molecular testing. These results highlight the need to develop and implement effective methods to explain molecular testing terminology to patients to ensure that patients have the tools to make autonomous and informed decisions about their treatment.
Emerging biomarkers for child & family intervention studies: A review of EEG studies of parenting.

Abstract Most interventions for childhood mental health problems require significant parental involvement, and treatment programs are increasingly incorporating components aimed at enhancing parents’ own self-regulation in the context of potentially stressful parent-child interactions. This paper discusses the promise of EEG in examining the rapidly unfolding perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and regulatory processes that occur in parenting, in hopes of ultimately informing child and family interventions. First, we review two separate bodies of work that have used EEG with parents: one examining event-related potential (ERP) measures, and the other examining frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA). We discuss benefits of each within the study of parenting, and also suggest other EEG metrics (such as event-related time-frequency analyses) that can be leveraged to fill current gaps in our knowledge. Finally, we discuss the potential for these findings to inform clinical work with children and families, such as identifying biomarkers that could aid in assessment, treatment recommendations, and monitoring response-to-interventions.
RequestPolicy: Increasing Web Browsing Privacy through Control of Cross-Site Requests

Many requests that a Web browser makes are not made to the primary site a user is visiting. It is common for websites to instruct browsers to make additional requests to third-party sites for content, advertisements, as well as for purely user-tracking purposes. Current techniques for maintaining user privacy with respect to cross-site requests are limited and inadequate. We propose a client-side whitelist for controlling third-party website requests. We implement this as RequestPolicy, an extension for Mozilla browsers. We look at the usability of RequestPolicy as well its impact on the Web browsing experience. Our extension maintains a high level of usability while safeguarding user privacy against well-known threats in addition to new threats we draw attention to.
O-linked glycosylation of rat renal gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase adjacent to its membrane anchor domain.

Abstract Large domains rich in serine and threonine, that are likely to exhibit clusters of O-linked oligosaccharides, have been reported adjacent to the anchor of several cell surface proteins. No such domain is evident in the primary sequence of rat renal gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. However, papain treatment of the amphipathic enzyme (Triton-purified gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, T gamma GT), pretreated with galactose oxidase and NaB3H4 (Frielle, T., and Curthoys, N. P. (1983) Biochemistry 22, 5709-5714), yields the hydrophilic enzyme (papain-treated Triton-purified gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, PT gamma GT) and a labeled peptide which contains both the amino-terminal membrane anchor and the sequence Pro27-Thr28-Thr29-Ser30. Since [3H]galactose was identified in this peptide, the presence of O-linked oligosaccharides was investigated. Carbohydrate analysis is consistent with the presence of two simple O-linked oligosaccharides on T gamma GT and one on PT gamma GT. Lectin blot analysis of T gamma GT and PT gamma GT was carried out after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The small subunits of both T gamma GT and PT gamma GT and the large amphipathic subunit of T gamma GT all react with the peanut agglutinin lectin, but the large subunit of PT gamma GT exhibits no such reactivity. The reactivity with PNA is consistent with the presence of one oligosaccharide with the structure galactose beta 1-3N-acetylgalactosamine alpha 1-Ser/Thr attached to each subunit of T gamma GT. The papain-sensitivity of the oligosaccharide from the larger subunit is consistent with O-glycosylation at the Thr28-Thr29-Ser30 sequence. The results of lectin blot analysis with wheat germ agglutinin imply that the content of N-linked oligosaccharides is unaffected by papain treatment of the transpeptidase. These data represent the first direct evidence for O-glycosylation of a microvillar hydrolase at a site immediately adjacent to the membrane anchor and indicates that even small clusters of Thr and Ser can be O-glycosylated. Isolated O-linked oligosaccharides may have functional significance since single Ser and Thr residues are consistently found near the membrane anchor of many cell surface proteins.
Spartan Semiconductor Services, Inc.: an entrepreneurial environment

Spartan Semiconductor Services, Inc. (SSSi) is a fictitious start-up company developed as a pedagogical environment in an interdisciplinary semiconductor processing course. This entrepreneurial engineering environment is maintained within both the classroom and the laboratory settings, resulting in a teaching and learning format which actively engages students in the learning process, going beyond the "cookbook" approach to spark student self-motivated learning. At SSSi the employees (students) work in teams to deliver a product, with managers (professors) available as manufacturing resources. The setting allows a built-in mixture of teaching and learning styles to be used, requiring significant utilization of the higher-level thinking skills of synthesis, analysis and evaluation.
Abstract 19584: Frequency and Distribution of Hemodialysis (HD)-Associated Atrial Fibrillation: Preliminary Results of the (MiD) Study

Introduction: ESRD patients are at increased risk for atrial arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence up to 40% has been reported in HD patients, but the relationship of AF onset to the HD cycle is unknown. Methods: MiD is a prospective multi-center study to characterize arrhythmias in 3x weekly HD patients with an implantable continuous cardiac monitoring device, the Medtronic Reveal® XT. HD treatment data are collected concurrently during the initial 6 months. The Reveal XT detects AF episodes based on incoherence in adjacent R-R intervals. Previous validation of Reveal XT AF detection against Holter monitoring showed 92% sensitivity and 80% positive predictive value for AF episodes ≥6 minutes (min) in duration. Results: Follow-up is available for 45 subjects [mean follow-up 4.9mo (0.6-6.0mo), mean age 56 (27-76yrs), 36% female]. 1253 AF episodes ≥6 min long were detected in 18 of 45 (40.0%) subjects, occurring at a rate of 5.6 (95%CI=2.1-15.4) events per patient month (ppm). In the 18 subjects with any episodes, the rate of AF events ≥6 min was 14.1 (95%CI=6.3-31.7) ppm. The risk of AF onset peaks in the 12 hours after the start of the first HD session of the week following the long interdialytic interval. Total duration of AF episodes ≥6 min in these 18 subjects was 1866 hours. Only 5 of the total 45 subjects (11%) had any prior history of AF. Seventy two percent of the patients having any episodes of AF (13/18) were not on warfarin at study entry while 39% (7/18) had a prior diagnosis of congestive heart failure, and 61% (11/18) had a prior history of coronary artery disease. Twelve of 13 subjects not on warfarin had CHADS2 scores ≥2. Conclusions: AF is common and often undiagnosed in ESRD with 40% of MiD patients having at least one sustained episode (≥6 min) and only 11% of these patients having any prior history. The dialysis procedure may directly increase AF risk with the greatest risk of AF onset occurring during the first 12 hours after HD initiation. Since 66% of our subjects had an indication for anticoagulation, early detection of AF is crucial.
Clinicopathological study of ninety-four limbs amputated for occlusive vascular disease.

A clinicopathological study was made in ninety-four cases in which extremities were amputated at the Mayo Clinic for occlusive vascular disease; forty amputations were through the thigh and fifty-four were below the knee. Dissection and microscopic examination of the forty limbs amputated above the knee demonstrated the segmental nature of the occlusive arterial lesions in atherosclerosis obliterans. Limbs amputated above the knee that contained fresh thrombi in the femoral or popliteal arteries were clinically the most ischaemic of the entire series of ninety-four limbs examined. Patients with diabetes mellitus who were subjected to amputation above the knee did not have fresh thrombi in the popliteal or femoral arteries. This correlates with the clinical finding that recent sudden arterial occlusion is relatively infrequent as the initiating factor for amputatiomi in patients with both atherosclerosis and diabetes. The anterior tibial, posterior tibial, and peroneal arteries of limbs amputated for atherosclerosis obliteramis showed no quantitative differences in the degree of occlusion in those amputated above the knee compared with those amputated below the knee. The old lesions of thromboangiitis obliterans may bear a strong histological resemblance to certain other thrombotic lesions, such as those secondary to emboli. The microscopic picture of thromboangiitis obliterans is not always specific and its diagnosis requires that the pathologist be familiar with the clinical history and findings in all cases.
A trace gas sensor at ppb sensitivity based on multiple line integration spectroscopy techniques

We demonstrate that employing integrated absorption of multiple lines or summation of the absolute values of the wavelength modulation spectroscopy signals, sensitivities of ppb can be achieved for the detection of trace gases.
Freezing Tolerance of Chicory and Narrow-Leaf Plantain

'Ceres Tonic' and 'Grasslands Lancelot' narrow-leaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) and 'Grasslands Puna' chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) have received considerable interest as potential new forages for the northeastern USA because of their reported drought tolerance and high forage quality. However, all three cultivars were developed under New Zealand conditions and may not have sufficient winter hardiness to survive northeastern USA winters. Growth chamber and field studies were conducted to determine the freezing tolerance and winter survival of these new forages under well-watered and drought conditions. Winter survival of chicory in the field ranged from 73% of marked plants in the wet treatment to 93% following summer drought. Likewise, winter survival of plantain in the field increased from 3% in the wet treatment to 41% in the dry treatment. Survival of Lancelot plantain in the growth chamber increased from 4% in the well-watered to 16% in the drought treatment. However, survival of Tonic plantain and Puna chicory in the growth chamber was not affected by drought. Chicory survival was greater than survival of plantain in both controlled and field environments. Puna chicory appears to have sufficient winter hardiness to survive winters in the northeastern United States. Although Lancelot had slightly greater survival than Tonic, neither plantain cultivar had sufficient freezing tolerance to be recommended for use in the northeastern USA. Improved cultivars will need to be developed from populations that have evolved under more severe winter conditions before plantain can become a viable forage for most of this region.
Modeling a.c. thin-film electroluminescent devices

Abstract Since the work at Sharp Corporation demonstrated the possibility for long lived thin-film electroluminescent devices, there has been considerable interest in this technology for display applications. As this technology moves out of the research laboratory, there is a need for accurate models that one can use to characterize thin-film EL elements. Such models are necessary for process optimization, for the design of optimum driving circuitry, and also to make projections of expected performance limits in a particular application. In a.c.-coupled thin-film EL devices, the active layer (usually ZnS:Mn) is sandwiched between two insulator layers. This structure is the subject of this paper. The presence of the insulator layer results in certain features that are unique to this particular construction, and we have found certain special techniques for characterizing device operation to be particularly useful. The “ Q-V figure,” analogous to the “ H-B ” diagram for a magnetic material, provides a graphic representation of device operation that is useful for both qualitative and quantitative descriptions. In this paper, a series of simple-to-complex models for device operation are offered that are useful for analysis in applications. The simpler models, though useful for some purposes, fail to give a complete description. The more complete models require a much more detailed knowledge of the underlying processes and so are more cumbersome to use. They can, however, provide insight into the operation. A detailed exposition of experimental data for typical a.c. thin-film EL devices is given, which includes electrical and optical data along with suggestions of underlying physical mechanisms that may provide a model explaining this data. Special consideration is given to the role of tunneling and space charge in determining the electrical characteristics and to the special features of the Mn ++ center in ZnS. It is suggested that an Auger process involving this center can provide a link between concentration quenching and the occurrence of hysteresis or memory effect. The nature of brightness saturation in ZnS:Mn devices is reviewed. The saturation data strongly suggest an interaction between Mn ++ excited states that provide nonradiative decay channels.
VISUALIZATION OF HYPHAL SHEATH IN WOOD-DECAY HYMENOMYCETES. II. WHITE-ROTTERS

Several brown-rot fungi were studied with respect to formation of hyphal sheaths in axenic culture. The 12 fungi examined showed hyphal sheaths when grown on each type of solid substrate; in isolates grown in liquid media, sheaths were poorly demonstrated. Sheath structure varied among and within species, but a fine fibrillar texture was common to all. Sheath of Poria carbonica might also be granular or composed of electron dense granules and rods. A sheath often contained cellular contents released from hyphae autolyzing within the sheath. Occasionally protoplasm could be seen escaping through openings in cell walls. Necrotic hyphae lacked sheaths.
Synthesis of Mannich bases of bioactive benzylphenols

2,4-Bis(1,1-dimethyl)-6-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methoxymethyl]phenol (4), prepared by oxidation of 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]phenol (1) with silver oxide in methanol, reacts with secondary amines in boiling toluene to give Mannich bases (6) related to the biologically active o-benzylphenol. Mannich basis of the isomeric p-benzylphenol (7) were prepared by reaction of amines with the p-quinone methide formed by oxidation of 7.
The ABCs of low-phytate crops

The nutritional quality of maize and soybean seeds is improved by embryo-specific silencing of an ABC transporter.
Closed Loop Estimator-Controller Synthesis for a Two-Zone Controlled Auto-Ignition Engine Model

This paper outlines the controller development for a physics-based two-zone thermo kinetic model of HCCI/CAI engine presented in the previous work. The model accounted for both temperature and concentration inhomogeneities in the cylinder, which ultimately resulted in better prediction of the combustion parameters. The discrete nonlinear model is linearized about an operating point and the resulting linearized model is used to create an effective tracking controller. The model inputs include the variable valve timings needed to effectively control peak pressure, ignition timing and exhaust temperature. Since some of the model states cannot be monitored under transient conditions, an observer was developed to estimate the states. Two controller-observer models: controller-current observer and controller-predictor observer were designed and simulated using the same engine model. A significant difference was observed between the performances of these two models. Simulation results showed that linear controller can drastically enhance the control of combustion phasing, thereby making the control of HCCI engines practical.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Anemia and perioperative myocardial ischemia in a Jehovah's witness patient

We present a case in which an anemic patient with religious objections to blood transfusion experienced three episodes of severe myocardial ischemia during the perioperative period. The first episode of ischemia was successfully treated by discontinuing isoflurane and resolving the hypotension. The second and third episodes were successfully treated by heart rate control with esmolol and neostigmine.
A test of location for data with slowly decaying serial correlations

SUMMARY Slowly decaying serial correlations have, if ignored, disastrous effects on classical tests and confidence intervals. We propose a modified t test for the location parameter which takes into account such correlations. An approximate distribution function of the test statistic is given under the assumption of fractional Gaussian noise. The results are generalized to prediction intervals for a future average. An example is given to illustrate the methods.
Embedded Diatomics-in-Molecules Potential Energy Function for Methyl Radical and Methane on Nickel Surfaces

We have developed a potential energy function for the interaction of H, CH3, and CH4 with crystalline Ni surfaces and the dissociation reaction of CH4 on such surfaces. The potential is based on th...
Electronic Structure Effects in the Drude and Interband Absorption of Aluminum

Using Ashcroft's potential, the interband and Drude absorption in aluminum have been calculated. Two large peaks occur in the interband part of ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ at 0.5 and 1.6 eV. In addition, the interband absorption continues as $h\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$. The optical effective mass is calculated with the result that ${m}_{a}^{*}=1.45{m}_{0}$. Comparison with experiment is excellent. It is concluded that the optical spectrum of aluminum is completely understood in terms of the band structure. It is also pointed out that the optical peaks can be used to help determine the Fermi surface.
Geochemistry of the Springfield Plateau aquifer of the Ozark Plateaus Province in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, USA

Geochemical data indicate that the Springfield Plateau aquifer, a carbonate aquifer of the Ozark Plateaus Province in central USA, has two distinct hydrochemical zones. Within each hydrochemical zone, water from springs is geochemically and isotopically different than water from wells. Geochemical data indicate that spring water generally interacts less with the surrounding rock and has a shorter residence time, probably as a result of flowing along discrete fractures and solution openings, than water from wells. Water type throughout most of the aquifer was calcium bicarbonate, indicating that carbonate-rock dissolution is the primary geochemical process occurring in the aquifer. Concentrations of calcium, bicarbonate, dissolved oxygen and tritium indicate that most ground water in the aquifer recharged rapidly and is relatively young (less than 40 years). In general, field-measured properties, concentrations of many chemical constituents, and calcite saturation indices were greater in samples from the northern part of the aquifer (hydrochemical zone A) than in samples from the southern part of the aquifer (hydrochemical zone B). Factors affecting differences in the geochemical composition of ground water between the two zones are difficult to identify, but could be related to differences in chert content and possibly primary porosity, solubility of the limestone, and amount and type of cementation between zone A than in zone B. In addition, specific conductance, pH, alkalinity, concentrations of many chemical constituents and calcite saturation indices were greater in samples from wells than in samples from springs in each hydrochemical zone. In contrast, concentrations of dissolved oxygen, nitrite plus nitrate, and chloride generally were greater in samples from springs than in samples from wells. Water from springs generally flows rapidly through large conduits with minimum water–rock interactions. Water from wells flow through small fractures, which restrict flow and increase water–rock interactions. As a result, springs tend to be more susceptible to surface contamination than wells. The results of this study have important implications for the geochemical and hydrogeological processes of similar carbonate aquifers in other geographical locations. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interactions of amyloid Aβ(1–42) peptide with self‐assembled peptide nanospheres

In this work we have probed the interactions of the amyloid Aβ(1–42) peptide with self-assembled nanospheres. The nanospheres were formed by self-assembly of a newly developed bolaamphiphile bis(N-alpha-amido-methionine)-1,8 octane dicarboxylate under aqueous conditions. It was found that the interactions of the Aβ(1–42) peptide with the nanospheres were concentration as well as pH dependent and the peptide largely adopts a random coil structure upon interacting with the nanospheres. Further, upon incorporation with the nanospheres, we observed a relative diminution in the aggregation of Aβ(1–42) at low concentrations of Aβ(1–42). The interactions between the nanospheres and the Aβ(1–42) peptide were investigated by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, circular dichroism, FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy, and the degree of fibrillation in the presence and absence of nanospheres was monitored by the Thioflavine T assay. We believe that the outcome from this work will help further elucidate the binding properties of Aβ peptide as well as designing nanostructures as templates for further investigating the nucleation and fibrillation process of Aβ-like peptides. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biochemical Study of Heterosis for Brain Myelin Content in Mice

Heterosis (hybrid vigor) for brain myelin content has been examined in detail in (C57BL/6J x DBA/2J)F1 hybrid mice at 17 days of age. The amount of myelin isolated from the F1 hybrid brain is greater than that isolated from either parental strain. In addition, the total protein content in the myelin of the three genotypes showed the following trend: F1 greater than DBA greater than C57. However, no discernible differences in myelin protein compositions could be detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Analysis of the whole brain for several myelin-associated constituents such as GM1 ganglioside, 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNPase), 5'-nucleotidase, and carbonic anhydrase indicated that heterosis exists for these components. No heterosis was found for such nonmyelin constituents as gangliosides GD1a, GT, GQ, RNA, DNA, and choline acetyltransferase. A developmental study of the whole brain CNPase indicated that the heterotic effect was greatest during the most active period of myelination (17-30 days). We conclude that the heterotic effect is specific for myelin content and is probably the result of an accelerated myelin synthesis. The heterotic effect should have great potential as a new model for studying aspects of myelinogenesis.
Some results on consecutive large cardinals II: Applications of radin forcing

Letκ be a 3 huge cardinal in a countable modelV of ZFC, and letA andB be subsets of the successor ordinals <κ so thatA ⋃B={α<κ:α is a successor ordinal}. Using techniques of Gitik, we construct a choiceless modelN A of ZF of heightκ so thatN A ╞“ZF+⌍AC ω+Forα ∈A, ℵa is a Ramsey cardinal+Forβ ∈B, ℵβ is a singular Rowbottom cardinal which carries a Rowbottom filter+Forγ a limit ordinal, ℵy is a Jonsson cardinal which carries a Jonsson filter”.
Families of Online Sum-Choice-Greedy Graphs

In online list coloring (introduced by Zhu and by Schauz in 2009), at each step a set of vertices allowed to receive a particular color is marked, and the coloring algorithm chooses an independent subset of the marked vertices to receive that color. A graph $$G$$G is said to be $$f$$f-paintable for a function $$f:V(G)\rightarrow \mathbb {N}$$f:V(G)?N if there is an algorithm to produce a successful coloring whenever each vertex $$v$$v is allowed to be marked at most $$f(v)$$f(v) times. In 2002 Isaak introduced sum list coloring and the resulting parameter called sum-choosability. The analogous notion of online sum-choosability, or sum-paintability, is the minimum of $$\sum f(v)$$?f(v) over all functions $$f$$f such that $$G$$G is $$f$$f-paintable; we denote this value by $$\chi _{sp}(G)$$?sp(G). Always $$\chi _{sp}(G)\le |V(G)|+|E(G)|$$?sp(G)≤|V(G)|+|E(G)|, and we say that $$G$$G is sp-greedy when equality holds. We conjecture that all outerplanar graphs are sp-greedy. We prove this for every outerplanar graph whose weak dual is a path and give further restrictions on the structure of a minimal counterexample. We also prove that wheels are sp-greedy.
Land and cropland primeness: Concepts and methods of determination

Concepts of prime agricultural land, its definition, and its description are presented. Alternative means to analyze potentials and losses are described. Techniques now used in the preservation of land are listed. A concept of cropland primeness is advanced and means suggested for its computation, its display in maps, and its interpretation. An example of the use of the primeness concept in airport site selection is reported.
On hard facts and misleading data

Adrian J. Desmond. The Ape's Reflexion. New York: The Dial Press/James Wade, 1979. 288 pp. Index, 38 Illustrations. $10.95.
Double diffusion in a porous cavity saturated with non-Newtonian fluid

A numerical and theoretical study of double-diffusive natural convection within a rectangular porous cavity saturated by a non-Newtonian e uid and characterized by a power-law model is conducted. The conditions on the vertical walls are of a constant temperature and concentration. The theoretical method utilizes the pure scaling arguments to estimate, in an order-of-magnitude sense, the type of e ow and the heat and mass transfer patterns that can develop in the enclosure. The results obtained using the scaling arguments are then verie ed by performing a series of numerical experiments. Numerical solutions for the e owe eld, the temprature and concentration distributions, and the heat and mass transfer rates are obtained for a wide range of parameters. Results are presented for 50 # Ra # 500, 0 # N # 20, 0.1 # Le # 500, and 0.5 # n # 1.6. The order-of-magnitude predictions for the overall heat and mass transfer rates and their respective domains of validity are shown to be in agreement with the results produced by discrete numerical experiments.
Nitrogen mineralization from leaves and litter of tropical plants: Relationship to nitrogen, lignin and soluble polyphenol concentrations

Abstract Rates and patterns of nitrogen mineralization from decomposing plant materials are known to be affected by initial concentrations of N, lignin and soluble polyphenols, but published results show differences in which properties correlated best with N release. We incubated soil with fresh leaves and litter from 12 species commonly used in tropical agroforestry systems, including both legumes and non-legumes, to estimate how release of mineral N was affected by chemical composition. After 16 weeks, net accumulation of mineral N in incubations ranged from 81% of initial N in fresh Sesbania sesban to net depletion equivalent to 70% of initial N in Casuarina equisetifolia litter. Fresh legume leaves generally had net N accumulation, whereas legume litter and non-legume fresh leaves and litter had net depletion. At all sampling dates, the percent of leaf N accumulated was most highly correlated with initial N concentration. Phosphorus and the ratios lignin:N and (lignin + polyphenol):N also strongly correlated with N accumulation, although these indices themselves were correlated with N. We conclude that differences among previous studies in best chemical predictors of mineralization rates arose from relatively small ranges in chemical composition of materials used. Over our wide range of materials, initial soluble polyphenols were secondary to initial N, which explained most of the variation in N accumulation or depletion.
The Unholy Trinity: Inflammation, Cytokines, and STAT3 Shape The Cancer Microenvironment

Tumor-associated inflammation is a consequence and a driver of tumorigenesis. Three papers in this issue of Cancer Cell demonstrate the importance of tumor-elicited inflammation in the development and progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous carcinoma. Disruption of tissue homeostasis culminates in activation of STAT3, generating a pro-tumorigenic inflammatory microenvironment.
Cervical carcinoma metastatic to the orbit.

PurposeTo describe a case of orbital metastasis from an undifferentiated pelvic tumor with probable cervical origination.MethodsCase report. Detailed ophthalmologic examination, orbital CT and MRI, and orbital biopsy with histologic and immunohistochemical analysis.ResultsA 29-year-old woman with a
Scanning Electron Microscopy Reveals Different Response Pattern of Four Vitis Genotypes to Xylella fastidiosa Infection

The xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa causes Pierce's disease (PD), whose disease symptoms are primarily the result of xylem vessel blockage in susceptible grapevines. Stem internode and petiole tissues from infected and uninfected control plants of four grape genotypes (Vitis vinifera, V. rufotomentosa, V. smalliana, and V. arizonica/candicans) differing in PD susceptibility were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tyloses, fibrillar networks, and gum plugs were observed in lumens of tracheary elements in petioles and internodes of both water-inoculated control plants and X. fastidiosa-inoculated plants of all genotypes. Bacteria were not observed in control plants. In both petiole and internode tissues, the greatest number of occluded xylem vessels were observed in V. vinifera and the smallest number in V. arizonica/candicans. The number of xylem vessels infested with X. fastidiosa was greatest in V. vinifera and did not differ among the other three genotypes. Systemic infection was found in all genotypes. The frequency with which X. fastidiosa infested vessels were observed using SEM corresponded well with bacterial levels estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among infected plants, tylose formation in internodes was lowest in V. arizonica/candicans and did not differ among the other three genotypes. Infection with X. fastidiosa strongly induced tylose formation in V. vinifera and V. smalliana but not in V. arizonica/candicans. Analysis across tissues and genotypes indicated an induction of fibrillar networks and gum occlusions in response to X. fastidiosa infection, whereas treatment comparisons within genotypes were not significant except for V. vinifera petioles. Limiting the spread of X. fastidiosa infection by xylem conduit occlusions does not appear to be the mechanism conferring PD resistance or tolerance to V. arizonica/candicans, V. smalliana, or V. rufotomentosa. In contrast, the strong induction of tyloses may be detrimental rather than beneficial for V. vinifera survival after X. fastidiosa infection.
The current status and prospects for genetic studies of bipolar disorder

Abstract Family, twin, and adoption studies provide strong evidence for a genetic etiology in bipolar disorder (BPD). Early studies seeking to locate genes reported statistical evidence for linkage of BPD to DNA markers at several chromosomal sites. The earliest of these have not proven robust while several more powerful genome scans have had largely negative findings. Recurring, suggestively positive linkage findings on chromosomes 4p, 12q, 18p, 18q, and 21q have emerged as attractive candidate regions for further study. However, it is clear now that single gene forms of BPD, if they exist, must be uncommon. Clinical strategies for increasing the power of linkage and association studies include: (1) ascertaining very large family samples and (2) dividing the phenotypes and families into genetically meaningful subgroups to decrease heterogeneity. The Human Genome Project will soon provide the chromosomal location and DNA sequences for all genes. In doing so, it will make the identification of candidate genes for bipolar disorder a routine step in our studies. We summarize here the results of the current studies at Johns Hopkins to resolve the genetic causes of BPD related to the locus on 18q21–22. We have found that preferential transmission of paternal alleles to BPII offspring is the critical observation behind our linkage findings in this chromosomal region. Similar delineation of the individual and familial subtypes of BPD at the other candidate regions could lead to progress in isolation of the genes involved and to pathogenetic studies of the disease.
Long-term effects of levosimendan infusion on inflammatory processes and sFas in patients with severe heart failure.

Background The calcium sensitizer levosimendan improves myocardial contractility in patients with heart failure, although its effects on inflammation and apoptosis are unknown. Aim To examine the effects of levosimendan on markers of inflammation and apoptosis, over a period of 30 d following a 24 h infusion, in patients with heart failure. Methods Thirty four patients with severe heart failure were randomised to receive a 24 h infusion of levosimendan or placebo, in a double-blind trial. Haemodynamic evaluation and blood sampling were performed at baseline, 24 h, 30 h, 48 h, 7 d and 30 d after the end of the infusion. Results Seven patients (1 levosimendan, 6 placebo), were excluded during follow-up. In the remaining 27 patients, levosimendan decreased serum IL-6 and sFAS, 24 h after the infusion (p<0.01 and p<0.05 vs baseline), an effect sustained for 7–30 d. Serum TNF-α and sTNF-R1 were decreased between 48 h (p<0.01 vs baseline for both) and 7 d (p<0.05 vs baseline for sTNF-R1) after infusion. Serum sTNF-R2 was decreased at 24 h (p<0.05 vs baseline) and remained lower than baseline for at least 7 d (p<0.05). Conclusions These findings indicate that levosimendan decreases the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α receptors and sFAS, immediately after infusion, an effect which persists for 7–30 d.
Group Treatment in Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation

The current article describes critical issues in adapting traditional group-treatment methods for working with individuals with reduced cognitive capacity secondary to acquired brain injury. Using the classification system based on functional ability developed at the NYU Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (RIRM), we delineate the cognitive and interpersonal capabilities that differentiate group-participation capacity. An overview of the RIRM interventional process, including strategies of change (cognitive remediation versus psychosocial groups), is provided. Empirical support for the RIRM method of group assignment and treatment outcomes for our model is also referenced.
Nucleophilicity of Neutral versus Cationic Magnesium Silyl Compounds

Charge and ancillary ligands affect the reactivity of monomeric tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl magnesium compounds. Diamine-coordinated (tmeda)Mg{Si(SiMe3)3}Me (tmeda = tetramethylethylenediamine; 2-tme...
Insulin-like growth factor-1 binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) promotes recovery from trauma-induced expression of inflammatory and apoptotic factors in retina

Abstract Ocular trauma affects 20% of Americans in their lifetime and can cause permanent visual system damage. We have used a mouse model of ocular trauma (exposure to an air blast from a paintball gun) to examine pathways that trigger the resulting retinal damage and to develop treatment strategies that might ameliorate the deleterious effects of trauma on retinal tissue. Our previous studies have shown that ocular blast causes an increase in protein levels of inflammatory mediators and apoptotic factors, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), as well as the apoptotic markers, Bax, cytochrome C, and cleaved caspase 3. Furthermore, topical treatment by eye drop application of a β-adrenergic receptor agonist, Compound 49b, was shown to decrease these inflammation/apoptosis markers and thus ameliorate the effects of blast trauma. We postulate that the protective effect of Compound 49b may be linked to its demonstrated ability to activate the β-adrenergic receptor and in turn trigger production of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). In the current study, we tested this hypothesis using mice with minimal IGFBP-3 activity (IGFBP-3 knockdown mouse) vs. wildtype mice. We found that ocular blast alone did not affect IGFBP-3 levels in retinas of wild type or knockdown mice and surprisingly, the lower levels of IGFBP-3 in knockdown animals did not exacerbate the blast-induced increase in protein levels of inflammation/apoptosis markers. Nevertheless, the levels of IGFBP-3 were significantly increased in knockdown mouse retina by treatment with Compound 49b 24 h post-trauma and as expected, the increase in IGFBP-3 was linked to a decrease in inflammation/apoptosis markers. We conclude that while lowered IGFBP-3 may not make the retina more vulnerable to blast injury, an increase in IGFBP-3 post-trauma may play an important role in limiting trauma-induced inflammatory and apoptotic pathways leading to retinal damage. Eye drop application of the β-adrenergic receptor agonist, Compound 49b, provides a promising treatment strategy for increasing IGFBP-3 levels to promote recovery from retinal inflammation and apoptosis after ocular blast.
The role of forceps rotation in maternal and neonatal injury

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to assess the impact of forceps rotation on maternal and neonatal injury. Study Design: In this retrospective case-controlled study performed at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston all forceps deliveries with a rotation of ≥90 degrees performed between July 1992 and September 1995 were identified (n = 113). For controls 167 forceps deliveries with rotations of ≤45 degrees were randomly selected. Control deliveries occurred during the same time period and were matched to within 2 weeks of gestational age as well as to nulliparous versus parous status. The majority of deliveries were low; however, some midforceps deliveries were also included. Results: Forceps rotations of ≥90 degrees accounted for 0.8% of all deliveries. A major fetal injury, defined as a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, brachial plexus or a sixth or seventh cranial nerve injury, occurred in 10.2% of deliveries with rotations of ≤45 degrees and in 9.7% with rotations of ≥90 degrees. The only permanent injury was a brachial plexus palsy that occurred with a forceps rotation of 45 degrees. Rotations of ≥90 degrees were not associated with umbilical arterial acidemia below 7.0 or 7.1 compared with rotations of ≤45 degrees. Rotations of ≥90 degrees were associated with longer maternal hospital stays ( P = .009). Neither lacerations of the birth canal, third- or fourth-degree episiotomies, or fall in the maternal hematocrit correlated with the degree of forceps rotation. Conclusions: Advanced degrees of forceps rotations do not result in any clinically significant increase in infant or maternal morbidity relative to that encountered with lesser degrees of forceps rotation. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:231-4.)
Orientation-dependent magnetic behavior in aligned nanoparticle arrays constructed by coaxial electrospinning

A modified electrospinning process has been utilized to align magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) nanoparticles inside highly oriented poly(ethylene oxide) nanofibers. The structural characterization of the fiber encapsulated nanoparticle arrays via electron microscopy has been detailed, and the magnetic behavior has been studied using vibrating sample magnetometry. The fiber encapsulated nanoparticle arrays exhibit orientation-dependent magnetic behavior with respect to the applied magnetic field. A strong anisotropy along orthogonal axes is obtained for aligned arrays and is manifested as a notable increase in the coercivity and remanence magnetization in the parallel field configuration. The magnetic behavior of isotropic fibers is also examined as a reference and no orientation dependence is observed. The results were found to corroborate theoretical predictions from the chain-of-spheres model. Such hybrid nanoparticle arrays may find relevance in applications requiring an orientation-dependent physical response and in the directional transfer of signals.