cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential sensitivity of metaphase to diamide and ouabain in HeLa cells.

Abstract We have examined the effects of diamide, an oxidizer of glutathione, on the progress of HeLa cells through the cell cycle. At concentrations which do not significantly alter generation time, anaphase or cytokinesis, diamide causes a two-fold increase in the duration of metaphase. At 3 × 10−8 M, ouabain also prolongs metaphase without effect on anaphase or cytokinesis, though with a different time course. The data suggest that the metaphase stage of mitosis is particularly sensitive to alterations in both sulfhydryl groups and Na+ levels but that the effects of diamide are probably not primarily due to the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups of the Na + K + -ATPase.
Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-2 Gene Disruption Promotes ApcMin/+ Tumorigenesis and Activator Protein-1 Activation

Epigenetic in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that suppressor of cytokine signaling-2 (SOCS2) may normally limit tumorigenesis in the intestine; however, this theory has not been directly tested. We hypothesized that SOCS2 deficiency promotes spontaneous intestinal tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ mice. Therefore, we quantified tumor number, size, and load in the small intestine and colon using SOCS2+/+/ApcMin/+, SOCS2+/−/ApcMin/+, and SOCS2−/−/ApcMin/+ mice and assayed hematocrit as an indirect marker of disease severity. Biochemical and histological assays were used to assess mechanisms. Heterozygous and homozygous disruption of SOCS2 alleles promoted 166 and 441% increases in tumor load in the small intestine, respectively, accelerated development of colon tumors, and caused severe anemia. SOCS2 deletion promoted significant increases in intestinal insulin-like growth factor-I mRNA but did not affect plasma insulin-like growth factor-I. Western blots and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that tumor and nontumor intestinal tissue of SOCS2−/−/ApcMin/+ mice had increased serine 727 phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 compared with SOCS2+/+/ApcMin/+ mice. Moreover, electromobility shift assays showed that SOCS2 deletion did not alter signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 DNA binding. However, tumors and small intestine from SOCS2−/−/ApcMin/+ showed dramatic increases in activator protein-1 (AP-1) DNA binding, and SOCS2 overexpression in vitro reduced levels of AP-1. These studies indicate that SOCS2 deletion promotes the spontaneous development of intestinal tumors driven by mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli/β-catenin pathway and activates AP-1. Therefore, reduced expression or epigenetic silencing of SOCS2 may serve as a useful biomarker for colorectal cancer risk.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations Reveal Intrinsic Features of SERCA Dynamics

X-ray crystallography of SERCA (an integral membrane calcium pump in muscle) suggests that upon Ca2+ binding (transition from E2 to E1), the nucleotide-binding (N) and actuator (A) domains increase their separation by 3 nm. However, FRET data shows that Ca2+ produces only a slight distance increase between these domains (Winters et al., 2008, Biochemistry 47:4246-56). To understand this discrepancy, we have performed all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on the crystal structures of the E1 (PDB: 1SU4) and E2 (PDB: 1IWO) states, in explicit lipid bilayer and water at constant temperature (310K) and pressure (1 atm). Trajectories (40 ns) revealed that both domains display significant flexibility, with N more flexible than A. Principal component analysis showed that these domains move toward each other in the E1 state and apart in the E2 state; making these structure converge toward each other, in agreement with published FRET data. Cross-correlation matrices revealed correlated motions between the A and phosphorylation (P) domains in both E1 and E2 states. In contrast, anticorrelated motions were observed between N and A/P domains, with slight differences between E1 and E2, suggesting a Ca2+ effect. Solvent-accessible surface area around the ATP site increased in the simulated E2 state. Conclusions: (a) Crystal structures of E1 and E2 states of SERCA are not representative of the populations under physiological conditions, where the two structures differ much less than in the crystal. (b) The simulation indicates a much more accessible ATP-binding site than observed in the E2 crystal structure. (c) Calcium-induced modulation of interdomain anticorrelated motions involving the N domain may be important for ATP binding, catalysis and gating. This work was supported by NIH (GM27906, AR007612) and the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute.
Discovering functional modules by identifying recurrent and mutually exclusive mutational patterns in tumors

Assays of multiple tumor samples frequently reveal recurrent genomic aberrations, including point mutations and copy-number alterations, that affect individual genes. Analyses that extend beyond single genes are often restricted to examining pathways, interactions and functional modules that are already known. We present a method that identifies functional modules without any information other than patterns of recurrent and mutually exclusive aberrations (RME patterns) that arise due to positive selection for key cancer phenotypes. Our algorithm efficiently constructs and searches networks of potential interactions and identifies significant modules (RME modules) by using the algorithmic significance test. We apply the method to the TCGA collection of 145 glioblastoma samples, resulting in extension of known pathways and discovery of new functional modules. The method predicts a role for EP300 that was previously unknown in glioblastoma. We demonstrate the clinical relevance of these results by validating that expression of EP300 is prognostic, predicting survival independent of age at diagnosis and tumor grade. We have developed a sensitive, simple, and fast method for automatically detecting functional modules in tumors based solely on patterns of recurrent genomic aberration. Due to its ability to analyze very large amounts of diverse data, we expect it to be increasingly useful when applied to the many tumor panels scheduled to be assayed in the near future.
Cognitive tempo, violent video games, and aggressive behavior in young boys

In a factorial design, impulsive and reflective children played video games with aggressive or nonaggressive themes. Interpersonal aggression and aggression toward inanimate objects were assessed in a free-play setting and interpersonal aggression was assessed during a frustrating situation. Results indicated that subjects who played the video game with aggressive content exhibited significantly more object aggression during free-play and more interpersonal aggression during the frustrating situation than youngsters who played nonaggressive video games. Aggressive behavior was unaffected by cognitive tempo.
Resident Training in Robotic Assisted Gynecologic Surgery

Abstract Objective: The educational objective is to teach physicians who are in training effective surgical techniques and options for minimally invasive surgery by performing robotic surgery. Design: Several educators influenced the authors' design for robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery training. It was posited that surgical education should be innovative and should include at least five aspects: (1) knowledge; (2) basic skills; (3) experience; (4) decision-making skills; and (5) quality performance and evaluation. Materials and Methods: The obstetric and gynecologic residency training program used for this study involved a total of 24 residents (6 residents per year), with ∼70% of the surgical training being performed at a large tertiary care university-affiliated community hospital. The gynecologic surgery rotation included 4 residents (one each postgraduate year 1–4) and had a duration of 8 weeks. Training was instituted when patients who were scheduled for robotic surgery consented, and the residen...
A Preliminary Study of Low-Income African American Fathers' Play Interactions with Their Preschool-Age Children

This study examined the play interactions of 33 low-income African American fathers with their preschool-age children. The father's self-esteem was found to be highly correlated with professional r...
An analysis of the short-circuiting technique applied to in vivo tissues

Abstract This paper deals with the short-circuiting technique (SCT) in tissues with intact blood flow. Central to the analysis is the effect of a passive barrier of appreciable resistance in series with a membrane possessing an active ionic transport mechanism. With the SCT applied to the total system the p.d. across the active membrane may not be reduced to zero. In absence of bulk flow the concentration of ions within the system will change so that in the steady state the electrochemical gradients for passive ions will be zero. With blood flow the electrochemical gradients for passive ions within the system may not be reduced to zero, hence in the steady state passive ions may be transported. If an in vivo tissue consists of a flat cell layer in series with a passive barrier the SCT is applicable provided certain criteria are satisfied. For tissues that are not flat cell layers, such as the dog gastric mucosa and in which a distributed parameter circuit is needed to adequately represent them the SCT under in vivo conditions is not applicable in the sense of the Ussing-Zerahn concept. The current needed to reduce the p.d. across the in vivo gastric mucosa to zero may be substantially less than the true short-circuit current (the total current that would be required to reduce the p.d. across each cell to zero).
Self-focusing in polymers

La mesure de la puissance-seuil d'autofocalisation d'un faisceau laser permet d'obtenir la susceptibilite optique non lineaire d'ordre 3 d'un polymere en solution; application au cas du poly(dihexylsilane). La methode est sensible et permet l'etude des transitions conformationnelles des polymeres conjugues en solution
Expression of hurP, a Gene Encoding a Prospective Site 2 Protease, Is Essential for Heme-Dependent Induction of bhuR in Bordetella bronchiseptica

Expression of the hurIR bhuRSTUV heme utilization locus in Bordetella bronchiseptica is coordinately controlled by the global iron-dependent regulator Fur and the extracytoplasmic function sigma factor HurI. Activation of HurI requires transduction of a heme-dependent signal via HurI, HurR, and BhuR, a three-component heme-dependent regulatory system. In silico searches of the B. bronchiseptica genome to identify other genes that encode additional participants in this heme-dependent regulatory cascade revealed hurP, an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide with homology to (i) RseP, a site 2 protease (S2P) of Escherichia coli required for modifying the cytoplasmic membrane protein RseA, and (ii) YaeL, an S2P of Vibrio cholerae required for modification of the cytoplasmic membrane protein TcpP. A mutant of B. bronchiseptica defective for hurP was incapable of regulating expression of BhuR in a heme-dependent manner. Furthermore, the hurP mutant was unable to utilize hemin as a sole source of nutrient Fe. These defects in hemin utilization and heme-dependent induction of BhuR were restored when recombinant hurP (or recombinant rseP) was introduced into the mutant. Introduction of hurP into a yaeL mutant of V. cholerae also complemented its S2P defect. These data provided strong evidence that protease activity and cleavage site recognition was conserved in HurP, RseP, and YaeL. The data are consistent with a model in which HurP functionally modifies HurR, a sigma factor regulator that is essential for heme-dependent induction of bhuR.
Carbon isotopic evidence for chemocline upward excursions during the end-Permian event

Abstract A negative shift in marine inorganic carbon-isotope composition ( δ 13 C carb ) during the end-Permian mass extinction has been used as evidence for several different extinction mechanisms. Changes to the δ 13 C of organic matter and the difference between it and δ 13 C carb (Δ 13 C = δ 13 C carb − δ 13 C org ) have been examined at few locations, with conflicting interpretations. We examine the changes to both organic and inorganic carbon isotopes across the Permian–Triassic boundary at two marine sections from South China (Meishan and Shangsi) and compare these to data from other previously published sections. Through these analyses, we demonstrate that a decrease in Δ 13 C occurred during the extinction event throughout the Paleo-Tethys ocean. The extent and intensity of the decrease varies by location averaging a negative shift of ∼ 5‰. Several possibilities as to the cause of this shift exist including Siberian trap volcanism, a change in the terrestrial/marine organic carbon input to the system, or a change in the dominant marine biota brought about through environmental changes (such as widespread ocean anoxia/euxinia). The decrease in Δ 13 C observed at many of these sections across the event horizon is here interpreted to represent a shift from algae/cyanobacteria to less fractionating phototrophic sulfur bacteria in marine shelf environments resulting from upward excursions of the chemocline. These chemocline upward excursions would release euxinic water to the photic zone allowing phototrophic sulfur bacteria to thrive. The limited available biomarker data are consistent with this interpretation.
Device characteristics of short-channel and narrow-width MOSFET's

MOS devices have become smaller and smaller as the integrated circuit technology advances. A thorough understanding of the device characteristics of these small-size devices is important. In this paper, three small-geometry effects; namely, short-channel effect (SCE), narrow-width effect (NWE), and minimum-size effect (MSE) (which combines SCE and NWE together) are discussed. The variations of threshold voltage, mobility, and drain current are illustrated for minimum-size devices. The threshold voltage decreases as channel length decreases but increases as device width decreases. Carrier mobility also decreases as the device size becomes small. Simple device models of minimum-size devices are proposed for threshold voltage and carrier mobility. Experimental results of threshold voltage, mobility, and drain current are compared with the calculated results.
A toxicological screen to determine in vitro survival and competition of environmentally applied pseudomonads with mouse fecal microbiota

Engineered bacterial strains have been developed for several environmental uses, including bioremediation and application as biopesticides. Previous in vivo work in this laboratory examined the colonization and competition potential of Pseudomonas spp., isolated from a commercial product for PCB degradation with the intestinal flora of CD-1 mice. In the present study, the same pseudomonads and two additional Escherichia coli strains were evaluated by an in vitro tier testing approach developed to screen environmentally relevant microorganisms for their ability to colonize the mammalian intestinal tract and compete with the normal intestinal tract flora. In the initial tier, the competitor strains were tested for their ability to survive in anaerobic pure culture. Next, they were cultured anaerobically in the presence of mouse fecal microbiota. Finally, serial transfers were performed to monitor the survival and competition potential of each strain with the fecal microbiota. All of the tested strains survived for 48 h in pure culture, and all survived for 24 h in culture with the mouse fecal microbiota. Escherichia coli strains survived serial transfer through five cultures, although in declining numbers. Environmental Pseudomonas spp. survived transfer through three cultures but were not detected after four transfers. No effects of the competitor strains on the fecal microbiota were found. This in vitro system eventually will be used with human fecal microbiota. The potential consequences of human exposure to environmentally released microorganisms can then be extrapolated by comparison of human in vitro results with rodent in vitro and in vivo results in a parallelogram approach.
Bacteriorhodopsin's M412 and BR605 protein conformations are similar Significance for proton transport

Cation removal or acidification induces a transition of bacteriorhodopsin (BR568) to a blue species (BR605). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy now reveals that the protein conformational changes accompanying this transition resemble those which occur during the BR568 to M412 transition and associated light-driven proton transport. This and other results suggest that BR605 and M412 both have similar voltage-dependent protein conformations in which a secondary structure is stabilized by a change in the local electric potential sensed by internal charged groups involved in proton transport.
Linezolid reduces length of stay and duration of intravenous treatment compared with vancomycin for complicated skin and soft tissue infections due to suspected or proven methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

We compared the health outcomes in patients treated with linezolid or vancomycin for complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs). This analysis is part of a randomised, open-label, multinational trial involving 1200 adult patients hospitalised with cSSTIs due to suspected or proven methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Subjects received linezolid 600 mg intravenous (i.v.) or oral, or vancomycin 1g i.v. every 12 h. A test-of-cure was assessed at 7 days post therapy. Compared with vancomycin, linezolid treatment was associated with significantly shorter length of stay (all P < 0.01), decreased i.v. antibiotic treatment duration (all P < 0.0001) and higher discharge rates (all P < 0.05). Thus, linezolid has the potential to reduce medical resource use for the treatment of cSSTIs.
A Novel TCIRG1 Gene Mutation Leads to Severe Osteopetrosis with Altered Content of Monocytes/Macrophages in Several Organs

Osteopetrosis (OP) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disease. Defects in the TCIRG1 gene are most frequently implicated in the osteoclast-rich form of OP. Little is known about the content and/or function of monocytes and macrophages of various organs rich in those cells in patients with OP. We report a patient with a novel TCIRG1 gene mutation that led to an osteoclast-rich OP. A bone marrow transplant failed to engraft, and the patient developed pulmonary hypertension. At autopsy he was found to have abnormal remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature and alveolar proteinosis. Alveolar macrophages were decreased. Pulmonary findings in this patient could be at least partially explained by abnormal surfactant metabolism due to depleted or defective alveolar macrophages.
Classical atom–diatom scattering: Self‐similarity, scaling laws, and renormalization

We have examined the structure of the chattering region of the initial angle–final action plots of He scattered by I2. We demonstrate the existence of asymptotic self‐similarity, determine the asymptotic scaling laws, and outline a renormalization treatment of the structures observed.
Anhidrotic hereditary ectodermal dysplasia; report of two cases in a brother and sister.

Summary The case reports of a brother andsister with the anhidrotic type of hereditary ectodermal dysplasia have been presented.
An experimental study on the alignment of cavities in a superplastic commercial copper alloy

A detailed study of cavitation was conducted in a commercial copper alloy deformed superplastically at a strain rate of 1.3 × 10-3 s-1. Cavities are observed to form in stringers parallel to the tensile axis due to cavity nucleation around aligned stringers of large cobalt-rich particles present in the as-received alloy. The increase in the number density of cavities and the range of cavity sizes observed indicates that cavities nucleate continuously during superplastic deformation. At large elongations, the interlinkage of cavities in a direction perpendicular to the tensile axis tends to mask the alignment of cavity stringers. It is demonstrated that the present results can rationalize satisfactorily the previous observations of cavity alignment in the superplastic copper alloy.
Patients Who Feel Judged About Their Weight Have Lower Trust in Their Primary Care Providers

Objective To evaluate whether overweight and obese patients have less trust in their primary care providers (PCPs) if they feel judged about their weight by these PCPs.
Tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) as a predictor for genitourinary cancers and their metastases.

Abstract Tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) is an oncofetal antigen found in human malignant tumors of various origins. We used radioimmunoassay to determine TPA levels in a total of 150 serum samples from 88 patients with different types of genitourinary cancers. The serum TPA level among cancer patients of all stages combined was higher than in normal healthy controls (p
Vascular protein kinase C in Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract Phorbol esters which activate protein kinase C (PKC) produced concentration-related force development in aorta from spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY); all were 2–7 X more potent in SHR. However, total PKC activity in aortas, as well as carotid, caudal and renal arteries, was not different, when SHR was compared with WKY. Binding of phorbol dibutyrate to particulate aortic PKC was similar in SHR and WKY (same apparent K d and B max values), as was potency for displacement of phorbol dibutyrate by phorbol myristate acetate. Furthermore, there was no difference in potency with staurosporine, H-7, and calmidazolium in inhibiting SHR and WKY aortic PKC. These data demonstrate enhanced contractile sensitivity to PKC-activating phorbol esters in SHR aortic smooth muscle that is not related to activity, phorbol ester binding, or sensitivity to inhibitors when SHR PKC is compared with WKY PKC. Thus, signal transduction events distal to PKC activation may be responsible for enhanced vascular contractile sensitivity to phorbol esters in SHR.
Plasma protein binding of warfarin: Methodological considerations

Recent theoretical work has suggested that radiochemical impurities can significantly alter the binding results for highly protein-bound drugs. We compared protein binding of warfarin by ultrafiltration and equilibrium dialysis with 98% radiochemically pure [14C]warfarin. Ultrafiltration and equilibrium dialysis were performed at 37°C and pH 7.45 on the plasma of patients receiving chronic warfarin therapy. Binding to plasma from seven patients was measured in duplicate by both a nonspecific radioisotopic technique and a specific HPLC technique. The nonspecific technique gave percentage of free warfarin values of 1.84 ± 0.11 (mean ± SD) and 1.59 ± 0.14 for ultrafiltration and equilibrium dialysis, respectively. The HPLC procedure yielded a percentage of free warfarin by ultrafiltration of 0.969 ± 0.203 and a value of 0.690 ± 0.095 by equilibrium dialysis (p < 0.05). The HPLC procedure for protein binding was performed on plasma samples from 12 additional patients and yielded a percentage of free warfarin of 1.01 ± 0.69 by ultrafiltration and 0.44 ± 0.34 by equilibrium dialysis (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that radiochemical impurities may lead to significant overestimation of the percentage of free warfarin. Ultrafiltration yielded a higher percentage of free warfarin than did equilibrium dialysis, but the ability to distinguish binding differences among patients was similar.
Vacuum ultraviolet generation and use in two-photon resonance spectroscopy

Abstract The third harmonic from a Nd:YAG laser is triplet in xenon. The resultant vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation (118 nm) is combined with a visible photon from a dye laser to excite two-photon transitions in Ar and Kr. This method can be used to study many gaseous molecules with transition energies between 11.9 and 16.4 eV. Using this technique, the two-photon rate constants have been measured in Ar and Kr. An expression has been derived for the amount of photoionization by this method and it agrees well with the experiment. The process of VUV generation has also been examined for focused and parallel beams. Data are presented for various factors that affect VUV generation, such as phase-matching by various gases and ionization in the generation cell.
Rate Constant for the Reaction of OH with H2 between 200 and 480 K

The rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with molecular hydrogen was measured using the flash photolysis resonance-fluorescence technique over the temperature range of 200−479 K. The Arrhe...
Socio-environmental antecedents to coronary heart disease in 87 white males.

Abstract Men of middle-class Protestant background have the highest ratios of “observed” to “expected” cases of coronary heart disease even when other sociological and selected “physiological” variables (hypertension, obesity, smoking, and diet) are controlled for. “Preference for planning vacations hour by hour” and “inability to relax after a hard day” in the coronary patients are interpreted as supporting evidence that personality characteristics associated with Protestant and middle-class values may be important in the etiology of this puzzling disease.
Minimum time control for a Newtonian particle in a spatiotemporal flow field

We address the problem of steering a Newtonian particle to a prescribed terminal position and velocity in a spatiotemporal flow field under an explicit constraint on the norm of its acceleration. The cases when either the terminal position or the terminal velocity of the particle is free are also considered. By employing standard techniques from optimal control theory, we characterize the structure of the candidate time-optimal control and subsequently reduce the original optimal control problem to a system of coupled nonlinear algebraic equations. Although the latter system of equations has to be solved numerically, in general, we show that, in some cases, it can be brought into a triangular form, whose solution does not require a significant computational effort. Numerical simulations that illustrate the theoretical developments are presented.
Italian Ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum) and Corn (Zea mays) Competition

Italian ryegrass is an annual/biennial grass that is typically used as a pasture crop or a cover crop along roadsides, rights-of-way, and industrial areas. Glyphosate-resistant (GR) Italian ryegrass populations have been documented around the world, mostly in orchard and vineyard situations. The first evidence of evolved GR Italian ryegrass in row/agronomic crops was reported from Washington County, Mississippi in 2005. GR Italian ryegrass populations can jeopardize preplant burndown options in reduced-tillage crop production systems, thereby, delaying planting operations. The effects of competition of Italian ryegrass on crop growth and yield are poorly understood. A field study was conducted in the 2012 growing season and repeated in the 2013 growing season. GR and susceptible (GS) Italian ryegrass populations were established in the greenhouse and transplanted in prepared corn row beds in the fall of 2011 and 2012 at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 plants∙meter −1 of crop row. Italian ryegrass plants overwintered and developed over the following spring-summer. Glyphosate was applied at 1.26 kg∙ae/ha (1.5× of labeled rate) in the spring to burndown the Italian ryegrass plants and corn was planted into the ryegrass residue 2 - 3 wk later. Current corn production practices were followed. Corn density (early and late season), height (early season), and yield and Italian ryegrass biomass (early-mid season) measurements were recorded during both years. Corn height was greater in 2012 than that in 2013 at comparable stages of the growing season, due to a cooler and wetter early season in 2013 than that in 2012. Averaged across weed densities, corn density (both early and late season) and yield were higher in the GS than those in the GR population, but Italian ryegrass biomass was similar for both populations. Averaged across Italian ryegrass populations, corn density (both early and late season), and yield were inversely proportional to Italian ryegrass density. In summary, Italian ryegrass significantly reduced corn density and yield and reduction was greater with the GR than that with the GS population. Studies are underway to study inter population competition in Italian ryegrass and
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MULTIPARITY AND LIPOPROTEIN LEVELS IN OLDER WOMEN

The relation between multiparity and lipid and lipoprotein levels was examined in a sample of 1275 Rancho Bernardo women aged 50-89. Number of pregnancies ranged from 0 to 13 with a mean of 2.1. Pregnancy was unrelated to high density lipoprotein cholesterol level in women with 4 or fewer pregnancies, but women with 5 or more pregnancies had significantly lower levels both before and after adjustment for age, obesity, diabetes, alcohol and cigarette consumption, exercise and estrogen use. After multiple regression analysis, women with 5 or more pregnancies had high density lipoprotein levels that were 4.9 mg/dl lower than women with 4 or fewer pregnancies. No differences in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglyceride levels were observed by number of pregnancies. If confirmed by others, these results suggest that one factor mediating the previously reported relationship between multiparity and cardiovascular disease may be a decreased level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol.
A real-time scheme of cubic parametric curve interpolations for CNC systems

Abstract In this paper, the popular finite forward differencing algorithm for fast evaluation of points on a cubic parametric curve is modified for its application to CNC systems so that the inherent accumulative error in the calculation of one piece of curve will not propagate to the whole composite curve. Using specified tolerances, a computationally non-intensive method of analysis for the computation of step size has been developed. Tolerance, velocity, acceleration and jerk analyses are conducted based on computer simulation results. The interpolation scheme method developed in this paper has been analyzed and proven to be accurate, adaptive to the curvature of a curve, reduces jerk, and can be easily implemented in CNC systems. Finally, the paper explains why the algorithm developed here is natural for cubic parametric curve interpolations.
Micromechanical finite-element modeling and experimental characterization of the compressive mechanical properties of polycaprolactone–hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds prepared by selective laser sintering for bone tissue engineering

Bioresorbable scaffolds with mechanical properties suitable for bone tissue engineering were fabricated from polycaprolactone (PCL) and hydroxyapatite (HA) by selective laser sintering (SLS) and modeled by finite-element analysis (FEA). Both solid gage parts and scaffolds having 1-D, 2-D and 3-D orthogonal, periodic porous architectures were made with 0, 10, 20 and 30 vol.% HA. PCL:HA scaffolds manufactured by SLS had nearly full density (99%) in the designed solid regions and had excellent geometric and dimensional control. Through optimization of the SLS process, the compressive moduli for our solid gage parts and scaffolds are the highest reported in the literature for additive manufacturing. The compressive moduli of solid gage parts were 299.3, 311.2, 415.5 and 498.3 MPa for PCL:HA loading at 100:0, 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30, respectively. The compressive effective stiffness tended to increase as the loading of HA was increased and the designed porosity was lowered. In the case of the most 3-D porous scaffold, the compressive modulus more than doubled from 14.9 to 36.2 MPa when changing the material from 100:0 to 70:30 PCL:HA. A micromechanical FEA model was developed to investigate the reinforcement effect of HA loading on the compressive modulus of the bulk material. Using a first-principles based approach, the random distribution of HA particles in a solidified PCL matrix was modeled for any HA loading to predict the bulk mechanical properties of the composites. The bulk mechanical properties were also used for FEA of the scaffold geometries. The results of the FEA were found to be in good agreement with experimental mechanical testing. The development of patient- and site-specific composite tissue-engineering constructs with tailored properties can be seen as a direct extension of this work on computational design, a priori modeling of mechanical properties and direct digital manufacturing.
The effect of spinal anesthesia on the success rate of external cephalic version: a randomized trial.

Abstract Objective: To identify the effect of spinal anesthesia on the success rate of external cephalic version after 36 weeks’ gestation. Methods: Women with singleton breech presentations after 36 weeks’ gestation were offered enrollment. Those who agreed were randomized to receive spinal anesthesia or no anesthesia. Up to four attempts were made using ultrasound surveillance. External cephalic version was terminated with patient discomfort or fetal heart decelerations. Statistical analysis based on intent-to-treat was performed using χ 2 , Student t tests, and multivariate analysis. Sample size projection based on 20% difference in success rate from a baseline of 50% indicated a need for 50 women in each group. Results: One hundred two women were entered in the study from October 1993 to August 1997. There were no differences between groups in parity, maternal age, amniotic fluid index, gestational age, birth weight, placental location, type of breech presentation, maternal weight, or gestational age at delivery. Forty-four external cephalic versions were successful. Fifty (49%) women received spinal anesthesia, and 52 (51%) did not; there was no difference in the overall success rate between groups (44% spinal versus 42% no spinal). Spontaneous version occurred before external cephalic version was attempted in four patients in the spinal group (after the spinal was given) and one patient in the no-spinal group. These patients were included in the analysis. Conclusion: Spinal anesthesia does not increase the external cephalic version success rate in singleton pregnancies with breech presentations after 36 weeks’ gestation.
A phase 2 trial of single-agent bevacizumab given in an every-3-week schedule for patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas.

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated a 3-week schedule of bevacizumab in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG). METHODS: Patients received bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks and were evaluated every 6 weeks until tumor progression. Tissue correlates were used to quantify tumor content of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2). RESULTS: Of 61 patients who were treated (35 men and 26 women; median age, 52 years; age range, 21-78 years), 50 patients had glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and 11 patients had anaplastic glioma (AG). The median number of previous chemotherapies was 2 (range, 1-5 previous chemotherapies), and 16 patients had received ≥3 previous chemotherapies. The median number of bevacizumab doses was 4 (range, 1-20 doses), and 45% of patients received >5 doses. The toxicities observed were primarily grade 1 and 2, and the most common were fatigue, hypertension, and headache. One grade 2 intratumoral bleed and 1 bowel perforation were reported. For patients with GBM, the 6-month progression-free survival rate was 25%, the median time to tumor progression was 10.8 weeks, and the median overall survival was 25.6 weeks. The best response included a partial response in 15 patients (24.5%) and stable disease in 31 patients (50.8%) patients; radiographic recurrence patterns included increased changes in fluid attenuation inversion recovery (24%) and multifocal recurrence (20%). The median survival after bevacizumab failure was 10 weeks. The ratio of tumor VEGFA/VEGFR2 was increased in patients aged >55 years; an increased VEGFA/VEGFR2 ratio was correlated nonsignificantly with decreased survival (P = .052). CONCLUSIONS: An every-3-week schedule of bevacizumab had antitumor activity and was relatively nontoxic for patients with recurrent HGG. The predictive value of VEGFA/VEGFR2 in tumor will require validation in a larger patient cohort. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
RELATIONSHIPS AMONG GROWTH RATE, CELLULAR MANGANESE CONCENTRATIONS AND MANGANESE TRANSPORT KINETICS IN ESTUARINE AND OCEANIC SPECIES OF THE DIATOM THALASSIODIRA1

Growth rate, cellular manganese concentration and mangfanese uptake kinetics were measured as functions of the free manganese ion concentration in the medium for two centric diatoms. Thalassiodira oceanica Hasle, isolated from a lou'-managanese oceanic enviorment. was capable of better growth at low manganese ion concentrations that T. pseudonana hasle and Heimdal, islated from higt.manganese estuatine waters. This was dur to the oceanic species’ greater avility to accumulate manganese at low free ion concentrations and to grow well at lower cellular manganese concentions. Manganese up take in both species followed classical saturation kinestics, and Vmax but not K, Uaried with the managanese ion concentration in the growth medium. The Ks of managanese uptake for T. Oceanica (10-795 M) was one-seventh of that for T. Pseudonana. accouning for T. oceanica's greater ablility to accumulate managaese at low gree ion concentrations.Vmax appeared to be under negative feedback control in both species and six- to twelve-fold variations in this parameter allowed cells to regulate cellular managanese at nearly constant valies at manganese ion concentrations in the vicinity of and somewhat below Kr The range in free manganese ion concenteations over which regukation occurred was diffrent for the two species, and coincided with the in free manganese ion concentrations of the natural habitat of each species.
A Customer Value-Based Approach to MBA Marketing Education

At the University of Tennessee, the authors have developed a curriculum that exposes MBA students to a customer value-based approach to marketing and that strives to teach a set of skills that will allow the students to implement this approach when they enter marketing organizations. The purpose of this article is to describe this innovative curriculum and how it was developed.
Identification of Histone H3 Lysine 36 Acetylation as a Highly Conserved Histone Modification

Histone lysine acetylation is a major mechanism by which cells regulate the structure and function of chromatin, and new sites of acetylation continue to be discovered. Here we identify and characterize histone H3K36 acetylation (H3K36ac). By mass spectrometric analyses of H3 purified from Tetrahymena thermophila and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), we find that H3K36 can be acetylated or methylated. Using an antibody specific to H3K36ac, we show that this modification is conserved in mammals. In yeast, genome-wide ChIP-chip experiments show that H3K36ac is localized predominantly to the promoters of RNA polymerase II-transcribed genes, a pattern inversely related to that of H3K36 methylation. The pattern of H3K36ac localization is similar to that of other sites of H3 acetylation, including H3K9ac and H3K14ac. Using histone acetyltransferase complexes purified from yeast, we show that the Gcn5-containing SAGA complex that regulates transcription specifically acetylates H3K36 in vitro. Deletion of GCN5 completely abolishes H3K36ac in vivo. These data expand our knowledge of the genomic targets of Gcn5, show H3K36ac is highly conserved, and raise the intriguing possibility that the transition between H3K36ac and H3K36me acts as an "acetyl/methyl switch" governing chromatin function along transcription units.
LIFO adoption: A technology diffusion analysis

Abstract The results of prior research concerning the association between LIFO adoption decisions and their potential financial determinants are inconclusive. From the perspective of the theory of technology diffusion, the focus of these studies is limited to economic factors/forces from system outsiders. The effects of interactions among system members are ignored. Evidence from this study, which is based on a technology-diffusion approach, suggests that the LIFO adoption process is best explained partially by interactions with investors, creditors and public and partially by interactions with other firms. Future research may benefit from incorporating proxy variables for sociological factors such as imitation.
Comment on ``Molecular orientation determined by second-harmonic generation: Self-assembled monolayers''

A recent paper by Eisert et al. [Phys. Rev. B 58, 10 860 (1998)] describes a second-harmonic generation (SHG) technique for probing molecular orientation in self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Their results have raised some questions about the frequently used description of the optical properties of thin films. In their paper, the SAM film is considered anisotropic for SHG, but is assumed to be isotropic in terms of its linear optical response. It is likely that these different treatments of the same system have contributed to the unusual perspectives developed in the above paper. The purpose of this communication is to attempt a clarification of these observations. Here, a phenomenological model is outlined that treats linear and nonlinear optics of the interface in a single framework and can be used to analyze SHG from SAMs. It is also shown that, depending on the experimental system, conventional SHG measurements of phase and intensity may not be enough to determine the orientation of SAMs.
Synthesis and characterization of 1:1 layered uranyl silicate mineral phases

Abstract Sodium boltwoodite (Na[(UO 2 )(SiO 3 OH)] · x H 2 O), uranophane (Ca[(UO 2 )(SiO 3 OH)] 2 · y H 2 O), and sklodowskite (Mg[(UO 2 )(SiO 3 OH)] 2 · z H 2 O) were synthesized in our laboratory using an optimized procedure described herein. Mineral identities were confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction. We also characterized our uranophane using Raman spectroscopy. The surface area of each material we produced was determined by two methods. We used the standard BET approach (gas phase absorption, N 2 ), and we also estimated surface areas in solution using sorption of methylene blue. These two techniques provided markedly different results, possibly due to the collapse of the mineral structure under the vacuum necessary for the BET analysis. In aqueous suspensions, the surface areas are 83 ± 10, 72 ± 7, and 47 ± 4 m 2 /g, for sodium boltwoodite, sklodowskite, and uranophane, respectively, using the methylene blue sorption method. The amount of water associated to each mineral was determined by thermogravimetric analysis. Results showed that minerals that had been dried in a dessicator contained less structural water than samples that had been allowed to set in aqueous suspension. The numbers of water for dry sodium boltwoodite, uranophane, and sklodowskite were found to be 1.5 (± 0.1), 2.8 (± 0.6), and 6.0 (± 0.6), respectively. The zeta potentials in suspension of 0.1 M NaClO 4 were similar for all three minerals, decreasing from − 20 mV to − 45 mV from pH 5 to 12, and remaining stable over a 10 day time period. The combination of a large surface area and negative zeta potential implies that these solids will behave much like clay minerals, serving as important sinks for other dissolved radioactive cations present in radioactive waste repositories.
A Biological Role of Lutein

Abstract Lutein, a non-provitamin A carotenoid, is found in dark green, leafy vegetables. Lutein, being fat soluble, follows the same intestinal absorption path as dietary fat and is affected by the same factors that influence fat absorption. Unlike β-carotene, another major carotenoid in diet and tissue, the bioavailability of lutein appears to be less influenced by food processing. Lutein has been strongly implicated as being protective against eye diseases, age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts. In the eye, lutein may act as a blue light filter to protect the underlying tissues from phototoxic damage. The mechanism by which lutein is involved in the prevention of eye diseases may also involve its role as an antioxidant. Dietary surveys indicate that average intakes of lutein in the United States may be below levels that are associated with disease prevention. Therefore, increased intakes of food sources rich in lutein may be warranted.
FusionMap: detecting fusion genes from next-generation sequencing data at base-pair resolution

Motivation: Next generation sequencing technology generates highthroughput data, which allows us to detect fusion genes at both transcript and genomic levels. To detect fusion genes, the current bioinformatics tools heavily rely on paired-end approaches and overlook the importance of reads that span fusion junctions. Thus there is a need to develop an efficient aligner to detect fusion events by accurate mapping of these junction-spanning single reads, particularly when the read gets longer with the improvement in sequencing technology. Results: We present a novel method, FusionMap, which aligns fusion reads directly to the genome without prior knowledge of potential fusion regions. FusionMap can detect fusion events in both single- and paired-end datasets from either RNA-Seq or gDNA-Seq studies and characterize fusion junctions at base-pair resolution. We showed that FusionMap achieved high sensitivity and specificity in fusion detection on two simulated RNA-Seq datasets, which contained 75 nt paired-end reads. FusionMap achieved substantially higher sensitivity and specificity than the paired-end approach when the inner distance between read pairs was small. Using FusionMap to characterize fusion genes in K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cell line, we further demonstrated its accuracy in fusion detection in both single-end RNA-Seq and gDNA-Seq datasets. These combined results show that FusionMap provides an accurate and systematic solution to detecting fusion events through junction-spanning reads. Availability: FusionMap includes reference indexing, read filtering, fusion alignment and reporting in one package. The software is free for noncommercial use at (http://www.omicsoft.com/fusionmap).
Nicotine enhancement of dopamine release by a calcium-dependent increase in the size of the readily releasable pool of synaptic vesicles.

A major factor underlying compulsive tobacco use is nicotine-induced modulation of dopamine release in the mesolimbic reward pathway (Wise and Rompre, 1989). An established biochemical mechanism for nicotine-enhanced dopamine release is by activating presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) (Wonnacott, 1997). Prolonged application of 10-7 to 10-5m nicotine to striatal synaptosomes promoted a sustained efflux of [3H]dopamine. This nicotine effect was mediated by non-α7 nAChRs, because it was blocked by 5 μm mecamylamine but was resistant to 100 nm α-bungarotoxin (αBgTx). Dopamine release was diminished by omitting Na+ or by applying peptide calcium channel blockers, indicating that nAChRs trigger release by depolarizing the nerve terminals. However, because α7 receptors rapidly desensitize in the continuous presence of agonists, a repetitive stimulation protocol was used to evaluate the possible significance of desensitization. This protocol produced a transient increase in [3H]dopamine released by depolarization and a significant increase in the response to hypertonic solutions that measure the size of the readily releasable pool (RRP) of synaptic vesicles. The nicotine-induced increase in the size of the readily releasable pool was blocked by αBgTx and by the calmodulin antagonist calmidazolium, suggesting that Ca2+ entry through α7 nAChRs specifically enhances synaptic vesicle mobilization at dopamine terminals. Thus, nicotine enhances dopamine release by two complementary actions mediated by discrete nAChR subtypes and suggest that the α7 nAChR-mediated pathway is tightly and specifically coupled to refilling of the RRP of vesicles in dopamine terminals.