cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Insights from Preclinical Choice Models on Treating Drug Addiction.

Substance-use disorders are a global public health problem that arises from behavioral misallocation between drug use and more adaptive behaviors maintained by nondrug alternatives (e.g., food or money). Preclinical drug self-administration procedures that incorporate a concurrently available nondrug reinforcer (e.g., food) provide translationally relevant and distinct dependent measures of behavioral allocation (i.e., to assess the relative reinforcing efficacy of the drug) and behavioral rate (i.e., to assess motor competence). In particular, preclinical drug versus food ‘choice’ procedures have produced increasingly concordant results with both human laboratory drug self-administration studies and double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials. Accordingly, here we provide a heuristic framework of substance-use disorders based on a behavioral-centric perspective and recent insights from these preclinical choice procedures.
Evaluation and Treatment of Open Distal Humeral Fractures.

Open distal humeral fractures remain an especially difficult injury pattern to treat. The complex anatomy of the distal part of the humerus in combination with the challenge of treating the traumatized and relatively thin soft-tissue envelope, addressing bone and articular cartilage loss, and
Introduction: On Becoming a Holistic Leader

This book suggests that the solution to the current leadership crisis lies in leaders’ self-cultivation process, emanating from their deepest values and culminating in their contribution to the common good. Traditional approaches to leadership rarely provide any permeating or systematic framework to garner a sense of higher purpose or nurture deeper moral and spiritual dimensions of leaders. Learning to be an effective leader requires a level of personal transformation on the continuum of self, spirit, and service. Achieving insight into the art and science of exemplary leadership is not as easy as it may seem. While some people may develop personal and professional mastery, many people need specific guidelines. This book provides those guidelines.
Verbal Behavior and Cultural Practices

Three kinds of selection are reviewed with primary focus on the relations between behavioral and cultural contingencies. Operant behavior is briefly examined with regard to cultural materialist theory. The functions of verbal behavior in infrastructural and superstructural practices are suggested. Discrepancies between rules promulgated in the superstructure and the requirements of the infrastructure are viewed as potentially threatening to cultural survival as metacontingencies change. Key Words: verbal behavior, cultural practices, cultural materialism, metacontingencies, kinds of selection
Aminoguanidine (AG) Induces Induced both Pro- and Antioxidant Effect in AR42J Cells, a Rat Pancreatic Tumor Cell Line.

Aminoguanidine (AG), a diamine oxidase and a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, was used in diabetes, thyroid follicular carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer xenografts and in breast cancer research. The effects of AG on these pathologic conditions may be related to its regulatory effects on cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and expression of antioxidant enzymes. However, its role as pro and/or anti-oxidant affecting signaling and function in pancreatic tumor cell lines has not been studied. The current study tested the hypothesis that exposure of AR42J cells to aminoguanidine will induce pro-oxidant effects that may lead to increased proliferation and growth of these cells. METHODS AR42J cells were grown in F-12 nutrient medium in 5% CO2 at 37°C to attain over 90% confluency before being treated with 20 uM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 20 min and 100 uM AG for 30 min separately and in combination. Cell lysates collected from these experiments were measured for formation of lipid peroxides by malondialdehyde (MDA) assay and for activation of phospho-ERK 1/2 signal transduction by Western blotting. The activation of ERK signaling was further confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. Effect of ERK1/2 on cell proliferation in response to AG and H2O2 was evaluated by MTT assay while the functional status of AR42J cells was determined by release of amylase following CCK-8 stimulation. RESULTS MDA concentration in cells treated with AG was not different from untreated cells. However, treatment with H2O2 either alone or in combination with AG increased MDA significantly (p<0.05). AG treatment alone induced 3.5 fold activation of pERK-1/2, as compared to 2.5 fold increase with H2O2 alone (p<0.05) as compared to untreated control. The results of ERK activation were confirmed further by its co-localization employing FITC-conjugated ERK antibody. AG -induced maximal cell proliferation occurred at 48 hr. incubation (p<0.05); these values were not significantly different from that of H2O2 treated and control cells. Cell function (CCK-stimulated amylase release) was significantly enhanced by AG (p<0.05). CONCLUSION These data suggest that in an in-vitro system, AG acts as a pro-oxidant on AR42J cell proliferation and possibly affects the resulting function.
The Microfoundations of Entrepreneurship

Throughout the market process, economic incentives exist for individuals to exploit opportunities and earn profits. Individuals respond to such incentives, but their ability to recognize opportunit...
Metal-Halide-Ligated Cadmium Selenide Quantum Belts by Facile Surface Exchange

Amine-ligated {CdSe[n-octylamine]0.53±0.06} quantum belts undergo instantaneous, reversible exchange of the L-type amine ligation for Z-type ligation provided by the neutral metal halides MX2 (M = Cd, Zn; X = Cl, Br, I). The CdX2-ligated quantum belts are determined to have the compositions {CdSe[CdCl2]1.23}, {CdSe[CdBr2]1.03}, and {CdSe[CdI2]0.42}, corresponding to two, two, and one CdX2 monolayer shells, respectively. Exchange from L-type to Z-type MX2 ligation results in large shifts of the quantum-belt absorption (extinction) features to lower energy, which are 252, 151, and 157 meV for CdCl2, CdBr2, and CdI2 ligation, respectively. These spectral shifts, which are due to changes in the strain states of the quantum belts (QBs), and extension of the CdSe crystal lattice by surface coordination of the ligand Cd atoms, are rapidly and completely reversed by back exchange to n-octylamine ligation. Similar, reversible spectral shifts are observed upon L-type to Z-type exchange with ZnX2 ligation, although ...
Early metastatic spread after a complete response in locally advanced vulvar cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative chemoradiation for advanced vulvar cancer reduces the tumor size and decreases morbidity from operative resection. CASE: A woman with locally advanced vulvar cancer had no evidence of metastatic disease at presentation. She displayed complete resolution of her vulvar and groin disease but developed early metastatic spread to the lungs and bone. CONCLUSION: Despite excellent local control, patients with locally advanced vulvar cancer are at risk for early metastatic spread. The effect of delayed surgical intervention, if any, is unknown.
Boundary layers at the interface of two different shear flows

We present solutions for the boundary layer between two uniform shear flows flowing in the same direction. In the upper layer, the flow has shear strength a, fluid density ρ1, and kinematic viscosity ν1, while the lower layer has shear strength b, fluid density ρ2, and kinematic viscosity ν2. Similarity transformations reduce the boundary-layer equations to a pair of ordinary differential equations governed by three dimensionless parameters: the shear strength ratio γ = b/a, the density ratio ρ = ρ2/ρ1, and the viscosity ratio ν = ν2/ν1. Further analysis shows that an affine transformation reduces this multi-parameter problem to a single ordinary differential equation which may be efficiently integrated as an initial-value problem. Solutions of the original boundary-value problem are shown to agree with the initial-value integrations, but additional dual and quadruple solutions are found using this method. We argue on physical grounds and through bifurcation analysis that these additional solutions are not tenable. The present problem is applicable to the trailing edge flow over a thin airfoil with camber.
American Strategic Culture: The Effort and Responsibility of Invention

American strategic culture has been changed by events of the 1960s, from a culture which produced victories to a culture where victory is not even contemplated. The issue of proliferation starts with the American invention of the atomic bomb. The effort of invention took the mobilization and the direction of resources of a great power in time of war. This case study serves as a comparison of the effort of invention to the act of imitation. One reason proliferation is such an important issue in the world today, is the technology is no longer revolutionary. The tacit knowledge of the inherent scientific information is now generally understood by not only the scientists of the world, but by a large number of ordinary people.
How Undergraduate Science Students Use Learning Objectives to Study.

Learning objectives communicate the knowledge and skills that instructors intend for students to acquire in a course. Student performance can be enhanced when learning objectives align with instruction and assessment. We understand how instructors should use learning objectives, but we know less about how students should use them. We investigated students’ use and perceptions of learning objectives in an undergraduate science course at a public research university. In this exploratory study, students (n = 185) completed two open-ended assignments regarding learning objectives and we analyzed the content of their answers. We found that students used learning objectives in ways that reflected the recommendations of past and present instructors, suggesting that students are receptive to instruction on how to use learning objectives. Students generally found learning objectives to be useful because the objectives helped them to narrow their focus and organize their studying, suggesting that students may need additional help from instructors in order to self-direct their learning. Students who chose not to use learning objectives often found other resources, such as case studies covered in class, to be more helpful for their learning. Some of these students recognized that the concepts included in case studies and learning objectives overlapped, pointing to a benefit of alignment between instructional activities and learning objectives. These qualitative results provide the data necessary for designing a quantitative instrument to test the extent to which students’ use of learning objectives affects their performance.
Effects of stretch and thermal radiation on difluoromethane/air burning velocity measurements in constant volume spherically expanding flames.

Abstract Compared to current refrigerants, next-generation refrigerants are more environmentally benign but more flammable. The laminar burning velocity is being used by industry as a metric to screen refrigerants for fire risk and it is also used for kinetic model development and validation. This study reports measurements of difluoromethane/air flame burning velocities for equivalence ratios from 0.9 to 1.4 in a spherical, constant volume device. Experimental burning velocities produced with the aid of an optically thin radiation model are about 17% greater than those obtained with an adiabatic model. Characterization of flame stretch based on the product of Markstein and Karlovitz numbers indicates that while many experimental data are nearly stretch-free, those for slower burning velocities, smaller flame radii, and leaner conditions may not be. Limiting the data to regions estimated to be stretch-free requires extrapolation away from the experimental conditions to extract burning velocities near ambient conditions, e.g., at (298 K, 101 kPa). Lower uncertainty, desirable for kinetic model validation, is obtained by interpolating between experimental conditions, e.g., at (400 K, 304 kPa). Since thermal radiation and flame stretch were found to affect the inferred burning velocities of difluoromethane/air constant volume spherical flames, these effects should also be considered during data reduction of other mildly flammable refrigerants.
Glycan-Independent Gamete Recognition Triggers Egg Zinc Sparks and ZP2 Cleavage to Prevent Polyspermy.

Summary The zona pellucida surrounding ovulated eggs regulates monospermic fertilization necessary for successful development. Using mouse transgenesis, we document that the N terminus of ZP2 is sufficient for sperm binding to the zona matrix and for in vivo fertility. Sperm binding is independent of ZP2 glycans and does not occur after complete cleavage of ZP2 by ovastacin, a zinc metalloendopeptidase stored in egg cortical granules. Immediately following fertilization, a rapid block to sperm penetration of the zona pellucida is established that precedes ZP2 cleavage but requires ovastacin enzymatic activity. This block to penetration is associated with release of zinc from cortical granules coincident with exocytosis. High levels of zinc affect forward motility of sperm to prevent their passage through the zona matrix. This transient, post-fertilization block to sperm penetration provides a temporal window to complete the cleavage of ZP2, which prevents sperm binding to ensure monospermy.
Primary fetal pleural effusion: Characteristics, outcomes, and the role of intervention

Background We aimed to present the natural history and outcomes of fetal primary pleural effusions (PPE). Methods Fetuses with prenatal diagnosis of PPE delivered between January 2011 and June 2018 were included. Fetal PPE were separated into groups: resolved, stable, or progressive. Progressive PPE was diagnosed, using fetal echocardiography, by the new onset of fetal hydrops or impaired cardiac function. Data were reported as median [range] and n (%). Results Among 189 fetuses with antenatal diagnosis of pleural effusion, 30 had a PPE. A total of 26.7% (n = 8), 26.7% (n = 8), and 40.0% (n = 12) were classified as resolved, stable, and progressive, respectively; two were lost to follow-up. In 14 cases (50%), there were bilateral pleural effusions. Of the 12 cases in the progressive group, four (33.3%) had amnioreduction, six (50.0%) had thoracentesis, and eight (66.7%) had shunt placement performed. There were two fetal deaths, both in the progressive group, one of which received amnioreduction and the other underwent both thoracentesis and shunt placement prior to demise. Conclusion In more than half of fetuses with prenatal PPE, the effusion remained stable or spontaneously resolved, and the perinatal outcomes were generally favorable. This information will be useful in optimizing the counseling and care of these patients.
Achieving high hydrogen productivities of 20 L/L-day via microbial electrolysis of corn stover fermentation products

Abstract Microbial electrolysis cells have the potential to generate renewable hydrogen from underutilized waste streams, however current devices have not reached very large productivity targets using real waste products at any scale. This study used a waste from fermented corn stover known as corn stover fermentation product to reach performance metrics that could be commercialized, if adequately scaled. Average current densities in MECs with mature biofilms reached 17.9 ± 1.6 A/m2 at an organic loading rate of 30 grams of chemical oxygen demand per liter of anode volume per day (g/L-day), reaching a maximum current density of 27.2 ± 2.9 A/m2. Hydrogen productivities reached 20.2 ± 2.0 L of H2 per L anode volume per day (L/L-day). These represent the highest current densities and highest hydrogen productivities using a complex feedstock in a microbial electrolysis cell. Organic acids and sugars present in untreated substrate were converted at high percentages in MECs, with most above 90% conversion, at organic loading rates of 10, 20, and 30 g/L-day. The effect of periodic high liquid flow rates through the anode on performance was assessed. These tests, called pulsing, showed that hydrogen productivities and current densities increased most dramatically as flow was pulsed every hour at a baseline flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. These productivities show promise for high performance systems, if adequate scale up can be achieved.
Use of Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A) in Detrusor External Sphincter Dyssynergia (DESD): A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

We performed a systematic review to examine the efficacy and outcomes of Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A) as the primary intervention strategy for patients with detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia. Eleven studies were included in the analysis (n = 353; 16% female, 84% male). BoNT-A was effective in 60%-78% of patients for reducing postvoid residual, mean detrusor pressure, detrusor leak point pressure, and mean urethral pressure 1 month after injection. Most patients required reinjection after an average of 4-9 months. BoNT-A was not associated with any significant adverse events, and may improve quality of life, as well as urodynamic parameters for detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia.
Quantifying Vocal Power: Correlation of Whole-Body Anaerobic Power to Vocal Function Measures.

Purpose The purpose of this preliminary study was to identify a vocal task that could be used as a clinical indicator of the vocal aptitude or vocal fitness required for vocally demanding occupatio...
Rightful squatting: Housing movements, citizenship, and the “right to the city” in Brazil

Rights-based urban social movements have proliferated since the mid-1970s, but our understanding of their real impacts remains insufficient. Using the housing movements in Sao Paulo as an example, ...
Emergency Response after Disaster Strikes: Agent-Based Simulation of Ambulances in New Windsor, NY

AbstractEmergency medical services (EMS) rely on a robust road network to respond to patient demand as quickly as possible. An important measure of system effectiveness during adverse scenarios, su...
Willingness to Discuss Clinical Trials Among Black vs White Men With Prostate Cancer.

Importance Black individuals are underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. Objective To examine whether Black and White men with prostate cancer differ in their willingness to discuss clinical trials with their physicians and, if so, whether patient-level barriers statistically mediate racial differences. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional survey study used baseline data from Partnering Around Cancer Clinical Trials, a randomized clinical trial to increase Black individuals' enrollment in prostate cancer clinical trials. Data were collected from 2016 through 2019 at 2 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers; participants were Black and White men with intermediate-risk to high-risk prostate cancer. In mediation analysis, path models regressed willingness onto race and each potential mediator, simultaneously including direct paths from race to each mediator. Significant indirect effect sizes served as evidence for mediation. Exposures Race was the primary exposure. Potential mediators included age, education, household income, perceived economic burden, pain/physical limitation, health literacy, general trust in physicians, and group-based medical suspicion. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the answer to a single question: "If you were offered a cancer clinical trial, would you be willing to hear more information about it?" Results A total of 205 participants were included (92 Black men and 113 White men), with a mean (range) age of 65.7 (45-89) years; 32% had a high school education or lower, and 27.5% had a household income of less than $40 000. Most (88.3%) reported being definitely or probably willing to discuss trials, but White participants were more likely to endorse this highest category of willingness than Black participants (82% vs 64%; χ22 = 8.81; P = .01). Compared with White participants, Black participants were younger (F1,182 = 8.67; P < .001), less educated (F1,182 = 22.79; P < .001), with lower income (F1,182 = 79.59; P < .001), greater perceived economic burden (F1,182 = 42.46; P < .001), lower health literacy (F1,184 = 9.84; P = .002), and greater group-based medical suspicion (F1,184 = 21.48; P < .001). Only group-based medical suspicion significantly mediated the association between race and willingness to discuss trials (indirect effect, -0.22; P = .002). Conclusions and Relevance In this study of men with prostate cancer, most participants were willing to discuss trials, but Black men were significantly less willing than White men. Black men were more likely to believe that members of their racial group should be suspicious of the health care system, and this belief was associated with lower willingness to discuss trials. Addressing medical mistrust may improve equity in clinical research.
Optogenetically-induced multimerization of the dopamine transporter increases uptake and trafficking to the plasma membrane.

The dopamine transporter (DAT) is essential for the reuptake of the released neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) in the brain. Psychostimulants, methamphetamine and cocaine, have been reported to induce the formation of DAT multimeric complexes in vivo and in vitro. The interpretation of DAT multimer function has been primarily in the context of compounds that induce structural and functional modifications of the DAT, complicating the understanding of the significance of DAT multimers. To examine multimerization in the absence of DAT ligands as well as in their presence, we developed a novel, optogenetic fusion chimera of cryptochrome 2 and DAT with an mCherry fluorescent reporter (Cry2–DAT). Using blue light to induce Cry2–DAT multimeric protein complex formation, we were able to simultaneously test the functional contributions of DAT multimerization in the absence or presence of substrates or inhibitors with high spatiotemporal precision. We found that blue light–stimulated Cry2–DAT multimers significantly increased IDT307 uptake and MFZ 9-18 binding in the absence of ligands as well as after methamphetamine and nomifensine treatment. Blue light–induced Cry2–DAT multimerization increased colocalization with recycling endosomal marker Rab11 and had decreased presence in Rab5-positive early endosomes and Rab7-positive late endosomes. Our data suggest that the increased uptake and binding results from induced and rapid trafficking of DAT multimers to the plasma membrane. Our data suggest that DAT multimers may function to help maintain DA homeostasis.
Strategies for Applicants Belonging to Underrepresented Groups

The path to radiation oncology for students and trainees from demographic groups that are underrepresented in radiation oncology, such as women and/or racial and ethnic minority groups that are historically underrepresented in medicine (URM), may be long and challenging and at times may seem insurmountable. Moreover, career advancement and professional development within radiation oncology may seem similarly difficult for underrepresented trainees, junior and mid-level faculty, and practicing physicians, given the disproportionate underrepresentation and systemic bias encountered. The purpose of this chapter is to reveal the barriers, obstacles, and deterrents to training and career advancement and to elucidate the successful strategies to specialty entry and professional development so that you may thrive in your future careers as academic radiation oncologists.
Immune Function in Critically Ill Septic Children.

The inflammatory response in pediatric sepsis is highly dynamic and includes both pro- and anti-inflammatory elements that involve the innate and adaptive immune systems. While the pro-inflammatory response is responsible for the initial clinical signs and symptoms of sepsis, a concurrent compensatory anti-inflammatory response often results in an occult, but highly clinically relevant, form of acquired immunodeficiency. When severe, this is termed “immunoparalysis” and is associated with increased risks for nosocomial infection, prolonged organ dysfunction, and death. This review focuses on the pathophysiology and clinical implications of both over- and under-active immune function in septic children. Host-, disease-, and treatment-specific risk factors for immunoparalysis are reviewed along with immune phenotype-specific approaches for immunomodulation in pediatric sepsis which are currently the subject of clinical trials.
Administration of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine to rats after complete hepatectomy-I. Metabolites in tissues.

Abstract 14 C-Labeled l -3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine ( l -DOPA, 20 μCi, 11 mg/kg) was injected intravenously into control rats and into rats after complete hepatectomy. The rats were killed after 20 min, and studies were made of the disposition and metabolism of the l -[ 14 C]DOPA in plasma, erythrocytes, brain, heart, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, spleen, lung, adrenals, muscle, pancreas and liver (of the controls). Total 14 C in these tissues accounted for 31 per cent of the dose in control rats and 53 per cent of the dose in the operated animals. The tissues of the hepatectomized rats that contained a disproportionately high amount of radioactivity were kidney, spleen, lung, heart and erythrocytes. Amounts of [ 14 C]dopamine higher than in control animals were found in most tissues of the hepatectomized rats and especially in the kidneys, although there was evidence that decarboxylation of DOPA was inhibited in the operated animals. Further metabolism to norepinephrine was limited in most tissues of the hepatectomized rats; most of the radioactivity was associated with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. This suggests that after hepatectomy there is an impairment of vesicular uptake or of retention of dopamine or an inhibition of β-hydroxylation. As a result, most of the dopamine that is formed is metabolized by mitochondrial monoamine oxidase [amine oxidase (flavincontaining) EC 1.4.3.4] to form 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. There was little evidence that monoamine oxidase was inhibited in the hepatectomized animals.
Triton X-155 as a Stabilizer of Bovine Plasma Arylesterase Activity

Abstract Efforts to purify bovine plasma arylesterase were severely handicapped by 1) lack of agreement between duplicate assays and 2) rapid loss in enzyme activity of dilute, partially purified preparations. These difficulties were overcome by the inclusion of Triton X-155 (0.25%) in the reaction mixtures during assay and in buffer solutions (0.01% or more) containing the enzyme.
Unusually high levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in thermal paper cash register receipts (CRs): development and application of a robust LC-UV method to quantify BPA in CRs

AbstractWe have developed a simple, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) in thermal paper cash register receipts (CRs). The method is suitable for analysis of other types of bisphenols and it involves an overnight extraction of CRs with acetonitrile (AN) at 50 °C followed by the HPLC analysis on a Supelcosil LC18 column (150 × 4.6 mm, particle size: 5 μ) using 50% AN in water as the mobile phase (5 min, isocratic). The composition of AN in the mobile phase changed to 100% over a 10 min period (linear gradient) and then held at 100% AN for 10 min (isocratic). The flow rate was set at 1 mL/min (injection volume: 20 μL) and the eluent was monitored at 234 nm. The authentic BPA eluted with a retention time of 5.9 min and gave a linear detector response in the concentration range of 0.23–50 mg/L. BPA in the CR extracts also eluted with the same retention and had identical absorbance properties as the standard. When CR extracts were co...
Microviridae: Microviruses and Gokushoviruses

Members of the Microviridae comprise two subfamilies. The microviruses (Greek for small), which infect free-living bacteria, are among the fastest known replicating viruses. Gokushoviruses (Japanese for very small) occupy a unique niche, infecting obligate intracellular bacteria, such as Chlamydia and Bdellovibrio, or mollicutes, bacteria without a cell wall. All members of the family contain small (4000–6000 bases), circular, single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) genomes of positive polarity, which are packaged inside small (∼25 nm diameter) T=1 icosahedral capsids. The other icosahedral, ssDNA virus families: Parvoviridae, Circoviridae, Nanoviridae and Geminiviridae; share most of these properties, suggesting a large super family spanning several domains of life. The most well known member of the Microviridae, ϕX174, has been extensively used to study the fundamental mechanisms of DNA replication and capsid assembly. The latter is uniquely dependent on two scaffolding proteins, and has become a model system for experimental evolution. Key Concepts: Whilst overlapping reading frames increase the amount of genetic information encoded in small genomes, they do not appear to significantly impact the ability of the virus to genetically adapt to selective pressures. Due to the genome's positive polarity, DNA replication must commence before viral genes can be transcribed. Microvirus DNA replication occurs in three distinct stages: (1) ssDNA is first converted to a double-stranded molecule, (2) amplification of the double-stranded molecule, (3) single-stranded genomic DNA synthesis and packaging. Genomic DNA synthesis and packaging are concurrent processes; thus, a genome is not synthesised unless there exists a capsid in which to package it. Gene expression is controlled by the finely tuned interplay of cis-acting genetic elements: promoters, ribosome binding sites, mRNA stability sequences and transcription terminators. Microviruses are distinguished by their two scaffolding protein system, whereas Gokushoviruses utilise a single scaffolding protein. Capsid assembly is mediated by scaffolding proteins, which induce conformational switches in the viral coat protein to control the timing and fidelity of morphogenesis. Cell lysis is achieved by inhibiting host cell wall biosynthesis, a mechanism reminiscent of some antibiotics. Keywords: bacteriophage; icosahedral; ssDNA; atomic structure; scaffolding protein; procapsid
Neural network representation and implementation of gray scale morphological operators

A neural network implementation of gray-scale operators is introduced. It is based on fuzzy set theory. In this structure, synaptic weights are represented by a gray-scale structuring element. Two learning algorithms are used to train the networks. The first algorithm utilizes the overall equality index. The second algorithm is based on the averaged least-mean square (LMS). It is shown that the LMS-based algorithm is simpler and more robust. >
Bromeliáceas notables de Colombia. - 1

Aechmea setigera / Aechmea tillandsioides / Billbergia rupestris / Guzmania cryptantha / Guzmania minor / Guzmania Mosquerae / Navia acaulis / Pitcairnia heliophila / Streptocalyx colombianus
PKCε IS AN ESSENTIAL MEDIATOR OF PROSTATE CANCER BONE METASTASIS

The bone is a preferred site for metastatic homing of prostate cancer cells. Once prostate cancer patients develop skeletal metastases, they eventually succumb to the disease; therefore, it is imperative to identify key molecular drivers of this process. This study examines the involvement of protein kinase C epsilon (PKCe), an oncogenic protein that is abnormally overexpressed in human tumor specimens and cell lines, on prostate cancer cell bone metastasis. PC3-ML cells, a highly invasive prostate cancer PC3 derivative with bone metastatic colonization properties, failed to induce skeletal metastatic foci upon inoculation into nude mice when PKCe expression was silenced using shRNA. Interestingly, while PKCe depletion had only marginal effects on the proliferative, adhesive, and migratory capacities of PC3-ML cells in vitro or in the growth of xenografts upon s.c. inoculation, it caused a significant reduction in cell invasiveness. Notably, PKCe was required for transendothelial cell migration (TEM) as well as for the growth of PC3-ML cells in a bone biomimetic environment. At a mechanistic level, PKCe depletion abrogates the expression of IL1β, a cytokine implicated in skeletal metastasis. Taken together, PKCe is a key factor for driving the formation of bone metastasis by prostate cancer cells and is a potential therapeutic target for advanced stages of the disease. Implications: This study uncovers an important new function of PKCe in the dissemination of cancer cells to the bone; thus, highlighting the promising potential of this oncogenic kinase as a therapeutic target for skeletal metastasis. Mol Cancer Res; 13(9); 1336–46. ©2015 AACR . This article is featured in Highlights of This Issue, [p. 1263][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/13/1263?iss=9
Evidence for the Existence of Ternary Complexes of Iron, Cyclodextrin, and Hydrophobic Guests in Aqueous Solution

Carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin (CMCD) has been used to enhance Fenton (Fe2+ + H2O2 → Fe3+ + HO• + OH-) degradation of hydrophobic organic pollutants in aqueous systems. It has been proposed that the enhancement was due to the formation of a pollutant/CMCD/Fe2+ ternary complex which enabled the degradation catalyst, Fe2+, to be closer to the target pollutant molecule so as to favor the degradation reaction. To investigate this theory, aqueous solutions containing CMCD, Fe2+, and anthracene or 2-naphthol were studied using fluorescence and NMR techniques. The fluorescence quenching results showed that in aqueous solution (pH > 3) anthracene or 2-naphthol was quenched more efficiently by Fe2+ in the presence of CMCD. When the less efficient quenchers Cd2+ or Ca2+ were added to the anthracene/CMCD/Fe2+ solution, the fluorescence was restored by displacing Fe2+ from its binding site near the pollutant. NMR spectra showed evidence of formation of a 2-naphthol/CMCD binary complex. Peak broadening of 2-naphthol whe...
Converged quantum dynamics calculations for the F+H2 reaction on the well‐studied M5 potential‐energy surface

We present converged quantum dynamics calculations for the reaction F+H2(vi=0)→HF(vf=0,1,2,3)+H, where vi and vf denote initial and final vibrational quantum numbers, on potential‐energy surface no. 5 of Muckerman.
Social Media in Health Education, Promotion, and Communication: Reaching Rural Hispanic Populations along the USA/Mexico Border Region

Social media is changing how individuals gather information and relate to others. Public health professionals can use social media in their efforts to assess health needs, set policy, and communicate health concerns as they focus on protecting and improving the health of the community. It has been estimated that traditional health messaging campaigns reach less than 10 % of the targeted population. The purpose of this article is to discuss ways that social media can be used as a tool to reach rural border health populations along the USA/Mexico border. The USA/Mexico border region is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and infamous for health disparities due to low socio-economic conditions. The border region contains many rural areas; the rurality creates an additional barrier of distance and further increase of health disparities. Through well-developed and targeted social media campaigns, public health professionals can assess and develop effective health strategies to reach this hard-to-reach population and improve the health and quality of life for those living in the rural border region.
Two-photon coherent-transient measurement of the nonradiative collisionless dephasing rate in SF/sub 6/ via Doppler-free degenerate four-wave mixing

This Letter reports, for the first time, an experimental measurement of the collisionless dephasing time of the ..nu../sub 3/=2 level in SF/sub 6/ using Doppler-free two-photon degenerate four-wave mixing. The measurement is performed in the time domain by use of a short-pulse CO/sub 2/ laser to establish a molecular two-photon coherent state. The coherent state is then probed as a function of time to yield a dephasing time of 1.8 nsec which is related to intramolecular dephasing rates.
Environmental assessment process for the AES Parana power plant development project in Argentina

The paper describes the electric utility generation project that was constructed at the site of the existing Central Termica San Nicolas (CTSN) power plant in San Nicolas, Argentina about 240 km northwest of Buenos Aires and the projects environmental impact. This project is part of the Argentina Electric Sector (AES) and an important peak power contributor to the regional electric power grid. The principal elements of the Project include a new 830 MW power generation plant, a 16 km natural gas pipeline to supply fuel to the project from a high-pressure trunk line, and a 9 km 500 KV electric transmission line to connect to the national grid. The new plant is expected to have a natural gas supply for all of its daily requirements, with the potential for supply interruptions of up to 30 days per year. In planning this project a number of environmental impact considerations were studied. Assessment area examples include; geology, topography, climatology, meteorology, air quality, noise, hydrology and water quality, ecology, socio-economic conditions archaeological, historical and cultural resources. The primary results of these environmental assessments are summarised in the paper as well as a comparison with the US process.
Effect of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization on Levels of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α in Rabbit VX2 Liver Tumors

Purpose To test the hypothesis that transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of VX2 rabbit liver tumors increases the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), a transcription factor that regulates the expression of pro-angiogenic genes. Materials and Methods VX2 tumors were implanted in the livers of eight New Zealand white rabbits. Once tumor growth was seen at T2-weighted turbo spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, four of the eight rabbits underwent TAE with 45–150-μm polyvinyl alcohol particles. The remaining four rabbits served as non-TAE controls. The TAE end point was stasis of antegrade blood flow. All rabbits were sacrificed for tumor harvest 2 hours after TAE. Tumor tissue and corresponding normal liver tissue in each rabbit liver were stained with anti-human HIF-1α monoclonal antibody and reviewed with light microscopy. Percentages of stained viable tumor and normal liver cells were compared by using the Mann-Whitney U test (α = 0.05). Results In eight rabbits with 24 discrete liver tumors, the mean percentage (±standard deviation) of positive HIF-1α–stained cells in the TAE group was greater than that in the control group (19% ± 7.0 vs 12% ± 8.0, respectively) ( P = .05). Normal liver tissue in both the TAE and control groups showed no HIF-1α staining. Conclusion Although HIF-1α is not expressed in normal rabbit liver parenchyma—even after TAE—HIF-1α expression is present in implanted VX2 rabbit liver tumors and significantly increased in lesions that have undergone embolization.
Laser desorption mass spectrometry for microbial DNA analysis

Abstract Recently, we demonstrated that a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS) can be used to determine the molecular weight of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of intact 16S rRNA regions and to profile their restriction digests. This is the first time that MALDI-TOF MS with ultraviolet (UV) photoionization has been used to analyze a PCR product of ∼1600 nucleotides in length.
Odontoid fractures following blunt trauma

Fractures of the odontoid process typically result from forceful blunt trauma. They often produce instability of the cervical spine, and may be associated with neurologic impairment. This study was designed to examine the epidemiology and demographics of odontoid injuries, including their incidence and prevalence relative to other spine injuries, the prevalence of associated injuries, and the likelihood of neurologic impairment. Of 34,069 enrolled blunt trauma victims, 818 (2.4 %) sustained a cervical spine injury, 94 of whom had a fracture of the odontoid. The relative prevalence of odontoid fractures varied by age, ranging from less than 3 % among individuals under age 20 years, to greater than 20 % in patients over 80 years old. Classification by Anderson–D'Alonzo criteria revealed 6 type I injuries, 60 type II injuries, and 27 type III injuries; one vertical injury could not be categorized. Over half of the odontoid fracture victims sustained additional cervical spine injuries, with 90 % of these injuries involving the atlanto-axial complex. In addition, non-spine-related injuries were found in 52 % of odontoid injury victims, over one-third (34 %) presented with an altered level of alertness, and almost one-quarter (23 %) exhibited some form of focal neurologic deficit associated with their injury. Fractures of the odontoid are among the most frequently encountered cervical spine injuries, and increase in prevalence with increasing patient age. Odontoid fracture victims often have other spine injuries, particularly to the atlanto-axial complex, and may harbor other non-spine-related injuries and neurologic pathology.
Sleep disturbances and driving practices of older drivers.

Objectives: To evaluate the associations between sleep disturbances and driving practices, including driving cessation and trajectories of daily driving mileage (change over time), in older drivers. Design: Longitudinal. Setting: New Haven, Connecticut. Participants: Four hundred thirty older drivers, mean age 78.5, recruited from clinic and community sites. Measurements: Baseline measures included medical history, daily driving mileage, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Sleep Apnea Clinical Score (SACS). Longitudinal outcomes included at least one episode of driving cessation and trajectories of miles driven per day, as recorded every 6 months over 2 years. Results: At baseline, participants drove an average of 22.2 miles per day; 26.0% (112/430) had insomnia (ISI ? 8), 19.3% (83/430) had daytime drowsiness (ESS ? 10), and 19.9% (84/422) had high sleep apnea risk (SACS > 15). The sleep-based predictors of insomnia (risk ratio (RR) = 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.65�2.20), daytime drowsiness (RR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.46�1.95), and high sleep apnea risk (RR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.27�1.42) did not confer a significantly greater risk of driving cessation. Insomnia was the only sleep-based predictor that conferred a significant change in driving mileage, yielding an average decrease of 4.5 miles per day over 2 years (P = .01). In the insomnia model, covariates that were associated with less driving mileage were polypharmacy (?4 medications) and each year of additional age, yielding an average decrease of 8.3 (P = .01) and 0.4 miles per day (P = .02), respectively, over 2 years. Conclusion: In a cohort of older drivers, insomnia and the covariates of polypharmacy and advancing age were longitudinally associated with less daily driving mileage. Because reductions in driving mileage in older persons often occur in response to reductions in driving capacity, these results support a clinical approach that considers insomnia-based cognitive-behavioral therapy and reduced polypharmacy as strategies for improving driving capacity in older persons.
Effect of cyclosporin a and lonophores on the intracellular pH of lymphocytes as measured by flow cytometry

Because of the known importance of pHi changes on the biology of cells, we have investigated the effect of CsA, the clinically important immunomodulator, on the pHi of resting mouse spleen and human peripheral blood lymphocytes. We have found that pharmacological doses (0.8 microM) of CsA caused no change in the pHi in these cells. Similarly, the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187, up to 5 microns concentration, had no effect on the pHi of these cells, in contrast to previous reports. However, higher doses of CsA (2.4-8.0 microM) did change the pHi transiently or permanently. These results were obtained with flow cytometric measurements of fluorescence intensity of the pH-sensitive dye, BCECF.
Reactions of o‐aminonitriles with isocyanates. 1. A two‐step synthesis of 2,6‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐c]quinazolin‐5‐(3H)one

The reaction of anthranilonitrile with 2-chloroethyl isocyanate yields 2-[3-(2-chloroethyl)ureido]benzo-nitrile (6) which, upon heating, or treatment with base, undergoes a double cyclization to form 2,6-dihydroimidazo[1,2-c]quinazolin-5-(3H) one (8) in excellent yield. When heated with hydrochloric acid, 6 is converted initially into 2-(2-chloroethylamino)-4H-[3,1]benzoxazin-4-one (18) and further into 3-(2-chloroethyl)-2,4-(1H,3H)quinazolinedione (15). The acid-catalyzed reaction of 2,3-dihydro-5H-oxazolo[2,3-b]quinazolin-5-one (14) with nucleophilic reagents yields 3-substituted 2,4-(1H,3H)quinazolinediones.
Vesicoureteral reflux: practical aspects of evaluation and management.

The efficacy of both medical and surgical therapy for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has been well established. Controversy remains, however, regarding who should be evaluated for the presence of VUR, who should undergo corrective surgery, who should be treated medically and for how long. Medical treatment requires many years of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis, so compliance with therapy is essential. Many children are lost to follow-up, however, and remain untreated after a medical regimen is started. This large number of untreated children raises issues of the appropriateness of blanket therapeutic recommendations for all children with VUR and challenges the clinician to devise more effective treatment strategies.
Contributions of residue pairing to β-sheet formation:conservation and covariation of amino acid residue pairs on antiparallel β-strands

Abstract In an effort to better understand β-sheet assembly, we have investigated the evolutionary behavior of neighboring residues on adjacent antiparallel β-strands. Residue pairs were classified according to solvent exposure as well as by whether their backbone NH and CO groups are hydrogen bonded. The conservation and covariation of 19,241 pairs in 219 sequence alignments was analyzed. Buried pairs were found to be the most conserved, while stronger covariation was detected in the solvent-exposed pairs. However, residues on neighboring strands showed a degree of conservation and covariation similar to that of well-separated residues on the same strand, suggesting that evolutionary pressure to maintain complementarity between pairs on neighboring strands is weak. Moreover, in spite of the preference of certain amino acid pairs to occupy neighboring positions on adjacent strands, such favored pairs are neither more strongly mutually conserved nor covary more strongly than pairs of the same type in non-interacting positions. Although the β-sheet pairs did not show outstanding evolutionary coupling, in many protein families significant conservation and covariation patterns were detected for some of the residue pairs. Overall, the weak evolutionary conservation and covariation of the β-sheet pairs indicates that sheet structure is unlikely to be dictated by specific side-chain interactions.
Erasure of the memory response in MEL cells

Abstract When MEL cells are reexposed to DMSO after an interruption in inducer treatment, they can initiate commitment to differentiation without the lag period observed after the primary exposure to inducer. This property is known as memory. Here we have employed metabolic inhibitors to analyze the basis of the memory response. Treatment of cells with cycloheximide or cordycepin during the inducer withdrawal period causes memory erasure. Cells must recapitulate an entire lag period upon reexposure to DMSO. The memory response is maintained, however, if cells are treated with metabolic inhibitors in the presence of DMSO. Our results suggest that the capacity of MEL cells for memory requires the synthesis of cell components which are normally stable in the absence of DMSO. Experiments involving reciprocal shifts between two different inhibitors have been performed. Evidence is presented that the process leading to the initiation of commitment is composed of at least three components acting in sequence.